Teacups & Troubles

Teacups and Trouble

By Ellie Forsythe

Copyright 2012 Ellie Forsythe

Published by Black Shire Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover art by Abigail Fero

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 1

Alexis stared at the computer screen, checking the flight information for the fourth time that hour. Her boss was due to land soon at Edinburgh Airport after his much needed holiday in Paris. Though he originally bought the trip for two, Charles ended up going alone, without his fiancée.

What time do you leave?

Alexis looked up, startled. Jeremy stood on the other side of the desk. She hadn’t even heard him approach.

The car’s going to pick me up any minute now, Alexis replied. It was only her third month with this office in Edinburgh though she worked with Charles in London before he moved north. The employees were still trying to figure her out.

Jeremy leaned on the side of her desk, cocking his hip and smiling down at her. One of the office heartthrobs, Jeremy had an inflated view of himself. Alexis wasn’t about to help inflate his ego any further. She’d been ignoring him since she started.

When he put a hand down on the papers she needed, Alexis didn’t say anything. Instead, she started collecting the other files and documents Charles would need before coming back to work after the weekend. Without his fiancée, Charles had dived into the distraction that work offered.

So, are you going out for drinks later? Jeremy asked when she didn’t instigate any further conversation.

I don’t think so.

Why not? I’ll be there.

That’s a good reason right there, Alexis replied, straight-faced.

Jeremy chuckled, shaking his head as if he thought she was adorable. You can’t resist me forever, he said.

You’d be surprised.

As if she hadn’t insulted him twice, Jeremy leaned closer. Why are you going to pick Charles up at the airport?

Because there are a few things he needs to address over the weekend and he’ll want to be caught up on business by Monday, Alexis said despite the fact that it was none of Jeremy’s business why she was meeting her boss at the airport. She didn’t want him thinking she was hiding something.

You do know he slept with his previous assistant, right? Jeremy asked. His voice was low and conspiratorial.

Alexis just shot him a look. Everyone had warned her about Charles, directly or indirectly. They made sure she knew all about his indiscretion with Lindsay and his broken engagement with the woman he cheated on. As if she didn’t already know.

Jeremy threw up his hands in mock-surrender. I just want to make sure you know who you’re working for.

No one but HR knew she’d worked for Charles previously. Alexis still hadn’t decided whether or not that was something she felt comfortable being public knowledge. She didn’t want to be tarred with the same brush as Lindsay, who was universally accepted as beneath scum, a home-wrecker.

The phone rang, mercifully offering her a legitimate reason to ignore Jeremy.

Hello?

Reception squawked on the other end of the phone, telling her that the car had arrived and was waiting outside for her. She thanked them and hung up, glad to be heading out.

Alexis yanked the papers she needed from under Jeremy’s hand, feeling a stab of satisfaction when he flailed, his balance thrown off.

Have a good day, she called gaily as she sped past him, still stuffing the papers into her bag. She didn’t wait for his response, relieved to be heading out of the office.

The drive to the airport was quick and silent. Thankfully, the driver wasn’t interested in small talk and the plastic barrier which separated them hummed with music she could only faintly hear coming from his radio. She spent the time getting ready to see Charles for the first time in a week, checking and fixing her make-up.

Do you want me to get out and wait for him or will you be meeting him at the gate? The driver’s words pulled her head up.

I’ll go meet him. If you’ll just wait in the short-term parking lot, we shouldn’t be long.

He pulled up to the curb and she opened the door, pleased to stretch her legs. She’d dressed carefully that day, fully aware that she would meet Charles at the airport. A tight black pencil skirt hugged her curves and her scoop top was blue, to match her eyes. Her heels weren’t as sensible as they could have been, either.

When the driver dropped her off at the arrivals terminal, Alexis took a moment to fluff her short curly hair and tug her blouse into place so that the top of her cleavage showed. Her black coat she left open in the front despite the weather. She didn’t want him to miss any of her charms, not that he ever did.

The blast of warm air from the airport was welcome as she entered through the automatic doors. Edinburgh Airport was so small she only had a few feet to walk before she arrived at the throng of people waiting. Too short to see over so many people’s heads, Alexis dipped and elbowed her way to the front where she could lean against the metal railing and see everyone as they came out.

Charles’ flight landed fifteen minutes ago but she knew he’d be out soon. Customs and the baggage claim wouldn’t hold him up very long. She waited patiently as other passengers were reunited with their loved ones, drivers and colleagues. Alexis tried not to shift on her feet impatiently but the heels, a little too high for a Friday work day, weren’t very comfortable.

Then Alexis spotted him. His blond hair looked mussed but the smile that had been missing recently hovered over his lips and stretched out fully when he spotted her. Charles waved and called her name. She tried not to grin back but she couldn’t help it. She’d allow this moment of weakness on her part.

Alexis, Charles said again as he came closer, his brown bag rolling along behind him like an obedient puppy.

Did you have a good flight? Alexis asked as she edged around the metal railing.

It wasn’t too bad. Slept through most of it, Charles replied. He met her where the railing ended, looking unsure as to whether or not a hug was appropriate.

Alexis solved the dilemma for him by pressing herself against him, throwing her arms lightly over his shoulders. Once she gave him permission, he succumbed and pulled her closer, squeezing her to his chest.

Alexis drew back first, laughing. Looks like you missed me, she commented.

It was strange traveling by myself. I missed having people I knew around me.

"You don’t know many people here,’ Alexis reminded him. Despite the months Charles had been living in Edinburgh, she knew he hadn’t made any friends, especially not at the office. With Edina, his ex-fiancée, gone, he really had no one in Scotland but her. She wondered how long he’d stay before giving up and moving home to London.

That’s true, but at least it’s familiar.

Charles hefted his shoulder bag and tugged at his roller bag, leading them out of the airport and into the cold, fresh air. Once they got outside, Alexis directed him to the driver. As they approached, the man popped out of the car and hurried towards them, his hand outstretched to take Charles’ bags.

Alexis let them handle the luggage and bundled herself back into the car. Once in she arranged herself, draping the coat over her to keep her legs warm. The bite of winter weather was in the air. When Charles opened his door, she turned to him with a smile.

I brought some stuff you might want for the weekend, Alexis said, pulling out the papers she’d packed.

Excellent. I know that new client was upset to hear I had a holiday.

He did call three times while you were away. I tried to answer his questions as best I could but you should speak to him as soon as possible.

Charles nodded and looked over the papers, shifting them through his hands. He frowned once or twice as she watched him but didn’t say anything further. They pulled up at the office not too much later.

I’ll see you Monday, Alexis said as she slid out. There was still a little bit of work left for her and it wasn’t quite quitting time yet.

Charles climbed out from his side. I’m gonna try and get an hour or two’s worth of work done just now.

But the driver’s supposed to take you home.

I know, but since we’re here. Besides, I really do need to call Gerard back, Charles said as he opened the trunk and pulled out his bags.

Alexis shrugged and continued into the building, not willing to wait out in the cold for Charles to sort himself out. But once she was in the lobby, Alexis turned to watch him through