Note: Upgrade your browser if you can't see the images.
Di CESARE PREGNANT MISTRESS - Chapter 19
You are reading Di CESARE PREGNANT MISTRESS Chapter 19 at mangacake.
Please use the Bookmark button to get notifications about the latest chapters of Di CESARE PREGNANT MISTRESS next time when you come visit our manga website
With Daniel’s words in mind, Stephanie dressed to impress the following day. Her self-confidence had been crushed by her divorce, and for many months afterwards she had dressed with the sole aim of fading into the background. But gradually, with Jess’s badgering, she had begun to take a renewed interest in the way she looked.
Interior design was about making a statement, and she accepted that clients would her appearance while they debated hiring her to design their homes. A bold red and white patterned skirt, a crisp white jacket and a matching accessories certainly made a statement, and as she ran up the steps of the Haighton Hotel and glimpsed her reflection in the glass doors, the heavy cloud that had sat over her since her last conversation with Alexander Iifted a little.
Why should she care about his opinion of her? She knew she wasn’t a gold-digger with her eye on James’s fortune-and so, more importantly, did James . Alexander was bitter and cynical-although she couldn’t understand why, when he appeared to have everything life and money had to offer. But he was gone—back to Italy, or jetting around the globe—and with luck she would never see him again.
At the reception desk she gave her name, and explained that she had a meeting with Alistair Collins. The clerk made a brief phone call, and a few moment later a pleasant-faced, fair-haired man walked across the foyer to greet her.
‘Miss Stewart—it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ He shook her hand briefly as she returned his greeting. ‘If you would like to come up to the suite? I think we’ll be more comfortable than in the guest lounge.’
Alistair Collins smiled as he ushered her over to the lift, and after a brief hesitation Stephanie stepped inside and they were whisked up to the top floor. The Haighton was one of London’s top hotels, and it’s decor of muted shades and plush pale carpets exuded discreet elegance. Her client led the way along the corridor to the Ambassador suite, and she glanced around, admiring the gracious, airy sitting room with huge windows that allowed sunlight to spill into the room.
A figure was silhouetted against the light. His height and the width of his shoulders were impressive, but it was the arrogant tilt of his head that triggered Stephanie unease. She glanced questioningly at Alistair Collins, and frowned when he indicated that she should step further into the room while he retreated to the door.
‘Miss Stewart’s here, Alexander. Will there be anything else?’
‘No, Grazie, Alistair.’
Alexander swung round to face her at the same time Stephanie heard the snick of the door, indicating that Alistair Collins had left the room. For a few seconds her muscles froze, and her brain seemed to have deserted her, but her eyes locked on Alexander and greedily drank in the perfection of his face: the planes and hollows formed by his sharp cheekbones, the heavy brows and strong nose, the hair the exact colour of a raven’s wing that gleamed blue-black in the sunlight, and the cruel beauty of his sensual mouth.
Her first thought, when her brain reconnected, was that once again her hopes had been raised and dashed by this man. She had come today expecting to discuss a possible commission, and although Daniel hadn’t said as much, she knew how important any new business venture was to Spectrum’s ailing finances. She had no idea why Alexander had gone to such lengths to bring her here; she just wanted to leave-pronto.
Alexander was watching her, his dark eyes trailing over her in a lazy appraisal that ignited her temper and sent fire surging through her veins. Suddenly it was imperative that she spoke first.
‘It was rather juvenile to trick me into coming here, don’t you think?’ She said coolly, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze steadily, although her heart was jerking painfully beneath her ribs. ‘I’m sure your staff have better things to do with their time—as I do with mine.’ She turned on her heels and headed for the door. ‘I’ll see myself out.’
‘Sit down, Stephanie.’ The command was softly spoken, but it was a command nevertheless, and she turned her head and glared at him.
‘Why?’
‘Because I haven’t given you my permission to leave,’ he drawled, still in that quiet, controlled voice that disturbed her more than if he had shouted.
‘I don’t need your permission, Alexander.’
His smile slashed his face, but it did not reach his eyes, Stephanie noted when he moved away from the window and strolled towards her. ‘I expect all my employees to carry out my requests without argument.’
‘Then I consider myself fortunate that I am not one of them.’
Nervous, but determined not to be cowed, Alexander acknowledged, feeling the faintest hint of admiration for her. His eyes raked her slender figure, noting how her slim-fitting skirt hugged her hips, and the cut of her jacket emphasised her tiny waist, while the top button was at a point that revealed a tempting but decorous amount of cleavage. Power-dressing, smart and yet undeniably sexy—but she hadn’t known she was meeting him, and had dressed to please another man. Rage fired inside him, surprising him with it’s intensity, and the temptation to claim her sassy scarlet-glossed lips with his mouth and kiss her into submission was so strong that his muscles clenched.
‘Since I have decided to employ your services, bella, you are under my control—so sit while we discuss my requirements.’
The gleam in his eyes was unmistakable: raw sexual hunger that made Stephanie tremble with mixture of outrage and excitement that she tried desperately to deny. In what way did he want her services—and what exactly were his requirements? The connotation in his words sickened her—did he expect her to be his *****?
His mouth twitched with amusement as he read her mind, and Stephanie tightened her grip on her laptop case and held it in front of her like a shield.