Substitute (Xcite Erotic Romance Novels) by Isobel Rey

Author:Isobel Rey [Rey, Isobel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Xcite Books
Published: 2013-02-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The buzz in the hotel lobby was tangible. Journalists, photographers, and cameramen were arriving, talking on their mobiles, swaggering and strutting as if this was their sole territory. For the next few hours, it was.

The staff were busy, never breaking into a trot or a sweat as they were all too well trained. But they were clearly gearing up for a big event.

The press conference was set for the afternoon. Nathan and Tony had been in a huddle all day, leaving Alexia to fend for herself. She wasn’t needed. She’d busied herself as best she could, making sure all the arrangements were in place for the press conference and the drinks reception for the celebrity guests afterwards. She’d had to deal with all their publicists on the telephone, confirming they’d make an appearance.

Alexia found the hotel’s liaison, a tall, polite, very camp young man called Oliver. He was immaculate. She couldn’t imagine anyone with better manicured hands or neater eyebrows.

‘All ready for the kick-off. Just call me if you have any questions or you need anything, absolutely anything.’ Oliver smiled widely, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was a pro, polished, stylish and hard-nosed as hell. ‘Anything,’ he repeated.

I’ll bet, she thought. Did he order the girls last night, or was that Tony? Perhaps both.

Sonia walked into reception. ‘Hello, sweetie, how are you feeling today?’

In truth, Alexia’s head was a little fuzzy from the wine and the whisky sours. ‘A little cloudy, but better for talking to you last night.’

Sonia squeezed her arm. ‘It’ll all be OK today. The soccer boys will be too busy looking cool for the cameras to worry about you, and Tony will be too busy looking cool for the soccer boys to worry about you. And Nathan, he’ll just be worrying about everything except you. So just stand back, do your job, make sure there are no hitches, and fix them if there are … Then breathe out!’

The two women laughed together, but Alexia’s laugh was all gallows humour. Her stomach was churning and it wasn’t going to stop any time soon.

‘See you in a bit,’ said Sonia and left to speak with her colleagues from the fragrance company who were paying a king’s ransom to have the three footballers fronting their brand.

Alexia felt alone and exposed, standing in reception, watching all the movement and hustle, not quite knowing how to fit in. She watched as the journalists disappeared into the press conference room, taking the paraphernalia of television and radio with them. The lobby fell silent again.

‘Alexia,’ said a deep voice behind her.

She turned round to see Nathan. He towered over her, immaculate as always. But she couldn’t help noticing he looked as if he hadn’t slept well; just a slight darkness under those dark blue eyes.

‘Any problems with the publicists or are we all set?’

‘Er … No, we’re fine. I’ve just had another chat with Oliver, our liaison at the hotel, it’s all under control.’

Nathan eyed her for a minute. ‘No last-minute hitches with Iorizzo or the others?’

He was watching her carefully.

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