The Billionaire's Hired Girlfriend

Chapter 11

Eight Weeks Later

NEW YORK CITY, USA

Alex was tired and frustrated. Finally, she thought with some small triumph, she had arrived in New York City. Now standing there in the lobby of LaGuardia Airport, she just wanted to collapse on the floor and rest. Where was Jayden anyway? Oh, God! What if he forgot to come and get her? Well, she couldn't blame him if he had because she was late. She was supposed to arrive yesterday afternoon. But being the clumsy, inexperienced traveler she was, she managed to miss the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and then the rest was history. She was still upset she missed that flight. It was first class. Now she would never know what it was like sitting in that luxurious, comfy seat with the airhostess serving her every need. Damn!

Turning her attention back to her dilemma, she thought if she didn't see Jay within the next five minutes, she'd take a taxi and check into the nearest hotel. Then she'd give him a ring to tell him where she was.

She dragged her luggage across the vast terminal and walked toward the rows of seats near the window. She searched around just in case Jayden was somewhere nearby, waiting for her. When she saw only the faces of strangers, she sighed and slumped on the seat.

"Alex!"

Her stomach knotted. She turned. "Jay!" she murmured. Her throat was so tight her voice was barely above a whisper. She rushed over to him with her heavy bag in tow. Before she knew what she was about, she dropped the luggage and hugged him hard.

Jayden wrapped his arms around her. People looked at them with knowing smiles on their faces. Ah, the lovers finally reunited.

Alex drew back and glanced up at him. Jay saw her face, which was inches from his, and his heart nearly broke. He cupped her face in his hands and said gently, "So how was the traveling?"

Alex didn't say anything. She just stared up at him.

"You must be tired," he said and then turned to pick up her luggage. "My car is this way."

Alex said, "Okay," and followed him toward the exit.

The crisp night air soothed both Alex's emotions and her overheated skin.

"Did you wait long?"

She shook her head.

"Here's my car."

Alex couldn't help but widen her eyes with admiration at the black Mercedes-Benz.

Jay said, "Hop in," as he loaded her luggage into the boot.

Alex wasted no time sliding into the passenger seat. "Nice car," she commented, glancing at Jay beside her.

"Thanks," Jay replied, starting the engine.

Even this late at night, or rather early in the morning, the roads were still busy with cars and trucks coming and going. She wondered if the people in New York ever sleep. The city itself must be beautiful, if only I could see. It was rather dark even though there were streetlights everywhere, like dots of stars. A while later, after her fascination had waned, she settled herself more comfortably in her seat and rested her head against the cool window.

Jay glanced at her. "I apologize for picking those flights for you. I should have chosen a flight straight from Auckland to New York instead of—"

"Don't worry about it, Jayden. I'm here, aren't I? So everything's fine," she said.

"Are you cold?"

She glanced at him and shook her head.

Jayden was still angry with himself for picking those flights for her. He knew she was an inexperienced traveler. She told him so numerous times via their e-mails. He blamed his impatience for this. He wanted her to come as soon as possible and booked her flights for her before she even agreed. Now he wondered again for the hundredth time why he was so eager for her to come to New York.