Martha Kennerson - Always My Baby

Kristen, Elizabeth’s eldest child, was vice president of general operations and in line to take over Alexander’s role as COO upon his promotion to CEO.

“Good morning, Alexander,” Kristen called out cheerfully as she entered his office, holding an electronic tablet in one hand and a large travel mug for her coffee in the other. The black-and-white Chanel suit that covered her petite body was much like something his mother would wear, and her mother would revolt against, and it made him smile.

Alexander turned and faced his computer. “Kristen, you really should cut down on the caffeine.”

She took a seat in front of his desk and rested her cup on its corner. “And you, my dear cousin, really should focus on the problem at hand. Sorry I’m late. I got here as fast as I could.”

“Late for what?” he asked, his brow puckered as he tapped the keys of his computer.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t get my message.”

The night before, Kristen had left Alexander a twenty-minute-long voice mail outlining her plans for a press conference and the message she felt they needed to convey. She’d even followed that up with a detailed email.

“I got it,” he assured her.

“Good, because we really need to get out in front of the EPA’s announcement.” Kristen took a sip from her cup.

“I guess...”

“You guess.” Kristen tilted her head slightly and her nose crinkled. “I know you’ve been working nonstop on this thing for the last forty-eight hours, but you’ve got to pull it together before you and China go in front of those cameras for the press conference.”

Alexander’s mind flashed back to the last time he and China had come together, literally. He thought back to the way she looked, how she smelled and the way she tasted. “Alexander... Alexander,” Kristen said, knocking on his desk with her hand.

“What...?”

“You okay?” she questioned. “I lost you there for a minute.”

“I’m good...just tired.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’ll be fine. Especially with China by my side,” he murmured, turning his attention back to the computer screen.

“What was that?” Kristen’s eyebrows came together and she sat forward in her chair. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Alexander kept his eyes on the screen.

“With you and China. Something happen I should know about?”

Definitely not. “Like what?”

“Anything that could be picked up by the cameras. A disagreement on how the investigation is being handled, maybe,” she suggested.

Alexander turned his head and met his cousin’s gaze. “Not at all. We’re all on the same page in that regard.”

“Good, because even the slightest hint of a crack in our united front will be picked up on by those media vultures.”

“China and I will be fine...just like always,” he pledged.

“Great. Now let’s go over your statement,” she said, powering up her tablet.

Alexander pushed out a breath. Before he could reply, there was a knock on the door just before it slowly opened. His longtime assistant, Tammy, stood in the doorway. “Excuse me, Alexander. China asked me to tell you that she’ll meet you at the press conference. She had to step out for a while.”

Alexander frowned. “Step out.” He checked his watch. “Did she say where she was going?”

“She went out for an early lunch,” Tammy explained.

“That’s fine. Thanks, Tammy.”

“No problem. By the way, that stewardess chick keeps calling for you. I guess she didn’t get the memo that once it’s over it’s over and calling me won’t help.”

“They prefer ‘flight attendant,’ and I’ll take care of it.”

Kristen narrowed her eyes. “Okay...spill. What’s going on, Alexander?”

Alexander knew how hard it was to get anything past the Kingsley women, but he certainly was going to try. The last thing he needed was for his cousin to start digging into his personal business. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Don’t you have a press conference you need to coordinate or something?”

“Avoidance. That’s something this family’s good at. Just remember what I said about the press picking up on anything out of the ordinary.” Kristen rose, collected her things and left the office.

“Sleeping with China is definitely out of the ordinary,” he said, slouching back in his chair, wishing he had another chance to do even more out of the ordinary things with China.

Chapter 4

“Thanks again for meeting me. I wasn’t sure you would want to after—”

“After you ended our date early Friday night and canceled our brunch date yesterday,” Jackson reminded her, offering up a teasing smile.

China nodded as she reached for her glass of water and took a sip. She appreciated the handsome, brown-skinned pediatric surgeon for being so patient with her, but unfortunately her night with Alexander had started to cloud her feelings; China was beginning to question her decision. The past weekend was just one more example of how important it was to have her own family, especially in times of crisis. No family was better at standing strong together when they thought they were being attacked than the Kingsleys. While China’s secret desire was to have that experience with Alexander, she knew that wasn’t something he wanted.

“Yes, basically, and I wouldn’t blame you if you had canceled,” she said.

Jackson trained his green eyes on her as he signaled for the waiter. “Don’t be ridiculous. Lunch with you has brightened up my Monday. We’re both very busy people, which is why we signed up with More Than Just Dating in the first place.”

More Than Just Dating was an exclusive matchmaking agency that specialized in setting up individuals of discerning taste and sizable wealth who either wanted to get married or become parents through donations, sperm or egg.

A tall male waiter approached the table. “Good evening, I’m Al. Can I get you something to drink?” he asked, handing them both menus.

“Yes, please. Can you bring us two Arnold Palmers?” Jackson asked.

“Right away, sir.”

“How did you know I like Arnold Palmers?” Her forehead crinkled.

“Your profile questionnaire, remember?” he said, laughing. “After having to answer all those questions on that assessment myself, I was certainly going to read everyone else’s answers.”

“That really was some questionnaire,” she agreed, smiling. I would’ve loved to hear Alexander’s opinion on some of those questions. He would’ve laughed his head off. Focus, China. This is about you and Jackson...not Alexander.

“What is it about that questionnaire that’s making you smile in such a way?” Jackson asked, as the corner of his mouth rose slightly.

The waiter returned with their drinks, placing a glass in front of each of them. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” Jackson replied quickly. “Do you mind if I...”

“Not at all,” China said, impressed by his initiative and grateful for the subject change.

“We’ll have two house salads with grilled chicken, and please have the special house dressing placed on the side.”

“Yes, sir.” The waiter collected the menus before leaving.

China reached for her glass. “Let me guess, the questionnaire?”

“Yes.” Jackson picked up his tea and raised the glass skyward. “To hopefully an uninterrupted lunch.”

China smiled and touched her glass against his. “One can always hope,” she murmured before taking a drink.

Jackson placed his glass down and said, “So, what was that pretty smile a moment ago all about?”

Alexander’s face, his body and all of the intimate things that they had done flooded her mind. China dropped her eyes in hopes of hiding emotions she had no control of, it seemed, when it came to Alexander. “What makes you think there’s more to it?”