Page 35 of The Artist

Chapter11

They arrived at The Aspen – Pitkin County Airport which had two terminals with a total of seven gates.His driver, dropped them off that the front door and they proceeded to go to the private aircraft access point.They went through the security protocol and then were taken in a airport vehicle to Peter’s jet.She’d never seen a private plane up close, but his seemed exceptionally large.

She climbed the stairs and entered the plane.The first room was a large sitting area with a sofa against the back wall and a loveseat on each end of the sofa.A huge coffee table was in the middle of the area.

Alexis ran a hand over the top of the loveseat as she passed it.The material was so soft, it reminded her of her favorite cashmere sweater.

She turned toward Peter, who was behind her.“Do you mind if I look around?I’ve never seen anything like this.It’s a…amazing.I could lie on this sofa and be happy for the rest of my life.”She laughed.

He laughed with her.“No, not at all.Come on, I’ll show you around.”

Beyond this room was an office area set up with a large desk on each side of the aisle, with two leather conference chairs in front of each desk and a black leather executive chair was behind.

“This working area is quite the set up.With you being an artist, I didn’t think you’d need an office, so to speak.”she said as they walked through the room.

“Mostly those are for my brothers.Sometimes when they come with me, they still have work to do.Generally, that is Cole.The man seems to work constantly.”

She looked around the conference room.It had a four-sided table that was polished to a beautiful high gloss and was the darkest wood she’d ever seen.It was set at an odd angle with four leather executive chairs.“What is this table made from and why is it shaped like this and only seating for four people?Surely this plane can carry more than four people, right?And if you had a regular table in here you could have at least double the amount of people.”

He laughed.“You’re right, I could have it set up so more people could sit, but that isn’t what I want.I only bring associates on here to broker deals.And those usually involved one or two people.As to the table, I liked the shape.It’s different and it’s made from ebony, the darkest wood in the world.That’s not stain, that’s the color of the actual wood.”

“Oh, my gosh.Something like that must have cost a fortune.”She held up her hand and closed her eyes while shaking her head.Then she opened them and didn’t take her gaze from his.“Don’t mind me.I don’t want to know how much things cost.I really don’t.You’re a billionaire.You can afford to get whatever you want.I’m just…just blown away.This is all?—”

“I don’t want you to be blown away.I just want you to know that whatever happens, I will always be here for you.Even if we separate, I’m only a flight away.Always.”

Alexis gave him a brilliant smile.“Thank you.You can’t imagine how much that means to me.”

“Good.I’m glad I can give you a little peace.”He took her hand and kissed the top and then the underside of her wrist.His gaze never wavered from hers.

“Oh, my, is it suddenly hot in here?”

Peter laughed and tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.“Come on, let’s see the rest of the plane before George tells us to buckle up.”

The next room was the galley.It had all the amenities – a large four-door refrigerator, four burner electric stove and oven with a microwave above it.A full meal could be prepared in the air.

“This is amazing.This kitchen is almost bigger than my entire cabin.And it’s definitely better outfitted.I didn’t know you could have a real stove.I would have thought it was a fire hazard.”

“That’s why it’s electric and not gas.It’s much safer.Usually, I have a chef.”Peter wrapped his arms around Alexis.“But I didn’t think I needed one for this trip.”He turned her, took her wrist and turning it over at the last moment, he kissed the inside of her wrist.

The action sent shivers up and down her spine.She couldn’t help but smile.

“Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the plane that has two bathrooms.The first one is here.”He opened the door and revealed a half bath with marble countertops and chrome fixtures.

He closed the door and moved on to the next room which was the dining room.It was a table for six, made out of the same ebony word as in the conference room, sat to one side of a large room with a buffet and China hutch on the opposite wall from the table.

“This is amazing.It’s just like a flying house.I could live in this, quite happily, at least for a while.”

Peter smiled and took her hand, pulling her toward the short hallway.“Through here are the bedrooms.”

Her eyes widened.“Bedrooms?As in more than one?”

Peter chuckled.“Yes, sometimes one or more of the family will travel with me.I like for them to have their own bedroom.”He opened the door to the first room.

The decor was opulent.A queen bed had a blue silk comforter with a floral pattern on it, a nightstand made from a dark wood was on each side of the bed and the closet door was mirrored.

The second bedroom was much the same but done in green instead of blue.

The third bedroom was the master.It had a king-size bed with a burgundy silk comforter, two oak nightstands and two mirrored doors on the wall opposite the door where they stood.