My heart stutters. “About what?”
“About my ‘responsibilities to the family.’” Alex’s voice takes on a mocking quality, clearly imitating his father’s accent. “About how it’s time I settled down with someone appropriate. About Jessica being a good match politically and socially.”
“And what did you say?” I hate how tentative my voice sounds.
Alex shrugs. “I reminded him that I’m not one of his business associates. That my personal life is my own.”
I laugh, but it’s hollow. “I bet that went over well.”
“About as well as you’d expect.” Alex stands, moving closer to me. “He thinks I’m going through a phase. That I’ll eventually come around to his way of thinking.”
“And will you?” I can’t stop myself from asking.
Alex’s eyes darken. “What do you think?”
He’s so close now that I can smell his cologne, and it makes my head swim. My back is still pressed against the door, and he’s effectively caging me in with his height, his body just inches from mine.
“I think you’re playing a dangerous game,” I say softly.
“We both are.” His hand comes up to cup my jaw, his thumb brushing across my lower lip. “But I’ve never been good at walking away from things I want.”
I should push him away. Remind him that we’re at my workplace, that anyone could knock on the door at any moment, that whatever is happening between us is complicated and messy and potentially catastrophic. Instead, I lean into his touch, my eyes closing briefly.
“I need to get ready,” I say, but I make no move to step away from him. “My set starts in forty minutes.”
“Plenty of time,” Alex murmurs, closing the last bit of distance between us. His lips brush against mine, barely a kiss at all, just a whisper of contact that sends a shiver down my spine.
I don’t know who moves first after that. Maybe we both do. All I know is that suddenly we’re kissing for real, his mouth hot and demanding against mine, his hands sliding into my hair to angle my head just the way he wants it. I grab his shoulders, my fingers digging into the solid muscle there, holding on as the world tilts on its axis.
Alex kisses like he’s conducting a symphony, each movement precise and calculated for maximum effect. When he pulls back, I’m embarrassingly breathless.
“I should let you get ready,” he says, looking far too pleased with himself.
“Yeah,” I agree, stepping aside to finally let him leave. My hands are shaking slightly as I smooth down my shirt. “You probably should.”
He opens the door, then pauses, glancing back at me with a small smile. “Coming?”
I blink, confused. “What?”
“I’m leaving. Aren’t you going to walk me out? Be a good host?”
There’s something in his expression that makes me suspicious, but I follow him anyway. We emerge into the hallway where my coworkers are still hanging out, now digging into the pastries Alex brought. The smell of butter and sugar fills the air, making my empty stomach growl.
“Leaving so soon?” Kayla asks, looking genuinely disappointed.
Alex smiles, all charm and warmth. “Unfortunately, yes. But before I go—” He pauses dramatically, like he’s just had a brilliant idea. “I’m having a little get-together at my place next Saturday. Nothing fancy, just drinks, good food, maybe some poker if anyone’s interested. You should all come.”
I freeze, my eyes narrowing at the back of his head. This wasn’t a spontaneous idea. This was his plan all along.
“Hell yes,” Mark says immediately, looking like he just won the lottery. “I’m in.”
“Me too,” Kayla agrees, nudging Rina.
Rina hesitates, giving me a questioning look. I keep my face neutral, but something in my expression must give me away because she nods. “Sure, sounds fun.”
Alex turns to me, his eyes wide and hopeful, the perfect picture of innocence. “Vincent? Will you come too?”
The bastard. He knows exactly what he’s doing, putting me on the spot like this. If I say no, I’ll have to explain why to my friends. If I say yes, I’m playing right into whatever game he’s setting up.
