“Something I need to know?” he asks, his dark gaze darting back and forth between King and me.
“Not yet,” I say, tempted to ask him the same question. Instead, I press a hand to his heart, soak in the steady thump, and silently borrow some of his strength for the day ahead. “See you tonight?”
“Of course.”
Not exactly the excited response I was hoping for. I glance at King. “Would you check with the guys and see if they’re ready for us?”
There’s a pause as he glances between us and then nods. “See you later.”
“Later,” Alex replies.
Bless my best friend. He shuts the door behind him, leaving Alex and me alone.
“What aren’t you telling me, Alex?”
His hands hang loose at his sides, giving him the appearance of being ready for anything.
“What makes you think I’m not telling you something, Beauty?”
The nickname soothes me a smidge.
“Because you’re a protector at heart and you’d keep something from me if you thought it was going to hurt me.” I know that to the marrow of my bones.
With a sigh, he hangs his head and clamps his hands over his hips. “It’s just a little complicated.” Then he looks at me, and those gorgeous brown eyes convey so much more than words. Desire. Need. He wants my trust.
He has it.
“We’re working it out, though. I promise.”
My stomach flips, and my veins thrum heavy with desire. “I believe you.”
He nods, my words pleasing him.
“I’m not trying to manage you,” I say, the words soft. “I just?—”
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment as my heart squeezes in pain. How did this happen? Everything was going so well, and then poof. They’re at odds and don’t seem to be any closer to mending fences.
He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close again. His heat and amazing scent swirl around me. “Weareworking on it. We talked last night?—”
“And?” I’m eager for details. For hope that they’re getting back to where they were and that I’m not a wedge between them.
His chest expands on a deep sigh. “Well, hewalked out in the middle of it. But it’s okay, Katie Bird. It’s going to be okay.”
“I miss him,” I whisper.
So much. Tears threaten, and I blink them back. How can I miss someone I’ve only really known for a few weeks? But it’s there. A Gabe-sized crater in the middle of me.
Alex drops a kiss into my hair, squeezing me tight. “I know, Beauty. I know.”
2
KATHERINE
For as problematic as my mother is, she taught me a few important lessons, and right now, her words whisper through my mind as I listen to the board of Chanler & Cort.
You have just as much of a right to be here as any of them.
Ronald Reyes sits to my right at the head of the table. I’m the only woman in the room.
