“Thanks, I could really use this.” Wendy stashed the cash. “Describe her. I’ll keep an eyeout.”
“Tall, gaunt, flyaway hair and veryshy.”
“Got it. Thanks for the tip.” The waitressleft.
After a long pull of the chilled wine, Alexandra tried to relax. Since moving back east nothing had gone as planned. Nothing. She tossed back another hearty sip and eyed the members milling about in their fancy duds and flirty smiles.Maybe I should join a matchmaking service. No, that wouldsuck.
At the top of the hour, couples scattered toward their suites. A woman strolled in. Baggy black clothes hung on her wiry figure and her melancholy eyes were framed in a purple mask. She locked eyes with Alexandra, her sullen expression sending shivers down her spine. When the woman turned to leave, Alexandra spied her bandaged hand and wrist.That was disturbing. Oh, hell, that was Sage.Go!
Snatching her purse, Alexandra bolted into the hallway. Sage had whizzed past Jase’s office and ghosted around the corner. Alexandra hurried to catch up, but as soon as she rounded the bend, Sage ducked inside an alcove midway down thehall.
Alexandra’s pounding heartbeat throbbed in her temples as she raced past members, finally reaching the spot where Sage had disappeared. Tucked inside the nook were two closed doors marked, “Linen Closet” and “Private”. Alexandra jiggled the locked handles. With clammy palms, she dug her keycard out of her clutch and held it against the linen closet’s wall sensor. The solid red light refused her access. She tried to gain access into the room marked “Private” with the same disappointing results.Why lead me here if I can’t getin?
“What are you doing?” a deep voice growled behindher.
Panicked, Alexandra whirled around.Hunter…Crockett!An explosive hunger lurked in his bright eyes, framed by the black leathermask.
Her heart fluttered. All the logic in the world couldn’t slow the rush of emotion hurtling toward her. “Hello,Huntah.”
As if stalking his prey, he halved the distance, forcing her to tilt her chin. She gobbled down his delicious scent in deep, calming breaths. Draping herself over him would be the perfect remedy to everything that ailedher.
“Snagging extra soap or do you need a fresh towel?” Though he had tamed his accent, this time she heard it. His deep voice, paired with that subtle lilt, dripped with sex appeal. The timbre rumbled through her and found a home in the deepest part of herheart.
Gorgeous. Sexy. Off-limits.Get it together.“No, I saw someone I’ve been concerned…” Her hands landed on her hips. “Are you stalkingme?”
He turned rigid, his playful expression fell away and his eyes narrowed behind his mask. “No, I’m not. If you knew me, you wouldn’t have askedthat.”
Her stomach plummeted.Oh, no.I’ve insultedhim.
“Have a good evening.” Crockett turned toleave.
The door marked “Private” swung open. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsedJase.
She yanked Crockett into an embrace and flung herself against the wall, as if he’d pinned her there. Then, she kissed him. With everything she had. Because the passion needed to be real. As soon as her mouth melded to his, she didn’t have to fake a thing. She curled her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him flush against her with the other. In seconds, his erection pressed against her tummy. Her clit throbbed in anticipation as desire washed overher.
On a deep growl, he ground againsther.
A quiet chuckle interrupted their passionate embrace. “You do know we have private suites, right?” Jaseasked.
Breaking the incendiary kiss, Crockett pulled back, but his eyes remained fixed onAlexandra.
“If you’re into the full-blown make out session in the hallway, I think you’d enjoy our ‘High School’ suite.” Though Jase cracked a broad grin, his smile felt more like a warning. He flicked his attention to Crockett. “We’ve not met. I’m Jase Payne, GeneralManager.”
Crockett rose to full stature, dwarfing Jase in his shadow. “Hunter.”
Their handshake seemed charged with an excess oftestosterone.
Alexandra was the first to admit she didn’t understand the opposite sex, but this introduction had all the markings of two lions staking claim on a pride. Crockett’s stance screamed, “Don’t fuck withme.”
Then, the shadow covering Jase’s eyes lifted and he threw an arm around each of their shoulders. “Come with me. I’ll personally find you aroom.”
11
Irresistible
Crockett tappedhis fingerson the black leather armrest and studied Electra. Women baffled him, but this one set the bar so high a pole-vaulter couldn’t clear it. For the second time in three minutes, she’d peeked out the door of their suite and peered down the hallway. Calm, cool and collected had morphed into fidgety, jumpy andobsessed.
He’d been enjoying a martini when he’d spied her at a table with Dracule. Despite her earlier rejection, he’d followed when she’d flown out of the lounge. Was he stalking her?Hell, no. Hunting her down?Maybe. Ensuring her safety?Dammit, yes.For some unknown reason, he wanted to protect her from Dracule. And Jase was scum sporting a slick suit and a slickergrin.
