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‘I should tell you the same. You could have stripped me bare with your X-ray vision just now.’
Fuck!
My cheeks, my entire body, are flushing like a lobster. ‘Don’t mistake civility for anything more, Cain.’
‘Oh, I know civility, all right, Lexi. But your thoughts were less civil and more of the X-rated variety—’
‘Cain!’
My eyes flick to the door, the very idea of Marie overhearing him sending my blood pressure up another few notches. Not to mention his use of that pet name again. No one else uses it—ever. It was his endearment. His name for me. When he loved me...before...before...
God, woman, get it together.
‘Your ego can tell you what it likes,’ I say, grateful that my tone is hard, steady. ‘But I’m being civil, Cain, for Marie’s sake. And I will continue to be so for the company’s sake too.’
His eyes flicker over my face, pause at my lips, and hell if I don’t feel that heat from the inside now, burning low down. I cross my legs, fending off the dull throb that beats there.
‘On that we can also agree.’
His voice is thick, his eyes dark. The table for eight feels small all of a sudden, as if the whole room is closing in around us and drawing us together. I can feel myself leaning, floating, drawn into his magnetic pull... And then I hear movement at the door and Marie is back.
I snap upright—fucking smooth, Alexa—and grab the chilled water jug, pouring myself a generous helping. It’ll balance the alcohol and chill my insides. I hope.
I fill Marie’s and Cain’s glasses too, without asking. I think my voice would squeak if I spoke, and in truth I need something to do with my hands, which seem determined to wring themselves raw in my lap.
Four days. Four days I’ve had to come to terms with his return, to prepare for our meeting tomorrow, and I am no more ready now than I was when he first walked in.
‘I’d like to raise a toast.’
My eyes flick to Marie as she raises her wine glass and I try to keep my expression neutral. A toast? Really?
‘To new beginnings.’
I swallow and I swear it’s audible. ‘New beginnings,’ I mutter, taking up my own glass.
I don’t dare look at Cain as I drink. I don’t want to see what he’s thinking.
‘New beginnings.’
There’s that speculation again, ringing in his voice, and I’m pulled back to him, unwilling. He’s studying me intently over his wine glass and I can’t look away. I want to, I do...
‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you both that the two of you were coming, but...’ Marie shrugs merrily ‘... I figured it was best to face the music head-on, so to speak. It’s so much better that way.’
I smother a startled cough, the remnants of wine catching. Head on, indeed.
‘Cain, I am so glad to have you back here.’ She reaches over to pat his hand, doing a good job of pretending not to notice anything amiss in the room. ‘And Alexa...’ She places her other hand on mine now. ‘You have been running yourself ragged these past few months. Now you have someone to share that burden. Someone who will care for the company like you do.’
She smiles at us both, her hands resting on ours.
‘So, please, indulge me with this.’
‘There’s nothing to indulge, Mum.’
He is so perfectly calm, and I envy him for that.
‘You’re right—it makes perfect sense for me to come back and help.’ He places his hand over his mother’s and smiles at her. ‘I’m happy to be home too.’
My breath catches at what I see, what I hear. For the first time since he’s been back he’s completely unguarded, open, his face full of love—relief, even. I feel a stab of guilt. This is why I need to get myself in hand. To put on a front and make everything just so. Because he belongs here far more than I ever did or will again.
