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“What the hell are you doing here?” I gasped, looking up at him. He looked good and…healthy. The dark circles around his eyes were no more. Actually, his eyes were alive as they gazed down at me. If that weren’t enough, he was hot as hell in his signature white T-shirt, faded blue jeans, and black leather jacket, too.
“I could ask you the same thing. Is there somewhere private we could go? I’m getting mobbed here.”
“Sure. My boss’s office is just over there.” Shane caught up on my plan and led us toward Neil’s office.
“Hi, I’m Alex Harbour.” Alex greeted Neil, shaking his hand. “Can Natasha and I borrow your office for a few minutes? I promise I won’t keep her long.” Neil was dumbstruck and nodded, gesturing for us to enter.
“I’ll call and get some more security for when we leave, Alex. Happy Birthday, Nat,” Shane grinned, closing the door behind him, leaving Alex and me alone.
“You’ve caused a riot outside,” I laughed. “What were you thinking?”
“I was in the area and thought I’d come and see you. What the fuck are you doing working in a place like this anyway? I thought you went back to Flavour Records.”
“It didn’t seem right.” I moved around the desk to put some distance between us. Why did I feel so shy around him? “It would have been a step backwards.”
“Nat, you sell cleaning supplies,” he pointed out dryly. “That’s not you. You love the music industry.” He was right, but if I’d been working in that industry these last few months, he would have beeneverywhere. I couldn’t cope with that, not when I was in love with him.
“I’ve been promoted to team leader.” All he could do was laugh at me. “What? I’ve only been herethree months. That’s really good!”
“You’re better than this place and you know it.”
“If you’ve come just to annoy me on my birthday, you should leave,” I fumed, crossing my arms. It was good to know I could still stand my ground with him, even if it did feel like he was making my heart beat outside my chest.
“I’ve missed that temper.” Licking his lips, he took a step toward me. “I’ve missed those breasts, too. I wouldn’t cross your arms like that. You’re making me hungry.”
“Don’t even think about it!” After all this time, it was still just about sex with him!
“Relax. You’re with David, I get it.” He knew I was seeing David? That surprised me. “You were alwayswithhim, even when we were together.” I had no idea what he meant by that. “You were honest with me about what he meant to you from the start. I was the fool that got carried away.“
“What?”
“When you arrived in LA, I always thought I’d be the one with the upper hand. How wrong was I?” he laughed to himself.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alex.” Was he trying to say that he cared about me?
“I heard you on the phone the night Gina and my publicists flew over. I don’t know who you were talking to, but I got the gist of the conversation about wanting to let me down gently because you were still in love with David. I don’t do rejection well, so I beat you to it. I figured it would be easier that way. I’m sorry I hurt you, Straight Lace. It was wrong of me to say those things. That’s why I’m here. To clear the air and say I’m sorry.” No! Was he serious? He’d gotten the conversation all wrong!
“And you waitedthree monthsto do this?” My voice was just a whisper, trying to take in what he’d just said. All this time, I’d been so wrong about him.
“I’ve been kind of busy. Give me a break. You were the one that walked out early. You didn’t even stay around for my birthday party.”
“I shouldn’t have slapped you.”
“No, I deserved it. I was acting like a fucking asshole.” We seemed to have gravitated together as we stood smiling at each other. I could feel the warmth of his body, and it was making my stomach flutter.
“You look really good,” I commented, desperate to reach out and touch him.
“I’ve been in rehab and clean for five weeks.” Wow! “You look as beautiful as ever, Nat.”
“Alex, that’s amazing. Well done!”
“I thought it was time to get my life in order. I didn’t want to keep letting down the people I love. I’ve taken control of my life again.”
“I take it you and Shane sorted out the Maddison issue?” Shane was still working for him. I wasn’t sure I’d be as forgiving.
“Yeah, she’s long gone, the money grabbing whore.” I gave him my ‘I told you so’ look. “I know, I know. You were right about her. Don’t look so smug.”
“I’m not smug, I’m still pissed off that you slept with her! You promised me no bimbos, remember?”
