Alina
WHERE IS HE?
Checking my phone to see if Chris had sent me another text, I crossed and uncrossed my legs three times. I’d agreed to have lunch with him, to allow him a chance to apologize yet again for the way he acted the other night. I’d already forgiven him but had let him stew.
A bit of guilt was good for the soul.
I’d recently returned from running a few errands and, instead of traveling up to my office only to come back down to the lobby again, I tried my best to get comfortable on the sofa while I waited for Chris. I swiped the unlock screen on my cell and found his number. Before I hit the green call button, however, I heard a deep rumbling voice, a chilling timbre of rasp.
I knew it was inevitable Max and I would run into each other, seeing as how we both worked at my father’s firm. And while I’d secretly fantasized about the encounter, I’d also fretted the interaction as well.
When I dared to pick my head up, I saw Max striding toward the exit, a gorgeous woman walking next to him, pawing at him the entire time. She was none other than Amber Sotter, a well-known actress and someone who had a reputation for being a diva. A sudden agitation overtook, my reaction instantly worrying me. I lowered my head so I wouldn’t have to witness the sight of them together.
I wasn’t a jealous woman, not by any means, but the sight of them together irritated me.
I hardly knew Max, yet an unwelcome sense of possessiveness swirled through me, adrenaline thickening my blood with the quick beats of my heart. I had absolutely no right to feel anything toward him, but I did just the same. Silently chastising myself, I never heard him approach, wasn’t even aware he was standing in front of me until the tips of his shiny black dress shoes came into view.
Maybe my sudden fascination with Maxton Colter was only because I needed someone to focus on, someone to help distract me from everything else going on in my life.
“Alina.” His voice caressed my eardrum with the promise of something torrid. “How nice to see you again.” I almost choked mid-swallow, the muscles of my throat threatening to seize at any moment.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly picked my head up, my eyes traveling the length of him, appreciating the way he wore his designer suit. The way the material draped over his body, tailored to fit the perfect physique I was positive was underneath. Higher still, his face came into view, first the square of his jaw, then the plump of his lips. I knew I had to compose myself before staring into his sinful brown eyes.
“Are you all right?” he asked, reaching down to touch my shoulder. I moved at the last second, and he pulled back, scrunching his brows at my reaction. A flush swept over my skin, and I knew if I didn’t get my shit together, and soon, I’d make a fool of myself.
“Yes. Sorry. Just distracted is all.”
“By me?” The quirk of his lips formed a smile.
“You’re so full of yourself, aren’t you?” I repaid in kind, the small banter doing wonders for my sudden nerves.
“Not all the time.” He moved and took the seat to my right, sitting so close his shoulder brushed mine, the heat from his thigh unsettling me.
What is wrong with me?
With my legs together and my hands resting on top of my thighs, I fiddled with the hem of my dress, desperately needing something else to focus on other than Max’s close proximity. Was anyone watching us? Taking a quick look around, I deemed we were safe, no prying eyes on the inappropriate closeness.
When I finally stole a glance at him, he smiled. It seemed sincere, as if he was pleased to be sitting next to me.
“I forgot you worked here,” I lied, smoothing down the absent wrinkles of my dress, mindlessly sliding my palms back and forth.
“No, you didn’t, but that’s okay. I get it.” A swirl of cockiness lifted his words, catching my full attention and turning my body fully toward his.
“You get what?”
“That you’re sitting in the lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of me. You wouldn’t find out where my office was because that would make it too obvious.” I couldn’t determine if he was playing with me or not, the mischievous glint in his eyes made it difficult to tell.
“Are you serious?” I widened my eyes in disbelief but relaxed when he full-on laughed, his sexy dimple making an appearance. Shaking his head, he bumped his shoulder against mine, moving me ever so slightly.
“I’m not serious, Alina. How much of an ass do you really think I am? Wait, don’t answer that.”
It was my turn to laugh.
“Are you waiting for Chris?” Oh, thank God, a neutral topic, one that reminded us both I was engaged to be married, because another minute in his presence and there was no telling what would’ve come out of my mouth. Or his.
“Yes. I’m meeting him for lunch.”
Max abruptly stood and extended his palm toward me. I knew if I accepted the gesture, I’d have a hard time letting go, so I stood on my own and stepped off to the side. Even with a few feet between us, his presence was still muddling my brain.
It wasn’t like me to fidget, but I couldn’t help myself. I shifted my purse from one shoulder to the other, looked at the floor, and then around the lobby, then back to the floor. Anything to avoid staring at his face. The problem was, he knew I was nervous and I had a feeling he enjoyed my unease.
“Come on,” he finally said, breaking the building tension cutting around us. “You can wait for him in my office.”
“What? No, I’m okay. I’ll just stay here.”
“Nonsense. I don’t have another meeting for an hour.” He placed his hand on the small of my back, the warmth of his palm igniting me, and guided me toward the elevator. “It’s pointless for you to wait down here when you can keep me company. Besides, I’m bored, and I think you’ll be the perfect distraction.”