Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
I am so dead.
That was the first thought rolling through Coulter’s desperate mind. The second?
She tastes like a fucking wet dream.
Hot. Sweet. Soft like the finest silk. And so much better than any of the billion-and-one fantasies this woman’s mere existence had inspired.
One touch. One taste. That was all it took for him to fall.
Liar. She knocked you on your proverbial ass the second the two of you met.
It was true, Alex Webb had sunk her unyielding clutches into his heart the day he first laid eyes on the stunning North Carolina artist. He hadn’t said the words, of course. The thought was laughable, at best.
And honestly, why bother?
Aside from the fact that his entire adult life had been a lie, Alexandria Webb hated his guts. Okay, so maybe hate was too strong a word. Despised. Loathed. Tolerated. Pick your verb. Whatever the woman felt for him, it wasn’t anything good.
He was aware of the fact that she only put up with him because of her sister, but that was okay. Her disdain for him only aided his efforts to keep her at arm’s length. It was why he constantly pushed buttons so easily seen.
Plus, it was a hell of a lot of fun.
Won’t be fun when she finds out you aren’t a marketing consultant.
How many times had those words fallen from his deceitful lips? Marketing consultant, luxury sales, corporate recruiter . . . Coulter had been all those things and more.
Weeks, sometimes months would go by before the real job would be done and he could finally come back home. That kind of commitment required an excuse that was believable, and most importantly, one that wasn’t the actual truth.
The truth.
It was the one thing he’d sworn to never give because the second he did, it would put whoever he told in danger.
In an instant, they’d become potential targets for his many enemies.
Criminals who wouldn’t hesitate to use them for information.
Sick freaks who’d torture them simply because they could as a means of revenge.
But now—
Now, you’ve gone and promised Alex you’ll tell her the truth.
It was a promise he could easily break. All it would take was some sort of believable story. A way to explain his obvious crazy.
But as Coulter held Alex close, his tongue dancing wildly with hers, he realized he was done pretending. The truth most likely wouldn’t set him free, but with any luck, it would send her running.
Far away from me.
Alex’s moan mixed with his, and it was all he could do not to take her in front of God and everyone in that room. Yes, he had to come clean, even though he knew it meant she’d probably never trust him again.
If the truth saved her from the evils of Gordan Crawford’s world, it was worth it in the end. The most important thing now was knowing Alex was safe. So he’d tell her later, when they were alone.
“Mr. Morris, I presume. I recognize you from your picture.” The familiar male voice from before sounded out again before a surprised, “Oh, my apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
In a regrettable move, Coulter pulled his mouth free from Alex’s lips.
“Follow my lead,” he whispered. “And remember, it’s Cole, not Colt.
” Praying she did as he’d asked, he sent her a quick wink of assurance before curling his lips into a sly grin.
“Mr. Crawford.” Coulter turned away, putting his back to Alex so he could greet his target with an outstretched hand.
“It’s good to finally meet you in person. ”
Gordan Crawford’s light blue stare met his with a knowing smirk. “Likewise, Cole. And please, call me Gordan.”
The two shared a firm shake as the woman behind him began to move. She was no doubt anxious for her chance to interact with their host.
But Alex didn’t know Gordan Crawford. Not the same way he did. Nor did she have a clue what this elaborate party was truly about.
It was a preview. A showing of sorts. A sneak peek of attractions yet to come.
I don’t want her anywhere near the son of a bitch.
“Congratulations on another successful event.” Coulter continued playing the part of Cole Morris. “I must admit, when you first described your gallery to me during our previous conversation, I thought you might have elaborated a bit.”
“And now that you’ve seen it in person?”
“I was wrong to have ever doubted you. This is a very impressive setup.”
The comment made Crawford’s smile grow. “I’m glad you like it. This gallery is my one true sanctuary. I probably spend more time here than at my actual home.”
“I can see why.” Coulter nodded, laying it on thick. “Oh, and you were right about something else, too.”
The other man gave an arrogant shrug. “Not surprising, but I’d love to hear more.”
Of course you would. You’re a pretentious, narcissistic prick.
“The first time we spoke on the phone, you made a comment about how you and I are the same.”
The silver-haired billionaire let out a pompous chuckle. “As I recall, you weren’t so convinced.”
“Yes, well . . .” Coulter grinned as a pretty brunette serving drinks walked past. “As much as it pains me to admit when I’m wrong, it turns out you and I have very similar tastes.”
Despite knowing the type of reaction he was bound to get, he purposely let his gaze follow the young server’s steps. When Alex attempted to jerk her hand free, as expected, he gave her a gentle but warning-laced squeeze.
She stopped trying to move away, but the gallery’s owner had other plans. With a tilt of his head, Crawford looked at her from across Coulter’s shoulder.
“And who is this lovely creature I saw you, ahem, speaking to a moment ago?”
Coulter’s grip tightened, his fingers curling around hers in an attempt to keep her in place but this time, Alex ignored the silent command. She shifted her delectable body out from behind his shielding form and held out her free hand.
“Mr. Crawford.” The stubborn woman smiled wide from her new place at his side. “Alex Webb. We met last week at my gallery in Charlotte. I was hoping for the chance to speak to you tonight.”
A look of surprise flickered behind Crawford’s light gaze before he took her hand in his.
“Alexandria.” The asshole lifted the back of her hand to his lips. “Of course. It’s so nice to see you again. And please, accept my sincerest apologies. I didn’t realize that was you with Mr. Morris.”
Come on, Alex. Don’t give me up to this douchebag.
Coulter looked at Alex as she sent the other man a friendly smile.
His gut was tight, his lungs barely moving as he anxiously waited to see if years of the agency’s hard work was about to go spiraling down the drain.
Worse than that was the concern that she’d say something to put a radar on her own back.
Coulter knew the risks the day he signed up for the job, but Alex? Her job was to paint. To create works of literal art to share her passion with the world. She wasn’t trained for this, and she sure as shit didn’t see the danger she was literally facing.
“I wouldn’t have missed it.” She held her smile steady. “And I know you’re busy, but I was wondering if you might have a moment to discuss—”
“I have to know,” Crawford cut her off rudely. “How is it that you and Cole know one another? Not that it’s any of my business, it’s just with you being in Charlotte and him living in Manhattan—”
“Manhattan?” Alex turned to him with a frown.
Son of a—
Coulter gave an almost indiscernible shake of his head, and at first, he was certain she was going to blow the whole damn thing. But at the last second, the incredible woman began an improvised excuse.
“Oh, that’s right.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “You did tell me you lived in Manhattan. Sorry.” Her stunning gaze fell back onto Crawford’s with a look of chagrin. “I’ve been so caught up with your wonderful party, I totally forgot.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Coulter smoothly crooned. “After all, we did only just meet a few hours ago.” He turned back to Crawford. “As it turns out, Alexandria and I are both staying at the Maybourne in Beverly Hills.”
“The Maybourne?” Crawford bought the impromptu lie. “Well, I must say, you both made an excellent choice. I know the managing director there quite well.”
“Ah, yes. Stanley Davenport.” Coulter’s use of the hotel manager’s name was a flex to prove his knowledge of the well-known hotel. “Yes, Stan’s been quite helpful during my stay.”
“I bet he has.” Crawford’s light blue gaze slid back to Alex. “So tell me, did the two of you simply meet in passing, or were you introduced by one of our shared acquaintances?”
Without missing a beat, Alex responded with a confident, “In passing, actually. We were sitting at the hotel bar when he mentioned your party, and we realized we were both coming to the very same place.”
Well color my ass impressed.
The woman spun a fairly good story for being on the fly, and Coulter was tempted to see how far she could go. He’d never actually risk her like that, though. Would never put his own professional curiosity above her safety.
“I suggested we ride together,” he piggybacked off her story, instead. “You can imagine how happy I was when she agreed to be my last-minute plus one for this evening’s little soiree.”
Crawford nodded. “Indeed. I dare say, you have the most beautiful date here. Though, many of my male guests choose to attend the event alone.”
Coulter looked at Alex, whose flawless cheeks had become flushed by the other man’s compliment.
“That was my intention as well, until fate decided to step in.” He smiled.
“Though, I should probably apologize for our public display of affection. Of course, I’m sure a man such as yourself understands how it is when the moment strikes. ”
Alex cleared her throat before bringing the conversation back around to her reasons for coming. “As I was saying, Mr. Crawford—”
“Gordan, please.”
“Gordan.” She flashed him a quick, almost bashful grin. “Right. So, as I was saying, I’d love the chance to speak to you about the possibility of—”