Chapter 14 #3
“Absolutely,” I confirm, knowing Lexi is emotionally unavailable.
Even though we’re twinning, she finds me in the crowded room and lifts her glass to me. I nod and Weston laughs.
“Do you have something else to say?” I ask, glancing at him.
He smirks. “The chase. The falling in love part is the fun and games. I’m almost jealous.”
I shake my head at him. “That’s not happening.”
“Deny, deflect, distract. I know the tactics.”
I’m trying to ignore him because I don’t have answers. When a man approaches Lexi and Billie, my jaw clenches. I don’t like how he looks at her or how he reaches his hand out to take hers. I don’t fucking like it at all.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, my brows furrowing.
Weston grabs my arm and stops me. “Already jealous?”
“Kindly fuck off.” I pull my arm from his grip, straightening my jacket, and stalk across the room.
When I’m close, Lexi politely excuses herself from him and places her hand on my chest. “I still had ten minutes,” she whispers.
I glance over her shoulder and watch Billie shoo the guy away. She’s a pro at that.
“It’s fine. I kinda missed you,” she says, pulling my attention back to her with a smile.
“Truth?” I ask, tilting my head.
“Yes,” she whispers. “In a room of strangers, you’re the only person I know.”
I lean into her, close to her ear. “Want to get out of here?”
“Thought you’d never ask,” she says.
My hand finds its way to the small of her back as I lead her across the room. Weston watches from the perimeter and shakes his head with a smile, because he knows.
When we’re away from everyone, I slightly relax. The jealousy that reared its ugly head was almost too much. I don’t like seeing anyone too close to her, looking at her like she’s the whole damn meal. A buffet for anyone to enjoy. She’s not. Alexis is mine.
The valet area is busy; cars are driving in and out, and there’s a small crowd waiting. I’m instantly approached and I hand over the ticket.
“I’ll have this right out to you, Mr. Calloway,” the man says.
I say, “Thank you,” with a nod.
Then, I pull Lexi away from everyone, aware that eyes are still on us and the cameras probably are too.
“What happened back there?” She doesn’t sound mad or upset. Her tone is neutral and curious.
“I didn’t like how he was looking at you,” I admit.
I brush my thumb against her cheek and she smiles at me.
“It’s kinda hot when you go feral like that. The jealousy act—it was a perfect touch,” she says.
“It wasn’t an act,” I growl.
I can smell the sweet champagne on her breath.
“Oh.” Her eyes darken. “That was real .”
“I don’t want anyone touching you or disrespecting you or looking at you the way he was.”
“Thank you.” Her breath slightly hitches, but it’s there.
“It’s different with you. I don’t know why,” I tell her.
She grabs my tie, running her hand down it. “It’s because I don’t desperately want you. You’ve only ever surrounded yourself with women who do.”
I rest my hands on her waist as she stands before me, her mouth inches from mine. “You’re my karma.”
“I like the thought of that, but I’m more like your lifeline.”
I study her lips, contemplating kissing her but knowing that line shouldn’t be crossed too much. Especially in moments like this, when I’m drunk on her perfume and presence. I’m not setting myself up for heartbreak.
“Maybe I’m yours ,” I mutter, and her breaths grow ragged.
“Maybe you are,” she admits. “Truth.”
The engine of the car revs and the driver gets out, opening the passenger door for Lexi. I pull away from her.
When we’re inside and the doors are closed, I drive us away from it all.
She removes bobby pins from her hair, allowing it to fall loosely around her face. “I hope it wasn’t too much tonight.”
“It’s easy to be with a social butterfly,” I say, appreciating that she cares.
“The extrovert to your introvert. I think we did okay.”
“Better than okay. Better than I ever imagined.”
She rolls down the window and I do the same.
“Woohoo!” she yells outside with a laugh.
The engine growl echoes off the buildings and I can’t help but smile. This almost feels like happiness, an emotion I’ve missed.
“Do you truly believe we can pull this off?” she asks.
There’s no hesitation in my answer. “After tonight, yes . But my new concern is everyone getting attached to you. Especially Billie and Weston.”
“As long as you don’t, there shouldn’t be a problem,” she reminds me. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one to change my mind about love.”
“Maybe.” Hopefully.
Fifteen minutes later, I pull into the marina and park.
“This one of your secret make-out spots?”
“I can never predict what will come from your mouth.”
“Like to keep ya on your toes,” she says, pushing open the door and getting out. I follow her as she looks out at the calm water.
I slide my hand into hers, and she takes it without hesitation.
“They’re watching,” I whisper.
“Of course they are,” she says, but she’s smiling, unfazed by the cameras or me.
I lead her down the pier to my yacht.
“Wow,” she whispers as we board.
I unlock the door and we escape inside.
I turn to her. “They were sitting on the bench at the end of the dock. Did you spot them?”
“No,” she admits. “But after all the photos, I always assume someone is watching if we’re in public.”
“As you should, because that’s reality.” I move to the bar, grab a bottle of whiskey, and place it on top. “Would you like a drink?”
“Maybe the entire bottle,” she says, grabbing it and removing the lid.
She presses her ruby-red lips to the opening and takes a long pull. I follow her lead, desperately needing to relax and decompress.
My friends and my sister had nothing to say. They would’ve taken me to the side and told me to end this now or had some sort of smart ass remark about how we weren’t compatible.
Is Alexis Matthews the one ?
I shake the thoughts out of my head. That’s impossible.
When I glance back at her, she’s turned around, focusing on the space.
“So, this is one of your hideouts?”
“Only when I want to disappear.”
“Cars. Now, boating. Wow.” She laughs. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Fall in love, apparently.”