Page 30 of With Wine Comes War

“It seems to me, regardless of what the meeting is about today, it has everything to do with you. She found a way to keep you in her life even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself. She’s doing the same thing with the girls. She didn’t quit those classes.” That was an interesting way of looking at things, I guess.

“You might have a point. She had lunch with Amelia yesterday too. Maybe subconsciously our presence might be enough for her for now.” Matt nodded.

“Your mom is a psychologist, isn’t she?” I laughed thinking what a terrible psychologist I’d be. Not really that observant or patient.

“Yeah, it’s kind of a habit of mine, analyzing people because of it.”

He said, “Sounds like a good talent to have where Alex is concerned.”

“Except it’s a little scary trying to figure out what’s going on in her mind.”

“It’s not just Alex, I promise. She might have a little more going on because of what happened, but I can assure you I’d rather stay out ofMaggie’s head too.” I don't know if that’s good to know or terrifying that there are more women out there like Alex.

I walked Matt to the elevator thinking I had a better handle on how I was going to approach Alex now. At five minutes till two I got a text.

HARRISON: “She’s here, just a heads up. Pull it together.”

ME: “Thanks (Middle Finger Emoji)”.

I put my phone down on the desk and walked to the door. She looked very professional and absolutely gorgeous. With everything she’s been through and all she’s got going on, she sure as hell hides it well. That’s one hell of a suit of armor that girl wears.Keep it professional I reminded myself and other parts of my anatomy…

“Ms. Kennedy, are you ready?”

She walked right past me without so much as a glance in my direction and I smiled, then shook my head as I walked inside and shut the door.

Chapter 8

ALEX

Iwent straight over to his mini fridge and grabbed a bottle of water chugging half of it to try and get the nerves under control. I turned around to find him sitting patiently on the edge of his desk with a smirk on his face. So much for the ice cold professional I intended to be.

“Sorry, I should’ve asked,” I said, lifting the half empty bottle to my mouth once more.

He laughed and even his laugh was sexy. This was distracting.

“No, help yourself, it’s not like you haven’t been here before.”

I know, seriously, it shouldn’t be this difficult. His arms were open like he was waiting for me to finish.

“It just feels weird. It feels like the first time for some reason, except clearly, I know where you keep the water. Sorry, I should’ve asked you if you wanted one while I was in there.” This was not going well at all. His eyes and that stare are making this difficult.

He blinked away the stare and said, “Why don’t you just have a seat over here and we can get to it.”

Get to it?I thought as my body started heating up and sweat started to coat my palms.Why am I feeling like this? Just a few days ago I was terrified of him.Get a grip.

I took another drink, smiled and pulled up the chair in front of his desk. He bumped into me as he moved back around to his side of the desk. A shiver ran through my body and settled between my thighs.

As I was trying to get my thoughts together and settle my libido, he interrupted.

“What is this favor you want to ask of me?”

Oh, you know, for you to rip my clothes off and bend me over this desk like we’ve talked about before.Oh shit, Alex, what the hell is going on?

I could feel the heat coming off me, so I knew he could too. By the look on his face, he knew exactly how I was feeling. Was I feeling this way because he was? Or was he feeling this way because I was? I don’t know how to control this anymore. I wonder if I ever really could.

He snickered, “Do you need me to turn the air down a bit?”

He was having fun with this, wasn’t he?

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