Page 21 of Enchanted Hero
“Stone Holdings is well-known, but you’re the main attraction. Of course, you have been on the cover of sixty-two magazines.”
“Actually, it’s only thirty-four.”
She stopped. “Really?”
He shrugged, and she resumed walking. “You’re far more popular than you admit.” Perhaps it was his good looks and charm, or the power, wealth and mystery that ever-surrounded him, but the world had a fascination with Alexander Stone. He was the ultimate catch, the bachelor of every woman’s dreams. There had even been a petition to get him on that show, the one where dozens of ladies vied for one man’s hand. Apparently, even the producers had been interested, but the man wasn’t. Everyone had been disappointed.
“I think they mentioned me in the fair program.”
Everleigh halted. “You mean people came today just to see you?”
His lips twitched. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were–”
“Don’t you dare say it!”
“How do you know what I’m going to say?” He smiled widely. “Can you read my mind?”
“I don’t need to read your mind. You think I’m jealous.” Just because she had the ridiculous urge to challenge his admirers to mud wrestling, which they offered here, didn’t mean she was jealous. “I’m sure you enjoy women fighting over you. By the size of your fan club, it must happen quite often.”
“Did you join my fan club?”
“I was joking.” She parted her lips. “Do you actually have a fan club?”
He merely shrugged. And she sighed. “I don’t need to join your fan club. I already know the real you.”
“Do you?” He folded his arms across his chest, and his biceps bulged. She tried to keep her gaze on his face, she really did, but well – biceps.
“Everleigh?”
“Hmm?”
“You do realize you’re ogling me.”
She gasped.
“Not that I mind.” He winked. “I just thought you should know.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I. Was. Not. Ogling. You.”
“And I believe you,” he replied smoothly. In all fairness, she had been ogling him. “But I contradict the assertion you have me all figured out.”
Perhaps there was a mystery behind Alexander Stone. “You’re a powerful man accustomed to getting what he wants. With so many adoring fans, you think you have the right to take control.”
“I’m a successful businessman, Everleigh.” He looked straight at her. “I possess strategies for attaining what I desire. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Even when they infringe on someone else’s rights?”
“I like a challenge.”
Was that all she was to him? “I don’t care how many women wave at you.”It had been thirty-two.“Just don’t start thinking you have superpowers.” She started walking again, this time quicker, as if she could somehow escape him. And she ignored the million or so women who waved at him, as well as the suspicion that just maybe jealousy could be involved. She couldn’t be jealous. Because that would mean she actually liked him.
And nothing was more frightening than that.
They strolled in silence for a few minutes, but then Alexander broke it with lighthearted banter about his family. Despite her efforts to remain aloof, his fascinating tales snagged her, and she laughed and reminisced as she shared her own special memories. Just like that, their easy camaraderie returned, and somehow they edged closer with every step. When he reached out to grasp her hand, she allowed it.
The fair was loud and colorful and altogether wonderful. Hundreds of tiny booths vied for attention, crammed with beeping, yapping and ringing toys, gigantic dolls and neon plastic novelties. Sales pitches clamored as vendors sold fair-favorites from pizza to burgers to deep friedeverything. Clowns on stilts paraded through the street, set to a background of speeding roller coasters and racing pigs. Even at this early hour, the fair was packed, with everyone from babies to seniors making their own priceless family memories. She passed a sign painted blue with crystal stars. “A fortune teller. I love those.”
Alexander sighed. “Don’t tell me you believe in those, too.”
