Page 62 of Enchanted Hero
Time for a subject change. “What do you do during the weekends?”
“It depends.” He sipped orange juice from a crystal goblet. “Sometimes I work or go on a trip. I usually get together with family and friends. A group comes over every Saturday to discuss matters.”
“Matters?” Everleigh bit into a buttery blueberry muffin. “What type of matters?”
“Nothing in particular.” He waved off her query. “Before they arrive, I wanted to discuss something.” His gaze softened. “The kiss.”
The muffin turned to sawdust in her mouth. She wiped her lips, lowered her fork. “There’s nothing to discuss. I had too much to drink, and there was the whole ‘romantic dinner under the stars’ thing. You apologized, and now we can pretend it never happened.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
She looked up sharply. “What?”
“I won’t forget, and neither will you.”
“But you acted like it was a mistake.” She pointed at him. “You said you were sorry.”
“I apologized for the timing, not the kiss.” He regarded her steadily. “Tell me, what did you think of the kiss?”
Delicious. Amazing. Yum.
“I see.” Pure male satisfaction graced his expression.
“It was just a kiss! I mean it was a nice kiss – a very, very nice kiss….” She exhaled. How do you minimize the best kiss of your life? She could never forget being in his arms, or what happened after.
“You can’t deny the chemistry.”
She waved her napkin. “Sure, I can.”
He grasped it. “No, you can’t. So why are you trying?”
She bit her lip, cutting off all excuses and denials. A man like Alexander Stone did casual relationships, one-night stands and friends with benefits and those sorts of beasts. Unless you were an A-list movie star or royalty at a nice-sized European country, you didn’t have a hope of an actual relationship with a man like that. He couldn’t possibly be considering more with her. “You’ve already taken my company and my choices,” she said quietly. “Others may let you control their lives, but not me.”
“You make me sound like some sort of ruler.”
If the crown fits…“You’re used to getting what you want. For the most part, the world is happy to oblige. I’m the one thing you can’t have.”
His eyes blazed in challenge. Yet further protest died on her lips when low conversation emerged from the other end of the dining room. Guests were entering from an outside entrance at a rapid rate, signaling that, at least for now, the conversation was over.
She hadn’t known what to expect when Alexander said he was entertaining, but it certainly wasn’t this. The eclectic group numbered dozens and contained a wide variety of people, from young children to teenagers to the elderly. They were of different nationalities and ethnicities, some in gorgeous authentic clothing and hairstyles. Everleigh put down her napkin and stood.
Every single one of them stopped and stared.
Heat crept up her neck. As always, Alexander took control. “Good morning, everyone. I’d like you to meet Everleigh Lacey, CEO of New Age Treasures. She’s one of my recent acquisitions.”
She stiffened. “You mean the business is your acquisition.”
Slow smiles emerged from the group, followed by a chorus of “Good mornings” and “How are you’s?” Some waved and others nodded, but they all seemed extraordinary happy to see her. “I’m sorry to intrude.” She shifted awkwardly. “Is this some sort of club?”
“You could say that.” Alexander stood. “We have shared… interests.”
What interests could all these people possibly share? Yet she didn’t ask as an attractive woman with long blond hair and striking green eyes stepped forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kyla, and we’re glad you’re here.”
“She’s a famous scientist,” one of the children hissed in a loud whisper, to giggles from his friends.
“I don’t know about famous.” Kyla gave a friendly smile. “I’ve uncovered a few mysteries.” Various members of the group exchanged grins. An inside joke? “How long have you and Alexander been together?”
“Together? Oh no, you have the wrong idea.” Everleigh shook her head so swiftly, her neck ached. “I mean, I just spent the night.”
