Page 25 of Hollywood Undercover
“I’m sorry,” hesaid.
What the hell was Ithinking?
He took a step back, caught off balance because he knew who she was, and that she wanted to keep her ‘Alex’ cover intact. No straight man would reach out and touch another man’s face likethat.
Shit.
“You just…you seem stressed out by what’s going on with your uncle,” he said, trying to explain his poor judgement in touching her that way. He stepped back again, almost falling backward onto the container he had just placed on the floor. “If you, uh, if you need to talk about it…or you know, whatever…I’m right next door. I’m off work for a while. I’m available. I mean…I’m there if you need me…to talk…orwhatever.”
Fuck. That didn’t come outright.
Sebastian shook his head at his stupidity the second Alexandra turned and headed back to thestairs.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said gruffly. She moved her hand to the spot on her face where his thumb had grazed her cheek. She let out a long breath. Sebastian had crossed the line. She probably didn’t know what to think. He didn’teither.
“I’ll get the rest of those boxes. You just relax in the living room or something,” he said nervously. He put his hands in his pockets for the walk back upstairs. She was way too tempting. God knows what else his hands would touch on their own if he didn’t keep them incheck.
That was the problem. He knew who she was, and to him she was all woman. Everything about her was Alexandra Storme, even in those boyish clothes. He had walked the halls of the same high school as she had, fantasizing she would eventually notice him. He remembered the way she used to laugh—out loud and uninhibited. She didn’t care who saw her, no matter whether she was with her friends, in her backyard, with the popular crowd, or hanging around football games and schooldances.
He could tell when she would sometimes get that lonely, sad-eyed expression while sitting at her desk in the few classes they shared, when she thought no one was watching. He knew the girl who was fierce at one time and vulnerable at others. She had grown up into exactly the same person. Who else would have the balls to try and do a gender swap just to hide in plainsight?
Still, for all the toughness she put up as a front, she still had a soft side, and probably needed someone to be there for her—for ‘Alex’.
Sebastian brought down the last three boxes. He didn’t say much more, not wanting to say or do the wrong thing again, and also because an idea was forming in his head. Alexandra Storme was an only child. Her mother had passed, and her father was in poor health. Other than Rosa, Sebastian hadn’t seen anyone else stop in tovisit.
Where are all of Alexandra’s friends? Or Lexxi Rock’s throngs of celebritypals?
She was probably feeling more alone than ever, and if she dared reveal she was in Tucson and not on the French Riviera, the front lawn would be littered with fans andpaparazzo.
Alexandra, or ‘Alex’—whoever she wants to be—will need an ear, and maybe a supportive shoulder to leanon.
And I’m the perfect guy to be both…without blowing hercover.
He marched back up the basement steps and through the kitchen, full of resolve as he met her at the front door. Alexandra slapped his hand in an effort to give a more manlyhandshake.
Howcute.
Sebastian was certain ‘cute’ wasn’t at all what Alexandra was going for, but that handshake wasn’t the least bitmanly.
“Thanks, man,” she said. “Hey, where do you work out? I’ve been, uh, thinking about getting a weight bench to bulkup.”
Sebastian smiled. A weight bench wouldn’t help. Alexandra was a petite woman. She would never really pass for aguy.
“Not a problem,” he answered, avoiding the weight bench question for the sake of her dignity, and to keep himself from laughing. “Hey, while I’m thinking of it, I know you’re busy at the hospital with your uncle, but if you’re free this weekend, there’s a get together at my place with a few of my friends and their families. You’re welcome to come hangout.”
Alexandra pulled back and shrugged. “Um, I don’tknow.”
“Come on. You probably need abreak.”
“I don’t want to be away from my uncle for too long, youknow?”
“Well, think about it. Like I said, I’m right next door, so if you need to talk, I’m here. You don’t have to go through thisalone.”
His voice was somber and serious. He could control his attraction for her. Right now, she needed a friend more than somebody to lust after her. She nodded graciously, and through the open door Sebastian saw a dark blue car pullingup.
“That’s my ride,” she told him. “I’ll think about it, bro. Thanks,again.”
“LaterAlex.”
