Page 43 of Hollywood Undercover
“Yes I am. Now come on, lovey. Live alittle.”
“Attraction is one thing. Acting on it isanother.”
“Don’t be such a good girl,” Eva toldher.
Alexandra laughed out loud and ended the call. Time was running out. She couldn’t stall any longer. It was time for her to get ready, as a guy, for her night out with the man she was attracted to, who might be gay. And her life was—as usual—a contradiction she put herselfinto.
She hopped off the bed and went downstairs to tell Dad she would be leavingsoon.
“Have fun out there,” he said, wrapped up in hiswork.
She scrunched up her nose at his lack of interest. He could have at least pretended he would miss her. When he noticed her reluctance to leave, he looked up from thecomputer.
“Bash is a decent guy. I like him a lot more than I liked that Wiley boy. Bash will take care of you out there. Now, stop looking like I’m about to send you off to death row.” He said the last part with a teasinggrin.
She turned away, slightly embarrassed. “His name was Wilkes, Dad. Not Wiley, and I know it’s not a big deal. Are you sure you’ll be okay here withoutme?”
“Honey, if I could go with you, I would. Clearly my case of being housebound is a lot worse than yours. Be grateful nothing’s holding you back, and don’t try to use me as an excuse to stayhome.”
“Alright, but don’t break any rules while I’m away. Got it? Take your meds like you’re supposed to, and don’t over-exert yourself. Joanne will keep me posted, and if I’m late, Lynn will tell me. I’ll try to be back at a decenthour.”
“I won’t wait up for you,” he said with ayawn.
She went back up to her room and headed for the closet. She tugged out the clothes she had shoved back in there before. After a quick shower, she gotdressed.
“Not too shabby. Not too sexy,” she said, turning in front of the mirror to double-check her look. She fixed her belt, and grabbed her wallet and phone to getgoing.
“You have my phone number, right Joanne?” she asked from the hallway. Joanne told her she did. “It’s on the fridge door too. Call me if you need anything, and I mean anything atall.”
“I will, Mr. Roberts,” sheanswered.
“Tell me, are you sure you’ll be okay? I can stay if you need mehere.”
“I’ve got everything under control. You go right ahead and enjoy yourself. That’s what I’m herefor.”
“Try not to give her any trouble,” she teased Dad as she walked past the diningroom.
He raised his eyebrows and held a thumb up. They had spent the earlier part of the day playing a game of chess. It was an unexpected request and she was happy to keep him company. Much of the week had been full of such surprises, now that his need for high doses of medicine tapered off with his improving health. His breathing seemed normal now. She beamed at him, trying to hide her anxiety. He was in capable hands. He would be fine for a fewhours.
The stroll next door took forever. She dragged her feet, prolonging the inevitable. She had told Bash she would meet him at his place so he could drive. When she made it to his front door, she drew up every ounce of nerve within her to give it a light knock. He swung it open immediately. He must have been standing there just waiting for her toknock.
Maybe he couldn’t wait to seeme.
Her eyes drifted overhim.
He’s so fuckingsexy.
The desire she had been trying to ignore washed over her like a tidal wave. He was dressed in black slacks and a carefully ironed cobalt blue shirt rolled up to his elbows. He was clean-shaven, and his dark brown hair was groomed to perfection. He passed a broad hand over it as he smiled down at her. He was close enough that she smelled his musky aftershave that she already loved. Their eyes connected, and she could swear she saw sparks fly. There was no denyingit.
I want him. I want thisman.
