The Spiral Down (The Fall Up #2)(22)

“What? No. We have a double date. Remember?” Why hadn’t I been a dick to two lesbians so that could have been an accurate statement? It would have made my life so much easier.

“No,” he said very slowly. “What I remember is telling you that I’d fly them here but, after that, you were on your own.”

“Right. But then I hired you,” I said flippantly.

It had been the wrong thing to say. So, so, so wrong.

“Excuse me?”

But I was me and apparently an obtuse idiot, so I repeated, “I hired you.”

His eyes narrowed, and I noted that even that was sexy. I would have wagered that the man was incapable of an ugly expression. But, clearly, that would take more scientific evidence. I’d yet to see his face contorted midorgasm or in the middle of the night with his mouth hanging open and drool dripping from the corner. It was my duty as an American to discover this information. Strictly in the name of science, of course.

I belatedly realized I was smiling when he growled, “Did you only hire me so I’d go on a date with you”—if he had stopped there, I would have had no choice but to answer honestly. Yes. Thankfully, he kept going—“and those women?”

Phew. Saved by the details. “What? No!” I adamantly shook my head. “Listen, I guess you’re going to make me say this straight out. As you know, I treated Jessica like a dick, and this little trip was my way to say I’m sorry. But she wasn’t the only one I was an ass to that day. I want a chance to apologize to you too.” I tossed him a charming smile and his eyes instantly flashed to it.

Interesting.

A wave of excitement shot like a drug through my veins. This might be easier than I’d originally anticipated.

“No need to apologize,” he said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his navy uniform pants.

My eyes followed the movement down.

A soft smile formed on my mouth as I slowly looked back up. “No. Really. I’m embarrassed. Come to the concert tonight. Dinner, drinks, whatever you want. My treat. I might know a guy who can get you backstage.” I winked, raking my teeth over my bottom lip.

His eyes once again jumped down. “I don’t know.”

“Henry! Stop flirting. We have to go,” Carter growled.

Evan’s entire body stiffened.

Nope. No f*cking raise for Carter.

I shot him a scowl before assuring Evan, “He’s kidding.” I lifted my hand in the Vulcan V as my promise.

He rewarded me with a chuckle.

“Come on. Let me show you I’m not completely insane.” I bent at the waist and leaned toward him. A heady mixture of cologne and pure-male musk intoxicated my senses. My lids fluttered closed as I fought back a groan. “I owe you an apology. I called you Maverick.”

“He’s Navy. I’m Air Force. But I’ve been called worse,” he replied curtly.

“Really, Evan—”

I was cut off by the sound of a cell phone ringing.

As if he’d been shocked by electricity, he started frantically digging in his pocket. He lifted it to his ear. “Nik? Yeah. Hey, baby.”

I felt my lips go tight. Nick?

Was he gay?

His eyes jumped to mine. My disappointment must have shown, but he seemed to misinterpret it as annoyance.

Tilting his head to the side in apology, he mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and then said into the phone, “Hey, let me call you back in five minutes. I’m just getting off a flight.”

As quickly as he’d answered the call, he ended it.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Alexander. That was rude.”

Mr. Alexander? We were just engaged in some serious straight-gay eye-f*cking, and now, he decides to go for professionalism?

“Boyfriend?” I asked, my voice thick with frustration.

His clear, blue eyes narrowed menacingly as he corrected me. “Nikki. Girlfriend. I mean…ex-girlfriend.”

“Right. Of course.” I bit my lip and momentarily looked down at my shoes to hide the smile I was struggling to contain. “I didn’t mean to insinuate—”

“It’s fine,” he bit out.

We stared at each other for several beats. His eyes no longer held the levity they had before he’d answered his phone, but there was still something hidden behind that striking gaze. Something I suddenly wanted to figure out.

“How about this? You go to your hotel. I upgraded you to a suite, by the way. Get comfortable. Change out of your uniform. And I’ll have a driver come get you after the show. We’ll have a late dinner or something.”

He eyed me suspiciously and then looked back at his phone in his hand. War visibly waged in his head. I just wasn’t sure which side I was on.

“Yeah. I can do that.”

A cry of victory escaped my mouth. “Yes! I mean…sounds great.”

His lips twitched, and unless hope had clouded my vision, his cheeks even gained a hint of color.

“Okay, then. I guess that’s settled,” he said dismissively.

“Sure is,” I confirmed with a huge smile, but I didn’t move.

He slanted his head toward the door. “You should…you know…get going.”

“I guess I should.” I again didn’t move.

And I’ll be damned if his lips didn’t twitch again.