Playing It Safe(20)

“I’m going to watch some TV,” Josie announces, and bounces away into the living room.

“Please don’t watch anything that will make your mom upset with me again,” Alex says to her back.

“What did she watch that got you in trouble?” I ask.

He smiles sheepishly and takes his hand to rub the back of his neck. “The ID Channel.”

“You let her watch TV shows about serial killers?”

“Don’t let her fool you,” he says with a laugh. “She can be really sneaky when she wants to be.”

“That, or she has you wrapped around her finger,” I say, taking a guess at the dynamic between the two of them.

“That would probably be a better way of putting it. I know my sister would definitely agree with you on that one.” He grins and puts his hands in his pockets while sneaking a quick glance into the living room. “So …”

“So,” I mimic with a matching grin. “By the way, your house is beautiful, Alex.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you like it,” he says. “Did you have trouble finding it?”

“Not at all, especially since you don’t live that far away from me,” I say while reliving the stripper fantasy in my head.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, grinning.

“Nothing at all,” I say quickly.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asks.

“Sure.”

He lets me walk just ahead of him and places his hand on the small of my back for a brief moment to lead me toward the kitchen. The contact, as fast as it was, brings a shiver down my spine, and I hope that he didn’t pick up on it.

“Have a seat.” He pulls out a stool from the kitchen island for me and then goes to the refrigerator. “Beer, wine, juice, or water?”

“Water is fine, thanks.”

Grabbing two bottles, he walks over and sits on the stool next to mine before handing me one. I regret wearing jeans because his bare leg rubs up against mine as he brings his chair closer, and I would’ve loved to have felt it without something in the way. Then I remember there is a child present, not twenty or so feet away. With that, I decide to get into professional mode, because if not, I’m afraid for not only myself, but what I may do to him, child be damned.

Out of my oversized purse I take my iPad, a notebook, and a pen, and I efficiently lay them out on the countertop in front of me.

“So, you said yesterday that you’re ready to cash in on our little deal. What kind of event is it? Another opening? A specific artist’s exhibit? A private showing?”

It’s then that I turn my head to face him and confirm what I’ve been feeling the entire time I’ve been talking and setting my things up. He’s staring at me. But not any old stare, it’s with a smile that showcases his dimples while he’s casually leaning back in his chair. It’s as if he’s sizing me up, and even though his eyes never waver from my face, I feel it everywhere. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that there is a distinct energy between us. Whether it’s purely sexual in nature, I don’t know, but it’s there and it’s making me rather uncomfortable.

“Why are you staring? It’s freaking me out,” I say quietly so his niece can’t hear me.

He slowly leans forward and brings one hand to the back of my stool, trapping me in so that there is barely any room between us. “None of the above.”

“Excuse me?”

“It means none of those kinds of events,” he clarifies. “I have something else entirely in mind for how I want you to repay me.”

Well, if that doesn’t get my mind going into all sorts of dirty territory, I don’t know what will.

“Care to enlighten me?” I ask and start to gnaw on my bottom lip nervously.

Alex’s eyes zero in on my mouth before he says, “I’d be happy to.”

We stare at each other for a moment too long for it to be anything but friendly. I’m great at staring contests, with the exception of yesterday’s little slipup with Darren, but I’m not going to let Alex beat me today. It’s apparent that we both have a thought or two running through our heads that may or may not involve whips, chains, and blindfolds … well, at least mine involve that. As for him, I don’t know what he’s thinking, but whatever it is it’s good, as in bad good.

“Alex?”

“Yes,” he answers, all amused and darting his eyes quickly to my mouth again.

It’s my turn to crank up the heat. “You said you were going to enlighten me.”

He chuckles and dips his head so that his lips graze my ear. “I will, but not today.”

That threat or promise, whatever you want to call it, has my insides in a full-on frenzy. It’s like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in there, and if it wasn’t for me already sitting down, I’m sure I would have had to excuse myself to take a seat so I could regroup.

Having turned me into somewhat of a mute, he takes the opportunity to call his niece over. I shift in my seat and do my best I’m-pretending-to-be-busy impersonation by opening my notebook and turning on my iPad.

“Julia,” he says, “I want you to plan a party for Josie.”

“Really?” Josie and I both say at the same time, me in complete shock, she in complete adoration of her uncle. Alex smiles at her, and wouldn’t you know it, my heart melts on the spot.