The Seduction of Alex Parker(8)

I rolled my eyes as I set his plate on the table.

“Are you joining me?” he asked as he sat down.

I cocked my head. “Does Robert ever join you?”

“No.”

“Then why would I?”

I walked out of the dining room and into the kitchen with a small smile on my face. I poured myself another cup of coffee and took a muffin from the cooling rack. Banana-nut might not have been his first choice, but they sure were mine. As I was cleaning up, Alex brought his plate to the kitchen.

“That was an excellent breakfast.”

“It must be those mad cooking skills I supposedly have,” I replied as I stood over the sink, washing a pan.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of hot breath over my neck as he came up from behind and leaned close to my ear.

“You have very mad cooking skills and I can’t wait to see what you cook up next.”

I gulped. His scent was infiltrating my space and it was driving me crazy, not to mention the fabric of his suit that lightly brushed up against my skin.

“Guess you’ll have to wait and find out,” I spoke without turning around.

My phone, which was sitting on the counter, beeped with a voicemail message. Strange that I hadn’t heard it ring. Alex backed up and I reached over and pressed play and hit the speaker button because my hands were wet. It was from a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hey, Em, it’s Ryan. I got a new number and want you to have it if you change your mind about us and come back to Connecticut. I sure do miss you, baby. I miss the great sex we had and I miss holding you in my arms.”

I immediately stopped the message and sighed. Shit. I couldn’t believe Alex heard that.

“Ryan? Great sex? Another heart you broke?” He snickered.

I took in a deep breath. “The sex wasn’t all that great and, yes, another heart I broke. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish cleaning up before I head down to the beach.”

“Enjoy your day and thank you for breakfast.”

“No problem. After all, you are letting me stay in your castle.” I gave a small smile.

He walked out of the kitchen and I placed my hands against the counter, pushing myself back. Why the hell would Ryan be calling me after all this time?

****

Alex

Sitting in the car on the way to the office, the only thing on my mind was Emerson, the breakfast she made me, and the two hearts she broke. Why the f*ck was I thinking about her so much? She was certainly a beautiful woman. Probably, no, definitely one of the most beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on, but she was mouthy and disrespectful. Even though I despised those two things about women, she had me curious about her. Something was going on with her and I was going to find out what her story was, whether she wanted to tell me or not. I would give her the opportunity to tell me herself and if she didn’t, then I would hire someone to find out for me. She was a woman about whom I shouldn’t give a damn. She was my friend’s sister. But there was something about her that made me want to know more and my mind wouldn’t rest until I found out everything about her.





Chapter 7


Emerson

I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d had all day after feeling Alex’s hot breath sweep across my neck. The only way to describe it was riveting. Feeling him so close to me, I froze up, almost as if he had cast a spell on me. I was unable to move and take in a breath. When I googled him, the only information that came up was business related. There was nothing that told me about his personal life, except for all the pictures of him with different women. But even those seemed businesslike. They were photos of him attending charities, events, premieres, and the opening of whatever new business he took on. The type of woman he was photographed with was classy, rich, and uptight, just like him. How could I tell? It was easy to spot a bitch. But of course he would be into that type of woman. I wouldn’t expect anything less from him. It made me wonder if those women put up with his condescending bullshit and attitude. Too much thinking about Alex Parker was dangerous and a waste of time. I had other things to think about, like when Adam got back and we had our talk, where I was going to venture off to next.

As I was relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and plotting my next move, I heard Jenna calling my name.

“Emerson, Mr. Parker just called and said that he needs you to cook dinner tonight for him and a guest. He’ll be home around seven o’clock.”

I sighed. “Would this guest be of the female species?”

She laughed. “I would say probably.”

“Okay, then. It looks like my time down here on the beach is done for the day. I’ll have to call Phillip and have him take me to the grocery store.”

I grabbed my towel and my water and headed back up to the house. As I walked to my room to change, I dialed Phillip.

“Hello.”

“Phillip, it’s Emerson James. I’m going to need a ride to the grocery store. Mr. Parker is having me cook dinner tonight for him and a guest.”

“Very well, Emerson. When would you like to go?”

“How fast can you be here?”

“About thirty minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you.”

After changing into my clothes, I went to the kitchen and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from the drawer. As I sat on the stool next to the island, I began to jot down some items I would need. Just as I was completing my list, Phillip walked in.