“Are you okay?” Alexa asked, after the waiter poured more wine into her glass.
“Does this happen often? Men just coming up to you and thinking because you run an auction, you’re game for sex?” he said, unable to keep the anger from his words. He ran his fingers down his face, rubbing his stubbly chin. Saying his feelings out loud brought another current of jealousy through him.
“Not as much as you’d think. Some guys need a refresher, but I’m good at putting them in their place.”
Her answer did nothing to dampen his apprehension. The thought of her walking down her street at night and being harassed by an asshole who thought he had a right—because of her job—tightened Brooks’s chest. “Your line of work is dangerous, Alexa. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” What if an angry client hurt her? The idea brought bile to his throat.
She lifted her glass and spoke over the rim. “I’ve been doing a good job of taking care of myself.”
“And you won’t let anyone else do it.”
“I’m not used to anyone else doing it,” she snapped back, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.
“So what? You’ll just be on your own for the rest of your life?”
Annoyance glittered in her eyes. “I’d rather be on my own now than listening to your condescending spiel. If you’re going to continue, I’ll cut tonight short and leave.”
“I apologize,” he rushed to say. He’d pushed too far and insisting would only drive her away. She was completely right—it was her life, her choice, and he had no say in the matter. It bothered him, but this wasn’t the time to bring it up. Wanting to be a part of her life, as crazy as it sounded, bothered him more.
She drummed her fingers on the table. “How about you? What’s your five-year plan? I’m sure there’s a savvy businesswoman in Texas who would love to snatch you up.”
He bit back a smile. “I’m not opposed to marriage. I’ve always treaded carefully because picking the right person is key.”
She nodded quickly, then opened her mouth, but didn’t say anything. The flicker of annoyance returned to her eyes, along with a trace of sadness. “Couldn’t agree with you more.” She looked away. “Now, onto sweeter topics…are you ready for dessert? I hear the crème brûlée is great.”
Chapter Twelve
“He called again. Not answering?” Jackie asked.
Alexa drank a generous amount of black coffee, hoping the adrenaline would help her reply to the text messages Brooks had been leaving on her cell phone. After dinner the previous night, she’d insisted on going to her place alone without a goodnight kiss or anything that would hint they were on good terms.
What did he expect after his what-have-you-planned-for-the-future chat? Did he want her to admit she probably wouldn’t marry or have kids? That she was a wild cat that’d been outside for too long to become a meek indoor pet?
“He kept asking about plans for the future. Made me feel uncomfortable.” Made me feel defeated, she added to herself.
Jackie chuckled. “Are you serious? He’s talking about plans for the future, and you’re mad about that? Most of my friends have the exact opposite problem.”
Alexa rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t mean plans with me. He asked me a general question.” She’d almost shared with him her plan to move to Europe and do some volunteer work. Her stomach hurt like she’d sausaged herself into a Spanx two sizes too small. Why does his opinion matter? She’d noticed the discomfort in his face when that old client had approached her at the restaurant. Would his resentment increase or disappear with time, if they embarked on a committed relationship?
“Most guys run away from that kind of chat, so if he brought it up, he wanted to hear your thoughts.”
Alexa stared at the remaining black contents in her mug. “He talked about finding the right person, but I’m the least right person for him. So why would anyone think he was talking about me?” What if he was the kind of man who enjoyed giving women false hopes?
“Is that why you’re not answering his calls? Because you have a bruised ego?”
“No I don’t.” She made a face. “Just because I don’t want to hear about how he’ll make some girl happy one day doesn’t mean my ego is bruised. Please.”
Jackie crossed her legs, shifting in the seat like she’d discovered some well-kept secret. “I rest my case. You’ve got it bad for him, girl.”
I hate it when she’s right. “Jackie, stay out of this. I preferred when you were skeptical about him.” At least then, the questions revolved around less personal subjects.
Jackie flashed her an affectionate look. “I want you to be happy.”
Alexa rubbed her neck, touching her pulse beating madly. “I’m doing fine.”
“Okay. Well, I have work to do, and if he keeps calling—”
“I’ll handle him.”
Jackie excused herself, and only when she was out of sight did Alexa fish her cell phone from her pocket and click to call Brooks back. What if she had been a bit brash avoiding him all morning? She tapped her fingers on the desk, annoyed he didn’t answer by the third ring.
“Alexa.” He picked up the phone when she was about to hang up.
Sizzles of awareness flowed from her scalp all the way down her toes. Her nipples hardened from hearing his voice, and she clutched the phone so hard, she accidentally pressed a random number. “Hi.” She cleared her throat, wishing she had rehearsed for this call like some dim-witted teenager. “I know you’ve called, I’ve been busy. What’s happening?”
“Liam called and gave me the names of three employees with prior criminal records. One of them is just a DWI, but two of them are battery-related charges. One domestic violence, and the other guy did time for
