Never Gonna Happen - Cynthia Eden Page 0,31
I’ll be forgotten in no time.” She eased back.
“No, you damn well won’t.”
Her eyes widened.
“I’ve never been able to forget you. Trust me, I tried. That shit doesn’t work.”
He heard the faint catch in her breath. “You weren’t lying…you’ve really wanted me…” Her voice trailed away.
“Since the day we met.”
“But you didn’t do a thing about it.”
He forced a shrug. “You seemed to hate me, so what was there to do?”
“Hate is a strong word. And like I said before, I don’t hate you.”
She was right in front of him. Close enough to touch.
But I’m not supposed to put my hands on her. Because if he put his hands on her, he’d never let her go.
“If you want the truth, I often think you’re an arrogant ass.”
He nodded. “Most days, I am.”
“I also think you have a wild streak. That you believe most rules don’t apply to you.”
“Rules are made to be broken.” He flashed her a smile.
She didn’t smile back. “You know your dimples don’t work on me.”
A crying shame.
“You break most rules…but my brother asked you to stay away from me, and you did. You followed that rule.”
He looked away.
“Why?”
“Like I told you, I just added a stipulation. I said I’d stay back until you wanted me. Since you didn’t seem to want me—”
She caught his chin in her hand.
She touched me.
Alyssa carefully turned his head toward her. She stared down at him. “You make me crazy.”
Her fingers felt so soft. “Only fair. You’ve been driving me insane since I saw you blowing out birthday candles.”
Her lush lips parted. “What do you think is going to happen? That you announce you want me, and I’ll suddenly be jumping into bed with you?”
“A guy can dream,” he muttered. Her mouth was close. He wanted it.
I want her.
“We haven’t even had a first date yet, and I told you that I never sleep with guys on the first date.”
“Ahem. Sorry to interrupt…” The voice came from the doorway, and no, the guy speaking didn’t sound particularly sorry at all.
Alyssa gasped and jerked back even as Sebastian shot to his feet and jumped in front of her. He narrowed his eyes on the bastard who stood there, with one shoulder propped against the doorway.
“I would have said something sooner,” the man continued, “but I was really curious about where the conversation was going. Engrossed, if you will. All invested in the ending. But then I realized it was probably rude to watch you. Voyeur-like, you know.”
“Dex,” Sebastian growled.
Alyssa’s fingers locked around Sebastian’s shoulder. “I thought your home was secure.”
“It is secure. Don’t worry.”
Her hold tightened on him. “It’s not secure. There’s a man standing right there. He got past your guards, he got past your security, he got in here without us even catching the sound of his footsteps—”
“Because I am that good,” Dex bragged. “What can I say? I have mad skills.”
Sebastian turned to glance back at Alyssa. They’d been having a freaking moment. A moment. Trust Dex to screw things up for him. “It’s okay. I called him.” And he’d given orders for the guards to let Dex pass when he arrived. Those were actually standing orders—Dex always could get to Sebastian.
Because he’s my handler.
“You called him?” Alyssa’s dark eyebrows rose. “Why? Is he another bodyguard or something?”
“Or something,” Dex drawled.
Sebastian shot him a killing glance.
“What?” Dex blinked. “Come on, buddy, you know I’m here to help.” He smiled. “Why don’t you introduce me to the lovely lady? Though I have heard so much about her that I feel like we’re already besties.”
Sebastian shifted his position so that Alyssa could get a full look at Dex—and so that he could stand at her side. They were still behind his desk. Dex was still lounging against the doorframe. He didn’t look particularly intimidating—he never did. His blond hair was messy and a little too long. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his body seemed ever so casual.
The casual pose was a lie, though. Sebastian knew nothing about Dex was casual.
“Alyssa, this is Dex.” Sebastian waved vaguely between them.
Dex roused from the doorway and headed across the room.
Sebastian stiffened.
Dex offered his hand to Alyssa. “I’m a friend of your brother’s and of Sebastian’s.”
Alyssa took his hand.
His fingers closed around hers. “You definitely got the looks in the family,” Dex added. His head tilted. “You are gorgeous. Are those flecks of gold in your eyes?” He leaned closer. “Yes, they are. Beautiful.”
Alyssa’s head turned toward Sebastian.
Dex kept her hand.
“Can’t imagine