Against the Edge (The Raines of Wind Can - By Kat Martin Page 0,132
the front door started jingling. He glanced up to see a petite redhead in a pair of jeans and a sleeveless yellow knit sweater talking to Annie. Great body, he thought, nice full breasts and a round little derriere.
He was smiling when she turned and started toward him, a smile that turned into a flat-out grin.
Alex rose as she drew near. “Hey, Red. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
Her pretty mouth tightened a little at the nickname, which he’d given her because she reminded him of a little red fox—though he’d never told her that.
She paused in front of his desk. “I saw you on TV this morning. That was a good thing you did.”
His smile slid away. “I would have taken that case for free.” And practically had. Finding the evidence to put away a murdering pervert was something he’d enjoyed doing. Besides, money wasn’t something he needed. Alex’s family was East Coast, old-money rich, and his grandfather had left him a bundle. It was the work he loved, doing something productive. He liked it almost as much as flying.
“I know I should have called,” she said, “but I was...I was hoping you might have a minute to talk.”
“You don’t need an appointment, Sabrina. You want a cup of coffee or something?”
“No, thanks, I’m fine.” She sat down in the chair next to his desk and he returned to his seat.
“So...what have you been doing with yourself for the last six months? Besides keeping good ol’ Ryan entertained.”
One of her dark red eyebrows arched up. “‘Good ol’ Ryan’ and I broke up. It was a mutual decision.”
He doubted it. Ryan Gosford was pretty well gone over the feisty little redhead. He was a computer geek, a good-looking guy but dull as dirt, while Sabrina was anything but. It was hardly a match made in heaven.
“Who’s the lucky guy taking his place?” he couldn’t resist asking.
“Nobody. I needed a break for a while. I’m not seeing anyone.” She eyed him with a hint of challenge. “How about you? I doubt you’re sitting home alone at night.”
“I’m not a eunuch. I’m seeing a couple of people. No one in particular.”
“Of course not,” she said, as if she could have guessed.
His grin returned. “So you’re not dating anyone. Does that mean you came by to see me because you’re lonely?”
Sabrina stiffened. “Your ego never ceases to amaze me.” She came up out of her chair. “I knew this was a bad idea. I should never have come.” She started to walk away, but Alex caught her arm.
“Take it easy, Red. I was only kidding. I promise I’ll behave myself.” He tugged her back to his desk and she reluctantly sat back down in her chair. “So tell me why you’re here.”
Sabrina smoothed the front of her crisp blue jeans. “Well...the thing is I...umm...inherited this land out in West Texas. I’m not really sure what’s there or what it’s worth, so I want to take a look. I figured you could fly me out and help me locate the property, take a look around.”
He leaned back in his chair, giving himself a little time to assess the situation. “Your hair’s longer.” His gaze ran over the shiny red locks that now curled softly along her jawline.
Trace had always been drawn to redheads. Alex had never understood the attraction, but looking at those heavy curls his fingers itched to touch, for the first time he thought maybe he did.
A little self-consciously, Sabrina smoothed the tempting strands back from her face. “A good salon costs a fortune these days. It was cheaper just to let it grow.”
He noted the remark, thought it was an odd thing for her to say, considering what a successful stockbroker she was.
“I mean, I just thought I’d try it this way,” she corrected, making him wonder again.
“Looks really good,” he said, and a hint of color washed beneath the faint spray of freckles across her cheeks.
He cleared his throat. “Okay, so you want to see this property you inherited. Why don’t you just fly commercial and rent a car when you get there?”
“Because the closest town is Rio Gordo and it’s miles from an airport that handles commercial flights.”
“Rio Gordo? Hell, that’s five hundred miles away.”
“That’s right. And even after I get there, I’m not exactly sure where the property is. I mean, I know where it is on Google Maps. I’ve located the land on satellite photos, and I’ve got county plat maps of the property, but I can’t