The Billionaire's Betrayal (Highest Bidder #3) - Carmen Falcone Page 0,34
them, and her heart turned over in agreement.
“I’m done screwing you one moment, then worrying about where we stand the next. I need a clear head to deal with everything that’s coming my way,” he said. “So I propose while we look into what happened and you go through with Scott’s auction, let’s keep having sex so we can work together knowing there will be some release at the end of the day.”
She stared at him, his eyes seductive and soulful. His confession clawed its way down her throat and clutched her heart, releasing a powerful rush of blood through her, revving her up inside. An affair with him could leave her hurt later, yes, but denying herself the affair messed with her brain now. “Okay.”
“Can’t hear you.”
“Fine. We’ll keep this going while you’re in Nevada.” Wasn’t she leaving as well? Maybe after she left, her memories of him would fade as she dove head first into perfecting her Spanish and assuming a new identity—using her time and wealth to help women across the globe. Women who would have no idea about the person she used to be and wouldn’t judge her.
A small smile curled his lips, and he inched closer. “Good.”
His gaze slid to her lips, anticipation filling her like air in a balloon. She angled her head, parting her mouth, ready to seal the deal with a scorching kiss.
“Excuse me.” Jackie coughed behind them.
Brooks pulled back, stood upright, and turned to meet Jackie, who had a faint red shade on her cheeks.
Alexa bit back a smile; her assistant had never seen her with a man. Thankfully, Jackie straightened her shoulders and maintained her composure, sitting across from Alexa with a folder on her lap. “What do you have?” Alexa asked.
Jackie opened the folder and handed Alexa a sheet of paper. “I’ve printed a list with names from the outsourced employees from the catering company and the security firm.” She glanced at Brooks, explaining, “They’re all required to sign in when they enter the building, for confidentiality reasons.”
Brooks finally sat next to Jackie, and the easy charm disappeared from his face. With squared shoulders and thinned lips, he paid attention to the exchange between them.
Without bothering to look, Alexa gave him the list. “Here you go.” If any of her employees had kidnapped his sister or worse, he would never forgive her. Acid spilled into her stomach, but she swallowed the sour lump in her throat and peered at Jackie, asking calmly, “What else?”
Jackie stood, then shifted from foot to foot, visibly uncomfortable with the silent threat Brooks represented against House of Alexa. “I saved the interviews we had with her on this pen drive,” she said, fishing the small device out from the folder. She handed him the folder and the pen drive.
“Thank you,” Brooks said, quick to open the folder and study its contents.
“Anything else you need?” Alexa looked at Brooks.
“Not for now,” he said.
Jackie nodded. “I need to check our liquor order, but please call me if you need me, I’ll be in my office,” she said, before dashing out of the office.
Brooks squinted at the list, probably trying to see if he recognized any names. “This helps a lot. I know a guy I can ask to do a background check on these people and find out if any of them have any history of domestic violence or anything that could point us in the right direction.”
Alexa’s shoulders dropped a notch, temporary relief loosening the ball of tension in her stomach. At least he could count on someone with experience to help him and hopefully figure out what had happened. Did this mean he no longer needed her? The idea should have brought her further relief, but instead, her body tensed up again, worse than before. “That’s a good idea.”
“These videos…it’s strange to me…” He rubbed his temple, looking away. “If I watch them…”
Alexa rocked back in her chair. “There’s nothing sexual about them. I ask them questions and they answer. No nudity. It’s just a standard interview I review later to figure out who’s the best fit,” she said matter-of-factly. “It’s no different than the questions I asked Scott.” Inwardly, she doubted her words would comfort him. After all, he was about to see a video of his late sister. Her heart tightened in her chest.
He inched closer, and a veneer of vulnerability cloaked him, his cocoa-colored eyes a tad darker. “Will you watch them with me?”
…
Brooks popped his knuckles, jaw clenching. He’d hoped