Adelaide folded her arms across her chest, repositioning herself so she stood with her feet hip-width apart. “No. Why are you asking about him?” She refused to look Alexandra in the eye, studying a spot over her shoulder.
Alexandra felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of her stomach. “No reason. He told me to tell you hello, though.”
Adelaide ran her hand through her hair, relaxing her shoulders and clasping her shaking hands in front of her clutch. “Really? Well, I don’t know who he is. Unless he’s some former associate. Oh, I forgot to remind you, we need to go shopping for the banquet soon, because I can’t have you going like a hag. Your grandmother wanted to make sure I reminded you since it’s in the name of your grandfather. Besides, you never know who will be there…” She trailed off, a sly smile gracing her face. Alexandra filed away her mother’s reaction about Franklin for later. She knew him, but why did she insist on lying about it?
“What have you done?” Alexandra dug through the black hole she called her purse so she could lock up and go. She’d come back to Corey’s case this afternoon. Maybe getting away would give her some clarity.
“Nothing, dear. You know me, I’m just rambling on in my old age.” She waved her off as though she was talking nonsense.
Alexandra chuckled. “Your mind is sharp as a tack, old lady, so I’m not buying it.”
“Maybe I just want to make sure my daughter looks amazing. Could you imagine if you came there looking crazy like Hilda’s grandchildren? Piercings and tattoos everywhere! Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but if you decide to get some man’s name on your neck, I will never hear the end of it.” Alexandra shook her head; her mother had a tattoo of her own, so she had no room to talk.
“Mom, you have a tattoo, and there is nothing wrong with people with tattoos.”
“Of course not, but if you put some man’s name smack dab on the side of your neck, I’m gonna complain.”
“Okay.” Alexandra laughed. “No neck tattoos. Wait…neck tattoos?” Her eyes widened. “That’s it. I figured it out.” Alexandra ran and grabbed the Davis file, flipping pages until she came to the document she was searching for. Her mother stood there, watching her like she’d lost her mind, not that Alexandra blamed her.
“Mom, I gotta go by the jail.” Alexandra grabbed the folder, too excited to contain herself.
“What about lunch?” Her mother struggled to keep up with her.
“Lunch first, then I’ll go see a client. I gotta figure out if he’s still in jail.”
“Jail? Well, aren’t you just swimming in a stream of optimism and enthusiasm?” She huffed, probably seeing her dreams of a long lunch followed by some afternoon shopping evaporating before her very eyes.
Alexandra kissed her on the cheek, wrapping her arms around her to soften the blow. “All day, every day. And Parker and I will both go shopping with you this weekend.”
Lunch with her mother was wonderful, as usual, and the visit to the jail was both enlightening and exciting. She’d found the key to get him off. She had to have Karen do some follow-up interviews and gather more information, but Corey shouldn’t serve any more time.
***
“It’s just dinner, princess; I’m not breaking out rings.” Roman’s deep voice came across the speakerphone in her office. She’d texted him after lunch telling him she couldn’t meet him for dinner. She needed to go home; her mother lied about knowing Franklin and she wanted to know why. The envelope sat in her home office, waiting for her.
“Uh…I can’t tonight.”
“Can’t, or won’t? Because if you don’t want to try this, tell me now. But don’t get upset if someone questions us together.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But I have to work, so I would love to, but I can’t. I’m not getting out of it, there is a legitimate reason.”
“Don’t work too hard,” he said, not waiting for her goodbye before he hung up.
“I won’t, asshole, but you didn’t wait to hear me,” she muttered, her mind shifting back to the case. She would finish up then head out.
“We got this,” she told the photograph of her parents she’d put on her desk years before. It was a reminder of how far she’d come, and why she needed to stay focused if she wanted to achieve the goal of continuing her father’s legacy. The anniversary of his death was fast approaching, the up-coming banquet a stark reminder of all she’d lost.
“Alexandra.” Karen came to the door, her hands held out of front of her. “I tried to stop him.” Roman came into view, striding into the room, zeroing in on her quickly.
“Roman,” she bit out. “I told you I’m busy tonight.” Karen shot her a sympathetic smile and closed the door behind her.
He sat down in front of her desk, propping his legs out in front of him. “Yeah, you are. With me.”
“Noooo.” The promise of his company made her giddy with excitement, but responsibility told her to calm her happy ass down. She shook the yellow notepad toward him where she’d been taking notes, reminding them both why she shouldn’t. “I have to prep for a case.”
“Prep tomorrow. I want to have dinner tonight, and would love to have it with you. We’ll go to dinner and then you go home. I won’t bother you for sex and if you feel the need to work later, you can.” This was why she hadn’t dated, because men took time she wasn’t willing to give. But Roman wasn’t going away; he had actually parked his sexy ass in front of her desk, waiting for her to agree.
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “But”—she stopped him when the smirk appeared—“you can’t do this again. I’m only agreeing because you’re taking me somewhere ridiculously expensive and I’m ordering a filet and the most expensive bottle of wine as your punishment.”
He stalked toward her, forcing her to tip her head back so she could look in his face. “That supposed to scare me?” He gave her a hard kiss. “Be grateful you came without a fight, or I would have dragged you by your hair.”
“Careful, your caveman’s showing.” She pinched his ass, making him jerk and pushing his crotch right in her face.
“There are so many ways to take advantage of this, but I figure you’d cut me if I attempted a blow job in your office.”
“You think right.” She would, she couldn’t resist him, but it’d get her fired. She pushed him so they could get out of her office and get her nice, juicy steak, before she gave into her desire to do him on her desk. Besides, the sooner they ate, the sooner she’d get home and see what Franklin gave her. The stares of her coworkers were unnerving when they left the office. Alexandra never brought a man there, but damn, they didn’t have to treat it like he was the Sasquatch. Something rumored to exist but never seen. Whatever, she thought, standing taller when Roman put his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the elevators. Their reaction reinforced the idea they should be seen together.
He didn’t give her a choice when they reached the parking lot, ushering her into the waiting SUV.
“How many cars do you have?” she asked after they were on the way to the restaurant. His car smelled like him, the crisp, clean scent of his body wash. Distinct and subtle. Nothing spectacular, but all Roman.
“Two. This one and the GTO. Is that all you want to know, or would you like a list of all the items I own?” He smirked.
“Nah, your cars will do. You know what they say about the size of the man and the size of his car. Maybe you’re overcompensating.” She rubbed her hand over his thigh, heading directly to the seam of his pants. He stopped her right before she reached paradise.
“I’ll be happy to show you my stick shift later, but we both know I’m not overcompensating for anything.” He kissed her palm. She melted when he did little gestures such as that. He could be unbending, but when he showed her the softer side she dissolved.