“Fine, you’re not overcompensating. You’re just trying to show everybody your club makes more money than theirs,” she shot back, not letting on how she felt when he kissed her hand.
“Maybe,” he acquiesced. “Sex always sells. People don’t want to acknowledge it, but it’s true. Come on.” He opened the door, leaving the keys in the care of the valet. She did a happy dance when she saw her favorite steakhouse. “We’ll get your steak and wine.”
The hostess smiled brighter when he walked up. Back off, she wanted to tell the girl, who all but ignored Alexandra while she purred at Roman and asked if he was dining alone.
“No,” he told her, giving his name, pulling Alexandra closer and kissing her forehead. Feeling naughty, Alexandra stood on the balls of her feet so she could whisper in his ear.
“For that display, I promise to make you a very happy guy.” He turned his head, their lips mere centimeters away from each other so if either one moved, they would be kissing.
“Tonight?”
She nodded, then remembered her original plans for the evening and shook her head. “No, tomorrow. I have work.”
“You’re such a tease.” He rolled his eyes. “What good is sex on demand if you won’t put out?” The discrete cough brought them back to reality, where the hostess was glaring.
“Your table is ready, Mr. Valentine.” She pivoted on her heels, leading them to a darkened area of the restaurant designed for privacy. Roman held out her seat, making sure she was comfortable before he sat across for her.
He’s perfect for me. Why couldn’t we have met under different circumstances? Their waiter came, taking their drink order before leaving them alone.
“You knew I would come with you,” she accused, because the reservations had to have been made earlier, well before she told him yes.
“I was hopeful you’d be worn down by my charm.” He slid his arm across the table, palm side up, and Alexandra put her hand in his.
“It worked.” She turned his hand over, playing with his fingers and watching the water droplets fall from their glass as though it were the most interesting activity she’d seen in days.
“Talk to me.” She risked a glance up, her attention diverted to the platinum blonde sauntering toward their table as though she owned the place. The woman smirked at Alexandra, winking as she got closer, her attention on Roman. She stopped by the table, running her hand up the back of his head. Alexandra sat up straighter, pulling her hand away from his while he turned his attention to the blonde.
“Hello, darling.” The woman smiled, leaning down and kissing him squarely on the lips.
12
Roman jerked back from the unexpected kiss, wiping his mouth while Gina stood over him as though she were watching her prey. He risked a glance at Alexandra, who sat bemused, assessing the situation.
“What the hell is your problem?” he spat at Gina, ignoring the setting. If people stared, he didn’t give a shit; she accosted him for no reason, so she could deal with his anger.
“Darling.” She moved closer, her arms raised as though she would wrap them around his neck. She resembled a snake ready to suck the life out of her latest victim, and the smirk she sent him meant she knew what she was doing. He caught her arms moments before contact, moving her back forcefully so she wouldn’t touch him.
“Stop right there. I’m not your darling, and I’m trying to figure out why you’re over here pretending like we have a relationship. We don’t, we never will, and besides, won’t your husband have a problem with you over here kissing someone else?” She was still married, he’d never wanted her, and if he needed to take out a billboard or bang the words over her thick skull for her to get, it he would.
She raised her ringless hand, wiggling her fingers for emphasis. “What husband? The divorce will be finalized in no time. You knew we were getting a divorce. We’ve talked about it.”
“Once. In passing. I didn’t care, so why would I remember it? I have no clue why you’re coming up here and kissing me as though it’s your right. Alexandra is the only woman with the right to do so, and I made it clear weeks ago you weren’t allowed to touch me. You know I don’t stand for unwanted attention of any kind, and that’s twice now. What’s that saying? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. You don’t want there to be a third time. Understand?” The veiled threat simmered beneath the surface—if she messed with him again she was kicked out of the club. He’d told her to leave him alone, but she seemed to believe since she’d had her claws in him once, she could dig in and stay. He’d tried it tactfully, and wasn’t above playing hardball.
“I understand.” She pouted.
“Thank you. Now excuse us, because we’re trying to have a nice, quiet dinner.” He meant without her, but his statement had the opposite effect of diverting her attention toward Alexandra. Gina focused on Alexandra, mouth falling open in an O formation as though Gina had no clue Alexandra sat there. The bitch knew where everyone was, as she tried to manipulate people like chess pieces for her enjoyment. Gina’s smile was saccharine. “Oh, I’m sorry. Roman has the worst manners. I can’t believe he didn’t introduce us.” She held out her hand, face devoid of any of the fake pleasantries she’d put on moments before.
Alexandra refused to move her hands from her lap. “He didn’t forget. He doesn’t want you to know me. You’re the kind of girl who smiles in someone’s face then puts her hands on someone else’s man as though it’s your right. Let me make something very clear, in case you didn’t get it from what he said. Roman’s trying to be nice, but I won’t be. I don’t share¸ and if you disrespect me or touch him again, I’ll make sure you’re sorry.”
Gina leaned down so she was in Alexandra’s face. “He wasn’t saying that a couple of months ago.”
“Yeah, but he took out the trash. And you’re acting like that lone piece of paper that won’t stay away, no matter how many times you put it in the garbage.” Roman covered the laugh with a cough, patting his chest when he felt it went down the wrong pipe.
“I have better things to be doing than talking to you two.” Gina slinked off, tossing her hair across her shoulder as she went—a move she thought was sexy but reeked of desperation.
Roman tried to adjust himself in his chair, the growing erection pushing against his zipper after watching Alexandra verbally bitch-slap Gina. “Damn, babe, that was kinda hot. And crazy. Crazy in a hot way.”
She chuckled, drinking her wine before responding. “I’ve always been proud of my crazy. I tend to pull it out in situations when it needs to match other crazy, and she’s as nutty as they come. But wipe the side of your mouth,” she pointed to the left side of her lip, “because you still have some lipstick.”
“Sorry.” He wiped his mouth with the linen napkin, grimacing at the fuchsia. It really was an awful shade.
Alexandra twirled her wineglass. “I’m not mad, but I need to know, am I going to need to worry about any other women coming up and acting like they own you?” He could have killed Gina for putting the doubts in Alexandra’s mind.
“No,” he reassured her. “She’s the only person riding that crazy train. I know we haven’t discussed it, but I didn’t date a lot before you. I own a sex club, and I’m not going to insult your intelligence and tell you I didn’t have relationships with other women, but those tended to happen away from the club. And all those women knew the score.”
Alexandra continued to avoid his gaze, twirling her pasta around with her fork. “What about me? You told me the score, yet somehow I’m sitting in a restaurant eating dinner with you as though we’re on a date.” Roman would give anything to assuage her fears, placing his had atop hers and squeezing it in comfort. She looked up, allowing him to read the confusion in her intelligent depths. He bobbed his knee, knowing he would be making himself vulnerable to a woman who had the power to destroy him. Because he was falling for her. And the thought of not being with her sent an ache straight through his chest. Now or never, he needed to convey what he felt to wipe some of the fear in her eyes.