She crossed her arms. “I should get back to Bea. If I don’t, she’ll take over my slot machine and win my twenty bucks.”
“Of course.” He checked his watch. “I have to get back to work anyway. Unfortunately.”
“Why’s it so unfortunate? You’re too new here to be jaded about the job already.”
“I like talking to you. I don’t want to stop.”
His voice, already deep and rich, must have dropped an octave when he said those words. She wanted to tell the rest of the world to screw off and luxuriate in his velvety baritone for the rest of the day. It even alleviated some of the ache in her head. “You know, you should think twice before saying those things to women.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because it sounds an awful lot like you’re flirting with me.”
His lips twitched and she found herself hanging on his promise of a smile. She hadn’t seen Alex smile yet, teeth and all, and suddenly couldn’t stop wondering what his smile looked like.
And what it would do to her.
“What if I am flirting with you?” He looked her right in the eye. “Is it working?”
She tried to articulate a response, but had none. “I really should go.”
“You already mentioned that but you’re still here.”
Trapped in his gaze, she couldn’t move.
He stood and held out a hand to help her up. Seeing as her knees were gelatin, she accepted his hand and rose to her feet.
“There. I’ll put you out of your misery.”
Only she wasn’t miserable. Far from it.
“Before you leave, I have a question for you.”
“Okay.”
“Have you been to Covet yet?”
“Your new club?”
“Yeah.”
“No. I hear it’s impossible to get in.”
“It can be, but on Thursday night, I’ll be hosting a party there. I’m bringing in a new DJ and, well, I’m worried no one will come.”
God bless him, he managed that entire speech without cracking a smile. Dana stifled her own grin. “You’re Alex Markov. I’ve never been to your clubs and I’ve still heard about your parties. Do you honestly expect me to believe no one will attend your event?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m expecting you to believe. Sad, isn’t it?”
“Oh, it’s almost tragic.” Her mood was starting to lighten and she suspected it had a great deal to do with him and his crazy bid for sympathy. “Don’t worry. I have no doubt people will be banging on the doors, demanding to get in.”
“Who knows? It never hurts to pad the numbers. Better safe than sorry.” He looked up at her from under his eyelashes. “I was wondering if you and your friends would like to attend, as my special guests, of course.”
“Yourspecial guests?”
“Yeah.”
Alex’s New York soirees were legendary. If she wasn’t mistaken, his last New Year’s party was attended by everyone from supermodels to politicians. They got write ups inPeople Magazine. His special guests were typically the starlets of the day.
