But somehow, around this man, I don’t mind touching the flames. It’s like I want to get burned.
He pauses to look at me. “I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “I like a challenge—”
“Wrong answer, young man,” I cut him off.
As I thought, I’m just a conquest for him. An exciting chase he would tire of soon enough.
His jaw ticks, and then he shakes his head in what feels like silent exasperation. “Good. I’d better go find myself a new conquest.”
The bitterness in his voice matches the aftertaste of our conversation I feel deep in my stomach.
Asshole.
Fucking asshole.
How dare he make me feel bad about my choices? How dare he saunter back into his car and drive away, leaving me there in a pool of regret?
I let myself mope for a moment. Then I stew for another one. Fuck him.
Chapter 10
Xander
“So there is no man I need to threaten?” I ask seriously, and Lottie snorts.
“Stay away from my dates. It’s bad enough I have my dating life monitored by the rest of this family.” Her eye roll comes through in the tone in her voice. “Besides, you would have to be here to threaten anyone.”
She got me there. “Just be careful, and don’t trust—”
“Men like you, Lex?” she quips. Only Lottie calls me Lex, a childhood habit.
“I’m a good catch.” I walk out of the elevator and nod my greetings to our receptionist.
“If she wants to catch STDs.” Lottie snorts.
“I’m perfectly safe, Lottie. And right now, I’m notthrilled I called you,” I grumble, entering my office and turning on the screens.
“Aw, brother, did I hurt your feelings?” she sing-songs, and I snort, shaking my head. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you skillfully avoiding my suggestions about being here to be able to threaten anyone.”
I stop at the window wall behind my desk and let my gaze trace the Manhattan skyline, sighing. “I live and work in New York, Lottie. I’m busy.”
“Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, building your own empire, blah, blah… The excuses are old by now; even you couldn’t possibly believe them anymore.”
“It’s not an excuse.” I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“I call bullshit. Mom misses you terribly.”
The wave of guilt sweeps through me, like always when my sister brings up Mom. “Lottie…” I sigh.
“Look, Lex, I know Dad has been trying to reach you. I think enough time has passed for you to grow some balls and stop hiding.”
Fuck.
“When you put it like that…” I grumble.
“So you will take his call?”
“I don’t think I will, but I will be in San Francisco soon, and you and me can grab lunch.”
