“You said Crawford was at your gallery recently?” He held a glass in each of his hands as he made his way back over to her.
“Last week.” She leaned up and took the glass he’d just offered. Not taking the time to savor, she tilted her head back, swallowing the entire contents in one, long gulp.
Coulter’s lips rolled inward to keep from smiling as he sat on the cushion beside her. “Did you know he was planning on stopping by?”
She set the empty glass on the coffee table and faced him more directly. “Nope. Now it’s your turn. You said you’d explain whatever that was back there as soon as we were here. Well guess what?” She glanced around. “We’re here, so no more stalling or putting me off. I want to know why you were at that party tonight, and why the hell Gordan Crawford thinks your name is Cole Morris.”
This was it. The minute the words were out of his mouth there’d be no going back. His blue stare held hers a moment longer as he committed her beautiful face to memory. After tonight, once she learned the truth about who he really was, there was a good chance Alex would never speak to him again.
“Cole Morris is the alias I’ve been using for the past several months.”
“Alias?” Her dark brows dipped in the center as she let out an unladylike scoff. “Why in the world wouldyouneed an alias? You’re in marketing or whatever. I mean, if you were a member of Tac-Ops, I’d understand. But you’re not, so?—”
“You’re right.” He nodded. “I’m not a member of Tac-Ops.”
Short for Tactical Operations, Tac-Ops was his brother’s specialized hostage rescue team.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s what I just said.”
As much as he loved her smart mouth, Coulter knew he needed to tell her the rest.
“Alex, the truth is, I’m a deep-cover agent with the CIA. Six months ago, I was assigned to the task force created for the sole purpose of taking Gordan Crawford down.”
CHAPTER THREE
Alex stared back at Colt, whose expression was stone-cold serious. And this time, she didn’t laugh. She simply uncrossed her legs, rose back up to her feet, and walked silently over to where she’d left her coat and purse.
“Alex—”
“This was a mistake.” She gathered the items but didn’t bother putting on the coat. Choosing to let it drape over the crook of her elbow instead, she slid the thin strap of her purse up her arm. “I never should have let you talk me into leaving the party.”
“Please. Just . . . hang on a second.”
Alex stopped to look back at him from over her shoulder. “Goodbye, Colt, or Cole, or whoever it is you’re supposed to be. And don’t worry. The next time Gordan and I speak, I’ll keep the truth to myself.” A humorless laugh filled the room with tension as she turned around and headed straight for the door. “As if I even know what that is, anyway,” she muttered.
“You can’t go anywhere near that man again,” hewarned. When she didn’t respond, he added a frustrated, “Dammit, Alex, wait.”
“I’m done waiting, Colt.” She spun back around, shooting him an angry stare. “And quite frankly, I’m done with you. All you ever do is go for laughs, and it’s always at my expense. So I’m done being your comedic muse. Just do us both a favor and leave me alone. Oh, but don’t worry. I’ll be polite enough whenever Avery and your brother are around. For them . . . not you. But don’t expect anything more, because that’s all you’re gonna get. And it’s a hell of a lot more than you deserve.”
Alex turned for the door, her hand trembling slightly as she started to reach for the lock.
“Donotopen that door.”
The man’s stern order had her pausing on reflex. She didn’t turn to face him because quite frankly, it would hurt too much to look into his lying eyes.
“Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking you for.”
“You really think five more minutes of listening to you spew the same crap is going to change my mind?
“You don’t have to listen. In fact, I won’t say anything at all. You can see the evidence for yourself and then you can decide.”
Evidence?
Going against the self-preserving urge to bolt, Alex finally brought her gaze back around to his. Her breath hitched, her pulse spiking with a shot of adrenaline and fear when she caught the handsome man’s hardened expression.
“Five minutes,” he repeated.
She gave a jut of her chin and countered with, “I’ll give you two.”
