The haltered cowl neck draped low, giving him a clear glimpse of her shallow cleavage and a slight peek of the swells of her exquisite breasts. The sequined material kept her modesty intact while simultaneously showcasing the woman’s obvious sexual appeal.
Tapering in at the waist, the shiny, red fabric hugged her flat midsection and the feminine curve of her hips.Coulter’s gaze continued lower, not stopping until he reached its hem. The dress stopped mid-thigh, and his imagination went wild as he wondered what she was wearing underneath.
A soft clearing of Alex’s throat brought his focus back up to her stunning gaze. There was a kind of knowing there. A glimmer of confident humor, and it was all he could do not to reach up and check the corner of his mouth for drool.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” Her ruby red lips curved ever-so-slightly. She eyed his suit with a hint of a frown. “Nice suit. Hot date?”
“If you call hanging out at an over-dressed, overpriced restaurant alone a hot date, Sure. We can go with that.”
Her brow fell flat as his words sank in. “You aren’t seriously going to?—”
“Spy on you and Crawford? You bet your sweet ass, I am.”
“Colt—”
“It’s Cole, and this is my job, remember?”
“To spy on me?”
To protect you.“To keep an eye on my target. But don’t worry. I promise you won’t even know I’m there.”
“This is insane.”
“It’s just a precaution. Oh, and I almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvety rectangular box. “This is for you.”
Alex looked down at the small case as if it were poisonous to the touch. “What is it?”
“Open it up, and you’ll see.”
She reached for the box, her fingers brushing against his as she took it from his hand. Coulter schooled his expression, unwilling to let her see just how powerful her fleeting touch could be.
“Go on,” he prodded. “Open it.”
She eyed him suspiciously before prying the hinged top open. A tiny hitch of her breath sounded with the slight parting of her ruby red lips.
“Co—”
“Cole,” he reminded her softly. “And don’t worry, it didn’t cost as much as you think.”
The diamonds weren’t real, but to the naked eye, they sure as heck looked it.
“I don’t understand.”
“What’s to understand?” He shrugged. “I know you like bling, and I figured it would go nicely with whatever dress you chose. Here let me help.” He gently took the box back and removed the piece of delicate jewelry before closing its lid. “Give me your wrist.”
She lifted her left hand up and waited patiently as he secured the dainty clasp.
“It’s beautiful. Unnecessary, but beautiful.” Her appreciative gaze returned to his. “Thank you . . . Cole.”
A twinge of guilt made its presence known, but he pushed it aside. “You’re welcome.” He tore his focus away to glance at his watch. “Crawford should be here any minute. Come on. I’ll walk you to the elevator and then I’ll head for the stairs.”
“The stairs?” She motioned for him to keep the door open while she grabbed her purse from the chair resting a few feet away. “Why not just ride down with me?”
Keeping an eye on the hallway for any possible eyesor ears, Colt explained, “I can’t risk him seeing us together.”
Alex returned in seconds, but just as she was about to step out of her room, her nude-heeled foot paused over the threshold mid-stride.
