With the bowl of popcorn balanced in the center of her lap, she searched for something to watch. Her body was relaxed, but her mind still needed some help in shutting down. An hour or so of mindless entertainment should do the trick.
That and a glass or two of wine.
Alex reached for her glass, taking a generous sip of the sweet red vino before settling herself back against the plush cushion. Two handfuls of popcorn and another swallow of wine later, someone began knocking on her door.
Every muscle in her body tensed with a start, and she narrowly avoided spilling her wine.
Who the heck would be here at this time of night?
She sat the bowl and the crystal goblet on the coffee table and untangled her legs. Alex rose to her bare feet, making her way to the door. After unlocking the deadbolt, she left the metal chain in place and pulled it open only enough to see the face of the person who’d knocked.
“Colt?” Alex frowned. Though the door would only open a smidge, it was obvious the man had come to her apartment alone. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Sort of.” His brows dipped inward. “Look, I know it’s late, and I probably should have called first, but . . . can we talk?”
She was tempted to say no to avoid whatever uncomfortable conversation awaited her. Instead, Alex said, “Give me a sec.” Then she shut the door.
Releasing the chain, she turned the knob and re-opened the door. Alex took a step backward, shifting her body to the side to give him enough room to step inside.
“Thanks. I promise I won’t stay long.” He glanced around as he walked past. “Nice place.”
She shut the door and faced him. “Thank you. I like it.” A tiny shrug. “But something tells me you didn’t drive all the way here to assess my decorating skills.”
Crossing her arms at her chest, Alex waited to hear why he’d shown up on her doorstep unannounced. When his gaze wandered lower, she adjusted her arms, concealing her top’s inadvertent outline of her nipples.
His eyes met hers once more. “I guess you’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
Colt’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his baby blue eyes. “I, uh . . .” He slid his hands into his front pockets. “I came here to apologize.”
“Apologize?” She frowned. “For what?”
“For earlier, when we were in Garrett and Avery’s kitchen.”
Alex’s mind scrambled to recall the details from the moment he’d mentioned. The only problem was?—
“Nothing happened.”
“Technically, no. But . . . it almost did.”
She remembered the way he’d tucked some hair behind her ear. He’d been so gentle. His tone soft and caring. And the way he’d looked at her during those last few seconds alone, if Avery hadn’t interrupted them when she did?—
He would have kissed me.
“It’s okay.” Alex blew it off. “Like I said, nothing happened, so . . .” She let her voice trail.
For the next few tense—and highly uncomfortable—seconds, they both stood still and silently stared. When Colt did speak up, his words weren’t any she’d thought he might say.
“You hear anything more from Crawford?”
A rush of disappointment raced through her veins.
“Is that why you’re really here? To try to see if I know anything more about your CIA target than what I’ve already told you? Spoiler alert, I don’t. So if that’s what brought you to my apartment—” Alex turned and started for the door.
“I’m not here about Crawford. I came here for you.”
She halted her movements mid-stride, and against her better judgement, she found herself facing him onceagain. Rather than repeating herself, Alex waited for him to further explain.
