The elevator doors, dipshit.
Moving lightning fast, he spun on his heels and shot out a hand to keep the doors from sliding shut. Alex’s soft laughter sounded from behind him, and Coulter smirked as he stepped to the side.
“After you.”
“Why thank you, sir.” She did a little curtsy move before stepping past.
His shoulders shook with a deep chuckle as they turned right and headed down the hall. They made it a few short steps before Alex froze. She snaked out a hand and gripped his forearm with noticeable force.
“Colt,” she hissed quietly.
He stopped mid-stride, turning her way with a frown. “What’s wrong?”
Rather than responding aloud, she motioned to something up ahead. When Coulter turned that way, following her line of sight, his stomach immediately dropped.
What the actual hell?
Gordan Crawford was standing outside Alex’s apartment. A man he recognized as Cyrus Vas—the prick’s years-long bodyguard—was with him.
Cursing beneath his breath, Colt took Alex’s hand securely in his.
“What do we do?” she whispered low.
“Follow my lead and speak as little as possible.”
Too much talking upped the odds of someone slipping up and saying something they shouldn’t. He didn’t know why Crawford was here, or why the hell he was standing outside Alex’s door. Especially when he was supposed to be in L.A.
“Just act normal,” Coulter muttered. A beat later, hebecame Cole Morris, sending a smile their visitors’ way. “Well, this is unexpected.”
“Mr. Morris?” Crawford’s entire face gave away the man’s surprise. A flash of anger raced behind his hardened gaze. “This is surprising.” A smile appeared as he turned to Alex, taking her free hand in his. “Alexandria.” He kissed her knuckles. “Pardon my sudden intrusion. I would have called first, but this was a last-minute trip, and it seems we never can find the time to talk on the phone.”
So you randomly show up at the woman’s home at night and completely uninvited?
Coulter ignored the fact that he’d done the very same thing the night before and watched her with a protective eye. Last night was different. He needed to see her and set things straight. And their conversation was one they’d needed to have in person.
Crawford’s appearance made no sense and sent every one of Colt’s protective instincts firing on all cylinders. Inching a bit closer to Alex, he watched her reaction. Ready to jump back in if he sensed it was needed.
“Gordan.” She smiled politely, slowly pulling her hand free. “W-what are you doing here?”
He turned Crawford’s way.
Yeah, dickhead. What the hell are you doing here?
“I’m in town on business, but unfortunately the trip is a short one. I fly back the day after tomorrow, which is why I’m here this time of night. I assure you, this is not common nature for me, showing up the way I have, but I really wanted to discuss working with you.”
“It couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Coulter took it upon himself to ask.
Crawford’s smile never so much as wavered, but the cold look gave away the man’s displeasure. “I’ll be in meetings all day tomorrow. And like I said, Alexandria and I keep missing each other over the phone.” To Alex, he added, “I had Cyrus drive me here from my hotel on the off chance that you’d be home.”
“Guess we timed things just right, then.” Coulter sent him an overly expressive grin. “Lucky you.”
“Gordan, I appreciate the interest in my work, and the flowers you sent, though unnecessary, were beautiful. I just don’t think this is the right time for me to take on a project of such a large scale. I hope you can understand.”
“But Alexandria, you couldn’t be more wrong. Now is the exact time for you to do a showing at my gallery. The amount of exposure you’ll receive will save you a decade’s worth of struggling to get it on your own.”
“I get that, but while I appreciate the offer and your kind words about my craft, it’s just not going to work for me. Not right now, anyway. I’m sorry.”
That’s my girl.
