“How long has it been since you’ve seen Alexandra?” Coltonasked.
“Eleven years. She’d just graduated highschool.”
The two women scooted inside. “Too cold.” Brigit’s teeth chattered and Colton pulled herclose.
Crockett had liked Brigit immediately. Petite, blonde and crazy smart, she was Colton’s equal in every way that mattered. But more than that, she made himhappy.
Alexandra’s eyes grew wide. “Crockett.” Her blue lipsquivered.
Blood pounded through his veins.She’s gorgeous.Large, caramel eyes blinked up at him. Dark brown hair flowed over her bare shoulders. Her elegant red holiday dress showed off her womanly curves, but her breathtaking beauty captured hisheart.
“Hello, Goth Girl.” As they stared into each other’s eyes, he felt like he’d come home. And eleven long years compressed into mere minutes. He remembered how her eyes sparkled when she smiled at him, or that her sweet kisses could soothe his karate injuries. And how she’d undo him with herpassion.
He smiled. Her gaze slid from his eyes to his mouth, then back into his eyes. The corners of her lips lifted. Then, a flash of anger shadowed her prettyface.
She flicked her head and squared her shoulders. Alexandra Mitus in defense mode. His heart tightened. That rigid posture had been his last image of her.Goddammit. She’s still pissed atme.
“Thanks for talking, Brigit,” she said, her attention still locked on Crockett. “Excuse me, I’m going to check on Mom.” She walked away. Before vanishing around the corner, she glanced back athim.
He grinned.Not thatpissed.
* * *
Safely out of view,Alexandra heaved in a shaky breath while trying to appear nonchalant. But she was on fire. Crockett Wilde had shorted her mind. She hated the power he had over her. Always had.My god, he’sgorgeous.
From the moment she’d laid eyes on him, at fourteen, he’d rocked her world. The summer after she’d graduated high school, they’d fallen crazy in love, or so she’dthought.
Seeing him now had awakened the best memories and the worst feelings. Clearly, time had been good to Crockett Wilde. Gangly no more, his massive, sculpted body was eye candy for her lonely soul. She’d always found him handsome, but when he’d pinned her with those baby blues she knew she was in trouble. His chiseled cheekbones and strong jawline made looking away impossible. Like years ago, his undeniably sexy accent wove a ribbon around herheart.
Stop!
Pasting on a cheery smile, she bypassed Colton’s mingling guests, then scooted down the hallway in search of her mom. She’d not anticipated the depth of her emotion when coming face-to-face with Crockett. Breaking into a cold sweat, she ducked into her brother’s office, sank onto the plush sofa, and gripped the cushions until her fingers turned ghost-white.
Even though Colton and Crockett were best friends, and Crockett like a second son to her mom, she’d managed to avoid him—for years. Even Houdini would have been proud of her vanishing act. When she traveled home, Kimberly would invite Crockett to swing by. Alexandra would scramble to come up with a lame excuse as to why she’d have to leave. Once, he dropped inseeminglyunannounced. As soon as she heard that Texan lilt, she’d hightailed it upstairs. Her excuse? A sudden and violent case of food poisoning. Her mother had given her a piece of her mind when he’d left. But she couldnotsee him. The excruciating pain from their breakup had been worse than when her beloved daddy had walked out after the death of her brother, Cain. Daddy had broken her heart, but Crockett had ripped it beating from her chest and stomped it.Never, everagain.
Tonight, she’d expected he’d be there. How could he not be? He was like family. What she hadn’t anticipated was her gut-wrenching reaction. Her body shook and her heart palpitated. Crockett Wilde was the one man, theonlyman, who could evoke such intense passion. Buried deep beneath her frustration and anger laid her true feelings. She loved him. No one measured up. No one mattered. OnlyCrockett.
Steeling her spine, she glanced around her brother’s spacious office. Deep breaths and a Mitus determination helped steady her. Colton’s quiet workspace was the perfect man-cave. Mahogany-paneled walls made the large room both stately and cozy. The only item on his massive antique desk was a framed picture of him and Brigit. True love. Inwardly, she sighed. Maybe Colton had broken their curse. Mituses weren’t lucky inlove.
Lack of sleep from her marathon tryst with Hunter, along with her work challenges and her mom’s health issues, had left her frazzled. Adding Crockett into the mix was too much. Suddenly, she was struck by the strangest thought.I’ve seen him since I’ve been back. No—that’sridiculous.
A few moments passed. She composed herself enough to leave the sanctuary of her brother’s office and headed for the door. Colton’s voice, followed by Crockett’s unforgettable and way too sexy laugh, sent her flying behind the door of Brigit’s office, which was an offshoot of Colton’s. No way could she face Crockettagain.
Like a child playing hide-and-seek, she peeked through the opening of the doorhinge.
“I keep my best bourbon in here.” Colton opened his credenza, pulled out a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle and poured twoglasses.
After tapping Colton’s glass, Crockett tossed back a mouthful of bourbon. “Congratulations on yourengagement.”
“I want you to be my bestman.”
Alexandra could not take her eyes off Crockett. His grin made her heart pound faster.He’s more gorgeous than Iremember.
“I’d be honored.” Crockett leaned against the furniture. “Set adate?”
“We’re working onthat.”
“By the way, thanks for the membership toIncognito.”
