“That’sawesome.”
Decker’s brows shot up. “You two have ahistory?”
“Place the food order,” Crockett said. “I’ll be back infive.”
As Crockett helped Alexandra with her coat, her bewitching scent surrounded him and he breathed deep. He’d missed so much about her. In silence, they left his office. Once in the elevator, he asked where she’dparked.
“Down the street, but you don’t need to walk me to my car.” They stepped outside and a cold wind gust had Alexandra shoving her hands into her coatpockets.
“Like hell Idon’t.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Now I understand why you were always so attentive about mysafety.”
“Sophia was only half thereason.”
When she arrived at her Prius, she slipped inside, leaving the door open. The tiniest hint of a smile danced in her eyes. “What was the otherreason?”
Nice try.“Youknow.”
The subtle shift in her expression revealed a lot. She hadn’t forgotten how much he’d adored her. “Thanks for being upfront with me, Crockett. I hope you’ll do the story, for your sister’ssake.”
“Lock yourself in, Goth Girl.” He closed her car door and she started theengine.
As Alexandra drove away, a fleeting sense of loss squeezed his chest. A bitter reminder of the last time he saw her before she drove out of hislife.
Crockett returned to his office and changed into his karategi. On his way out, he grabbed his credit card fromDecker.
“So…you and the reporter have a past.” Decker’s playful tone made Crockett laugh. “She’s got a thing for you. I cantell.”
“And here I thought your area of expertise was technology. Who knew you were a romance expert, too? She wants me to do the interview. That’s all.” Crockett’s abrupt tone signaled the end of the discussion about the leggy, gorgeous, and very driven AlexandraMitus.
En route to karate, he weighed the pros and cons of doing the interview with Alexandra. While working with her should be a pro, he also had to add that to the cons. Staring into her eyes felt like medicine for his suffering soul and spending time with her would only remind him of what they once had. On the other hand, she had a point about thepublicity.
Still undecided, he parked, but before going inside, he requested a connection with Electra for later that evening. Being around Alexandra had churned up a tornado of need. Fortunately, he had a new and satisfying way of releasingit.
The earliest he could get to the club would be ten o’clock, so he reserved the only available suite—“Master’s of the Universe”. Since the name spoke for itself, he sent the invitation without a note and strode into thebuilding.
On his way past Annie Rodele’s office, he glanced through the interior window. Annie sat behind her desk with little Hannah perched on her lap. Hannah’s parents sat in guest chairs. Annie glanced up and waved himin.
“Mr. Wilde!” Hannah scrambled off and threw her arms around hislegs.
He tossed a nod toward Hannah’s parents and patted her back. “You ready for class,Hannah?”
Hannah’s dad rose and extended his hand. “Hannah raves aboutyou.”
Though the munchkin wouldn’t detach, Crockett leaned over and shook her dad’s hand. “Crockett Wilde. Hannah’s a pleasure to workwith.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Annie interjected. “Close thedoor.”
“Hannah, come here, honey,” said Hannah’smom.
The little sport climbed onto her mom’s lap as Crockett closed thedoor.
“Hannah needs to take a break from karate,” explainedAnnie.
Crockett leaned against the windowsill. “I’m sorry to hearthat.”
“My dad got laid,” Hannahannounced.
