Page 13 of Exposed

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said, wrapping his arm around her.

“I’m just, I don’t know ... not ready for what it means to bring the worldly Alex Drake to a wedding as my date.”

Paco stood quietly. He knew the best way to get information was through silent, attentive listening. That, and he didn’t want to tip his hand that he’d assumed the opposite.

“Bringing Alex to a wedding when I’m the maid of honor is like bringing him home to Christmas dinner during a family reunion. There’ll be a lot of attention and questions, and what could I say? We’re still getting to know each other. And there’s so much still, well, unanswered.”

Paco clasped his hands as he leaned on the balcony, looking out and away. He was dying to answer the questions, but respected Alex too much to intervene without his consent. Despite being shoulder to shoulder, Madison sensed his distance. “I’m making such a deal out of this. I’ll invite him.”

Paco shot back at her, “Not on my account. You’re perfectly entitled to your feelings, and valid in wanting the whole story first. Besides, if you’re very nice, I might have another option for you.” Madison’s eyes lit up. “But I need to check a few things first. No matter what, you’ll have a date for the wedding, and Alex will be fine with it.” Madison looped her arm through his, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“You’re like an incredibly stylish guardian angel. Thank you.” Madison smothered a yawn as she spoke. “I should go.”

“Why? I have a ridiculously fabulous guest suite. Stay. You know Alex will be working at least three more hours. I need to chat with him anyway on business, and I’ll let him know. It’s the last room down the hall.”

“You sure?”

“Have you ever known me to be unsure?” He eyed her confidently, and she smiled in the warmth of his care.

Madison pecked him goodnight on the cheek and headed to her accommodations for the evening.

“How’s the game?” Alex asked, really wondering about Madison. This was the first night they’d been apart, and it ate him up more than he could have imagined.

“Game’s over. I offered Madison my guest suite tonight. I said you’d be preoccupied with work for several hours more, but I thought her staying here would be best, with this whole wedding thing. Madison didn’t want to get into it, but I know it’s killing you.”

Alex sighed. “She’s not ready to go public, and I don’t blame her. She has no idea who she’s in bed with. Literally. How can I expect her to trust me when I’m obviously hiding the past?”

“Why not just tell her?” Paco knew the depth of his loaded question, but what did he have to lose? “Thirty days is almost up anyway, and this full-on delay of the inevitable is doing nothing more than building a brick wall between the two of you.”

Alex considered Paco’s proposal. “You’re right,” he acquiesced. Paco thought for a moment he’d managed to dent Alex’s emotional shield, but he was wrong. Alex added, “it’s better she stays there tonight.”

“Fine,” Paco countered, peeved but willing to press on. “Well I’ve got a plan B lined up for this whole wedding fiasco, but only as long as you’re good with it?”

“Of course, you do. You’re just a plan B kind of guy.” Alex reconsidered Paco’s advice. “And I’ll take your fucking afternoon talk-show shrink advice. I’ll figure it out tonight.”

“And?” Paco had him, and he knew it.

“And I’ll tell her. Tomorrow. I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

Alex hung up the phone, lying back in bed. Shirtless, his hand glided over the scarring across his chest, pondering it as his fingers crossed every flaw and welt in his skin. A wave of memories rushed in, flooding his ears with the pounding of his heart. He slammed his eyes tight, shuddering. Fuck. I can do this. The tender chimes of his phone jolted him back to the present, announcing a FaceTime request. It was Madison. He wiped a few beads of sweat from his brow and answered. Her image filled the screen and brought a welcome respite to his mind and body.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said, his normal, nothing-to-worry-about façade in place. “Did you win big?”

“Hardly. And the game ended abruptly when I made a cherry disappear deep into my cleavage.”

“Wow, I’d love an encore performance.”

“I bet you would.”

“Might the big winner be free for lunch tomorrow? I’m taking some time away from the office, and I’d love to take you to your favorite place, wherever that might be.”

“Well, since I’m about as picky as a goat, how about you surprise me with something you love. Something that makes you feel like home.”

You make me feel like home. “Deal. See you tomorrow. Sleep well.”

“You too.” With that, Madison kissed two fingers and pressed it to the camera, then hung up. He could tell by her sultry tone that she’d nod off easily.

But Alex couldn’t sleep, a common affliction most nights. Tonight, the flashbacks from a decade gone triggered a play-by-play loop, over and over in his mind. His pulse quickened, as perspiration gathered on his face and neck. Rather than succumb to the undertow of dark recollections, he pushed himself to a midnight run in the penthouse gym. The lights shot on as he entered, and he passed most of the equipment as he made his way to his Zero Runner, knowing the ten-mile run would drive away his anguish, while the machine would preserve what was left of his knees.

How the fuck will she not blame me when I’ve blamed myself all these years? Or not hate me when I’ve hated myself? Or ...

He upped his pace, trying to match the already heightened beat of his heartrate.

Or leave? Is there a hope in hell she won’t leave?

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