Page 22 of Infinite

“Hale,” Mason says. “Take it easy.”

“Take it easy? Are kidding me?” Hale asks. “What thehellisshedoing here?”

Hale storms forward, stopping inches from me. My breathing has increased for no apparent reason, matching his harsh intakes of breath.

The last time we stood this close, his touch sent sizzles of raw hunger penetrating through my chest. He’s not touching me now. He might as well be, his ultra-masculine presence like liquid fire.

Mason appears, standing between us. I wasn’t aware he’d moved, let alone sensed him cross the room. He warned me Hale wouldn’t take my presence well. He’d insisted we meet downstairs. But downstairs, be it the bar for drinks or for dinner as he suggested, wouldn’t work. It would be too easy for Hale to dismiss me and that’s the last thing I want.

Mason folds his arms over his chest. It’s a protective stance most bouncers take at a bar. But Mason isn’t letting Hale know he’ll fight him if he lays a hand on me. As furious as Hale is, he’d never raise a hand against a woman. Mason is just letting Hale know he supports me, as well as my presence. My, that pushes Hale over the edge.

The menace in his tone . . . Jesus, what’s happened between us? “What are you doing here, Becca June?” Hale asks, his voice low, but no less vicious.

Wow. He had to call me that. I’m not certain it’s because it’s what my daddy used to call me, or because Hale is just that angry. Either way, I stand to my fullest height. It doesn’t help much. Even in these heels and given my tall stature, I’m still shorter than he is. “I’m here to help you,” I say calmly. “Saw the news. Looks like your image could use a little fluffing.”

“Not from you,” he assures me.

My lips press tight as if I’m unaffected, while I swallow back the hurt he causes. I didn’t expect to be forgiven. I also didn’t expect this much anger.

“I called and asked her to be here,” Sean says.

My eyes widen when I realize he’s still carrying Hale’s assistant, Neesa. Sean shuffles forward, not bothering to put her down or even remember that he’s still holding her. “Becca didn’t hesitate and caught the first flight here that she could. She wants to help.”

“I think she’s helped enough,” Hale replies.

“That’s not fair,” I say, my voice reflecting my hurt. I hate that it does. What happened to the woman who high-tailed it from the airport, so she could be here when Hale returned from court? The one hell-bent on not taking “no” for an answer?

“It’s not fair?” Hale counters. “Surprised your fiancé would let you out of his sight? Did you have to ask for permission or did you have to lie about where you were going?”

“I don’t need permission from any man,” I fire back, my temper flaring. “I do what I want, when I want.”

“Unless that man snaps his fingers or makes a fuss.”

“Oh. I see,” Aneesa says, her understanding causing our faces to flush.

Hale walks away, but not before hurling another hostile expression at me.

His anger practically sets the cool space of the open living room aflame. I’m certain he’ll start swearing or demanding I leave. Instead he addresses Neesa. “Bedroom, this way?”

“Yes, Hale,” Neesa replies. At her insistence, Sean sets her down.

If Neesa was hurt, she doesn’t show it then, scrambling after Hale. I follow, too, albeit not as quickly. I need these next few steps to gather my resolve and to rein in the self-assurance that has all but left me.

I’m just barely crossing the threshold of the large suite when Hale tugs off his tie. He tosses it aside. His jacket follows.

They don’t notice me, not that I’m exactly waving a flag.

“Clothes in there?” he asks, motioning to the immense walk-in closet with his chin as he removes his cufflinks.

“Yes. I went to Barneys, Saks, and ultimately, Nordstrom.”

He pauses in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt. “Why so many stores?”

“Because, and I quote, ‘I don’t want any metro-sexual looking pieces of shit, Neesa,’” she counters. “It’s New York, Hale. It’s either high-class or five-dollar T-shirts off the street.”

“All right,” he mutters. “Thanks, sweet thing.”

Sweet thing?I start to worry there’s something between them when he tosses his collared shirt behind him and peels off his undershirt like a seasoned model. He gives no mind to what effect his long lean muscles and bare skin might have on Neesa. My guess is she’s seen him in less before.

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