Page 23 of Infinite

A pang of jealousy follows each step I take forward. I can’t be jealous. No. Ishouldn’tbe jealous. But that’s exactly what I am. It seems I left my pride back in Charlotte with all that pesky confidence I once possessed. I should leave them alone and return to the living room. Yet, here I am, drawing closer to Hale.

I almost kick myself.What the hell is wrong with you, Becca?

Oh, darlin,my obnoxious lady parts reply. Regardless of what he says and how hard you try to deny it, that hunk of man has always been yours.

Sometimes, my lady bits just need to shut up.

I venture further in, head high, attitude out. Hale is down to just his pants. He sets his watch on the bureau beside the cufflinks while Neesa lays out his clothes. Neesa is moving so fast, I barely catch her disappear into the bathroom to start the shower.

Hale uses this moment to lean forward, placing his hands on either side of the dresser. His anger has all but vanished, leaving the weight of his problems to sag his shoulders. As psychotic as it sounds, I want to kiss the spot between his shoulder blades, that small spot that rests behind the heart I’ve always cherished. But the way I feel around him, I wouldn’t want to stop with a kiss.

I’d wrap my arm around his waist, press my cheek against his warm, bare skin. I want to be there for him. In all the ways I should have been so long ago. The way we were meant to be on that beach. On that night that was supposed mean everything, only to become one of the worst times in my life.

Could I comfort him now? With my words? With my body?

Hale lifts his head, the muscles stretching across his back stiffening when he sees me in mirror, just a few paces away. As easily as that, his momentary display of vulnerability abandons him.

I should give him a moment and plenty of space. Yet the best I can do is not to gawk. Hale does pissed-off, broody, hot guy well.

It’s not my fault. I swear it’s not. My womanly desires are fully awake and they don’t seem ready to shut the hell up.

“Don’t you think that’s a little degrading?” I ask. “Asking your PA to draw you a bath?”

It’s pathetic. I know. Right now, it’s all I have.

“It’s a shower,” Hale says, likely wondering how I had the ovaries to come in here. “And it’s something Neesa does all the time.”

“Baby you?” I offer.

“No.” There’s no hint of humor in Hale’s response. But there is something else. “She takes care of me, Becca. Like a real friend would.”

Neesa exits the bathroom, her hurried steps slowing as she nears. Her expression softens, demonstrating a caring demeanor she didn’t reveal until now. “Hale’s offered to get us matching tattoos,” she says, pursing her lips when Hale winks.

“How else does a big shot say Happy Birthday?” Hale asks, acting as if I’m not standing there.

“I don’t know. A paid vacation. A shopping spree. Candy. Maybe flowers?” Neesa offers.

“Nah. Navy ships across our chests it is.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Unless I can talk you into a World’s Greatest Boss banner dangling over a life-sized image of me giving the thumbs up.”

Neesa makes a face. “I’ll take the navy ship.” She places her hands on her hips, attempting to appear as if she’s had it with Hale, despite the lingering concern in her tone. “Is there anything else?”

Hale analyzes her closely, noting the misery she attempts to hide behind her no-nonsense persona. He seems prepared to offer words of comfort and support, something to assure her that he and the company will be all right.

I don’t know Neesa, and in many ways, I don’t feel like I know Hale any more. But I can read others well enough to know what these two are thinking. Hale wants to assure her he won’t fail and that he’ll take care of her. He doesn’t realize Neesa isn’t worried about her future. She’s worried about Hale.

“Food,” Hale replies. “You know what I like.” He whips off his belt, smirking in her direction. “That is, if you and Mason don’t already have dinner plans.”

As easy as the strike of a match, Neesa’s genuine affection for him morphs to annoyance. You might call it one of Hale’s superpowers.

“Sometimes, I really hate you,” Neesa tells him.

“And?”

“And you’re an asshole,” Neesa finishes, storming out the door.

“Is that a no to food?” Hale calls after her.

He chokes back a laugh when she flips him off. I turn to him, playing with the necklace I’m wearing. It’s the only thing I can do that makes me appear somewhat relaxed. It’s something I really need now.

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