“No. I gave that up last year.”
Alex’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head.
“How do you know Alex here?” he asked.
“I’m his houseguest.”
“Lucky man!” The guy patted him on the shoulder. “Anyway, our meeting is over, so the two of you can sit down and eat lunch. “I’ll be in touch, Alex.”
I watched as Alex took in a sharp breath.
“We’ll talk soon.”
As soon as his office door shut, Alex glared at me. “A stripper? Are you kidding me?”
I waved my hand in front of my face. “It was a one-time thing, and I didn’t get totally naked. I was wearing those nipple covers, and I had my thong on. I made a thousand dollars that night.” I smirked.
He placed his hand on his head as he glared at me. “Why the hell would you strip in Vegas? Or anywhere, for that matter!”
“A friend of mine was ill that night, and if she didn’t get someone to replace her, she would get fired. She needed the job because she had a kid to care for. And I’ll have you know that it was a very respectable club. Not one of those trashy ones.”
“Jesus, Emerson. I can’t even believe you right now.”
I frowned. “Does it bother you or something? Hell, I didn’t even know you.”
“It doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have done that. Does Adam know?”
“No, and he won’t ever find out. As I said, it was a one-time thing. Now go and eat your lunch.”
“Are you joining me?” he asked calmly.
“Not if you keep having that attitude, I’m not. So, I think you need to apologize to me.”
“Apologize? For what? For a business client recognizing the girl I fucked as the stripper he groped in Vegas?”
“He said you were a lucky man.” I gave a cocky smile.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Sit down and have lunch with me,” he commanded as he walked over to the table.
I didn’t move and stood there with my arms folded.
“SIT!” He pointed to the chair across from him.
Alex
As I sat and stared at Emerson from across the table, I couldn’t get over the fact that she had stripped in a club full of dirty men who only had one thing on their minds. She could have put her life at risk doing that, and I was angry. Why the hell was I angry? I didn’t know. All I knew was that it pissed me off.
“Thank you for making me lunch. That was nice of you.”
She cocked her head as the corners of her mouth curved up into a beautiful but cocky smile.
“You’re welcome. Someone has to look out for your eating habits now that you’re on a restricted diet. As long as I’m here, I will do just that for you.”
“I appreciate it. But I’m not a child. I’m more than capable of watching what I eat.”
“All men are children, Alex, and you’re no exception.” She pointed her finger at me. “I’ll train you to eat a properhigh-blood pressure diet. Then, when I’m gone, you’ll be well educated.”
Something stirred inside me when she said, “when I’m gone.” There really was no reason for her to leave so soon after Adam returned. She should use that time to reconnect with her brother.