Page 11 of In His Arms

She tossed the beer in the recycling bin and headed for another in the fridge. Since beer and water were the only things he had to drink, she had to make do.

“Hey.” Alex came into the kitchen. “What’cha doing?”

“Drinking beer.” She tipped her bottle back, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Look, Jess.” He braced his hands on the counter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was coming this soon, and when she got here, we worked non-stop to get this thing going. We’ve actually got the major cities in Texas taking in the advertising for Bob’s business. He’s ecstatic.”

Success flashed in his eyes, a look of satisfaction with the progress they’d accomplished so far. Who was she to hinder him? “It’s fine. I’ll just go back home and let you work.”

“No, hey, wait.” He grabbed her hand and linked his long fingers around her small wrist. “I don’t want you to go home. I’ll just tell Erica to leave. I think I can handle the rest on my own.” His eyes pleaded with hers. “Please don’t leave.”

She tried not to let the disappointment show on her face. They’d been amped up to finally spend some intimate time together and it seemed something always stood in the way. Was she crazy for entertaining the idea of going there with him? He’d always be working. He didn’t even live in the same state as her and that was what he got to go back home to.

“Just give me a second.” He squeezed her wrist slightly. “I know what you’re thinking and you’ve got it all wrong.”

“What am I thinking?” she asked puzzled.

He met her gaze. “Do not compare yourself to her. I want you here. I should have planned this better, though.” He glanced back toward the other room. “Promise me you’ll stay. I’ve been waiting to see you all day.”

“Fine. I’ll stay.” Jessica put on a fake smile just as Erica walked in the door.

“Alex, darling, we have a slight problem.” Barbie spoke with her cell phone pressed to her ear. “My hotel is booked solid for the Hot Rod convention, and they gave my room away. I don’t have anywhere to stay.”

Jessica fought back the groan she wanted to expel. Alex kept his eyes on her even though he was talking to Erica.

“I have a spare bed. I’ll show you to it.”

Jessica rolled her eyes. This was putting a cramp in their plans for the evening.

“Thank you so much.” Erica grabbed his arm and looped hers around it. “Now I don’t have to fight all the traffic, and we can work some more on the account.”

Alex pulled away. “No. I’m going to spend the rest of my time tonight with Jessie.” He opened the bedroom door and flipped on the light. “It’s small, but it serves its purpose.”

“How can this room be so bland when your bedroom is so extravagant?” she purred.

Eyes wide, Jessica rounded the corner. Why had Barbie been checking out Alex’s room? Alex pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he being so calm about it? she contemplated with her arms crossed and teeth clenched—in order to keep her mouth shut.

“Erica, I don’t mean to be rude, but you had no business being in my room.” Alex’s frustration showed with his clipped tone. Jessica suppressed a smile.

“Oh, don’t get your panties in a wad. I just went to the bathroom, and your door was open. I couldn’t help snooping.” She dropped to the bed, her legs slightly apart, just enough to see her black lace panties.

“Well, Jess and I will leave you to your business. Good night.” Alex closed the door behind them.

Jessica’s annoyance increased with his aloof manner, and she took a deep breath to relax. She glared, waiting for him to break the silence, to cut through the tension surrounding them as thick as fog.

“She didn’t have anywhere to go,” he said. “What was I supposed to do?”

“Alex, this is crazy.” She laughed harshly. “We live in two different worlds. You have blonde Barbies hanging on your arm; I live in a small town and work twelve-hour shifts at the local diner. I was crazy to assume we’d work out. I think it’s best if we cut our losses and just part ways.”

She turned, but he caught her arm, pushing her back against the wall. He held her there with one arm while he opened Erica’s door.

“Erica, you need to leave for a couple of hours.” He growled.

“Leave? Where am I supposed to go?” Erica pulled on her boots, hopping about the room. “This place is Podunkville, USA. You don’t even have a decent bar!”

“I don’t care. Just go. Don’t come back until nine-thirty.”

Erica stumbled down the hall past Jessica, snarling along the way.

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