Page 35 of Untethered Heart
“Yes,” Lex squeaks.
My feet start to move me closer to her, bringing me into her orbit where I belong, but Isabelle’s next words stop me in my tracks.
“Everyone, this is Dylan and Lex Morgan. They own Jedidiah’s Tavern and its subsidiary business, Legacy Malt, the newest investment for Heart Assets.”
My eyes shift between Lex and Dylan, my brain finally catching up. Lex is Dylan’ssister. They both own Legacy Malt, my newest client. Wait, did she know this? Did she know I was the one investing in her business? Did I just get fucking played? Again?
No, Lex isn’t like that.
She can’t be.
Chapter twenty
I’m stuck listening to Gage and Dylan while I watch Lex on the other side of the room talking to Beth and Isabelle.
I need to get her alone. The last hour has been a test of my patience. I’ve been pulled into every conversation, each of which seems to take me further and further away from where she stands.
I can’t take this anymore.
“Be right back,” I mumble to Gage before heading toward Lex, determination leading my strides.
“Oh, Caleb!” Fuuuucckk. I take a deep breath and turn to my grandmother.
“Hey, Grams.” She comes up to me with a smile, patting my arm and leaving it there while she winds her other arm around it, leading us in the other direction to the drink table. Nooooo! I’m never going to fucking get to Lex at this rate.
“I feel like I’ve barely spoken to you all night. Such a lovely little party you put together.”
“Mmhmm,” I mumble, turning my head back to catch sight of Lex. She’s still immersed in conversation, but she glances over to me, making my skin prickle with goose bumps. I can’t get a read on her, what her being here means, what everything we’ve shared before tonight means.
“This was all Beth and Iz.” I wave around the room. “It’s a big moment for Gage.”
She stares off in his direction, a sombre expression on her face. “He’s come a long way.” She wears a soft smile before looking back at me. “We’re so proud of you. All of you.”
My body stills at her words, at the weight of them.
“In case we don’t tell you enough. The way each of you takes such pride in your family, in the Heart name, is admirable.” I swallow the guilt rising in my throat, my stomach churning as the reminder of my responsibilities slams into me. The way I almost let down my family the first time I let a woman into my life.
I take a moment to find Lex again, my gaze zeroing in on her, standing on the other side of the room, all grace and beauty. And now, nothing but a reminder of all the things I shouldn’t want.
Heart Assets is where I need to invest my time and energy, not on a woman I spent one night with. Plus a steaming hot finger fuck in the middle of the dancefloor that has made its way into my permanent spank bank rotation. God, the way she comes alive under my touch.
“I hope one day you let yourself find someone to share your life with,” Grams continues, but her gentle words do nothing to soothe me. “Your non-business life, of course.” She chuckles and pats my chest before moving to join Gage, no doubt to impart more words of wisdom.
I’m even more confused about what to do. Dammit, I want Lex. I was starting to have real feelings for her; there was something in our interactions that made me take notice.
When I was with Tiana, I was practically a kid. I was in my early twenties and had a trust fund worth billions. I wasn’t looking for a serious girlfriend, we were just having fun. I’d started working for Grandpa, and she was one of the receptionists. I liked the way she was so proud to be with me. She always wanted to spend time together and made an effort with my family. A few months later, I realised it was all a sham. She was only trying totie herself to me for her own benefit. Since then, I’ve haven’t let a woman have so much free rein with my time and emotions. I lost confidence in my judgement of women, and I never had it in me to want to try again.
Grams’s earlier words offer some comfort. She’s proud of me, proud of what I do for our family, but even she wants to see me share a life with someone. If I could do that, is it really the smartest thing to do with the woman I just signed on as a client? After what happened the last time I mixed business with pleasure, that seems messy as fuck. And I don’t want it to turn to shit and affect the Heart name. Sleeping with a client? That’s just not how I do business. But… it’s Lex.
From the night I met her, I knew she was different. She’s made me feel things way beyond the physical. I can’t put my finger on what it is exactly, but I know it’s because of her. But have I been wrong in reading our interactions?
I don’t think I’ll find any clarity by letting these thoughts fester in my head. I need to talk to her. I look up at my grandmother, leaning her head affectionately on Gage’s bulging biceps. Jesus, I feel sorry for his shirt sleeves sometimes.
Dragging in a breath, I’m more resolute as I make my way over to the three women. Beth pauses mid-sentence once I reach them.
“Hello, big brother,” she says. I smile at her, but my eyes never leave Lex. “I haven’t had a chance to compliment you on your suit tonight. Red velvet. Really, Cale?”
I snap my eyes to Beth’s. The little devil looks far too delighted with the way she leaves a trail of chaos with her words.
