Page 12 of Loving Lex

“This is great,” I said. “Thanks.”

He tipped his head in acknowledgment just as Jarod and another tall, thin guy strolled in.

Jarod introduced him as Tony, their tech specialist. He set about getting me hooked up with an earpiece and a cell phone.

“It’s already been loaded with all the important numbers in your contacts,” he said, handing it to me. “Any problems, you call or text me, day or night.”

“Sure. Thanks.” I gave it a look, then tucked it into my pocket.

Tony and JD took their leave as another client arrived and Jarod checked him in before turning to me. “Why don’t you go take a quick break? Go eat something. Be back in half an hour and I’ll finish showing you the rest of the security system.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

I stepped out and made my way into the main lobby, taking everything in, wondering who I could trust. Who I might be able to ask about Stone. What secrets this place held, because it was obvious it held plenty.

As I made my way toward the employee area in the back, I couldn’t help it, my eyes sought out Duchess. I wondered if her night had gotten any better.

Okay, fine, I was man enough to admit it. She intrigued me. Yes, she was hot. Yes, I’d always considered myself to be an ass man, and yet all I could think of was seeing her amazing rack again. But more than all of that... something about those fierce yet vulnerable eyes of hers just got under my skin.

And then there she was.

Leaning up against the bar to get her order, chatting a bit too flirtatiously with the douche of a bartender as his eyes roamed over her chest like he was about to spray whipped cream on her nipples and suck it off.

I did not stop to second-guess my reaction. I simply acted, storming my way over and leaning on my elbow next to her, very much in her space.

Their conversation stopped abruptly, and those dark-lined eyes slid slowly my way. “Seriously?” she hissed under her breath.

“Sorry?” I leaned in further like I hadn’t heard her.

“This guy bothering you?” Douche behind the bar piped up.

I narrowed my gaze at him. “Fuck off.”

His gaze slid to my earpiece and gun, realizing I was security and not a client. “Yeah, okay. Sorry.” He went back to making her drinks, several feet down the bar.

I turned back to Duchess, but she was already moving away so I gripped her arm. “Wait.” The venom in her eyes would have knocked me over if I didn’t also see the frustration boiling in there. And not frustration with me. I let go and softened my tone. “You okay?”

“What do you care? I’m just some reality show rich bitch, slumming it in the ghetto, right?”

Shit. I raked my fingers through my short hair and leaned against the bar.

WhydidI care?

“I have no idea who you are,” I admitted.

“Exactly.” She blinked at me for a moment, then stepped away. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get these drinks and get back to work. This rich bitch needs to earn a living.” And with that, she pivoted away and grabbed up the tray that the bartender had prepared for her, losing the tray’s balance with her first step. It only took one, and then gravity took care of the rest, sliding everything to the ground in a shower of glass, ice, and beautiful liquor, the tray itself landing in the lap of the closest client.

I didn’t seeher the rest of the night after that. Honestly, I thought she might’ve walked out and quit. I wouldn’t have blamed her with the way the guy carried on like she’d assaulted him with the tray and burned him with those drinks. The entitled asshole could have acted like a fucking gentleman about it when it was obvious she’d made a mistake, but no, he had to humiliate her. Before I could even think about stepping in to help, however, she’d shot so many daggers from her eyes, I felt skewered. So I did what she wanted. I simply held up my hands and walked away.

It was nearly three in the morning before I finished up with Jarod and made it back to my place. I was exhausted, wondering if I’d made a huge mistake in coming here. I parked and made my way to my apartment slowly, my focus around me as usual. Duchess’ little red Mercedes wasn’t in the lot. I spun to look again. Nope. Not there.

I frowned and palmed my keys, jogging on to my place, wondering where she could be. Everyone was gone when I left Cameo. Not that it was any of my business.

“Whatever. She’s not your problem,” I mumbled to myself, aggravated that she was on my mind so much lately. Too much.

I shuffled to my room and walked over to shut my blinds, but something outside by the pool caught my eye. A lone figure on one of the crappy white loungers by the pool, with one foot dipped in the water, the other leg bent.

I squinted to see better.

---