Page 66 of Wonderlust

I didn’t go back down to the party. Instead, I lay on my bed staring at me ceiling, trying to work out what the fuck I was doing. Alex didn’t come back to his bedroom after the party, either, and it made me wonder where hedidspend the night.

Chapter Seventeen

By the morning, I knew I was in over my head. The thought of Alex spending the night with another woman was making my stomach churn. Gazing down at the pool area from the balcony, I noticed one of the Demon Central band members asleep on a sun lounger. Alex was nowhere to be seen. Knowing I’d been out of line last night, I was too scared to walk past the sex pit. It would have only served me right to find him in there.

After walking around the entire mansion, I still hadn’t found him. Shit! What if hewasin the sex pit? I hadn’t spotted Lance yet, either. Like a coward too scared to walk past and find out, I went to my office instead. Alex would come and find me when he was ready.

Hours passed without interruption. It seemed that the Demon Central members had started up the party again as I looked out onto the pool area. Music was booming, women were laughing and screaming, and still there was no sign of Alex.

“Aren’t you coming out?” Diego asked, walking in. “There are some delicious men outside. It’s not just bimbos.”

“I have too much to do. Can you make sure you close the door? The music is distracting.”

“What is going on with you, Baby Cakes? You’re so up and down lately.”

“I don’t know. I'm just tired, I guess. I’m missing my parents, too. They’re on a world cruise right now and are heading in this direction.”

“Tell Alex. He’ll give you some time off to see them.”

“Maybe. I’ll talk to him about it when I see him.” A little distance might be a good idea.

“It’s Alex, isn’t it?” My eyes snapped up to him. “I know when that man is getting laid daily. He has a spring in his step.”

“Oh, Diego, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.” He came to my side, wrapping his arms about me as I put my head in my hands. “I always get myself into these situations.”

“Alex is a complex man. If you’re using him to get over this David guy, it might not be a good idea.”

“It’s just sex—fucking fantastic sex—but it’s already complicatingeverything.”

“Just take it for what it is then. Don’t over complicate it.”

“I shouldn’t have slept with him. It was a mistake.”

“He’sAlex Harbour, Baby Cakes. I’ve never seen a woman resist him as long as you did.”

“All I do is sleep with my bosses. I’m such awhore!”

“Hey, don’t make me bitch slap you. Snap out of it. You see those women out there?” He gestured outside toward the pool area. “They’re whores. Some were practically having sex outside last night. I saw parts of those women that Ineverwant to see again.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “If it’s just sex, you’ll be fine.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He’s damaged, Nat. You wouldn’t believe the shit he’s been through.” That’s all he was going to say? I already knew that. “Fame comes with a price. The world thinks they know him.”

“But they don’t.”

“Just be careful. You’re good for him. I’d hate for this to jeopardize your job.”

“I’d never let it get that far.”

Diego looked at me carefully. “Do you want me to talk to him about it?”

“NO! We’re keeping it on the down low. Please don’t mention it,” I panicked.

“Okay, easy. I won’t say a word.”

“It might be over already anyway. Alex didn’t sleep in his bed last night.”

“I know he didn’t. He crashed in the pool house.” My heart soared. Hewasn’twith a bimbo last night.

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