Concentrating on her briefcase, she didn’t look up. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
His nostrils flared and he stood with her, not missing her flinch as he moved closer. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“No.” She worked even faster to finish stuffing her briefcase.
“Why not?”
“I’ve gotta go.”
Unable to stay away from her anymore he moved in from behind her close enough to smell her, but what he really wanted to do was taste her. She stiffened when she felt his breath against her temple. He could barely restrain himself from rubbing her back. “You can’t give me a few minutes?”
“No,” Her tone lost a bit of its conviction.
“I miss you so much, Valerie.” He whispered in her ear. Unable to hold back any longer, he ran a finger up her hand.
“Stop it, Alex.” Her voice was a near whisper, but she didn’t pull her hand away.
“Stop what?” He grazed at her temple with his lips, his insides on fire.
As much as he could tell she struggled to hide it, Valerie trembled. She wanted it as much as he did. Why the hell was she fighting it? He stepped closer, her letting her feel just how badly he wanted her. Needed her. She stiffened immediately and he heard her breathing hitch. For a moment, she dropped her head allowing access to her neck. Without hesitation, Alex kissed it, feeling her tremble even more.
“I can’t…” She jerked her head up and stood tall again pulling her hand and entire body away from him. “I won’t do this anymore, Alex.”
In an instant, her briefcase was in her hand. Alex reached for her arm. “Valerie please, I just need you to know-”
“I know, Alex.” She pulled her keys out of the side pocket.
“That’s just it, Z. You don’t know. Hell, I didn’t even know.”
She shook her head and began to walk away, but Alex held her arm.
“Alex.” Her protest was forced. She turned back to him. To his surprise her eyes glistened, reminding him of that night a year ago when she fell apart before his eyes because of his stupid ass. “I asked you to stay away from me for a reason. I just can’t do this anymore. While I appreciate the business, if this is how things are going to be, I can find someone else to write up this offer.”
“No. Valerie I just-”
“I’m seeing someone else now, Alex. Please respect that.”
With that, he backed up. She’d rubbed the rawest of nerves. The thought of her with Luke was the cause of his sleepless nights, and now she threw it in his face again. With his breathing now labored and feeling as if he was about to explode he nodded but asked, “Are you in love with him?”
Valerie’s eyes widened. Sarah walked into the dining room and told her, “Just so you know, they’re putting all the food away from brunch, but I can grab you some more if you want me to.”
Valerie shook her head and headed toward Sarah. “No thank, you. But you can walk me to my car.” She turned back to Alex, composed and all business. “I’ll have that offer in tonight. I’ll keep you guys updated. Say bye to Sal for me.”
Just like that, he’d blown his only opportunity to tell her how he felt. He watched as she walked away, looking as elegant as only Valerie could. Damn but she drove him nuts.
Sal walked into the dining room with a smile that dissolved as soon as he saw Alex’s expression. If his expression matched his black mood, Sal knew already things hadn’t gone well.
“What happened?”
“Her f**king boyfriend happened.” Alex stalked toward the back office. “She threw that shit in my face, and I clammed up. I never even got a chance to tell her anything.”
Sal followed him. “Well, maybe you can-”
“No, I’m done.” She hadn’t answered him about whether or not she was in love with Luke, and it nearly squeezed the life out of him. He didn’t want to know, didn’t even want to think about her anymore.
He charged in the back room and grabbed his keys from the desk. “I’m outta here.”
Sal moved out of his way. “Where you going?”
Alex didn’t answer. He felt ready to kill. He needed to get out of there. Get the scent and image of Valerie out of his mind. He stormed past Angel on his way down the hall to the back exit of the restaurant.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Sal warned.
“What’s his problem?” He heard Angel ask.
“Valerie,” Sal said.
Julie was on her way in when he bolted past her. “You okay?”
A grunt was his only response. He walked out into the bright sunlight. When the door slammed behind him, he let out a carnal roar so loud the birds flew off the roof scattering in different directions.
He drove in no direction for hours. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he couldn’t just give up. It finally dawned on him. No girl had ever come close to making him feel what he was feeling. His entire life was on hold now because of Valerie. There was no moving on. He needed to do something about it.
When he finally made it home that night, he reread the message that still sat on his coffee table. What the hell was his problem anyway? Why couldn’t he just leave a damn message like a normal person? He ripped the page out of the notebook and did some more tweaking.
He picked up his phone and dialed before he could change his mind. His heart raced at the chance that she might actually answer. She didn’t. He cleared his throat during her voicemail greeting and took a deep breath. It beeped and he stared at the paper in his hand. “Valerie… I’m sorry. I’ve been an ass all this time… ” He sounded like a robot to his own ears so he crumpled the paper and sat down running his hand through his hair. “Look Valerie, I didn’t even realize how much I missed you, until I saw you again... I am so sorry about everything. I know I screwed up bad. And I know you have lots of questions, but I have answers. I promise. If you’d just give me the chance, I can explain it all. All I do… ” He paused and took a deep breath. “All I do is think about you, baby… today was torture. You have no idea what you do to me. Val,” His voice dropped almost to a whisper. “Please tell me you haven’t given up on us. I’m going crazy here. Call me.”