Then the moment was gone, and time returned to light speed.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Ian’s indelicate snort sounding from behind Alex shouted that the answer to Alex’s question was obvious. Ian must have gone down to the office to fetch help.
And his decision proved wise, since with the men’s appearance, Allen’s entire demeanor changed. Unmistakably caught, he fell back on bluster. “Alex, well, of course… Just a misunderstanding, son, that’s all.”
Three sets of feminine eyes fastened on the man in clear disbelief. Sara Beth broke their silence. “I don’t think so,” she said icily. “Maybe I’m not the one who needs to grow some balls.”
I think you’ve got plenty, Cailin thought as Alex stepped away from her and moved toward his wife. Ian’s muffled laughter agreed.
“Mind enlightening me?” Alex asked as he clasped Sara Beth’s hand in one of his.
A sly smirk curled Sara Beth’s taut mouth. “Not really. I think it would be better if Mr. Allen showed himself out. He needs time to think about his actions.”
A time-out. Tammy’s nervous giggle reflected what all of them were probably thinking. Including Allen, if the rage on his face was anything to go by. With a sharp jerk of his head, he started for the hall. “I’ll return this afternoon, Alex.”
“Be sure someone from security sends up advance notice first,” Alex replied, seeming totally unconcerned as the other man’s hands curled into threatening fists before he headed toward the elevators.
None of them moved until the ding of the elevator’s arrival and the quiet whoosh of the doors opening and closing had passed. A collective sigh passed the women’s lips, and then Tammy burst into tears, breaking their frozen tableau.
Cailin hurried around the desk and took the woman in her arms. Tammy crumpled, sagging in Cailin’s hold. When she looked up, Ian came around and took the woman from her, murmuring quiet words in Tammy’s ear as he maneuvered her into her desk chair.
Alex had his arms wrapped around Sara Beth. Cailin tried hard not to watch, not to allow her jealousy to surge, not to even acknowledge that there was a reason to be jealous, but the protective curve of his body drew her gaze like a magnet. Sara Beth’s trembling was obvious from where Cailin stood, but from the look on the woman’s face and the angry “Rat bastard!” filtering across the room, Cailin didn’t think it was fear causing the woman’s shaking. Alex ran his hands up and down the length of her spine, soothing her, asking questions, trying to get the whole story. It was mesmerizing and loving and heartbreaking. Sean had never held her like that, never defended her from the world. And before her emotions had thawed, she could have watched and only numbly admired how Alex cared for his wife. But today, it just made her realize all the more how much she wanted him, and the need rising inside her, not just to be held as the other women were being held, but to be held by Alex, tore ragged holes in the deepest, most secret parts of her soul.
Wrapping her arms tight around her waist, she stood mute, rocking slightly, desperate to hold the pieces of herself together for just a few minutes longer.
“Cailin.”
Jerking her head toward Ian, Cailin raised a brow.
Patting their sobbing secretary on the back, Ian asked, “You okay?”
“Sure. No problem.”
A frown crinkled the skin between his concerned gray eyes. “Cail—”
Suddenly Alex’s hot, masculine scent surrounded her. “Let me see your wrist,” he said.
Her hand plopped into his as if it had a mind of its own. Looking beyond him, she watched warily as Sara Beth looked on, but only worry stared back. No jealousy. No calculated appraisal of Alex’s hands on her. Just one woman’s concern for another.
Darn it, why did they all have to be so nice? It just made her feel that much more of a slut. The phantom feel of a slithering S circled around her heart.
Alex’s fingertips rubbed the dark red spot on her wrist. “Seems okay,” he said, the low growl in his tone promising retribution.
Slowly Cailin eased her hand back, clearing her throat of any huskiness before she spoke. “It’s fine.”
“I’m notifying security not to let him in the building without an escort. That man’s a menace to women,” Sara Beth snapped.
“You ain’t kiddin’,” Tammy drawled, her voice gravelly from her tears. “Usually there’s too many people in here for him to try anything other than a few suggestive remarks, but still…” She lifted red-rimmed eyes to Alex, almost in apology. “He wanted”—a shudder racked her frame—“well, what he wanted was obvious. When I refused, he threatened me.” The last words were barely above a whisper.