Hard Bastard(165)

“Alexa?” the voice came again.

“Over here,” Alex said, trying to put herself together.

I gave her a look. “This isn’t over.”

She glared at me. “Yes, it is.”

A young woman, maybe a few years older than us and wearing a conservative black dress, walked over. Her blond hair was pulled up into a bun, and she was wearing thick-rimmed black glasses and holding what looked like an address book. She completely ignored me, addressing Alexa.

“Your father is looking for you.”

“Oh,” she said, flustered. “Okay. Thanks.”

The girl looked at me. “Cole.”

I nodded at her, not sure who she was. She turned and walked quickly back toward the party.

“Who the hell was that?” I asked.

“Your mom’s assistant. You don’t remember meeting her earlier?”

I shook my head, bemused. “Nope. Not at all.”

“Her name is Madison, and I’m pretty sure she saw us kissing.”

I raised my eyebrow at Alex. “I doubt that.”

“You asshole,” she hissed and smacked my arm. “You can’t just kiss me whenever you want to.”

“I think you kissed me, sis.”

“Oh my god. Don’t call me that. Not right now.” She walked away, breathing deeply. “What the fuck am I doing?” she said to herself.

“Don’t get too twisted. There’s no way she saw anything. It’s too dark out here.”

Alex turned back toward me. “Whatever. What do you even care? You don’t care about anything but yourself.”

I narrowed my eyes, frowning. “Okay. Sure.”

She sighed. “Let’s get back to the dinner.”

“If that’s what you want, that’s fine with me.”

She stormed off without another word, back toward the stairwell.

I watched her go and picked up the bottle she had left behind. I took a deep swig, sighing to myself.

The girl was a damn pain in my ass. One second she was practically begging for it, and the next she was storming off like I fucking grew a second head.

Still, that fucking kiss. It was unreal. Never before in my life had I felt something hit me like that. Her taste, her body, it all mingled in my brain like a shot of crack straight to my gray matter.

I took another swig, hard as fuck. I needed to gather myself before I rejoined the boring-as-hell party downstairs.

That girl was a problem. Although I told Alex that she hadn’t seen anything, I wasn’t so sure. I resolved to look into that Madison girl a little bit, find out if she harbored any grudges against my mother.

Knowing Cindy, though, I was willing to bet poor Madison had a laundry list of complaints.

Erection subsided, I walked down the steps and rejoined the festivities. Dinner was being served finally, and Alex was deep in conversation with her dad and another older gentleman. I deposited the bottle back at the bar, giving the barman a little grin, and returned to my seat next to my stepsister.

Actually, next to my wife.

The night after that was a blur of formalities. I said hello to whoever my mother introduced me to, and I smiled nicely at everyone else. I was on my best behavior, not bothering to act like a pain in the ass.

Finally, people began to filter out of the hall. Alex wasn’t speaking to me, but she wasn’t exactly ignoring me, either. That was fine; I was drained and didn’t feel like playing games, anyway.

But as soon as we got out into the parking lot, a disheveled-looking man approach us. At first I tensed, ready to fight him off, assuming he was a mugger. But quickly I realized that he was holding a camera, not a gun.

“Cole Redson? Alexa Carter?” Alexa stopped and stared at him.

I grabbed her elbow and pulled her along. “What the hell?” she hissed at me.

“Reporter,” I answered.

“What do you think about your parents’ marriage?” he called out, taking pictures. “Are you aware of the allegations against them?”

“No comment,” I growled at the guy.

People were staring as I hauled Alexa behind me. I noticed two big dudes in suits and earpieces walking toward us.

“Cole, do you think your mother is a cold, careerist bitch?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and let go of Alexa’s arm.

“What did you say?” I asked the guy.

“Do you think your mother is using Alexa’s father for success?”

“Before that,” I growled.

“Is your mother a cold bitch?” he asked, sneering at me.

I stepped forward and swung my fist faster than he could think. I struck him directly in the jaw, clattering his teeth. He dropped like I had pressed the off switch on a robot.

Alexa gasped. The two security guys showed up just in time.