Part 7 (1/2)

”No, he isn't.” Sarah couldn't say anything else. Alex hadn't begged to see her. She hadn't even heard from him in four days. After what she'd said, he probably didn't want to see her.

”I'll see what I can do.” The hostess left her post in a swirl of musky perfume.

She should just turn around and leave. She'd only come here because she couldn't stop thinking about him. Every night before she went to bed, his was the last face she saw. Every morning, the fact he wasn't there beside her made her stomach hurt.

She'd never obsessed about a man before. She'd never had to close her eyes against a sudden memory of his face or the way he smelled. She'd never had to whisper his name to herself in the mirror simply because she so badly wanted him beside her. Not even William had filled her head the way Alex did.

It was l.u.s.t and nothing more. An itch that should have been scratched on Thursday night. But if that was true, why had she bought flowers? Why had she dialed his number half a dozen times and hung up before the first ring? s.e.x could be a very powerful motivation for action, but this went beyond two people going to bed. She needed to apologize to him because the thought she had hurt him made her ache inside.

She turned to go, unable all at once to face him with so much emotion battling inside her. He would not be home at this hour. She could call his house and leave a message. She could write him a note and mail it so she wouldn't have to speak to him at all...

”Sarah?”

Oh G.o.d. Sarah turned, her hands suddenly trembling. ”Alex.”

He looked at her warily. Coolly. The way he'd looked when he left her house. Blindly, she thrust the flowers at him.

”These are for you. I just wanted to say I was sorry. I'm such an idiot. This isn't the place. I'm sorry.”

Thankful the all-knowing hostess hadn't been there to see her act like such a fool, Sarah headed out of the restaurant. His voice stopped her before she could reach the door. She paused without facing him.

”n.o.body ever gave me flowers before.”

She looked back at him and discovered, to her sudden dismay and mortification, tears had welled up in her eyes. She blinked them back. She didn't want to cry. Not here, of all places. Not in front of him.

”I thought you might like them. They're a little wild, and they smell good. Like you.” She was babbling now. Heat rose in her cheeks. This was worse than anything she'd imagined.

Alex stepped forward and took her arm. ”Let's go into my office.”

He walked her quickly back through the restaurant and skillfully steered her around any obstacle, which was good since now the tears in her eyes were blinding her. He opened a door and gently pushed her inside.

”Why did you come here?” Alex led her to a soft chair.

Sarah pressed her cool hands against her flushed cheeks. Deep breath in, deep breath out, until the tears no longer threatened. She looked at him.

”I wanted to apologize for what I said on Friday morning. I was stupid. I'm sorry I hurt you.”

”What makes you think you hurt me?” Alex leaned back against the desk. With his arms folded across his chest and his long, long legs crossed at the ankles, he wasn't exactly a picture of welcoming warmth. ”You can't hurt someone who doesn't care about you.” His hazel eyes were stormy, his lips a thin line.

His words slapped her. Sarah blinked, and the heat disappeared from her face instantly, as though she'd just plunged into an ocean of ice. ”I see.” Her back stiffened. Once again her fists clenched until her palms ached from the press of her nails against the flesh. She rose to go and did not look at him. If she looked at him, she might slap him or cry and she wanted to do neither.

”Do you?” Alex stepped closer to her and caught her arm to prevent her from leaving.

She pulled her arm from his grasp. ”Yes, I think I do.”

”I don't think so.” He towered over her. ”I said you can't hurt someone who

doesn't care about you, Sarah.”

She whirled on him, sudden fury rising in her like a tidal wave. ”I heard what you said, Alex! I understand!”

The hands that had wors.h.i.+pped her flesh now gripped her tightly enough to

hurt. Refusing to wince, Sarah tried to pull free. Alex wouldn't let her.

”You did hurt me.” He moved his face closer to hers, and his voice almost became a growl. His eyes were inches from hers, and she could see flecks of gold glittering in the amber-green depths. It took Sarah a moment to digest what he'd said. As the fight faded out of her, Alex let go of her arms. He rubbed his fingers up and down along where he'd gripped her to ease the sting.

”I do care about you.” Alex paused as if to gather his courage. ”Why did you come here?”

”To say I was sorry.”

He pulled her to him and sought her mouth. She met his kiss eagerly. When he urged her lips to part, she did that, too. His hands crept up to tangle in her hair, and she didn't protest. It was all she'd wanted him to do, since the first time she'd seen him. All she'd thought about.

”So now what?” Alex pulled away from her.

”I like being with you, Alex. Can we leave it at that for now?”

He shrugged. ”If you insist.”

Sarah gently disentangled herself from his grasp. ”I've got to get back. I have

a thousand things to do this afternoon.”

”When can I see you again?”

”You'll see me tonight,” she reminded. ”We have a partners.h.i.+p meeting at the

gallery. We're supposed to be planning the gala opening.”

Alex mock-slapped his forehead. ”I forgot. I'll be there.”

They stared at each other in silence for a minute. Then Sarah reached up to

peck his cheek. Alex captured her shoulders and refused to release her until she had kissed him as pa.s.sionately as before.

”I'd better go.” Sarah laughed again.

”I'll see you tonight.”