This Is True Love (Exclusive! #1) (19 page)

“Alex, please. It’s okay.” Fliss chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood.

Shauna didn’t look amused. “She’s a celebrity. She knows what being a public figure entails.”

“True.” Alex offered up his own charming smile. “I watch your show every night, so I know you’re an excellent reporter, which means you’ve gotten enough video of Fliss. This room is full of celebrities who’d love nothing more than to be featured on
Hollywood Tonight
. I’m sure you’re eager to get to them. Excuse us.”

Before Shauna could object, he placed a hand at Fliss’s back and guided her away. He didn’t stop moving until they were halfway across the room and Fliss could no longer make out Shauna’s bleached blonde hairdo in the crowd.

“That woman is a piece of work.” He spoke under his breath, but his anger rang through.

“Yes, but I’m not sure that was the right way to handle it.”

He turned his icy stare on her. “So you wanted her to ask you intrusive questions?”

“Of course not, but you can’t antagonize people like her.”

“I didn’t antagonize her. I gave her a compliment. Let’s dance. Nobody can bother us out there.” Alex didn’t give her a chance to answer, sweeping her into his arms and onto the dance floor.

While he kept a respectable distance between them, she looked past his left shoulder and ignored how her waist tingled at the spot where his hand rested. Ignored how good it felt to be in his arms. Ignored how good it felt to know he was looking out for her. “Although I’m still not sure that was the best way to handle the situation, thank you for being there.”

“You’re welcome. Other than that annoying incident, are you having a good time?” he murmured.

“Small talk, Alex?”

His amused eyes settled on hers. “What am I supposed to say? We’ve talked about the movie and whether or not Mansfield is going to choose us ad nauseam. The weather? Whether or not the Lakers can make the playoffs?”

He was right, damn it. “Shut up and dance.”

He moved smoothly, effortlessly leading her across the crowded dance floor in perfect time with the music. She glanced to the right and smiled at the sight that greeted her. She tilted her head in that direction. “Look.”

Alex shifted, and his eyes widened. “Wow. Is that Amanda? She’s with Pete?” His face twisted in puzzlement.

She couldn’t hold back a little squeal. “Yes. And yes.”

He pinned her with a gaze full of suspicion. “You sound a little too giddy. What did you do?”

“What makes you think I did anything?”

“Because I know you. And I’m not hearing a denial, so I must be right.”

“Okay, fine. I
may
have suggested Amanda act on the feelings she has for Pete.”

His eyebrows rose. “Meddling, Fliss?”

“Since I know you meant to say helping, I’ll say yes. And I was right, so there.”

He chuckled and drew her closer. His spicy scent tickled her nose. His chest brushed against her breasts, his strong, longs legs pressed against hers. A vision of their limbs entwined as they made love almost waylaid her. Bad idea. But the image refused to give up the real estate it had purchased in her brain. His long fingers spread across her back, sending tingles down her spine, the silk of the dress barely acting as a barrier. No one had ever touched her like he did. Made her feel like he did.

What was he doing to her without even trying? Breathing had become nearly impossible. Only the slightest remaining sense of propriety, the awareness that she’d embarrass herself and cause a scandal, kept her from burying her nose in his neck and nibbling the skin she knew tasted delicious.

“You’re holding me a little close,” she murmured.

“I’m simply dancing with my business partner.” He spoke evenly and never missed a step. “Fliss.” His deep voice rolled through her. She glanced up. The heat in his eyes seared her. She gulped. He hadn’t forgotten that night in Philadelphia.

Neither had she. “Alex…”

“What is this?” He sounded tortured. Aroused.

No need to ask for clarification. This longing, this need that never went away no matter how much she wished it did. But they weren’t supposed to be doing this. “I…I need to get some fresh air.”

His hand tightened against her back.

“Alex, please.”

His jaw tightened, but he released her. Without a backward glance, she hurried out of the crowded room, hoping her turmoil, her desire wasn’t written all over her face. What was she going to do about Alex? About her feelings for him? Ignoring them hadn’t made them disappear. She wasn’t sure what would.

At least it was quieter out here. She continued down the deserted hall, studying the Mansfield family portraits. At the end of the hall, she stopped, unsure of her next step. She couldn’t go back the party. Not yet. Not when desire still coursed through her veins. Not when Alex would be there waiting for her, watching her with those dark eyes that missed nothing. She made a right. One light, burning low, guided her way.

A footstep fell on the marble floor behind her. She didn’t check to see who it was. She kept moving, faster, having no idea where she was going. Her breath quickened, but not from exertion. The footsteps gained ground, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. Not until a commanding hand landed on her shoulder. Long fingers slid across her bare shoulders, leaving her a shivering, aroused mess. “Fliss?”

A question that only had one answer. “Yes.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The answer had barely fallen from her lips when Alex pushed open the nearest door and yanked her inside. He wrapped both hands around her waist and pulled her in tight to his body. “I tried, but I can’t stay away from you.”

“I know.” Desire burned her skin. “Me, either.”

In the darkness, his mouth claimed hers with no trouble. He didn’t go slowly. He sought all her secrets, secrets she was more than willing to divulge. She stood on her toes and looped her arms around his neck, silently cursing the layers of clothes separating them.

“I want to touch you. Why are you wearing this dress?” he muttered, his hands sweeping her body.

“Because it’s gorgeous.”

“It’s in my way.” His hands returned to the top of the dress and pulled. Her breasts popped out of the top. “Yes.” He grabbed her butt and lifted her. She grabbed his shoulders for balance as his mouth latched on the sensitive mound.

Her head fell back, a moan escaping as arrows of pleasure darted from her breasts through her body to land between her legs. “Alex.”

“Shh, you’ve got to be quiet,” he whispered.

She bit her lip as he returned his attention to her flesh, gently biting her right nipple, then soothing it with his tongue. She clutched at his shoulders, trying to maintain some semblance of control, of awareness of her surroundings. But it was impossible. He turned, pressing her back against the wall. Thank God for the slit in the dress, which allowed her to wrap her legs around his waist.

He covered her mouth with his again, putting his talented tongue to work. She moaned into his mouth at the raw passion consuming her. She wanted him. So much. He rocked his hardened length against the aroused spot between her legs. Again and again. A pinch of her right nipple sent another arrow of heat between her legs. One more rock and she flew over the edge with a sharp cry, Alex her only anchor.

A muffled thump cut through her sensual daze. Alex froze.

“What was that?” she whispered. Their heads whipped toward the door. The slightly ajar door. A slice of light from the hall snuck in. “Did you close the door?”

He lowered her to the floor and took a step back. “I thought I did, but I don’t know. I wasn’t paying that much attention. Let me check it out, while you…” He waved his hand, then slipped out of the room.

Although her mind and body both resisted coming out of the carnal spell Alex had woven around her, Fliss took his advice, hastily stuffing her boobs back inside her dress and smoothing the wrinkles out of the silk material as best she could. Then, thanks to a voice she’d hoped to never hear again, she was left with no choice but to return to the present. She raced out of the room.

“Wow, Fliss, didn’t expect to see you here,” Keith said, a sneer twisting his classically handsome face into something truly ugly.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. From giddiness to dismay in a second. How was it possible?

“Did you think I’d miss the biggest party of the year? It pays to be seen. Looks like the joke was on me, though. I saw Alex duck out of the room and followed him. After all, he’s my
best friend
. I guess congratulations are in order. You should wipe your mouth, Alex. Pretty shade of lipstick, but I’m not sure it’s working for you.”

Alex’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing a warning.

A warning Keith seemed determined to ignore. “How long have you been sleeping with my wife,
best friend
? Yes, let’s not forget. She was my wife first. Were you trying to get back at me? You always did want everything I had. But sleeping with Fliss? That’s low, especially after all I did for you.”

“As you’ve reminded me countless times,” Alex said, the venomous tone sending a chill down Fliss’s spine. Keith’s, too, based on the way he took a cautious step back. “I’m tired of it. I appreciate what you did for me, but I’ve paid you back over and over. Bailing you out of trouble when you needed me to. Rooting for you in your career. Running Crescendo. Not that I should’ve been expected to. Friends help each other out of the kindness of their hearts, not so they can have something to hold over the other.”

Keith’s chest puffed up, his eyes narrowing to slits. “You will
always
owe me. You’d still be living in that shithole with your old man if it weren’t for me. You know you’re not good enough. You’ve always known you weren’t good enough. You will never be good enough.” He turned to Fliss, sneer still firmly in place. “Is that why you wanted the company so badly, Fliss—so you could get close to Alex? Good play. Now I know why you two disappeared the night of the Hollywood Gives Back party. Never would’ve guessed you had it in you. You were always such a Goody-Two-Shoes.”

God, what had she ever seen in him? Had her judgment been that compromised by a pretty face and even prettier words?

Alex lunged toward Keith. “Don’t talk to her that way.”

Fliss jumped in front of him, struggling to hold him back with a hand on his arm, the biceps clenching beneath her grip. “No. He’s not worth it.” She eyed her ex-husband. “What happened to you, Keith? I was a good wife to you. I loved you, and you ruined it. Was it all a façade? Did you ever love me?”

The smallest hint of guilt flashed across Keith’s face. That was something, she supposed.
If
she wanted to be charitable.

“I thought I could give you what you wanted. Who wouldn’t want to marry the most beautiful woman in the world?” He shrugged. “But marriage, one woman for the rest of my life, that’s not for me.”

Fliss snorted in disgust. “Wow. You couldn’t have figured that out before you married me and lied over and over?”

Keith’s chin lifted. “Maybe, but it looks like you got a nice consolation prize out of it. Not that he can compare to me. Were you ever going to tell me?”

“No,” she retorted. “It’s none of your damn business.”

Alex squeezed her waist and stepped around her. “Of course I planned to tell you at the right time. I thought I owed you that at least.”

“Owed it to me?” Keith’s face twisted with indignation. “You tried to kick me out of the company before I reached the settlement with Fliss.”

“Because you’re a liar,” Alex fired back. “Because after what you did to Fliss, I realized you didn’t know the meaning of loyalty and friendship. I ran Crescendo by myself and let you take all the credit for my hard work. Let you pretend you were some great mastermind and patron of the arts when you were anything but. I’m done feeling guilty about my feelings for Fliss and about what I owe you. I’m done.”

Keith shrugged again. “Whatever. Crescendo isn’t my concern anymore. I have my own reputation to worry about. I think it’s time to give a tell-all interview on a prime-time news show. Or maybe with Oprah. When I reveal that Fliss started an affair with my best friend soon after we got married, I’ll no longer be the bad guy who broke America’s Sweetheart’s heart.”

Before Fliss could even think about stopping him, Alex snatched Keith by the lapels of his tuxedo jacket and hauled him up on his toes like he weighed no more than the average two-year-old. “There will be no interview. You will spread
no
lies about her. If you do, I’ll come after you so fast you won’t have time to blink. That pretty face you’re so proud of? Gone.”

“You’re bluffing,” Keith wheezed. “You don’t hit people, remember?”

“There’s always a first time for everything.” The menace in Alex’s voice was soft but lethal. “If you hurt Fliss, I
will
hurt you.”

Alex released Keith so fast the normally graceful man stumbled, tripping over his feet. He hit the wall behind him before regaining his balance and straightening his jacket. “Fine. I’ve moved on anyway. You won’t believe the number of women throwing themselves at my feet hoping to mend my broken heart. I’m a recovering sex addict who just needs the love of a good woman to heal, didn’t you hear?”