Always Been Mine (24 page)

“Can’t say that she has.” Alex exchanged glances with Valerie.

“Ever heard of him, Alex?” Luke peered at Alex smugly but didn’t wait for an answer. “Oh, what am I thinking? What would a guy like you know about real estate motivational speakers?”

Luke laughed, placing his hand on Alex’s shoulder and leaning into him. “Even I didn’t know much about the guy. But since I got us tickets to his event, I’ve read up on him a bit and I’ve gotta say, the guy is impressive. I’m actually looking forward to meeting the man.” He turned to Valerie. “Good choice, Valerie.”

Alex noticed Valerie chewed her lip the way she did when she was nervous. Her eyes were on Luke’s hand, the one that still sat on Alex’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” Alex smiled reaching his hand out to Valerie. “I have to agree with you there, Luke. Valerie’s always been good about making the right choices.”

Valerie’s eyes widened but she took his hand anyway. Alex squeezed her hand. She took a sip of her wine and glanced away. “I’ve never actually been to one of these events.” Valerie said.

Alex noticed Valerie avoided looking back at Luke. She took a sip of her wine and continued, “Aren’t we supposed to be wine tasting?”

“Nah, that’s optional.” Luke finally moved his hand off Alex’s shoulder. His mood seemed to have staled. “We’re here to schmooze, remember?”

Valerie still looked around. “Oh gawd, is that who I think it is?”

Both Alex and Luke turned to see a heavyset man who looked to be in his sixties, making his way through the crowd in their direction.

“Well, what do you know?” Luke grinned as he took another glass of wine from the passing waiter.

“Pretend you don’t see him.” Valerie took a step behind Alex.

Alex peered at the man and stood firmly in front of Valerie. She was too late the man had spotted them and was already on his way toward them with a fat grin. Alex squeezed her hand, suddenly feeling on edge. “Who is he?”

The man was almost close enough to hear them, and Luke spoke through his big fake smile. “Oh, you handle his jokes pretty well. That’s why we got Lemon Ridge remember? Work your magic, Valerie. He likes you.”

The idea of Valerie working her magic on any other man, even one old enough to be her dad made Alex grind his teeth. This night was getting more irritating by the minute.

“Hey!” The heavy man said loudly as he reached them. He held his glass out at Luke. “How merlot can you go?”

His explosive laugh was so loud it turned heads, but Luke followed his lead, laughing right along while shaking his hand. Alex smiled politely. He was used to dealing with all kinds of characters at the restaurant. The man then turned to Valerie. “How are you, beautiful?” He leaned in giving Valerie a big hug.

“Is that a corkscrew in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” Valerie’s impression of Mae West was spot on. Alex was impressed and surprised he’d never heard it. He saw a side of Valerie tonight he’d never seen.

The man put his hand over his mouth and feigned embarrassment. “Forgive me for I have
zinned
.”

He wheezed long and hard before breaking into cackles. Valerie laughed genuinely and even Alex had to chuckle. The jokes were awful but the jolly man’s laughter was contagious.

Once done with his fit of laughter the man pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead.

“Alex, this is Joe Newman, a client of ours,” Valerie said smiling big. Alex reached out and shook Joe’s hand. “Joe this is my friend, Alex.”

Alex glanced at Valerie. She looked at him and quickly turned back to Joe. Alex wondered if the reason he’d gone back to being just her
friend
had anything to do with Luke standing there.

As the evening went on, Alex was continually surprised with the side of Valerie he’d never had a pleasure of witnessing. She was in her element. He now knew why she’d become so successful so quickly. She was definitely a people person. As if she’d done this a million times, she worked the room like a pro. Everyone they spoke with seemed genuinely taken by her. No one would’ve ever guessed this was her first time at one of these events.

He also noticed how the men ogled and almost all seemed to turn into gushing idiots around her. It was as if she’d put a spell on them. He had to wonder if he ever acted that way with her and didn’t even realize it. These men sure didn’t seem to. It was hard to believe she managed to stay single for an entire year. Well, except for the two short lived incidents she told him about.

Even with Alex standing next to her, making it blaringly obvious she was with him, they still had no qualms about being overly friendly. This was especially true as the night persisted and the wine continued to flow.

By the time it was all over Alex was as ruffled as wet rooster. In the same token, he was equally impressed with Valerie. He didn’t think he could be anymore fascinated with her than he’d already been before this event.

After making their exit, Alex stopped just as they turned the corner of the club and pulled her too him looking her in the eyes. “So, how come I’ve never heard your impression of Mae West before?”

The corner of her lips went up. “It’s something I only picked up a few months ago.”

Alex wasn’t sure what to think about that. Before he could say anything, she smiled the sexiest of smiles, and stroked his chest with her small hand, making him suck in a breath. “A hard man is good to find.”

The impression of Mae West was again perfect. Alex squeezed her then kissed her softly like he’d wanted to all night. He’d never forgive himself for having wasted an entire year being an idiot.

They walked back to the car slowly kissing every few feet. A few feet away from his truck she stopped him just Alex was about to kiss her. “Alex, you have a flat.”

“Someone slashed it.” Alex stood up and looked around. As far as he could see, the other three tires were fine. Whoever did this might not have had time to do the rest. That meant only one thing, they hadn’t gotten far. His eyes searched the parking lot but there was no one suspicious anywhere.

When his eyes finally met Valerie’s he could see she’d been unnerved. He knew what she was thinking, because it was exactly what he was thinking. Bruce.

Great. He’d been all set for a night of digging further into all that he’d missed out of in her life this past year, especially finding out more on her relationship with Luke. And the ridiculous notion that she’d be attending a seminar with him. One she seemed too damn excited about. All that would have to wait now. There was a bigger issue to talk about first.

Valerie sat in Alex’s truck, feeling terrible. Alex replaced the tire. He’d also called the police and was now outside as they finished taking the report. Alex was convinced this was Bruce’s doing, and he wanted everything from here on documented. He said when, not
if
Bruce went down, he wanted him put away for a very long time if not for good.

According to
prosecutor
Moreno, each one of these incidents would add to the severity of the penalty. Alex wouldn’t let her deal with this on her own. Not by a long shot. He was beyond concerned, and Valerie knew he wouldn’t let up, especially now.

His eyebrow had been up and stayed up at attention the entire time he spoke with the police. Valerie held her breath as he climbed in the truck. They’d already had a pretty long night and it was about to get longer.

Valerie knew Alex would go into full-blown warden mode now. But she wasn’t about to let him take over every aspect of her life. She had her pepper spray and though she hadn’t had time to tell Alex, she’d already started looking into purchasing a gun. It was a trivial detail she knew she should’ve mentioned sooner, but her gut told her he’d overreact.

“I already talked to Sal.” Alex turned the ignition on and began pulling out of the parking space. “He was coming down anyway for the rehearsal dinner this weekend, so, he’s cool with coming in a day early. He’ll cover for me at the restaurant all day. We’ll go see about that restraining order first thing in the morning.”

“Alex, I can go by myself. You don’t have to take the day off just for that. The rehearsal dinner is on Saturday. Don’t you have a million things to do at the restaurant for that?”

This was exactly what she didn’t want. Alex had enough on his plate already. The last thing he needed was to add to it.

Alex didn’t even flinch. “Sal can handle the restaurant. Listen, I was thinking maybe you can start going to your apartment after work especially when I’m working late. Then when I get off, I can swing by and follow you back to my place.”

“What?” Valerie shook her head. “Alex, no. There’s no need for all that. You can’t…”

“You said this guy showed up at one of the properties you were showing right?” Alex stared straight ahead, his brows furrowed in deep thought. “When and where is the next property you’ll be showing?”

“I’m not sure. I was supposed to tomorrow, but…”

He turned to look at her. “What time?”

“In the afternoon.” Valerie felt the frustration building. He was doing exactly what she’d thought he’d do. Taking over her life and forgetting about his own.

“You can’t possibly think that you are going to guard me 24/7. You have your own life. I won’t have you putting it aside for me. Besides…” She glanced out the window, not wanting to see his expression when she made her next statement, “I’m getting a gun.”

“Are you crazy? A gun in the hands of someone completely inexperienced is more dangerous than a gun in the hands of some psycho.”

Valerie wasn’t sure what irritated her more. The tone he was taking, or his complete lack of faith in her. “I can learn, Alex. Isabel said Romero is taking her to a shooting range soon. I’ll ask to tag along.”

Valerie resented him thinking she was so helpless. “Well, it’s not like I’m looking to become some gun slinging badass. All I need to know is the basics.”

“Yeah and how to make sure it doesn’t go off in your purse, or that you don’t accidentally shoot someone or yourself when you’re
just pointing
.” He glanced at her then back to the road. “But you will need some kind of protection. I’ll take care of it.”

Valerie glared at him as they pulled into his driveway. For the first time since she’d been staying with Alex she actually wished she could be back in her own apartment. At least for the night, she was in no mood for anymore of his alpha male tirades.

She tried to look away then to her surprise felt the hot tears overwhelm her eyes. Alex searched her eyes. The stern expression now softened. “What’s wrong?”

Valerie stared at him for a moment then leaned against his chest. He hugged her, rubbing her back, and kissed her head. He lifted her chin and wiped her tears with his fingers. “Talk to me, baby. What is it?”

“I didn’t want you involved in this, Alex. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me. I already feel terrible about your tire.”

She’d felt the anxiety building from the moment Bruce had brought up Alex on the phone earlier. She hated Alex being involved in this at all. When she realized his tire had been slashed, her stomach had nearly bottomed out. Then listening to him talk about wanting to be there when she showed property and knowing this was already going to begin affecting his time at the restaurant really did it.