Two for Alex

Less than thirty seconds later her cell phone rang. She recognized the number she’d just dialed. Her heart began tapping high in her throat. “Hello?”

“Alexandra. Is that you? Did you just call me?”

“Oh. Yes. Um, I got your voicemail.”

“Forgive me, I was on a call. I hung up when I saw your name on the caller ID. How wonderful to hear your voice.”

“Thanks.” Alex smiled for the first time in three days.

“Do you have permission to speak with me?”

“I don’t need permission. I left them. I’m back at my place.”

She waited him for to say I told you so but instead he said, “Come to me, Alexandra. Do you know how to get to Wilton?” He gave her brief directions, not even giving her the option of refusing. Something in his tone and manner was so compelling, it didn’t even occur to her to say no.

“I eagerly await your arrival, lovely Alexandra. My heart pounds in anticipation.” She couldn’t help but grin at his flowery language though it pleased her nonetheless. After she hung up, she thought about calling Cheryl so at least somebody would know where she was. After all, how well did she know this guy?

She nixed the idea, not willing to hear yet another lecture about responsible behavior. “I’m a grownup,” she told herself. “I don’t have to tell people where I’m going. I can take care of myself.”

Before she could talk herself out of it Alex packed an overnight bag, put on some mascara and lip gloss, changed her practical cotton panties for a sexy, lacy thong beneath her denim miniskirt and headed out the door.

In fifty minutes she pulled up in front of a two-story gray stone house with white pillars flanking the porch. It was set back on a well-manicured lawn in a very nice neighborhood, though not as nice as Liam’s place in Westport.

It occurred to Alex she knew next to nothing about Anthony Campos. Was he married, divorced, bisexual? He wasn’t gay and he was definitely Dom. She didn’t even know how old he was, though she suspected he was in his mid- to late-thirties.

She pulled into the driveway of the attached garage and sat there, wondering just what in the hell she was doing. Maybe she was rushing into something she wasn’t ready for. Maybe she’d just take a drive through this nice neighborhood and think things through a little more.

Before she could put her car in reverse, the front door opened and there he stood wearing dark slacks and a white button-down shirt. He had a few days’ sexy stubble on his cheeks and chin and he flashed a white smile as he waved.

She couldn’t very well turn around and leave now. She grabbed her keys from the ignition, reached for her purse and climbed out of the car. She’d leave the overnight bag in the car, not wanting to appear overeager.

“Alexandra.” He approached her as she moved toward the front door. “It’s wonderful to see you.” He gripped her forearms and looked her up and down. “You are lovelier than even memory served. Please come in.”

They entered a large living room decorated in shades of gray and charcoal. The furniture was leather, the pictures on the wall abstract. He led her through the room to the kitchen, which had marble countertops, new appliances and a bar with barstools set along it.

He gestured for her to sit. “Can I get you some tea or coffee? Soda? I have a bottle of chilled Chardonnay. I was just going to have a glass. Or perhaps you are hungry?”

Alex sat at the bar, setting her purse down on the floor beside her barstool. It was nearly five in the afternoon. Though Alex had skipped lunch, she had no appetite. At least not for food. “Wine sounds good.” She tried not to fidget. What the hell was she doing there?

She had to admit, the house was very nice and Anthony was being extremely polite and pleasant. He was obviously well off and very good-looking. He seemed to be very glad to see her. So what the hell—she’d drink a glass of wine and see where things went.

He placed two large wineglasses in front of them and poured from an open bottle, which he left on the counter. He sat beside her. “I’m so glad you called. I have thought of you often.” He sipped from his glass and set it down.

Alex took a long, deep drink and wrapped her hands around the wide globe of the glass. Usually talkative, she was shy around Anthony, even though he’d already seen her half naked at the party. Then she’d belonged to Liam and Daniel. Now she belonged to no one.

As if reading her thoughts or at least the nature of them, Anthony said, “I was surprised but pleased to get your call. I thought you were the proud property of Liam and his sub boy?”