Page 41 of Mile High Baby

I nodded as my joy at this surprise was replaced with disappointment. I was getting fresh air, food truck food, and space to move, but I had to enjoy it on my own. Be careful what you ask for.

"Thank you,” I managed to say as Knightly and Mrs. Tillis entered the elevator, the door shutting them in.

I turned back to Alex. "This is really sweet, but—”

“You're not acting like you think it's sweet.”

“You're going to leave me up here all alone."

"I gave you what you wanted and you're still whining.” His tone was like a parent to a child.

His words were like a punch to the gut. Despite what happened on the plane, he saw me as a spoiled little rich girl. If I were sixteen and had a crush on him, it would make sense. But I was a grown woman, so his attitude made me feel like a fool.

Fueled by hurt and anger, I asked, "Why did you bother?"

"I was trying to make a difficult situation more tolerable. I should have known it wouldn't be enough."

I glared up at him. "It would be enough if you'd join me."

Again, heat flared in his eyes. “I can't do that."

“Right. Because you're not a guest.” I shook my head, hating my stupid hormones for finding him so sexy. Maybe that was why I started acting petty. "I bet Ian would have joined me."

Alex's jaw tightened. "You like Ian, huh? Is that what's really agitating you? You need to get laid?"

His words shocked me. I gaped and then turned away. How was it that every word out of his mouth felt like a smack to my ego?

"You can go." I hoped my voice sounded dismissive. I walked over to the terrace wall, looking out over the park toward the river.

“Fuck. Victoria, I'm sorry.”

"I doubt it. Just go. You gave me this nice evening. Let me enjoy it.”

He didn't say anything, and I thought he'd left. I hated how disappointed that made me feel. What was wrong with me?

My first inclination that he hadn't left was when his scent wafted up around me. He stepped up next to me, his gaze looking outward as mine had been.

"This isn't smart," he said.

"Which is it, Alex? I'm horny or stupid?"

He looked at me, and I saw genuine regret in his eyes. "I always say the wrong thing." He shook his head. "That's not true. Sometimes, I'm an asshole on purpose."

"You're good at it. Is it just for me or are you like this to everyone?”

“It’s you.”

I rolled my eyes even as the hurt from his words assaulted me again. "Why don't you go hide in that hole of yours in the kitchen?”

"I am hiding there.” His voice was terse with an edge like it was my fault.

"Maybe you should have gone with Dad. Then you wouldn't have to hide." Hide from what I wasn't sure, but I figured it was from the revulsion he felt at having fucked me, his old buddy's daughter.

"I thought about it."

"So why didn't you?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Because the idea of Ian being here with you wasn't something I could bear."