CHAPTER 10

​Alex

I couldn’t believe this was happening. Knight Richardson actually liked me. Me! And now...he was so close, I couldn’t resist. Slowly, he leaned into me, drawing so near. Was he going to kiss me?
​

From down below I heard, “Oh my God, you’ve got to be kidding.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. Chiandra. Glaring up at us.
​

Is that why Knight wanted to kiss me all of a sudden? To show her?

Heat peppered my face, and I drew back.

“What’s wrong?” Knight asked.

“I should have never trusted you.”
​

Rushing past him, I took the stairs. I had to get out of there. Bri was right. Knight was toying with me to get back at Chiandra.
​

Chiandra didn’t move when I walked toward her. She was the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. Her sparkling dress hugged her curves which blew me away. She was way prettier in person. What an idiot I was to think Knight could even be interested in me when he’d had...her. That’s not how the world worked. “He’s all yours. I should never have come here.”


She chewed on a piece of gum. “He’s an ass, honey. I definitely don’t want him.”
​

Shaking my head, I hurried past her. Knight ran after me, trying to pull me to him. I jerked my arm out of his grasp.

“What’d I do, Alex? What’s the matter? Is it Chiandra? I don’t care about her.”


Furious, I spat, “You crossed a line, Knight. Not cool. And you can keep your fucking money. I don’t want anything from you.”
​

By the time I got home, I was a mess. I didn’t even talk to Bri as I strode past her room and slammed my door. I wanted to punch something but didn’t want to put a hole in the wall. Crumpling on my bed, my mind kept replaying the great moments of the night.
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“How stupid can you be, Alex?” I whispered, tears trickling down my cheek. “A guy like Knight would never like someone like you.”


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Chiandra

This was it. 325 Dusty Turf Lane. I looked up Alex Day the moment I needled it out of Antonio. Who was this man who could lure my Knight into his arms? I had to find out.
​

Of course, Knight was just playing around. What an asshole. But that didn’t surprise me. Nothing Knight did surprised me anymore. Well...almost. I had to admit, seeing Knight almost kiss a guy did startle me. A little.

But maybe I could become friends with Alex. And put the moves on him? No man could resist me. Even one who bent the other way.
​

This should be fun.
​
When I entered the garage, the smell of oil and gas plus lavender spritzer permeated the room. And then I saw him. He was gorgeous. There was no denying that. 6 ft. 1 with rock hard pecs and abs, a beautiful face, blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, I almost lost my breath. He should have been a model like me. Not some grease monkey. I could change all that, though. Rock his world.
“Hello,” I said, brightly. “Remember me?”

“Uh...h-hello.” Alex waved.

He took the bait. Good boy.
He stammered, “U-um...y-you’re Chiandra. Right?”

Cute. I’d got him flustered. “Yes. Chiandra Stoltz. Nice to meet you...Alex?”
“Uh...are you here about last night? Just to let you know, our relationship isn’t real. Knight and me aren’t a thing. I was hired.”
“Hired?” Now that information did surprise me. Knight was more of a creep than I thought. “What a j*erk. Sorry Knight did that to you. You know, it was to just get back at me. We don’t have the best history. I was hoping he’d changed, but I guess not. Sorry you had to get involved. I could tell you were upset last night.”
Alex just stood there blinking at me. My charms were working on him, so I smiled. “Listen, I can’t change Knight, but I can try to make it up to you somehow. At least on my side. Want to go to lunch? My treat.”
*****

When we arrived at my favorite restaurant, The Blue Lobster, Alex beamed. “I’ve always wanted to eat here.”

“Really? We have the same taste in food. I wonder what else we have in common.”
I sidled up to him wishing I could hold his muscular arms, but I could wait. The prize would be mine by the end of the day. I whispered, “Besides our taste in men.” I giggled at my joke, and Alex laughed nervously with me.
Turning around to face me, he asked, “Why are you doing this? Is it to get back at Knight?”
I smiled wickedly. “Do you want to get back at him?”
He put his hands in his pockets and looked up toward the mountains. Shaking his head, he waved me toward him. “Come on. I’ve got lobsters in my future. I’m glad you’re buying.”

Gosh, I loved me. I’m just way too good at this.

Once we settled into our seats, I asked, “So, Alex, have you ever thought about modeling? I could get you into the best agency. Wouldn’t be any problem.”
“Huh? Modeling? Me?”
I giggled at his naiveté. “Yes, you. Of course, you. You’re gorgeous. The camera would eat you to pieces. And you can make good money. Way better than what you’re doing now. Or do you like always having black gunk under your fingernails?”
Alex fiddled with the menu nervously, not answering my question.

Just then, the waitress came by to take our order. “Are you ready yet?”

I wrinkled my nose. “I think we need a minute.”

“Okay...hey...are you two actors on one of my soap operas? I’m sure I’ve seen you before.”
The woman leaned over and whispered, “Your boyfriend is a hottie.”

I grinned wide. “He is, isn’t he?”

When she left, Alex glanced toward her and said, “I’m tired of being referred to as someone’s boyfriend. I’m no one’s boyfriend. Got that?”

I gave Alex my look. THE look. “Oh shut up. You know you like it.”
​

He stared at me for a while. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind. Maybe I’d overdone it. The rabbit was about to flee the wolf. I winced inside.
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He finally said, “Then let’s make this an official date. I’ll take you to the movies after this. I’m buying.”
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Trap shut. Quarry caught. And in record time. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud.

I was looking forward to our night together.
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