Cat Got Your Tongue? by Rae Rivers Read Free Book Online

pressure she applied drew an immediate cry of alarm. In one swift movement, Alex twisted Vera’s arm behind her back and shoved her into the waiting elevator, then watched with satisfaction as Vera stumbled into the back mirror. Alex punched the number for the ground floor and retreated. By the time Vera had orientated herself and spun around to face her, the elevator doors were closing.
    “Bye, Vera.” Alex couldn’t resist a smug smile and wave. Bitchy, but deserved. She was getting fed up with these encounters.
    She blew out her breath and turned toward Max’s office.
    To her horror, Max and Cole and several employees stood outside Max’s office, watching the confrontation with interest.
    Lovely.
    “Tell me again why you married that bitch?” she shot at Max as she walked past and toward his inner office.
    “I wish I knew,” Max said, a half smile making his lips curl. He waited for Cole to follow her inside, then closed the door.
    Alex looked at each man, trying not to notice how Cole’s presence seemed to fill the room. “If you’re having a meeting, I can come back later.”
    “No, we’re done. Are you okay?” Max asked.
    “Just peachy. Why was Vera here?”
    “No reason. She was bored with nowhere to go. I didn’t talk to her much as I was in a meeting with Cole.”
    “I’m going to instruct your security downstairs not to allow her in anymore. She’s going to hurt someone with all that pent up anger she’s carrying around with her.”
    Cole cleared his throat. “I have another meeting. Max, I’ll see you on Thursday. I appreciate the advice.” He looked at Alex, a slight grin toying at the corner of his mouth. “And I’ll see you tonight.”
    Alex nodded, still annoyed about the attack at the office elevator, and embarrassed that Cole had witnessed her catfight.
    The men shook hands and with a final glance in her direction, Cole disappeared.
    “What was the comment about the sex for?” Max asked Alex with an amused grin.
    “Vera refuses to let up on the accusations about us sleeping together. I’m getting tired of it.”
    “You shouldn’t aggravate her.”
    “She shouldn’t aggravate me. Why was Cole here?” Alex sank into the chair opposite him, wincing as the wound in her side pulled. She should have it checked out soon.
    “Mostly business, however, I think he wanted more information on you.”
    “Me?”
    “He was asking me all kinds of questions about you. I reckon he’s trying to get his head around employing a woman to fight his battles for him.”
    So Cole was checking up on her.
    “What did you tell him?”
    Max looked at her with a fond smile. “I told him if there was anyone in this world I’d choose to watch my back, it would be you.”
    ****
    Alex set her purse on the table in the living room where she waited for Cole and ran her fingers through her wavy hair. She’d opted for a designer grey suit with a soft pink blouse underneath. The bodyguard in her looked smart and professional. The woman in her felt oddly excited.
    She glanced around the room, surprised at how homey it was, despite the expensive furniture and exquisite taste. The room sang of money, the items chosen with care, and the cost no option. She zeroed in on the painting on the wall.
    “Are you a fan of Picasso?”
    Alex whirled around to face Cole in the doorway, the sound of his voice sending an unaccustomed thrill through her.
    He wore pants and a blue shirt that deepened the color of his eyes—a fresh change to the expensive suits he usually wore. His hair was still damp from a recent shower, the smell of his aftershave subtle, but effective in awakening her senses.
    “I’ve only ever seen this particular piece in a book before.” She looked back at the painting. “An original Picasso.” It was a statement more than a question. “Painted in 1895. It’s beautiful.”
    A flicker of surprise entered his blue eyes. Clearly, he hadn’t taken her for an art aficionado.
    “It was one of my