LITMIR.BIZ

       Five

      Well, clearly the topic of PTSD was off the table. Alexa wouldn’t make the mistake of bringing that up again. The man knew he had it—just as she knew. What level of hell did he live in on a daily basis? Did he just battle all of this on his own?

      Alexa didn’t know his brothers. Well, she’d seen Beau Elliott in movies, but that didn’t necessarily count. From the way Hayes spoke about the others, he had a support system right here. Was he not ready to reach out? Perhaps he was too proud?

      When her sister had passed, Alexa’s father had a difficult time accepting help from others. But then he’d realized that was the only way he’d be able to move on and heal not only himself, but also his family.

      “Tell me about your movie-star brother,” she tossed out.

      Hayes let out a humorless laugh. “You really know which subjects to hone in on to get on my bad side.”

      “Then maybe you should get me a list of safe things to discuss because I’ve yet to see a good side.”

      The glare he shot her suggested she should keep quiet, and that grouchy demeanor might work on some, but not her. She wasn’t worried.

      “Maybe we should try to get along during this storm and skip the getting-to-know-you portion of the night,” he growled.

      She thought about that for a second, but opted to ignore his request.

      “I’d rather play the game,” she countered. “I mean, I am wearing your clothes and it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere anytime soon.”

      Hayes shook his head, clearly not on board. “How about we get flashlights and candles? Then maybe I’ll tell you about my renovations.”

      She pursed her lips and tipped her head to the side. “Sounds like a good idea to me. I can give you some tips.”

      “Did I ask for tips?” he countered. Alexa crossed the room and patted his cheek. “Consider it my payment for your Southern hospitality.”

      “I didn’t have a choice,” he muttered beneath his breath.

      “Sure you did, but you chose to push your moodiness aside and step up as a gentleman.”

      Those dark eyes traveled over her. “I’m always a gentleman, Lex.”

      Something shifted inside her. “Don’t call me that.”

      Scott had always used that as his nickname for her and no one had called her Lex in two years.

      Hayes’s dark eyes landed on hers. “Fine. Alexa.”

      The way her name slid through his lips as he drawled it out made her think of skin to skin and promising nights. However, there would be neither skin on skin nor a passion-filled night.

      “Let’s start in the bedroom.”

      She blinked, then smiled. “Lead the way, cowboy.”

      Hayes did move, but not to lead the way. He leaned in and came within an inch of her. So close, his warm breath tickled the side of her face.

      “And for the record, don’t pat me like a little boy again.”

      Swallowing hard, she eased her face back just slightly to look him dead in the eyes. “Believe me, Hayes, I definitely don’t see you as a little boy.”

      * * *

      He wasn’t sure what was more nerve-wracking, the fact she followed so close behind as he led the way up to the second floor, or the way she’d volleyed that sexual tension back in his face.

      “Do we need to do anything for your horses?”

      Hayes reached the landing and turned to face her. “They’re all right. I have hay and feed in the barn. They’re just as comfortable as they’d be down in Colt’s stable.”

      Alexa glanced around the second story and then down over the first floor. The balcony-style hallway allowed for a beautiful view with the window behind overlooking the property and the family room below.

      “This is such a gorgeous house,” she muttered as she crossed to the window. “I can’t imagine ever wanting to leave if I had somewhere like this to call home.”

      She’d mentioned that before, but he wondered why she didn’t just buy a place in the country. Unless she was one of those picky people who had vast dreams and a meager budget.

      “It never gets old,” he admitted. “This land means more than money. There’s loyalty, family, protection. Everything is wrapped up in Pebblebrook.”

      Alexa turned her attention back to him. “That’s the most I’ve heard you say at one time.”

      “Maybe I only talk when I’m passionate about something.”

      The corners of her lips twitched. One of these times when she mouthed off or gave that mocking grin, he was going to put that mouth to better use. There was only so long a man could hold out. Besides, the sexual attraction wasn’t going away. If anything, the tension grew stronger the longer she was here.

      Maybe a little seduction would take the edge off. Perhaps kissing her and seeing where that led would have them both putting this time to better use.

      “What else are you passionate about?” she asked.

      “Bourbon, fighting for what I believe in, good sex.” Her eyes widened and Hayes nearly smiled. “Oh, come on. You can’t be surprised by my answer, darlin’. I’m a guy.”

      “I guess I didn’t expect you to throw the word sex down so easily.”

      With a shrug, he started down the hall that led to his master bedroom. “Sex has to be easy. Anything else implies commitment and that is impossible.”

      Alexa tipped her head and studied him. “Who hurt you?”

      She just had to keep pressing. He’d almost rather have her pity than for her to dig deeper into his scarred heart. “My fiancée and my CO were having an affair behind my back.”

      Alexa gasped. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting such honesty, but he wasn’t sugar coating. Perhaps the bold statement would get her to back off and stop trying to pick his mind. If she persisted, he’d have to pull out the nightmare. Bringing it into the open would surely get her to back the hell out of his personal space.

      “Trust doesn’t come easily,” he added. “Which is why sex

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