Free Cat Got Your Tongue? by Rae Rivers Page A

suits had it not been for their nametags.
    It was easy to see the difference between the wives in the room to that of the women whose purpose was to be there as mere arm candy. Alex could also spot the doting wives and the more unfaithful ones, scouting the room in search of some amusement of their own. She surveyed the men, able to differentiate between the men who favored their alcohol as opposed to the ones that favored their wallets.
    Years of blending in the background had sharpened her ability to read others and size them up in an instant. While others spent their time talking, she spent her time watching and listening.
    Then she spotted him.
    Cole was in a conversation with the several people surrounding him, a drink clasped in one hand. He stood tall and majestic in the center of the room and it was easy to see the reason behind the attraction people felt for him.
    Just then, almost as though he sensed her, Cole turned and swiftly scanned the room before settling his gaze on her. Their eyes met and held, and Alex’s entire body reacted in a way that unsettled her. Her breath caught and her pulse raced but before she could process the affect he had on her, a figure approached her, blocking her view of Cole.
    A tall blond man dressed in a black suit stood in front of her, a drink in one hand, the other outstretched in greeting. “Hi, I’m John Farrell, Cole’s right hand man.”
    Alex shook his hand. “Alexis Foxley.”
    “Your company is taking over Cole’s security.”
    “We are.”
    “Have you assigned an agent to him yet?”
    “Yes.”
    John towered over her and she got the feeling he was trying to let her know he was an important entity in Cole’s life. “When does he start?”
    A red flag went off.
    Alex straightened her shoulders and raised her chin to look him straight in the eye. “I started yesterday.”
    John choked in his glass. “You?”
    Alex raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong with that?”
    “Who authorized your contract?”
    “Cole did.” She was almost enjoying this now. “Do you have a problem with that?” Not that it mattered.
    John looked at her as though she were about to sprout a second head. “I don’t think you understand. A billionaire is an easy target and needs some serious protection.”
    Alex blinked at the insult but held her ground. “I’d be quite happy to accept any challenge you issue.”
    “Cole’s life is not about attending tea parties and shopping malls. He has real fans and real enemies. I don’t want him hurt because you were too busy playing him, screwing him, or shopping for handbags.”
    “And something tells me you know how to handle a stapler better than a gun, so I’d suggest that you back down and leave Cole’s safety and security to the experts,” she replied, lowering her voice.
    Their host, Mike Willis, chose that moment to approach them, interrupting their heated conversation.
    “Hi, John,” Mike said, extending a hand to them both. If he’d noticed their tension, he didn’t let on. “Good to see you again, Alexis.”
    Alex dragged her eyes away from John and offered the stocky man with grey hair and kind eyes a welcoming smile. “Mike, it’s been a while.” He looked pale, however, as if he hadn’t slept much in the last few nights.
    “If you’ll excuse me,” John mumbled and disappeared.
    Mike reached for her arm and led her through the room. “I’m glad you’re here. In fact, I had my secretary look up your number today as I wanted to make an appointment to see you again.”
    Alex glanced up, feeling a familiar connection with him. He’d always seemed sincere and gentle, despite his vast businessman profile, and she’d taken an immediate liking to him when she’d first met him several months ago. “What’s wrong?”
    “I need to chat with you about my security. I’m considering employing a full time bodyguard again.”
    “Are you having any problems?”
    He shrugged. “None too obvious at the moment but I