Chapter 44
Still hurt and somewhat pissed from Howie’s reaction, Sarah turned to AJ and said, "Go ahead, take your best shot, Alex!"
AJ held both hands in the air as if surrendering. "Whoa beautiful! I’m not going there."
"You don’t hold it against ME because of what my brother did?" she asked, sincerely touched.
"No and neither does Howie."
"Could have fooled me!" Sarah pouted.
"He’s just hurting from all that has happened, Sarah, and I don’t think he’s really dealt with all of his emotions. After he cools down, he will probably send you flowers and an apology. That’s just the kind of guy he is."
Sarah sat down on the sofa and toyed with the bracelet on her arm. "I just wanted to warn him about Stephen. I think we’ve all suffered enough, don’t you agree?"
"Yeah, I do agree" AJ said as he witnessed the visible pain in her eyes. He knew she blamed herself in some way for Kristina’s death and he wanted so badly to tell her that she could stop beating herself up because Kristina was very much alive. But he couldn’t. At least not yet.
Sitting down beside her, he draped an arm around her shoulders and smiled. "Kristina told me that you were beautiful, but I never dreamed that you would be GORGEOUS!"
Sarah rolled her eyes and laughed. "Yeah, well, Kris told me that you were a sweet talker and full of shit!"
"What?" AJ asked, pretending to be hurt by the comment. "I can’t BELIEVE she said that about me."
"Actually she didn’t say that" Sarah snickered. "What she did tell me, and on several occasions I might add, is that you and I would be perfect together."
"Yeah, she told me the same thing but you were too involved with the guy she called the ‘stuffed shirt’."
Groaning, Sarah said, "I know! I should have kicked his ass to the curb when Kristina warned me about him."
AJ took her hands in his and examined them carefully. "I don’t see a wedding band or engagement ring, does that mean you are single?"
Sarah allowed him to hold her hand and squeezed gently. "Depends on who’s asking" she purred.
Her response caught him completely off guard. Being so close to her made him want to take her in his arms and hold her, kiss her deeply, explore every inch of her tender flesh. Yet, somehow he resisted the urge.
"How about I take you to lunch and then back to my place for awhile?" he suggested.
"And just what are you expecting once we get back to your house, Mr. McLean?" Sarah said as she scooted to the edge of the sofa, away from the intoxicating scent of his cologne and the feel of his warm body against hers.
He stared at her for a moment before answering, his eyes a soft and tender shade of brown, his lips wet and inviting. Sarah flushed warmly at the thought of making love to him, with him.
"Nothing."
"Hmm? What are you talking about?" she asked, having been thoroughly lost in her fantasy lovemaking.
He laughed. "Exactly! Now, c’mon."
Sarah stood and tried to regain her composure as he slid one hand along the small of her back, guiding her out of Howie’s office and down the stairs.
Once they were in the car and away from the club, AJ asked, "Where are you staying?"
"At the Radisson" she smiled. "Room 69."
"Uh uh!" he said, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Oh yeah!" she laughed. "My favorite number!"
AJ pushed his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose and peeked at her from underneath the rims. "You are serious?"
Smiling wickedly, Sarah nodded her head ‘yes’.
Laughing out loud, he said, "Kris was right! We are perfect for each other!"