Page 7 of Players Like Us (Reunion Gap #7)

R achel avoided Neal Alexander for the rest of the evening as she chatted with Simon Bainbridge who introduced her to his lawyer friends, golf buddies, even two of his cousins.

Simon was handsome, charming, and very intelligent.

But he did not possess the magnetism of a man like Neal Alexander, the cool detachment, the steady gaze, the disarming smile.

The man she wanted to avoid stood across the room sipping his drink and engaging in conversation with a group of people, his stance relaxed, his demeanor casual.

He seemed to have forgotten she was there, which gave her hope that maybe he didn’t recognize her.

She held onto that possibility until he blew it up a short while later in a voice filled with humor.

“Rachel Reese. All grown up.” He leaned toward her, said in a low voice, “Should we still pretend we’re strangers?

I’m up for the intrigue if you are.” Those blue eyes sparkled, shifted to silver.

“It would definitely spice up the night. Just give me the details and I’ll be happy to oblige.

” He straightened, rubbed his jaw. “I would like to know the story behind the story—you know, the reason we’re pretending we’re strangers. ”

She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t it obvious?”

The raised brow said it wasn’t. “Obvious? Not to me. Unless you don’t want Simon to know you’re from a small dot on the map in Pennsylvania or—” his gaze narrowed “—you don’t want him to find out we know each other.

” It was the latter comment that deepened the brackets around his mouth, made his voice turn cold.

“I don’t like sharing information with strangers.” What a ridiculous answer. Why had she said that?

“Simon Bainbridge is a stranger? It didn’t seem like it, not from the way he was devouring you.”

And just like that, the years stripped away and they were in the back seat of his car at Goose Creek, devouring each other’s mouth.

..trying to get closer... Rachel pushed aside the memories she wanted to forget, blasted him with a disgusted “Everything isn’t always about sex, even if you think it is. ”

“I know that, but I also know the signs…even if you don’t.”

“And how would you know those signs unless you were using them yourself?” There, see what he’d say about that!

A pause and a quiet “You really don’t like me, do you?”

The question held no sarcasm or humor, nothing but straight-up curiosity. “I really don’t know you, but then I doubt many people do.”

Her response seemed to annoy him. “Why are you really here, Rachel? In this place? What are you after and why are you hanging out with Simon Bainbridge?” His gaze slid from her lips to the neckline of her dress.

..past her hips...legs and inched back up to her eyes.

“You make a very appealing package, but what are you selling?” His expression turned dark, his voice angry. “Are you selling yourself?”

“No!” She lowered her voice, said in a more controlled tone, “Absolutely not.”

The muscles in his neck relaxed, the frown evened out.

“What then because you’re after something, I sense it.

” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “Are you trying to secure some sort of a deal for your interior design business? Maybe have Simon make introductions to one of the partners at his father’s law firm?

Or one of his business-owner friends?” He must have seen the truth in her expression because he shook his head, blew out a long sigh.

“He’s not going to help you, Rachel. Not unless you give him something in return and I’m not talking about a few dinners and a little engaging conversation. ”

“You don’t know that.” No sense pretending she wasn’t interested in finding a client through Simon.

“Not everyone is like you, only willing to help if he’s getting something out of it.

” She held his gaze, spat out the words she wanted to tell every other potential client who propositioned her.

“I do good work and I’m not going to sleep with someone to prove it. ”

Those eyes that had once been dubbed compelling and irresistible glittered with a fierceness that surprised her. “If that’s true, then stay away from him. Bainbridge won’t offer you anything unless you sleep with him.”

The nerve of the man who’d probably done the same or worse. “And you would?”

“I don’t barter sex for a deal. I never have and I never will.”

He sounded sincere, but Neal Alexander could probably convince a woman of anything.

“Fine then. You didn’t have to bribe anyone.

You just let the good looks and the credit cards do all the talking.

” There’d been a minute that hot summer night where the looks and charm had mesmerized her , pulled her in and captivated her.

But no matter what she offered that night, he hadn’t been interested.

“If you want to submit your work, I might know a few people.”

People as in women? What sort of knowledge did he have? Intimate? Certainly not a working relationship because she’d never heard of him involved in any sort of business. Not that she would know, but...it was doubtful.

Her expression must have relayed her doubt because his next words fell out cold, distant. “Or not.”

She cleared her throat, stumbled over her response. “I appreciate the offer, but…”

“But you’re wondering how I could possibly know anyone who could help you? That I’m trying to feed you a line for an ulterior purpose, and whatever I tell you is a lie, in need of serious vetting?” He held her gaze, made it impossible to look away. “How am I doing? Close?”

She tried to fight the heat rushing to her cheeks, failed. “I’m sorry. I haven’t seen you in years and you could be the president of your own company for all I know. You could have tons of connections...”

“But that would be a stretch to believe, wouldn’t it?

” The tiny nod made him smile. “I don’t blame you.

I know what I’ve done and I wouldn’t believe what I said either.

People tell you that you can have another chance to make things right, that no matter what your life’s been like or what you’ve done, there’s always time to change.

You just have to commit to it. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you, as long as you know what you’re doing and you’re honest with yourself.

But that’s not always the way it goes. Sometimes you have better luck with a stranger believing you than your own family or those who used to know you.

Sure, you can tell them you’re not that person anymore, but most of the people, including your family, will look at you as though you’re creating some sort of fairytale. ”

He was definitely talking about himself. Had he changed? Had he realized he didn’t want to be just another playboy with too much money and not enough responsibility? “Neal, I have a feeling we’re not just talking in generalities.”

He opened his mouth to speak but the words never materialized as Simon Bainbridge appeared with two glasses of champagne and a frown on his face. “How about you find your own date?” The frown deepened, the annoyance reached his eyes. “Rachel’s with me.”

These men were definitely not friends. They were acquaintances who tolerated one another, perhaps out of necessity or an unspoken rule tied to their clubs and social gatherings. Etiquette and manners. “Simon, Neal and I were just talking.”

The man’s laugh ended in a glare. “That’s how it always starts with him and then the talking stops.”

Neal ignored Simon, turned to Rachel. “Enjoy the rest of the night.” His gaze shifted to Simon. “She’s a lady, treat her like one.” One more glance at Rachel and then he was gone, working his way toward a group of men at the bar.

As he walked away, Rachel acknowledged that while Neal Alexander might have a reputation as a playboy who spent his life pursuing pleasure, there might be more to him.

She hadn’t missed the veiled threat he issued to Simon, as if he were protecting her.

Why would he do that? The questions pinged her brain, leaving Rachel confused and struggling with the biggest question of all—Who was Neal Alexander?