“What’s this called?”
“A fènhuáng. I think Americans call it a Chinese phoenix, although it’s nothing like the western version. A dragon and fènhuáng set represents a harmonious relationship between a man and a woman.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Hong Kong.”
He smiled. “Kind of whimsical.”
“Maybe.” Natalie sipped her tea. “I thought I would give the dragon to a man I lov—a worthy man.”
Alex picked up the dragon and glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “But you still have it.”
“Yeah. I thought I’d found one, but I was mistaken.”
Marcus had returned it when they’d broken up.
I…well, I never knew what you wanted me to do with it. It doesn’t go very well with my apartment. I guess it’s good that it’s going back to you.
Natalie stared at Alex. The dragon seemed to fit well in his hands, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to give it to anyon
e now.
His lips curved into a slight smile. “What?”
She hid behind the mug. “Nothing. I was just thinking… Well, it’s just interesting to have the CEO of my company in my living room on a Sunday.” She fidgeted and smoothed her hair. She really wished she’d put on makeup.
“Is that all you see when you look at me?” He came closer and leaned forward. “Your CEO? When I look at you, I see a smart, beautiful, passionate woman.”
Natalie looked at him. She wasn’t particularly embarrassed by what had happened in her adoptive parents’ backyard. Alex was an attractive man. But what if she was doing this on the rebound, or as a selfish act of salvaging her pride after Louise’s vicious words at the party? She didn’t want to be a user.
“Alex…”
“Shh…” He moved closer and placed his index finger in her lips. She closed her mouth. “I could’ve strangled your sister yesterday.”
Oh, I wish you had.
“And Rodale for sneaking you away.”
“Sorry—”
“What’s up between the two of you? Dating or something?” His tone was casual, though his gaze was probing, sharp.
Had Louise said something? Talk about giving the wrong impression. “No, just friends. We’ve known each other for years.”
“I see.”
Natalie relaxed a little bit. Of course he wasn’t going to be like Louise, who insisted on being right no matter what.
“Come on, pack whatever you need for a day and let’s go,” he said.
“Go?”
“Since we can’t seem to do anything without your family interrupting us, I want to take you somewhere private. A small cabin by the place we went yesterday. And no cell phones.”
He held her hand and caressed her palm with the calloused tip of his thumb. She shivered. Amazing that her palm could be so sensitive.
As tempting as his suggestion was, she hesitated.