Dating Dr Notorious by Donna McDonald Page B

up.
    “Don’t worry,” Casey said, confidence returning where she was concerned. “I’ll join you for lunch. I’m the model of self-control.”
    They both knew better. Neither of them had much control where the other was concerned.
    Alexa swore as she laughed against his lips, kissing him one last time before she bounded up to answer the intercom.
    *** *** ***
    Ben took a cab to Alexa’s building to avoid looking for a parking place.
    The main area was in total disarray, a contradiction to its calming blue walls. Off in a distance, discarded clothing was strung over every available surface. There were pedestals and sewing machines, drawing tables and office chairs.
    No one was around except a tall, handsome man dressed more sharply than he was. Ben looked at the man’s clothes and sighed. It was his worst vanity, and not always considered a masculine one, but he liked nice clothes and looking sharp. He always had.
    Sydney liked Ben Kaiser immediately when he saw him checking out his clothes and sighing. He didn’t think twice, just pulled a card out of his desk drawer and handed it over.
    “Mr. Kaiser? My name is Sydney Banes and I’m Alexa’s assistant. This is the card of my favorite tailor. He carries some of my clothing line and the rest are his own designs. I swear he’s worth every penny you will ever spend with him,” Sydney told him.
    Ben took the card from Sydney with a stunned expression. It was the name of a men’s clothing shop. He suddenly envied Alexa’s luck at finding such an assistant, wishing Janet could learn to read people so well.
    Sydney motioned for Ben to follow him down the hall.
    “Alexa is waiting for you in her office. Her fiancée is there as well. Careful though of him,” Sydney warned, “he’s a former Marine. Watch out for the cane. He knows how to use it for more than just a prop.”
    Ben blew out a breath and hoped like hell he could handle this.

Chapter 6
    Alexa stared at the very attractive man Sydney deposited in her doorway with something close to glee. She was thrilled beyond words Regina had drawn this handsome man to her.
    He was definitely an alpha male, very good looking, and had eyes as deep as the sea. Alexa could completely believe this man had walked across the room to Regina and had his tongue in her mouth before she even knew his name.
    No wonder Lauren had given him Regina’s seminar schedule. She’d have done it too.
    Casey pinched her leg under the small conference table Sydney had commandeered for their lunch. The pinch brought Alexa’s attention to Casey’s frown that said she was paying too much attention to Ben Kaiser.
    Reaching over, Alexa squeezed Casey’s thigh in response, refusing to return his look because she didn’t trust herself not to laugh. Instead, she rose from the table gracefully and walked across to the man in the doorway.
    Alexa was so completely happy for Regina all she could do was smile like a silly girl.
    “Alexa Ranger,” she said, holding out a hand to him.
    “Ben Kaiser. Nice to meet you. Thanks for seeing me.”
    Ben took her hand in his, working hard to hold her gaze as he shook it. It wasn’t hard because Alexa was incredibly beautiful, which she certainly was. It was hard because Ben remembered this was the woman Regina loved enough to defend.
    And it was hard because this was a woman almost as notorious as Regina.
    “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Ben said sincerely. Releasing her hand, he turned away from Alexa’s interested gaze.
    “I appreciate the tip about the tailor, Sydney. Thanks,” Ben said, waving the business card in answer to Sydney’s parting wave.
    Alexa bit her lower lip until she knew Sydney was completely out of earshot. Then she closed the door behind Ben and motioned him over to the table.
    Ben complied without a single shred of resistance. Alexa Ranger exuded something that made you want to do anything she asked.
    “Sydney gave you the card for his shop? Oh my god, Ben.