“Okay. I can’t wait to hear this, but do we have to do it naked?” I ask.
“Like I said, I have yer undivided attention. Aye, so reason one,” he says, trying to hide a grin. “I have a lot of different ways tae eat yer pussy, plus the strength tae dae them all. So ye want tae stay around tae see whit I come up with next.” He finally gives in, a lazy grin covering his beautiful face. It would help me if it wasn’t such a sexy grin. It’s hard to fight that grin.
“I might need you to give me an actual number. Are we talking two more ways or more like a hundred?”
“I guess ye’ll just have tae stay with me tae find oot.” Finally helping me down, he looks at his watch. “Right now, however, we had better get changed for dinner. I should have just enough time tae give ye another reason in the shower.” Grabbing my hand, he leads me to the bathroom.
Dinner is at one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. I’m glad I thought to throw in an evening dress appropriate for tonight. I try to listen intently, absorbing everything this move to a premier champion team will involve.
They review the publicity schedules, events we’ll be expected to attend, and training. Alex seems to take it all in with ease, but by the end of the night, my head is spinning with all of the information.
When the discussion turns to housing, banking, and security, I feel the lamb in my stomach do a flip.
“If you will excuse me please, I’m just going to powder my nose.” They stand as Alex pulls out my chair.
Finding my way into the bathroom, I quickly take care of business before sinking down on one of the couches. The attendant nods to me then continues attending to her duties. Slipping off my shoes, my toes relax into the lush carpet. Looking around, I decide this bathroom is way nicer than mine.
“Can ye give us a few minutes love,” I hear a voice I recognize. Sitting down next to me on the couch, Alex takes my hand. He looks at it as he rubs small circles on my wrist. “A lot tae take in, yeah?” he asks quietly.
“It is,” I answer.
“Were ye hunting a window tae climb oot of?” I laugh at his question. He looks over at me with a smile. “How aboot we go home? We'll get some sleep then talk aboot everything tomorrow.” I nod at him. He kneels in front of me, putting my shoes back on. When he pulls me to my feet, I stop him with a question.
“Alex, how do you hear all of this without panicking? As overwhelming as it is for me, it has to be twice as much for you.” He simply shrugs at me.
“Ye’re here. Nothing seems scary when ye’re with me, Claire. I’ve also lived in this life for a while. You should have seen me when I had tae face being scouted at seventeen. Come on,mo ghaol, let’s go.”
We say our goodbyes to our dinner companions before walking outside to wait for the car. As hard as I try, I can’t stay awake for the drive back to Alex’s apartment. I feel us pull up and groggily step out of the car when he opens the door. Scooping me into his arms, he walks to the stairs, ignoring my protests.
“I can walk, Alex,” I yawn up at him.
“But why, when ye have someone tae carry ye? Now stop wiggling before I drop ye on the stairs,” he growls at me. “Always with the wiggling.” I wrap my arms around his neck, snuggling my head against his chest as he carries me up.
True to his word, after I finish in the bathroom, he tucks me into bed. “I’ll be back. Get some rest, Claire. It willnae seem as overwhelming in the light of day.” I feel him pull me against him a little later when he slides into bed. With a sigh, I press back against him. “I love ye,” are the last words I hear before sleep overtakes me.
The next morning, I wake up to rustling in the bedroom. Sliding an eye open, it takes me a few minutes to remember I’m not in my apartment.
“Sorry,” I hear Alex whisper near the closet. He pulls on a T-shirt when I sit up, wrapping the sheets around me. “I should have moved my clothes tae the living room last night.”
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes.
“I’m gaun for a run. My conditioning has slipped a little so I have tae start now tae be ready in June.” I nod before crawling out of bed.
“Can I go with you? I’m sure I can’t run as far, but I could really use a workout to clear my head. I’ll just come back when I get tired so you can keep going.” I hurry toward the bathroom, grabbing clothes from my suitcase on the way.
Finding Alex in the living room putting on his shoes, I wait for him to decide if I can come. “Alex?” I ask. I don’t want to hold him back.
“Of course ye are always welcome tae come,” he says, looking up at me in confusion. “We’ll just run until we get tired, then find some breakfast. How does that sound?” I grin at him quickly before dropping onto the couch to slide on my shoes.
Following him out of the apartment, we soon find a rhythm through a park near his apartment. By the time I stop with my hands on my knees sucking in air, we’ve covered almost seven miles. I’m exhausted but Alex looks like he’s barely broken a sweat.
“You can go on. I’ll just start walking back,” I gasp out at him.
“Naw, I’m naw leaving ye here. I’m tired anyway. Feel like walking aboot a block north? There’s a good place for breakfast.” He pats my back, “Come on.” Standing, I nod, walking with him until we reach the diner.
Alex steers me to a table before returning to the counter to order. I’ve finally caught my breath by the time he returns with two smoothies and grilled croissant sandwiches.
“You were right, Alex. This is really good,” I tell him between mouthfuls. “I’m sorry I ruined your workout. How far do you usually run?”
