This time, I couldn't hold back my sigh. "And what would you like me to do? Take the pills and feel like death ran me over with a dump truck all day?" I held out my hands in mock surrender. "Hey, as long as you get your beauty sleep."
David let out a disgusted grunt before dumping the contents of his mug in the sink. "I'm going to the gym," he muttered.
Shame and regret washed over me, and I cursed myself for being so selfish. David was so good to me; he was kind, patient, and loving. He deserved better than a distracted wife.
I reached out and slid my hand around his waist, stopping him in his tracks. I pressed a kiss to his arm as I grasped his hand. I almost slumped in relief as I felt his fingers clutch mine. "I'm sorry," I implored. "I'm sorry."
I traced his flat stomach with my fingers. He always looked so handsome in his gym gear, with his impressive biceps on full display. I also knew that he could never resist the feel of my hands stroking his body.
David faced me; his mouth turned down in worry as he gazed at me with soft brown eyes. He still held his body in rigid defense, so I reached up to gently cup his face.
An image of myself reaching up to lovingly cup another faceless male suddenly hit me square in the gut. The picture was so vivid that I sucked my breath in sharply.
"What? What is it?" David's worried tone sounded far away.
As quickly as it appeared, that déjà vu image vanished. I frowned in concentration, attempting to draw it back, not quite ready to let it go. But it was too late; the scene disappeared, leaving me empty.
"Alice?"
I swallowed past an emotional lump in my throat, finally coming out of my stupor. "Sorry." Confused tears burned at the back of my eyes. "Sorry, it's nothing."
His face softened when he spied my glassy expression before placing a light kiss on my forehead. "I'm sorry, baby. I just worry so much about you. You hardly eat, your nose is buried in work, and you sleep in two-hour blocks. Things are not right."
An angry haze washed over me at his words. It had only been a week! I swallowed back my annoyance and the heated retort threatening my throat because he was at least correct about one thing—my sleep and dreams were starting to crowd me.
I took a moment to concentrate on my husband, the man I should be dreaming about. I caressed his broad shoulders, myeyes averted from his. "I'll set up an appointment with Dr. Huang, okay? But I'm sure it's just the extra workload that has me out of sorts."
I was ready to promise David anything if only to drop the subject so we could get back to us. We hardly ever argued. Our relationship had transitioned seamlessly from friendship to marriage, despite my doubts. I fought hard to retain our peaceful existence, and I'd be damned if I let anything disrupt the life we built. So if I had to see our doctor about new pills to appease my husband, then so be it.
David smiled in relief before pulling me into his arms. "I fucking hate that dick for stressing you out."
An irrational annoyance bubbled up at his insult, and I shoved it down before I could examine it too closely. Acheron Angelouwasa dick. And hewasstressing me out. There was no need for me to feel protective or defensive of him. Fuck, that dream really messed me up.
Smiling past my growing anxiety, I brushed my mouth against his. "It's the homestretch now, babe. Once this is over, we can book a vacation somewhere with Mr. Angelou's pay." I wiggled my brow suggestively.
"Mmm, I like the sound of that." His hand gripped my ass. "I guess he can have you until then."
David's mouth covered mine before he could catch the smile slipping from my face. As my husband deepened his kiss, the only thing flashing through my head was all the explicit ways Acheron Angelou could have me.
Chapter 10
Alice
He was here.
As soon as I stepped into the elevator and hit the redPthat would take me to Acheron Angelou's residence, I immediately scentedhim. His unique, spicy, intoxicating scent—which had rendered me a bumbling idiot last time—filled my body with its heady aroma.
With my heart in my throat and my nerves climbing like a vine, I stepped into his suite with an outer confidence I was far from feeling. Especially when his essence hit me with such a potent intensity.
When I'd left his suite the last time, his aroma followed me like a hidden shadowy figure—lurking and ducking, determined to keep up with my quickening departure. With a clenched jaw, I'd focused on the decreasing numbers in the elevator, counting along as we passed each floor toward the underground car park.
His fragrance should have left my senses the further I traveled; yet the smell, the metaphoricaltasteof him, was still strong.It stalked me through the parking garage, swirling around me as I unlocked my door with trembling hands and slid my tense body onto the leather seat. The pine-scented car freshener barely registered as his fragrance overwhelmed my space. When I yanked my sun visor down to glare at myself in the mirror, I was stunned at the wild and panicked look in my widened eyes.
There was also another emotion I refused to acknowledge. One that had my nipples puckering and my panties damp. One that should only be reserved for my husband.
My foot slipped on the accelerator as I reversed out of my spot, almost veering into the parked cars behind. As I drove away, my gut had tightened with every mile I put between us. My throat was tight, and my nose turned pink. I felt…utterly bereft. Like a boat that had broken away from its anchor.
And yet, his scent lingered on, oddly comforting me.
