Alexandra blanketed her mom’s hand with her own. “We haven’t hung out together in a long time. I’ve missed that. Plus, my life in LA isn’t going anywhere.” Rising from the table, she stacked their dinner plates. “How about this? When you have a clean bill of health and go back to work, I’ll get out of your hair and return toCalifornia.”
Although Kimberly’s lips lifted, her eyes grew sad. “Deal.”
As Alexandra loaded the dishwasher, she blinked back the moistness from her eyes. She wanted to scream,tell me the damned truth, but Mituses never discussed anything with her. Even now, Alexandra didn’t dare discuss her mom’s ill health for fear of upsetting her. She made a mental note to talk to Colton. No doubt, Kimberly had confided inhim.
Ten minutes later, her mom dozed on the sofa, the unread Washington Post blanketing her chest. While waiting for the night nurse, Alexandra curled into the comfy recliner and watched the evening news. When it ended, she perused the pictures of masked men on Incognito’swebsite.
While at Provocateur, she’d enjoyed a variety of kink partners. And she had every intention of doing the same thing at her new club, too. Until Hunter. As she stared at his photo, his steely blue eyes sent a rush of heat down her neck, her chest. Her insides clenched.That man can screw. And talk about eyecandy.
The overwhelming need to be in his arms had her squirming in the chair. Not only was he hot, he was fantastic at taking care of her needs.And damned good at role-playing,too.
She tapped the “Request a Connection” button.One more time, then I’ll branch out.Three rooms were available the following evening. After choosing the “Pick-Up”, she sent him a personalizedmessage.
“Hello, Hunter. Meet me in the lounge where we’ll begin our exciting evening of wild fun. Where does our evening end? It ends inme.”
She sent the invitation, tidied up the kitchen and roused her mom to help her get ready forbed.
Kimberly woke confused and swatted Alexandra away. “I don’t want your help. You need to give mespace.”
Alexandra sat on the floor next to the sofa. “I want to help you,Mom.”
“No, no.” Kimberly pushed herself into a sitting position. “I’mindependent.”
“I know that, but we all need a little assistance every now andthen.”
“No! Idon’t!”
Alexandra flinched. Her mother never lost hercool.
Knock, knock,knock.
Alexandra welcomed Tamara in. “She’s having a rough time, tonight,” Alexandra said while hanging Tamara’s coat in the frontcloset.
“What’s going on?” asked thenurse.
“She’s resistingme.”
“I see this a lot. Your mom isn’t ready to give up her independence. I help her in ways she doesn’trealize.”
“Like?”
“I ask her which nightgown she wants to wear. I let her choose between water or juice.” Tamara’s rueful smile reflected Alexandra’s feelings. “It helps that I’m not family. If it’s any consolation, she talks about you and your brother all the time. Cancer is a toughone.”
“I can’t help her if she’s fighting me on this. What would yousuggest?”
“Speak to heroncologist.”
“Maybe you could fill in the blanks until I dothat.”
The nurse shook her head. “I can’t discuss details about Kimberly’shealth.”
With a light hand on the nurse’s shoulder, Alexandra said, “Of course. Thanks for taking such good care of mymom.”
“Tamara, is that you?” Kimberlycalled.
“Coming, Miss Kimberly,” calledTamara.
The two women entered the livingroom.
