Page 47 of Stranger to Love

Holly sat upright, her gaze searching mine. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Of course I am.” I flashed her my best cocky grin.

She beamed, pressing a soft kiss to my clean cheek. I chuckled. “Careful, sweetheart, you’ll start giving me ideas.”

She smirked, giggling as her lips brushed my cheek a second time. “You wish.”

I laughed, playfully nudging her back. Mia pushed off the couch, glancing down at her watch. “Right, come on, time to move. Slowly!” she instructed, taking my arm to haul me off the cushions.

I took her advice, unsteady as a wave of dizziness hit the second I hit my feet. Thank fuck I hadn't been drinking that night. I squeezed Holly in a quick goodbye hug by the club exit before letting Mia steer me up the stairwell. Fuck me, the music was deafening, the lights throbbing behind my eyelids. I could have cried; it felt like absolute hell. Steve held the door at the top, but I was so fucking pissed off at him I couldn't bring myself to make eye contact. I hoped he’d broken that guy’s legs that time.

Stepping out onto the street, I caught sight of Dr. Carter leaning against her car. She looked far more rigid than usual, drawing up taller the moment she spotted me. Her arms uncrossed from her chest, her fingers twitching at her sides. Mia pressed a kiss to the top of my head and guided me across the pavement. I kept the icy towel pinned to my face.

When I stopped in front of her, she immediately reached out to steady my arms, scanning me with a sharp, assessing gaze. She shot a look past me, and Mia backed off, whispering, “Remember what I said, Lex.” I simply nodded.

I felt like a total idiot. Here was my drop-dead sexy lecturer—the same woman who’d sucked my neck the night before—rescuing me from work because some dickhead slammed me into a wall. Softening completely, her hand cupped mine, gently peeling the makeshift ice pack away from my temple. Her eyes were pitch black, the pupils completely blown out.

“Darling,” she asked, her tone eerily serene. “What happened?”

I swallowed and cleared my throat, the sharp jolt of pain making me wince. Her grip over mine tightened. I let out a heavy breath. “That guy who tried to take Holly home came back. I stepped in, and he shoved me against the wall.” I cringed. “And, well... you can see how that went.”

A tic worked in her jaw before she spoke with terrifying composure. “The same man that hit you in the face?”

I bit my lip. “The very one.” I tried to laugh it off, but the attempt landed flat and pathetic.

She gave a single nod, her expression strained with forced control. She steered me around to the passenger side, ensuring I was buckled in securely with the ice repositioned over the lump on my head. Shutting the door with quiet restraint, she spared me from the slam—knowing full well how violently my head was throbbing.

And it fucking was.

I watched her walk back around the car, but instead of shedding her trench coat and climbing in, she stormed right back toward the bar.

What the fuck was she doing?

I sat up a little too fast, and god, my head spun instantly. Squinting through the dizziness, I tracked her path—and found her practically nose-to-nose with Steve. Oh shit, I’d never seen him look so small. Sure, he towered over her—even with her height and those heels—but he was genuinely cowering. It was surreal to witness.

Then she spun on her heel, striding back toward the vehicle. She fluidly slipped out of her trench coat, revealing what she’d changed into since uni: a form-fitting black dress that managed to stay professional while remaining utterly breathtaking. She eased into the driver's seat, pulling the door shut with quiet precision.

She didn't spare me a glance as the engine turned over. After watching the way she’d just cornered Steve, I couldn't even muster a quippy remark. Embarrassment over the entire scene settled heavy over me, leaving my mind a complete blur.

We drove in silence, and when we got to Heeley Street, she pulled up in the usual spot and finally turned to me.

“Alex,”

I’d never heard her say my name so gently.

“Do you have someone to look after you at home?” She asked, her face soft and worried.

I hesitated—because yeah, I did, but I had zero intention of waking my parents up. All I wanted was to crash in bed and deal with my throbbing head in the morning. I sighed, finally meeting her gaze. “I live with my parents.”

She nodded, unbuckling to move. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

“No!” I reached out, my fingers catching her arm, but snatched my hand right back like I’d been burned. Fuck, the sudden movement felt like someone had whacked my skull with a hammer all over again. I clutched my head, squeezing my eyes shut against the sharp spike of agony.

You fucking idiot.

She couldn't. I couldn't let her walk me to the doorstep. Absolutely not happening. The situation was mortifying enough without her discovering where I actually lived.

“Alex!”