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“Well, help is here.”
Ivan’s voice rose in volume. “Get away from me!”
She pulled Albert toward the front entrance. “Will you please do me a favor? Can you go outside and tell the people Mr. Kray will be all right?”
“What do I say is wrong with him?”
“Just tell them the situation is under control. They can go back to their own business, now.”
He shot an uncertain glance at the retreating mob. “I’ll radio security and give them the message.”
She patted his shoulder. “Thank you.”
Damage control would have to wait for tomorrow when she and Ivan had decided what to tell the media, because Ivan’s performance leaking to the press was a given. Gossip magazines paid hefty amounts for information like this.
Satisfied that the external situation was under control, she turned her full focus on Ivan, approaching him slowly not to startle him.
“Careful, miss,” Albert warned. “He throws a mean punch.”
“Don’t worry. I can handle him.”
When she stopped in front of Ivan, he lifted his head. His mismatching eyes were wild, and his mouth was pulled into a thin line. Perspiration covered his forehead.
“It’s Alice,” she said softly.
Recognition registered in his gaze. A mixture of pain and relief washed over his features. She knew he hated for her to see him like this, but the tormenting voices seemed to calm in her presence. Opening her arms wide, she took the last step and pulled him into an embrace. He crushed her against his chest.
“Alice,” he whispered in her hair, saying her name like it was his salvation. “Alice, I need you.”
They stayed like that for a moment before she gently detangled herself from his grasp.
“Let’s go upstairs.” She took a step in the direction of the elevator, but Ivan jerked her back.
“I can’t go up there.” He grabbed his head between his hands. “I don’t want to be inside.”
“Shh.” She rubbed a finger over his temple. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the crowd had been cleared. It would only be a matter of time before new spectators showed up to witness Ivan’s strange behavior. She had precious seconds to come to a decision.
Making up her mind, she nodded. “Fine, we’re not going upstairs, but you can’t stay here in the lobby. I’m taking you to my place.” She eyed his naked torso. “I need to get you some clothes. Will you be quiet while you wait, or will you come with me?”
He shook his head, already backtracking. “Hurry.”
She held out her hand. “Give me your keys.”
“It’s open.”
Alice didn’t waste time in going through his wardrobe. She grabbed the first T-shirt, jacket, socks, and shoes she laid her hands on, locked the door, and made her way back to the lobby.
When she got there, Ben and Donald had arrived. They stood aside, their faces tight.
“We just got here,” Ben said. “Came as soon as Kate called.”
Alice thrust the clothes at them. “Help me get these on him.”
She pushed Ivan into a chair. Ben approached gingerly with a sock dangling between his thumb and forefinger, but Ivan uttered a sound close to a growl.
Alice kneeled in front of Ivan. “Don’t worry, Ben. Leave it to me.”
Lifting Ivan’s arms to pull the T-shirt over his head, she dressed him as fast as she could. All done, she turned to Donald, who looked on speechless.
“I’m taking him to my house. Can you drop us by car?”
“Of course.”
Albert indicated a side door that led to the back. “Go this way.”
Alice hooked her arm around Ivan’s waist and steered him to the exit, but Ben held her back.
“Are you safe with him?”
She gave him an irritated look. “Very.” Ivan would never physically harm her. Spank her, maybe, but that was for pleasure.
She seated Ivan at the back and slid in next to him while Donald took the wheel and Ben the front passenger seat. Ivan cupped his ear when they hit the traffic, but she pulled his head down in her lap and drew gentle circles over his temples.
After a while, his body turned slack. She smoothed her palm over the short, coarse hair of his beard. “Everything’s going to be all right,” she said more to herself than to him.
Only Alice could sooth him like this. Ivan lay with his head in her lap in the back of the car, looking up at the circle of light that made a rainbow around her face. Goddammit, she was beautiful. Now more than ever. Her body was fuller and softer, and her face had gentle laugh lines and the radiance of an angel. The bun she coiled so tightly at the nape of her neck only added fuel to his fire. With her conservative dresses and brown-rimmed glasses, she looked like a fantasy walking straight from his wet dream. That schoolmistress look made him want to do things to her, things that made his cock hard.
