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“We have all the time in the world. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“I don’t know what to think of you.”
My jaw tightens because this could go either way for me. She’s still contemplating her thoughts, chewing on the very lip I’m usually thinking of having wrapped around my cock, but in this minute, I find that as an afterthought. Right now, she’s nervous, and clearly uneasy about telling me what has her all worked up, which puts me on edge like nothing has before.
“Tell me what that’s supposed to mean, Lex,” I instruct, and at the sound of my deepened voice, she lowers her eyes and does exactly that.
“Someone who wants to be in charge, wants to take care of things—all of the things. I’m not just talking about the protection. I mean, that’s your job and all, but really taking care of me, not just in the bedroom when it’s all about sex. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the sex was amazing, but this thing”—she points from me to herself—“it’s more.”
The tightness in my chest slowly eases. I pull the warmth of her body close, holding her against my chest. “It is more. You belong to me, Lex, and I take care of what is mine, in and out of the bedroom.”
Everything about this attraction of ours is too much, too soon, and so fucking intense. If I thought that would scare her off, it does just the opposite. She nuzzles into my chest and lets out a sigh of contentment as I brush the back of her hair with my hand.
“Mine,” I repeat and listen as her breathing changes, turning shallow. Moments later, it turns rhythmic, letting me know she’s fallen fast asleep, and hopefully content with the way things stand between us.
It’s so earlythe sun’s not even up over the horizon when I’m awakened by the buzz of my cell. I untangle myself from around Alexis, read the message, and kiss her gently on the forehead.
As she sleeps, her lips tip into a slight smile. I cover her with a light blanket before sliding into my pants and heading for the balcony to pound out a text.
Me: Give me a call when you can, Nick.
I’ve barely closed the door when my phone lights up with his tone.
I don’t wait for formalities. “I saw your text, and I need a favor.”
“Yeah, and does this have anything to do with the hot little stylist?”
My jaw clenches in irritation. “You keep your goddamn eyes to yourself.”
“Touchy, touchy, my man! I was kidding, you know, as in joking, my friend. Calm the fuck down.”
I let it go without a response. “Any update from the team in the States about Darwin?”
“I just checked in with the team, and they’ve seen absolutely nothing. It’s like he fell off the grid. The guys want to know how long they’re going to be needed on the case. They don’t think this guy is really gone any more than we do. I’d like them to stay on, at least for a while. Allie isn’t going to put up with staying at the hospital forever, and I’d feel better if we continue having someone watch the apartment with both of us out of the States.”
The tension from his comment about Alexis lessons immediately because now I know exactly what’s bothering him. He’s certainly not checking in with the crew to protect Lex because my lovely target is nowhere near her apartment and is instead sleeping soundly, exactly where I want her to be, and Nick doesn’t know a thing about her plan to return.
But Allie is still there. And Nick has completely taken charge of the crew currently, safeguarding the girls’ apartment. I hold back my teasing, deciding instead to cut him some slack since life is going so well for me. “We need to keep the team in place, Nick. That’s what I was calling about. I need to take Alexis back to the States for a few days. I told her about Jan, and she wants to go see her. I was hoping you could help cover for me.”
“Well, that doesn’t surprise me at all, and I’m happy to help. Just send me the details and give me a point by point on your plans for the next few days. I’ll take care of things here and keep things moving by phone and keyboard, at least until you get to New York.”
“Roger that.” I disconnect before heading to the shower to get ready for the day. When I come out of the bathroom, Alexis is sitting outside on the balcony in her robe. I send a text to Gaby to have a carafe of coffee and a light breakfast sent up.
A few moments later, she sends a response.
Gaby: Anything for the LUV birds! ??
I smirk in reply to her remark, and then I thank her. I’m not going to encourage her matchmaking because that woman certainly needs no help in that area.
I finish getting dressed, and there’s a knock on the door. Theresa, one of the wait staff, has arrived and is standing in the hallway with a large tray. “Thanks so much.” I take it from her and carry it out to the balcony.
Alexis beams. “Good morning,” she says, moving things out of the way on the table for the breakfast tray.
I pour us each an espresso and pass out the small plates that came with the tray before uncovering the freshly baked croissants, fruit, and cheese.
“This smells like absolute heaven,” she says, smiling up at me from behind her cup and long, natural lashes.
Not quite, but I keep my opinion to myself. I know exactly what heaven smells like because I’ve experienced it between her legs, but I don’t say a word. We have details to work out if we’re going to make the journey stateside, get in, see the woman who means the world to her, and make sure I’m where I need to be when things heat up with this Italian family shitstorm.
