by Linda Verji
As soon as they were done talking to the officers, Lex and Freddie left the apartment. Thankfully, his car hadn’t been towed off and was still in front of the building where he’d left it. Once in the car, Freddie laid her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. By her frown, it was obvious that she was in pain. Pursing his lips, Lex started the car.
With Freddie resting and silence having descended in the car, Lex got lost in his thoughts as he drove. Of course Wesley and how he wished he could’ve done more damage to the man dominated his thoughts. However, he wondered why Freddie had gone to her ex’s house alone.
From the moment Lex had met Wesley, the man had emitted psycho-vibes that were so loud no one could miss them. The way Wesley had grabbed and dragged Freddie around the restaurant said he was a man who couldn’t stand not getting his way and was okay using force to get it. How had Freddie not seen it? She should’ve called Lex or someone else to go with her to get her bracelet.
He glanced at her. Though her eyes were closed, she was still frowning, as if in pain. This wasn’t the time to scold her for her foolhardy actions. He turned back to the road.
Freddie didn’t notice where he was going until the car stopped. When she opened her eyes and realized that they were right in front of Wilmore General Hospital, her eyes went wide with panic. “What are we doing here?”
“You need to get checked out,” Lex answered shortly.
“I already did.” She added, “And even if I hadn’t, you know we can’t go in there. Both my mom and Ari work there. What if they see us?”
“I don’t care.” He reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt for her but she immediately slapped his hand away.
“I’ve already had enough drama tonight.” She made a face. “I don’t need more. If they see us, it will be a whole thing.”
“We need to get you checked out,” Lex insisted.
“The doctor already said it was just a minor concussion,” Freddie countered. But the dogged glare that Lex gave her left no doubt that he wasn’t budging. She was going to get checked out. With a sigh, she surrendered, “Fine. But not here. Let’s go to UHealth.”
Frankly, one of her family members seeing them right now was the least of their worries. Lex briefly considered just carrying her into the hospital but realized that it would only agitate her further and maybe even worsen her injury. He started the car again.
Freddie settled back in her seat with her eyes closed. Moments later, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Confused, Lex turned to her. “Sorry for what?”
She opened her eyes and offered him a wan smile. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to watch our movie.”
He was sorry too. The whole week he’d looked forward to their date, so much so that he’d even arrived at their meeting point thirty minutes before their appointed time. It was too bad that Wesley had ruined what was supposed to be a memorable night. Fresh anger sputtered through Lex, but he didn’t show it as he reached over to squeeze Freddie’s hand. “It’s okay.”
It took less than fifteen minutes to get to the next hospital. As soon as they got there, Lex took Freddie to the emergency room. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long for them to see a doctor. Lex stayed in the room while she got examined. Since the doctor wanted to check if she had any other physical injuries because of the scramble with Wesley, Freddie was forced to change into a hospital gown.
Seeing her in a hospital gown was a stark reminder of everything that had happened and everything that could have happened. What if Wesley had done more than just lock her up in his bedroom? What if their scramble had led to more than just a knock in the head? What if Lex hadn’t gotten there in time? What if-
“I’m okay,” Freddie cut off his morbid thoughts. By the look in her eyes as she took him in from her position on the examination bed, it was clear that she knew what he was thinking about. Smiling, she repeated, “I’m okay.”
Though Lex forced himself to smile back, he couldn’t get rid of the stone that seemed to have settled in his throat as he watched her get examined. After careful examination and endless questions, the diagnosis was the same. With adequate rest, fluids and painkillers, she’d be just fine.
When Freddie went to the changing room to change back into her clothes, Lex followed her in. Before she could even get out of her clothes, Lex drew her into his arms. Despite both doctors’ diagnosis, he still needed reassurance that she was fine. The only way to get that was to hold her close and feel her heart beating against his.
He didn’t know how long they stood in each other’s arms, but soon he heard Freddie sniffle against his chest. Was she crying? Immediately, he pulled back to look at her face. Her eyes were red and watery, and tears were streaming down her cheeks. The sight sent a shard of pain straight to his heart. She reached up to wipe off the tears, but he got to them first.
Brushing her wet cheeks with both palms, he asked, “Why are you crying?”
“I don’t know,” she said as more tears slid down her cheeks.
He immediately brought her back into his body for comfort. This was probably a delayed reaction to everything that had happened. He could only imagine how scared she’d been, fighting with a man who had almost twice her strength. This was one of those moments when he wished he knew what to say, but he didn’t. All he could whisper was soft apologies as he soothed his hands over her hair and back.
When her sniffles quieted, he drew her away from his body. “Let’s get you dressed.”
Once she stripped off the gown, he helped her back into her dress and jacket. Her heels were a little too high for her to wear in her current state so Lex left the room to find her an alternative. Fortunately, there were slippers in the gift-shop. He bought her a pair then dropped by the pharmacy to get the drugs the doctor had prescribed. As soon as he came back, they left the hospital.
“Can I stay at your place tonight?” Freddie asked once they were in the car.
Was that a question? Of course she was staying at his place. He hadn’t even considered otherwise. He gave her a curt nod.
CHAPTER 14
The following morning, Freddie woke up first, only to find Lex wrapped around her again. This time there was no panic or frantic wondering about what to do next. Smiling, she carefully turned to face him.
When awake, Lex always seemed mysterious, like a man with many hidden corners and secrets the world would be shocked to find out about. But in his sleep, he was almost boyish. His features were much softer. A few strands of his unruly hair teased against his handsome face, and the lines that usually creased his brow had been replaced by youthful nonchalance.
She lifted onto one elbow to better watch him. He looked so peaceful, nothing like the feral man who’d attacked Wesley the previous night. Looking at him now, no one could believe that he was capable of hurting a fly let alone breaking a man’s nose. Frankly, she’d been surprised by his fury. She’d known him for more than fifteen years, and not once had she seen him raise his voice let alone fight with someone. And it was all because of her.
A part of her felt guilty. If she hadn’t gone to Wesley’s, Lex wouldn’t have had to save her. But most of her was just grateful; grateful to be alive, grateful to have someone like Lex who was willing to protect her so ferociously. Tentatively, she traced her finger over the bridge of his high nose. He didn’t even stir. His chest lifting and falling evenly, he slept on.
Before last night she hadn’t been sure of her feelings about him, but now she was sure. She liked him. How could she not like him after everything he’d done? Except for her father and brother, no other man had ever been this protective of her. After seeing how well he’d taken care of her last night when they came back from the hospital, how tenderly he’d held her all night without demanding any intimacy, was it even possible for her not to be half in love with him?
Now she was really curious about how he really felt about her. She didn’t want to fall even more into him if he didn’t feel the same way.
Last night, she’d traded her dress for one of Lex’s t-shirts. Since it was long enough to cover all the important bits, she opted to keep it on. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she left the bedroom. Once in the living room, she went straight for her phone. There was a missed call from Wesley’s manager, but none from her family. That meant that her altercation with Wesley hadn’t made it into the news, right? Just to be sure, she checked the usual suspects; TMZ, Perez Hilton, ONTD… Thankfully, there was nothing anywhere. Wesley’s people must have taken care of it.
Relieved, she headed to the kitchen. After everything Lex had done for her, the least she could do was make him breakfast. There wasn’t much in his fridge, just eggs and bacon. Thankfully, the number to the local supermarket was pinned on the fridge. Fifteen minutes later, the groceries she’d ordered were delivered, and she set about cooking for him.
She was so busy scrambling eggs that she didn’t even hear him walk into the kitchen. It was only when she felt arms come around her waist that she jumped in surprise.
“You scared me,” she gasped as she turned her head slightly so she could see his face.
“Sorry.” Grinning, Lex set his chin on her shoulder. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She turned back to her cooking. Her gaze on the eggs she was scrambling, she said, “You should’ve slept a little more. I’m not done with breakfast.”
“It smells good,” he complimented. Brushing his palm over her injured shoulder, he asked, “How are you feeling? Still in pain?”
“No.” She rolled the shoulder around to show him. Despite the small twinge, she grinned. “See. All fine.”
“What about your head?”
“The painkillers worked,” she assured him. “I don’t feel anything.”
“You sure?” he asked as he brought his arms back around her waist.
She offered him another smile. “I’m sure.”
“Good.” He kissed her temple then brought his arms high up her torso until they were brushing against the underside of her breast. It was obvious where this was going.
“No.” She shoved his arms lower down her torso with the hand that wasn’t holding the skillet. “I’m not done cooking.”
Though he didn’t move his arms back to her breasts, Lex clung to her as she finished cooking. When she moved to pour the eggs on a plate that was sitting on the island, he moved with her. When she started on the bacon, he moved even closer behind her, letting her feel his already burgeoning erection as his arms tightened around her waist. Instantly, her body responded in kind, heating up.
“Ugh!” She shoved him away. “You’re distracting me.”
However, when she turned to glare at him, he swooped down and caught her lips in a bruising kiss that left her breathless and yearning for more. By the time he tore his lips from her, she was panting. Frustrated, she glowered at him. All she got in return was a mischievous grin before he finally moved away from her to sit at the island.
After all his teasing, she was left so frustrated that when she finally set his breakfast in front of him she bent down for a kiss. It was as if he’d been waiting for just that because he took immediate control of the kiss. Pulling her forward until she was standing between the v of his legs, he deepened the kiss. His mouth was slow and searching, his tongue engaging hers in teasing strokes. Moaning, she kissed him back and slid her arms over his shoulders. However, when his hands settled on the back of her naked thighs and began to creep up, she ended the kiss.
“No, no, we should stop.” She forcefully took his hands off her body.
He gave her a sad puppy look as if to ask why.
“You’ll be late for work,” she explained.
He grinned. “It’s Sunday.”
When he tried to grab her again, she immediately skirted away. “Doesn’t matter. You should still eat first. You didn’t have anything to eat last night. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“No, I’m-” The hungry growl of his tummy cut off his denial. Sheepishly, he admitted, “Maybe I am.”
“Told you.” Giggling, Freddie went to get her own plate.
All the members of her family were so noisy that mealtimes were always a rowdy affair. However, eating with someone who was so quiet was… not as awkward as expected. It was strange, but interesting. Lex was such a mysterious box that she found herself watching him as they ate to guess what he was thinking and if he liked the food.
“What?” he suddenly asked as he met her eyes.
“Hmm?” Her eyebrows rose in question.
“You’re staring at me,” he informed her.
“I was?” She hadn’t even noticed. Smiling, she said, “Just wondering.”
“Wondering what?”
“What’s going on in there?” She pointed to his brain with her fork. “Must be a lot of stuff.”
“Nah!” He laughed. “Not much.”
“I doubt it.” She changed the subject. “So Lex, since we both don’t have to go to work, what are we doing today?”
“What do you want to do?”
Smiling seductively, she leaned towards him. “Weeell…”
Thirty minutes later, Lex sighed in frustration. “I can’t believe that all you want to do is watch a movie.”
“Hey, we missed ours yesterday. I just want to make up for it,” she soothed as she dragged him down the hall. “Besides, we haven’t tried out your theater room yet.”
He yanked her back until her body slammed into his. She gasped at the delicious contact and pressed her balled fists to his hard chest to keep him from tempting her even further. He lowered his head until he was just a few centimeters away from her mouth, until he was almost kissing her. His breath whispering against her lips, he offered, “I can think of better ways to try it out besides watching a movie.”
“No way!” Despite the heat already circling her sense, she pealed his arms from her. “I want to watch a movie.”
His theater room was large enough to fit at least six people. Black, comfortable, leather armchairs faced a large screen, and there was even a snack and soda machine in the corner of the room.
Freddie deliberately chose a psychological thriller about a carnivorous serial killer. Not because she actually liked thrillers (she was more of a romantic comedy girl), but because she knew that Lex liked his movies to have murder and mayhem. However, instead of watching the movie he kept watching her and playing with her hand. At first she ignored it but when it got to be too much, she turned to him.
“Is the movie boring?” she asked. “Should I pick another one?”
He shook his head. “The movie’s okay.”
“Then why do you keep staring at me.”
He shrugged then smiled. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
Those simple words sent indescribable thrill fluttering through her, like butterflies dancing in her stomach. She leaned over to kiss him. “I’m happy I’m here too.”
Without warning, he snatched her from her seat and into his lap.
“Lex,” she protested as she tried to keep some of her weight off him. “I’m too heavy.”
“No, you’re not,” he mumbled before bringing her head to rest on his shoulder.
At first Freddie sat gingerly on him, but soon she relaxed into his body. Though the movie was still playing, neither of them was actually watching it. They were more interested in getting lost in each other. Freddie drew little circles on his chest, inhaled his clean masculine scent and savored the feel of his breath whispering against her hair and his fingers lightly brushing her thigh and arm.
“Freddie?” Lex called just as she was drifting into slumber.
“Hmm?”
“Are you really not going to press charges?”
“Huh?”
Confused, she sat up to meet his eyes. “Press charges? Against…. Oh!” She finally got it. “Against Wesley?”
Lex nodded.
“No. I’m not.” She started to settle back against Lex but he stopped her.
Frowning, he prodded, “Why not?”
“I told you.” She shrugged. “Too much drama.”
“That’s not a good reason,” he grimly informed her.
Maybe it wasn’t, but it was how she felt. There was a reason why she worked in a morgue instead of in the hospital that her grandparents had built. She didn’t like the attention that came with fame. It was why she’d readily accepted Wesley’s lies about not wanting to expose her to the public, because she didn’t want to be out there either.
“He won’t come after me again,” she hedged.
“You don’t know that.” Lex was more serious than she’d ever seen him as he added, “He could come back and do something worse.”
“He won’t,” she stubbornly insisted. “It’s not like he and I will meet again.”
The look Lex gave her was more disbelieving than anything he could’ve said.
“I’m sure this won’t happen again,” she insisted, hoping that Lex would just drop the subject. But he didn’t.
“How are you sure?” Lex asked.
The question stumped her, and she didn’t have an answer to it. The look in Lex’s eyes said that he knew she couldn’t answer the question.
Frustrated, she got off his lap and settled back in her seat. “Can we just go back to watching the movie?”
Lex didn’t say anything but she could feel the disapproval in his gaze as he watched her. She tried to ignore it, tried to pretend that she was actually watching the movie. When that didn’t work, she whirled around to face him again.
“What now?” she snapped angrily.
Lex watched her silently for a moment before saying, “I don’t understand you.”
Neither did she at times.
He stared at her for another long while before asking, “Why did you go to Wesley’s house alone anyway?” He added, “You could’ve asked me, your brother or Winter to go with you.”
