“Alex, yes,” she moaned, licking her lips. “I want more.”
Our bodies fit perfectly together, so in tune with another. Ella met me thrust for thrust until we were both drenched in sweat. Her eyes were hazy with lust. My teeth gritted together, as heat spiked at the base of my spine.
Ella dug her fingers into my shoulders. “Ahhh, you feel so good,” she moaned, her thighs tightened around me.
I watched Ella as she went over the edge, her body going lax beneath mine. My eyes screwed shut and I let go, my orgasm charged through my veins. I dropped my forehead to her shoulder. “Holy fuck,” I groaned.
Lifting my head, my gaze met hers. Ella looked deep into my eyes demanding my attention. “In case you were uncertain, my answer is yes.” She pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my lips. “I’ll move in with you, Alex Robertsen.”
I smiled against her lips. “Good, I’m glad we had this talk.”
AS I PUSHED THE back of my earring on, I thought about Alex and his confessions—the relationship he had with Sasha and basically the fact that he was some kind of American bad ass version of James Bond. At least in my mind that was how I pictured it.
Fluffing the ends of my hair, I twirled large sections with my fingers to enhance the soft waves. One last look in the mirror and I slicked my lips with a pink gloss.
Those weren’t the only confessions of the evening. Alex had professed his love for me and had asked me to move in with him. There were no questions remaining, it was clear that he wanted a future with me. I wanted it all with him.
In the shower, Alex had explained that he told Dean he no longer wished to be given a paycheck. A few weeks ago, he instructed that all the money was to be split between the Connolly Campaign and the Robertsen Foundation. I learned his family had a trust that donated money to various organizations throughout the world.
The words echoed in my head.
“Why didn’t you take a paycheck, Alex?”
“This job, protecting you, it was never about the money. It was about me getting my life back on track. When I started to fall for you, it didn’t seem right taking payment.”
“You look fucking stunning.” Alex stepped into the bathroom and adjusted his sliver cufflinks.
I splashed some perfume on my wrist. “Me? What about you? You have a body designed for fine tailored threads.”
He smirked, and his hands slipped over my shoulders. “This dress . . . can we add a layer of fabric right here.” His index finger slid down my clavicle and landed in the space between my breasts. I was ready to rip the dress off and climb all over him again but this event, it was important.
“Nope, you can eat your heart out all night.”
“Change of plans. We make an appearance, dinner, a few drinks and I hand over the donation.” His fingers danced over the curve of my hip. “Two hours, tops. Then we come back here and I make love to you all fucking night.”
I laughed. “Aww, honey, it’s cute that you said, ‘make love.’ I didn’t know that term was in your vocabulary.”
He offered me his arm. “Fine, I’ll fuck you all night long. Better?”
I smiled, looping my arm with his. “I love you.” Three simple words, I was elated to say them out loud.
He kissed my cheek. “I love you, too.”
We almost made it to our table, but not before I heard a sweet feminine voice call out to him. “Hello, Alex.”
Turning, I was confronted by a very beautiful woman. She was tall and curvy in all the right places with gorgeous brown hair that fell in waves over her bare shoulders.
“Laura, hi,” Alex replied, before kissing her cheek.
She flashed a smile at me. “Hi, I’m Laura Bloom-Olsen.”
As I shook her hand Alex smoothed his hand up my back. “Laura, I’d like you to meet Ella Connolly.”
“So nice to meet you, Ella, I’m Sasha’s sister.” Her lip quirked up and she shook her head. “I apologize, Sasha was my sister. I never know how to address the relationship, especially at this event.”
Alex gave her a sympathetic smile. “It’s okay, Laura. Sasha is your sister and always will be.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I interjected politely. “I’m so honored to be here with all of you on this special night.”
“We hope to raise a lot of money this evening.” She nodded in the direction of the bar. “Well, don’t let me keep you, have a drink and enjoy yourselves.”
We exchanged goodbyes and then Laura skittered off to greet a small group of people at the door.
By the time the second hour of the party rolled around, Alex nor I seemed to care about rushing out. This gala gave me the opportunity to see the other side of him, Lieutenant Alex Robertsen, the man who served his country with pride. He spoke with such passion about what it meant to him to serve, but his interest in dedicating free time to veteran’s charities amazed me.
There was something in his voice that warmed my insides when he introduced me to his military family—Sully and Rebecca. There was no mistaking the three of them shared a strong bond.
As if I slipped into some alternate universe, I found myself surrounded by people who didn’t see me just as being Ronan Connolly’s little sister. Even though I had been asked about my brother and his movies, it didn’t consume the evening’s conversation. And there was no hint of anyone knowing about my past with David.
Alex carried on about all my accomplishments, informing them I was an international entrepreneur. Any nerves I had before settled and that was all because of him. I was stunned to find that people were interested in me and why I decided to start a business in the states. As a bonus, Rebecca’s wife, Sara, told me she would be making a special trip out to shop at my boutique.
During dinner, the trio of friends shared heartfelt memories of Sasha. More and more, I was fascinated by the affection they all regarded for Sasha, it was incredible. It made me feel as if I’d known her. Much like Alex, she wanted to serve her country rather than the family business. She was a lover of languages, fluent in French, Spanish, German and Arabic.
After dessert, I stole a moment for myself and walked around the ballroom admiring the tabletops decorated with large cylinder vases holding calla lilies, which I learned was Sasha’s favorite flower. Pretty silver frames adorned each table containing quotes from notable woman including Condoleezza Rice, Amy Poehler and even Coco Chanel.
Stepping out onto the patio, I absorbed the air of the gorgeous summer evening. The lights of Chicago were bright and the skyline held one of the prettiest views in the world.
“There you are.”
I turned to face Alex, feeling heat stretching across my cheeks. “I just wanted to check out this impressive view.”
“It doesn’t hold a candle to the stunning view I have,” he said, resting his hands on my waist.
My fingertips smoothed over the fabric of his shirt. “How’s it going in there?”
“The party is winding down. Sully, Rebecca, and a few of the guys invited us to play poker, but I told them we had other plans.”
“Poker, huh?”
He cocked a brow. “Do you play?”
“I may have played a time or two.”
“Well then, shall we adjourn to the after party?”
As he pressed his tall frame against my body, I stared back at those impossibly gorgeous hazel eyes searching my face. Before I could open my mouth to reply his lips were on mine, kissing me softly. My tongue slid across his, stroking it greedily.
“Alex,” I breathed. “I need to freshen up first. Meet me by the staircase?”
“You got it, sweetheart.” His hands came up and framed my face. “One more thing, I want to thank you for being here with me and celebrating Sasha’s life.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded. “Of course, thank you for inviting me. I really loved meeting your friends. Sasha was lucky to be loved so much.”
A wide bright smile crossed his face. “I love you.”
> “Say it again,” I whispered.
“I. Love. You.” He pressed his lips to mine.
There was a time in my life where I didn’t think happiness or love was a possibility for me again, but it ended when I met Alex. Despite my original plan to move to New York to make something for myself without the complications of a relationship, I’d managed to fall in love. Not only that, but I’d fallen for someone who supported me and my dreams.
When I reached the ladies’ room, I leaned against the cool tile. My body was all hot and tingly from kissing Alex. After taking a moment to collect myself, I sat at a vanity and applied some lipstick. At the sound of heels clacking onto the marble floor, my eyes drifted to the door. Laura appeared and sauntered my way, the fabric of her red gown floating elegantly with every step she took.
“Hey, Ella,” she said, taking a seat next to me. “Look, I just wanted to tell you that Alex seems very happy.”
My brows crinkled. “I’d hope so, but what are you getting at exactly?”
“No, please,” she began, her palms crossed over her chest. “I didn’t mean for that to come off in a negative way. I just wanted to let you know that my sister, she loved Alex very much. Did Alex tell you that the two of them had a relationship?”
Straightening my shoulders, I nodded. “Yes, he told me how much Sasha meant to him. I feel very lucky to have been included in tonight’s event. I could tell that your sister was an amazing person.”
“This night stirs up so many memories and feelings,” she sighed, fanning her face with both hands. “When they were on leave, or in between missions, I honestly don’t know what to call it. I met Sasha in Berlin and that is when she introduced me to Alex. They didn’t say one way or another, but I gathered they were in the same line of work.”
“Oh, so you know about Elite Eight?” I whispered the question, treading lightly.
I kept looking around the ladies’ room, for cameras or people listening in on our conversation. All the while hoping to God that Laura and I weren’t divulging military secrets. I had a feeling I was going to have some freaky dreams over the next few nights.
“Yes, half the room out there thinks my sister died in a military training exercise but there is so much more to it. Instead of worrying about one person in Elite Eight, I suddenly had two.” She cleared her throat and used her index fingers to swipe away the tears.
My heart went out to her. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you. Keeping that part of your sister’s life a secret and then realizing Alex was in the same situation.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry, I am such a mess right now.”
“It’s the powder room,” I replied softly, handing her a tissue. “I am sure this place has seen its fair share of tears. No apology needed.”
She laughed, dabbing her eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that my sister loved him so much and I haven’t seen him happy in a long time. I know Sasha would be thrilled he’s found love again.”
Startled by her words, I took a deep breath. “You can see that Alex loves me?”
“Absolutely, he’s totally taken with you.” She clasped my hand in hers. “Alex has never brought anyone to the gala. We host this event every year and he shows up with a donation, has one drink and then leaves. He’s never stayed.”
A thousand emotions flickered inside me at her admission. My mind carried me back to the conversation I had with Alex, he had just told me he loved me and wanted me to move in with him. I had known for a little while that I loved him, but to have the outside world take notice that made my heart melt.
“YOU HELD YOUR OWN during poker. I still can’t believe you took Sully for two hundred bucks,” I called over my shoulder.
She laughed through deep breaths as we ran along one of the dirt roads outside The Harbour. “He was very sweet about losing, and a worthy opponent.”
I shifted and started to run backwards. “I enjoyed watching you put him through the paces. It was very sexy.”
She blew me a kiss. “Turn around, baby, I love watching your tight ass whilst we run.”
Shaking my head, I turned back around giving her what she wanted. I loved her dirty mind. The morning sun poured through the overgrown trees and the breeze whipped over the tall grasses that lined the road. For whatever reason, Ella had started running with me, and while I enjoyed having her along, it was proving to be quite distracting. I began running in front of her, because watching her tits bounce and the sway of her ass along with her breathing all reminded me of sex.
Running with a semi chub is not recommended.
Even though we’d been back in The Harbour for a few days, the past weekend was fresh on my mind. Telling Ella I loved her and asking her to move in, it all felt right, more right than I ever anticipated. Not only that, but she loved me.
Sweat trickled down my chest and I slowed my pace. I was pretty far ahead of Ella.
“You okay back there?”
She waved me on and pointed to her ears. I picked up my pace again, feeling the burn in my lungs. Looking at my watch, I noted we had logged about five miles and we had two more to go. Speaking of two, we had just over two weeks until the grand opening of her boutique.
There was no word from Charlie and all was quiet while we had been in Chicago. But quiet wasn’t what we wanted anymore, at least where our relationship was concerned. When we returned, Ella called and invited her brother over for brunch and that was when we planned to tell him about the two of us. Unfortunately, Ronan was out of town filming a movie and wouldn’t be back until a few days before her boutique opened. That suited me just fine, I was totally okay with having a few more days to prepare what I’d say to him about shacking up with his little sister over the last few months.
Pushing forward, my quads vibrated with superb agony. I nearly gave myself whiplash at the roar of an engine and gravel crunching underneath rubber. A maroon colored van barreled down the dirt road heading straight for Ella. I sprinted towards her, waving my arms for her to get out the way. “Ella! Move!”
I was about a hundred feet from her, but the van was closer. “Lookout behind you!”
Shrugging, she slowed her pace and took out her earbuds. She stopped completely and then turned around upon hearing the sound of the engine and gears grinding.
“Oh shit!” Ella kicked up and started to run towards me.
My calves ached, and my chest shook as I pushed myself faster to get to her. “Hey, motherfucker! Slow down!”
The van increased its speed, chasing Ella sending dust swirling and swallowing her up. My feet slipped from beneath me, but I managed to keep my balance.
The dust cloud thinned, and I rubbed the sweat out of my eyes. “Hey, asshole, get the fuck out of here!”
Still, I couldn’t see anything, but I heard the van come to a stop and start spinning its tires. The passenger window was tinted, blocking me from seeing who was inside. The insane driver revved the engine, and through the dust I searched for any sign of Ella.
Please be all right.
Seconds felt like minutes.
“Ella, call out to me, sweetheart!”
As I slammed my hands down over the hood, I felt the rumbling of the engine. “Do we have business, asshole?”
The engine revved again. My eyes focused on the driver, wearing a black shirt and dark sunglasses, his passenger wore red shirt with a zigzag pattern. Mentally, I took in every single detail I could before the driver sped backwards down the road. The word Ford was splashed across the grill.
The license plate. Fuck!
I charged towards the left side of the road calling out for Ella. As I got closer, my worst fears hit me, seeing her long legs unmoving. My heart slammed against my chest.
“Alex,” she cried out softly.
“Goddamnit, careless fuckers, what have they done to you?” My throat went dry.
Ella lay in the tall grass, coughing and struggling to push up on her hands. She jerked her head towards the road and suck
ed in a deep breath.
“Hold on, sweetheart. I got you.” I pushed her hair away from her face, and then lifted her into my arms. She snaked her arms around my neck.
“Do you think you can stand?”
She nodded and I helped set her feet to the ground. “Who were they?” She winced, clutching her side.
“I don’t know, probably some townies looking for trouble.” I shook my head, trying to stay calm and keep my anger at bay. But rage filled my veins. I should have been watching out for her. To keep her safe, I should have been behind her, eyes wide open.
“Gold license plate,” she mumbled. “FAA, those were the first three letters.”
I turned to face her, noticing the cut on her arm. “What?”
“I’m sorry FAA, the color gold and it said Empire State on the bottom; that was all I saw.”
“Babe, you did good.”
She looked up at me, smiling and her blue eyes were bright. “I did?”
Sighing heavily, I kissed her temple. “Come on, let’s get you to the hospital and make sure that you’re okay.”
Back and forth, I paced across the same section of carpeting in the waiting room, feeling my nerves combusting with every single step.
One of the nurses urged me to take a seat. Leaning back in the chair, my legs bounced up and down nervously. I could feel Ella everywhere, deep in my bones, on my skin, and in my heart. Exhaling a deep breath, my eyes screwed shut tight.
Every time I closed my eyes, my mind ricocheted from Ella lying on ground to Sasha bleeding out on the warehouse floor. I swallowed the lump in my throat and scrubbed my hands down my face. Adrenaline coursed through my entire body, vibrating with tension. I wanted to slam my fists into a wall to ease the pain.
Fuck. Another woman I loved was suffering because of my inept ability to look out for her.
As I waited impatiently, I pulled out my phone and made more notes—the color of the van, the license plate information and the weak description of the two people inside. I swiped Patrick’s name and sent him a message.
Me: Sending you some information. I need anything you can tell me about this vehicle.
Bound to Me (The Harbour Series Book 1) Page 18
