Page 53 of With Wine Comes War

“Well, that makes sense.” She started laughing as she yawned. I knew we were at the end of this tete-a-tete.

“How about if we go to bed now and I make you breakfast in the morning. Then we can discuss our living situation for the next two weeks.”

She nodded her head and held her hands out for me to help her up.

I walked her into the bedroom then realized that we left her bags in the car. I got her one of my t-shirts and watched her struggle to getchanged. She pushed me away when I tried to help her, so I went and took a quick shower so I could get out of these clothes.

She was fast asleep when I finished up in the bathroom. I climbed in next to her and wrapped myself around her, skimming my fingers down the length of her arm pushing her hair out of the way and softly kissing her cheek. I relaxed knowing that I had this beautiful woman with me for the next two weeks. I knew I would have to work hard to help her know she was safe with me after everything that’s happened and now being practically thrust into living with me. I love her just as much knowing all those things she just told me, though and loving her is so easy to convey. At least I now know that this is the life she wants– with me.

***

ALEX

Woah…that was a good dream for once. Relaxing by the beach with a bottle of water while reading a book.Does that mean I need another vacation already?I would love one, but I have too much to do.

I stretched my arms wide but felt emptiness beside me. I was alone in the bed and there was a bottle of water and a couple of Advil tablets on the nightstand. He knew me well. I liked that. I also remembered what I said to him last night and I took a deep breath trying to relax my mind and figure out what I was going to say if he started asking questions. But first things first this morning, and that was a shower. I rolled over and got up slowly, so my head didn’t hurt so bad, and popped a couple pills and gulped some water to wash them down.

I saw my bags by the bathroom door, grabbed them and headed in. The shower cure was just what I needed to melt the tension out of mybody and give me time to think of an excuse for the things I said last night. The aroma of coffee and bacon hit me as I got out and dried off, wrapping his robe snugly around me as I was deliriously transported to the kitchen where I found a nice scene. Roman was at the kitchen island reading something on his laptop. There was coffee, bagels with cream cheese and bacon waiting for me. It was like he was reading my mind.

He looked up and said, “Good morning. I thought you could use a little something greasy to soak up the alcohol. I hear that helps.” I walked right over, ran my fingers through his hair and kissed him softly on the lips. I hope that distracted him from last night's conversation.

“You have no idea how much this helps.” He wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled his face into my neck. I heard him let out a big sigh that sounded a bit frustrated.

He gazed into my eyes and hesitantly said, “I’m glad.” It seemed like he wanted to say something else, but he refrained for some reason. I sat down next to him, and we ate breakfast with a slow mellow assortment of classical music playing in the background.

“So, is there anything you want to do today?” He muttered as he went back to reading the news on his computer.

“Well, I have training from 5:00-6:30 tonight and then we’re still going clubbing, remember?” I knew he hated the idea, and I rolled my lips trying not to smile waiting for him to groan his protest.

He rolled his eyes then put his head back and said, “I was trying to forget.” Then he grabbed me firmly around the waist, “I’m just kidding. But now we all go together, right? I'd also like to go watch you train today.”

“Who’s all? I thought it was just the two of us?” I wiggled out of his grip to look him in the eye.

“Ahh, yes. So, you heard last night that Harrison and Amelia are a thing, right?” I nodded curiously. “Well, they graciously accepted my invite to the club yesterday before all hell broke loose.”

“Ok, so you want to go clubbing and watch me train? Is that what I’m hearing?” I smirked because I know he doesn’t really want to do either.

“Should I be worried about either of them?” He already sounded worried.

“What would worry you about those two things?” I rubbed his arm trying to make him feel a little more secure. I really didn’t want him to worry. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about with either one of those things that I could think of.

“I don’t know, like when you’re training, are you just being taught or is someone fighting with you?”

Oh, I’m starting to get it now.

As honestly as I could, without giving too much detail, I said, “Bruce is teaching me and he’s not just in there to direct me.”

He had that worried look on his face again because Bruce is my friend and my trainer, but he’s also a six foot five, almost 300 pound former MMA fighter.

“Is he the one you’re getting the bruises from?” He was cringing now as he groaned.Not all of them, no.I thought as I grinned.

“Sometimes I spar with the other fighters. No one fights me for real because they could probably kill me but they’re tough on me. They all know why I’m doing it and are very supportive in helping me train.”

He let out another breath and said, “I’d better just sit there with my mouth shut then, huh? Could you refrain from saying they could kill you though?”

I couldn’t help smiling even though I knew this was rough on him. He shifted around uncomfortably in his seat before he continued, “Iguess at the club I probably wouldn’t like it if I saw you dancing with another guy. I should say, with someone I don’t know.”

I didn’t want anyone but him touching me on that dance floor.

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