Page 35 of Walking the Bird

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The sound of laughter, followed by a splash jolted Eleni awake. Blinking several times, she took in the familiar interior of the beach villa, unable to remember how she got into Alex’s bed.

“Good morning, Kookla.”

Turning her head slowly to the left, Eleni found Alex lying beside her, his crooked grin and perfect bed hair reminding her of a time when she couldn’t wait for mornings with no alarm clocks or agendas.

Searching her memory, she recalled going to the club, Jordan handing her a shot glass as they danced to a song Eleni couldn't recall, and then nothing.

“How did I get here?”

Propping his head on his bent arm, Alex admired his wife’s beauty as the rays of sun danced across her face. The urge to kiss her had plagued him all night. He wanted nothing more than to remove the red dress from her hot little body and reestablish the passion they’d once shared. And he would, but first he needed to man up and admit his mistakes. Swallowing every ounce of pride he possessed, Alex tapped into the courage which lived deep within him.

“Before I answer your question, Eleni. I need to tell you how incredibly sorry I am.”

Relaxing into the pillow, Eleni shifted her gaze to the ceiling, confident she was going to wake up from her dream at any moment.

“Hey,” Alex moved closer to his wife, gently shifting her face back to his. “Please, don't turn away.”

“You’re not real, Alex.” Eleni argued, tugging her chin out of his grip. “Any minute now I'm going to wake up and be alone again.”

Alex had been on the receiving end of hate filled words from the enemy he’d captured, everything from the size of his cock, to calling him a scared bitch when he wouldn't respond to the taunting. None of it, not a single word spoken from some of the most dangerous individuals in the world, could compare to what Eleni confessed.

“You’re right,” Alex rose from the bed. “For far too long I’ve been a shit husband to you. Putting my issues ahead of yours by not being with you.”

Rounding the end of the bed, Alex took a seat beside his wife, taking her hand in his. “I fucking failed you, Kookla.”

Eleni wanted the warmth of his touch and tenderness in his voice to be real. She’d missed the term of endearment he used to call her, making her feel treasured and special. Sadly, this, like the other dreams she’d had, would soon end, allowing the reality of a love which had faded to obligation to resurface. Closing her eyes tight, “Wake up, wake up, wake up.” Eleni chanted softly, her voice cracking with emotion as she moved to pinch herself.

Alex watched as Eleni jerked from the self-inflicted pain, her long lashes fluttering against her cheek as she slowly opened her beautiful eyes.

“Still here, beautiful,” Alex winked as their gazes collided.

Pushing herself up in the bed, Eleni moved the sheet down, bewildered to find she was still in the red dress from last night.

“How did—” A knock on the door halted Eleni’s question.

Placing a kiss to his wife’s cheek, “Hold that thought, I’ll be right back.”

Tamping down the eternal-romantic inside of her, Eleni internally scolded herself for allowing Alex’s kiss to mean anything. Glancing around the room, Eleni’s gaze landed on her phone charging on the bedside table. Reaching over, Eleni’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she read the time. “Oh shit.”

Springing from the bed, Eleni headed for the shower, her mind preoccupied with what time Kennedy wanted her there to help get Jordan ready, she didn't see her mountain of a husband standing before her before it was too late. Colliding face first into the rock-hard chest of the man she would forever love, a familiar electricity pulsed under her fingertips as she placed her hands on his pecs. How many mornings had she woken to find him doing some form of pull-up in their home gym? Sweat rolling down his olive skin like a siren's call to her.

“Careful sweetness,” covering his wife’s hand on his chest with his own. “This is for you.”

Eleni dropped her gaze from Alex’s chiseled chest to the cream and gold striped bag dangling from his index finger. His voice brought her back to the reality those mornings were history, a fantasy she needed to rid herself of.

“I’m sorry,” Eleni pulled away, taking the bag from his finger and driving her hand inside. Removing the first item she came to, Eleni smiled as she removed an envelope, dropping the rest of the bag to the bed.

Eleni,

Thank you for an incredible last night of being single. Your flexibility was greatly appreciated, and the way Alex carried you out of the club, swearing to tuck you into bed was right out of a movie scene. I hope Aiden and I will be half as in love at our five-year mark as you and Alex are. Kennedy has arranged a private dinner for the two of you as an anniversary gift from the team. Melinda has the details. See you in a few hours. Love you.

Jordan—almost—Sawyer

Eleni re-readthe note several times, ignoring the part of her approaching anniversary. She’d planned to be on a plane back to Florida before the dreaded day arrived, surrounded by computers and calculators, with too many numbers filling her head to think about what was lost.

“You brought me here?” Looking at Alex through confused eyes, the question falling from her lips of its own volition.

Using every ounce of charm he possessed. “I waited on the beach for you yesterday, hoping to speak to you about a phone call I received from Nick. Zach mentioned you and the other wives decided to hit up a club.” Reaching for Eleni’s hand, Alex noticed for the first time she wasn't wearing the ring he gave her the day he’d asked her to marry him.

Shaking his head, “You looked so happy, Kookla. Something you haven't been in such a long time.” His words faded to nearly a whisper, “Because of me.”

Interlacing their fingers, “I haven't fought for us lately either, Alex.” Intentionally skipping over the part about Nick. Eleni had a feeling her brother-in-law was calling to bitch about getting pulled away from whatever girl he’d been banging to do her a favor. Lifting the letter with her free hand. “Kennedy arranged a private dinner for us tonight. An early anniversary gift.”

Alex thought of the ring he’d purchased, a diamond anniversary band to match the missing engagement ring. Something told him this was his last chance to make things right. “Are you asking me on a date, Mrs. Nakos?”

“I—”

“My answer is yes, Eleni,” Alex interrupted, his intense eyes shifting between hers. “It will forever be yes when it comes to us.”

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