Page 66 of Betraying Bexley

Callahan lifted his hands and winked at Bex. “Whatever you say. But, Bex, I’m always available.” He made the sign for a phone and mouthed.Call me.

Her body shook and a squeak emanated from her. Alé glanced down. She was laughing, softly, hiding it from them, or trying to. He stared at her entranced by her amusement. She'd gifted him with a smile at the beach now with a laugh. Fuck, he wanted to hear happiness all the time. He had to think of silly stupid shit, just to hear it.

“Go on you two,” Asher said. “Alé remember what I told you.”

He nodded. “I will.”

Bex glanced over her shoulder as Asher smacked the back of Callahan’s head. He shook his head at the guy and said something she couldn’t hear. She still wasn’t sure why Alé brought her there. Other than getting her arm looked at and recast. She glanced up at Alé who appeared at ease being inside the underground facility.

“You have a million questions,” he said, glancing down at her. “I understand.” He pushed the button for the elevator. “I’ll answer all of them. But first...” He tipped her chin up and brushed his lips over hers twice before settling in.

The air in Bex’s lungs left her in a rush. Her mind shattered and she had to hold on to him to keep herself steady. She could taste the desperate hunger on his tongue, and she whimpered. What was this connection between them? She should hate him. He represented everything her father stood for. Reminded her of the men who came to her apartment a few times a week while she’d been a child, yet when she stared up at Alé, she felt special. Wanted. He could and most likely would destroy her in the end.

“There you are,” he whispered against her lips.

She swallowed hard, stepping into the waiting car unable to speak. She lowered her gaze to her feet. Alé pressed one of the buttons on the panel then joined her. He laced his fingers with hers and a jolt of electricity shot through her. It didn’t make sense to her. None of it did. He could have anyone he wanted, man, woman, it didn’t matter. So, why was he choosing to spend time with her? Why did he bring her to a base to see people she knew? How did he know them? A knot formed in her stomach, yet her desire for him, pushed away her suspicion. Everything Alé had said, so far, had been the truth, shouldn’t she give him the benefit of the doubt?

“You’re thinking too hard.” He nudged her. “I thought I could show you around then, you know, see where things go?”

Tingles of excitement fluttered in her stomach. “O-Okay.”

“Great. Do you like to swim?”

She nodded then frowned. “Y-Yes. B-But m-my leg.” It’d been the one good thing she’d been able to do. At one time, there’d been a pool at her apartment. She’d spent more time than not in the water and, if her life had been different, she'd could've become a world-class swimmer. Maybe joined a team. Won a few metals. Olympics. Unfortunately, when her father saw the happiness it gave her to be in the water, the pool was emptied and filled with concrete. Then there was the whole issue about her leg. She hadn't been back in the water since she lost it due to her father.

“Then you’re in luck,” he said. “This place has an Olympic size pool. Plus, if you’re worried, you’ll have a certified lifeguard with you.

Surprise filled her. He didn’t appear to be the type to do the whole lifeguard thing. “Y-Yeah?”

He chuckled. “Don’t act so surprised. I did it for money. My tattoos kept my prospects limited, but...” He rolled his shoulders. “Not everyone will be able to see past them.”

Ouch. He pegged her. She'd been judging all of them when she didn't have room to talk. Her father was important. She'd caught snippets of conversations and understood what he did wasn't on the level. She chose to be ignorant of his activities, even though she handled the money. "S-Sorry."

“No worries,” he replied. “If I was in your shoes, I think I might judge me too.”

“I-It’s w-wrong, t-though.” She looked up at him. “You’re not just the tattoos.”

“Hey.” He nudged her again. “I think you’re yanking my chain with this stutter.”

The teasing quality in his voice relaxed her. “W-Well, I’m not.”

“No. I suspect it’s something you’ll always have.” He sighed. “I wish I could fix it for you.”

She shook her head. “I-I d-don’t.”

“Oh?” He cocked a brow. “Even when the assholes at school tease you?”

“U-Unique.”

He smirked. “Yes, you are.”

When the doors opened Alé ushered her out into the gym area. “There should be bathing suits and shit inside the locker room. Unless you want to go naked.” He wiggled his brows.

She laughed. “N-No.”

“Damn and here I thought I’d get another chance at seeing your tight little body again.” He showed her to the dressing room then pointed across to the guys changing area. “Meet you here in ten.”

“O-Okay.”

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