Page 48 of Alex

“Did your dad know I’ve been staying here almost every night since the break in?”

Alex’s jaw clenches before his expression softens. “Who cares?”

Is he serious?

“I do!” I scream before apologizing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, but that is his house, and I think I should have asked if it was okay before assuming it was.”

“First, I don’t give a fuck what he thinks. You’ve been working well past eleven at night this past week. A few nights were after midnight. Last night was even later than that.”

He glances at me as he pulls out of the rich neighborhood onto the main road that leads into town.

“Second, if I want you to sleep in my bed, which I do, then you will. No ands, ifs, or buts about it. My bed, my rules.”

I nod as moisture gathers between my legs. That was a possessive declaration, if I’ve ever heard one.

He wants me in his bed.

“Is there a third point?” I ask, to keep my mind and conversation off of me in his bed.

He smirks and stares at me. His eyes darken as my smile gets bigger.

Alex parks in front of my apartment building and turns off the car. “Do you want me to stay here while you go in and pack, or would you like me to come inside with you?”

“You can come inside. It’s nothing fancy, so don’t get your hopes up.”

He follows me inside, walking a few steps behind me with his hand on my lower back. I stopat the wall of mailboxes to check my mail. He stands beside me and glances around the lobby.

I already know what he’s thinking because it’s the same thing Kate said the first time she came over. This place is a dump.

The carpet is dirty and stained. The wallpaper is peeling. And it smells like an old stuffy basement.

I quickly grab my mail and lead him down the hallway to my apartment. As soon as I push open my door, the cinnamon apple scent of my oil diffuser assaults our senses.

Alex closes the door behind him and inhales deeply. “Wow, it smells so good here. Like a bakery.”

“Thanks. It’s just an oil diffuser, though.” I point to the tiny decorative diffuser on my living room end table.

Alex walks over to the end table to study the diffuser. “Hmmph. I might have to get one for my room.”

I turn my attention to the large bundle of mail in my hand. Before I even go through the pile of envelopes and junk mail, I see it.

Another past due medical bill from mom’s last days in the hospital.

Not bothering to open it, I throw it on the counter with the sales flyers.

Before Mom died, she assured me that her debt wouldn’t become mine. That I wouldn’t be stuck paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in medicalexpenses, but that hasn’t stopped the bills from coming.

Mom’s promise hasn’t stopped the money hungry vultures from trying to squeeze every last dime from me they can.

“So, Alex, do you have any idea what this meeting is about? Is it regarding the upcoming merger? Is it another potential acquisition?”

He puts the diffuser back on the table and shrugs. “Dad only mentioned going to lunch with a business associate.”

That’s not helpful at all.

“Are we there to look pretty or actually do work?”

Once again, he shrugs. “We aren’t invited to the business lunch meeting, so I’m planning on enjoying the all expense paid vacation, and you should, too.”

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