Page 21 of Cursed Fox

Everything felt like pulling teeth when it came to talking to this man. How he socialized in the world was beyond me. Unlesshe just didn't socialize. That would actually make the most sense.

"I do," was his only response.

I gave up and decided to check out the place instead. It could barely be considered a studio apartment. There was a bed in one corner with a dresser next to it, a sofa against one wall, and a door that I assumed led to the bathroom. The place barely had a kitchen. Maybe the area with a small fridge, sink, and tiny stove could be called a kitchenette, but personally, I wouldn't agree.

"This used to be Easton's apartment before he moved in with his girl. I was using it before I decided to leave town. I don't have any place I would consider mine."

That was a little sad.

"Is Easton one of the guys you work with?"

Lex nodded and I looked back around the tiny space. A thought occurred to me. "Where exactly do you plan for me to sleep?"

The couch didn't look comfortable. In fact, it looked old and lumpy.

"In the bed," Lex finally answered after a few moments of silence.

I turned to look at him, but his gaze was far off. I doubted he was even seeing the room. "And how about you?"

If last night was any indication, I already had an idea what the answer would be. I wasn't sure if the nightmares were a daily thing, but I doubted Lex would sleep anywhere near me knowing they could happen.

"On the couch."

He didn't sound happy about that plan, so I continued to push. "You could always share the bed with me. I promise to move away if you start having a nightmare."

Lex was shaking his head before I even finished my sentence. "Absolutely not."

Stubborn, stubborn man.

"That"—I pointed to the couch—"can't be comfortable.”

He merely shrugged his shoulders. "I've slept on it before."

I noticed he did that. Rather than lie, he just evaded the question asked. It was annoying, to say the least.

"Fine, have it your way." I was done arguing. "I'm tired and ready for bed."

It wasn't until I was ready to open the bathroom door that I remembered I didn't have my suitcase. Dropping my head to my chest, I prepared myself to ask Lex for something to wear.

It was obvious he was two steps ahead of me, because the next second, a pair of shorts and a shirt were being thrust into my hands. "There's also a new toothbrush in the bottom drawer."

"Thank you," I whispered before rushing into the bathroom and slamming the door. I was absolutely done with this day and needed to crawl into bed and sleep before I did or said something I would regret.

Like kiss the handsome man who’d had my stomach in knots in one way or another since the moment I met him.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Lex

"Please don't do this."

I listened to her beg for the third time since being brought into the dingy, dirty room and told that her fate rested solely in my hands.

I didn't want to kill her. In fact, I had pleaded for them not to make me do this, but it was no use. It was either end this young woman's life or tell them where they could find our contact. I couldn't do that. National secrets depended on that person's identity staying hidden.

"I'm sorry." That was the best I could offer her before I snapped her neck and let her body crumple to the floor.

I could still feel the warmth of the woman's skin on my fingers as I slowly woke up from the nightmare. It wasn't until I was half conscious that it dawned on me what I was feeling wasn't just in my dreams.

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