Page 21 of The Will

“Can you tell him?” and that one was the hardest to answer. “I will try.”

She opened the door to the bathroom and looked at Alex. He was sitting in the bed fluffing the pillow next to him for her. Chloe leaned on the door frame as her gaze took in his dark hair and trimmed beard, then his broad shoulders which were decorated with pictures and symbols he had chosen to have inked into his skin. They were beautiful, fierce, and meant something to him. She was truly hoping he would tell her all about each one. His chest had a few more tattoos as well, but it was hard and hot, with smooth, soft skin that Chloe just loved to touch. She could not remember ever being so obsessed with another man. Alex called her his kitten. He looked at her with worship in his eyes. He made her feel safe. Alex made her feel horny even after that great climax she just had. He was such a mystery, but Chloe knew she loved him and wanted more than anything to spend her life finding out all the mysteries of Alex.

Alex looked up and smiled at Chloe. “Are you just going to stare at me from there or come back to bed with me?”

His question startled her out of her thoughts, so she just quietly walked back to the bed. She climbed up where he held the covers back for her and across the bed to be right next to his warm body.

He tucked her under his arm and sighed in relief. “Right where you belong, kitten.”

Chloe looked up at him and asked, “Why do you call me kitten?”

Alex smiled down at her, “Because you are soft, snuggly, and purr when I pet you just right. You are also feisty and protective and dig your claws in if threatened. Most of all, you are mine, and giving you a name like that shows you that you are special to me.”

Chloe smiled at him and sighed as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. “I see, well, I love you too, Alex,” she murmured before falling into a deep sleep.

Alex looked at her in amazement. Did she just say what he thought she did? He wanted to shake her awake and ask if she meant it. Alex sighed instead. He knew she was exhausted after the events of today. Hell, he was exhausted, but if she thought he would not address it later, she was wrong. He curled his arms protectively around her and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Chapter 16

ChloewalkedintoAlex’soffice, but no one was there to greet her. The last few weeks had been good for her soul. Every day with Alex was something Chloe was coming to cherish. It was very freeing not having to look over her shoulder all the time for Uncle Gene or Little Gene. She wasn’t sure she had told him enough, how grateful she was. She could hear the shower running in the bathroom. He probably was cleaning up for their dinner out tonight. She had been looking forward to going back to the Mexican café they went to that first night. Their margaritas were awesome, and she was nervous tonight, anyway. Chloe thought she might have said she loved Alex the night of the party. She had been exhausted. She was not sure if that was something she dreamed of doing or had actually done it.

Chloe sat down at his desk to wait and noticed his computer was open. She investigated the programs he had. They were rudimentary for searching, but she could update some of the basic coding in the software he has to get him better, more correct information. She got in her zone and updated three of his programs that extracted information from databases for criminals, individuals, as well as locations. She had a habit of blocking everything out when she worked, so when Alex kissed the back of her neck, she jumped like a rabbit.

“Whoa. Whoa, Chloe. I’m sorry I scared you,” Alex said. “In my defense, I called your name several times before kissing you.”

Chloe had grabbed her chest in fright and was breathing to calm down her heartbeat. “It’s okay. I do that when I get into my coding.”

“What were you working on?”

“I hope you don’t mind, but your search software was very basic and would not have extracted all the information you would need from the databases. Are you okay with me doing the updates on the code?” Chloe was expecting backlash.

Alex smiled at her, “Of course I am. I trust you.” He pulled her up out of his chair.

She sighed with relief. “I’m glad. I thought you might be angry.”

Alex’s face changed slightly, and he dropped her hands. “Well, there is one thing I am annoyed about with you, now that you bring it up.”

Chloe’s brow furrowed. “What have I done to annoy you?”

Alex looked down at the ground and shrugged. “It is just a little thing, so perhaps we should just drop it.”

He looked up at her with a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes, and Chloe knew he was lying to her. She shook her head. “No, I don’t think we will. You told me never to fake emotions with you, so why do you think it is acceptable to do it to me?” She placed her fists on her hips in a display of anger.

It was very difficult for Alex not to praise her bravado. Not only did she remember what he had asked of her, but she was asking for something for herself. She really was coming out of that protective shell she had. She did not know how sexy she looked in her jeans and sweater, with a look of disappointment on her face. He wanted to kiss her until she was putty and begging for his touch.

Instead, he took a step toward her, closing the distance she had created. “I will make you a deal, Chloe.”

She looked wary as he was stalking closer. “What’s that?”

Alex looked straight into her golden eyes as he stopped just inches from her. “I promise not to fake any more emotions with you like I just did if you will tell me you love me again.”

Chloe’s mouth fell open and her hands opened and fell to her sides. She glanced down at her feet. “So, I wasn’t dreaming?”

He shook his head. “No, but I thought I was. Do you regret it?”

Chloe shrugged. “No, telling you the truth is not a bad thing, but knowing you don’t feel the same hurts.”

Alex slid a hand under her jaw and lifted her face to look at him again. “Who says I don’t?”

---