Page 43 of Enchanted Hero
“Yes, I am.”
She opened her mouth, closed it. Danger sparked in the air. “But why?”
The powerful man speared her with his gaze, demanding, challenging,claiming. “There’s something between us, something neither of us can explain. Something that needs to be explored.” He leaned forward. “I will not allow another man to interfere.”
“How dare you! Just a few hours ago, you had a private office party with Chloe, and now you’re sabotaging my personal life. Don’t you have any morals?” The words emerged fast and raw. “I couldn’t care less about who you seduce outside of work, but you’re at my company, with my employees. They deserve respect and professionalism. Chloe has a boyfriend.”
“Not anymore,” Alexander said darkly.
Fury thundered. “So you’ve ruined her relationship? Are you proud of yourself?”
“Actually, I am.” Sapphire eyes swirled under sterile lights. “I wasn’t going to tell you this, but clearly I haven’t a choice. Still, I’m only sharing because Chloe gave me permission.”
“There’s nothing to explain,” she whipped out. “The situation is obvious.”
“I was holding Chloe the entire time.”
White. Hot. Fury.“What did you do?” she demanded. “If you did anything, then I’ll–”
“I was holding her because she was hysterical. Her boyfriend abused her.”
Everleigh froze, fury transforming in an instant. Images flashed, of the sweet, bubbly,tinywoman and her gigantic boyfriend. All the accidents, the excuses, the injuries. How could she not have realized? “She said she was a klutz.” She closed her eyes. “But she never fell at work. Never bumped into anything.” She breathed out. “How could I have missed it? She put on a brave face, but she was living a nightmare.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Alexander’s voice softened. “She hid the truth beneath that cheerful façade.”
“But you realized it, and it’s only been a few days. How is that possible?”
“I’m good at reading people.” He gave a shuddering breath that proved he wasn’t as in-control as he portrayed. “I’ve seen the same horrible scenario before. She thinks he’ll change, another chance, another bruise. It took me an hour to convince her real men don’t behave that way. Now that she finally understands, she’ll need time to recover. I’m giving her a little vacation.”
“To Puerto Vallarta.” Everleigh fought for anger, something to rekindle her defenses against Alexander, but it was no longer in her. “Do you really think she should vacation with a man right now?”
“Absolutely not,” Alexander replied. “Which is why she’s going with my sister.”
His sister?“A. Stone?”
Alexander inclined his head. “My youngest sister, Alana Stone. She’s going on a trip with a few friends and was happy to include Chloe. When she gets back, I’ll connect her with supportive resources. As for her boyfriend, let’s just say his life is going to be rather difficult from now on.”
The last of her anger fled. Alexander was not a heartless womanizer, but rather a hero, spending hours to help an abused woman. “That’s extraordinary of you, Alexander. Thank you.”
“Perhaps I’m not the Big Bad Wolf after all.” Yet a powerful voice belied the words, with all-consuming strength. “When it comes to women, I have a singular focus.”
He looked directly at her.
She stepped back, bumping into a heavy vase sitting on a narrow pedestal. It teetered behind her, yet no crash came as Alexander grabbed it the only way he could.
Encircling her.
How had he caught the vase in time? It didn’t seem possible, as if the laws of physics didn’t apply to the muscular man who’d captured her in his arms. They stood face-to-face, in a hold that never loosened. Her heart rate increased, her breathing too, as he towered over her, pure muscle and incomparable strength. Desire as she’d never known it fired, amidst the urge to press closer. His eyes reflected the same, and somethingmore. Then he was coming closer… and closer… and closer…
The brush of his lips was the spark to ignite a firestorm. The world melted away as his arms tightened, pressing her flush against a wall of muscle. He was as hard as pure steel, defined strength and sculpted expanses. Desire seized every muscle, yet it was not enough. She fingered the button on his shirt…
“What am I doing?” She gasped the words, as she pushed back with the last of her willpower. Her lips were swollen, her body ripe and desperate for more. Above her, Alexander’s expression was as fierce as fire’s blaze, as he flexed powerful muscles. She took a step back, and his eyes sharpened. He stepped forward… and stopped.
Neither moved. Her breathing slowed, yet desire remained, in the midst of far stronger emotions. She pushed them aside. She would not surrender to this man. “Thank you. For saving the vase, that is, not the…” She edged to the side to escape his grasp, yet he didn’t move, unspoken messages burning, proving he wielded total control. Challenge blazed with clear intent.
This was not over.
She cleared her throat. “We shouldn’t be kissing, especially not here.”
