Page 82 of Enchanted Hero
“You might not be able to fly, but you change lives every day with your foundation. You’re not the only one who knows how to use Google. You donate far more than the average company, a lot of it inconspicuously.”
He shouldn’t be surprised she’d been able to discover that. The clever woman had taken a small company and built it into a soon-to-be international juggernaut. “It really isn’t out of the ordinary.”
“It is to the people you help. Millions know you, but I have a feeling not too many people know the real you.” She studied him. “How do you manage it all?”
“I’ve gotten lucky.” Alexander kept his voice light. “I work with a lot of great people.”
“They work for you, not with you. I thought you were exaggerating when you claimed people fought to work for your companies, but it’s true. Every position gets hundreds of applicants – unless you’re tricked into it, of course. Incidentally, how many people have you tricked into working for you?”
“Including you?” He didn’t blink. “One.”
She paled, but shook her head. “What about that group that comes over every weekend? Who are they–” She stiffened.
Damn.
“Are you in charge of that group, too?” she breathed.
“Something like that.”
She sat back, and for the millionth time, he wished he could read her mind. “You take responsibility for everyone. That must be difficult.”
“I’m fine.”
“Mr. Stone, I don’t think you’re being truthful with me.” She placed a hand on his sleeve, eliciting untold warmth and formidable strength. Nothing was as powerful as the connection between destined love. “Despite your authoritative demeanor, it has to be difficult to always bear responsibility.”
He opened his mouth to deny it but stopped. Lying had been difficult from the beginning, but now it physically pained him to tell her an untruth. “It can be daunting at times,” he admitted. “People see the facade and not the man underneath. Yet if you have power, you have a responsibility to help people.”
“Power?”
“Business power, political connections, wealth,” he quickly clarified.
She held his gaze, then looked down. “You can’t always take care of everyone. You are onlyhuman, after all.” The word held an unmistakable inflection. “You’re also not alone.”
He wasn’t?
He kept his neutral mask in place, didn’t reveal what a simple sentence meant. Although he was surrounded by people, some of whom knew his secret, he was in a singular position. Everything had changed since he’d met Everleigh. “I might just keep you if you’re going to talk like that,” he murmured.
He heard her quick intake of breath. Then her willful response. “I’d like to see you try.”
He was planning on it.
They pulled up to her apartment building. Neither said a word as she gathered her purse and clasped her hands over it. “I’ll see you at work.”
“Of course.” Before he lost his willpower and stole her away, he disembarked and accompanied her down the walkway. She was all feminine beauty, her cheeks tinged pink, her eyes bright. She bit her lower lip as they reached the front door.
He simply couldn’t help himself.
He bent down to pure bliss. For a second, she didn’t move, then she returned the kiss, matching him move for move. She was soft and sexy and vivacious, fitting in his arms like she was meant to be there.
Shewasmeant to be there.
She made a soft mewling sound as he pulled her closer, perfection defined. Yet ever-so-slowly, reality intruded, the truth of this day and the number of people who were waiting for him. With all his strength, he pulled back.
She stared at him with wide eyes and parted lips. Did she know he was the masked man who’d kissed her before? He’d let her see his power then, hoping it would avoid her discovering his identity. Now he controlled his power.
Questions lingered in her eyes, questions he couldn’t answer without changing her life forever. It was inevitable, but it was too soon. First, he had to take care of his people, then he could show Everleigh the future that would be theirs.
“I better go.”
