Page 40 of Rock Hard
Chapter Sixteen
Loud snores woke Alice, reminiscent of another time and place. She blinked her eyes and looked at the clock, certain she was hearing things. Those snores sounded a lot like ...Rex.
She lifted her sensitive nose and inhaled, drawing the scent of male lion in his prime and ... rhino? RexandChuck were here?
Alice got up quickly and quietly, being careful not to wake Carly as she donned one of the thick resort robes over her sleeping shorts and tank.
When she made it out to the living area, she had to stop and blink several times to convince herself that her eyes, ears, and nose weren’t playing tricks on her.
They weren’t. Rex reallywassprawled out on the couch, sound asleep and snoring loudly. As always, the sight of him did funny things to her insides.
She drank him in like a starving woman suddenly gifted with a feast. Long, muscular legs encased in form-fitting, well-worn denim. Massive arms crossed over a broad, hard chest. Long, golden rock star hair splayed over the arm of the sofa, framing a sculpted male face relaxed in deep slumber. Just like that, her body heated and her heart ached.
The sound of a throat clearing drew her gaze over to the small kitchen area, where Johnny and Chuck were working through one of the three—three?—fully laden room service carts. Chuck offered a silent, friendly nod. Johnny looked concerned.
Alice quickly reined in her rampant female hormones and pulled herself together.
Johnny got up and poured her a cup of coffee, thoughtful friend that he was. She shuffled over and sat down, gratefully accepting the mug. She took one long, fortifying drink before asking the obvious.
“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” She kept her voice low, timing her words between the loud, rumbling snores, even though she knew from experience that nothing short of a bomb blast would wake Rex from a deep sleep.
Chuck gave her a quick recap of what had happened after she had left Rex’s hotel suite. She remained silent, sipping her coffee and feeling Johnny’s concerned eyes on her as she processed the situation. She didn’t know which surprised her more—that Rex had somehow figured out where they were or that he had flown out personally. Both required a level of effort and interest that Rex usually reserved for himself or his music.
Dare she hope that Rex was finally coming around? That Carly’s disappearance had been a much-needed wake-up call? Other possible explanations for his sudden personal appearance tried to slip in for consideration, but as they were more hopeful than practical, Alice ignored them.
She shared a glance with Johnny, who was probably asking the same questions. Their thoughts often ran in a similar vein. Unfortunately, the answers could only come from Rex himself.
“What’s my dad doing here?” Carly emerged from the bedroom, casting confused, wary glances over to where her father continued to snore on the couch. “Why did you call him?”
“We didn’t,” Alice assured her.
Carly looked to Johnny, who nodded in confirmation, and then Chuck, who gave her a rare smile.
Her eyes widened as she, too, made the connection. “He came on his own? Why?”
“That, we won’t know until your dad wakes up.” Another loud, rumbling snore shook the walls. “That could be a while.”
“I could wake him up,” Johnny offered. The devilish twinkle in his eye as he popped a sharp claw suggested he might enjoy the task a little too much.
“Probably not the best idea,” Alice told him, then turned to Carly. “Go on and get ready. I’ll stay here and try to find out what’s going on.”
“I’ll stay, too,” Johnny piped up immediately.
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle Rex.” While Alice appreciated the support, it was probably better if Johnny wasn’t nearby when Rex woke up.
“Things have changed, Alice.”
She knew he was referring to the fact that Rex now knew she was a lioness, and yes, that was a concern, but she could – and would – handle it.
“I got this.”
Johnny looked like he wanted to protest, but eventually nodded. “All right, if that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
Alice wasn’t looking forward to having that conversation with Rex, but it had to be done. The truth was out. Hiding behind her human half was no longer possible, and she had to deal with that. Exactly why she had kept her true nature from him, however, was a secret she planned on taking to her grave.
“Call me if you need me,” Johnny commanded quietly as he and Carly were about to leave.
