There. I said it. I don’t even care that I said itfirst.
“And I love you,doll.”
“I can’t wait to see you,Bash.”
“Me too. Do you have any plans to come out here? Not that I’m pressuring you or anything. Actually I’m asking because my physical therapy sessions will wrap up this week. I was thinking I could come see you for a few days…after my firefighter’s fittest.”
“That would be great. Yes. Come anytime. I may need to come out there in about a week or two, so we canplan.”
“Great. This is just amazing. Okay I’d better let you go before I find a way to fly out there right now, just so I can kissyou.”
Alexandra laughed. “Okay, babe. I’ll call you tomorrow. Or you callme.”
“Will do. Nighthun.”
“Good night,Bash.”
* * *
Alexandra wasin the clouds the next morning. She had her work cut out for her, but everything in her life was on the right track. It didn’t even seem real, but it was, and hell, she was going to enjoy it and not second guessherself.
She headed into the studio bright and early today. Her goal was to cram two recording sessions into the morning so she could finally announce that all the songs for her album were ready. Dropping two tracks in one morning wasn’t going to be easy, but with the release scheduled in a few weeks and the tour starting a mere month after that, the ticking clock in her head reminded her there was no time like the present. It helped that she was feeling this upbeat. Her creativity was through the roof, and the music just flowed out of her. Bash’s call had everything to do withit.
By the evening, the day had gone to plan, with her two songs wrapped up nicely with a big bow, and all her Purple Blaze meetings completed with no new issues. Sometime in the afternoon, Wilkes had phoned to ask again if Alexandra would come by for dinner with Emma-Jane. None of the other times worked out earlier in the week, but as the day had been moving along so smoothly, she agreed to make time to see them, and for Wilkes to pick her up at her place. Probably because she knew he wouldn’t stop pestering her until she said yes. She wrapped up at the office and hurried home in her sports car to get it overwith.
Her Mediterranean style home in the hills was usually a place of solitude, but tonight it was different. She could already picture driving up to the front door and walking in to see Bash waiting for her at the front door. Tucson would be great too, but there was something about hearing him end the silence in the long halls and empty rooms with his laughter, or that deep sexy voice that could move hersoul.
Sighing from the sweet daydream, she parked the car in the garage and rushed into the house, calling out a quick greeting to her housekeeper, Lilly, before heading up to her bedroom tochange.
‘What to wear the first night after you say yes to moving in together,’ she typed into Google. Her mind was on Bash. If he did get out to Los Angeles, she wanted to be ready, and searching out what to wear seemed the least insane place to keep the fantasy alive. The first two outfits that came up on the image search were short, sexy and scandalous lingerie made of tiny pieces of silky lace fabric that would barely cover her. She rolled onto to her back and giggled. “I could rock that in the bedroom,” she said to herself. “Not that Bash would let it stay on me forlong.”
Feeling impulsive and a little giddy, she ordered both items online, then grabbed her phone and opened the order confirmations in her email messages. She copied the images and sent it to Bash in a text that read,‘Will be wearing these the day you come to LosAngeles.’
Less than a minute later he replied with ‘So damn hot. Ready to pack my bags and come ravage you right now,doll.’
Alexandra was beaming, the thought of that happening sent a flush of heat up her neck and cheeks, and a wicked heat to her core. A minute after that his next text read.‘I can’t wait. How about thisweekend?’
The weekend didn’t sound too bad, actually. There was one outdoor photoshoot scheduled, and part of a music video they were planning to film at the Hoover Dam. Thankfully, the Purple Blaze offices were closed on the weekend. Rick had also risen to the occasion and was handling pressing issues, so even if something came up, he would handleit.
She answered with ‘Yes. I’ll be here. Can’t wait either.’ Bash replied finally with, ‘Me too. Love you.Ttyl.’
Alexandra was swooning, full of butterflies and ready to sing her heart out. She dropped the phone beside her on the bed and rolled onto her stomach. “He loves me,” she saidaloud.
“Ms.Storme?”
Alexandra jerked upright, startled to hear Lilly’s voice at her door. “Hi, Lil. Headingout?”
“Yes, ma’am. Is there anything you need before Ileave?”
“Not at all, dear. Have a safe drivehome.”
“Will do. I’ll lock up and set the alarm. I know you’re going out to dinner, but just in case you feel for a snack later, I left iced lemon cake in the fridge foryou.”
“What would I do without you?” she smiled withappreciation.
Lilly ducked out of her room, and her footsteps faded down thehall.
Alexandra closed her eyes, remembering every detail of Sebastian’s face. She would see him soon enough, and next time she planned to take a lot of pictures of him. It felt so surreal, yet it made more and more sense as time passed. Their connection was real, and all they had to do was keep it alive. How they did that was between the two of them alone. Nothing elsemattered.
A wave of lightheadedness came over her. She massaged her temples, and her eyes stung, as though her allergies were acting up. Sniffling, she glanced at the clock to see how much time she had left before Wilkes would get here. There wasn’t much time. She stripped off her clothes and headed to her bathroom for a quick shower. Fifteen minutes later, she was ready, dressed in dark blue jeans, a white camisole and a blackblazer.
She looked down at her outfit, smiling as she remembered the texts she sent toBash.
He lovesme.
God, her heart had gotten a taste of his sweetness, and now that was all it craved. Her body screamed fire, and spoke the language of cinders and smoke, heat singeing the tongue, flames blistering the lips, and Bash felt the same way. Their love couldn’t be put out. She was burning forhim.