by Malone, Nana
Waiters brought around tea, and Alexi ordered their drinks for them. Once drinks had arrived and their food orders were put in, he sat back and studied her, a slight crease forming in his forehead. “You have to tell me. Is this too much, not enough? I’m finding you very hard to read right now.”
She was hard to read? “Oh. No, it’s fantastic. Tamsin and Sophie had mentioned this place when they took me to Camberwell to hide me last weekend. We were looking to do a girls’ night, but they said it was impossible to get inside. So it’s really nice to be able to actually eat here. I’ll have to remember all the flavors so I can tell them. Sophie, of course, will insist that we try to recreate the meals. For someone who doesn’t cook, she’s really adventurous in the kitchen.”
He frowned slightly. “Your friends aren’t exactly fans of mine, are they?”
She hadn’t prepared for that question. “No, it’s not that. I think they were unhappy that I lied to them about who I was seeing, and they worry about me. Especially Sophie. But Tamsin is in your corner. Sophie will come around.”
He winced. “Abbie, about—”
The first course of hot soup arrived, and Abbie’s stomach grumbled as the aromas of ginger and onions hit her nostrils. “Wow, I didn’t realize I was so hungry. Tamsin kept trying to feed me before I left, since we weren’t sure where you were taking me for dinner.”
He laughed, and it softened the edginess in his gaze. “She thought I’d be starving you?”
“No. More like she thought we’d be going somewhere pretty, but where the food wasn’t very good, or the portion sizes would only be enough to feed a size zero anorexic model.”
He laughed. “Oh, no. I pay attention. I even made sure nothing has mushrooms in it. And I’ve seen you eat, remember?”
She flushed at the memory of the weekend they’d spent together and the way she’d devoured the breakfast he made her. “Yeah, I’d forgotten about that.”
“I remembered.”
Abbie met his gaze. Time to bite the bullet. If she didn’t do it now, she’d get caught up in the romance, and she still had questions she needed answered. “So last Sunday, you said you couldn’t tell me anything about what was going on with you for another week. Can you tell me now?”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin, then gently placed it back in his lap. Abbie couldn’t help but marvel at his impeccable table manners. Of course, he’d probably had a lifetime to learn all of the appropriate spoons and forks. All she’d really learned was to start on the outside and work her way inward.
He cleared his throat. “It all had to do with work, really.”
Her brows shot up. “So what is it you do you do, anyway? I don’t think you’ve actually told me.”
His smile was bright and warmed her. “Well, as of Monday, I will no longer be the owner of the Take Back The Night software application.”
“What happens on Monday? Are you leaving?”
His mouth tightened, but then he answered smoothly, “No. Final sale of my company goes through. Then I’ll just be the acting CEO until they can get someone else to fill my shoes.”
Her mouth fell open. “Wow. I had no idea.”
“How could you? I didn’t exactly tell you.” He took a sip of his scotch. “You weren’t supposed to have an idea. If anybody had a clue and leaked it, the deal would have been off. Hell, it’s still supposed to be a secret until Monday.”
“Why?”
“My father, for one. If he finds out about the deal, he’ll try for a hostile snatch of my company.”
She blinked, and her hand fluttered to her chest. “Wow. Is your relationship that contentious?”
“Yeah, you could say that. It’s always been like that. He prefers Xander. Xander fights less. You tell him to do something, and he nods and smiles then does what he likes. I fight more.” Lex shrugged.
He went silent as the waiters appeared to remove their soup bowls. Once they filled the table with heaping piles of dumplings, rice, and succulent smelling stews, they vanished and left the two of them alone again.
Only then did Alexi continue. “Mum is the one with the titles and the inherited wealth. Dad only got his wealth from leveraging Mum’s connections, name, and Gran-dad’s money. It works for him, and he pretends to love her. I stopped trying to figure out my parents or why my father sees me as the bane of his existence.”
“That must be hard.”
He shrugged. “No harder than having parents who don’t support you. At least I have my mum.”
“But you didn’t tell her about the job?”
He gave a sharp shake of his head. “No. She wouldn’t have meant to let anything slip, but it’s easy to not be paying attention and out comes something pivotal.”
“Must be lonely keeping so much to yourself. Do you have anyone to confide in?”
“Nick, Gem. Sometimes Xander.” He gazed at her through lowered lashes. “Now you.”
Abbie flushed. “I’m sure you have other people you can confide in besides me. There were three hundred people at your birthday party, for the love of God.”
Alexi shook his head, dislodging a dark lock to fall over his brow. “There are a lot of people who want the fun and the lifestyle. Who stand around wanting to be part of the entourage. I’d rather be on my own at my house, honestly. It sucks. I never know who I can trust or who just wants to be my friend because of who my cousins are or because of what they think I can do for them.”
Abbie’s heart broke for the loneliness he must have felt. “No wonder you didn’t tell me who you are.”
He winced. “I didn’t think you were like that. Pretty much after talking to you the first time, I knew you weren’t. I’ve just never had anybody close to me.”
Tears pricked her eyelids, and she blinked them away rapidly. “Thank you for telling me,” she murmured. “What happens now? After the sale of the company, and what does the company do, anyway?”
His eyes gleamed. “Well, Nick and I built software that connects all the elite clubs, restaurants, bars, and lounges in one place. Kind of a social calendar for the fabulous set. Then we expanded it to include certain VIP accesses that aren’t accessible to everyone. We worked out a deal with all the Club Membership places like China White, to allow temporary memberships for anyone we send them, for a cut, of course. And we keep it super exclusive. Anyone who wants access has to pay a pretty penny, and there’s only a set number of all-access passes. So for any given weekend, there will be two passes per club, or restaurant, or lounge or show, or something. It’s first come, first serve. Tonight, at midnight, for example, we’ll release all the availability for next week’s venues. Sometimes we crash the system with all the people trying to get on. We eventually expanded to concerts, and then included lower access things like events and restaurants.” The excitement was clear in his expression, the way he gesticulated with his hands. He loved what he did and was really proud.
Wow. In a million years she never would have thought of that. “That’s huge. I know lots of people who’d kill to get into the places you have access to. Hell, I’m a bit awed by it all. I wouldn’t want to do it on a constant basis, but they sure are fun.”
“Yeah, going out in London has proved to be a lucrative business.” He smiled ruefully. “Not bad for the kid who was never going to amount to much.”
“Maybe your father will surprise you. He should be proud.”
“Well, he won’t be.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“For what?”
How could she explain that even before she’d known about who he really was, she’d judged him? “For not seeing past the shine. I’m probably no better than the people you were talking about.”
He took her hand. “Well, you weren’t working on all the information, and you knew something was off.” He squeezed her hand. “I should have told you from the start.”
“I guess I understand why you didn’t.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but
I’d like another chance. I feel terrible for how things turned out for you. I wish I’d just told you so you could have prepared or something.”
“It’s okay. It’s not like I would have done anything differently. I knew you were different the minute I laid eyes on you.” Abbie raked her teeth over her bottom lip.
A smile tugged at his lips. “Then let me help you out with school. It’s my fault your parents freaked out on you.”
She shook her head and took her hand back. “Alexi, no. I was serious when I said I needed to figure it out on my own.” And that was true. But why did she suddenly feel nauseous thinking about it.
His brow furrowed. “You have to accept help sometimes.”
She took a sip of water to cool her dry, itchy throat. “And I am. I actually have gotten a few photography gigs. A couple of the models that rent from Max have had me taking pictures for them. Jasper too. If I can keep it up, I can pay for school and my living expenses all by myself.”
His lips flattened. “You really won’t let me help?”
“Nope.” Abbie shook her head.
He shook his head. “I really wish you would.”
She inhaled deeply, praying for the lightheaded and hot feeling to dissipate. She refused to be sick on this date. Refused. “I know. And it’s sweet you want to. But no. Mom and Dad pulling the plug was maybe the thing I needed. If they hadn’t yanked my world out from under me, I would forever be beholden. Right now, I’m sort of free. I don’t have to take any bullshit. I’m not obligated to listen, and there won’t be any guilt when I don’t.” She paused. “Or at least not much.” The skin on her arms prickled with a flash of heat and she swallowed hard.
He nodded. “I understand the need to be free.” Lex took a sip of his drink and slid his hand across the table to take hers. “Abbie. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Lex’s eyes were so serious and his voice was grave. She tried to focus on his voice, but the scratchy feeling at the back of her throat distracted her. “What is it?”
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just—” He paused. Studying her, he frowned. “Abbie, are you okay?”
“Uhm fine. It’s just a little hot in here. My throat’s a bit scratchy, but it’s nothing. What do you want to say?”
He narrowed his gaze and studied her closely. “Hell. I’m so sorry.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think you’re having an allergic reaction.”
“Don’t be crazy. I’m fine. It’s just a little hot in here.”
His brows shot up. “Really, then why are your lips swelling?”
Chapter 35
Two hours after the dinner debacle, Alexi held Abbie close and watched her sleep. After using her EpiPen, she’d refused to go home. She’d also been livid that he insisted on paramedics coming to check her out.
But they’d told him the same thing she had. All she needed was rest. So he brought her home. To his bed. She’d been half asleep when they’d come in so he hadn’t even had a chance to show her his place properly. She’d changed into a T-shirt and climbed into his arms as if she’d been doing so for years.
Alexi held her tighter even as he cursed himself for being all kinds of an idiot. He’d called ahead and made sure none of the food had mushrooms in it, but he’d completely forgotten about the condiments and sauces. Stupid, stupid. She could have gotten really sick, thanks to him.
Abbie stirred in his arms. “You’re holding on pretty tight there.”
He only loosened his grip marginally. “Sorry. I was really worried about you.”
Abbie turned in his arms. “And I told you that you didn’t need to be.” She gestured to her face. “See, I’m already back to normal. I’m fine. It happens.”
“But it happened on my watch. I told you I’d called ahead and so you were less careful about what you were eating. I feel like an arse. I was trying to impress you.”
“Hey,” she reached up to cup his face, “All I wanted was you tonight. I didn’t need impressing.”
Abbie kissed him gently. Despite everything, his body went on instant alert. Ready to rock as if he’d been plugged into an electrical socket. “Abbie, you should be getting some rest.”
She met his gaze with a direct one of her own. “I’d rather make love to you, if you don’t mind. I’ve missed you.”
He dragged in a ragged breath. With shaking hands, he caressed her cheek. “I’ve been dreaming of having you here in my house, in my bed, since I rescued you from that Mini Cooper.”
She ducked her head. “Of course you would remember that. So embarrassing. Must happen to every single green Yank who shows up on your shores.”
Alexi tilted his finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. “Don’t be embarrassed. I fell for that girl who wanted to save her camera and yanked me down with her to save its life.”
Her smile was soft but warmed him from the inside out. “Well, a girl’s gotta eat.” Quietly, she added, “When you pulled me into your lap, I thought you Brit boys took chivalry to a whole new place.”
Alexi gently drew her into his body.
Abbie drew in a shuddering breath as she came into contact with his erection. “Alexi, I—”
He pulled back and kissed her temple, then whispered, “Shh, it’s okay. We don’t have to do this.”
Abbie shook her head. “I was going to say that I feel safe with you.”
She trusted him? After everything he’d put her through? Again he kissed her, his tongue sliding over hers. Exploring her mouth. She sucked on his tongue, and he shivered. Abbie laced her hands through his hair and lightly scored her nails into his scalp. A shudder racked his body. His erection throbbed against her belly, and she smiled against his lips.
“Jesus, Abbie.”
* * *
Abbie sat up in bed. With one hand, she reached between her and Alexi and started unbuttoning his shirt. One by one, the tiny silver buttons slipped from their loops, revealing tanned skin and muscles beneath. She’d seen him without his shirt on often enough to know just how hard those muscles were. Where tattoos lay hidden. She loved the Sanskrit etching on his ribs, but her favorite was the expansive eagle wings on his back. She loved how his muscles would ripple when she ran her fingertips over them.
Drawing back from the kiss, she tucked both hands into his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. It fell to the ground without making a sound.
He reached for her and tugged his T-shirt off of her, leaving her bare.
She went for his trousers next, her trembling hand working on the buckle of his belt. All the while, his gaze burned on her intensely. Scorching her exposed flesh.
His hands lightly caressed her face, then traced a path down to her breasts. The backs of his fingertips just barely grazed her flesh. When they reached her nipples, he let the pad of his thumb trace over the puckered tips. When he circled the sensitive tips again, a moan tore from her throat as a stab of pleasure hit her deep in her center.
“You’re so responsive, Abbie. Just one touch, and you’re melting already.”
His pants followed his discarded shirt, and he stepped out of them. All that stood between them were his boxer briefs and the slip of her barely there satin panties. Abbie curled into his embrace once more and kissed his chest. His muscles bunched, and his chest vibrated with a low rumble when she flicked her tongue over his nipple.
“A-Abbie…” His breath was ragged and raw.
Tentatively, as she kissed her way across his chest, she slid a hand down his body, over each rippled ab, down to his straining erection. Lightly, her fingertips explored the rigid length through his shorts. His hands froze in her hair, but he didn’t stop her.
More emboldened, she slipped her hand into the waistband of his shorts then wrapped her fingers around his girth and lightly tested the weight of him. With the contact of flesh on flesh, he shuddered, then hissed, and his grip on her braids tightened. She stroked him, slowly running her
thumb over the tip of his erection and his hips bucked. She smiled up at him and stroked him again.
His jaw clenched, and a vivid curse tore out through gnashed teeth. She immediately stilled, and a whimper escaped his lips.
“God, Abbie. You feel so goooood.” His voice was hoarse, raw.
She wrapped her hand around him once more, and he hissed. This time she brought her free hand to his chest and explored the smooth skin of his nipple with her thumb, just as he’d done to her.
His eyes drifted closed, and he moaned deep and low as she explored. His nipple puckered just like hers did when he’d touched her. Alexi dropped his forehead to hers and whispered, “You feel so good. But I need you to stop.”
She stilled immediately. “I thought you liked—”
He chuckled harshly. “God, yes. I like it. I’m just trying to slow us down before I lose total control here.”
“I think I’d like to see that.” She pumped again twice and smiled as his whole body shook. But when his gaze met hers, she knew he’d lost the battle for control.
* * *
Gently, Alexi slid his tongue over her lower lip and she parted her lips. For several minutes the only sound that pierced the silence in the room was their moans and muffled whispers.
Lex shifted their position so she lay propped against the pillows on the bed. “I’ve been missing you.”
A shy smile stole across her lips. “I missed you too.”
“I never meant to hurt you.”
She nodded. “I know.”
When he kissed her again, his tongue was possessive, staking a claim on her as his hands moved over her naked flesh. His thumbs traced each of her ribs before his hands travelled up and he traced over her nipples.
Abbie writhed beneath him and with each wiggle of her hips, the blood rushed louder in his head. And the whispers grew to a thunder. Take her. She’s yours. Take her. Make her yours. Don’t let go.
She blinked up at him, eyes wide. “Alexi, I know what I want. And it’s you. It’s always been you.”
He rolled off of her for a split second and snagged a condom from his bedside table. In less than a minute, he had it on and pulled her to him kissing her softly. “Abbie, you are incredible.”