Scattered Thoughts (Betrayed by Love Book 1)

by Kelley, HD

  “I’m not Spencer, Isabella. I’d never do that to you. I’ve been afraid to love again too after what happened to my parents and Hope, and then with Charlee.” He shook his head, a pained look in his eyes. “But when I met you I realized how good life can be when you have someone to share it with.”

  “Alec, I’m scared.”

  “I’m scared too, baby.”

  “I need time.”

  He kissed me on the mouth. A hard, passionate kiss that spoke volumes about the torment I was putting him through, and it made my heart ache even more. “Take all the time you need. Just don’t leave me again. Everyone I love leaves me.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me.

  “I’m sorry, Alec. I shouldn’t have left like I did. I promise I won’t do that again.”

  He squeezed me tighter. “That’ll do for now, baby.” He kissed me again, only this time his kiss was soft.

  My head was spinning from all that had happened the past couple of days, but most of all from the bomb Alec had just dropped. Holy shit. He loved me. He’d not only said it, he’d said it first. When I left the beach house and realized how much I missed him, how my heart ached for him, I thought maybe, just maybe it could be love. But I was too scared to tell him. It nearly killed me when I found out about Spencer’s affair. Would I ever be able to put myself in the position to be hurt like that again?

  • • • • •

  Preston walked through the door of my hospital room, Anna in tow. “I want to speak with you,” Alec said sharply, looking right at Anna. He grabbed ahold of her arm and pulled her out into the hall before she could say a word. The door closed behind them, and all I could hear was him yelling. A couple hours ago he’d told me I couldn’t be too mad at her and all the while he was ready to explode. How did he do that? How had he managed to stay so calm and collected on the outside when he was anything but on the inside?

  “Did you find Valerie?” I asked Preston, trying to take my mind off what was going on in the hall.

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. She slipped out the back before we could reach her.” Preston stared out the window, neither of us saying another word, the look on his face saying it all. She’d gotten away. Our lives were still in danger and he blamed himself. It saddened me to know he felt responsible too. None of it was his fault, either.

  Alec walked back into the room with Anna by his side, his hand still firmly grasping her arm, her tear stained face red and blotchy. “I’m sorry, Mom,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have lied to you. It was wrong. I put myself in danger and that was wrong too.” Alec let go of her arm and she ran to my side. “I didn’t believe she could do this, Mom, especially not to you.” She buried her face against my shoulder. “But she just laughed about it. She said you deserved to die for what you’d done.” I wrapped my arms around her, holding her as tight as I could, my heart breaking for my baby girl.

  After Anna had finally calmed down, Alec insisted Preston drive her back to the hotel. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he’d said before they left. He was so upset with her for lying to him, I thought his head was going to start spinning, but in reality he was more worried than mad. Valerie had managed to slip out the back door of the restaurant before the police could reach her. There was more to that story, something he was keeping from me, but it wasn’t the time for probing, not about that anyway.

  What I could ask him about was his conversation with Anna. I’d never seen her so subdued. Every time he looked at her, tears sprung to her eyes and she looked away, clinging to me as if her life depended on it. “What’d you say to Anna?” I finally asked.

  Alec kissed me on the top of the head. “That’s between me and Anna.”

  “You made her cry.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t hit her if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “No, of course not.” I reached up and touch his cheek. “It’s just, well, don’t you think you were pretty hard on her?”

  “Not even a little. If she was my daughter, I’d have done a lot more than just yell at her. She lied to me. She lied to you. And she knowingly jeopardized her safety. That’s just not acceptable. It’s as simple as that.” He kissed me again, on the cheek that time. “Now drop it before I take you over my knee.”

  I smiled, relieved his sense of humor had returned, even if it was only for a moment.

  • • • • •

  “Knock, knock,” Dr. Leonard called out from the doorway.

  “Shhh,” I whispered, pointing at Alec. He hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. Every time I moved he opened his eyes to check on me. I’d tried to convince him to go to the hotel with Anna and Preston, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Not even with the new security team posted outside my door. He’d been spooked ever since he saw that picture from the hotel. “I’m not letting you out of my sight,” he’d said. “Not until Charlee is off the streets.”

  “It’s okay, baby. I’m awake.”

  Dr. Leonard smiled. “How about we get you two out of here?”

  “Hell yes!”

  “Tell me how you really feel, Izzy.” Dr. Leonard laughed. “Seriously though, your labs and vitals look good, so I feel comfortable sending you home.”

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I said enthusiastically. She laughed again, knowing full well how much I hated hospitals.

  “Is it safe for her to fly?”

  “I’d much rather she take the short flight than the long car ride.”

  Shit. Dr. Leonard knew where we were staying. I just hoped I wasn’t the one who told her. Nervously, I glanced at Alec, but he didn’t seem the slightest bit phased by what she’d said. Good. It hadn’t been me.

  He climbed out of the bed. “Thanks for everything,” he said extending his hand.

  “Anytime, Alec, although I hope we don’t have to do this again.” She listened to my heart one final time and then hugged me goodbye.

  Soon after I’d dressed the nurse was back to remove my IV’s, discharge instructions in hand. I was lucky that Valerie had been interrupted before I sustained any real injury, other than the massive drug overdose that sent my heart into hyper drive. The nurse cautioned me about over stimulating my heart then sent me on my way. I was free and more than ready to go.

  By the time we made it outside, storm clouds were threatening, a typical summer afternoon in Florida really, but I didn’t care as the humidity was soothing to my overly dry skin. I took a deep breath, soaking it all in, my lungs expanding as the salty air passed through my nose. It was the familiar smell of home. I was excited to be going to the beach house, even with Alec and all his controlling tendencies. “Let’s go home, baby,” Alec whispered in my ear. And I couldn’t help the smile that followed.

  The flight was crowded with all six members of the security team aboard. “I’m not taking any chances,” Alec said when he saw the frown on my face. I’d thought they were undercover police officers. I hadn’t even considered that they worked for Alec. That was just what I needed, a constant reminder of how stupid my decision to leave the beach house had been. Somehow the near death experience seemed reminder enough.

  Shortly after takeoff, I fell asleep, not waking until the wheels touched down in Sarasota. Preston and Marcus searched the airport, looking for any signs of danger before Alec let me get off the plane. As soon as he got the all clear from his staff, he escorted me down the ramp toward the waiting car, the rest of the security team close behind.

  Alec helped me into the car, sliding in right behind me. Preston took his place behind the wheel and soon we were pulling away from the plane. I caught a glimpse of the security team as they filled the two black Escalades that were parked on the tarmac. One SUV sped ahead of the X6 Preston was driving, the other fell in behind us. Never in a million years had I imagined needing an entourage.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  The house seemed bigger somehow as we pulled around the fountain in the middle of the driveway. The ground was wet, e
vidence of a recent rain that had cleared, and a cool breeze was left in its wake. It passed over my legs, sending a shiver through me.

  Alec put his arm around my waist. “Welcome home, baby,” he said then kissed me on the lips. A soft, gentle kiss that made my knees buckle. He scooped me up and carried me through the front door.

  The windows were open and the sound of the ocean surrounded me, that familiar sound of home. Being on the beach was all I could think about at that moment. “Let’s go for a walk on the beach,” I said suddenly.

  Alec tilted his head to one side.

  “Please, Alec. I’ve been cooped up for so long. I really need some fresh air.”

  “Okay, but I’m coming with you.”

  A half smile half smirk crossed my face. I was expecting a lecture on safety or something after just getting out of the hospital, so his answer surprised me.

  He pulled me into his chest. “Is that a problem for you, Isabella?” He kissed me hard on the mouth.

  My eyes widened, my heart rate increasing. There was no hiding my crimson cheeks then and I nervously bit my lip.

  “We won’t make it to the beach if you keep looking at me like that, baby.”

  I looked away, rolling my eyes as I did. Alec bent down and wrapped his arms around my legs, lifting me over his shoulder. “Alec!” He smacked me playfully on the butt. “Put me down!” I tried to sound annoyed but only ended up laughing.

  “Am I amusing you?”

  “Yes!” It was funny how much I’d missed his controlling ways. Even as much as I resisted them, there was something comforting in knowing Alec was in control.

  Alec carried me all the way to the kitchen where Mrs. Peters was busy preparing dinner. “Don’t mind us, Kim. I’m just getting some wine.”

  He pulled the bottle from the refrigerator, and when he turned around I could see the grin on Kim’s face. I was so embarrassed. I wanted to object, to insist Alec put me down, but I didn’t. The last thing I wanted right then was to make this any worse than it already was.

  When we reached the patio, Alec finally put me down. Holding on to his shirt, I waited as the blood slowly returned to my body. Alec poured two glasses of wine, handing one to me, and then clasped his hand around mine. “Come with me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” That wicked grin crossed his face, and suddenly I didn’t care where he was taking me. He led me to the water’s edge where we walked quietly along the shoreline, slowly sipping our wine, until I was totally lost in the sound of the ocean as the waves broke on the shore.

  We started back toward the house and I noticed two chairs sitting near the waterline which hadn’t been there an hour earlier. I paused, looking up at Alec, silently wondering when they’d gotten there. I’d given up asking how months ago.

  “I thought you’d like to watch the sunset,” Alec said, answering my unspoken question.

  A smile crossed my face. He knew me so well. I threw my arms around his neck. “Oh, Alec, thank you.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Isabella. I’d do anything for you.”

  After refilling my wine glass, Alec motioned for me to sit in one of the chairs. I shook my head. I’d been trapped in that hospital bed for days and was enjoying the feeling of the sand beneath my feet.

  “Isabella, sit down,” he said, his voice stern.

  My cheeks heated and instinctively I looked away so he couldn’t see the effect he had on me.

  Alec grabbed my chin and tilted my head back until I was looking right at him. “Don’t hide from me, baby.”

  I took a deep breath, his smell intoxicating me. My breathing increased, my insides started to tingle. He kissed me hard on the lips.

  My knees giving out, I stumbled, spilling wine all down my shirt. “Shit!”

  “Here, let me help you with that,” Alec said. I could hear the humor in his tone. I shot him a dirty look, but that only made him laugh.

  “My shirt. It’s all wet.”

  “That’s what you get,” he admonished, as he took the glass out of my hand, preventing me from spilling the rest of it. “You should have sat down when I told you to.”

  Two towels rested on the back of one of the chairs. I snatched one off the chair in a mock huff before sitting down in it, doing my best to dry my shirt. When I’d finally given up, Alec handed me my glass, still laughing.

  I took a long drink, draining what was left in the glass. “Are you laughing at me?”

  “Yes. That’s not problem for you, is it?”

  “It’s not a problem for me, Mr. Payne.” I set the glass down in the sand. “But it might be for you.”

  Jumping up from where I was sitting, I moved quickly toward his chair. Climbing on his lap, one leg on each side of him, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward me, kissing him hard on the lips. He dropped his glass and ran his hands up my back, kissing me too, a deep, passionate kiss.

  In one swift move, Alec lifted me off his lap, depositing me gently on the sand, my arms pinned above my head. “What were you saying about a problem?”

  Pulling on my arms and kicking my legs, I tried to wiggle free but he tightened his grip, kissing me on the forehead, the nose, the chin. “Because this is definitely not a problem for me,” he whispered against my lips.

  I raised my head to kiss him but he moved just out of my reach. My insides were on fire, I needed to touch him. “Alec, let go.” Tugging against his grip, I simultaneously bucked my hips trying to push him off me.

  He let go of my wrists and straddled me, his knees buried in the sand. “Let’s get this wet shirt off you.” Sliding my cardigan over my shoulders he lifted my shirt over my head, dropping them both in the sand. His eyes were fixed on mine, his stare intensifying as I squirmed beneath him. Pulling his shirt off, he dropped it next to me, too. His chiseled chest glistened in the fading sun.

  I reached up to touch him, but he caught my hands, pinning my arms back onto the sand, kissing me in the process.

  “Don’t move,” he warned as he took his hands off my wrists. Instinctively, I pulled my arms to my side.

  With narrowed eyes Alec lifted my arms back above my head. “Don’t. Move,” he said again.

  Alec ran a finger from my temple, down the side of my face, to my chin, slowly down my neck, between my breasts, circling my bellybutton as he moved toward the waistband of my pants.

  Arching my back I moaned as I did my best to absorb the pleasure. My insides quickened as Alec trailed kisses along the same path his finger just took making me moan even louder. Bucking my hips, my sex rubbed against his growing erection.

  “You’re moving, Isabella.”

  “Stop teasing me.”

  “Oh, baby, I’m not teasing.” He arched his eyebrows then leapt to his feet, dropping his pants in the sand.

  Kneeling between my legs Alec ran his thumbs under the waistband of my pants and pulled, sliding my pants past my ankles, tossing them to the side, straddling me once more.

  I moved my hands to the waistband of his boxer briefs and ran my finger along the edge as he’d just done.

  Pulling my hand toward his mouth, he slid my middle finger inside, his tongue circling my long digit. “Do you ever do what you’re told, Isabella?”

  After two weeks away from Alec, his touch was like fire burning me up inside. I closed my eyes, arching my back, absorbing every ounce of pleasure. “Alec,” I panted, my insides quickening.

  Slow down, Izzy, he hasn’t even touched you yet, my inner voice snapped. I took a deep breath, doing my best to calm my screaming libido.

  “You are so sexy, baby. I’m going to take you. Right here, right now.” In one swift move, he was lying on top of me, spreading my legs with his. Poking his thumb through the lace in my panties he ripped them off, tossing the useless fabric onto the sand with the rest of my clothes before freeing his erection from his boxer briefs.

  He slid a finger inside me. “Ahhh,” I moaned loudly.

&nbs
p; Pulling his finger out he said, “You are so wet, baby.” No, my libido screamed. Don’t stop.

  Alec rubbed the head of his erection against my sex, pushing the tip inside me. I moved my hips to meet him, but he pulled back. Leaning down, he kissed me, a deep passionate kiss, his tongue finding mine, twisting, turning, leaving me breathless when he pulled away.

  His hands moved between my breasts along the fabric of my bra, pulling it down until they popped out. I arched my back, moaning even louder still. My nipples hardened as he rolled them between his finger and thumb, taking one in his mouth then the other, gently tugging with his teeth.

  “Alec! Please. I need to feel you inside me.”

  “Not until you come, baby.”

  I bucked my hips, begging him to touch me again. Alec flicked my nipple with this tongue, trailing his finger on my inner thigh, back toward my sex, before slipping it back inside me again.

  “Ahhh!” I screamed, my insides quickening as my release hit, unable to resist any longer.

  Passion burned in Alec’s eyes. He rubbed the tip of his erection against my sex again, only this time he entered me, moving slowly at first as I adjusted to his fullness. Picking up speed, he quickly found his rhythm. I moved my hips to meet his, wanting him more than I ever imagined I could. I dug my nails into his flesh as he buried himself deep inside me, hitting that special spot over and over again until I was begging for release a second time.

  “Come for me, Isabella. Come for me again.”

  His words were my undoing. My insides quickened as my body unraveled around him, his release soon following.