Love & Lies

by Michelle Iannarelli

  “I’ve missed you too, more than you know.”

  “Why didn’t you call me about Miguel?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  Eden hugged Miles.

  Miles flinched, his ribs were still so sore. “Uhh.”

  “You’re hurt too?”

  “I’m ok, just a few broken ribs.”

  “I wish you and my brother would give up on saving the world.”

  “Funny, your brother said the same thing just recently.”

  “I love you both and I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to either of you.”

  “We love you too, Kiddo.”

  Miles gently hugged Eden.

  MIGUEL OPENED HIS EYES and thought he was dreaming; Alex was beside him fast asleep holding his hand. He coughed and let out a groan and Alex’s eyes popped open.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “Oh my God, I’m sorry. I was waiting for Miles and your sister to come back and…”

  “Eden? Eden is here?”

  “She was.”

  “I must be worse off than I thought if they called Eden.”

  “No, she called the office and they told her. She seemed angry that you or Miles didn’t tell her.”

  “I’m sure she gave Miles hell.”

  “Miles asked me to stay with you so that they could go and talk. I guess I fell asleep.”

  “Alex, did you come because you heard I was hurt?”

  “I found a contract mixed in with some papers that shouldn’t have even been on my desk and I noticed that it wasn’t signed. I was going to have you sign it, I called down to your office and that’s when I found out about your accident. The office suggested I messenger it over, but truth be told, I brought it myself so that I would have an excuse to see you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me; I mean you do pay me to do my job.”

  “Thank you for wanting to see me.”

  “Oh that. I, I guess you could say I missed you around the office.”

  “Alex, I…”

  “You’re awake!”

  “Eden.”

  Alex got up from the bed. “I’m going to leave now.”

  Eden leaned over and hugged Miguel. “I love you, Miguel.”

  Miguel grimaced in pain. Eden stepped back and Alex walked closer to the bed.

  “I’m ok. I just get some bad pain at times.”

  “I wish you would stop playing…”

  “Alex, where’s the contract?”

  Eden looked at Miguel who was glaring at her. She realized that Alex apparently didn’t know the truth.

  “I’ll grab it, one sec.”

  Alex pulled the contract from her bag and handed Miguel a pen. His hand was shaking a bit from the pain in his side but he managed to sign his name.

  “Thank you, I will make sure it gets filed where it belongs now.”

  “Thanks again, Alex.”

  “Take care of yourself.”

  Alex left.

  “So she doesn’t know that you and Miles play Batman and Robin, I assume?”

  “No, and I wish you didn’t either.”

  “You both served your time and were lucky to get out alive, I just don’t understand why you continue to risk your lives?”

  “In the beginning it was for the money, then the adrenaline rush, now it’s just because we’re good at it and we can get the job done.”

  “I think it’s about time someone else gets the job done.”

  “The thought has crossed my mind. I just know what it’s like to be in those soldier’s shoes and…”

  “And you survived, you paid your dues, please Miguel, please don’t do this again. I couldn’t go on if anything happened to you or Miles. You’re all I have.”

  “Come here.”

  Eden climbed into the bed and cuddled with Miguel. Miguel ran his hand through her hair trying to comfort her.

  “I love you and we’re not going anywhere.”

  “Promise.”

  “I promise.”

  Alex was met at the front door by Allan.

  “Where have you been?”

  “I went to deliver a contract to Mr. Cruz and would you believe I fell asleep waiting for him to wake up?”

  Allan gritted his teeth, “Not really.”

  Alex lifted her hand to grab Allan’s arm. “Allan.”

  “Alex, are you sleeping with him?”

  “No Allan, I’m not. Are we going to have this discussion again where you get jealous and want us to be exclusive and then decide that you want to change your mind again and see other people?”

  Allan walked over and took Alex’s hand. “Alex, I love you and I know you love me but I think it’s time we go our separate ways. We both deserve better.”

  Alex knew what Allan was saying was right but it still stung to hear it. She tried to think of something to say but nothing seemed right so she hugged Allan. When she pulled back she looked up at Allan and smiled. “I will miss you, maybe in time we can be friends?”

  Allan kissed Alex’s forehead. “I’d like that. Take care of yourself, Alex.”

  “You too, Allan.”

  Alex opened her door and went inside.

  Miles finished up some work for Miguel. They had reports that had to be filed and he also wanted to check on the rest of the Team and see how everyone was healing. It had been a rough mission. They all sustained some sort of injury. They did succeed in rescuing the men who were held captive as well as take down the whole terror cell who had been kidnapping and torturing the military, government workers and their families in that region.

  “Miles, don’t you ever rest?”

  Miles looked up and Eden was standing there with a tray of food.

  “Not much.”

  “I swear, you and my brother are going to be the death of me. I can’t live without you two and you refuse to take care of yourselves.”

  “Eden, it isn’t like that. We’re just doing our jobs.”

  “I think when my contract is up in a few months I’m going to move back here and take care of you two.”

  Miles reached out his hand and grabbed Eden’s.

  “Is that a promise or a threat?”

  Eden smiled at Miles.

  “I’m leaning more towards a promise. I miss being home. I know that working at this law firm was a wonderful opportunity and in a few years I could make partner but if I can’t be truly happy then what’s the sense?”

  “You think coming back home will make you happy?”

  “I think it could be a start. You don’t think so?”

  “Eden…”

  Eden’s phone rang and ended the conversation. “I have to take this.”

  Miles knew how much Eden loved her job, he just hoped whatever decision she made was the right one and for the right reasons.

  Alex opened her door and jumped into her brother’s arms. “Ryan.”

  “I got here as fast as I could.”

  Alex pulled back. “It’s so stupid. I don’t know why I am so upset. I mean, I knew I would never marry Allan but I guess knowing it’s over…” Alex started to cry again.

  Ryan pulled her into a hug and after a minute lowered his hand and started to tickle her. Alex pulled away and ran up the stairs with Ryan chasing her.

  “There’s that smile.”

  “Ryan, I love you.”

  “Love you too, Sis. Now, get those eyes dried up and I will order a pizza and we can watch a movie.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Me too.”

  Alex walked towards the bathroom to wash her face while her brother called and ordered a pizza.

  MIGUEL WOKE UP AND decided since nobody was hovering over him he would take a shower. He was so sick and tired of everyone treating him like a baby. He had been hurt worse and survived. He got up and the room spun a bit but he made it to the shower.

  Alex knocked
on Miguel’s door. When he didn’t answer she poked her head in expecting to find him asleep but instead his bed was empty. She walked into the room to wait for him figuring he was in the bathroom but never expected him to come walking out glistening from the shower and wearing a very small towel.

  Miguel was feeling very weak after showering. He had all he could do to make it to the bed and grab onto the foot board. He didn’t realize Alex was in his room until she spoke.

  “Miguel, are you alright?”

  “Could you help me back to bed, I think I overdid it.”

  Alex was at Miguel’s side in no time. She wrapped her arm around his waist and helped him over to the bed and sat him down.

  “Should I get Miles or call the doctor?”

  “I think I’m just weak from all these drugs. I tried not taking them but I swear Eden and Miles are drugging my food.”

  Alex laughed. Then she looked down and her eyes couldn’t help but stare when she noticed Miguel’s towel had opened enough that his family jewels were all hanging out.

  “I think I had better go.”

  “Don’t go.”

  Miguel was feeling loopy. He knew he needed to lie down but he wanted to talk to Alex.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not.” Miguel grabbed Alex’s hand.

  “Because if I stay, I might do something I will regret.” Alex tried to pull her hand away but Miguel used the last of his strength to pull back.

  “We only regret the chance we didn’t take, Alex.”

  Alex looked at Miguel. His lips were so red and full. How she wanted to kiss him. He was her boss; they’d already spent the last few months trying to get over what had happened on the plane.

  “Miguel, I can’t.” Alex finally got her hand away and stepped back.

  “Alex, you’re so beautiful when you blush.” Miguel smiled at Alex.

  Alex took one look at that smile and she couldn’t help herself. She leaned down and kissed Miguel. He kissed her back. Alex pulled away when she felt Miguel’s cock poke at her leg. What in the hell was she doing?

  “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have.” Alex turned to leave.

  Miguel reached up to grab her. “Wait, ugghh.”

  Alex stopped in her tracks. Miguel was hunched over and groaning. She helped him to lie back on the bed. As she grabbed the blanket to cover him up she saw all the stitches in his side. She was too busy looking at his lips and cock to have noticed any sooner.

  “My God, I knew you were hurt but I didn’t realize how badly.”

  Miguel was in so much pain he could barely talk. Through gritted teeth he mumbled, “I’m fine. Just overdid.”

  “Close your eyes and try to get some sleep.”

  “We, we need…”

  “How’s he doing?”

  Alex turned around and Eden was standing there.

  “He apparently exhausted himself from showering and now he is in pain.”

  “Showering? Miguel, you weren’t supposed to get those stitches wet. What were you thinking? Alex, how could you be so stupid to…”

  “Stupid?”

  “How could you allow him to shower?”

  “Allow him? He was in a towel walking back to bed when I got here and I am far from stupid.”

  “Ladies!”

  Miles walked in on Eden and Alex.

  As Alex turned and walked past Miles she spoke, “He needs pain medication.”

  Miles watched her walk out and then turned to Eden, “What the hell is going on between you two?”

  “Miguel needs pain medication.”

  “I heard her. Now answer me?”

  Miles walked over to the nightstand and pulled out a vial of pain medication and a needle. Miguel had fallen asleep. Miles pushed him up on his side and gave him an injection.

  “Come on Eden, spill it.”

  “He showered.”

  “You two were fighting because he showered?”

  “I thought she helped him and he wasn’t supposed to and now look at him.”

  “Miguel is a stubborn man and you know as well as I do that when he wants something he gets it. So if he wanted to shower he was going to. Why blame Alex?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t trust that she has his best interest at heart.”

  “Why?”

  “I just don’t. End of conversation.”

  Eden stomped out of Miguel’s room.

  Alex added the same numbers over and over and couldn’t seem to concentrate long enough to get the same total twice. Thoughts of Miguel were flooding her head. She couldn’t believe she took advantage of his weakened condition and threw herself at him. What if he was angry when he came to his senses? Maybe she should just hope that he was too drugged up to remember.

  “Knock, Knock!”

  “Faith, come in.”

  Alex smiled as she got up to hug her best friend.

  “Thought I would come and interrupt you and see if you wanted to grab some coffee?”

  “Interrupting is just what I need right now.”

  “Good, then grab your coat.”

  Alex shut down her computer and grabbed her coat.

  “I think I need something stronger than coffee though.”

  “Oh no, now what?”

  “I did something I know I shouldn’t have.”

  “Oh, this could be interesting.” Faith laughed.

  “Faith!”

  “What, my life is boring. Did it have anything to do with Miguel McHottie?”

  “FAITH!”

  “It does?”

  “Maybe.”

  Faith grabbed Alex’s arm. “Maybe yes?”

  Alex looked around and too many co-workers were around to talk about it. She didn’t reply until they got inside the elevator.

  “Ok, I couldn’t talk in front of the staff but yes, it does.”

  “You are my hero!”

  “Faith, this is serious. I don’t know…”

  “Know, oh God did you have sex with him again?”

  “No and I asked you never to say that out loud, I could get in a lot of trouble if anyone ever finds out about that.”

  “Ok, sorry. It’s just, well I dream about what it would be like to have him…”

  “Oh my God! TMI!”

  “So what happened that you regret?”

  By now they were outside the office and walking to the coffee shop, so Alex figured she could talk freely.

  “I took advantage of the fact that he was drugged up on pain medication and I kissed him.”

  “You kissed him? Oh God, even I don’t think I’d have the courage to do something like that.”

  “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Back up. What did he do or say to…”

  “He was in a towel and…”

  “A small, tight towel?”

  “Yes and when he sat down his…”

  “You’re right, we need Vodka not coffee.”

  “I think you need a cold shower, Faith.”

  “Maybe or some good sex.”

  “I think I have to quit my job. I can’t be kissing my boss. What happened, you know…before, well that was different. When I accepted the job we had an understanding that it stayed in the past.”

  “What happened when you kissed him? How did he react?”

  “He kissed me back.”

  “So then what happened?”

  “I felt his hard cock poke me in the leg and I jumped back and ended it.”

  “Did he do or say anything?”

  “He moaned and then his sister walked in and I left.”

  “Alex, I wouldn’t do anything until you discuss it with him. Lay low and let him recover and when he gets back to work then you can discuss it with him. Don’t quit your job without talking to him. Maybe he wanted it too?”

  “He doesn’t do relationships. Oh Faith, what the hell can I do to stop wanting him?”

  “Find someone else or maybe just go after him until yo
u get him?”

  “I’m not his type.”

  “No? He had sex with you once before and he now kissed you back.”

  “He thought I was an escort last time and this time…I think it was his medication.”

  “Keep making excuses and it will never happen.”

  “It will never happen, excuses or not.” Faith just shook her head and rolled her eyes. She had to come up with a new man or a plan for her dear friend.

  MIGUEL WAS FINALLY BACK at work. He had tried calling Alex during the past two weeks but she was conveniently busy or in meetings and when she called back he was either asleep or showering. The few times they did speak it was only about business and it was brief. The first thing he wanted to do was to see Alex but every time he tried to leave his office someone or something stood in his way. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to her but he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Joe, thanks. It’s good to be back. So what can I do for you?”

  “I just wanted to come by and tell you what a gem Alex is. That woman can really run a tight ship.”

  “She is a gem, isn’t she.”

  “Whatever you do, make sure you never let her get away. Happy you’re back.” Joe patted Miguel on the arm and walked out.

  Miguel stood there wondering how Alex would feel about staying after they spoke.

  Miles knocked on Alex’s door.

  “Come in.”

  “Hey, long time no see.”

  “I’ve been so busy here.”

  “Alex, Eden told me you two minced words. You didn’t have to stay away.”

  “I didn’t stay away because of Eden.”

  “You stayed away for another reason?”

  “I didn’t think I should bother Miguel with work. He needed to rest and recuperate from his injuries.”

  “But you know as well as I do that Miguel liked having you visit.”

  “Miles, please don’t push this.”

  “You have feelings for him, don’t you?”

  “What I feel doesn’t matter because Miguel is my boss and he doesn’t do relationships.”

  “Maybe you need to change that.”

  “I can’t and if I could I wouldn’t. It would never work.”

  “I think he really likes you, Alex. You’d be good for him.”

  Alex’s intercom buzzed. She answered it.

  “Alex DiPietro. Yes. Ok, I will be right there.” Alex hung up. “Well it looks like Miguel wants to see me.”

  “Think about what I said.”