That evening, he’d lured her away from her work by kissing that spot on her neck, the one she said drove her crazy with lust. He’d spent the night worshiping her from head to toe.
They made love every morning, while their bodies were still hot from the sheets and their dreams were tangled with reality.
It was bliss. It was everything he’d ever wanted.
Alex didn’t want to leave her condo. It already felt like home. He almost wished the police wouldn’t find Patterson.
But at the same time, he knew that wasn’t an option. He needed to know the man wouldn’t cause any more trouble.
Now, on a quiet Saturday morning, Dana emerged from the bedroom. She was dressed in cute little shorts and one of his t-shirts. She borrowed Alex’s shirts a lot. Every time she did, he swore his heart pumped harder.
“I like your outfit,” he said, as he checked his texts.
“This old thing?” She waved at the shirt. “I went shopping at the Markov Emporium.”
He put his phone down, walked over, and kissed her on the top of her head, fingering the sleeve of his shirt. “I wish you’d told me you’re a kleptomaniac. I would have packed more shirts.”
She gasped in mock indignance. “I don’t have a problem. I just like wearing your shirts. They smell like you.”
He crouched in front of her. “That’s a good answer.”
His cellphone buzzed on the table with a couple of incoming texts.
“Someone’s a busy man.”
“It’s probably just Trevor. He’s been on my case, reminding me I RSVP’d for an event next week. He’s been texting me the details.”
“Oh, yeah? What event?”
“A benefit for a breast cancer awareness charity. With everything going on, I forgot about it.”
The cellphone rattled on the table again.
“Boy,” said Dana, “Trevor is one persistent guy.”
“Tell me about it. He’s probably triple checking that I have a tuxedo ready to go.”
“Tuxedo? Nice.” Dana waggled her eyebrows. “What does a girl have to do to wrangle an invitation to this benefit? I know someone who might like to see you in a tuxedo.”
“Oh, yeah? Would that someone be you?”
“I’d love to go with you.”
Her dark eyes shone with such sweetness, such openness.
Only he hadn’t been open with her, not completely. His unsaid words scratched like wadded up sandpaper in his throat. She was the one person in this world who deserved his truth, even though the rest of the world seemed to think they were entitled to it.
And she was the one person who might be hurt if he kept it from her any longer.
“Dana, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Once again, the cellphone buzzed.
She giggled. “It’s Saturday. Doesn’t poor Trevor get a day off?”
Alex stared at the phone, as an undefinable dread settled in his core.
“Why don’t you check your messages and then we can talk.” She walked over to the door of her unit. “I’m just going to see if the Saturday paper has arrived yet.”
