“You cannotbuy me a new door.” She throws her hands on her hips.
I pull her back against my body and slide my hands up her back. “Okay, then you’ll come move in with me so I know you’re safe.”
Alex’s eyes bulge like a cartoon character’s. “What! How do you make that big of a leap?”
I cup her adorable face in my hands. “You’re mine. Iwant you safe. There is no large leap.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Mine.”
“Okay, cave man.” She scrunches her nose at me, but she can’t hide her lips pulling up in the corners.
“You like it.”
“Maybe,” she says as she lays her head on my chest. “What are we going to do?”
I sigh. “We are going to go to my apartment together. Then I will have a bunch of meetings in the morning, while you stay safe.” I spin her towards the hallway and give her a tap on the ass. She yelps and glances over her shoulder. “Go pack a bag. With clothing you can wear outside of the bedroom included.”
“Ugh. That wasn’t my fault!” she says as she pads off to her bedroom.
I pull out my phone and send a group text to Alester and Ryder.
James: We have a problem. Taylor came after Alex and threatened her.
Ryder: Fuck.
Alester: So she’s not in on it with him then. We need to have a meeting with Collins and Sons.
James: I need to go to Family Farms before that.
Ryder: What about Taylor?
James: I’ll handle him.
Alester: I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Ryder: Yeahhhh that could end in jail time or a lawsuit.
James: What the fuck am I supposed to do? Let him attack her and get away with it?
Alester: I have a plan, but I can’t put it over chat. Talk tomorrow an hour before the meeting.
James: Fine.
I stuff my phone in my pocket just as Alex comes back into the hall holding a small duffle bag. I frown. “Is that going to be enough stuff?”
She rolls her eyes at me then pats my chest when she reaches me. “Don’t worry, big guy.IfI move in, eventually, you’ll need a truck to get it all. This is just temporary.” She winks and goes to the door.
“That’s what you think, babe. You’re never going to want to leave once I have you.” She stands at the door with her mouth open. I slowly prowl up to her and use the tip of my finger to lift her chin while my other hand slides the bag off her shoulder and onto mine. “I’ll take that, love.” I wait in the hall for her to lock up then take her hand in mine as we walk out of the building.
Alex squeezes my hand. “I can carry my own bag, you know.”
I look down at her cute face. I don’t know how Iever thought she could have anything to do with Taylor. Even if it was brief. “I know youcan. That’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” she asks.
I pull open the door to the rear seat of the SUV waiting out front and help her get settled. I grab the seatbelt and drag it slowly across her chest, making sure I lean into her until my mouth is hovering above hers. Her eyes dilate in anticipation.
“I told you. I love taking care of you. I want to do it all.” I click the belt into the holder then slide my hand up under her chin and through her hair before I press my lips to hers. Her soft hum vibrates through me as I slip my tongue into her mouth. She melts under my touch as I devour her right in the back seat. I pull back with one last kiss and take in her lust-filled eyes. “We will continue this at my place.”
“What—” Her eyes shift to the front seat, finally taking in Thomas, who’s staring out the windshield. Red travels up her neck to her cheeks. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry, Thomas.”
