“Yeah, well, I think I want that bag to stay packed. He’s a jerk who isn’t worth my time. At all. I found out later that he had another girlfriend on theside.”
Blowing out a breath, Alexander forced himself to calm so he could return to Elizabeth’s side. If he did nothing else tonight, he had to reassure her. “I don’t pursue more than one woman at a time,chérie.But I very much want to pursue you. Look atme.”
He searched her gaze. “I believe in being faithful.Always.”
“You want to be exclusive?” she asked with a hitch in hervoice.
Unable to curb his grin, he replied, “Yes. For as long as this lasts. But that will mean one very importantthing.”
“What’s that?” sheasked.
“Parties, Elizabeth. It’s Christmas. I have a holiday ball to attend on Friday night. Will you accompany me?” With his arm around her waist, he felt herstiffen.
“What you’re really asking me is if I’ll accept a dress fromyou.”
Alexander inclined his head. “I’m asking you to let me take care of you, just a little. A dress, shoes, jewelry. Not to control you. To make things easier on you. Will you come? Meet my brother, some of my business associates? Dance with me? Maybe stay the night here, engage in some moreplay?”
He ran his fingers through her tousled hair, relishing the way she relaxed into hisembrace.
“No jewelry. You’renotbuying me jewelry. And I get to pick the dress. You don’t get to tell me what towear.”
Would he ever get enough of her scent? Of the little sounds she made when he touched her? Elizabeth arched her brows, and he pulled himself out of his musings. “I wouldn’t dream of picking a dress for you. As for the jewelry… What about a loan? Something simple. Understated. This is a fire and ice ball, Elizabeth. You’ll be expected to weardiamonds.”
A scowl twisted her lips. “Fine.”
“To all of it? Most importantly, will you date me exclusively?” Alexander held his breath, more nervous about this one question than anything he could remember. Pressing his lips together, he tried to stop the muscle twitching along hisjaw.
Elizabeth studied him, and he feared she saw right through his self-assured demeanor. “Yes.”
With that single word, she righted his entire world. Crushing his lips to hers, he took, tongue and teeth ravishing her until they had to come up for air. For this moment, she was completely his, and God help him, he’d handed himself over to her just asthoroughly.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?” he asked as he drewback.
“I’m sure.” Though her voice wobbled, her eyes held a fiery determination he wouldn’t—and couldn’t—argue with. “Then let’s get youhome.”
The limo ride passed in a blur. Tucked against Alexander’s warm body, cosseted in the blanket and his arm, Elizabeth listened intently as he sipped a glass of scotch and told her about his meetings in London and the woman he’d hired to run the company for him. Mundane, everyday conversation, the type of easy words that passed between lovers who’d grown comfortable with oneanother.
Despite her interest, as they approached her apartment, exhaustion draped over her like the soft blanket she still wore around hershoulders.
“I’m sorry, she murmured, tipping her head back to gaze at him when he rubbed her thigh. “I don’t know why I’m so tired. It’s not eveneleven.”
Alexander smiled softly. “Sub drop,chérie.The emotions, the exhaustion, and the chills are common. Do you have more chocolate athome?”
“I thinkso.”
“Have some. A bath, another cup of tea, a warm blanket…” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as Thomas rapped softly on the window, then opened thedoor.
He kissed her so thoroughly when they reached her apartment door that she nearly forgot how to turn the knob. Her body tingled all the way down to her toes. The man was like a drug, one she could become addicted to very quickly. It wasn’t until the door was securely locked and his footsteps echoed on the stairs that she managed to break the spell of his kiss. River padded over and meowedplaintively.
Elizabeth scooped the cat up and brought her into the bedroom. She peered between the drapes and out the window to the sidewalk below. Alexander strode towards the limo that was double-parked on her narrow street, and before he ducked inside, he looked up. Four stories of distance did nothing to dim the dazzling smile that lit up his face when he saw her watching. With the cat in her arms, and his blanket still around her shoulders, she could only manage a tiny wave in return before the limo pulledaway.
River protested in her arms. “Okay, sweetie. I know.Bedtime.”
A flash of movement on the street caught her eye before she turned away. A lone man stood on the opposite corner, talking on his phone and staring up at herwindow.
With a gasp, Elizabeth stumbled back, then yanked the drapes closed. When she peered out again a few seconds later, the man wasgone.
