At least that’s what the director of the FBI would say.
This rare moment was the reason I bothered doing my job any longer.
“It’s okay. You’re safe.” I kept my tone soft, hopefully comforting, the volume low. She was shaking like a fucking leaf and I wasn’t certain if she could respond or was too traumatized.
Then she lifted her head, her eyes locking with mine.
And I knew in my heart and in my soul that nothing would ever be the same.
What the fuck?
I let out a long, slow, and highly agitated breath after reaching for my weapon. Feeling nothing, I was jerked fully from the dream, enough my entire mind was fuzzy and every muscle tense.
And no fucking gun.
A more annoyed sound left my lips, but I reminded myself to keep quiet. I’d enjoyed a guest for the evening. The thought scintillating as fuck, I raked my hands through my hair just as I turned my head toward the sleeping woman.
Only she wasn’t there.
The single swipe of my hand on the pillow indicated Alexia had been gone for at least a couple of hours.
While I’d awakened in my own house, I scanned the room to ensure I was alone. Why all of a sudden was I concerned about some asshole breaking through my excellent security system? Two reasons.
What Alexia had told me and the damn nightmare.
The dream I’d had before, only with alternate endings that had almost no truth to them. Except for last night. The details had been completely accurate. It was obvious why I’d experienced the return of the night I’d rescued her, but my instincts were also working overtime in that karma wanted me to remember details entirely different than those I’d experienced before.
That would need to wait. Was she just snooping in my house or had she left completely? I yanked my boxers from the floor, sliding into them before heading from the bedroom.
As expected, she was nowhere to be found, but she’d left a note on the counter, her words unexpected.
Maverick,
Thanks for an unexpected evening, including listening to me. I must have sounded like a lunatic. I hope I didn’t ruin whatever you already had planned. I’ve been thinking about what you said and you’re right. Hearing about the Python Killer’s upcoming execution brought back too many unwanted memories. I have every right to be a little jumpy, but no one is stalking me. Don’t worry. I’m a big girl. I can handle a few nightmares. Please take care of yourself and know that I’ll be reading your books. Every one of them.
Your fan,
Alexia
My fan?
Who was she kidding?
Huh. Fascinating. She’d blown me off. Sure, I’d had it happen before, but not by someone who’d sought me out. Who was I kidding? I’d never had a single woman hunt me the way Alexia had done with me.
Not only did I feel disappointment, but there was anger mixed in. She certainly had a way of bringing out an array of emotions from deep within.
She’d disappeared. Away from me. After our intense passion. Why was it so difficult for me to believe? The answer was right there in the forefront of my brain.
Because we’d had a connection that neither one of us had felt before. We hadn’t needed to discuss the beautiful if onetime reality. We’d allowed ourselves to fall prey to a sinful indulgence. Why not? We were both adults.
Now she was gone.
I honestly had no idea how I felt about her leaving without having a chance to say goodbye. If I’d gathered anything about her note, it was stated in a way that let me know what we’d shared wouldn’t happen again. Perhaps that was for the best.
Then why the hell didn’t my cock get the memo?
Half laughing, I tossed the note back onto the counter, immediately heading for coffee. After snagging a pod and pressing the on button, I turned around, trying my best not toglare at the note. Why was I bothering to keep it? I should just toss it. We were clear. We weren’t going to see each other again.
