“I don’t want to see anyone else. I know we haven’t really set any ground rules for this thing between us, but I want us to be exclusive.”
Lexi exhaled; relieved to hear that’s what he wanted to discuss. “I want the same thing. I don’t date more than one person at a time, Trevor. I never have. That’s just how I am.”
Trevor looked deep into Lexi’s eyes. “Good.” He stepped a bit closer. “You’re all I thought about on the plane ride home.”
Butterflies danced around inside her. “I didn’t stop thinking about you the entire time you were gone.”
His perfect mouth tilted up at both corners. “I’m glad we got that settled.” Trevor leaned down and gave her a soft, sweet kiss. Lexi wanted more, and she could swear he did, too. But his eyes slid to her bruise, and he suddenly pulled back before she could even try to do more.
In an almost startled manner, he turned and began walking down the hallway. “Are you hungry? I can fix us something or order in.”
“I-I’m really not that hungry,” she said, her short legs trying to catch up to him. Why was he walking away so quickly?
She followed him into the kitchen where he went to the fridge and pulled out a couple bottles of water. Handing her one, he then went to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen. Opening the lid, he dropped two pills into his palm and handed her those, as well.
“Here. These will help with your sore muscles.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, taking the pills from him. Using the water he’d just given her, she swallowed them quickly. “I really don’t feel too badly, though.”
“You might later. Hopefully, those will help head it off at the pass.”
Lexi nodded. “I’ll probably take some before I go into work tomorrow, too. Just in case.”
Trevor looked at her as if she’d suddenly grown six heads. “Work? You’re not going to work tomorrow.”
“Um, yes...I am. I work the early shift tomorrow.”
“Well, call Joe and tell him you can’t come in. Better yet, give me his number, and I’ll talk to him. I know he’ll understand if I—”
Now, it was her turn to look at him as if he’d lost a few marbles. “You’re not calling Joe, and neither am I.”
Setting his water bottle down onto the kitchen counter, Trevor looked at her pointedly and said, “One of us is calling him, because you’re not working while this guy’s still running loose. End of discussion.”
Then, as though he’d just declared Marshall Law, Trevor stepped around her and walked into the living room.
End of discussion? Oh, I don’t think so, mister.
Following him, Lexi decided to let him know exactly what she thought about his little plan. “That most definitely isnotthe end of this discussion. I can’t just call in, Trevor. I have responsibilities.”
“Yeah?” He turned around to face her. “So do I. It’s called keeping you alive.”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’ll be walking down some dark alley by myself at night. I’ll be at the diner surrounded by people the entire time I’m there.”
Trevor rested his hands on his hips, and she shouldnotbe thinking about how sexy and powerful he looked. Not when she was so mad at him.
“Lockwood has escalated, Alexis. Do you understand what that means?”
Okay, now that was just insulting. “Of course, I do. I’m not stupid, Trevor.”
He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Lex. I’m not trying to imply that you are. It’s just...with guys like this, once they start taking things to the next level, they usually keep going until they get what they want. Even if that means attacking in broad daylight while surrounded by witnesses.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Trevor. I really do.”
Shaking his head, he shocked her by saying, “I don’t think you do.”
“Excuse me?”
“I do this for a living, Alexis. I know guys like Lockwood.”
