He’s a member of Michael’s Legion, Lexy. Don’t forget that.
I repeat it to myself like a warning.
But somehow… Dexter Hawthorne driving out in the middle of the night to get a box, food, and toys for a stray kitten doesn’t fit the picture I’ve built in my head.
And that’s the problem.
Because if I’m wrong about him…
Then I don’t know what kind of man I’m living with.
CHAPTER 10
Alexis
I’m a nervous wreck. What should one wear to her boss’s parents’ lunch? The last time someone invited me was… well, my dad was still alive.
The thought lingers longer than I want it to.
For a second, I can almost hear him, see the way he’d lean against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching me overthink something exactly like this.
Something tight pulls in my chest.
This feels like something I lost.
Should I bring something? A cake? Oh God, I can’t make a cake!
Marvel stares up at me, his tiny head following my every move from the floor. His round blue eyes track me as I pace back and forth across my room.
I sigh. It’s not like I have much choice.
“I’ll wear jeans and a sweater,” I mutter to myself.
I leave my hair down, brushing the soft waves over my shoulders, and put on light makeup, just mascara and a little lip gloss so I don’t look like I’m about to pass out from nerves.
“You be a good boy and use the litter box, okay?” I tell him.
Marvel cocks his head like he wants to tell me he knows pretty damn well where to pee.
“Okay, I’ll be back in the afternoon and we’ll cuddle, I promise.”
I kiss his soft little head and put on my coat.
A knock sounds at the door.
My stomach flips.
When I open it, Dex is standing in the hallway, wearing jeans and a dark blue button-down that hugs his muscles a little too well. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, exposing tan, muscled forearms.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod.
“Let’s go.”
He steps aside so I can grab my purse and turn off the lights. When I walk out into the hallway, Dex reaches past me and pulls the apartment door closed before locking it.
Then he opens the building door and holds it, gesturing for me to go first.
