Page 25 of Alex

Alex stopped and walked back to her. Taking her in his arms his hands linked loosely at her lower back he looked down at her. “Evelyn, just relax. I’ll contact Jack for an update and make sure I listen for your phone. If it rings, I’ll bring it to you. You just do your thing and let me look after you. Please?”

Hearing that he would listen for her phone and tell her if anything pertinent came up Evelyn decided to let herself have these few hours. “Okay.” At her agreement he kissed her head and walked away while she admired his ass in his jeans as he did.

Turning back to the canvas she knew exactly what she would paint. Her brush started to move, tentative at first but becoming more confident as the long-buried memory began to emerge. Soon her brush was flying, time forgotten as art took over and she bled her emotions on to the canvas. Halfway through she stopped and surveyed the painting. She was rusty, that was easy to tell but she wasn’t as bad as she had thought.

Not wanting Alex to see her unfinished work, she lifted the easel and turned it so he wouldn’t see it if he walked in the door. Her back was now to the winter sunlight that poured through the windows. She felt none of the fear or apprehension she usually would if her back was to a potential enemy. She knew Alex had her back and the glass was bulletproof.

Three hourslater Alex poked his head around the door and looked at her. She knew her time at the easel was up.

“Jack just called. We have a meeting with a contact in two hours that has information about Simon Booth.”

Casting her eye over the canvas once more she regretfully laid her paints down. “Okay. Let me clean up.”

He spied the still full breakfast tray and frowned. This had been one of the things they had fought about when they were together as teens. Her failure to remember to eat or drink when she was sucked down the rabbit hole that was her imagination.

“How about I make you a sandwich and then clean up while you eat and shower. As becoming as that paint spatter is, I’m not sure it gives the correct vibe for this meeting.”

His sexy smirk which made her belly flip. “I’m fine. I’m not that hungry.”

Alex raised his eyebrow as he placed his hands on his lean hips. He gave her a look which was at once sexy and annoying. This was new the Alex, the man he had grown into in her absence. “You need to eat.” His tone was firm and brooked no argument.

“I know my own body, Alex,” she replied haughtily but secretly enjoying this side of him.

“And I know that if you don’t eat you get migraines.”

She could tell by his tone he wasn’t going to budge an inch and he was right. She did get migraines if she skipped meals too often. It was sweet all the things he remembered but also annoying. “Fine,” she said with a glare, “but don’t think this means you can boss me around. I’m a grown woman who has been taking care of herself for a long time. I don’t need you telling me what to do.” She went to sweep past him wondering why she felt so confrontational suddenly.

A steel arm clamped around her bicep stopping her. “Don’t behave like a brat, Evelyn. It doesn’t suit you. I’m merely trying to take care of someone who means a great deal to me. If that makes me bossy, then so be it but don’t ask me to be something I am not. The old Alex is still there but you’ll learn the new Alex, the one that has watched those he loves in pain, will not stand by and watch it happen again.”

Evelyn hung her head in shame. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m just not used to it,” she relented and watched as his face softened.

He hauled her against his chest and kissed her hard, his body flush against hers making her shiver. Her skin tingled and her blood roared as he continued to kiss her taking from her while showing with his every touch that he meant to look after her. He pulled away and gazed at her face, his eyes heated with a passion that was burning so hot it was a wonder it didn’t scorch her skin.

“Get used to it, mi nena.”

She could hear the hoarse arousal in his voice. His words sent a thrill through her and she nodded not trusting her voice. Wanting nothing more than to carry on kissing Alex among other more delicious things than anything else right now.

“Go before I decide I’m the one who’s hungry,” he growled his deep voice resonating in her every nerve. Seeing the hunger in his eyes and knowing they still had to catch whoever had set her up, Evelyn stepped away. But not before promising herself that she would come back to this place.