Chapter Five
E asy
Propped against in my kitchen doorway with my coffee cup in hand, I watch my new obsession’s nose twitch in her sleep.
When she broke down last night, everything inside me roared to life, filling me with this unexplainable need to make everything that was going wrong for her right.
After taking the quickest shower known to man, I reached out to Dex and gave him all the information I'd managed to put together from my limited conversation with Lex.
Unsurprisingly, it takes Dex less than five minutes to piece together most of her life story.
Alexis Vale is a twenty-four-year-old vet tech from Kentucky. She was raised by her paternal grandparents after her mother and father lost their lives in a tragic car accident. Lex is as strait-laced as they come, which puts her way out of my league.
Too bad for her I’m a selfish bastard who wants her anyway.
Taking another sip of my coffee as I watch her sleep, I feel for her.
My girl has been through the wringer in the last few years.
It’s bad enough she lost her parents as a child, but to lose both grandparents in a house fire—it’s more than anyone should have to endure.
After learning about her past, I made up my mind that she was going to be mine.
Lexi is honest and trusting, and it’s refreshing.
That soft spot needs protecting, and I want the job.
I know whatever this is that I’m feeling is crazy, but I don’t care.
I’m going to do whatever the hell I want. Starting by figuring out how to get her off my couch and into my bed.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. When I pull it out I see a message from Dex.
Got a lock on her money
Let me know when you find him
You got it
Moving back into the kitchen, I set my cup in the sink and snag my keys off the table. I hate leaving her to fend for herself, but I still have a job to wrap up.
“Fucking frat boys,” I growl under my breath as I move quietly back into the living room. Dropping down onto my haunches at the side of the couch, I take her in.
She looks like an angel with her hair spread out around her like a halo, long lashes fanned across her rosy cheeks, and that sexy fucking cupid's bow puckered just so.
God, she’s beautiful, and I want to kiss her again.
“Lex.” I wrap my hand around hers and squeeze softly. “Lexi, baby,” I try again when she doesn’t stir.
Her nose wrinkles adorably before her lids flutter open, revealing those green eyes I’ve already fallen in love with.
“Hi,” she smiles sleepily.
Using the back of my fingers, I move a loose lock of hair off her cheek and whisper back, “Hi, baby.”
She leans into my touch. “What time is it?”
“It’s a little after seven. I’ve gotta go into work for a few hours, but I want you to stay here, okay?”
Sitting up onto her ass, her eyes pop open wide. “I have a job interview at nine.”
“You’ve got time, babe. Here.” Leaning onto my hip, I reach into my pocket and pull out my keys. I spin them around on the ring until I find the one to the front door and work it free. “Go do your thing, then come back here. My guy is working on finding your money, but until he does, I want you here.”
“What? How?”
I hand her the key and wink. “He's got his ways.”
“Shawn—” Her head shakes side to side like I'm speaking in riddles.
“Baby, I’ve gotta get to work. Go do your shit, then come back here, yeah?” I know I’m pushing my luck with her, but I don’t want her to leave.
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy?” She wrinkles her nose adorably.
I grin. “Never.”
“Doubt that,” she mumbles under her breath.
Without thinking, I lean into her space, grip the back of her head, and press my mouth to hers. My heart thunders in my chest when she parts her lips and touches her tongue to mine.
Fuck yes!
She groans, and I swallow it down before finally pulling away, convinced it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. “Fuck, I wish I didn't have to go,” I groan, greedily pecking her kiss-swollen lips once more. With what amounts to superhuman strength, I climb to my feet and put some much-needed space between us.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Okay,” she whispers with a kiss-drunk look on her face.
Heading for the door, I get the hell out of here before I do something really stupid like haul her up to my room and chain her sexy ass to my bed so she’ll never be able to get away.
Lexi
My fingers ghost across my lips.
Holy smokes.
That was the second time Shawn kissed me out of the blue, and the second time I let him.
Is it wrong to hope it isn’t the last?
When he opened the door last night, there was an instant attraction.
It should feel wrong considering the situation I’m running from, but it doesn’t, and clearly Shawn feels something too.
I mean, that kiss was electric.
It was one of those storybook, once-in-a-lifetime, rock-your-world and make-your-toes-curl kisses!
I'm someone who always listens to signs from the universe, so it has to mean something.
“What am I even thinking? This is the twenty-first century. And he said as much last night. He’s a biker, and he does whatever he wants.” And now I’m talking to myself.
Scrubbing my hands across my face, I need to get my ass in gear. I have stuff to do, and as much as I want to run and hide to analyze the way I’m feeling, there’s no time for it.
I’m broke, homeless, and I need to get a job if I’m going to turn things around.
Climbing off the couch in a confused but admittedly loved-up haze, I pluck my bag off the coffee table and climb the steps in search of a shower.
Forty minutes later, I’m showered, dressed, and have done the bare minimum with just a touch of gloss and mascara, and left my hair down to air dry after working in some spray gel.
Thank the gods for natural curly hair.
With one more quick look around Shawn’s place to make sure I have what I need, I grab my purse and head out the door.
I have a job interview to get to.