Chapter 48
ALEX
Iroll over, grimacing at the crick in my neck. Sleeping on a couch is not conducive to good physical health, certainly not at my age. Pushing myself upright, I stretch, rewarded by several satisfying pops.
It’s still dark outside.
A noise catches my attention.
I get up and move towards Brooke’s bedroom door. The noise is coming from inside.
I knock lightly. No answer. I knock again, with the same result.
A desperate cry has me opening the door and stepping inside.
She’s lying on her bed, shifting restlessly beneath the sheets, her breath coming in short, rapid bursts.
I cross to her, sweat glistening on her skin in the darkness.
“Dad!” she yells, sitting bolt upright, her eyes wide, full of terror.
“Hey,” I say, perching on the edge of the bed but leaving some distance between us.
I know I shouldn’t be here, but after her brother called to say her sister was out of surgery and that her condition was serious, I saw the look in Brooke’s eyes and I couldn’t leave her.
Her lost, unfocused eyes lock on mine.
“Alex?” she says, confused. “What are you still doing here?”
“I was sleeping on the couch,” I say. “I didn’t want to leave you alone.”
She groans and drops her head to her knees. “I’m sorry I woke you,” she says.
Before I can think better of it, I cup her cheek.
“Are you sure you’re okay? That seemed like an intense dream.”
She doesn’t move away. Her eyes meet mine.
“I… I was dreaming about the night my dad died. It doesn’t happen often. He died in a car accident.”
My heart stalls. “I’m sorry.”
“It was seven years ago, but… I miss him, especially at times like these.”
I pull her forward and into my arms. After holding her in my office, it feels natural. I’d do the same if this were Gabbi, although Brooke’s definitely not my sister.
She comes willingly, her arms sliding around my waist, holding on like I’m her only lifeline.
I shift us around until my back rests against her headboard, pulling the covers back up and over her.
“I’m sorry, I’m never usually this needy,” she mumbles against my T-shirt.
“We can’t be strong all the time,” I tell her, stopping myself from resting my cheek against her hair.
I’m already crossing more boundaries than I’m comfortable with, but I can’t seem to help myself.
Brooke sighs, her body starting to relax against me as she falls asleep.
I start to move away, but her hold tightens.
I drop my head back and close my eyes…I’ll wait until she’s asleep and then…
* * *
I awaken to warmth, more specifically, human warmth.
I’m lying flat on my back, a body pressed tightly against mine, a familiar scent filling my head and awakening my senses.
Stop!
I force my body to relax.
Mentally exhausted and fresh from her nightmare, Brooke had fallen asleep on me.
I must have fallen asleep too, which surprises me.
I’ve never been someone who cuddles. My parents never showed much affection toward anyone but each other.
They were both too busy with their jobs.
Not that it mattered. I was shipped off to boarding school in a different country, only returning during school breaks.
Even the nannies they employed to look after Gabbi and Enzo when they were younger were functional and professional, not loving or nurturing.
It’s no wonder my siblings and I have relationship issues, something Loretta made abundantly clear when she left me.
I don’t know what it is about Brooke, but she’s ignited every protective bone in my body.
I inhale sharply as she wiggles, snuggling herself deeper into my side, her knee grazing my now rock-hard cock. I clench my jaw and begin reciting the alphabet backwards before shifting to multiples of 27.
Down, boy!
I inhale deeply, which doesn’t help. I need to extract myself from Brooke’s arms before she wakes up and realises what’s happening.
“Alex,” she mumbles, half asleep.
“It’s okay. I’m going to put the kettle on and grab a shower. Go back to sleep,” I say, looking over my shoulder, not wanting to show how out of control my body is simply from holding her in my arms.
I enter the bathroom. It’s small, like everything in the apartment, but it’s clean, with her personal items neatly lined up on the shelf.
I strip off the T-shirt and boxers I wore beneath my suit, turning the water to cold. I step under, gasping as the icy spray hits my skin. I let the water cascade over my head and down my back as I try to make sense of the past twenty-four hours.
My friends have always complimented me on my loyalty, but I’ve known them for years.
I’ll even put myself at risk to protect those I care about, and I understand why I feel protective of my friends and family.
Yet somehow, my scrap of a PA seems to have wormed her way onto that short list. Never have I taken responsibility for someone else’s fuck-up like I did last week.
Then yesterday, when I saw her tears, something in my chest snapped. She was mine to protect.
That thought alone should scare me to death, and in part, it does, but seeing her last night…
Fuck! She needs my support, not my desire.
I tip my head back, allowing the icy water to freeze my libido. When I’ve finally cooled off, I get out and dry myself with one of the clean towels Brooke has stacked neatly on the shelf.
I dress in my suit, leaving off the T-shirt I slept in.
* * *
The bedroom door opens as I step out of the bathroom.
“Shit, Alex, you scared the crap out of me,” she says, her hand resting against her breastbone, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I thought you’d left.”
“I thought I’d grab a quick shower first. I hope you don’t mind?”
I could have showered at home, but… My cock twitches, and I steer my thoughts elsewhere.
“How are you feeling this morning?” I ask.
“Like I’ve done a triple HIIT workout without a single break,” she says.
“Can I make you a coffee before I go?” I ask.
She shakes her head, her smile less bright than usual. “Shouldn’t that be my line, especially after you spent the night and looked after me?”
“Isn’t that what bosses are for?” I say, suddenly wanting to lighten the mood.
“Not the ones I know, but I appreciate it. Thank you. I didn’t realise how much I needed company.”
We stare at each other for a moment.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, and I still can’t believe you beat me at poker.”
She smiles, and I’m glad the dark circles under her eyes have lessened.
“I did, didn’t I? And I really appreciate you being here. It helped to take my mind off Kat.”
“Any news?”
“My brother sent me a message to say she’s out of danger, but they’re keeping her sedated to help her body recover.”
“That’s great news.”
We stand staring at one another. An awkward morning after, without the sex.
“I better head off,” I say. “I’m going to the office to ensure everything is ready for Monday. I’ll get out of your hair.”
Brooke walks me to the door.
She rises onto her tiptoes and places her lips against my cheek. “Thank you again.”
I squeeze her forearm before I leave.
I turn before she shuts the door. “If you need a flight back to the UK, let me know.”
“I won’t, but thank you. Have a great weekend.”
“You too. See you on Monday morning,” I reply, stepping out into the corridor and walking away.
I hail a cab just outside her building and give the driver the St Clair office address. Sitting back, I close my eyes and try hard not to think of the woman I just left behind.