Page List


Font:  

“Good girl.” He kisses my lips as I throw my arms around his neck. “Not that I mind if you dislodge everything. It just gives me an excuse to make love to you again.” He pulls me upright and kisses my lips as the stickiness between my thighs slides along my skin and soaks his pants. “Looks like we have an excuse to do it again,” he mumbles against my lips.

Yeah, that’s just horrible news.

Chapter Fifty-One

Daisy

Six Weeks Later–The Women’s Shelter

Life with Alexander is better than I expected. My sister didn’t bat an eye when I introduced him as my boyfriend. We’ve even gone to their place a couple of times and hung out.

The bell above the door dings, taking my attention away from the computer. I step out of the office to find Dana standing there. Her eyes are red and puffy.

“What happened?” I rush past the counter and grab her arms. She winces, and I lessen my grip.

“Rick went too far this time. I know he didn’t mean it but–”

“Dana.” I give her a stern look. “I know I can’t decide when enough is enough for you, but when he came by a few weeks ago and cornered me, I could tell his control is slipping. He needs help, and you need to give him the space to get that help.”

Her mouth drops as she blinks. “He cornered you?”

“Yes, in the parking lot.”

“And if I hadn’t stopped him, I don’t know what he would have done to her.” Alexander joins us from the computer lab.

He likes to pretend he’s not worried about me running the shelter, but he’s lying. I like that he’s worried about me but still lets me do my job. I’m first for once. Most of the time, he’s at his office. But there’s not a night that’s gone by when he wasn’t here to pick me up at the end of the shift.

She rubs her hands over her pants. “I don’t understand. Why would he bother you?”

“Because he wanted to find you and couldn’t.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears fill her eyes. “I had no idea he would go after anyone else.”

“Dana.” I shake my head at the sorrow on her face. “It’s not your fault. He needs help, and if he doesn’t get it, he’ll do something that really hurts you.”

“I know.” Her bottom lip trembles. “But he wasn’t always like this.”

“But he is now.”

“You’re right.” She nods and straightens her shoulders. “The kids are with my parents out of state, so it’s just me. Can you put me someplace he won’t look? I need a few days for him to sober up before I make the next move.”

“Okay.”

“I’m filing for divorce. It’s what’s best for the kids. And for me. I’ve tried to save him for too long. It’s time he saved himself.”

“That’s brave of you.” Alexander walks behind the counter and pulls up our placement system. “Where have you been before, and did he find you there or get you to tell him where you were once you returned home?”

For several minutes, they go over the places she’s been until he finds an opening for her and her kids when they return from her parent’s place.

My heart aches for her. Even though it’s for the best, it’s never easy.

***

Twenty Minutes Later

“Thank you.” I wrap my arms around Alexander’s neck and place a chaste kiss on his lips from the sanctity of my office. While I’m not hiding our relationship, I’m not flaunting it either. At least not at work. I’ve learned my lesson about inappropriate dick-sucking when anyone can walk in on you. I grin against his mouth. Well, at least until the next time.

“Hmm.” He slowly opens his eyes. “I’ll take more thank yous like that, but you’re welcome. I enjoy helping when I can.”


Tags: Alexia Chase Romance