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“Don’t deny me, Lola.” His hand dipped into the towel, searching for that place between my legs as his silken lips kissed my neck. I wasn’t giving in, not this time.
I turned sharply and shoved at him.
“I said no. Are you going to respect that or not?” He backed away, stunned by the venom in my voice. I pulled the towel from my hair, grabbed the brush from the toiletries stand and began untangling it in the mirror. His gaze speared me but I refused to look at him. Eventually he stalked out, leaving me alone in the steam-filled bathroom.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
I spent a long time unpicking my hair and towel drying it as best as I could. I told myself it was because I didn’t want to sleep with wet hair, but really, I just didn’t want to face him yet.
When I couldn’t put it off any longer, I opened the door, hoping he’d already be asleep. I found him sitting on his side of the bed, his feet on the floor, his head in his hands, the muscles of his back working with each steadying breath he took. He looked like he was trying to calm himself. He turned when he heard me, his grey gaze finding me in the dark.
“If I go and sleep in a different bed tonight, what are the odds of you leaving me there?” I asked.
“Not good.”
I nodded my head. He didn’t like this, but every time I’d let him closer, he’d hurt me somehow. For right now, the wall I was putting up between us was merely self-preservation.
I crossed to the bed without looking at him and climbed in as far away from him as possible. Without a word I settleddown and pretended like there was any chance I’d get to sleep tonight. Eventually, I drifted off but I slept fitfully, drifting in and out of consciousness, restless even in sleep. Peace didn’t come until Alfie’s arms wrapped around me. Only then was my subconscious happy.
Twenty-Six
Idrifted awake, bleary-eyed and alone.
Sunlight filled the room as it blared through the balcony window. I sat up, naked in a tangle of Egyptian cotton sheets. There was no sign of Alfie and I wasn’t sure if I felt relieved or hurt. Maybe both.
I dressed in yesterday’s clothing. The only thing missing was my destroyed shoes. I left the suite barefoot and went in search of Alfie.
There was no sign of him downstairs. The dining table, the same table that I’d had multiple orgasms on over a week ago, held a neat breakfast spread under glass cloches. Alfie had presented me with breakfast every morning I’d been here, but without him I felt like an intruder. Feeling somewhat of a thief, I lifted the lid and was just sneaking out a blueberry muffin when the lift doors pinged open. I expected Alfie, but instead I was greeted by Elliot carrying a white box. His sharp eyes scanned the suite as he entered, landing on me.
“Good morning, Elliot. Hacked anyone else’s medical records recently?”
He didn’t respond, only set the box down on the foyer table. “Mr Tell had me collect these for you. I’m sure they’ll fit.”
I crossed the room and opened the box, finding a white pair of shoes almost identical to the ones I’d destroyed last night, only these were undoubtedly more expensive. I wanted to throw them at him but I didn’t have anything else to wear, so I dropped them onto the floor and shoved my feet in them.
“Any idea where Mr Tell is this morning?”
“I expect he’s in the gym.” He nodded towards the hallway that led to a series of rooms I had yet to explore. “I advise you to wait here until he returns.”
I let out an unladylike snort. Yeah,thatwas gonna happen. Taking my muffin with me, I walked off to find Alfie. I half-expected Elliot to stop me but a moment later I heard the ping of the lift signalling his exit.
I tried door after door and found a games room complete with a snooker table, a small library, and a jacuzzi room, but no Alfie. I got to the last door in the hall and when I opened it I was greeted by a rhythmicthud thud thud. I found Alfie, dressed only in gym shorts and boxing gloves, beating the hell out of a punch bag.
The gym was decked out with weights, a bench press, a rowing machine, and a treadmill, as well as other equipment I couldn’t name. It was impressive but it was Alfie that I couldn’t take my eyes off. He was facing me, but he didn’t see me. His brow was screwed up in concentration, his beautiful mouth set in a grim line. His abs flexed and contracted as he landed blow after blow, his torso slick with sweat.
The door clicked shut behind me, alerting him to my presence. His eyes found me. They held my gaze for a cold moment before he switched his attention back to the bag. My stomach growled and I popped another morsel of muffin into my mouth as he continued his assault.
Eventually, his punches slowed and, after a few more, he gave it up, panting hard and looking anywhere but at me. Hetugged off his gloves and placed them on a bench, side by side. He opened a mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. I watched the muscles of his throat contract as he drank it down. His every detail was fascinating to me. He picked up a hand towel and wiped the sweat from his face.
“Thank you for the shoes,” I said, no longer able to stand the silence.
“I should have had him bring you fresh clothing too.” He looked at my worn clothes with disapproval. That hurt but I let it go.
“Do you do this every morning?” I asked, trying to change the subject. “You look exhausted.”
“It was the lesser of two evils,” he snapped, stalking past me and out of the gym. I had no choice but to follow him so I did, hurrying my step as he strode down the hallway.
“Wait here.” Without so much as a backward glance, he mounted the stairs and disappeared.