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I opened the bottle and handed her one. “If you don’t take it, you’ll feel way more than out of it.” I started taking food out of the bags, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ali stick her tongue out at me. If her ribs weren’t bruised and her arm wasn’t broken, she’d pay for that. I should start keeping track. I had to turn my back when the ideas I had for punishing her went straight from my brain to my cock.
I’d lied when I said I got all her favorites from the café; I’d gotten mine. But based on how much she ate, Ali must’ve liked what I chose.
“What do you say we take a quick trip over to your apartment before you crash for the night?”
She raised a brow, but was smiling.
“Sorry, poor choice of words.”
By the time I wheeled her across the street, I realized what a bad idea this was. No matter how small the bump, Ali felt it. She didn’t complain, but I saw every wince. Even the elevator doors closing and then opening jarred her.
I wheeled her to the apartment door, used the key card to open it, and wondered if it might be better if she stayed here tonight.
“Hey, I was thinking…” She went ghost-white again. “What is it? Pain?”
She shook her head. “Someone’s been in here.”
We’d only gotten as far as the kitchen, but nothing appeared amiss. “Your friend was, right?”
“Someone else.”
Given the look on her face, I knelt down beside her and put my hand on the arm of the wheelchair. “What makes you say that?”
“Take a deep breath.”
I did and then shook my head.
“Cologne.”
“Could it be?—”
“If you’re going to ask if it could be Chloe’s, the answer is no. She’s worn the same perfume all the years I’ve known her. If she’d switched, I would’ve noticed. Besides, what I smell is men’s cologne, not perfume.”
I took another whiff, but I couldn’t smell anything. I wasn’t taking any chances, though. “I think it’s your imagination,” I said, louder than I needed to, shaking my head and putting my finger in front of my mouth so she didn’t respond. As quietly as I could, I wheeled her back out and into the elevator.
“Where are we going?” she asked once the door closed behind us.
“I’m taking you back to my place until I can confirm that whomever’s cologne you smelled isn’t still in there.”
“It was familiar.”
“And you’re sure it couldn’t be from Chloe?”
Ali shot me a glare, but by the time I wheeled her into my apartment, she looked like she couldn’t keep her eyes open a minute longer. I took her straight into the bedroom, lowered the side of the wheelchair, and lifted her onto the bed.
“Before you nod off, tell me what all you want me to get.”
“It’ll be easier if you just grab my bag and my suitcase. I didn’t unpack.”
I’d ask why later. First, I wanted to get over there and make sure there wasn’t anyone still in the apartment. “Is your phone on?”
Ali nodded.
“Make sure the ringer’s on and turn the volume up, in case I have questions.”
She nodded again, as though that was all she had energy for. I brushed her hair from her forehead. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Before I realized what I was doing, my lips touched hers. Kissing her before I left, especially with her stretched out on my bed, seemed like such a natural thing to do.
“I’m sorry, Ali,” I whispered, resting my forehead against hers. “There’s just something?—”