Page 21 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“But you realized it, and it’s only been a few days. How is that possible?”

“I’m good at reading people.” He gave a shuddering breath that proved he wasn’t as in-control as he portrayed.

“I’ve seen the same horrible scenario before.

She thinks he’ll change, another chance, another bruise.

It took me an hour to convince her real men don’t behave that way.

Now that she finally understands, she’ll need time to recover. I’m giving her a little vacation.”

“To Puerto Vallarta.” Everleigh fought for anger, something to rekindle her defenses against Alexander, but it was no longer in her. “Do you really think she should vacation with a man right now?”

“Absolutely not,” Alexander replied. “Which is why she’s going with my sister.”

His sister? “A. Stone?”

Alexander inclined his head. “My youngest sister, Alana Stone. She’s going on a trip with a few friends and was happy to include Chloe. When she gets back, I’ll connect her with supportive resources. As for her boyfriend, let’s just say his life is going to be rather difficult from now on.”

The last of her anger fled. Alexander was not a heartless womanizer, but rather a hero, spending hours to help an abused woman. “That’s extraordinary of you, Alexander. Thank you.”

“Perhaps I’m not the Big Bad Wolf after all.” Yet a powerful voice belied the words, with all-consuming strength. “When it comes to women, I have a singular focus.”

He looked directly at her.

She stepped back, bumping into a heavy vase sitting on a narrow pedestal. It teetered behind her, yet no crash came as Alexander grabbed it the only way he could.

Encircling her.

How had he caught the vase in time? It didn’t seem possible, as if the laws of physics didn’t apply to the muscular man who’d captured her in his arms. They stood face-to-face, in a hold that never loosened.

Her heart rate increased, her breathing too, as he towered over her, pure muscle and incomparable strength.

Desire as she’d never known it fired, amidst the urge to press closer.

His eyes reflected the same, and something more .

Then he was coming closer… and closer… and closer…

The brush of his lips was the spark to ignite a firestorm.

The world melted away as his arms tightened, pressing her flush against a wall of muscle.

He was as hard as pure steel, defined strength and sculpted expanses.

Desire seized every muscle, yet it was not enough. She fingered the button on his shirt…

“What am I doing?” She gasped the words, as she pushed back with the last of her willpower.

Her lips were swollen, her body ripe and desperate for more.

Above her, Alexander’s expression was as fierce as fire’s blaze, as he flexed powerful muscles.

She took a step back, and his eyes sharpened. He stepped forward… and stopped.

Neither moved. Her breathing slowed, yet desire remained, in the midst of far stronger emotions.

She pushed them aside. She would not surrender to this man.

“Thank you. For saving the vase, that is, not the…” She edged to the side to escape his grasp, yet he didn’t move, unspoken messages burning, proving he wielded total control. Challenge blazed with clear intent.

This was not over.

She cleared her throat. “We shouldn’t be kissing, especially not here.”

His eyes narrowed, yet after a moment and forever of staring, he shook his head. “We have much to discuss.” She opened her mouth, yet he stopped her with a raised hand. “You are not ready to hear what I have to say.”

Her words caught in her throat, as a thousand responses tangled, all emerging as silence. What was he not ready to say? What did he want? Most importantly…

How was she going to resist the power that was Alexander Stone?

“Where are you hiding your most precious treasures?”

Her heart thumped in her chest, as she pushed back from her desk.

It was a regular occurrence with this man, regardless of whether he was present or not.

Since the kiss hours ago, she had imagined it again and again.

And again and again and again. A fine film of sweat now slickened every part of her body.

His fiery gaze said he knew it. “I didn’t mean anything inappropriate. I was talking about the one-of-a-kind products you offer.”

“Of course.” Yet every sentence had a double meaning, from a man with countless facets. “Have you heard the rumor you can read minds? Some say it’s the only explanation behind your extraordinary business success.”

“It doesn’t always work. I’ve had no success with you.” He softened the jest with a smile, as he returned to his original query. “I’ve catalogued most of your stock products in the warehouse, but I haven’t seen any of the one-of-a-kind treasures. Where do you keep them?”

“They’re not here.” Everleigh clasped her hands together. “I keep them at my apartment.”

“Your apartment?” His mask slipped, revealing something raw, something powerful . “You keep your greatest assets at an unsecured location?”

“It’s not unsecured. I have three locks.” One of which was usually locked. “There’s a safe for the most expensive ones.” Which was often unlocked. “Plus, I have an alarm.” Which didn’t work.

He frowned, as if he could read the caveats in her mind. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to be there? Let’s go.”

As he stepped toward the exit, she grabbed her purse off her desk. “Where are we going?”

“To your home.”

She stopped short. “You can’t come to my home.”

“We need to move the relics to a secure location.” He straightened his sleeves. “Some of the antiques are worth thousands of dollars.”

Which would be pocket change to him. Why did he care so much? “They’ve been at my home for years. There’s never been a problem.”

“I’m not willing to chance it. My estate should be sufficient.” The sides of his lips quirked up. “As you know, it’s well protected against intruders I don’t want breaking in.”

She stiffened at the reminder of her failed adventure. Yet how could they go to each other’s homes when she couldn’t keep her hands off him at the office? “I will arrange to have the items moved. There’s no need for us to go together.”

He cocked his head to the side “Are you intimidated by me?”

Yes. “Of course not.” She stepped forward, directly to his chest. Spoke to the wall of muscle and power that was Alexander Stone. “I’m not intimidated by you at all.”

“Perfect. Ready to go then?”

“Fine!”

He smiled widely, and she frowned. She’d walked right into his trap.

Yet he wouldn’t control everything. “I’ll take you to get the items, but you bring them home on your own.

” Without waiting for an answer, she pivoted and walked out the door.

Yet his presence remained behind her as she strode down the hallway, past the employees who were enjoying a delicious BBQ lunch, courtesy of Alexander.

They exited the building into the sunny Florida afternoon.

“Do you want directions, or would you prefer to follow me?”

“Actually, neither.” He gestured as a gleaming black limo glided to the curb. A second later, an impeccably dressed chauffeur emerged and opened the door.

Alexander appeared behind her, yet she darted away before he could corral her into the limo. “I prefer to drive.”

The denial was immediate. “We have a lot to discuss, and the limo will give us privacy.”

“We’ll have plenty of time later.” She stepped back. “I like the freedom of my own car.”

For a moment he appeared thoughtful, then he peered into the parking lot. “I’m afraid you have no choice. Your car has a flat.”

“What?” Everleigh pivoted toward the small car and its fully inflated tires. She relaxed. “Nice try, but the tires are fine.”

“It’s on the other side.”

“Do you think I’m going to fall for that?” Yet his expression remained serious, as he gestured again toward her car. Frowning, she strode over to the vehicle, circled the front and halted. On the front driver side, one of the tires was completely deflated.

He came up behind her. “Definitely flat.”

Impossible, unless… She spun on him. “Did you do this?”

“You think I deflated your tire just to force you to ride with me?”

When he put it like that, it did sound unlikely. Still… “Then how did you know? You can’t see it from this side.”

“The car looked lopsided. Don’t worry, I’ll get it fixed.” With a hand on the small of her back, he guided her away from her car and back to the limo. “It’ll be done by the time we get back.”

“I appreciate that, but I’ll take care of it.” She retrieved her phone from her purse. “I have roadside assistance.”

“That’ll take hours, and you have a full schedule today.” He plucked the cell from her.

“Hey!” She snatched for the phone, but he held it out of reach. “You can’t just take what you want!”

His gaze sparkled with mischief, even as he handed the device back. “Actually, I believe I can.”

“Not with me.” She pressed the keypad, dialed a single number when the screen went black, amid a flashing battery symbol. She stared. “I just charged it!”

“Must be a sign. We should go.” Before she could protest, he shuffled her into the waiting limo. She tried to resist, but a sudden burst of wind flew in and seconds later, she was in the car. She reached for the handle.

“Are you certain you want to do that?” Alexander sat next to her, but made no move to stop her. “If you leave, I’ll know you’re afraid of me.”

She clenched her fists. “You can’t keep manipulating me with that line.”

“Are you sure?” His voice deepened. “It seems to be working.”

She sank back into the buttery seat. The scent of expensive wood and leather surrounded her, in a luxurious cabin with golden accents and soft ambivalent lighting. “I wanted to wait for roadside assistance.”

“There was no need because I’m getting the tire fixed for you. Besides we’ll save on gas. You do care about the environment, don’t you, Miss Lacey?”

Everleigh shut her eyes.

“What are you doing?”