Page 45

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

"I could’ve asked my mom for help," she says as I lift her into the wheelchair.

"I can do it," I reply.

Marla is still outside, talking to William in the hallway, while Athanasios was called away to handle an emergency.

"When I said we needed to talk, I meant it, Lazarus."

"LJ."

"You once said your friends called you that. I was never your friend. I never had the chance to be. I just . . .”

I had promised myself I’d take it easy, but I’ve been holding back for over a month, touching her only professionally—except for when I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear a few minutes ago.

But I have a limit—and it’s just been crossed.

I lean down over her in the chair, and I can see her shrink back, knowing exactly what’s coming. Still, her eyes drop to my mouth.

I cup her face with both hands—the same face that’s haunted me for almost two years, my longing for her toying with my sanity. "You’re beautiful, Alexis."

"Don’t say that to me. I hate you, LJ. I don’t care if your sister lied. You never came back and?—"

"You’re wrong. I never left. I never left that house, that weekend."

When my mouth falls on hers, Alexis goes rigid. But the tension doesn’t last. Soon, those long, delicate fingers are caressing my forearm, responding to the kiss with the same wild, uncontrollable passion that always exploded between us whenever we were near each other.

We’re fire together, and the brief contact of our skin proves the flames never went out, despite time and distance.

Our lips and tongues say what words never could. The undeniable desire consumes us, pushing away doubts and heartache, leaving only hunger and longing.

The blood in my veins roars to life again, as if I’ve been dead until this moment—until having her back in my arms.

At first, the kiss is slow, a dance exploring the shape and texture of each other’s mouths.

But the explosive chemistry between us is unstoppable, quickly turning it into a desperate search for satisfaction, pulling us into a place that’s intimate, secret, sacred—where nothing exists except our connection.

I didn’t plan to ambush her, but now that I have her where I want her, I can’t let her pull away, can’t give up the taste of her.

My need, once contained, becomes urgent, and I lift her from the chair, pressing her against me.

Alexis moans my name, her hands threading through my hair, pulling me closer, like she’s trying to merge her body with mine.

We may be strangers in many ways, but we’re also lovers who know each other—because what we shared that weekend meant more to me than any relationship I’ve ever had.

I feel every nerve ending in her body pulsing toward me, her scent intoxicating, her lips exploring mine with raw, aching familiarity.

And then the door swings open, yanking us back to reality.

"Oh, God! I’m so sorry," Marla says, and Alexis pushes me away.

"Easy," I plead, but even after hearing the door close again—Marla stepping back to give us privacy—she keeps struggling to get free. "Don’t do that. Be careful."

"You didn’t seem worried a minute ago."

"I didn’t hear you asking me to stop."

“I can't get emotional.”

“I'm your doctor. You're fine. I wasn't going beyond that kiss.”

"That wasn’t just a kiss," she says, furious, as I set her back in the chair. "Don’t touch me again."

"Then tell me to stop when it’s happening. Not ten minutes later."

"I didn’t have the chance."

"Liar."

"Should you even be talking to me like that? I’m your patient. I’m still recovering."

I crouch down, bracing both hands on the arms of the wheelchair. "You’re mine. Patient, woman, but always mine . And if that kiss didn’t remind you of that yet, I’ll be happy to show you again."

"Get me out of here," she says, and this time, she doesn’t sound angry anymore. Just exhausted.

"Alexis . . .”

"We can’t, LJ. Even if I didn’t hate you—and I do—we could never be together again."

The door swings open again before I can argue.

"Ready?" her mother asks, and her voice now sounds determined, like she won’t leave us alone for even a second.

"Yes, Mom. I’m ready."

Alexis

"You don’t have to come up," I say, but when my mother turns around and gives me a scolding look, I quickly correct myself.

"I mean, thank you so much for helping me, but if you help my mom get the wheelchair outside, she can take me up to your apartment.

She said she was here yesterday and that the place is spotless. "

"I’m coming up," he says.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

He doesn’t answer, but I can read his expression perfectly.

LJ suddenly decided he wants me again. I have absolutely no intention of letting that happen. The kisses we shared at the hospital were more than enough proof that no matter how much resentment I hold inside, my body doesn’t agree.

He’s as dangerous to my mind and heart now as he was the first time I saw him.

Five minutes later, the three of us are inside the elevator, and even though my pulse races just from LJ standing behind the wheelchair, I feel like crying tears of happiness when I remember that tomorrow afternoon, at the latest, Badger will be here with my son.

I know I should tell LJ about Sedric today, but my courage has evaporated, so I’m giving myself a few more days.

When the elevator doors open, I’m stunned by the luxurious white marble flooring in the building’s hallway. If the common area looks like this, what will the apartment be like?

But then all the blood drains from my body—because my stepfather appears right in front of us, holding my son in his arms.

The moment Sedric sees me, he starts bouncing excitedly and shouting, "Mama!"