Alexis (The Love Family Series Book 6) (9 page)

Chapter 14

Alexis flipped through the channels on the hospital TV before stabbing the button to turn it off. She was more than ready to leave this place. The string of visitors, from family to friends, was the only thing that occupied her time in this hospital stint. Declan had come by to take her statement and told her they’d found the syringe in Tourist’s SUV and confirmed that phone logs showed that Crompton and he had been in constant contact with burner cells.

Cole had come back to see her twice. Once to give her flowers and the other time to tell her that he was giving her space. Stupid man. The flowers in her room let out a floral scent, and she breathed it in and closed her eyes, searching for her happy place and imagining she was anywhere but stuck in a hospital bed.

The door to her room squeaked, and her eyes shot open. She hoped and prayed it was the doctor to give her the get-out-of-jail papers she’d been demanding.

“I heard you were antsy.” Stone walked in with a familiar bag in his hand, and a donut hanging out of his mouth. “These are good. I’m not sure they’re better than sex but close to it.”

Alexis’ mouth parted as she watched in confusion as the commando ingested the sugar. “You’re eating sugar?” she asked and held out her hand for the bag. “I hope you brought more.”

He grinned and took another bite. “I brought you three to celebrate your release.”

Alexis pulled a warm glazed donut out of her bag and sighed in satisfaction. Her smiling lips turned down into a frown as she glanced over at the door. “Cole didn’t come with you?”

“Funny thing about Cole. That’s why I’m here.”

“Oh?” she asked, taking a bite of the sugary goodness.

“He’s a good guy, Alexis, and he seems to care a lot about you, so I came to give you some advice,” Stone said.

“Oh, this should be good.” Alexis grinned. “Commando advice, I’m all ears.”

“I’ve served a lot of years with Buchanan. He’s had my back more times than I can count, and there’s one thing I’ve noticed about him through the years. He may come off as arrogant and pushy at times—”

“You think?” She chuckled and then instantly regretted the pull in her stitches.

“He blames himself for what happened.”

Alexis paused with the donut at her lips and lowered it. “He didn’t pull the trigger.”

“It’s all the same to him. He’s the reason Crompton was here. He’s the reason Tourist was here, and he believes he’s the reason you got hurt. Regardless of who carried out the deed.”

Stone moved next to her bed and smiled down at her. “He’s been through a lot of heartache in his life. When his wife died, he shut himself off from the world. Losing someone you love has a way of breaking a man. Having it happen again could destroy him.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Alexis asked, setting her donut on the table next to her water. “I’m not going to hurt him.”

“You’re a smart girl, Alexis. Even if he hasn’t told you that he loves you, it’s written all over his face, so just this once, don’t let him push you away. Let your guard down. He’s worth letting in. There is no other man I would trust to have my back more than Cole, and he’s got yours. Trust me on this.”

“You know, you’re kind of sappy for a commando.”

He shrugged. “I can count the number of people I care about on one hand. He’s earned his spot, so woman up and listen to your heart instead of the crazy head. You know what it’s telling you.”

“He wants space.”

“He wants to give
you
space. There’s a difference, sugar.”

Stone reached for her hand and squeezed. “I’ll be seeing ya. It’s time for Smiley and me to head out.”

“You’ve embraced your pet names.” She grinned.

“Don’t worry, sugar. We’ll be back for the wedding.”

Alexis’ mouth parted before she quickly snapped it closed.

Stone winked and left the room, rendering her speechless.

Alexis adjusted the hard hat on her head and watched the workers entering and leaving her home. There was still a lot of work to do before it could be inhabited again, but it would be better this time around. Jackson hollered over his shoulder into the house, giving orders as he walked out the door. “Hey, sis, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see how it was coming together.”

Jackson tossed his arm over her shoulder. “It’s coming along. I’ve added a few special touches that I think you’ll like.”

“I’m sure I will.” She turned her back to the property, her gaze scanning the beautiful lake. “I’m ready to get back in. I miss this place.”

Jackson turned to the lake as her gaze went to the two-story house on the other side. “You miss this place, or you miss your neighbor?”

“Both.” She sighed. She’d tried to talk to Cole, and he’d brushed her off. Sadness had clouded his eyes during their last conversation, where he told her that she deserved better. She wouldn’t beg.

“I never pegged you for a quitter,” he teased.

“I’m not,” she countered. “I can’t make him believe that I want the relationship he pushed me for. Did you know he promised me a date when the threat was over?”

Jackson chuckled. “You don’t strike me as the type of girl who would let any man get out of a promise. Maybe it’s time you remind him just how formidable you are.”

Alexis glanced up at her brother’s face. His grin said it all. “I think that was the wisest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Alexis smoothed her hand over her stomach, straightening her little black dress. She took one long, deep breath and reached for the button, ringing the doorbell.

“I’m coming,” she heard Cole holler from inside.

Within seconds, the door swung open. Cole stood in the doorway. Sweat beaded his brow and covered his chest. His workout shorts hung low on his hips.

“Alexis.” His gaze started at her three-inch heels and traveled up her legs, caressing her body as he lifted it again to her face. “Did you come here to torture me? Show me what I’m missing? Because, damn baby…it’s working.”

Alexis suppressed her grin and lifted the bag dangling in her fingers. “You owe me a date.”

She shouldered past him, barged into his house, and went straight to the kitchen to set the bag down on the island.

“It’s a little early for dinner,” he mumbled while walking to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. He chugged half of it as she watched.

“I’m not here to eat food.” She gave him a saucy smile and pulled a blindfold and a thin rope out of her bag.

His mouth parted, and his shorts formed a tent. He might try to push her away, but fire licked in his eyes, matching her own.

“You’ve been a bad boy, Cole Buchanan.”

His lips twitched. “What are you going to do about it?”

Alexis reached behind her and lowered the zipper, letting the dress fall to her feet. The corset was tight against her ribs, pushing her breasts up, making them high and perky. “Follow me and find out.”

She tossed the stuff back in her bag and picked it up. Leaving her dress on the floor, she tried to move past him. His hand snaked out and grabbed her around the waist. His hand cupped her ass, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Who put you in charge, sugar?”

“You did, when you pushed me away.” She held his gaze. “I’m here to collect on that promise you made.”

“I promised you lots of things.” His brows dipped, and he shook his head. “The first of which was an ass spanking for skinny-dipping again in the springs.”

Alexis licked her lips. “How did you know I’ve been back to the springs? Are you stalking me again?”

“I never stopped.” He grinned and lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers in a demanding kiss.

She pushed against his chest and broke the kiss. “Then why did you need space?”

“The space wasn’t for me, baby. It was for you. I rolled over you like a steam roller that first day in the springs and barreled my way into your life without asking or giving you an option. At every turn, you told me no, and I didn’t listen. This is me listening.”

“Let me make this easy for you.” She pointed her finger at his chest, and he caught it, holding it against his skin. “This is me choosing you.”

“About damn time.” He smiled and hoisted her over his shoulder in a fireman hold. His hand held her ass as she squirmed against him.

“Put me down. This is my show.” She tried to get him to drop her, and his hand came down hard on her butt and then soothed the red spot. “Quit squirming or there’s more where that came from.”

Dampness collected between her thighs, and he ran a finger between her folds. “We’ll have to explore that later. First, there’s something else I need to do.”

“What do you have in mind?” she asked, trying to look at him. His hand came down again, and she moaned.

Cole took the stairs at a quick clip and walked into his room, kicking the door closed behind them. He eased her down off his shoulder before he took her lips again in a kiss that sent a fire raging through her body.

“Don’t move.” He wiggled his finger in front of her.

“You did not just tell me what to do,” she teased.

“Humor me. This is better than how I envisioned it.” He kissed her neck and stepped away, walking to the dresser. He pulled something out and was back in front of her in less than a minute.

“You and I will probably never do things the easy way. I’ll demand; you’ll argue; I’ll touch you, and you’ll give in.”

A smile split her lips as she held his gaze. “You think you’ve got me figured out.”

“Nope.” He dropped to his knee. “But I’m hoping you’ll give me a lifetime to try and get it right.” He opened the box in his hand. A heart-shaped ring sparkled in the velvet. “You already own my mind, body, and soul. It’s time for you to own my heart.”

“Are you crazy? I don’t even know your middle name. We don’t know—”

“It’s Cole Richard Buchanan. We’ll learn the rest as we go.”

“You’re nuts. Certifiable.”

“Nuts enough to know I love you, Alexis. I love the fire in your eyes. I love the way you make me feel. I love your big heart. I love that you nicknamed my friends. I love that you’re moody and I can tell by watching the sky. I love that you stand up to me and call me out on my bullshit. I love that you take care of everyone else and never ask for anything in return.” He rose and took her hand in his. “I love you, Alexis. It’s my turn to take care of you.”

She remained quiet, cataloging the moment and every word he said.

“Say yes,” he whispered between them as easily as he’d demanded her first kiss.

She looked up into his eyes. “Kiss me,” she demanded back.

“Say yes and I’ll kiss you,” he countered.

“Kiss me and I’ll say yes.” She smiled, her heart expanded, bigger and better now that she’d found him.

“Gladly.” He lowered his head and pulled her closer. Pressing his lips to hers, he gave, and she gave back. He broke the kiss, staring down into her eyes.

“I kissed you. It’s your turn.”

“Yes.” She playfully rolled her eyes. “Always resorting to blackmail. Yes,” she said with a smile in her voice. “Yes, yes, yes.”