I wake in the morning and roll over to snuggle Alex. Alone. Again.
I sigh and reach my arms over my head and stretch. The world is new, my outlook refreshing, which is remarkable, considering everything that happened last night. I shower and then wander into the closet to find my bag. A row of women's clothing hangs next to Alex's clothes. A twinge of jealousy courses through me.
I sift through the outfits, resentment replaced by shock as I realize they're mine. Alex brought some of my clothes from my house. I'm sure this is just another way of encouraging me to stay here. It should probably upset me that he's manipulating me, but I'm beginning to realize that most of what Alex does is to protect me.
I quickly dress in black yoga pants and a red tank top and head to the kitchen. Alex sits at the table reading his paper, breathtakingly sexy in jeans and a black T-shirt. I grab some coffee and join him. The corner of his paper folds over, and he peers at me, his gaze traveling over my body.
"Good morning, Mr. Stone." I take a large gulp of my coffee and nearly groan as the caffeine hits my system.
A smile lights up his face. "Good morning, Miss Tate. You look lovely."
"I take it you approve of my wardrobe choice this morning?"
"Very much. Does this mean you're staying home from work?"
"Why, yes, it does." My voice drips with sweetness.
"Good. We can avoid that argument."
"I prefer to think of it more as a healthy debate rather than an argument. Besides, you might not be so happy having me around all day, distracting you from your work."
"I do seem to have a problem resisting you," he mutters.
I raise an eyebrow. "And that's bad?"
"Only when I forget basic requirements."
Placing my mug on the table, I rest my chin on my hands. "Such as?"
Alex folds the paper, drops it on the table, leans back in his chair. "Well, let's just say, last night was yet another first for me, and not in a responsible manner, either."
"Explain." I grab a croissant from the platter in the middle of the table and pull apart the flaky layers, popping them in my mouth.
"I never have sex without asking about birth control. And never without also wearing protection."
I grasp my coffee cup and lean back in my chair. "As far as birth control on my part, we're safe and secure. There will be no little bun in this oven. You can relax. I went to the doctor after John, and I'm certified STD-free. I haven't been with anyone since then."
"Good to know," Alex says. "Same goes for me, by the way."
"Phew." I swipe nonexistent sweat from my brow. "I was afraid I had knocked you up."
A deep, guttural laugh escapes him and I revel in the knowledge that I'm one of the few people who is able to experience this side of him. I feel special, as if there is a part of his life reserved just for me.
"By the way, since you're new to this, you should know you're missing out on one of the major benefits of the sleepover—the morning snuggle. It's been known to lead to other things."
He nuzzles his nose into the side of my neck and inhales deeply. "Is that right? I'll have to take that into consideration from now on. I am a fan of other things with you."
A zing shoots through my body and heats my skin. God, this man can seduce me with just his voice and a caress. "What's your plan for the day?" I ask.
"To spend time with you."
I stand next to him, place my mug on the table, and bend over to wrap my arms around his neck. "Alex, I don't need a babysitter."
"Maybe, Miss Tate, I just want to be close to my girlfriend." He snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. "See if we can accomplish more unsafe sex."
I rest a hand on either side of his face. "Mmm...Mr. Stone, if you keep talking like that, it might happen right here on this chair."
I lean in and kiss him just as he grabs my ass. I yip in surprise and nearly bounce of his lap.
"Excuse me, sir." Jake stands at the entry to the kitchen. "I have the information you wanted."
Alex lifts me off his lap and stands, not the least bit flustered by the interruption. "Okay, thanks."
Heat creeps up my neck and invades my face. Nice, I'm on Alex's lap, planning our next sexual escapade, while he gropes my backside. "Good morning, Jake."
"Good morning, ma'am—Kylie."
Alex looks at Jake and then me, and I hope he doesn’t give Jake a hard time about using my first name. It has not gone unnoticed that Alex is referred to as Mr. Stone even in his home.
"Here." Alex hands me an iPhone in a metallic red case. "Your new phone. I added a few new contacts."
Oh, yeah, that's right. My cell phone is scattered in a million little pieces across my living room floor.
I check the time—ten in the morning. "How the hell did you do that so quickly?"
"I tend to go through a fair number of phones, so I can get a decent turnaround when I'm in need of a new one." He darts his gaze away.
I tilt my head to the side. "You go through a fair number? As in, you lose them, they cease to function, or you throw them on the ground and stomp the bejeezus out of them in frustration?"
"Yes."
I run my finger over the hard metal case. "Well, thanks for the quick turnaround on mine. Nice cover, too."
He grasps my hips, and a glint streaks across his eyes. "It's red hot, like you, baby."
I laugh.
"Mmm...I love that sound."
He kisses me, and waves of heat surge through me.
I grab his chin and turn his head so that we're cheek-to-cheek.
"Smile," I say, and take a picture of us with the camera app.
I save it as the background picture on the main screen, and a wide grin slides across Alex's face.
The simple gestures floor me. He may not realize they mean the world to me, but they do. No one has ever taken care of me. I like it—a lot—but I'm also cautious. I don't want to get my hopes up that this will last.
"Come on, I have another surprise for you." He holds my hand and leads me down the hallway.
We step into the room across from his home office, and I gasp. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases stretch across three of the walls. A large chaise lounge is situated in front of a wall of glass that not only fills the room with sunlight, but shows off the beautiful courtyard and a peek of the ocean in the distance. After the courtroom, a library is my second favorite place to be.
His lips graze my ear, and he whispers, "This is all for you—your own space."
I throw my arms around his neck and squeal.
"I assume that means you like it?"
I pull him close and rest my head against his shoulder. "I love it."
I stop in front of him and try to find something in his eyes that explains why he would do this for me. A woman he barely knows, but apparently wants in his life, and in his home.
My space. "It's perfect." I press my lips against his.
He grasps my upper arms and sets me at arm's length. "I have to go talk to Jake, and I need a clear head, which cannot be accomplished with you kissing my neck. That only leads to tossing you on the chaise and having my way with you."
I take a step toward him. "I like that idea. Why can't we do that?"
He backs up, laughing. "Because I have to get a few things done first. Then, we can consider christening the library."
I sigh loudly, smile, and watch him walk across the hall. The jeans he has on fit his ass perfectly, and my stomach flutters in anticipation of being in bed next to him with my hands formed to the firm curve, fingers digging into the soft flesh.
I slide onto the chaise and call the office. Sarah answers. I let her know that I won't be in, and she transfers me to Lisa so we can go over a few things that need to get done.
I spend an hour going through the library, looking at all the books and making mental notes of interesting finds. Alex is holed up in his study. Every so often I get a glimpse when Jake goes in and out.
My stomach growls and grumbles, and I realize it's been over twenty-four hours since I've eaten anything substantial. I doubt I will last until lunch—or whatever meal Alex typically eats, so I better see if I can find something to hold me over.
I enter the kitchen and come to an abrupt halt. An older woman is in front of the sink washing dishes. We stare at each other, and I'm guessing she is as shocked as I am.
Jake comes in behind me, looks back and forth between our stunned faces, and smiles. "Maggie, this is Kylie Tate, Mr. Stone's girlfriend. Kylie, this is Maggie. She runs the house and makes sure we all eat."
I reach over the breakfast bar to shake her hand. "Hi. It's nice to meet you."
Maggie glances at Jake, and then me. "It's very nice to meet you, Kylie," and chuckles.
Jake winks at her. "I'll leave you two to get to know each other better." He heads down a hallway on the opposite side of the family room that leads to another wing of the house.
"Are you hungry?" Maggie asks.
"Starving." I slip onto one of the bar stools.
"Well, you have great timing. I just pulled some blueberry muffins out of the oven. Would you like one?"
My stomach grumbles loudly in response. "I'd love one," I say through my laughter.
Maggie places a plate in front of me with the largest blueberry muffin I have ever seen, along with a fresh cup of coffee. There is no way I will be able to eat the entire muffin in one sitting.
"Where are you from, Kylie?" She resumes washing the few things left in the sink. "Are you here long?"
I finish chewing and swallow a bite of muffin. "I live in town. Alex invited me to stay for the weekend." I don't delve into the reasons, since I doubt Alex discusses his personal life with his housekeeper. Besides, I'd rather not explain that my ex is stalking me, and this seems to be the one place he can't get to me.
"So, we'll see you around more often. That's wonderful." Maggie's eyes twinkle and she has a loving smile on her face, and for some reason, I'm happy and relieved she seems to accept me into this unique little family.
"Have you worked for Alex long?" I ask.
She looks past me out the window with a contemplative look on her face. "Let's see. It has to be almost fifteen years." She shakes her head as if she can't believe her own words are true. Then she gazes at me. "In all the years I've been here, you are the only woman he's ever brought here. You must be very special, Kylie."
I smile but have no idea how to respond. Squealing in joy, fist-pumping, or jumping up and down all seem inappropriate, even if it is how I'm feeling. I still find it hard to believe Alex has never had a relationship with another woman, but I kind of like that I'm the first and only one.
Maggie pulls the stopper and the sudsy water slowly drains out of the sink. "Do you work?"
The question unnerves me. Does she think I'm some trust fund baby who doesn't have to work, or worse, a gold-digger after Alex's money? Of course, I am here, in the middle of the day, during a workday.
"I'm a criminal defense attorney with Roberts & Daniels." I pop the last piece of muffin in my mouth. Guess I was hungrier than I thought.
"Oh, you work for Mr. Daniels? He's such a wonderful man. He and his wife come for dinner every once in a while. Mrs. Daniels is very sweet."
I smile, and my heart swells. "Jack and Annabelle are very special to me. They're like family."
I met Jack during a motion hearing while I was a public defender. His hearing followed mine, and he was in the courtroom, waiting for his case to be called. I was arguing with a prosecutor to exclude a key piece of evidence, and I orally eviscerated opposing counsel’s argument. Jack was amused and shook my hand as I left the courtroom, thanking me for the entertaining show. The next day, I received a call from his office asking me to come by for a chat. By the end of the meeting, I had a job offer and was on my way back to the public defender's office to turn in my notice.
Maggie flits around the kitchen, cleaning counters and putting away dishes. "Does your family live close by?" She places a butcher block cutting board on the large island in the center of the kitchen.
I chew on my bottom lip for a second. "No, my father died while I was in college. My mother lives on the west coast, but I rarely see her."
She stops cutting celery and looks up at me, her eyes soft and caring. "Oh, I am sorry. It must have been horrible, losing your father and not having your mother close by."
Maggie is the very image I have in my mind of a grandmother. Sweet, loving, and cooking something amazing. Cliché, maybe, but I didn't know either of my grandmothers, so cliché is all I have.
"I'm glad you have Mr. And Mrs. Daniels. They are good people."
I nod. I did not have the childhood dreams are made of, but I am grateful for the friends I’ve made who love and care for me. They may not be the family I prayed for as a child, but they’ve become the family I need and adore.
"Does Mr. Stone see his family very often?" I ask. He told me stories about his sisters and brother when they were growing up, but he hasn't mentioned spending time with them. Of course, my crazy life is the center of discussions lately.
Maggie continues to cut up vegetables. "I don't know. I'm sure he sees them, but they don't come to the house."
I don't want her to think I'm just pumping her for information about Alex, so I take my coffee cup to the sink. "Thanks for the muffin. It hit the spot."
She finally lifts her gaze to mine, and the smile on her face lights up her eyes. "That's what I'm here for. If you need anything, just let me know."
I walk back down the hall and peek into Alex's office. He's on the phone but waves me in. I walk over, and he pulls me onto his lap. He slides his hand under my top and lightly grazes my skin with his fingers, leaving a million goose bumps in the wake.
He pulls the phone away from his ear enough for me to hear a male voice on the other end. Alex rolls his eyes and quietly whispers, "Sorry."
I kiss him on the cheek and point toward the library. He nods, and I head to my new sanctuary. There is something inside me that wants to believe that all the gestures, simple and grand, are how Alex expresses wanting me around for the long term. He is in unchartered waters and experiencing things he has never chanced before. But he's not shying away from it. In fact, he seems comfortable exploring a relationship with me.
My heart has been through too much pain and betrayal. I'm happy to see where things go with Alex, but I'm also cautious.
No man will catch me off guard again.
I pick up my favorite classic, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, from the table where I left it, curl up on the chaise, and reengage with an old friend until my eyes get heavy.
Between the nightmare, the confession, and the sex, I'm exhausted and drift off to sleep.
Lips press against mine and pull me from my slumber. I open my eyes to Alex brushing the hair from my face and gazing at me. I cannot take my eyes off him, and my heart flutters at his soft touch.
"Promise me you'll always wake me up this way," I whisper.
"Only if you promise you will always look at me this way when I do."
We stare at each other, and there is something in his deep blue eyes that excites and calms me. Just when I resolve to be on guard and cautious, Alex says something that brings hope to my heart and makes me believe in everything he says.
He clears his throat and smiles boyishly. "Lunch is ready, baby."
Snaking his arm around my waist, he pulls me closer, and kisses the side of my head. We walk arm-in-arm to the kitchen. Simple gestures, but the impact staggers me. This feels so normal...as if we've been dating for months or years. And it feels so right.
Alex pulls out my chair. "Be right back." He disappears through a door in the family room.
Maggie slides a plate onto the placemat in front of me. "I hope you like chicken salad." She smiles, and her hazel eyes twinkle.
My mouth waters at the sight of big chunks of chicken mixed in with celery, pecans, and grapes all piled onto a fresh croissant. "I love it. It's my favorite."
"Well, that makes it easy. It's Mr. Stone's favorite, as well."
Alex returns with a bottle of white wine and two glasses. He fills one half full and hands it to me. Strong citrusy talons hit my nose before the wine spreads over my taste buds. It's cool, light, and refreshing.
I glance at Alex. "What is this?"
He swirls the wine in his glass, and the motion of the liquid mesmerizes me.
"It's a chardonnay from Argentina. I found it during a business trip."
"It's wonderful." I take another sip.
"You're wonderful," he murmurs, and winks at me.
My heart does a wild, little flip in my chest.
"It's a perfect white wine for summer and complements Maggie's world-class chicken salad." He glances over his shoulder and smiles at the woman standing in the kitchen. The look on his face is pure adoration, and I wonder if she has some other connection beyond running the household.
Jake and Thomas come into the kitchen and sit on the high stools along the breakfast bar. Maggie places plates of food in front of them, and the three engage in a whispered conversation as they eat lunch.
Alex and I are in a debate over which James Bond movie is the best, and the insane criteria we've come up with sends us into fits of howling laughter. The three outsiders to the conversation gape at us, as if they've never seen two people laugh. Or maybe Alex doesn't laugh very often. It's a shame because he has a warm smile and infectious laugh, and I can't help but fall under his spell.