after tasting the sweetness of being by Alexander’s side again.
“I’ll indulge you, make you happy, and be so attuned to your needs that I’ll know them before you do.”
That sounded so lovely. I suddenly longed for it.
“I’ll make you happier than I’ve ever be able to do before. You want that, don’t you?”
“Yes, Alexander. I want it more than anything.”
“I know you do, baby. I know.” He exhaled hard and tunneled his fingers on either side of my face. I was beautifully trapped. “I want to give it to you, Sophia. I do. But before I can you’ll have to give yourself over to my keeping. Over to my control.”
“All the time? What about MLM?” How could I even begin to function if I was so entangled with Alexander?
“You’ll be who you need to be during the day. After work, you become mine. All mine.”
My heart fluttered with excitement as I began to see the horizon of our new relationship.
“Can you trust me enough to give yourself over to me, Sophia?”
The knot in my stomach eased. I still didn’t fully understand how this was supposed to be work, but I wanted Alexander too much to not give it a try.
Or a thousand tries as it may turn out to be.
I let out a shaky breath and said, “Yes.”
Alexander smiled and rested his forehead against mine. “Good girl.”
“I love you, Alexander.”
“I love you, too, Sophia. Always.” He touched my shoulder and said, “Now let’s get you dressed.”
“Yes.”
I laughed and felt the weight of our past slide off my shoulders. It was going to be okay. Alexander wanted me and I wanted him. We’d figure out our way through this.
I picked up my discarded clothes and stood up. Alexander stopped me and said, “Let me.” I stood still, overcome with emotion as he dressed me with tender care. Alexander smoothed down my bra straps and managed the tiny buttons on my shirt perfectly. When he slipped on my shoes, I saw the years spread out before us and it was heaven.
Alexander stood up and touched my hair. “Do you have a brush in your purse?”
I nodded. He turned away and walked back to the bag. It had tumbled onto the floor when he pushed my chair down. I watched as Alexander opened my purse, digging through it until he found my small brush. The intimacy of the moment warmed me.
He brushed my hair until it lay smoothly along my back. “Now you no longer look like I’ve been having my way with you for the past hour. Pity, isn’t it?”
I grinned. “It is and thank you.”
Alexander lifted my hand and bowed over it. “You’re very welcome, little chick.”
His lips kissed the back of my hand before releasing it.
“You look a little rumpled.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.” I felt shy all of a sudden. “Would you like me to, ah, help fix it?”
Alexander’s dimple made an appearance. My stomach flip-flopped.
“Please.”
I re-buttoned his shirt and re-knotted his tie, all the while feeling Alexander’s intense stare. I bit my lip before giving up and letting my smile through.
“Beautiful.”
I pinked in pleasure and smoothed my palms down his jacket front. I took the brush from his hand. Alexander bent lower without my asking. I combed his hair, getting lost in my thoughts.
We didn’t just have obsession or a million memories, good and bad, between us. We had something that could overcome the impossible and improbable. We had love and there was nothing that couldn’t be accomplished as long as we stayed true to our love.
And if I ever doubted it, well, then I’d just remember this moment.
“Done.”
“Thank you, Sophia.”
I walked over to my purse and slipped the brush inside. Alexander held out his hand. “Come here.”
I walked over to him and took it without hesitation, more than ready to face the future as long as it was with him.
“Ready?”
“Yes, I am.”
Other Works by Charlotte
Novellas
Cry for Me
Yes, Mr. Collins
Need Me—Being Trevor’s Toy
Debbie Moon
Lorhainne Eckhart
Janice Cantore
R.S. Wallace
Susan Adriani
Julia London
Ian Morson
Lynne Reid Banks
Karen Harbaugh
David Donachie