Alex pulls me in close. The scent of his aroma has me yearning to reach out and kiss him. “It’s not you. It’s Jono and Delaney. If they could move on. We’ll all be fine.” Alex brushes a stray strand of hair from my face and I give into temptation and kiss him. He tastes of coffee and soft garlic cheese and my stomach rumbles. Alex breaks the kiss with a chuckle.
“Want to get lunch before we do the shop.”
I laugh as I slip my hand into his as we continue to walk. “If you let me eat this morning. I wouldn’t be hungry now.”
“I had breakfast.”
“No, Alex. You had me. And no man can live on the juice of woman. No matter how good I taste.”
“And you taste pretty good, Mia.” Alex’s fingers stroke my spine. Circling the soft material of my top until he reaches the hem, then he slips his fingers underneath and goosebumps rise over my flesh. “We don’t need to return to Demon’s Lair straight away. How about we go for a ride once we’re done in town?”
The hunger in Alex’s gaze ignites my own. The sun was rising when Alex woke me with a kiss and breakfast had long been served and was over by the time he was done sating my body. As he devoured me with his gaze, I was ready to take him again. “Carry on like this Alex, and I’ll not be able to walk, never mind ride.”
“What if I promise to talk once we’re done?”
My heart clamps against my breath. Trapping the air in my throat. There have been nights where Alex and I talked until the sun rose. Me, sitting on the cabin bed, him sitting on the floor as he flicked through an old photo album. I know he still has his wedding album, but he’s never shown it to me and I’ve never asked to see it. The gentle hum in his voice offers me hope, or I was grasping at straws. His blue eyes are serious as he watches me, and I lick my lip. “I like that.”
Alex nods. “Good.” We stop in front of another office building and he opens the door.
“I thought we were going to lunch.”
“We are. I just need a quick word with TJ.”
This is my first visit to ‘Sugar and Spice,’ and as we stroll into the office, I have a good look around. I don’t know what I was expecting, but what greets me is simple elegance. In one part of the office there are two lavish chairs in plush red velvet with walnut frames. In-between the chairs is a walnut coffee table. On the table is a china coffee pot with matching cups. Two other tables occupy the room. The one TJ sits behind is a large matching walnut desk, and on the desk is a flat computer screen and keyboard. Mal sits behind the other smaller, walnut desk. TJ and Mal are not alone, Patch sits at TJ’s desk and from the laughter coming from him. I guess she is flirting with him. Since I moved on to Demon’s Lair, Patch, unless she is working, is never far from TJ’s side. The club know they are fucking, but as long as they continue to bring money into the club, it isn’t an issue. Mal has a headset on and when she spots me, she smiles, removing them as she rises from her chair. “Want a coffee.”
“Sure.” As Mal disappears into another room, I sit in the chair in front of her desk and watch Alex wander around the room, casually strolling over to stand by the window where he taps the glass softly so as not to make a noise.
“When did Delaney get back?” he asks.
TJ glances up. Patch forgotten. “Early this morning. And he wasn’t alone.”
Alex frowns. His lips pinched, “he wasn’t. Did you recognize who was with him?”
TJ shrugs, “I sent his picture to Data. He’s going to check him out.”
Alex nods, “let me know as soon as you hear anything.”
“We’re out of milk. I’ll slip to the store for some.” Mal reaches for her purse and I rise from my chair just as her cell rings and she reaches over to answer it.
“I’ll fetch it,” I said.
“Thanks.” she mouths.
No longer the center of TJ’s attention, Patch stands, “I need some gum. I’ll come with you. If you don’t mind.”
I shrug, “sure.”
As I follow her down the stairs and on to the main street, Patch pulls the hem of her short skirt. “You and Alex seem to be getting on.” I ignore Patch as she pulls her own cell out to text someone. The road is empty, and the small corner store is quiet. I head for the fridge to fetch the milk as Patch raises her head and calls out to the clerk behind the counter. “Is it okay if I use your toilet?” The clerk doesn’t bother to glance up from the magazine he is flickering through as he nods. Patch turns to me. Her blue eyes apprehensive. “I didn’t want to mention this over at Sugar and Spice. Not in front of Mal, anyway.”
I pull a jar of milk out of the fridge and turn to Patch. “Mention what?”
“Look, can you come to the toilet with me. I’ve this rash.”
“I’m no doctor or medical expert.”
“I know. But I’m sure if you think I should see a doctor or something. You would know.”
I shrug as I place the milk on a shelf. There’s no one in the store, and I’m sure it’ll still be there when I return and follow Patch into the back of the shop. There are three doors to my
