Page 69 of One Wild Ride

TWENTY-SEVEN

Aria

“And the view.” Henrik Payne waved his hands at the wall of windows overlooking Lake Michigan.

I pasted my body to the wall and didn’t care if I was leaving a body shaped smear mark.

“My God, why on Earth would you sell this place?” I asked turning my head to find the usual dark and brooding Henrik leaning his shoulder against the glass with a smile on his face as he gazed out to the water.

“Can’t afford it anymore. Besides, I need the money for other things.”

I nodded and turned back to the view. When Edgar mentioned staying at Henrik’s place I thought there was no way Henrik would let me do that. It’s not as if Henrik and I are on friendly terms. The last time I saw him I screamed into a full restaurant that he was a pervert and had him thrown out.

But, if he needs money, I guess he can’t be choosy. Especially since Alex is paying full price and requesting a very quick closing on the property.

That surprised me. Alex buying his place so I would be safe. I know that man is a billionaire but this is a multimillion-dollar condo. That’s not throwaway money, even for a billionaire.

“What do you think, Alex? Is this a wise investment?” I reluctantly left the glass and made my way toward him. He stood at the entrance to the living room, his eyes glued to the floor.

I was worried about him. I knew his mother showed up to talk to him. After she left he came back to the bedroom to get me for the meeting with Henrik, but when I asked what she said he only shook his head.

He was quiet. Too quiet. Alex wasn’t acting his usual sweet and sometimes, silly self. I feared what his mother had said to him. Was it about Alexa again?

I needed to remember that we weren’t going to be together forever. But that’s becoming harder and harder to believe.

“Huh?” Alex gazed at me, bewilderment filling his features as I wrapped my arms around him.

“The place?” I waved my hand around the room. “You are the one buying it. Do you like the condo?”

“Oh, right. Yeah, it’s nice. When do we sign the papers?” He glanced over at Henrik. His lips a thin line and if it weren’t for the soft circle he was drawing on my back with his fingers, I would have thought he changed his mind about all of this, including me.

“I believe my lawyer told me closing is on June seventeenth. But you both are welcome to stay here for as long as you need.” Henrik walked over and handed Alex an envelope. “These are the keycards for the entrance to the building and your personal elevator. I’ll say goodbye now. Got a dinner meeting to get to.”

Henrik turned and made his way toward the elevator, as the entire top floor of the building was the condo. Before he pushed the elevator button he turned, his usual stoic features softened with melancholy.

“How is Morgana?” he asked.

“I talked to her on the phone a few days ago. She’s excited to come home. Though, I think she is more excited to have some of her mom’s cake,” I said to lighten his mood.

As much as Henrik had been a jerk to Morgana, I was beginning to feel sorry for him. He could have been spiteful with me, especially after what I did to him, but he’s being more than kind.

Henrik smiled as he gazed at nothing. Slowly that grin faded before he sighed. He turned to the elevators. “It was nice to see you again, Aria. And a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hawthorne. I hope you two find happiness here.”

He mumbled something else. It sounded like ‘I wish I had.’ But before I could ask what he said, the elevator opened and closed after he stepped inside.

I pushed away from Alex, lifted my arms in the air, and twirled around like a kid. “We have this place to ourselves. Your mother and her spies don’t know anything about this. Can you believe it?”

I was giddy and my cheeks began to hurt from my smile. Except, Alex wasn’t grinning. He wasn’t anything. He stared at me and fear crept up my neck.

Glancing around I saw there was still furniture in the place. Henrik explained some of it was his stuff that I could keep and a few pieces were show furniture he rented for when he had showings.

I had my back to Alex and decided to find out the truth, even if I didn’t like what he had to say. I needed to know why he was acting this way. “Alex, if you have changed your mind about me . . . about us . . . I need to—”

My words were swallowed as he stepped in front of me and reached down to take a kiss. It was the way his lips curled over mine and his tongue begged for a taste that spoke more than any word I had asked of him. I clung to him as his mouth dashed my uncertainty away.

My back arched, reaching for more and pushing my chest into his hard stomach until he lifted me. I couldn’t get my legs around him fast enough as I scrambled to curl them around his solid waist. I was wrong before when I said Alex wasn’t acting like himself. I could feel his lips curl at my sigh as he tenderly cupped my face and dug his fingers into my ass.

There was something savage but controlled in his touch. My lips raw, my skin bruising under his fingers, but everything led to sweet reward. This was the true Alex. He gave me a slight taste all those weeks ago in that motel room, but now, whatever moderation he had was gone.

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