Page 38 of Suspicious

“I think I like this bossy side of you. In the bedroom anyway,” she taunts, glancing over her shoulder, then climbs into my bed, completely naked.

Clenching my eyes, I somehow find inner strength. Then I open them again and make my way over to the bed, sliding in beside her. Lying on my back, I open my arm for her to cuddle into me, and she does.Just like we always used to.Her eyes instantly turn lazy. The alcohol is hitting hard now, and theadrenaline is wearing off.

She cuddles into me completely as I pull the covers over us and press a kiss to her head.

“Thank you, Alex… I mean it.”

Finally, I feel like I can relax, and I let the moment consume me.

I’m here, in bed, with Bea after thirteen years apart, and I have just kissed the hell out of her.

It felt right.

Like it’s meant to be.

Maybe relationships are like tech—sometimes you have to walk away from something to come back to it with a clearer head. And maybe being away from Bea for thirteen years will give us the clear head we need to have our reset.

I don’t know.

There’s still so much we need to discuss.

Tonight isnotthe night.

I need to talk to her when Bea can think clearly.

A soft snoring breaks my thoughts, and I peer down to see Bea completely out for the count. Chuckling, my fingers thread through her still-damp hair, and I carefully reach over, flipping off the side light and sending the room into darkness.

I’ve waited what feels like an eternity for her to be in my arms again, so I think I’m going to have a fucking great night’s sleep tonight. Gently kissing her hair again, I get comfortable, then close my eyes, silently thanking whoever brought her back into my life.

Maybe things do have a way of working out.

CHAPTER TEN

Loki

The Next Day

The sudden movement on my chest wakes me, and my eyes snap open, ready to attack. But when I view Bea snoring soundly, spread out across my chest like some damn angel, I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.

Memories from last night of us in the shower and our first kiss in thirteen years flood my mind, and I feel the warmth enveloping my body like a comforting blanket, triggering a feeling like everything might actually be okay.

She drankfartoo much last night, and seeing her like that tore me up inside, especially because she did it two nights in a row—that’s just not like her. So, I’m going to let Bea sleep for as long as she needs to this morning. She needs to rest that head of hers because there’s no way it won’t be pounding today. I just hope she remembers the Tylenol in the top drawer.

Placing a tender kiss on her head, I gently ease her body off mine and onto the mattress beside me, then slide out of the bed. Instantly, she flops onto the sheets, spreading out like a starfish, taking up the entire bed, a loud snore coming from her mouth.

Isn’t that the sexiest-fucking-thing I have ever seen?

Letting out a small chuckle, I pull the blanket up over her naked body, then move around my bedroom, getting dressed. As I make my way into the bathroom, I can’t wipe the smile from my face as I glance at the shower. Pulling my club cut from the top of the alcove, I test the leather to see if it’s still wet. All good! So I slide it over my shoulders, turn to the mirror, and toss my hair up, then head back out into the bedroom where Bea’s still in her starfish position in my bed.

My chest floods with excitement at the possibilities of what this could be between Bea and me now. We’re so much older. Probably not any wiser, but times have changed, and even though Theo is a hurdle, and there’s a heap of past history for us to figure out, maybe the past is just that—better left in the past?

Taking one last look at Bea, I head out my door, leaving her to recover from her bender. With purposeful strides, I make my way toward my den. I need to keep working on this app issue. I’m determined to figure this shit out because I donotwant Bea taking the hit for this.

Not if there is something I can do to fix it.

***

For what feels like a few hours now, I’ve been working in the den and could really do with a break. I need some food, a coffee, and to touch base with Alpha. Plus, I’d also like to see if Bea has woken up from her coma for the day.

---