Page 19 of Shattered

We’d been out several times in the past week, dinners mostly.It made sense, since we both had to eat, and it gave us an opportunity to really talk.Discussing everything from work, to books to what our individual plans were for the future, both personal and work-related, ate up the time.I hated when he dropped me off because it meant I was going to be alone.

Again.

But I wasn’t going to rush jumping back into bed with him.Thankfully, he must’ve felt the same way, never pressing beyond a goodnight kiss.

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The date for the fundraiser was upon me. I would finally be able to wear the beautiful fabric, accompanying the one man who was slowly weaving his way back into my heart.

I’d still had mixed feelings about attending.On one hand, I wanted to stand by his side, the cause something he obviously cared about, but on the other hand, I knew I’d be uncomfortable surrounded by his type of people.

The insanely rich.

He’d told me the charity gala was to be held at his main hotel, located right there in Seattle. After doing a bit of my own research on his charities, I discovered the one that evening would surely bring out the who’s who of Seattle’s richest players.Needless to say, I was more and more intimidated with each passing second.I didn’t fit in to his world; one glance at me and those people would know it.Not wanting to be uncomfortable the entire evening, nor wanting to disappoint or embarrass Alek, I decided to give him a call.

There was still some time before we were set to arrive.Enough time to back out and hopefully for him to find another date, although the mere thought was like poison to me.

I could return the dress, shoes and clutch he purchased.

No harm, no foul.

I called his cell but it just rang then went to voicemail.I left a message telling him I was unable to make it and that I was sorry.I didn’t divulge too many details, not wanting to give him ammunition to try and talk me out of it, which he would surely do.

Placing the ringer on silent, I set the phone down on my nightstand.If I answered, he would definitely be able to convince me to change my mind.

Needing to release some of my nervous tension, I decided to take a nice hot shower.While in there, I followed through with my normal routine of washing my hair and shaving.At least I would be nice and clean for my night of relaxation.

I stepped from the bathroom and into the hallway when I ran into a hard body.I didn’t even have to look up to know who it was, his scent infiltrating my defenses instantly.

“How did you get in here, Alek?” I said, stunned he was really standing in front of me.When I was able to reel in my shock a little, it was then I was met with an extraordinary sight.

Alek in his glorious, designer tuxedo.

The more I stared at him, the more I slipped into some kind of daze.After some of the longest seconds known to man, I averted my eyes, needing to keep my head straight if I was going to successfully engineer my way out of the night’s engagement.

I realized I was in for an argument without him even uttering a single syllable.

“Key.”

“What?” I mumbled, completely confused.

“You asked me how I got in.I still have the key you gave me.”

“Oh.”I completely forgot I’d given him one.

We were still standing in the hallway, toe to toe simply staring at one another.What’s supposed to happen next?I wasn’t sure.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled.I needed to throw on some clothes or I feared I was going to jump him, something I wasn’t quite ready for yet.Or was I?

Most of my thoughts were consumed with the memories of Alek and me entangled together.Him driving himself deep inside me, making me scream out his name.Every time he kissed me, I longed for nothing more than to take it further, but I’d always stopped myself.

But he was in my personal space in a freaking tux, looking beyond gorgeous, and sex emanating from every fine-ass pore on his body.We stood there, in the hallway, gazing at each other, making no further effort to move from our current positions.

As my lustful thoughts took hold, I realized I was standing in front of him with nothing but a towel wrapped around me.As if he’d sensed my realization, his eyes slowly raked over my entire form, head to toe, a sexy smirk curving the corners of his mouth.

Once he was visually sated, he stepped aside and allowed me the space I needed.Without saying anything further, I maneuvered toward my bedroom so I could at least get dressed.I figured he would give me some privacy while I changed, but I quickly found out I’d figured wrong.

Following directly behind me, he entered my bedroom with me.

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