Page 92 of Alluring

Jack ran his hand through her hair to the back of her neck. "Do you want to tell me why you don't want to be more than three feet away from me?"

Alexis tensed in his arms. "I thought you were okay with that."

He started rubbing her neck. "I am okay with that. Hell, I would glue you to my side if I could, but it's not normal behavior for you. You used to go out and do things. You had a job you were good at and enjoyed."

Alexis looked up at him. "I enjoy my new job."

Jack smiled down at her. "I enjoy it, too, but that's not my point and you know it."

Alexis took a deep breath. "I know. I'm just ..." She sighed and rested her head back on his chest.

"Just what, sweetheart?"

"Just scared of being separated from you. I'm scared if I go somewhere by myself, if something happens to me, you'll be left behind. Or something could happen to you, and I'll be left behind, but if we're always together then if something happens, we'll meet the same fate. Neither of us will be left behind. Crazy right?"

He hugged her close. "No, not crazy. Maybe you need time to heal. Time to forget. I just wasn't sure if you needed to talk to someone about it."

"What, like a shrink?"

"I was thinking more like a therapist."

"No. Just give me some time. If I feel as though I'm not getting better, we can talk about it again."

"Okay, but know, you can talk to me about anything. I won't judge your feelings."

"I know. And I love you for that." She raised on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "Let's go to bed."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "It's early, yet."

Alexis gave him a seductive smile. "Yes, I know."

"Then by all means, let's go to bed." Jack swept her up and carried her to the bedroom.

The nightmares started a week later.

Alexis was jolted awake. She sat up quickly, a sob lodged in her throat. She glanced around frantically for Jack.

He was beside her, up on an elbow. "Everything okay?" he asked in a sleep roughened voice.

Alexis launched herself at him, sending him to his back as she gripped him tight.

He wrapped his arms around her. "Baby, you're shaking. What's wrong?"

"Nightmare," she gasped. "I'll be okay in a minute."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

Alexis shook her head but started speaking anyway. "I was at your funeral. Oh God, it was so realistic. It felt so real, and the pain I felt. I don't ever want to experience pain like that. I now know how I'll feel if I lose you. I just lived it. I can't ever go through that." She held on tighter, the sob finally dislodging. She cried on his chest big wracking sobs.

"Shh. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"I can't lose you Jack. I can't." She was hysterical. She couldn't seem to get herself under control. The memories of her grief were still too sharp in her mind.

Jack was whispering to her, things she couldn't hear nor understand. But his voice was soothing, and soon she was able to calm herself. She relaxed in his embrace. She sniffed a few times. She needed a tissue and she was pretty sure she made a mess on Jack's chest.

She loosened her hold and started to sit up. Jack's arms tightened. "Not yet. I want to hold you a little longer."

"My nose is running all over you," she said with another sniff.

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