Page 34 of More Than A Boss

“I miss you too, Allie! You have no idea. I just can’t have you taking any more chances like that. OK?”

Allie crossed her fingers and said, “Yes.” She had no intention of telling him about her date with Casey tomorrow. There was no need to worry him, they would just do a quick in-and-out of the farmhouse. She had only brought several days’ worth of clothing, and she needed some warmer things as well.

“Zane, please be careful. Kit and I need you!” she said, her voice like a caress.

“I will, Allie, and I don’t need any added distractions of worrying about you. Please don’t do anything more to put yourself at risk,” he said.

“Call me,” she said.

“I will. Be good. By the way, how is my baby?” he asked.

“You mean Kit?” she wondered.

“No, my Alfa,” he said.

“Oh, your baby is just fine. Nothing a plunger can’t pop out,” she teased. He laughed for what felt like the first time in a week.

“Goodnight, Al. I wish I were there to tuck you in,” he said.

“Me too. Talk to you soon?” she asked.

“Yes. Sleep tight!” And he hung up.

Allie felt empty after they disconnected. She had so wanted to tell him she loved him, but she had held back. She would figure that out later. Right now, she would get into the Jacuzzi and try to relax her tense muscles. She threw a few more logs into the bedroom fireplace and then ran the water for her bath. She put on some soft, soothing music and slipped out of her clothes, glancing at her body in the mirror. She thought that she looked too thin, her eyes a bit hollow. She pinned her hair up to avoid getting it wet and dipped her big toe in the water, testing the temperature before deciding it was perfect. She climbed in and turned on the jets full blast so that the water pulsated against her neck and shoulders. She leaned back and let the moment take her away.

Later in bed, going over her conversation with Zane, she felt a tiny bit guilty for misleading him about tomorrow. But after she retrieved her clothes from home, she would comply with his wishes. It really was for her safety, after all. Tomorrow they would have breakfast, a quick in-and-out of the farmhouse for clothes, pick up her car, then she would put herself back in her luxurious cage and throw away the key. She reached over and turned off the reading lamp and had a restless night’s sleep, interspersed with troubling dreams that were dark and full of danger.

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