Page 43 of Tamed By You

*rolling eye emoji*

Harry

You are saved as *cat, fire and rocket emoji*

Ali

I approve. Are you still at the club?

She wants to chat.

Harry

No, I just got home.

Ali

Proof please.

I laugh as I take a photo of my abs and send it.

Ali

*eye roll emoji* Yes, we know you’re hot. You can put the abs away now, Hulk.

Harry

You called me HOT, Ali Cat. I think that’s the first time you've admitted that.

Ali

Yeah, well, don't get used to it. You get one compliment every 6 months. Consider this your first instalment for the year.

Harry

Good to know you see a future for us. I look forward to my next compliment in 6 months’ time.

Ali

Night H x

Harry

Night my little pocket rocket. Sleep well x

I close my eyes as images of Ali coming apart in my office earlier drift through my mind, and I start to question if this casual thing is going to work, because every touch, every taste of her has me falling a little more for her, which scares the hell out of me. But I have no intentions of staying away from her. I don't think I could even if I wanted too.

Chapter Seventeen

Ali

It feels impossible to breathe; like I’m wearing a vest made of lead. I try to move my arms, to free myself, to shift this heaviness from my chest but I can't. I can't move, can’t speak, all I can do is just close my eyes and let myself fall…

“Ali, you're okay, you're okay, wake up. Alice, wake up.”

My eyes spring open. I search the room for the familiar voice, my breath ragged, clutching my chest, my shirt damp and clinging to my trembling body.

I sit up, looking round the room, feeling a wave of ease come over me when I see Gabby.