Page 26 of Twenty Years Later

"Thanks. You're a big help."I rolled my eyes at him, but he just grinned back.

A song or two would definitely help this very awake child, but I felt shy about singing in front of Alex. After a while, though, of a fidgety Gabby squirming and fighting sleep, I started to hum. With no luck on that front, the humming eventually turned into singing quietly. I remembered some of my made-up lullabies, and that seemed to do the trick of calming her down at least.

But those little eyes were determined to stay open, so I just kept on rocking and singing. Rocking and singing. And as I rocked and her tiny trusting body began to relax in my arms, I felt a pull, a longing, in my chest and realized between this man and this little darling, I was in deep, deep trouble.

Chapter Eight

Jayda

My own eyes started to get heavy, but I fought it and kept on rocking. Nine minutes had passed long ago. I looked up to see Alex still intently watching us, that fire blazing in his eyes, and I wondered what he was thinking.

But I didn't dare speak because Gabby's body started to have that heavy feel like she was finally letting go and welcoming sleep. I glanced down at that beautiful little face and noticed how similar she was to Alex with that same dark hair and eyes. It also made me wonder what his ex-wife looked like.

Soon, Gabby completely zonked out, and Alex rose up from the couch to gently take her from me. "Nice job," he whispered.

I smiled without saying anything because I didn't want to chance waking her up. Once they had left the room, I went to the kitchen and carefully filled up my wine glass, suddenly feeling anxious about being all alone with the big bad wolf. I giggled at my stupid little joke, definitely showing my nerves.

"What's so funny?" Alex asked as he entered the kitchen.

Oh, boy, how ridiculous was I? "Um, nothing really. I guess I didn't break your record, did I?"

"Not even close," he teased. "But seriously, that was... well, that was nice to watch."

His sexy smile sent me right to the couch to drink more wine so I could handle the heat Alex was throwing my way. He soon followed with his own glass and settled down at the other end of the toy-covered couch, facing me.

"So," he said, "I finished your book today."

"Y-you what?" I sputtered, nearly spitting out my drink.

He smiled with amusement. "I told you I was going to read your book."

I held my breath waiting to see what he'd say. For some reason, it felt so personal to have him read it. Complete strangers, no problem. But this man here, it felt like my soul had been spliced open to him.

"And..." he drawled, clearly finding enjoyment in torturing me. "It was incredible."

Finally releasing that breath, I had to wonder if he was just saying that because, of course, he would say that. Didn't he kind of have to?

"Really. I mean that," he said. "It's not my usual genre—" My laughing interrupted him. "But I loved it."

I felt my eyebrows shoot up into my forehead. "You did not."

He looked offended. "I did too, Jayda. I couldn't put it down. The mystery of it is what really got me and wanting to know what's going to happen and how on earth she's going to get out of this mess."

I actually started to believe him that he had enjoyed my teen paranormal romance.

"And I have to admit that I'm a little bit mad at you," he continued, those kissable lips in a pout.

"You are? Why?"

"For ending it on a cliffhanger. Please tell me you don't do that with all of them."

I laughed because he sounded exactly like some of my readers who sent me love/hate emails. "Um..."

"You do! Damn it!" He tossed a teddy bear at me.

"Guilty?" I cringed. "Please don't hate on me."

"Never, sweetheart. Never."

---