Page 11 of Dirty Deceptions

She laughed at the last part. “You already saw every inch of my body, Alex. Heck, you kissed every inch.”

He winked. “Careful, Lauren, or I’ll take you back to bed and this time I won’t leave.”

Crap, yeah, pulling this particular tiger’s tail wassonot wise. She lifted on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his cheek, then quickly moved away. “I need time to think. To…process.”

He was quiet a moment, just watching her before he closed the distance and dragged her back into his arms. “You can have all the time you want, but I’m still going to be thinking of you. Wanting you. My feelings won’t change. You get that, right?”

She wrapped her arms around him, enjoying his solid strength. “I get it. You won’t be giving me the brush off via text like Jake.”

He kissed her forehead and it was too brief. Lauren wanted more. “I know a good thing when I see it,” he whispered as he released her. “We’re going to talk later.”

She took a deep breath, then let it out. “Yes, later.”

He gave her a brisk nod, then left. The door closed with quiet force, leaving her alone with nothing but her thoughts. That’s not what she needed. No, she needed a friend. She lifted her phone and pulled up Chloe’s contact information, then hit the call button.

After two rings her friend picked up. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

Lauren glanced at the giant wall clock on the opposite wall and winced. Eight-thirty on a Sunday morning. Chloe had one rule. Never call or text before noon on Sunday. “Oops, I didn't realize it was so early. Sorry. Go back to sleep.”

“Wait, what’s up with you?”

“Huh?”

There was a shuffling sound before her friend replied, “You never call this early. Something must be wrong.”

“Uh, well, yes…and no.”

“That sounds like donuts and coffee to me.”

Grateful Chloe knew her so well, Lauren quickly offered, “I can pick them up on my way.”

“No, I’ll come to you. Ward is here.”

At the mention of the on-again-off-again Ward Reyes, Lauren winced. “You need to stop letting him jerk you around, hun.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “I’ll be over in fifteen.”

They hung up and Lauren let out a frustrated sigh. Ward was bad news. Had always been bad news. He would crash into her friend’s life and dominate her time for a week, maybe two, then he’d be gone again. It was always the same. He loved her. Couldn’t live without her. Then, poof, he’d ghost her for a month, sometimes two at a time. Chloe loved him, so she put up with it. Ward was a grade-A asshole. She kept hoping her friend would wise up and move on, but love was a fickle bitch.

She headed into the kitchen to start the coffee when her cell phone chimed. Had Chloe changed her mind? Lauren picked it up and stared at the screen. Not Lauren. Her heartbeat sped up as she read the text.

I ALREADY MISS U, BABY.

“Oh, man, I’m toast,” she grumbled as she sent back a text of her own.

MY BED IS GONNA B VERY COLD 2NITE

She replied, adding a heart emoji. She didn’t have to wait long for Alex’s reply.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO B…

She was tempted. So tempted, but she already felt so overwhelmed by the man. Hell, she could still taste him on her lips.

I’M PROCESSING, REMEMBER?

There, keep it cool. Don’t cave. He’ll pounce if you cave. Like a lion on a gazelle.

CALL ME L8R?

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