Page 18 of Dirty Deceptions

Chloe held up both hands. “I’m out.” She walked over to her and hugged her tight, then whispered, “Call me later. I’m going to need deets.”

Lauren wanted to hold onto Chloe, use her as a buffer. But that would be showing weakness. And Alex, being Alex, would totally sniff that out and pounce on it. She nodded and showed her friend to the door.

Alone with Alex now, Lauren turned and muttered, “I told you I needed time to think.”

“Yes, you did,” he admitted as he moved closer, stalking her like a big, predatory panther. When he reached her and cupped her cheek in his warm palm, then murmured, “I don’t want to give you time. Not if it means you’re preparing to walk out of my life. I don’t want that. I want you.”

“We don’t always get what we want, Alex,” she breathed out, knowing she was close to caving. He looked so delicious with the five o'clock stubble and his hair all messed up. And damn it, he smelled too good. Like sinful nights and warm kisses.

“We’ll see about that, huh?”

She wanted to ask him what that meant, but when he bent and picked her up, it sort of caught her off guard. He strode to the door and ordered, “Purse.” He nodded toward her handbag sitting on the entryway table.

Lauren didn’t take the hint. “What the hell are you doing?”

His brows drew together in that too-sexy frown of his. “Get the purse and lock your door. I’m taking you home.”

She squirmed, but it was useless. He was six-feet-two of muscled strength. “I am home. And put me down.”

He didn’t budge. Like a giant oak. “Do it or your apartment will sit unlocked. Is that what you want?”

She smacked his chest. “You’re being a jerk.”

He glared down at her. “Desperate times, Lauren.”

She could force him to put her down and leave. He’d never do anything she didn’t want. Not really. That wasn’t Alex. But is that what she wanted? Was she the type to not give a person a second chance?

In the end, Lauren conceded and grabbed her purse. She’d go with him. See what kind of apology he had in mind. Then decide. Weighing all her options was how she operated. She fished around for her keys, then shoved them at him. “Here.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m not putting you down. Get the door for me.”

“I’m not even dressed.”

“You’re covered by the blanket and my car is close.” He nudged his shoulder. “Door, Lauren. Quit stalling.”

“If I’d known how pushy you were I’d have told you to take a hike when you hit on me at Rooney’s,” she muttered, even as she reached out and turned the doorknob.

He pushed his way through it, then waited for her to lock it behind them. He didn’t say another word as they headed down the path to the parking lot. A few curious neighbors stared at her with curiosity, causing her to bury her head in his suit jacket and mutter, “This is a new low, Alex.”

When they suddenly stopped, Lauren lifted her head. A big, black stretch limo sat in the parking lot. An elderly man stood beside the passenger door, arms behind his back, smiling at them.

“That’s not your car.”

“No. Dad uses this for business most of the time.” His gaze landed on the driver. “Lloyd has been with our family for years.”

“Uh, okay.” The man has a Lloyd. Lauren had nothing to say to that.

Lloyd opened a door for them, then offered them a smile. “If there’s anything you need, Mr. Costa.”

He placed her in the car, then got in after her, offering a smile at the driver. “Thanks, Lloyd. Just take us home.”

“Of course.” The grey-haired man shut the door, which effectively put her alone with Alex. Her billionaire lover.

He reached over, stroking her cheek with his index finger. “Please, Lauren. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. It’s killing me thinking you may never forgive me.”

Lauren didn’t want to cave, but she could feel it happening. Her head and her heart weredefinitelynot on the same page. “You explained your reasons and to some extent I understand.”

“But?”

---