Page 54 of The Arrogant's Redemption

Lazarus

Two nights and two full days breathing Alexis.

I’ve never spent this much time with a woman. I’ve never slept next to one through the night. Sex, for me, has always been temporary satisfaction—nothing more.

And yet, after having her so many times, I still keep her wrapped in my arms.

"You don’t sleep much," she says, lifting her head off my chest.

"I could say you sleep too much."

"There’s no such thing as too much sleep. That’s like saying you had too much pizza."

I smile. "You’re still a little girl in a lot of ways, Alexis."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"You don’t filter anything. You say what’s on your mind."

"With you. I’m not like that with everyone. There are very few people I let in, and even fewer I trust. And even with them, most of the time . . . I fake it."

"Fake it?"

"Not in a bad way. I just don’t want to seem weird."

"Weird how?"

"Quiet. Distrustful. So I try to fit in."

"You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. Quick-witted and funny, even with that grumpy streak."

She laughs. "You talking about grumpiness is hilarious, no offense. The day we met, I thought you were going to bite me."

"I wanted you."

"What?"

"From that first day—I wanted you. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t resist."

Her smile turns stiff, and she tries to get up.

"No."

"I don’t like where this conversation is heading. I can see exactly where it’s going."

"Then enlighten me, Miss Suspicious."

"You’re about to tell me this was great but you have to go." She says it calmly, like it wouldn’t matter if I did say that. For a moment, I wonder if I imagined our connection these past two days.

Then Alexis looks away, and I catch her lower lip trembling—just slightly.

"No, you’re wrong. Maybe that’s what I expected when I came here this weekend. But I don’t want it to end."

"What?"

"Look at me."

It takes her a few seconds to do what I asked.

---