Page 83 of The Arrogant's Redemption

I feel every nerve ending in her body pulsing toward me, her scent intoxicating, her lips exploring mine with raw, aching familiarity.

And then the door swings open, yanking us back to reality.

"Oh, God! I’m so sorry," Marla says, and Alexis pushes me away.

"Easy," I plead, but even after hearing the door close again—Marla stepping back to give us privacy—she keeps struggling to get free. "Don’t do that. Be careful."

"You didn’t seem worried a minute ago."

"I didn’t hear you asking me to stop."

“I can't get emotional.”

“I'm your doctor. You're fine. I wasn't going beyond that kiss.”

"That wasn’t just a kiss," she says, furious, as I set her back in the chair. "Don’t touch me again."

"Then tell me to stop when it’s happening. Not ten minutes later."

"I didn’t have the chance."

"Liar."

"Should you even be talking to me like that? I’m your patient. I’m still recovering."

I crouch down, bracing both hands on the arms of the wheelchair. "You’re mine. Patient, woman, but alwaysmine. And if that kiss didn’t remind you of that yet, I’ll be happy to show you again."

"Get me out of here," she says, and this time, she doesn’t sound angry anymore. Just exhausted.

"Alexis . . .”

"We can’t, LJ. Even if I didn’t hate you—and I do—we could never be together again."

The door swings open again before I can argue.

"Ready?" her mother asks, and her voice now sounds determined, like she won’t leave us alone for even a second.

"Yes, Mom. I’m ready."

Alexis

"You don’t have to come up," I say, but when my mother turns around and gives me a scolding look, I quickly correct myself. "I mean, thank you so much for helping me, but if you help my mom get the wheelchair outside, she can take me up to your apartment. She said she was here yesterday and that the place is spotless."

"I’m coming up," he says.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

He doesn’t answer, but I can read his expression perfectly.

LJ suddenly decided he wants me again. I have absolutely no intention of letting that happen. The kisses we shared at the hospital were more than enough proof that no matter how much resentment I hold inside, my body doesn’t agree.

He’s as dangerous to my mind and heart now as he was the first time I saw him.

Five minutes later, the three of us are inside the elevator, and even though my pulse races just from LJ standing behind the wheelchair, I feel like crying tears of happiness when Iremember that tomorrow afternoon, at the latest, Badger will be here with my son.

I know I should tell LJ about Sedric today, but my courage has evaporated, so I’m giving myself a few more days.

When the elevator doors open, I’m stunned by the luxurious white marble flooring in the building’s hallway. If the common area looks like this, what will the apartment be like?

---