Page 7 of The Will

“Wow,” she said as she looked up at him. “You are hot.”

Alex grinned this time, embarrassed, and said, “You aren’t so bad yourself; you know?”

Chloe scoffed and stepped forward, steadier, removing her arm as she walked to the door. “I meant your temperature. Your hollow flattery will not get you fucked, if that’s what you think. I need more effort than that.” It surprised Chloe how nasty that had sounded coming out of her mouth. She looked back at him, instantly regretting it because he was right there behind her. “Jesus. Personal space?” she murmured.

“Not after watching your less-than-steady walk and the fact that you were just passed out in my SUV,” he stated firmly, raising one brow in question.

Chloe scoffed again as she opened the security door. She made an extra effort to walk calmly up the stairs to her apartment, determined to show she could do this. She refused to embarrass herself in front of his six-foot-something, sexy self.

He smelled like some combo of wood and fresh herbs, with just a hint of man. His thick ebony hair and beard made Chloe want to bury her fingers in it as she combed it back from his brow. Then there were his eyes. She could just stare into their soft bluish-green color for hours, especially if they expressed the humor she had seen shining in them earlier. She was pondering all this as she turned her key in the lock and opened the door.

“Hi, Whisper,” she said as they entered the apartment.

Alex could see a small cat on the sofa, it had a very triangular face with black and charcoal gray, short fur and the most amazing turquoise eyes. She mewed in recognition of Chloe and then headed along the back of the overstuffed light gray couch straight for Alex.

“Oh, be careful, she never—” Chloe’s words stopped mid-speech as Alex stroked Whisper's head. “She never likes anyone I bring home.” she finished, astonishment filling her tone.

“Most animals like me,” he said casually, shrugging, while he continued to scratch Whisper's chin.

Chloe could imagine, since she was still buzzing and completely enthralled with watching his fingers.

“Pet me,” she thought. Tequila brain striking again. “Please have a seat, since Whisper loves you already, you’ll be able to sit anywhere. Would you like something to drink?” Chloe said aloud instead.

Maybe if she gives him the rest of the story he would leave and she wouldn’t humiliate herself by begging for attention.

Alex moved to sit on that couch and nodded. “A glass of water would be great, and then we should really talk some more if you are up to it.”

Chloe came out of the kitchen with two glasses of water with a few ice cubes floating in each. She set one on the side table next to him and then sat across from him in a chair. She positioned herself at the front edge of the chair, ready to sprint away if needed. “Okay, remind me where I left off as I was getting out of it at the end. I get that way sometimes. I’m told it is a trauma reaction, but I am no expert.”

“You were—” Alex cut off his words for a second, closing his lips tightly like he was trying to find the words. “You were in the bathroom after the pool room…” his voice trailed off.

“Oh, after the assault,” she said bluntly. She took a sip of her water and breathed out. “Yes, I can be calm about it. It was over seven years ago now. I have my bad times from it, which I know is part of being a survivor, and they are hard. Alcohol can be a good crutch. Probably not a healthy one, but there you have it.” She forced a smile at him.

Alex felt like he was a hot poker, headed right for a scar in her side. He blew his breath out in frustration. “I don’t know if I can hear any more Chloe, without wanting to strangle someone for you.”

Chloe was puzzled and her facial expression relayed her surprise. “Why would you be so invested in a story that hurt no one you love?”

Alex looked back up from his uncurling fists, “Because I watched as my mother slowly wasted away from abuse. She wasn’t physically abused, at least not that I saw with my own eyes, but she might as well have been. Her spirit was crushed repeatedly.” His voice raised with every sentence, his anger unintentionally bubbling out.

Chloe’s mouth was hanging open. Grandpa had been understanding of her and educated himself to help her, but he never understood her problem with trust or her need to say sorry all the time. How could he, as he hadn’t seen her go through all of that?

She didn’t even give Grandpa all the details that she had told Alex tonight. Tequila again, perhaps. But the truth was, she needed someone to just listen. Chloe looked down at the glass in her hand and slowly placed it on the table next to her, keeping her eyes downward cast. “I’m sorry you had to see something like that. My mother did not have to see me after, for which I was grateful. I cried out for her, though, just like any wounded child would. Even knowing she was gone didn’t stop me.” Her tears were slowly falling to the floor as she grew quiet.

Alex realized it had gotten very silent and he could see the tears, drop by drop, falling on the carpet. Chloe wasn’t making any noise, no sniffling, no sobbing, not even gulping breaths. Just slow, silent tears for herself.

Where she was at that moment, Alex wasn’t sure. He stood and touched her shoulder softly. She flinched before raising her eyes to look at him. The tears were still flowing in a heartbeat-like rhythm, streaking her face. Alex gasped at what the tears had done to her eyes. Her irises had transformed to gold, which glowed like coals in a fire or molten metal, with a dark green ring encircling it. It was like she was looking through him instead of at him.

“Chloe,” he whispered, hoping not to scare her again.

She sprang up and flew straight at him, grabbing him in a desperate hug and causing him to let out an “oof” from the impact. He closed his arms around her and hugged her back. She shivered in his arms as her tears turned to sobs, like she had been holding them in for a long time. Now her breathing was ragged, and he hugged her tighter in an attempt to help. She sounded so broken that he was tearing up too. The last time he wanted to cry like he did now, he was at his mother’s funeral.

He had cried in private, asno Moore could show tears in public, according to his father. Though his mother had always told him, “Men are humans too. While your dad would teach you otherwise, you need to cry when hurt, just like we all do.” One more reason he had loved her so much.

Chloe wasn’t sure what had driven her into his arms, but damn, she was so happy she was there. Her breathing slowed. She felt weak, like she had released a bunch of energy all at once. Chloe pulled back so she could raise her face from his chest, daring to look up and meet his eyes. She saw his eyes full of emotion, as if he were ready to cry for her too.

Chloe felt horrible about doing that to this man that had been nothing but nice to her all day despite her unusual behavior. She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips to say a small thank you.

Alex caught her, holding her lips to his. Chloe was so shocked that she went to say something, and he used that to deepen the kiss. He tasted of beer and tacos and his tongue was invading her mouth. Her arms raised and encircled his neck.

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