Page 10 of Rescuing Alix

“Are you kidding? This looks fantastic. Burgers are one of my favorites and it’s so much better because I didn’t have to make it.”

“Waddaya know…a girl after my own heart.” In the couple days, he’d had the pleasure of knowing Alix, he was positive her cheeks had never beenthatred.

After dinner was done and plates had been carried to the kitchen, Kody found a comedy on the movie channel and settled in beside her on the couch. They’d gone over some questions that might come up tomorrow about the fire and Kody had given her some ideas how she should answer them. Finally, the movie had distracted them enough they both stopped talking for a while.

“Don’t let me fall asleep, okay?” Alix couldn’t help but yawn as she said it.

“Okay, sure.”

He knew she was tired and had no intention of keeping her awake. He knew she was out when she snuggled down into the crook of his arm after he laid it along the top of the couch. Tomorrow would be a long day and she needed some rest. It was too late for her to walk home so he’d let her sleep. His worry went immediately to the what if? What if that fire was set on purpose? Did someone have it out for her or Chloe?

He couldn’t protect Chloe but with Alix sleeping on his couch, at least he could keep an eye on her. He could have offered her his bed during dinner but if he’d given her the option, she would have made a point to go home.

If he moved now, he’d wake her for sure, so he clicked the television off, grabbed the blanket hanging over the back of the couch and gently covered them. He’d take one night, even if she wouldn’t remember it.

Chapter Eight

Alix woke in the early hours of the morning wondering for a minute or two where she was. It didn’t feel like her couch; hers wasn’t as comfortable. Of course, as she looked over her shoulder, she decided hers didn’t normally have a man on it either.

Oh my god! I can’t believe he let me fall asleep here. I’m such a harlot.

She almost laughed out loud but feared she’d wake him up. It was completely dark outside and there was no way to tell what time it was.

Maybe I could just enjoy this for a little while longer.

Alix snuggled in a little closer to his chest. Kody never woke but shifted closer and wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. She couldn’t remember when they’d both converted to lying down. It didn’t matter now but she remembered seeing a clock on his DVD player, however in her current position, it was out of sight. Her free hand rested atop his chest where she could feel his steady heartbeat and apparently that was all the comfort she needed.

The next time she opened her eyes it was to the sound of the morning news and fresh coffee in the air.

How did he get off the couch without waking me?

“Good morning beautiful.” Kody slipped in beside her as she sat upright, pushing the blanket away from her legs, taking the mug of coffee he offered.

“Morning;” she didn’t see herself as one of those chipper happy-to-be-awake morning people, but she liked waking up to his smiling face. Something she definitely could, but probably shouldn’t want to get used to.

“What time is it?” She felt all out of sorts with no clock, at least not one she could get her eyes to focus on, but the sun was up at least.

“It’s pretty early yet, 6:45.” She felt her face go sour.

“I know, I can’t help it. Something of an internal alarm clock, I guess. Drives me crazy but I can’t seem to sleep much past 6:30. Did you want some breakfast?”

“Oh no, thanks. It normally takes me a while to get myself awake so I hold off on food but the coffee tastes great, thank you.”

“My pleasure; I’m guessing Mr. Howard will be calling you pretty shortly. I think he’s an early riser as well.”

“Good thing I charged my phone last night then; thanks for that too. Seems as if I’m at your mercy.”

“Nah…just doing what friends do…wearefriends right?”

Alix didn’t get a chance to answer that question as her cell phone blared out a loud ring-tone version of Hey Soul Sister. She assumed that would be the fire inspector.

“Hello Mr. Howard, yes this is Alix Woods. What can I do for you?”Ugh…way to act dumb, you already know why he’s calling.

Kody came to stand right in front of her which was more of a distraction than anything because he smelled wonderful. She could tell where the ends of his cropped hair still looked a little wet. If his hair were a little longer, she wondered if it would curl on his neck.

“Alix!” Kody was whispering loudly. Dang daydreams.

“Yes Mr. Howard, I’m sorry…yes I’m here. What do you need me to do?”

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