Page 15 of Rescuing Alix

“It doesn’t surprise me.” The sheriff wrote a few things down in his notebook and handed Alix a card.

“If you think of anything else just give me a call. I’ll start doing some nosing around and see what I can come up with. Never know, may have left a fingerprint if one of them took off a glove. We’ll board up this door before we leave but I’d probably get someone here to fix it tomorrow morning.”

While the Sheriff’s department took over, Kody and Alix walked down through the back alley out to the main sidewalk.

“How about I walk you home?” He knew she had to be exhausted after everything they’d been through. It wasn’t like her to be so quiet which made it pretty obvious the whole thing was bothering her.

“Thanks, that’d be great. Will you stay for a while though; I don’t really want to be alone.”

Better words were never spoken. He’d stay as long as she wanted or needed him to, he wasn’t about to question a chance like this one. Besides, he was a little bit worried about who might be on the lookout for her. That and she always had food in her frig.

***

Alix tried so hard not to open her eyes even though she had been awake since before daylight. Sleep evaded her most of the night. She’d used the bathroom a couple times and even got a drink more than once which wasn’t something she usually did. It was beyond her natural control to keep from checking on Kody, which was mainly for peace of mind, but he was out like a light. At some point he’d kicked the covers off. He looked so good but begrudgingly, she’d put the covers back over him.

If she kept her eyes closed, maybe she could fall back asleep? Who was she kidding? Once she was awake, therewasno going back to sleep. Donning her bathrobe, she peaked out her bedroom instantly catching the sweet aroma of her gourmet select beans and blueberry pancakes. He cooked too. Might have to keep him around awhile.

“Morning sunshine.”

He walked toward her, handing over a steaming mug of coffee. Her cheeks turned rosy with embarrassment at the small gesture of intimacy. No one ever made anything for her before.

“Is that maple bacon I smell?”

“It is. Only the best when I make breakfast.”

“Thank you, Kody. You didn’t have to do that. Did I have all that in my frig?” She couldn’t recall buying the bacon or anything to make the pancakes with. She normally grabbed a bar when she walked out the door or ate at the restaurant except on the weekends.

“No, I ran to the corner store. I’ve been up a while, knocked on your door and even peeked in but you were sleeping pretty sound.”

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry. I feel like I didn’t sleep well at all.” Alix pulled out a chair at her kitchen table and sank into it.

“A lot’s happened in the last forty-eight hours. I can see where you’d have a little bit on your mind.” He laid a plate in front of her with two pancakes and a generous amount of bacon, crisp but juicy in all the right places.

“This smells delicious Kody. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”

She hung her head a bit remembering all the times he’d stepped in to save her the last couple of days. What would she have done without him?

“Hey.” Alix felt Kody’s fingers at her chin, turning her to look up.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else Alix.” He leaned down, placing a soft but rather electric kiss on her lips. “If you’d let me, I’d like to hang around a whole lot more.”

Before she could stand to meet him face to face, overwhelmed with feelings she hadn’t had in a very long time for a man, he’d knelt down to her level, placing a hand at the nape of her neck.

“You really want to?” Alix innocently questioned.

Then he laughed, right before he kissed her again, with much more strength and full of purpose.

Hovering at her lips he breathed heavy. “Alix, you really are an amazing woman. Yes, I definitely want to spend more time with you, as much as you’ll allow.”

This time she kissed him back, her hands roaming over his deliciously unshaven face to his neck where they latched on like a lifeline. At some point, Alix realized they’d moved away from the table, and she was wrapped in his arms.

“I could stay like this all day, Kody.”

“Oh honey, don’t you dare tempt me. I’d like nothing better than to take that robe off you and drag you back to your room, but we have some things to take care of today. You better eat before I throw caution to the wind and do just that.”

Alix laughed but kissed him again and sat in front of the breakfast he’d prepared. Hadn’t taken long to finish, they were both hungrier than they realized. Afterward, Alix went in for a quick shower while Kody cleaned up the kitchen.

Chapter Eleven

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