Page 39 of Runaway Girl
“You will know when,” she said with full authority and power.
That’s when I took her in, really perusing the superwoman before me.
Sure, I could see the hurt swimming in the depth of her eyes, but that was overshadowed by her poised persona. She was all class and grace, a savage undertow lurking beneath.
That’s when it all clicked. Stella garnered respect. Not Felix or the business.Her.
Pitching forward, I tackled her in another hug and whispered. “Welcome back, boss.”
She chuckled, which was interrupted by my name being frantically called from behind.
Felix.
I didn’t spare him a thought, my eyes refilling with tears as I stared at the indestructible woman before me.
Stella gave my hand a light squeeze. “Go home, Alicia. Spend time with your family.”
“I don’t want to leave you here with him.”
“I have plans… Plans that have not come to fruition yet. I need you to leave,” she said, all cryptic.
In other words—don’t fuck this up, Alicia.
Whatever strategy she had devised, I knew Felix deserved everything that was coming his way. And it was not my right to take away from Stella’s experience and hijack her hurt.
So, taking her request seriously, I swept a light peck to her cheek then raced out the door before Felix could reach me… Sending all my strength to the woman with a spine of steel and the assassin’s smile.
Chapter 23
ALICIA
I don’t know why Ethan was outside my work building, but I didn’t question the timing or his presence. He was there when I needed him the most and held me together as I fell to pieces.
We were in the driver’s seat of his car, my legs straddling his lap as my face buried in the base of his neck—a rookie fucking move.
Why does he have to smell so good? And why do I feel so safe in his arms?
Ethan rhythmically ran a hand up and down my spine, unfurling my tense muscles, whispering sweet words into my hair.
It felt good,too good.
“What happened, Alicia?Who hurt you?”
I huffed non committedly, then burrowed deeper into his chest. I shouldn’t have, for his rigid shaft pressed against my centre like the worst tease known to mankind.
“No one hurtme. I was just… just…”
Ethan shifted back, his roaming fingers lifting my chin until I had no choice but to stare into his desperate, pleading eyes. “Just point me in the right direction, Ali. I’m your weapon. Use me as you will.”
Heat surfaced beneath my skin, gathering to the apex between my legs, lust coating my insides, imploring him to enter.Down, girl.
I coughed. “You just went through a highly public trial. I think you running in to defend my honour would be untoward.”
“I don’t care, as long as you’re safe and happy,” he said, his mask taut with anguish. “I never want to see you cry again.”
My head tilted, perusing the man I did not recognise. He was my old Ethan mixed with someone entirely different.
“What’s that look?” he asked.
