Page 125 of Secret Weapon

“Wait…wait…”

He stared down at me, expectant.

“You can’t leave me here like this.”

“Like what?”

Alone.I didn’t want to be alone, not tonight.For the first time, I felt vulnerable, not just physically but emotionally too.Alex was slowly breaking down all the barriers I’d erected to keep myself safe.

But I couldn’t admit that.

Never would I admit that.

“I need pyjamas.”

“Where are they?”

“In the closet.”Dammit, now I sounded needy, like one of those simpering fools who couldn’t function without a man.“I’ll get them.”

“You don’t have to—”

But I was already out of bed, cursing as I stumbled across the room.What was wrong with my stupid legs?I snatched my nightclothes off the shelf and tugged them on, only to find Alex watching me with an amused smile.

“Silk pyjamas?”

“Don’t you dare say a word to Emmy, or I’ll…I’ll…”

“You’ll cut off my balls?That would be counterproductive, don’t you think?You might need them later.”

“No other man would dare to speak to me the way you do.”

“Then it’s a good thing there’s no other man, isn’t it?”

Alex caught me with an arm around my waist, and just because I could, I dumped him backward onto the bed.Still, he smiled.

“Is this a subtle hint that you want me to stay here tonight?”

“I…” Hmm.Was my subconscious trying to tell me something?“Maybe.”

He held out a hand.“Come to bed, Dashenka.Just to sleep.”

So I did.I climbed into bed and Alex curled around me, and that night, I slept better than I’d ever slept in my life.

---