Page 27 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Sorry, Livy,” she mumbled as the driver opened the door, letting her out. “That was crappy of me. Can I call you tomorrow?” She glanced at me and I just nodded. I knew she didn’t mean those words to hit home like they did.

The limo went on towards Lena’s house after she gave the driver her address. My head felt heavy and I kept finding myself leaning against Alexander. I felt tired, and his warmth felt strangely comforting. Although, each time I realized my head was on his shoulder, I quickly moved away.

As the car came to a stop, Lena looked at me.

“You ok?” she asked me, concern evident in her voice.

“Yes,” I claimed, nodding my head, causing myself slight dizziness. “Alcohol was a bad idea tonight.”

She chuckled softly as she came to give me a hug. “We just don’t have the same tolerance anymore.”

I returned the hug. We always hugged goodbye. It was something Mom instilled in us. She told us we never knew when the last time we saw somebody would be. So we should always hug or kiss goodbye. I felt a little stab in my heart as I hugged Lena tighter. The last time I saw my mother, I ran out the door, mad at her, without a hug or a kiss and I never had a chance to make it up to her. It was the last time I saw her alive.

As if Lena knew what I was thinking, she kissed my cheek. “Love you, Livy.”

“Love you too.”

“And thank you, Mr. Caldwell. For getting us home safely.”

Alexander nodded as she exited the car, and we waited till she got securely into her house. I could see two silhouettes through the window. I smiled, Larry stayed up waiting for her. He was the best thing that happened to her, and she deserved every bit of that happiness.

I leaned against the seat cushions, glancing at Alexander Caldwell. This night was not that great at all. As we drove off, and two of us were alone in the car, I felt strangely nervous. His closeness and smell making me want things I shouldn’t. I wished I asked Lena to spend the night at her house.

“Thanks for driving us home,” I murmured quietly. “Does your driver need my address?”

“No, he got it.” I couldn’t tell what this man with guarded, ice cold eyes was thinking. Probably that I looked ridiculous dressed up without any shoes on my feet.

I wished we hadn’t run into him, I wished we hadn’t gotten drunk, and I wished I didn’t feel slightly buzzed, with attraction flowing through my body towards this man. I hated that he heard Layla’s words and it made me feel vulnerable in front of him.

I looked away and watched streets pass by in a blur. Fifteen minutes alone in the car with him felt like fifteen hours. He felt too close, my body intune with him. I exhaled deeply when the car turned onto my street. I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough.

I glanced back to thank him when I noticed that he’d gotten out of the car too, following me to my door.

“No need to walk me to the door,” I told him quickly. “The alcohol wore off. I can manage.”

“I want to make sure you get in the house and lock the door,” he firmly answered.

Wondering why it would matter to him, I decided it was better if I kept my mouth shut. I’d be less likely to do or say something stupid. I had already done plenty of that tonight.

“Good night,” I glanced at him, my voice low as I unlocked the door.

He watched me quietly, and his gaze never wavered.

“Good night, Livy,” he finally said, calling me by my nickname for the first time. “Lock the door.”

I nodded and shut the door, locking him out as the breath I didn’t realize I was holding left my lips.

Chapter Fifteen

Liberty

Monday morning, I would have preferred to have a surgery without anesthesia rather than go into the office and see Alexander Caldwell. All the embarrassing moments from Saturday night kept playing in my mind. Layla wasn’t too proud of herself either. At least, she didn’t have to come into the office and face her embarrassment.

But here I was, being an adult after acting like a complete fool over the weekend. I should have sworn off alcohol for good. Men and alcohol were now on a do not touch list.

I placed my bag on the desk and decided I might as well bite the bullet. It would be better if I faced it first thing today, rather than wait for Alexander Caldwell to call me out.

I caught a sight of my reflection on the glass divider. I was wearing a black skirt with black flats and green blouse that made my hazel eyes seem lighter than they actually were. My dark hair fell down my back in waves, and I tucked loose pieces of stranded locks behind my ear. I wanted to look professional, although not sure why I was trying since I made a complete idiot out of myself on Saturday.

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