Page 25 of Desire

A number of emotions flashed across his face, fear being the most prevalent one. His gaze darted to Connor, apparently unsure of what to say. Connor cleared his throat before speaking. “It was a mistake. There is nothing you need to worry about.”

The guilty expression on Alex’s face said otherwise. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at Connor. “Is that right?”

The stare-down between us was tense and Alex was shifting his weight back and forth in nervousness. Connor dropped his voice an octave and sent me his fierce Dom glare. “Yes, Bridget, that’s right.” I wouldn’t be intimidated though. I was in mama bear mode at the moment.

“We’ll talk about it later,” I warned him.

“There’s nothing to talk about Bridget. I said there was nothing to worry about, and there isn’t. Now let it go.” Alex sensed the determination behind Connor’s words. He didn’t seem to understand the tone even if I did, and he actually moved closer to me, apparently to protect me from Connor. For Alex’s sake, I followed Connor’s instructions and let it go. For now.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Alex’s hobbies and things he enjoyed. I told him about his grandfather and my shop. We got to know each other little by little. Finally, Alex said he needed to get back to the foster home where he’d been staying.

Hesitantly, I asked for a hug. He didn’t move for a moment, then he wrapped his arms around me. When I hugged him back, he flinched in pain. I jerked back in surprise. I glanced over in question at Connor, but he just stared back at me, silent. I embraced him again, keeping my hands only lightly around him, and ran my hand down his head. I breathed in his smell and when we broke apart we both had tears in our eyes. He waved goodbye, and he and Connor left with an assurance from Connor that he would call me later.

* * *

I staredat the three of them with hate-filled eyes. This was all her fault. I walked away, making plans to take care of business any way I had to.

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