Page 53 of Shielding Lexi (Temptation)

My heart pounds and a sudden flush of warmth spreads from my groin outward and for the first time in all my life, I feel something I’ve never felt before without sex.

It’s a warm, fuzzy, complete feeling that’s both arousing and comforting and I don’t want it to end.

Brad runs his hand up and down my back as my eyes flutter closed. Maybe I could use a change of scenery. It’s not like I have much going on in San Francisco aside from my mother, and I think she’d actually be happier without me. Besides, a few thousand miles between Kemp and I would be a good idea. That’s if I don’t have to call the cops on him first. I mean, what are the chances he just happened onto the same exact Caribbean city I did? No, something is going on.

I nuzzle into Brad’s chest and let him hold me safe. Tomorrow is the future’s problem. Tonight, I’m just some rich girl in bed with the man of her dreams.

Chapter 4

It’s still dark for eight a.m. and the air is thick and damp, like rain is on the way. Figures, the day we’re supposed to fly out there’d be a storm.

I rap on Margo’s door and wait for her to answer as more dark clouds roll in.

“You’re up early,” she says, putting her sunglasses in place. Her hair is loosely tied behind her head and she’s dragging her suitcase with a groan. “I thought the plane didn’t leave until ten.”

“Ten Margo,” I look at my phone for the time. “That’s only two hours from now. By the time we get to the airport and check in, we’ll barely have time to get a coffee before the plane takes off.”

I can’t see her rolling her eyes thorough the dark shades, but I can feel it burn through the lens. She’s always miserable the day after drinking. I’ll have to keep my distance today or I’ll lose it for sure.

“Where’s your boy toy?” she asks, letting the hotel room door slam shut behind her.

I don’t want to get into it, but I know if I don’t say something, she’ll be on me all day.

“He left early this morning.”

She pulls down her shades and eyes me. “He spent the night?”

Fuck. I didn’t think this through.

I wheel my suitcase down the hallway in front of her, trying to remember which way was the elevator. “It was nothing, really.”

“At least one of us got lucky,” she says, turning like she has lived here for years. “You guys going to stay in touch?”

I bite my inner lip and press the arrow button, waiting for the silver doors to open. “He left his number on the side table. I don’t know… he’s in Miami… we’re in San Francisco. It doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s the twenty-first century. There are airplanes, and video calls, and this thing called sexting,” she says sarcastically. “If he’s a nice guy you should—”

“It’s all good,” I say, hoping she gets the hint. I know she thinks it’s small talk, and that she knows best for me, but I guarantee… she doesn’t. She doesn’t know the half of what I’ve been going through lately—no one does.

“What happened at the bar last night anyway?” she asks, as we step inside the elevator and ride the two floors down. “Or was that your way of getting Brad alone?”

My stomach tightens as I think about Kemp. How long was he here? How long was he watching me? And why didn’t he hide himself better last night? Did he want me to see him? Is he following me right now?

As the elevator door opens, Margo steps out quickly, looking like an incognito celebrity, while I take my time, studying every blind corner, wondering how far away he is.

“What is your problem?” she asks, looking back. “You’ve been weird all morning. You’re not answering my questions. You’re acting like someone is out to get you. Did you join the mob while we were here? Do you owe them your body or a load of sexual favors?”

I fake a smile and a quick laugh because I know that’s what she wants, but my arms are feeling numb with stress and all I can think about is the safety I felt in Brad’s arms last night. The same Brad that I will most likely never see again.

My heart stiffens as Margo calls for a taxi. The reality of going home is finally settling in. Going home… to nothing. No house, no job, no family, nothing. Every friend I have is off living their own life. I can’t barge in on them. Olivia is with her guys, Lexi is off on some new adventure, and Margo is about to be married off to start a new life. It’s just me… and nothing.

The ride to the airport is quiet, with Margo looking out one window of the taxi and myself the other. I know she has a million things she’s dying to say, but she does well at keeping her distance—which surprises me. Maybe the realization of going back home is hitting her too.

“Which terminal?” the round cabbie asks, staring at us through the rear-view mirror.

Margo looks at me, “My ticket says Terminal B. We’re on the same flight so—”

“Mine says A,” I say, holding up my phone for her to see. “Are we not on the same flight back?”

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