He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (32 page)

Libby, you looked so peaceful that I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I have early meetings. Then your father’s lawyer wants to see me and my dad early this evening. I hate to ask, all things considering, but will you look after my mom when my dad’s away? Not sure when we’ll get back. Probably late. xoxo Alex

I glance at the clock. Shit. Its 11.45 already. So much for morning. It’s practically midday. Ethan will be here soon. I pick up my phone. I have a few messages:

Ethan: I will be over at 1. Bringing Lucy x E

Libby: Ok see you soon x God I hope I don’t frighten Lucy looking like this. She might not even recognise me.

Kirsty: How you feeling today?

Libby: Not as sore but tired. I am just up x

Kirsty: Lazy git x

Alex: Hope you slept well. xoxo

Alex: How are you feeling? xoxo

Alex: Are you still in bed?

Alex: ????????

Libby: Just got up. Had a great sleep. Not as sore today but still tired. In answer to; Are you still in bed? answer is yes and I wish you were with me xx

Alex: Don’t tease x

I don’t know where the day has gone. One minute I was just up, and now it feels way past my bedtime. Alex phoned to say he was on his way home at nine o’clock. I told him to go and see his mum before coming to me. I spent the evening with his mum having dinner and chatting before coming back to my room. I had to make an early night of it, as I am just so bloody tired.

I am so glad I didn’t work today. God knows how I would be feeling if I had. The attack on Sunday definitely took its toll on my body—and my mind. I’ve been trying not to let it show, but I’m a wreck. I hope I can pull myself back together again.

My thoughts drift to Ethan. I can’t believe the change in him, and it’s all down to fatherhood. Lucy is the apple of her father’s eye; of that I am sure. He told me today about how things went at the hearing
yesterday. He’s yet to tell my parents about it, but I asked if he wanted me there when he did. His reply was a very quick no. He wants to do it on his own.

Yesterday was a plea hearing. The other driver in the accident that killed Lindsay had pleaded guilty. Straightforward enough, but what do I know? Nothing is as it seems. Ethan went to the court with his lawyer, and for the first time, he saw the other guy sitting with his lawyer and his wife. The wife is the reason everything changed.

She’s very, very pregnant. She looks as though she could give birth any moment. Ethan told his lawyer that he’d changed his mind and that he no longer wanted the man to face charges. Ethan didn’t want another family to go through what he has been through these past four months. He wanted that baby to be born with both parents around. He said they seemed like nice people, both hard-working folks, and that the man had just been a little tired, a little careless. Unfortunate. Wrong place, wrong time.

The lawyers on both sides said it was highly unlikely the charges would be dropped altogether, but they are prepared to see what can be done. The judge promised to give the case special consideration after Ethan made what I have no doubt was a heart- warming plea that left the husband and wife speechless. Both had been expecting the worst, but now they had hope. Ethan told the court that he
thought the man had been punished enough, especially since he would always have to live with the memory of what had happened, but that the man’s family shouldn’t have to be punished as well. He said that there was no just need for another child to grow up with just one parent when the other one is still alive and willing.

Ethan has turned a corner, I believe. I don’t know what my parents will say. My father’s attitude has always been that the punishment should fit the crime. Well, I for one am proud of my brother. That took a lot of guts.

My eyes open in a panic when I feel the bed shift. It’s Alex. I never heard him come in.

“Sorry I scared you, baby,” he says in a low voice. “You look wiped out.”

“Hi. I feel wiped out. It’s been such a busy day.”

“Tell me you didn’t work all day?”

“No, actually, I didn’t work at all, you’ll be pleased to know,” I say. “Ethan and Lucy came for lunch. I’ll tell you all about that in a minute. I went for a walk with your mum. We walked a wee distance along the pebble shore of the water’s edge, but I did start to get tired, and then we had dinner together. I like her.”

“Yeah, I just left her. She really likes you too. She can’t wait for you to come to New York. They’re going home on Thursday.”

“I am still unsure when I can leave the hotel to travel there,” I say. “So your dad doesn’t need to be here for anything else then?” I ask.

“No, Jeff isn’t pressing charges. I think he realised that it was not in his interest to continue with that.”

“Well, I suppose that’s something.” I’m relieved because I know that Alex didn’t do anything wrong. If it wasn’t for him, I dread to think how it would have ended. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, we had our meeting over dinner. Tell me about Ethan.”

I tell him the story. He seems as impressed as I am. He asks how the day was with his mum, and I tell him the truth. I enjoyed spending time with her. I feel as if I got to know him a little better. He seems quite concerned by that comment but quickly changes the subject.

“I need to leave here about lunchtime tomorrow. My flight to London is at 2:15.”

“That’s fine. So I have you all to myself in the morning?” I run my hands over his chest and feel his muscles tighten under my touch. This could work in my favour.

“Don’t you be getting any ideas,” he says, swatting my hand away. “You’re meant to be recovering. And I’ll have to say good-bye to my parents since they’ll be gone before I get back here on Thursday night.”

“You plan on coming back on Thursday? What about your meetings?” I ask, placing my hand on his
thigh. He shoots me a questioning glance.
Go on, I dare you to say something
. My hand is not moving. Yet. But I do intend for it to start moving, and the only direction of interest to me is up.

“The really important ones have all been scheduled for Thursday,” he says. His eyes travel from my hand back to my face several times. “The first one is an eight o’clock breakfast meeting. Your father and I will be in meetings most of the day. I think he’s worried about your mum being left on her own. Our flight back is at five o’clock.”

“There’s no need for anyone to be worried about Mum. She loves London, and she and Kirsty will have a great time gadding about town,” I say with a yawn.

“Come on, you. You should be sleeping.”

“What if I don’t want to sleep? I know what I would rather be doing.” I move my hand slowly up his thigh, stopping exactly where I want. He is straining against his trousers. That’s the reaction I was hoping for.

“Miss Stewart, if you don’t rest, your injuries won’t heal. Then you’ll have to go without for a longer period,” he says, shaking his head.

“Now, Mr. Mathews, who says I need to do without?” I pull him towards me, but his intentions are very clear. He is fighting me on this. This is one round he is not going to win. I want him—and badly.

“So if we’re not going to do what we both want—and don’t you dare tell me otherwise—then you can tell me about Katherine Hunter and your mother.”

His jaw dropped. I know there is a story about Alex and Katherine, and I would much rather hear it from him than someone else. He looks a little uneasy at my request.

“You’re meant to be resting.”

“For the love of god, Alex,” I say, raising my voice. “I have some bruises and a cut. I’m sick of everyone treating me like a trampled flower and telling me what I should be doing. You’ve been tiptoeing around me since Sunday night. Now you’re going away for two days. I told you what I want. I’m wide awake, so if we are doing nothing else, you may as well tell me the story.”

“That’s quite a choice. I certainly know which I’d
rather
do, but I’m not sure you’re ready.”

“How many times do I have to say it? I am more than ready. I have been since I saw you in the gym last week.” I pause, trying to gauge his reaction. Why do I get the feeling he is going to win this round after all? “Never mind. Forget it.” I turn away from him in bed, pulling the covers up tight against me.

“You’re tired. Try and get some sleep.” His voice is patronizing.

SLEEP. I DON’T WANT TO BLOODY SLEEP
. “Alex, just leave me in peace. I’m not even in the mood to talk anymore. You’ve made your feelings pretty clear—crystal, in fact. I was a convenience for you. Someone you could spend time with in public and private. And now you can hardly bear to touch me,”
I say. “Some sleazy man’s had his hands on me, and the thought of that turns your stomach.” His isn’t the only stomach turning at that. My tears are threatening.

“Libby…”

“Alex, there are some spare covers in the cupboard. You can sleep on the couch. Please leave me in peace.”

“Is
that
what you think of me? Libby, please.” He’s hurt. I can hear it in his voice. He grabs me by the shoulder and turns me back so he can see me.

I close my eyes. I can’t bear to look at him. He’s not the only one who’s hurt. He refuses to touch me, refuses to tell me about Katherine. What am I supposed to think? The tears that threatened are now falling freely. I open my eyes slowly and lift my gaze to his. Through my tear-filled eyes, all I can see is sadness on Alex’s face.

“Sorry, Libby. I didn’t think. I was just trying to make sure you were okay. Give you a little time. You have to believe me.”

I take a moment to think about what he said. We are both silent and still. No words. No movement. Slowly he changes position and lowers his face towards mine, his lips parted. He tips my chin slightly. His breathing changes.

“You’ve really no idea how much I want you, do you?” he asks. I shake my head. “Well, I guess I’ll have to show you. If you get uncomfortable, though,
please tell me, because I couldn’t stand it if I hurt you.”

His eyes radiate emotion—not the sadness I saw a few moments ago, but something else. Passion. A warm feeling expands in my chest, and suddenly all doubts I may have had about him are gone. Our lips touch. In this moment, I don’t doubt for a second how much he wants me.

19

“THAT WAS PERFECT.
You are perfect, Libby,” he whispers as we lie together, trying to get our breathing under control. “I hope you know now how much I want you.”

It
was
pretty remarkable. So tender. So gentle. So caring. And dare I say, so loving. Is it possible to love someone after such a short period of time? I am not sure how I feel about Alex; all I know is that the feelings I have for him are something I have never experienced before.

I nod. It’s all I can do. He walks towards the bathroom in all his naked glory, and my eyes follow him intently. I could watch him all day. I don’t think I could ever lose interest in him. His head turns to me, and our gaze meets. The fire, the passion, the longing… it’s all there. It’s back. Or never went away.

“Enjoying the view, Miss Stewart?”

“Of course. I prefer a room with a view,” I say with a smile as I try to suppress a yawn. I suddenly remember how tired I was—and still am.

“Libby, baby, I won’t be long. Do you need anything?”

“Some water and my painkillers.”

“Libby…” His voice carries across the room.

“Alex, I am fine. The doctor just told me to take them on schedule until they were gone, and it’s almost time. I don’t want to get up during the night.”

He’s back beside me a few minutes later, handing me a glass of water and my medication, which I take. Tiredness overcomes me. I feel Alex climb into bed beside me.