“No one knows who it was,” Sophy said. “I would imagine it’s making Alex a little crazy.”
Jess stood. “I am going to make Alexander more than a little crazy.” She left the room.
Chapter Twenty-one
IT was late when Jess burst into the room she shared with Alex. Her heart was pounding and her breath was coming in short gasps.
Immediately, the smug, knowing look Alex was wearing left his face. “What’s happened?”
“I can’t tell you. It’d be too much for your weak heart.”
“Damn my heart!” he said, grabbing her arms. “Jessica, what has happened?”
She took a deep breath before answering. “It’s the Raider.”
The smug look returned to Alex’s handsome face. “Yes, my darling, I know you know.”
Jess put her wrist to her forehead. She was the epitome of distressed womanhood. “Can a woman love two men at the same time? You for your intelligence and the Raider for kisses like tonight in the forest?”
Alex smiled in the way of a man with superior knowledge. “Of course you can, darling, if his kisses are—Forest? Tonight? When?”
“Just now. I was in his arms moments ago. Oh, Alex, you’re such a friend to me. I can tell you my innermost thoughts, can’t I? I do so hate secrets, don’t you?”
“What secrets? Our kiss tonight? Jess, I can explain. I have reasons for what I did.” He looked at her with pleading eyes.
“No, no, his kisses,” Jess said, hugging herself. “His arms. His body. Tonight when he touched me, I—”
“Who touched you?”
She looked at him in surprise. “Why, Alexander, you’re not usually so slow to understand. The Raider’s kisses, of course. Tonight when he touched me I—”
“The Raider kissed you tonight? Someone besides me in my father’s room kissed you?”
“I knew you’d understand. What the Raider and I have goes beyond mere passion; it’s a meeting of the minds. Oh, Alex, I wish I could forget him. Would you kiss me again? Try to make me forget.”
After a moment’s pause, Alex took her in his arms, and kissed her with passion.
Jessica’s eyes were closed as she lay in his arms a moment. Then, briskly, she got up. “Could you try harder please?” she asked with some exasperation in her voice. “This is important, Alex.”
He blinked a few times, then he kissed her face, her neck and her ears while his hands feverishly roamed over her body.
Jess pushed away from him and sighed. “It’s just not the same. I think I’m a one man woman. Alex, we’ll always be friends, but, physically, it’s not the same.”
Alex didn’t seem capable of speech.
Jess yawned. “I think I’ll go to bed,” she said and turned away.
Alex grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. He tore off his wig, revealing a thick head of dark hair. “Jess, I am the Raider,” he said solemnly.
Jess opened her eyes wide in surprise. “Why, Alex, your hair grew back.”
“It didn’t grow back, it’s always been there.”
“Let me see.” He bent his head and she inspected his hair. “It’s still a little thin in places, but, don’t worry, it will all probab
ly return soon. I’m sure it’s the good care I’ve been taking of you. Now, excuse me, I’d like to get some rest.” She turned toward her bedroom.
“Jess, didn’t you hear me? I am the Raider.”