She was dressed nice, not like she’d run right over on a whim, but more like she’d been out for the evening. “You get all dressed up for me?” I narrowed my gaze as she looked away and shifted in her seat.
“I had dinner with a friend. I saw that you called and hoped you wanted to talk.”
“You could have called; it would have saved you the trouble.” She smelled of perfume and wine, and her hair was down the same as the night I’d taken her to dinner. “Who’s the friend?” I dragged to my feet, certain I smelled like the bottles piled around me and looked even worse.
“Does it matter?” She shrugged and met my eyes; her chin lifted as if to challenge me.
“No, it’s not like you’d tell me truth, anyway; but I can guess.” I turned and staggered a bit, trying to get around the coffee table. She sat forward as if she could catch me if I fell. I jerked my head in her direction and dared her to move. The I don’t need your help glare kept her ass in her chair.
I walked across the room to where mother kept her favorite decanter and poured myself a shot of bourbon. “I guess the good doctor didn’t make a house call, or did you run right over here after he left?” I downed half the drink and swirled the rest in my glass.
“It was only dinner between friends. He knows-”
I threw the glass against the closest wall and spun around to find her standing.
“He knows I’m in love with you,” she shouted, her voice strong and demanding. “If you’re going to let your temper get out of control, I’m leaving.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly as she stepped closer to the door, but all I could hear were her words playing over and over in my mind. There was an I love you in there. I could have sworn I’d heard it.
I wanted to remind her that I didn’t invite her over and show her to the door, but instead, I needed her to say it again. “What did you say? Not the shit about my temper, the rest of it.”
“I said he knows that I love you.” Her eyes filled with tears. I wanted so badly to believe her.
“How am I supposed to know? How can I ever trust a thing that comes out of your mouth? You could have told me who you were, Lexa.”
“Would you have wanted me around? Would you have fallen in love with me?” Her voice rose, and her face was so red with anger, so wet with tears, that I wanted to ease her pain. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
She stepped forward and leaned against the sofa as she could fall to the floor at any moment. “Did you even notice who’s side I was on?” I closed my eyes, remembering her in that courtroom. She could have gone to the other side and been with her parents, but she had come to stand with me.
“I tried to talk them out of it,” she continued. “I even threatened to disown them, but I couldn’t tell them why. I was in the middle, and I know I made a stupid mistake, and I’m sorry.” She dropped her chin and stared at the floor. “I had really hoped you’d called me over here. I’ll go.” She stepped away from the sofa, but I was already on my way across the room.
She flinched away as I approached and that made me feel like a real asshole. “Come here, Lexa.” She closed the distance between us, still looking to the floor as if unsure she could look at me without crying.
I lifted her chin and closed my hands around her face. She made no move to stop me, but she kept her eyes closed and braced herself, her eyes pinched tight and her shoulders stiff. But as soon as my lips found hers, she melted against me, her tears splashing my face until our kisses were salty. I pulled away and stroked her cheek, making hushing noises, then I pulled her in tight and nestled my face against her hair.
“I’m sorry, Aiden.” Her voice cracked as she choked out the apology, and I hushed her again with a kiss.
“No more of that. It’s done for now. We’ll work on everything later.” My head was pounding, and I was still buzzed. I’d been out for hours and realized I had no idea what time it even was. I glanced up at the clock on the mantle as she brought her hand up to cover a yawn.
“It’s almost four in the morning. You’ve been here a while, haven’t you?” She nodded, and I realized she’d told me that maid had let her in. “What time did Mattie leave?”
“She’s been gone for hours. I got here just after ten.” I was passed out long before that.
“Mattie,” I said with a laugh. “She’s the one who called you. I’d bet the house on it.”
“Come to think of it, she wasn’t surprised to see me, and she left as soon as I got here.” We shared a laugh as she yawned again.
“Well, it’s too late for you to go home and I’m not quite sober yet, though this throbbing hangover headache is making itself known.”
“Ah, well, it seems like you need a nurse.” She met my eyes, hers still a little unsure.
“Yeah, I’m certain I do.” I pulled her in for another soft kiss, and then she pulled away too soon.
“You head up to bed, and I’ll get you something for that headache. Where’s the medicine chest?” She stepped away, but I pulled her back to my side and headed to the stairs.
“There are a few things in my nightstand drawer that might come in handy.” She gave me a warm smile and helped me up the stairs and to my bed. After she insisted I take a dose for my headache, I pulled her down beside me and curled her in close.
I didn’t want to talk about anything else. We had time for that later, and despite the fact that I was worn out, she fell asleep a good twenty minutes before I did, cradled in my arms, and breathing nice and steady. I closed my eyes and let the rest of the night drift away, content that when I woke, it wouldn’t have all been a dream.