small body cradled in my arms. “Quiet.” I pressed the button for the second floor and the elevator doors slid shut with us inside.
Carrying Alex was completely unnecessary. But having her arms linked around my neck felt amazing. And even though I wanted to say I did it to be a gentleman, all the inappropriate thoughts moving through my head with Alex’s body tucked into mine, made me anything but.
And given the last twenty-four hours, that made me a total dick.
“Why don’t you normally take the elevator?”
How could I not be honest when she gazed up into my eyes like I singlehandedly saved the country from a terrorist invasion? “I don’t like confined spaces.” Or the things forcing you inside them.
Alex nodded in understanding. But did she really understand? Could she ever understand?
The doors to the elevator finally split. I blew out a breath, hoping Alex didn’t notice. With minor difficulty, I unlocked the door to my apartment and carried her inside.
“Wow. I thought you were only kidding.”
I glanced down at her grinning face.
“The whole fiancé thing. Now you’re carrying me over the threshold. People are definitely going to talk.”
I laughed as I kicked the door closed behind us.
I made my way over to the sofa and placed her down gently. I never entertained girls in my living room. So I stepped back and admired how at home Alex looked on my large sectional. I liked it. I really liked it.
“Seriously, Hayden. I can’t thank you enough.”
“I can see that. You’ve thanked me like thirty times.”
She flashed me a condescending smirk. “I’m serious. With my aunt out of town, I have no one. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
I shrugged. “Just being a good neighbor.” I should’ve slapped myself for being such a dumbass. But I didn’t have to.
Alex shot me a knowing smile as she stood from my sofa. “I should probably head home.”
I jumped in front of her, blocking her escape like a crazy person. “No.”
Her brows bunched together as she gaped up at me. And even though she’d been through hell, and her day-old clothes were crumpled and her hair a wild mess, she still looked so damn beautiful. “What?”
“Stay with me tonight.” The idea definitely sounded better in my head.
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“I…” I knew I looked like a total bastard debating whether or not to lie, but that’s exactly what I was doing.
Alex searched my face, waiting as I waged my internal battle. A battle I had no chance in hell of winning. After more indecisive minutes, her shoulders dropped with an audible sigh.
Yup. That’s me. A royal disappointment. And for some reason, I hated that Alex witnessed it firsthand.
Ah hell.
“I need to know you’re okay,” I blurted.
Alex crossed her arms and sassily tilted her head. “And how will you know I’m okay if I’m here?”
She had me there.
I lifted my head to the heavens, praying a higher power took hold of my mouth for the next few seconds so I couldn’t screw it up. But when no divine help came, I did the only thing I could. I lowered my eyes to hers. “There’s no way I’ll sleep if you’re across the hall beating yourself up over something some asshole did to you.”
Alex stared up at me, her eyes filling with tears. It was definitely not the response I’d been hoping for.
I moved closer, shrinking the distance between us. My fingers flexed at my side, itching to touch her. “Stay with me tonight, Alex. You can sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep out here.”
Her eyes jumped away. I could see her taking inventory of my apartment. The small kitchen and its empty countertops to the right of the living room. The closed doors leading to the bathroom and my bedroom to the left. She took it all in. Likely pondering my bare walls and wondering what kind of person didn’t have pictures.
“Okay,” she whispered.
I leaned closer, not trusting my ears. “Okay?”
She skirted around me and grabbed hold of the front door knob. “I just need to go shower first.”
“Want me to come with you?” The second I said it, I winced.
She glanced over her shoulder, flashing an amused grin. “I think I can manage. But if I need help reaching my back, I’ll give a shout.”
I couldn’t not smile back at this amazing girl who, after everything she’d been through, still retained her wit.
ALEX
Sobs tore through my body on the shower floor. The gushing water had nothing on my tears.