Page 23 of Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire

Ed stumbled off the porch, ran to his car and drove off, kicking up gravel as he tore down the driveway.

Alex turned to Michele. “Are you all right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

As her pulse returned to normal, she relaxed. “No, I’m fine. I didn’t even hear you drive up.”

He entered the house and placed his arms around her waist. “I am in the Lightning. It is electric, remember? It does not make any noise except what sound comes from driving on the gravel, which I am guessing neither one of you heard.”

Michele leaned into him. “That’s true and in this case, the quiet was a good thing. I don’t know what Ed would have done if he’d felt threatened.”

“Your ex-husband is a menace, and I gather the restraining order is not very…restraining.” He reached back and closed the door.

“Restraining orders work on people who are generally law-abiding to begin with. Ed isn’t one of those people. Although I will report him to the police, they’ll mark it in his file, and that will be the end.”

“Do you have everything you need?”

“I need a wrap. It might be summer, but the evenings are still cool. I’ll be right back.” She ducked out from under his arm and ran upstairs to her room, a feat in itself in the heels she wore. She sat on the bed and took some deep breaths. Her hands shook.What would I have done if Alex hadn’t appeared when he did? Why didn’t I think before opening the door?

“I think you are not as okay as you thought.”

Her stomach jumped a little when she heard his voice. She looked up at him. “I’m sorry. He just got to me. He was drunk, as usual, and threatened me and Erin. I—” She swallowed. “I shouldn’t let him affect me so much.”

Alex sat beside her on the bed. “It’s all right. You were not thinking you would be in danger. When last you saw him, he was at the restaurant and was quite acquiescent regarding the restraining order.”

“He had to be. He was working and they wouldn’t have kept him on if the police had shown up even if I was the one who violated the order.”

He put an arm around her shoulders. “What would you like to do now? Would you like to go out to a restaurant, back to my house or stay here? We can lie on your bed, and I will hold you while we talk.”

She turned to see his face. “You’d do that? Just hold me while we talk? Nothing else?”

“Nothing else.” He crossed his heart.

She stood and then moved around to her side of the bed, sat and took off her shoes. “I’d like that. I need to lock the door first.”

“I locked it before I followed you up here.”

She nodded. “I think Ed has left me more shaken than I would have thought. I’m glad Erin wasn’t home, though. That’s a blessing.” She laid down on the bed.

Alex removed his shoes, tie and his suit coat, then laid down next to her. He extended his left arm over the top of her pillow.

She accepted the invitation and snuggled up to his side.

“Thank you.”

He lowered his left arm and eased her closer. “For what, my darling?”

My darling?“For being here. Ed wasn’t leaving this time. He’s apparently very jealous of you and would have taken it out on me.”

“His kind of person cannot be called a man. Any male who would hit a woman is not a man, but a coward.”

She cuddled closer. “I agree. Ed was the biggest mistake of my life, but he gave me the most wonderful gift.”

“Erin is a wonderful little girl. I care for her…and for you…very much.”

He cares for me? What does that mean? Is it the same that I mean…that I love you, but I’m afraid to say it?“ I care for you, too.”

“Michele, I want to kiss you. Every cell that I have in me wishes to kiss you. But I understand if you do not want me to. Tonight has been stressful.”

“I want you to.”