“What do you mean?” She slowly lowers herself back down onto the couch.

My hand rubs the back of my neck trying to relieve the stress that’s building. I don’t want to lie to her, but I can’t tell her everything right now. “I can’t really go into it, but I have the ability to disconnect the feed while I’m here.”

“Why didn’t you come sooner? Where have you been this whole time?” she asks. Now that she’s in a clearer state of mind, I can see the wheels spinning in her brain trying to piece together everything that’s happened.

“I didn’t think it was safe, and I’m staying in an abandoned building right now,” I hedge.

“What do you do during the day? I know you’re supposed to assassinate Hutchison, but what’s the plan? Why aren’t there people following you? Are you in danger?” It’s like the dam containing her curiosity explodes as the questions pour out one after another.

Shaking my head, I say, “I want to tell you everything, trust me, I do. All I can tell you is I’m buying a little time while other things get worked out. They think I’m out doing research and setting things up to kill Cal’s opponent, but I’m not.” She opens her mouth looking like she’s going to ask more questions, but I cut her off. “Please don’t ask more questions,” I plead. Her mouth closes and she examines me briefly before deciding not to push the issue.

“When is Cal coming home?” I ask. The video might be off, but I’d still be in a heap of shit if he came back and saw me here.

“A couple days. He’s off campaigning.” The tension in my shoulders eases slightly knowing he won’t be coming home soon. Now I can relax a little and enjoy my time with Elizabeth before I have to go back to reality.

“You don’t go with him anymore?” I hadn’t seen her in any of the recent campaign videos, but I’m curious to know if this is temporary or permanent.

She shakes her head. “Aaron thought I was too much of a liability after I froze on stage and had to be escorted off.” Her gaze shifts down to her hands where she’s fidgeting with a piece of string on her shirt.

“I saw that. What happened?” I’ve wanted to know ever since I saw it. I know the press put out a statement claiming she was being treated for exhaustion, but I don’t buy that bullshit.

She bites her lip and shakes her head several times. “You have things you can’t talk about, and I have mine,” she says just above a whisper. Her bottom lip quivers as she holds in the tears.

I grab her arm and gently pull her into me. Leaning back, I hold her while her head rests on my chest. “You don’t have to tell me,” I reassure her. She nods her head. “So, do you want to watch some trashy TV? I’ve got way too many brain cells right now and need to kill a few off,” I joke with her. I want so desperately to make her laugh and smile, and it works. Her body shakes slightly as a small laugh leaves her lips. It’s fucking music to my ears.

“Sure.” She grabs the remote and scrolls through the DVR listings. To my horror, there are pages of Housewife shows on there. “I haven’t been keeping up with my shows,” she offers up in explanation.

“Why not? You realized how God awful it is?”

“Uh, no.” Her tone changes from lighthearted to somber. “It made me think of you, so I couldn’t bring myself to watch it.”

And now I feel like the biggest ass.

“I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.” I reach out to comfort her again, but she shakes her head so I stop.

“I’m tired of living in the sadness. It’s eating me alive. Now that you’re here, I want to move forward and let go of all of that, okay? If I don’t, I’m going to drown in it.”

“Okay, from now on, we only talk about good things.”

“Exactly. Now, let’s destroy some of your underused brain cells,” she teases with a little smirk before leaning back into me. In this one moment I see and feel it. The girl I know and love. I rest my chin on the top of her head as we turn our attention to the TV.

We only watch about fifteen minutes before we’re sitting facing each other, bantering back and forth like we used to. There’s light in her eyes, her face is animated, and most importantly she looks happy. It’s the best I’ve felt since all hell broke loose six weeks ago.

Damn.

It feels a helluva lot longer than six weeks. Before, I swear we’d been apart for an eternity, but sitting with her now, the time away from each other vanishes. Almost like it was a dream or some distant, vague memory.

We’re both quietly laughing when our eyes lock. An all too familiar electricity courses between us and our laughter quickly dies. The darkening of her eyes and lust filled expression matches my own.

“Come here,” I demand softly. When she’s close enough, I grab her by the back of her neck and guide her to straddle my lap. My mouth crashes into hers, needing to taste her sweet lips. I could do this all day long and die a happy man. A little moan passes through her lips, which spurs me on. My tongue slides into her mouth to deepen the kiss. Her tongue meets mine eagerly stroke for stroke. The little sounds of pleasure she makes are about to drive me crazy as my dick strains against my pants. She moves her hips slightly, grinding down on my hard on. With everything she’s been through, I want to make sure she has a clear mind. I don’t want to move too fast, blue balls be damned.

“Wait,” I say breathlessly while pushing her away by the shoulders. Her lips are red and swollen from my attack, making me want to do nothing but devour them again. Closing my eyes so I can stay focused, I continue, “I don’t want to rush this. You’ve been through a lot the last couple days, and I just want to make sure you’re—”

“Please, Alex,” she interrupts. “I need this. Make me feel alive.” My eyes fly open to look at her. With those words I’d expect to see desperation, but I don’t. Passion radiates from her incredible emerald eyes, and what little restraint I was holding on to snaps. She doesn’t have to tell me twice.

She leans in to kiss me again, but I dodge her mouth in favor for her neck. I’m going to take this at my pace and worship every inch of her body. I want her to remember each place I’ve touched and tasted so when she’s lonely at night, it’ll be this moment she goes to for comfort, warmth.

Reassurance.

Reassurance that there’s someone who cares for her deeply. Someone who will go to the ends of the Earth to make her happy and keep her safe.

My mouth trails kisses up her neck excruciatingly slow as I grip her hips and pull her closer to me. A gasp rushes out of her mouth when I suck on the spot behind her ear. Her hands fist in my hair, pulling on the ends. “Alex,” she says on a moan.

I kiss her jawline and she tilts her head back to give me better access. My hands move inch by inch up her sides, over her ribcage, and graze the side of her breasts. Reaching out, I cup both of her perfect tits in my hands and gently squeeze them. She grinds against my cock again, obviously looking for some relief. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll get you there.”

Pulling away from her neck, my gaze lands on the buttons of her shirt as my fingers begin undoing them. “What? Not going to rip this shirt off of me?” I look up and am met with a challenging smirk. She arches an eyebrow at me when I don’t move or say anything. Not being one to back down from a challenge, I grab both sides firmly and rip it apart. She looks down at her exposed chest and back up at me through her eyelashes. She bites her lip and that’s my undoing. Between seeing her plump breasts covered in a sexy black lace bra and the naughty look on her face, I need her now.

In a flash, I flip her so she’s lying on the couch and I’m hovering above her. “You sure know how to test a man’s control.” Her only response is a coy smile. I pull the cups of her bra down, exposing her nipples. Leaning down, I attach my mouth to one as my fingers pinch the other. I groan in appreciation as she arches her back in response to my touch.