Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

“Terek, what is with the third degree?”

“Are you seeing Elijah?”

“What?” The line of questioning was now getting ridiculous.

“Are you seeing Elijah, yes or no? Because the way he had his hands all over you tonight, he was clearly making a statement to every man in that room that you were his.”

She stared up at him in disbelief. Was he jealous? Why would he care?  He had been screwing some other woman behind her back.

“Who I do and don’t sleep with doesn’t concern you anymore.” She shook her head.  “I don’t have time for this. Good-bye.”  She turned to walk away.

“Mia…dammit, wait.” He grabbed her arm and spun her around. She jerked out of his grasp. He shook his head and ran his hand down his face as if he was frustrated. “Look, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I get hurt?”

“Despite what happened between us, I still care about you. Just be careful. You don’t know Elijah like I do.”

“Terek, Elijah is just my boss, okay?”

“So, you aren’t involved with him?” He asked, looking instantly relieved.

“No, dammit! It is strictly a working relationship.” At least, that is what she considered they had. However, Terek wasn’t wrong; after being on the receiving end of Elijah’s flirting, he may beg to differ. But she didn’t want to talk about Elijah. “Look, Terek, I’m tired and just want to go home.”

He grinned at her. “Want some company?”

“You are such an asshole.”

He chuckled. “I’m just kidding.” He cupped her cheek with his large callused hand and looked into her eyes. His gaze was intense but also held a look of concern.  “I am not kidding about Elijah. Be careful and watch your back.”

She went to ask what that was supposed to mean, but her car pulled up, and Terek released her, but not before he hugged her and kissed her cheek.  He opened the car door.

“It was nice seeing you tonight. Maybe one day, when my workload isn’t keeping me occupied, you and I can get together and just talk. There is a lot I need to explain to you. Actually, I owe it to you.”

It was almost as if he spoke in some type of cryptic code. She really didn’t want to meet him, but maybe it was something he needed to do to move on. She had certainly moved on, and hopefully, after Thanksgiving, she would officially have herself a new man.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek, and again, she felt nothing.

“Bye, Mia.”

“Bye, Terek.”

Chapter Five

Alex pulled on one of Ace’s t-shirts before walking out of the bathroom.  Her alcohol buzz from earlier had worn off.  Ace had already showered and was lying on the bed with his hands laced behind his head, staring at the ceiling. From the serious look on his face, she knew something was on his mind. She smiled, knowing she could take that look off his face by just removing her shirt. He did look scrumptious, laying there in only his boxer briefs that molded against his muscles. That thought was short-lived the moment he turned his head and his eyes met hers; she knew sex was going to have to take a back seat because it was obvious he needed to talk.

She climbed into bed and curled into his side. He smelled so good.

“How can I help?” She asked but didn’t get an immediate response, so she waited him out.

“Do you think Stitch is good for my sister?”

Alex closed her eyes and smiled. Finally! She thought to herself.

“I love Stitch like he’s my own blood, and if I had a sister, I’d be very happy if she chose someone with a reputation and character like him.”

“This sounds awful because Stitch is like a brother to me, but I think I’m trying to find his faults.” Ace admitted.

“And, how is that working out for you?”

“I got nothing.” He admitted and blew out a breath.

“Then I think you have your answer. As long as they’re happy, be happy for them. I’ve watched your sister and Stitch for close to a year now, and I really believe they are good for each other. Any time either of them walk into a room where the other is, both of their faces light up.”

He wrapped his arms around her and rolled her to her back. He nudged his thigh between her legs and let some of his weight press her to the mattress. Now, this was what she had in mind; she smiled up at him.

“You’re amazing,” He told her, and she rolled her eyes. He cupped her cheek, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. “I’m serious, Alex.  I still don’t know how I managed to find you, but every day I wake up, and I thank god for putting us together on that mission. I love you so much.”

She ran her hands up and over his shoulders. Even with his battle scars, his body was a work of art.

“I love you too.”

He kissed her again, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

“I need something,” she told him.

He raised an eyebrow, and she gave him a coy smile.

“What?”

“You inside me.”

He smirked. “I think I can oblige.”

“Good, because I am about to explode.”

Chapter Six

“Is tonight’s shipment still on schedule?” Elijah asked Claus as he sat at his desk, reading over the stack of paperwork in front of him and making sure everything was aligned for the cargo to leave. He hated to leave the gala early, but a lot was riding on this shipment, and he needed to make sure it went off without a hitch.

Claus looked up from his phone and pushed off from the wall.  “As long as your dipshit cousin comes through with the documents in time, we’ll make it.”  He walked over and took a seat across the desk. Claus played multiple roles within Elijah’s business network and was the only person who Elijah