Joanne’s POV
Talia had told me that Alexander was going to return to his chambers last night, but he didn’t. I hadn’t seen or heard from him after he kissed me in the heat of the moment. My heart ached at the thought of him with Eloise… the words he was speaking to her, the thought of him kissing her… touching her.
I managed to get a few hours of sleep during the night, and I dreamt of him coming back late. I could almost feel the dipping of the bed on his side and his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me close to his hard chest, my back to his front. I almost felt the ghost of his lips on the nape of my neck as he peppered me with kisses.
“Don’t believe the rumors,” he had whispered. “Believe in me, Joanne.”
His words soothed me into a deeper sleep; his hold on me never wavere
