She stiffens, as though surprised by my gentle words. I hunt for the resolve to push her away and go towork, but I can’t find it. I want to be here with her, and seeing her in pain tugs at something deepinside of me.
“Come.” I release her, sliding my hand down her arm to interlace with hers.
I lead her out of the office and to my bedroom at the end of the hall. I have never brought her here, andshe gazes around curiously at the simple furnishings, the clothes hanging neatly in the closet, and theperfectly made bed.
I stop at the foot of the bed and tug at the bottom of her shirt, lifting it over her head. “Get on the bed.”
Alexis crawls onto the bed slowly and I follow, guiding her onto her belly.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
I straddle her lower back and brus
