Dangerous Hearts

Breakfast Time

Alexander's POV

That kiss electrified my entire being and I had to physically restrain myself from going further with it. She was absolutely magnificent, and I was already drunk on her. As we made our way to the kitchen, her small hand in mine, I felt on top of the world; like I could do anything or even fight God at this point. I glanced at her as we walked. Her cheeks were still a little pink from earlier and her light hair tumbled around her face and down her back, still trussed up from when I had my hand in it. I wanted to see it splayed out on my pillow as I worshiped her body and brought her to ecstasy, but that would come later; all in good time.

We rode the elevator again, as I wasn't sure if the pain medicine I'd given her had kicked in to allow her to walk down all those flights of stairs, plus I wasn't going to let her get tired out from them anyway. She deserved the absolute best.

I put my arm around her and pulled her into my side, smiling gently at her when she looked up at me. Her beautiful doe eyes still alight from our kiss and slightly glassy, like she hadn't come down to earth quite yet. Her answering smile had my heart pounding in my chest, like I couldn't get enough of it or her.

We hit the bottom floor before we knew it and exited the elevator with my arm still around her. There were plenty of my men milling about during this time of day, we were all usually up this early due to the work load we constantly had going on. They each gave me a slight bow and a confused, but amused look at Charlie, since she was still against me. I could feel her slightly tense at all the looks she was getting, and I leaned down to whisper in her ear, "They never see me with a woman. Own it, sweetheart."

She giggled at my words and slightly blushed at all the stares, but she held her head up high as we continued on to the kitchen. Chef was already rummaging around when we walked in, and he turned to greet us with his eyes all lit up. He was in his early fifties and always had a smile on his face. He made everyone around here feel welcomed and at home. A bunch of my men even call him grandpa. His name was Darryl and his wife, who is a midwife here in the estate, was the one who helped bring me into this world. "Ahh, Alexander! Good morning, sir, how may I be of assistance?" His Italian accent was heavy, but comforting. He turned to Charlie and gave her his signature smile, "And who is this lovely young woman you brought to me?" She was smiling softly at him and let him take her hand and give it a kiss.

"This is Charlie," I introduced her, "her and her son, Oliver, are now under our protection. I'm trying to convince her to stay with us," I winked at her as he gave her a contemplative look before smiling. "Charlie, this is Darryl, he's our Chef and the grandfather of the estate."

He smiled wider at the introduction, "Why, we would love for them to come stay with us!" He turned to her, "How old is your boy?"

She giggled at us, which was absolutely adorable, and said, "He's ten. I'm sure he would love it here."

"Chef," I interrupted when he beamed again, "Charlie needs some breakfast before we go and work on her house. Think you can whip us up something?"

"Absolutely, boss. Coming right up!" He scampered over to begin his magic as we looked on at him. I turned to her and brushed her hair from her face. I couldn't help it, I just have to see her face at all times now.

I loved it when she leaned into my hand too. When she did it upstairs, my heart nearly stopped, and she's doing it again now as I rubbed my thumb along her chin. "He's right. Oliver will love it here. We have a game room and an indoor pool and all sorts of fun kid stuff that he'd love to play with." I was still trying to convince her, even though after the kiss earlier, I didn't think I really had to convince her anymore.

She turned to smile softly at me, "He would love that, but I'm still not sure. There are so many things to consider still, and yes, you've given me many solutions to some of the problems, but I'm scared and we barely know each other. I don't want to bring Oliver into something and get him used to someone and then have everything fall through, and we end up with nothing."

I turned her to me, the bar stool she was sitting on squeaked slightly, and I grabbed her arms gently. "I promise you that any problems that arise will be taken care of. I won't let anything fall through, and if it happens, I will make sure that you all are not left with nothing. I won't just bring you into something and then leave you in the dust, Charlie. I wouldn't do that to anyone. Remember what I told you last night? That we protect people here? Well, you are under that protection now, and I won't ever leave someone that needs help alone and helpless. You have my word." Her eyes were shining, like she was holding back tears, and I really wanted to take whatever fears that were running through her head right now away from her. "Is there anything I can do or say that will make you feel better?" I asked softly, almost pleading for her to tell me what to do for her.

The tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks, I flicked them away gently and her eyes closed. "We've been through so much," she said in a broken whisper, "I am so scared that Stephen is going to do something and everyone will get hurt, and I don't want that to be on my conscience."

I clenched my jaw at that deranged i***t's name, but kept my voice as level as I could as I said, "As soon as I possibly can, I will make sure that he can no longer try to run your lives ever again."

She opened her eyes again, staring right into my soul to see what I'd meant by that. I meant that I was going to find him, torture him, and rid the world of him and with no care in the world but to make this stunning woman in front of me as happy as I possibly could. I could see the moment she realized that I would do these things for her when she let out a sigh of relief and her lips trembled as her emotions overwhelmed her. I pulled her into my arms as she started crying softly, and my heart clenched tightly. That monster does not deserve this angel's tears and I would break every bone in his body for each one she has shed.

Chef slid two plates over in front of us and nodded at me before quietly leaving the kitchen so that we could eat in privacy. I gave her a few more minutes to let everything out before seeing if she'd be able to eat something. Her hands clutched my shirt as she sobbed her heart out against my shoulder and I caressed her hair and down her back to try to soothe her in the only way I could.

It took a couple more minutes before the grumbling in her stomach brought us back to our surroundings. She leaned back slowly, her eyes downcast as she sniffled, "I'm sorry," she said softly, wiping her eyes.

I cupped her chin, "Don't be sorry, I don't mind being your shoulder to cry on, and you have every right to let it all out after everything you've been through." She hiccuped a little and attempted to smile, and I leaned in to give her a soft kiss, tasting that smile and the salt of her tears before pushing her plate towards her, "Would you still like to eat something before we leave?"

She looked over at the plate of eggs, sausage, and toast and nodded. I'm glad, because she needed her strength for today and I would've been worried if she hadn't wanted to eat anything. I rubbed her arm as she pulled the plate more towards her and numbly picked up the fork to start eating. Once I was sure that she was able to eat a couple of bites, I began eating myself. Chef made some darn good food, no matter what it was and I devoured it with the same vigor that I always did. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she ate slowly at first and then she started eating a little bit faster once I was sure she felt her stomach could handle it.

When she finally pushed her plate away, she seemed to be feeling much better and she looked over at me to see me watching her. I had already finished eating a few minutes ago and I ended up just looking at her and seeing how precise every movement she made was and how serene she looked as she was lost in thought. I smiled at her and she gave one in return, "You ready to go?" I asked her softly. She nodded and grabbed the hand I reached out to her to take. "Alright, let's go."