Chapter Two
1338 Words
A BOOMSLANG.
“Hey.”
Zoey's smile faltered when Alexander's heavy gaze flickered lazily across her face.
“You made it.”
He hummed softly as his eyes fluttered closed.
“Where am I?”
Her smile dropped altogether,the relief immediately replaced by a mix of panic and fear.
“At the inn—we met at the lobby?you were bleeding out.”
Alexander opened his eyes again and scanned her face. God,she was beautiful.
For a split second he thought he'd died after all.
“Thank you….” He paused as a tiny crease appeared between his brows. “I think I forgot your name though.”
Zoey huffed out a laugh. “That’s cos I didn't tell you.”
“Oh,” he said,his lips curling up in a smile. “That's good then.”
“It's Zoey by the way—my name.”
Their eyes met and she sucked in a breath when his gaze briefly darted down to her lips.
“Zoey,” he breathed. “Fitting.”
Something sparked between them,and suddenly she realised she'd leaned down far too close to him and immediately straightened, clearing her throat.
Alexander pushed himself up, already bracing himself for the pain he was sure would slam into him with full force;but instead he felt muted aches in his shoulder and abdomen.
Shit.
“Did—did you call a doctor?”
He saw a look of surprise flicker across her face as she shook her head. “I patched you up myself.”
He looked down at his bandaged midriff then at his shoulder, and his smile widening slightly.
“Wow—I don't feel nearly as bad as I should.”
Zoey beamed proudly at him and his stomach dropped as he focused on the dimples on her cheeks.
“I'm actually studying to be a doctor,” she explained almost shyly. “I also happen to carry a medical kit around,” she gestured at him. “Incase of emergencies.”
“And you were here—just when I needed you.” Alexander muttered almost to himself and she chuckled.
“Whoever you belong to, must be very proud of you,Zoey.”
“I don't belong to anyone.”
“Your parents then?”
He watched her tense up a bit,his eyes narrowing slightly as she slowly stood up.
“You should get some rest.”
His hand snapped out as quick as lightning, latching onto hers with a strength that both thrilled and frightened her.
“Sore spot?”
Zoey swallowed then nodded.
“Alright,we won't touch it then—just don't— leave.”
She bit back a pleased smile before facing him again.
“Your grip is surprisingly strong for someone who lost so much blood last night.”
He tilted his head to the side and studied her curiously,as he loosened his grip and dropped his hand.
“What?” She asked and he shook his head slightly.
“It's just—” he shook his head again. “I’m wondering how you managed everything last night,” he said. “Frankly,I don't remember much.”
She sat down beside him, willing her heart to behave as she took in the smooth, exposed skin of his chest. “Well first I brought you in here,then tended to your wounds until you fell asleep.” she began. “The innkeeper helped too, although I wonder how come he didn't notice you were bleeding out in front of him.”
“He doesn't strike me as the observant type,”Alexander replied,still watching her closely.
Had she undressed him? If so,he wanted to brace himself for what he knew would be coming.
“So are you going to tell me how you ended up almost dead?”
He paused, his eyes narrowing speculatively for a few seconds then shook his head. “Nahh,I don't want to talk about it.”
Zoey rolled her eyes as amusement bubbles up inside of her. “C'mon,I saved your life. You at least owe me some sort of explanation.”
“That’s not how things work, Zoey.”
A warning bell jingled in her mind at the intensity of his gaze. There was something dangerous about this man,she could feel it in her bones. Despite his dazing smiles,raspy voice and soft gaze.
He reminded her of the boomslang snake.
His gaze turned heavier and she felt her stomach flutter.
Hot,she suddenly felt too hot. But she also couldn't look away.
“Zoey,” He murmured and she wetted her lips before glancing away, promptly disrupting the tension stretching between them.
“Do you always look at people like that?”
Alexander raised an eyebrow in slight confusion. “I don't understand?”
“I mean—” she took a deep breath and faced him again with a bland smile.
Why was she acting like a fool? Yes,he was very attractive but so what? she'd seen a lot of attractive men before.
“Nevermind.” She said, “Tell me what happened last night?”
It was his turn to tense up and pull away slightly.
“Sore spot.” He stated dryly,then closed his eyes as he leaned back against the bedpost.
“I don't believe you,” she pressed.
He scoffed,his eyes still closed and his lashes casting a slight shadow across his high cheekbones.
“And why's that?”
Zoey shrugged. “It's all so weird! You showed up before a storm,you didn't tell innkeeper you were wounded and you refused my attempts to call for professional help.”
He raised a weak hand to his forehead and massaged slowly. “Fine,” he breathed. “I was robbed—I lost my phone and other valuables.”
Her brows knitted together in confusion. “That's it?”
“That's it.” Alexander answered firmly, squelching the tiny sliver of guilt rearing up.
He didn't owe this woman anything but his appreciation.
“Alright then,” Zoey said with a nod.
“What's the time?” He immediately asked, aiming to divert the conversation fully.
“It's ten AM.” She answered softly. “The innkeeper came up to check on us,he said a better room will be available in two hours so perhaps you should move there.”
Alexander swallowed hard,his chest tightening a bit. “What about you?”
Zoey shot him a smirk as she moved towards the battered desk beside the window and began packing up the items littered across it.
“I’ll be leaving,I only came in here because of the storm.”
His eyes landed on the open suitcases on the floor. “Where were you going?”
“A trip,with friends” she replied after a brief hesitation. “It was cancelled though.”
Comfortable silence stretched between them for seconds before she heard the faint rustling of sheets as he stood up.
“Please stay.”
She shot him a look over her shoulder and felt her face flush as she studied his toned chest,down to his abs,immediately turning away when her inspection got the the sharp V of his waist.
Alexander wasn't completely naked,but the tight black briefs he wore did nothing to cover the arrogant bulge of his morning wood.
“Did you hear what I said?” He asked, moving closer and clearly unbothered by the state of his undress.
“Your clothes—” Zoey started,as he came to a stop behind her.
“I think you left them in the bathroom.”
Alexander sighed inwardly at her confirmation that he'd been the one to undress himself. He hadn't been sure due to how feverish he'd been,but there was a great chance that he'd taken care of everything he needed to before slipping into hours of unconsciousness.
“So, you'll stay then?”
Zoey nodded. “I will—just for today though.”
“Thank you.” With a satisfied smile he turned and headed towards the bathroom.
- Writer
