I smile slightly, dropping my eyes. He lifts my chin, his brilliant blue eyes penetrating into me. “You are gorgeous. And beautiful. And kind. And…….,” he pauses, swallowing hard. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” And I do. Every part of me is in love with this man.
We hold each other on the sofa, gazing out into the Atlanta night sky. We’re silent for awhile, Alex lightly stroking my back.
Finally, Alex breaks the silence. “Katherine, I need to talk to you…… about my past…… why you had to leave London.”
I raise myself up off his chest, looking into his eyes. “Okay,” I whisper. “Tell me.”
Alex tells me everything – being recruited into MI-5, the death of Michelle and their unborn child. His years of drifting around from place to place, while constantly looking over his shoulder.
“Katherine, I was so lost, so empty. I used sex to fill a void. To escape reality. I used work, making all these huge hotel deals, to try to feel alive. To feel something.” He sighs deeply. “And I realized, as soon as I met you, that all of that was pointless.”
He tells me about Sergio Rossi, and how Caprice Belmonte called out of the blue. I listen in horror about Nick Stone, and what happened in my flat after I left.
“Nick started out so well, he was so together. Top of our graduating class at MI-5. And, I don’t know, he completely lost it.” Alex shudders, pulling me close to him. “I’m just glad it’s over with. He can’t hurt anyone else, ever.”
“I’m so grateful you weren’t hurt, or worse. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I say, my voice cracking, the tears spilling over.
Alex pulls out a handkerchief, wiping the tears from my eyes. “You don’t have to worry, baby. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” He smiles lovingly, and I can’t help but return his smile through my tears.
“All I want now is to share my life with you, Katherine.” He kisses me tenderly.
“That’s what I want, too. I want to be with you, always,” I breathe. “Make love to me,” I say, my voice thick with desire.
Alex scoops me up, carrying me to the bed, and places me down on the plush white comforter. We make love slowly at first, taking our time, then more urgently, both of our needs overtaking us.
Afterwards, I raise myself up, pushing my hair to the side. “I love you,” I say, leaning down to kiss his lips, his eyes closed.
Alex whispers, “I love you, too.”
I lay back down on top of Alex, my legs astride his hips, my arms wrapped underneath his back, and we fall into a deep sleep.
Chapter 41
“It’s nice to meet you,” my mother says, all smiles, giving Alex a hug.
“And you as well,” Alex replies, returning her hug, kissing each cheek. My mother blushes, fluttering her eyelashes. Yep, she likes him.
My father and brothers all shake hands with Alex. “Nice to meet you,” my father says. I can tell he’s impressed with Alex’s firm handshake. My father always says you can tell a lot about a man by his handshake.
I decided now was a good time for my family to meet Alex. I didn’t know when we would be back in the States, and besides, I was ready for them to meet him.
We sit down to eat. My mother was in full Southern hospitality mode, passing bowls of mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables and plates of fried chicken.
“The food is delicious,” Alex says.
“I’m glad you
like it,” Mom replies. “So, Katherine was telling me about your place in the country. It sounds lovely.”
“Yes, it’s a nice place to go to when I need to get out of London. Perhaps you could visit one day,” Alex smiles, squeezing my hand.
Mom and Dad exchange knowing smiles, both impressed with Alex. The rest of the evening is filled with happy chatter, smiles, and thick slices of homemade Georgia peach pie.
Two days later, Alex and I leave to return to London. My father drives us to the airport, chatting with Alex the entire drive about vintage cars.
I listen to them go on and on about different types of classic cars, the pros and cons of different models, and how much more character vintage cars have than today’s cars. I smile. It’s a good sign. We arrive to the airport, the Gulfstream waiting.