Bea took out Alex’s wallet from her purse and put it on the dining table. She rummaged in her bag again for a post-it note and a pen. She wrote a short note that she had found his wallet and returned it. She glanced around one more time before heading to leave. Wow. She wondered what Alex’s bedroom looked like. Maybe one peek? She shouldn’t. That would invade her boss’ privacy. But she was curious. She wanted to see where Alex slept. She imagined his hair would be tousled in the morning but she would bet he still looked sexy.
Curiosity won.
Just a peek and I’ll leave.
Bea went from room to room. There was a home office and two guest bedrooms. Alex must sleep in the master bedroom—the biggest bedroom in the apartment, but the bed didn’t look as if it had been slept in. The bedding was immaculate and inviting. She gazed longingly. A real bed. Oh, how she missed sleeping in one of those. Not the backseat of her van. She’d bet it would be warm and comfortable.
Suddenly, she needed to relieve herself. Bea searched for Alex’s bathroom. She walked past the adjoining door and into a huge master bathroom. Whoa. All marble and fancy porcelain. And the shower! It had multiple, kick-ass steam shower heads like she had seen in fancy home improvement magazines.
Bea sniffed her armpit. She hadn’t showered since last night and she needed one. Would Alex mind if she took a shower in his amazing bathroom? She grinned. As long as Alex didn’t find out, that would be okay, right? Teehee. Bea felt naughty. Here she was, stealing a shower from her own boss. And she would be stealing his soap, too. Alex always smelt amazing in the morning. She didn’t think he wore perfume. It was his bath soap. It must be one of those designer fragrances.
Quietly, she stripped her clothes and folded them neatly in the sink. She stepped into the shower and closed the glass door. She turned the water on and fiddled with the handle. Oh, God, it was heavenly. Bea showered until her skin turned prune-like. With a satisfied sigh, she turned the water jet off. She towelled and donned her clothes. Now she smelt like Alex. Mmm, nice.
Refreshed, she felt sleepy. Alex’s bed caught her attention. She wondered what it would feel like sleeping in his bed. She had used his shower, she might as well try the bed too. Just five minutes and she would get the hell out of this place. Playing Goldilocks was fun. She hoped Alex wouldn’t find out. The bears had been nice to Goldilocks. She couldn’t imagine what a werelion would do. Relax, she told herself. It was Alex. She knew his secret and he had kissed her. She was sure he wouldn’t fire her over something silly like this. If he never found out.
Bea halted her giggles and climbed into the bed. Wow. She had forgotten how good being in a real bed felt. She stretched and curled like a contented cat. Alex’s scent was on the pillow, the blanket and everywhere else. Somehow, it soothed her. She yawned. Her eyelids were heavy. She hadn’t got much sleep last night and hadn’t got much proper sleep since she had become homeless. Before long, Bea drifted off to dreamland.
Chapter Four
Alex noticed there was an intruder in his apartment the moment he opened the door. He could smell her. A woman. And he knew who she was. Her scent was unmistakable. His lion turned restless instantly. It threatened to claw out from under his skin.
Bea.
What is she doing here?
He closed the door and investigated. He spotted his wallet and a note on the dining table. He checked it out. He guessed she had got the passkey from it. How sweet of her to return it. He looked for her and found Bea in his bed. She was fast asleep, curled in the foetal position. Her hair was damp and she smelt like his soap. Alex thought she was very cute. His lion growled at the sight of her. A sudden urge to mate overcame him. God. He silently groaned at the temptation.
What are you doing here, sweetie?
Alex took off his sports jacket and kicked off his shoes. He had just come from a meeting with Gabe and Ren. His brothers had grilled him about the shooting. He had told them everything. The blackmail. And Bea. Gabe had teased him about his receptionist, but he hadn’t been happy for the security leak and threat over Bea. Gabe had ordered that Bea was to be relieved from her duties and put in a safe house. He didn’t want to take the chance that someone could hurt her. Ren had agreed. To be honest, Alex wanted to do just that. Lock her in this apartment, rather than seeing her drive to the nastyville she called home every night. She lived in a rough neighbourhood along with gang-bangers and drug dealers. Problem was, Bea didn’t know anything. She wouldn’t be happy if she was put in a safe house involuntarily.
He sat at the edge of the bed, watching her sleeping. She was so beautiful. Her lashes were long, lush and dark—all natural and no mascara. Her partly-open lips were red without lipstick. He clenched his jaw, wanting to kiss those sensuous lips again. She had tasted sweet like strawberries, peaches and ripe summer fruits. He could feel himself growing harder. He wanted to know how soft her skin felt. Those firm breasts and shapely ass. He’d bet she would taste as good as she looked, perhaps, even better. God. He really wanted to lick every inch of her. His lion agreed. The beast became more restless by the minute, urging him to claim her.
Alex cleared a stray lock from her face. The movement caused her to stir. She opened her eyes in terror.
“Oh, my God, Mr Larousse!” She jumped to sit. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep in your bed.”
He watched her with amusement. “But you did.”
“I was returning your wallet, but then I had to use the bathroom—and you have a kick-ass bathroom by the way—and I was tempted to take a shower. It was a fantastic shower, all jets and stuff, and then I was sleepy and I swear I was just going to lay my head for five minutes and, I don’t know, I was dozing off. I didn’t mean to play Goldilocks on you so please don’t fire me.”
She’s just so damn cute. “Why shouldn’t I? You invaded my privacy.”
“I’m so sorry. It won’t happen again. I’ve been sleeping in my van for weeks. It’s cold and hard and your bed was so inviting, warm, and comfortable…”
He frowned. “Why are you sleeping in your van?”
“Well.” She turned sheepish. “I’m homeless.”
“And the house you went into last night?”
“My dad’s. I sorta had a falling out with him.”
“Your dad kicked you out?”
“Not really. He was drunk and we had a fight and he chased me with a baseball bat and I got him arrested.” She shook her head. “Please understand, I can’t live in that house anymore.”
Good lord. He hadn’t k