Cat and Mouse (Alex Cross 4)

I was about to ring the bell a second time when the door suddenly swung open.

“What a surprise!” Christine said. She broke into a brilliant smile. Her brown eyes went down to my bandage. “What happened to your hand?”

I shrugged. “It’s nothing, really. Just a scratch.”

“Won’t even make your highlight film reel, right?”

I laughed. “That’s probably true.”

Christine was wearing faded jeans and a plain white T-shirt tied at the waist. Her feet were bare. I had never seen her when she didn’t look good to me, when she didn’t make me feel a little light-headed.

“Are you really okay? Alex? I was out in the garden. I thought that maybe you were back from Boston. Now I’m having prescient feelings, premonitions, just like you.”

I reached out and took Christine into my arms and suddenly everything was right. I felt whole again. I felt connected to the eternal river and all that good stuff. I had missed that feeling for too many years of my life.

“This was part of my premonition,” she whispered. “I willed you here, Alex. I willed you into my arms.”

We kissed and pressed against each other and it seemed as if we were merging, getting closer and closer. I loved the touch of her mouth against mine, the feel of her body, the way we fit. We were both strong, and yet we could be gentle together. I passionately believe in soulmates. I guess I always have. The best thing I had ever done in my life was to be in love. I missed it and was finally ready to love again.

“I missed you too much this time,” I whispered against the softness of her cheek.

“I missed you,” she said. “That’s why I couldn’t sleep. I knew you would come.”

She’s the one, I was thinking. I didn’t have any doubt of it.

Heart leads head.

I cupped her face gently in my hands. She felt so precious to me.

“I love you more than I ever loved anything in my life. I love you so much. Marry me, Christine.”