London Bound: New Adult Romance (Chase Brothers) (14 page)

“Well, you need to have a plan. I have plans going all the way to Plan F—which I call failure.”

He raised his brows. “That’s a lot of planning. Tell me what Plan B is?”

“Finish the program and get a regular job here in London. Even if I’m not doing my dream job, I’ll still have a Masters. That should be enough to keep me going for a while.”

“Going home isn’t an option?” he asked.

Her jaw smarted again. She wasn’t going anywhere there was a chance she’d run into Evan again. She shook her head. “You know, I’ve probably been holding on to it as a possibility, but the longer I’m here, the more I realize that I don’t want to give up my dream for anyone.”

“A woman determined to find her own path. I like it.”

“And what about you? What’s your path?”

“How do you mean?” He hedged.

“Well, I realize I don’t actually know
anything
about you. Except you volunteer and you have a job. But you’re somehow privy to all my deep dark shit.”

His lips curved into a tight smile. “How about you play hooky with me today, and I’ll tell you.”

Abbie’s heart thumped faster. She wanted more of that feeling of time standing still that she’d experienced with him on the roof and in Brixton. With him, she could spend hours and have them feel like minutes. But
he
wasn’t part of the plan. And he made her uneasy. He seemed nice enough, but then so had Evan. “I wish I could, Lex, but I have work to do. Lots of work.”

“Well, do you have an actual class tonight?”

“No, but…” Her voice trailed as he deftly pulled in to a parking space. “What are you doing? I really do have to work today.”

He grinned. “Then let me help. I’m good with my hands, and I’ve always been curious about photography. You can show me the ropes.”

He wanted to hang out with her? A rush of blood heated her skin.
You’ve just escaped domineering and smothering, is that really what you want again?
She shook her head to dissipate the errant thought.

Lex was
not
Evan. He was someone completely new. She didn’t have much dating experience, but even she knew she couldn’t let her past dictate her future. It didn’t matter that the two men had that same air of sophistication. They were
not
the same.

Still, she and Lex in a confined space wasn’t a good call. The way the energy crackled around them both tempted and scared her. “Are you serious? It’s pretty boring.”

“I’m serious. Besides, I like spending time with you.”

Oh, great. How was she supposed to say no to that?

Before she answered, she needed to know something first. “Can I ask you a question?” She licked her lips nervously.

His lips tipped into a lopsided smile and she couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Depends on the question, but go on.”

“What deep dark secret are you hiding?”

Chapter 16

For several hard-fought breaths, Lex wondered if Abbie had seen past his carefully constructed walls to the monster beneath. Could she see the darkness locked inside?

He frowned. When he spoke, his voice was even. “What do you mean?” A layer of frost dusted each of his words.

Abbie cleared her throat, and her fingers played with the strap of her camera bag. “You’re different than most of the guys I know. You’re attentive and charming sure, but you’re also really paying attention to what I say. And you seem deeper than some of the other guys I’ve met here so far. But you won’t talk about yourself. And maybe it’s my limited experience, but most guys I know would relish the chance to talk about themselves. Instead, you probe into my head.”

She dragged in a deep breath and tucked one of her slim braids behind her ear. “And I’m sure you’ve seen yourself in the mirror, and you’re not a total douche bag about it. Hell, you even played superhero for me. So, in light of all these things that make you seem pretty great, I’m looking for your fatal flaw.” She smiled sheepishly at him.

Lex expelled the breath he’d been holding. That was what she meant? She hadn’t guessed that she should probably stay miles away from him? Well, he certainly wasn’t going to be the one to tell her. She thought he was too perfect? Too nice? It was certainly the last thing he’d been expecting her to say.

“I’ve got flaws. And most of them aren’t too pretty. But for the most part, I just keep things close to the vest. Opening up is a little hard for me.” Especially with secrets like he had.

She chewed her lip. “It is for everyone.”

He didn’t want to lie to her, but he couldn’t tell her everything. She’d run from him if she knew what he was.
A killer
. There was no forgiving that. “I’m working on opening up. But my fatal flaws won’t hurt you, I promise. I’m just a regular guy.”

She climbed out of the car and laughed. “Says the guy in the fancy car.”

He followed suit and reached for her bag to help her. “Okay, a regular guy with a few more toys.”
And a fucking fake girlfriend
. He’d never been more desperate to tell anyone the truth before. But he knew what was at stake for Gemma, so he kept his mouth shut.

She eyed his outstretched hand. “You were serious about helping me?”

“Is it so hard to believe I would want to?”

“A little. Yes.”

“Well, I’m full of surprises.”

She slid her camera bag off her shoulder and handed it to him. Their fingers brushed, and immediately he snapped his gaze to hers. The electricity jolted his body into instant alertness.

She licked her lips and took a step away. “Surprises aren’t necessarily a good thing.”

He smirked. She’d felt it too, but she was trying to ignore it. Well, if he couldn’t ignore how he already felt about her, there was no way he was going to let her get away with it. He was going to take his slice of happiness. It might be a bad idea, but he wanted to spend some uncomplicated time with her. Before he had to expose all his secrets.

* * *

“So why photography?”

Abbie glanced up and gave Lex a quick smile before returning her attention to the printer. Bit by bit, pixel by pixel, the image of a grinning krumper appeared. “I was pretty shy as a kid. One of my aunts gave me a camera for my seventh birthday, hoping it would help me cope with being around people and unfamiliar situations. I pretty much never put it down after that.”

“From what I’m seeing so far, it paid off. You’re extremely talented.”

“You should see some of the photographs in Xander’s class. All those guys are good. This one guy has landscapes to rival Ansell Adams. I mean they’re just so vivid and rich. When Xander said his name in class, it sounded familiar, so I looked him up. He’s had actual gallery openings. I’m a newbie in comparison.”

“Well, I think you’ll do great. Just remember it’s about getting Xander to connect with the images, and you’ll be fine. It’s all about knowing what makes him tick.”

She grinned. “And what? You’re offering to give me the inside track on your brother? I bet there’s a hefty price to pay for that.”

His gaze flickered to her lips, and he cleared his throat. “Understanding my brother is easy. Xan says what he means and means what he says. Just show him something honest.”

Oh, was that all it took? She ignored the twinge of guilt. This wasn’t cheating, it was learning how to reach her teacher. Besides, she was a photographer. Her lens always told the truth.

“Can I ask you something?”

He sat on the edge of the light table and turned the full brilliance of his silver gaze on her.

Nervously, she tucked more loose braids behind her ears. “Why did Xander tell me to stay away from you?”

He stiffened, and immediately Abbie wished she hadn’t asked.

“I don’t know. But it looks like you’re not listening to him.”

She wasn’t, was she? Or rather, Alexi had given her no choice. “Well, you are stalking me.”

“Back to that again. Yesterday, you wandered into my hood, and today, I was just in the neighborhood.”

She rolled her eyes then chewed on her bottom lip.

“What’s bugging you?” he asked, a light frown causing his brows to pucker.

“I—Nothing.”

“Liar. You always chew on your lip when something’s bothering you.”

She narrowed her eyes. It made her uneasy to think he might already know her so well. “You don’t know me well enough to know that.”

“Oh, really? I saw the same thing on the balcony when you talked about moving here. I saw it again yesterday when I hugged you goodbye. And now. I’m pretty good at reading patterns. So what’s bugging you?”

She sighed. He wasn’t going to let it go. “What are you doing with me?”

His smile was quick. “Right now, I’m helping you mat a photo. Fascinating work, by the way. I’m hoping you’ll let me take a turn at the printer next.”

“Can you be serious for a minute?”

“Sure.” He dropped his end of the mat board and tried to comport his features. “This good enough?”

Abbie shook her head and laughed. He was incorrigible. “Why are you chasing me?”

His brows rose. “Is this chasing? I thought it was me spending time with a friend.”

Abbie crossed her arms. “You kiss all your friends like that?”

The frown was back. “What? No. You, I—” He ran his hands through his hair. “Oh, Abbie. You have no idea. The truth is
I
have no idea what it is you’re doing to me. This isn’t me. I don’t run around chasing anything in a skirt. You’re…different.”

She didn’t believe him. “Uh huh.”

He sighed deeply. “Look, on the roof, that was the first conversation I’ve had with someone in a long time. A
real
conversation, anyway. Not one that was all surface talk or about what someone wants from me. I haven’t been that open with anyone besides my brother maybe ever.”

Abbie’s heart twirled in joy, but her brain was quick to bitch-slap it into submission. Evan had said things like that to her before, and where the hell had she ended up? Absently, she rubbed her cheek. “You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe, but I recognized you. You’re looking for something real. Looking for something to make you feel alive.” He shrugged. “I’m looking for the same thing. Doesn’t hurt that you’re beautiful.”

Oh, he was good. She hid a smile. “And yesterday, in Brixton?”

He pitched his voice lower. “I just wanted to see what it would be like to hold onto you for a minute.”

Abbie shook her head. “I’m not sure what to do when you say stuff like that to me.” She put up a hand. “Wait, not like I’m insecure or anything.” Even better, now she sounded arrogant. “I’m not over confident either.” She sighed. Now would be a really good time for a muzzle. “In some ways you’re so like my ex. In other ways, so totally different.”

“Different can be good.”

He took a step toward her, and she automatically stepped back.

“Remember, Abbie, I’m a completely different person. Whatever fucked up thing sent you out of his arms, I’m glad you’re here. I’m not that bloke. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She licked her lips nervously. “I thought you said you wanted me to stay away from you.”

He took another step toward her, and she took another step back. “I’m tired of being on my best behavior.”

“Alexi, I—”

He stepped directly in front of her, and she backed right into the bookcase.

“It’s easy, all we have to do is let go.”

Lex braced his hands on either side of her head. When he closed the short distance between their bodies, her heart hammered, and she held her breath. Just once, she wanted to be able to be free. To be able to let go and enjoy him. To be able to live just a little. No rules, no control.

“Look at me, Abbie.”

She stubbornly kept her gaze pinned to his broad chest.

His voice was a whisper that caressed her skin. “Abbie. It’s okay, look at me.”

The pleading in his voice broke her resolve. How was she supposed to resist gorgeous and seductive and pleading?

When her gaze met his, his eyes were soft.

“Can I kiss you?”

Chapter 17

Abbie’s legs trembled as Lex’s scent wrapped her in a warm cocoon of mint and something woodsy. He smelled fresh and clean. Like the fresh start she needed. Like the man she
wanted
.

She swallowed hard then nodded. Her body wanted him, yet her brain was hesitant. This wasn’t how things were supposed to happen. She wasn’t supposed to get distracted. But here in the darkened photo lab, with the whirring of the printer for company, she wanted to lose herself, forget who she was. She wanted to lose herself in him.

When his lips touched hers, they were firm and warm. Electricity tingled over her skin. His hands lifted to her face, and his touch was soft as he stroked her cheekbones with his thumbs.

Heat flooded her body and her mind, and she couldn’t think about anything other than getting closer. She wound her arms around his shoulders, then looped them around his neck. When she slid a hand into his hair, he growled low. His chest vibrated against hers while he deepened the kiss. With every slide of his tongue, her body softened and molded against his.