Chapter 146

Alexander lowered his gaze to the girl in his arms, a small smile tugging at his lips. Being trusted this completely? Yeah, that felt pretty damn good. Especially when he’d seen how guarded she usually was around others. So this kind of trust… it meant something. It was rare. "That day, did you recognize me right away?" he whispered, brushing his lips over hers in a kiss filled with quiet intensity. Was that why she asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend? That thought swelled in his chest like a silent wave. Still, he wasn’t totally sure. After all, six years ago… he’d been in a pretty rough place—looked different, felt different. Brooks stared at Vivian for a moment longer before gently laying her onto the bed. He tucked her in, adjusted the AC, and, after shedding his clothes to reveal a perfectly sculpted frame, headed into the bathroom. By the time he came back out, she was completely out cold. At some point she’d even turned over, one smooth, pale leg slipping out from under the