Going to his club he told the manager they wouldn't be opening tonight. He could afford to lose some money. He just wanted silence to think.
He looked at his phone as it rang reflecting her number. Closing his eyes he didn't know how he would be able to handle this one individual whom he wanted to protect but at the same time admired especially when she was in charge. The fact that she put herself in harm's way infuriated him but at the same time excited him. Looking at the glass in his hand he swirled the contents before he lifted it to his lips stopping when the door opened.

"Why are you ignoring my calls?" She asked arms crossed over her chest.
"Because I am angry with you," he said in a low tone looking away from her.
"Why is that?"
"You do know you could have gotten hurt at the hotel? You have men like Sacha to handle such tasks. Hell if you needed to scare Tino you could have told me," he spat turning away from her.
"There are things I prefer to handle on my own," she whispered placing her hand on his back feeling him become tense.
"If you could handle things why couldn't you stop him from touching you?" He growled before closing his eyes realizing what he had just said.
Turning to face her their eyes met as he parted his lips about to apologize.
"I was outnumbered and not prepared for his attack. He was more dangerous than Tino. Besides Tino is loyal to me despite what happened. I knew I would be dead even if I fought him every single day," she said as he averted his gaze feeling guilty. " I just wanted to die and be at peace with my parents. Forget about all this chaos I call my life," she said as her voice broke making him look at her with wide eyes.
"Alexis," she heard behind her as she saw her brother standing there with a pained expression.

Turning back to look at Lee she saw only pain on his face.
"I do not want your pity," she said her voice laced with a hint of anger.
"Why would you want to leave me all alone," Alexander said in a pained voice ignoring her words.
"It wasn't because of you brother. He made me want to die," she whispered as she wiped her tears with a trembling hand. "I know I am strong but those few days proved a challenge. That's why I am against women being sold into slavery. Anyone for that matter. That is why I chose the shipping path instead of drugs and trafficking," she stated in a flat tone before moving towards Lee. Taking the glass in his hand she finished the amber liquid in his glass before placing the glass on the table.

"See you both at home," she said walking past her brother as she left the office as though nothing had happened.
"Sister!" Alexander called out reaching for her as she ignored him before he turned to look at Leroy.

————

The following day

A knock on her office door had her looking up as she turned from her computer to see who it was.
Nodding towards Sacha he opened her door allowing Alexander to enter as Sacha stepped out.
"Lexi I'm sorry," he said as soon as he stood in front of her.
"Apology not accepted," she said putting her pen down before standing.
"I know I did a stupid thing. I know he hurt you. I guess I will never truly understand what you are going through but I don't like us not talking. You are my only family Lexi," he said looking lost before her.
"The only way I will accept your apology is if you prepare my favourite chocolate chip cookies," she said as a smile appeared on her face.
He looked at her in surprise before he returned her smile as she pulled him into a hug.
"Consider it done," he murmured as both siblings chuckled.
"But next time you don't tell me things on time I won't be so forgiving," she said as he nodded his head in agreement.

"I know you are talking to Leroy about what happened," he said as they pulled apart. "The man seems to be good for you," he said with a smile.
"He is a good friend. Dropping his work to be here," she smiled.
"Are you sure that's all there is?" He teased.
"Don't start brother," she said with a chuckle as another knock interrupted them.
"Let me get back to work. I will be heading over to look over the paddocks being mended today," he said before taking his leave.

Watching him leave Leroy entered the room. Once his eyes met hers his gaze did not waver before he stood before her.
"Lunch?" He said in question as he placed both hands on the chair before him.
"I am not really hungry," she said before her stomach growled betraying her.
She looked away in embarrassment as he wore a smirk moving around to her chair. Pulling out her chair he then offered her a hand. She  could not reject his invitation having skipped breakfast and it was already ten o'clock.

Raising her hand to place it in his he frowned seeing her stopping her movements as her hand trembled before she pulled back helping herself up. Taking a deep shaky breath she took her purse before indicating he lead the way before she closed her office door.

Walking towards the elevator several employees looked at them whispering amongst themselves as how stunning the pair looked.
Entering the elevator she stole a glance at him as he looked head hands shoved into his pockets before he spoke turning to look at her.
"You have a bit of drool here," he said making her chuckle as he did the same just as the doors closed leaving her employees flabbergasted at the sight of her actually laughing.

——————

Offering his arm once they stepped out of the building he smiled seeing her relaxed once more. Waving to his driver the man rushed into the car to slowly follow them as they slowly walked down the street heading towards a cafe.

"What happened back there?" He said closing her hand with his as he held her closed. Her heels gave her some height but he still towered above her as she looked at him.
"I don't know. I have been having a slight tremble today. I noticed it when I was signing some documents.
He let out a deep sigh as he caressed her hand checking to see if their transport was close.
"Maybe we should go to the doctor," he said with a frown.
She looked in his direction a smile forming on her lips.
"You really do care that much," she said with a smile as he smiled in return.
"Now if I didn't show care I wouldn't get to taste your lips would I," He said in a low voice for her ears alone as she blushed shaking her head at his response. "We are here," he said coming to a halt just as another pedestrian bumped into Lexi making her lose her balance.

Catching her before she fell he held her close before pulling her into the cafe.
"Are you alright love?" He asked with a frown.
She nodded her head yes before she smiled reassuring him that she was fine.
Helping her into her seat she watching as he undid his jacket before taking his seat across from her. The tables were so small that their legs were in constant contact.

He opened his palm for her as she placed her hand in his watching as he caressed her knuckles with his thumb.
"What can I get you two?" The waitress said eyeing Lee. 
"What would you like love?" He said asked her in a hushed tone not even looking in the  direction of the waitress.
"Some tea and pancakes," she said looking over the menu.
"And for the gentl..." The waitress asked. Noting down her order as he cut her off.
"Coffee," he stated as she turned leaving.
Raising her hand to his lips he smiled as she looked away from him.
"Mr King," she said before clearing her throat. "A public display of affection is something these people are not keen on," she said in a hushed tone.
"You mean to tell me if I was to pull you closer and ravish your lips it would be a problem?" He said.
"This is neither the time nor the place for such sir," she said with a small chuckle.
He frowned looking at her.
"My employees call me sir," he said a bit harshly before looking around the cafe seeing most of the people present to be families just as their food was placed before them.
"Forgive me," she said casting her eyes down as she reached for her utensils wiping them with her napkin.
She felt his fingertips underneath her chin as he raised her head up.
"I'm sorry for my tone," he said sincerely. "I prefer you use my name or whatever endearment you prefer," he said with a smile as she reached for the syrup pouring it onto her pancakes.

She smiled at his words as she cut into her pancakes taking her first bite. Closing her eyes as she chewed she savored the food and once satisfied she opened her eyes to find him looking at her.
"Good?" He asked.
"Perfect," she said with a smile offering him a taste.
Clearly she had been famished as she finished her meal in record time by her standards.

Her phone started to ring as she frowned seeing it was her office. Answering the phone her eyes widened as she took a final sip of her tea before standing up.
"I have a conference call in ten minutes," she said as he stood taking her hand.
As soon as they stepped out they found the car door already open for them as he instructed the driver to take them to her office as quickly as possible.

Reaching her building he walked her into the building before stopping.
"I have some errands to run love," he said. "Dinner at seven?" He whispered as her employees moved about.
"That sounds lovely. Thank you for breakfast," she said.
"Come here," he said as she stepped closer to him as he cupped her face before giving her a kiss. "You are welcome," he said pulling back as she opened her eyes.
"I should get going," she whispered a little bit breathless.

———

Leaning down to her lips time seemed to stand still a her hand went to cup his cheek enjoying the feel of his stubble. Taking her hand in his he held it loving how it fit into his. Slowly he showed her how much she meant to him feeling her pulse quicken before he pulled away. Eyes closed resting his forehead against hers he tried to control his breathing.
"I should let you go now," he whispered.
"You could join me for my meeting," she said as he stepped away from her.
"You need to get some work done. I also have to get some work done," he said wearing a devastating smile. "See you this evening Lexi," he said as she turned to leave him.
Looking back she found him still rooted where she has left him hands in his pockets as he watched her walk away.
She smiled knowingly as several ladies looked at him in longing whilst she swayed her hips knowingly.