Declan

Chapter Fourteen

Lexi~

Letting Declan leave the bed the next morning was excruciating since they had spent the entire night tangled in each others arms. He had reciprocated every kiss she had given him and held her as if she were something precious and breakable. He had fallen asleep with his head resting on her abdomen as she ran her small fingers through his hair. The soft sensual tugs and pulls of his short hair and scalp put him right to sleep leaving his muscular arm draped across her and his meaty shoulder holding her in place. It was heavenly.

Something in him had shifted slightly and when he woke up to get ready for the day. Lexi couldn't help but notice his constant smile that wasn't there before. When she looked in his eyes before he departed for the conference she saw complete contentment. He was lighter - happier and it filled Lexi with so much joy she thought she would burst.

Declan was due to finish up at the convention center around 5:00pm, but it felt like a lifetime away.

Lexi waited anxiously for his return, trying to occupy herself and keep her mind busy. She was on her own most of the day without Claire for entertainment due to a horrible hangover from the night before. Lexi brought her some Advil and food but every time she went to check on her Claire had been asleep.

It had started raining which meant the pool wasn't an option either, so Lexi opted for a lazy day watching movies and ordering room service while she counted the hours until Declan would return.

Laying on his pillowing and inhaling his scent Lexi thought about the night they had spent together and she couldn't help but smile. She felt more deeply for Declan than she had ever felt for anyone.

Was this love? Is this what love feels like?

She shook her head at the thought.

It's only been five days. There's no way.

The knock on her door had her giddy with excitement and she practically floated over to answer it.

"Took you long enough," she said playfully as she opened the door.

"Were you waiting on me Lexi Lou?" A venomous voice answered.

Before her brain could register the voice, Asher's hand was clamped down hard over her mouth as he forced himself in her room, kicking the door closed behind him and pulling the emergency latch.

"Don't make a fucking sound," he hissed as he slammed her up against the wall hard enough to take her breath. His eyes were filled with hatred as he waited for Lexi to acknowledge him before he removed his hand.

She nodded vigorously, desperate for him to break contact with her skin.

Without shifting his gaze, he reached back and flipped the bolt lock on the connecting door as well.

Shaking uncontrollably, Lexi lost her ability to speak and stared wide eyed at her worst nightmare come to life.

No, no, no. Please no. Don't let this be real. She begged internally hoping to be lost in a nightmare.

Approaching her slowly, Asher reached into his pocket and flicked open a knife. The sight of the blade deflated Lexi's lungs and she braced herself against the wall. Dragging the blade lightly across her neck he taunted her as he spoke, delighting in her terror.

"If you scream for help, it'll be the last sound you ever make," he said as he made a sweeping motion across her neck with the blade. She nodded again in agreement knowing it wasn't an empty threat.

"You've been a busy little girl, Lexi Lou," he said as he opened the minibar and surveyed the contents.

Lexi's mind was racing.