Rosie White

Chapter 38

Once the officers had left, Alex pulls me towards the sofas and takes a seat. He pulls me down on top of him and I settle into his chest as he rubs soothing strokes up and down my back.

"Are you alright?" He asks into the top of my hair.

"I don't know," I whisper.

"It's going to be alright, like I say, you're safe here. I don't want you to leave by yourself."

"Well luckily, it's near the end of classes and I just have a few written assignments left, I can miss my lectures until this is over. But Alex, how long is it going to take? I don't want to be cooped up here all the time."

"I know, once they've got them in custody, I'll feel better about letting you out and about. James mentioned assigning you a bodyguard."

I lean back to look him in the eyes, "A bodyguard?"

Alex nods, "I know you probably wont like it, but I'd feel better knowing someone was with you when I can't be. He can drive you where you need to go, he will just be escorting you that's all. If you're mine Rosie, then you need to be more vigilant anyway, what with the media and photographers everywhere. It's better to be safe."

"I can't argue with that, as long as I get to have you Alex, I'll do anything."

Alex smiles, "You see how well everything goes when you don't act stubborn."

Shoving his chest I reply, "Arsehole."

"I think for the time being, it will be better to clear your shifts from the club until this is sorted," Alex starts but I interrupt him.

"No," I reply, shaking my head. "Alex, I may be staying here but I still need to pay rent and bills. I can't do that unless I'm working."

Alex remains silent, but looks guilty.

"What?" I demand.

"About that," He says and I know exactly what he's going to say.

"No, Alex no," I state, shaking my head.

"It's already done, I paid the rest of your rent in full back when I spoke to your landlord about the security. I also set up my bank account details for the direct debit of the bills, you don't need to worry."

I stare, flabbergasted at Alex, "Are you kidding me Alex!"

"Don't argue with me Rosie," He growls and half of me feels bad for acting up, while the other half of me is aroused by the sight of Alex when he's angry.

Sighing, I rest my forehead down onto his shoulder, "I'm sorry, I just don't like you doing all of this stuff for me, and I can't give anything back."

Alex takes hold of my head, pulling me back to look at him, "As long as you're here, with me, that's enough. You're mine, you need to get use to being spoilt, there won't be a single thing I'll deny you Rosie. Not when I love you as much as I do."

My eyes well as I stare back at the most selfless human being I know, who I love.

"I love you too," I breathe. I look up and around the large penthouse, "Can you give me a tour?"

Alex smiles and he moves to stand, "Of course."

He walks me through the living area, telling me about the building and its history. Then he leads me down the corridor, showing me the room Milly slept in last night, which is near identical to the one we slept in.

We reach an office space with a large wooden desk in the middle and windows overlooking the city behind.

Alex show's me the laundry room and bathrooms. I can tell he's saving his bedroom until last.

When we come to the last door, he stops and turns to me, smirking.

"Go on," He gestures.

I move forward, pushing through the door, it opens up into a large open space. The room is beautiful, just like the rest of the house. But I don't notice any of it.

Because all I can focus on is the painting sat above Alex's bed.

I gasp and bring my hand to cover my chest, calming my beating heart.

Oh my God.

"Alex," I whisper.

I feel Alex's thick arms circle my waist from behind, settling onto my stomach as Alex's chest moulds to my back. His chin nudges the hair covering my neck as he makes space to plant gentle kisses on my shoulder.

"Yes Rosie?"

"H-how?" I ask, gobsmacked. I can't take my eyes off the artwork. My artwork. The piece I auctioned at the ball is sitting pride of place in Alex's bedroom.

"Did you really think I didn't realise it was your piece, I knew you were keeping me from finding out that night, but I knew before you'd even arrived it was yours."

"But, but how did you get it? You didn't even auction for it?" I ask.

Alex hums against my neck, "The lady that won the auction for it, she's my assistant. I gave her orders to win it no matter what."

"Oh my God Alex," I speak softly.

"It's incredible Rosie, no way was I going to let anyone else get to look at that for the rest of their lives. I would have paid an extortionate amount for it."

Shaking my head I turn in his hold, bringing my hands up to clasp behind his neck, "You continue to surprise me everyday Alexander Carlson."

"Tell me about the piece, why did you paint it?" He asks.

I shrug, biting my lip and dropping my gaze, "I don't know, it just sort of happened. I paint what I feel."

"You want that, a family, house, a dog," He smiles.

I smile back, "More than anything in the world."

Alex slowly closes the distance as he whispers, "You can have it."

He kisses me with passion, with love, and promises.

When he pulls back, I'm breathless and hot. And wet.

As if he can read my thoughts, he grins down at me before pulling back and taking my hand. He walks towards one of two doors within the bedroom and opens it to reveal a beautiful en-suite bathroom, with bright white marble. Then he takes my hand and glides me out and into the other door. We enter into a large walk in closet. One side hangs endless suits and trousers with draws full of tops, trousers and all of Alex's clothes.

The other side is partly bare, partly taken over by more clothes and I notice a dress. My dress, well, Bella's dress.

"Shit, I completely forgot about my dress," I reply as I move towards it, taking the fabric between my hands.

"The clothes and toiletries are also there, in that bottom draw. You can place your clothes here; we can go by the apartment later and pick up anything else you need."

"Thank you Alex," I reply, turning and pressing up on my toes. My mouth captures Alex's as his arms circle my waist.

Feeling his hardness against my lower stomach sets me off, I moan into Alex's mouth as he pushes me back against the door frame.

We ravish each other as our lips kiss in a bruising manner. I claw at Alex's back, arching into him. Wanting more.

He pulls back in an instant. We're both fighting for breath as we stair into each others dark, lustful eyes. 

"Tonight." He states, turning and walking back into the bedroom.