Heart of Stone

Threats

"Thank you so much for that." Eloise sighed.

He simply nodded, his eyes raking over her form for any sign of injuries, but he found none. They now sat at a private table inside the ballroom.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" She asked, running her fingers through her hair.

"I knew you'd be here." He answered simply.

She looked at him in surprise.

"You came here...because of me?" She asked.

"I wouldn't have felt right if I didn't." He explained simply. "I can get us a private room if you'd like."

"Oh...actually...that would be wonderful." She said, surprise still coloring her tone.

She was still reeling from her run in with Julian, and she couldn't get her hands to stop shaking. She didn't want to go home to her apartment alone, knowing he knew where she lived. Yet neither did she want to stay here at this party. It seemed the perfect solution.

When they stood, Alexander was sure to make a show of putting his arm around her again, knowing Julian was watching them from the bar. He could sense the animosity rolling off him in waves from one glance alone. He knew this would not be the last LouLou saw of that snake of a man, but perhaps he'd be more inclined to stay away if he thought Alexander had staked a claim on her.

Before leaving the ballroom, Alexander leaned in close and put his lips to her ear.

"Follow my lead. He's watching." He murmured.

Imperceptibly, LouLou nodded.

Alexander paused before the exit to the ballroom, turning to LouLou in his arms. He softly brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Eloise's breath hitched at the gentle gesture, remembering the stark contrast to the way his hands grabbed and claimed her body that one night. He tipped her chin up with two fingers, his dark eyes glistening in the low light. The way he was looking at her stirred something in her chest.

"I know we haven't spoken about it, but I want you to think about that night." He said, his voice still a low murmur.

Immediately color bloomed on her fair cheeks and the tips of her ears. He smirked in amusement, deciding that was his favorite thing about her, the way he could so easily make her blush. As he relished in the moment, he nearly forgot about Julian.

It was true, they'd never spoken about that night. Yet here he was mentioning it, and smirking at her like he'd be happy to do it all over again. It sent a thrill down her spine, but she wondered if he actually felt that way, or if he simply wanted it to look like that because of Julian. Regardless, the night they'd shared was very real.

"I remember it." She answered softly, hesitantly reaching her hand out to place over his that was still holding her jaw gently.

She leaned into it, allowing herself to play into the moment. Even if this was all for show, she could at least enjoy it. Other than Alexander, she'd never had anyone make her feel the way he did that night. It had been as if the world fell away and it was only them and their bodies, and nothing else had mattered.

She didn't give herself room to contemplate any of her emotions, or the whys and hows. She just simply allowed him to sweep her from the room like he did that night. After reserving a room for at the front desk, he took her to the elevator and led her inside, and it indeed felt very familiar. This time they weren't fighting to get each other's clothes off, however. They stood close together, despite no longer being watched, and he courteously allowed her to exit the elevator first once they reached the second floor.