Secrets & Lies

Chapter Eleven

(Leo's POV)

A soft groan wakes me up from the most peaceful sleep I've ever had. I freeze as I feel the woman lying practically on top of me – at least I hope it's a woman – shift in her sleep. I sneak a glance down to where her head is resting on my chest and let out a soft sigh of relief when I realise that it's only Alexis.

ALEXIS! What's she doing in my bed? As far as I'm aware, that only happens in my dreams! I mean-

I pause as I recall what happened last night. I swear, I thought it was all a dream!

I remember I was on my way home last night from the store, when I noticed her stumbling along the road. I couldn't leave here there, especially not when she looked so lost and broken. When she pleaded with me not to bring her back home, my heart broke. For some peculiar reason, I was furious with whoever hurt her.

When I arrived home last night she had already fallen asleep. I picked her up and carried her upstairs will the full intention of letting her sleep in the spare bedroom. However, she clung to my shirt like a baby would it's mother, and I just didn't have the heart to let her go. That meant that she, cough, finally, cough, got to sleep in my bed.

I start to run my fingers through her hair as she continues to sleep soundlessly on my chest. How can one woman be so beautiful?

What worries me is the need to feel close to her is getting stronger and stronger as each second passes. It honestly scares me. Ever since she left yesterday my chest had been killing me, but as soon as I had her in my arms last night, the pain completely vanished. It's almost as if she has taken over my entire world, not that I'm complaining though, she's a goddess.

Every thought I have is about her. Every time I hear a woman's voice, I compare it to hers. Every woman I seen on the television last night, I compared to her. Every laugh I heard, I compared to hers. The truth is though that no one can compare to Alexis. She's everyman's dream; she's my dream.

For some strange reason, I can't help but feel protective of her as well. I don't know what it is. I mean, I've only known her for a day, yet I feel like I need to protect her. When she was upset last night I felt like my heart had been torn apart, like I somehow failed her. I really don't understand it. I've never felt like this towards any other woman.

Last night as she lay asleep beside me, looking as beautiful as ever, I decided that I'd ask her what happened earlier that day that made her so upset.

It's not healthy or safe for her to be wandering around in the middle of nowhere in the night. Especially not when she's drunk. Anyone could have pulled over and done God knows what to her. The thoughts of anything happening to her make me shudder.

I let out another sigh, realizing that I'll have to get out of bed pretty soon. As much as I don't want to leave Alexis, I need to feed the kitten before Simon comes to collect her.

How I'll get out of the bed, I don't exactly know. Alexis has managed to wind her perfect body around mine. Her head still rests on my chest, her legs entangled with mine and her left arm wrapped around my waist. I'm not complaining; trust me. I just need to get up so I can look after my patients.

Ten minutes later, I make my way across the yard to the practice. It's still early enough so I know that Sarah won't be here for at least another hour and a half. I also need to wake Alexis up and make her some breakfast. I haven't had any yet as I'm hoping to have mine with her so that we can have a chat about what happened last night. Plus, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, I just want an excuse to spend more time with her.

There's something about her that is so familiar. Her eyes. I swear; I've seen them before. That woman is certainly a puzzle, a beautiful puzzle.

The second I put the kitten down on the table beside her bowl of milk, my phone jumps to life. As usual, she bounds towards the bowl, plonks her two front paws into the liquid and laps away at it happily. I chuckle at her playfulness before answering my phone.