When Jack finally returned home, he found Lexi and Alex asleep on the media room sofa. He lay his jacket and tie across the back of the couch then came around the front. This scene filled him with so much joy that he could feel the heat and warmth fill in at the center of his core. Henry's human bombshell still worried him, but this moment outshone those worries completely.He pulled a blanket over Lexi then knelt down in front of Alex. Her delicate features looked strained in her sleep. He imagined all those secrets held behind that tension. And to leave their child? How hard must that have been? He was finding it hard to not run back to the Sanctuary this very moment.He trailed a finger over her forehead, trapping a bit of stray hair. He pulled it back from her face. Her reactions were lightning quick as she snatched up his hand. Her eyes focused and she smiled when she realized it was him. She didn't release his hand though, instead, she slid her fingers across his skin.That fa
He slid his tongue into her parted lips until they filled each other. He pressed her against the door to give him more leverage. His tongue brushed over, under, and around hers, the taste buds creating that smooth yet rough texture as he savored her kiss.Her hands moved from his face to his neck. They pulled him ever closer. He moved his hands to her sides then pressed her tightly to the door. He could feel every curve of her frame pushing against him. He was hers now. He would never be with another. He could never love another. From the first day he met her, there was no other choice but her.His hand followed the curve of her rounded hips. He stroked her hip bones with his thumbs. She made a little noise against his mouth. He pulled his kiss back and grinned. He kissed the gentle curve of her top lip, teasing her with his light touch. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the chandelier behind him. She was so beautiful. He couldn't believe anyone would ever pass her over.Alex became
Alex slipped away from Jack before the light of pseudo-dawn. She pressed a single kiss to his lips while he slept. She dressed quietly then left in her pod. She didn't want to go. She could sleep like that with him forever, but she had to finish this mission. It would fix everything. She focused on that and worked on pushing her desire to be with him to the back of her mind.When she arrived home, the guards gave her a nod as she entered the house from the lower garage. Henry's pod was home. She hoped he was too drunk to notice her arrival. She passed through the kitchen and walked by his room. She pressed her ear to his door and listened. It took some time to work out but eventually she heard two heartbeats. A breath of relief escaped her lips. She turned and walked down the hall towards her room.Footsteps ahead of her drew her eyes. Henry walked around the corner.His emerald eyes found hers. "You're just getting back now?"She nodded."Did you do what we discussed?"She nodde
Jack sat at his desk in his office reading the bill on his table screen. He flicked his fingers at the bill to close the loopholes before he presented it. With any luck, this one would get through and improve education for humans. A smile touched his lips as thoughts of Alex drifted through his mind. He wanted to see her again. Even just a few days away seemed like an eternity.One of the doors to his office cracked open. He didn't look up but he heard the click of heels across the floor. Instead of stopping in front of the desk, they came up to the side.He looked up to find Alex standing there as if his mind had summoned her. Her fingertips rested lightly on the desk. Her lips curved in a coy smile as he looked her over. Her lavender dress fit tightly beneath the matching business jacket."Is there something I can do for you?" He asked.Alex flicked and the screen fell back into the table. She sat on the edge of the big desk facing him. The muscles in her legs tensed as she cross
A few more days passed. Jack pushed open the tall black doors to Henry's office."You asked to see me?" Jack said, standing in the doorway of Henry's office.Henry was flicking wildly at his screen. Zeven sat to the side of him reviewing them."Yes, James. Please. We're dealing with another crisis. I really can't miss another board meeting. Can you go to the Truex Combouya and meet with them on my behalf?""Sir, are you sure you want me to do that? Maybe someone else is more qualified."Henry shook his head and tore his eyes away from the screen. "No, you are the only one I trust right now to handle this. Please hurry. It has to be in-person to instill confidence in them."Jack nodded and hurried out of the room. He hopped in his pod and rushed to the combouya. After a brisk walk, he burst through the door, drawing the secretary's eyes."The meeting is already in session," she said.Jack nodded. He walked up to the door and swiped his hand in front of it. It opened. All eyes tu
Alex exited the board room and jumped in surprise."What are you doing here?" Henry asked.She flicked her fingers quickly behind her back to tell Jack that Henry was out here. She put on a shy smile. "I was visiting James. Is that a problem?"He cocked his head, looking at her. "No.""Are you here for the board meeting? It just got out," she said.He crossed his arms. "I was going to talk to James about how it went."Jack strode out at the mention of his name. "Ah, Henry. You missed it. The board meeting went great."Henry smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Anything I should know about?"Jack shrugged. "Sounds like business is doing well and sales are up one percent. They are doing some small tweaking to the budget to increase its sales and changing some marketing ideas to get more humans interested in upgrading.""Sounds like you learned a lot in that meeting."Jack nodded. "Were you able to take care of things on your end?"Henry's eyes shifted to Alex and then b
An unknown number rang to Tom's cuff. He ducked into the corner of the hall and answered it."Hello?""Tom? It's Ellie." She stated, her voice sounded calm, but he could hear a hint of concern in it."Ellie? Is everything okay?""Alex has gone off my radar. I was watching her location and now she's just gone. I'm pulling surveillance to find it, but it doesn't look good. Be careful.""Okay, thanks. You be careful, too.""I will."The transmission ended with a click. Tom backed around the corner to his post. Brooke was gone from her desk. His heart jumped to his throat. With a quick turn, he ran to the bathroom."Kena? Are you there?"No one replied."Kena?" He yelled down the hall. A few heads from other guards turned. "Kena!"He flicked at his cuff. The cuff rang. It rang again."Hello?""Where are you?""What's wrong?""Where are you?""I got summoned to pick up a package at the main entrance."Tom's feet started moving. "Run back to me.""Why?""Just run! Zucchini
The pod pulled up to the mansion. The guards at the gate were missing. Jack got a bad feeling deep down in his core. He reached under the seat and pulled out a lockbox. He flipped it open then drew out the loaded pistol with some ammo. Penny's face drew tight with worry."You should go. Take James. This pod will park next to one that will take you to a friend of mine's house." Jack flicked in the direction of the pod. "They will take good care of you and James. Just, please, be careful."He leaned over and kissed the toddler on the head. He gave him a few pats and a nuzzle. His little hands grabbed at his jacket. "You be good, too, okay? I'll come for you when this is all over.""Be careful," Penny said. "And take good care of our girls.""I will.""I want three more, you hear me?"Jack chuckled. "We're lucky with what we have already." He ducked out of the pod."Three more!" She called after him.He watched the pod zip off down the tunnel then turned his attention back towards