Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 97: Awakening with Alec

Alec’s home was in direct opposition to King’s. Where King’s apartment lacked personality and could have been occupied by anyone, Alec’s home was all his. The walls were colored in cool pigments that exuded calm and relaxation. The artwork was complicated and kept the eyes engaged. The décor as an eclectic mix of color and comfort that left me tempted to flop down on the couch and never get up.

Alec dropped his phone and watch into a tray at the door as he slipped his shoes off with a sigh. It was easy to see he was comfortable in his own home and why. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Sadly, I was too tired to think any more about the topic.

"Where do I sleep?"

"Through here."

Alec led me to a large bedroom with a king-sized bed. He pointed to the door leading to the bathroom and the shower. "Give me a minute. I’ll bring you something to sleep in."

I yawned and stretched stiff muscles. "Leave it on the bed." I took off to the shower, knowing if I waited much longer, I’d prioritize sleep over showering, even though I knew I needed both.

Alec had spared no expense on the shower. The rainfall shower head was large enough to engulf me fully in the sensual downpour of water. The soap and shampoo carried the scent of vanilla and sandalwood. Another time, I would love to languish in the manmade paradise, but today, I just wanted clean and out.

Wrapped in a towel, I returned to the bedroom. Alec was there laying out a stack of clothes on the bed.

He looked me up and down and visibly swallowed. "Sorry. I heard the shower, so I thought you’d be in there a little longer."

"Too tired to linger."

"I brought a T-shirt and shorts with a drawstring. Both will be big on you, but they should be fine for sleeping. I can order clothes delivered for later or launder your clothes."

"No. You’re tired, too. Just sleep. I have clothes at the church."

Alec nodded. "Okay. My room is across the hall if you need anything."

"I just need sleep."

"I get it."

I waited for Alec to leave to change, but he didn’t look like he was going anywhere.

"You can go now."

"Teela, you don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you, but could I sleep next to you? I promise I’m not looking to start anything, not right now, with you more focused on the accident than me."

"I get that way. It’s nothing personal."

"I know, but we were so close before I screwed it up. I don’t want to lose that."

"You don’t have to convince me. I’m too tired to care. Shower. Come to bed. But for right now, could I have some privacy to change?"

"Yeah, of course. I’ll be right back."

I didn’t hear him come back or feel him get into bed. I floated into sleep on a pillow of vertigo, which told me I didn’t lay down a minute too soon. I had spent all my energy. The guys were right. If I didn’t rest, I would be a liability.

I awoke when my phone rang. I felt Alec curled around me. I tried to reach for the phone without waking him until I knew the situation.

"Hello."

Min said, "My guy surveying the sister just called. Paz is at his sister’s place. He has been all along."

"Where are you?"

"Jake and I are downstairs."

"Give me ten minutes."

"Leave Alec at home. We have a full ride."

"Whatever."

I took a minute to wake up and consider how I was going to ease my way out of Alec’s hold on me. While it wasn’t the nicest way to go, I’d love to sneak out without having to explain to Alec that he couldn’t go with me. And it would be a heck of a lot easier to tell him that than to argue with the guys at the vehicle into letting him go with us.

There was no way we didn’t have room for Alec. If we didn’t have room, it was because Min and Jake had either taken one of the smaller vehicles or loaded the full-size van with extra manpower to make sure there wasn’t room for Alec. Or they were lying to avoid having to deal with Alec.

I almost felt sorry for the man at my back, but I had faith he could take care of himself. He was playing extra nice around me to get back in my good graces, not because he wasn’t capable.

I really didn’t like him this way. Yes, I liked the attention and the support, but I didn’t like the way he deferred to Min and Jake like they had a position of power over me. It was demeaning in some off-handed sort of way.

Of course, the plan to sneak out didn’t work. The second I tried to move away from Alec, he woke up.

"You’re awake?" Alec said.

"Yes. Min called. I need to go."

"Is it Bea and the boys? Are they okay?"

I didn’t recall seeing Alec with stubble on his face before. For that matter, King almost always looked freshly shaved, but even when he wasn’t, I never felt free to explore the texture. I was tempted to run a hand over it.

"Teela? Earth to Teela. Is everyone okay?"

"Yes, they’re fine. Min has a lead. I need to go."

"I’ll get dressed. Are we still going by the church on the way?"

"Min is picking me up here."

My phone dinged with a message. I glanced at it. Stiff telling me that he had brought me a bag. Score one for Min. He got his way. I felt a little sorry for Ben. He didn’t have a chance when Min set his mind to something.

I hated telling Alec he couldn’t go, but he would survive, and he could use more rest. We all could.

"Stay in bed, Alec. We’ve got a full crew for this one."

"I see. I’m not invited."

"Not this time."

"You found Paz?"

I nodded. "We think so."

"I don’t like you going without me."

"Jake and Min will be there. Probably others. I’ll be safe."

"It’s not just about safety. I like being by your side, in bed and out."

I had to look away at that comment. That was beyond uncomfortable. I was trying hard not to smile or flirt. This wasn’t the time. If Alec and I were supposed to be together, there would be a more appropriate time.

"You’re an adult. I think you’ll be okay on your own for a few hours."

Or days. I didn’t say that part.

"Will you at least keep me updated on what’s going on? Check in to let me know you’re okay?"

"I can do that."

"And to let me know you are thinking of me?"

"Yes."

"Even when you are hacking the Pentagon for the launch codes to blast the bad guys into oblivion?"

"I’ll set a timer to remind me."

"I’d rather you think of it on your own, but I’ll take pity texts. Okay, you dress. I’ll throw together food for you. You’ll find toiletries, including a new toothbrush, in the bathroom if you’ve not already found them."

"You don’t have to."

Alec rubbed my shoulder. "I don’t have to, but I want to. Let me do this, Teela. You won’t let me go with you. You’ve got the best security in the world at your back. I need to feel useful to you."

I gave him a little smile and nodded. "Thank you, Alec. I could use food."

In less than ten minutes, I was out the door in the same clothes I wore yesterday, but my teeth were brushed, my body showered, and my hair combed. In my hand, I had a bag containing fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, a muffin, and a multivitamin. In my other hand was a monster-sized coffee that smelled of hazelnut and vanilla. Not bad for ten minutes.

Alec wasn’t happy, though. He didn’t even try to hug me as I left. He just got out of my way and let me do what I thought was best. I was both disappointed and relieved.

The van was at the curb. Min had the side door open and was waiting for me. Stiff motioned me to the backseat, which was curtained off from the rest of the van. The van took off as I changed, well aware that right on the other side of that curtain were five men who all knew what I was doing. There was nothing like the semblance of privacy when, in reality, there wasn’t any.

It kind of reminded me of going to the doctor and being forced to wear that thin little gown for examinations. I knew it was meant to give me the feeling of modesty when both the medical staff and I knew I was nude beneath and that I would be examined beneath that thin fabric by strangers.

The thin gown did nothing to make me feel less vulnerable any more than the curtain made me feel less like an exhibitionist.