AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once Jerry left, Drake returned his attention to his laptop and opened a private browsing window. The computers at work were monitored through keystroke software, so he carried his laptop and used his mobile hotspot. But if anyone were to look over his shoulder, they would see he was jewelry shopping.
***
Chapter Seventeen
“Twirl for me, sweetheart. I’d die for curves like yours.”
Alessandra twirled at Noah’s catcall with a laugh. She popped her hip and posed to model the red cocktail dress he had pre-selected at the upscale boutique.
“Yes, queen! Who is this gorgeous model?”
After a stressful day, retail therapy was the perfect thing to take her mind off her worries.
“You have great taste, Noah. I appreciate your help.” She smiled thankfully.
When Noah had called asking her to shop, she’d suggested coffee instead. Naturally, they compromised on both, and she had no regrets. Alessandra couldn’t remember a time when she had so much fun shopping. The last time she had gone shopping with someone was with Jenny to pick a wedding dress. It felt like a lifetime ago, though it was mere weeks.
“Oh, hush you. When we met, I knew you needed a friend, and I’m up for the challenge.” He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a quick side hug. “How are you doing, darling? I can’t imagine things have been easy with Drake. He can be a bit difficult at times.”
“How much time do you have? My marriage to Drake is a farce. I lied in court when I said we fell for each other.”
“Maybe that was true in the beginning, but it’s not true anymore. You can deny it all you like, but I know you care for each other.”
“It’s about the release for Drake. He doesn’t care for me. He told me the only thing that would ever be between us would be sex.”
“Alessandra, if you can’t see Drake’s into you, then you’re blind. I saw the subtle touches and glances at dinner. Believe it or not, you looked at him with the same moon-eyed expression.” Noah looked at her knowingly. “Jerry told me about how steamy you got in court the other day and how he had to call a recess so you wouldn’t tear your clothes off.”
Alessandra flushed at the memory of Drake pleasuring her in the bathroom during the recess. She shook her head quickly.
“That just proves my point. Our sexual chemistry is off the charts, but there’s nothing more between us. Drake doesn’t even like me. If anything, he only tolerates me.”
“He was never that way with Riley. That girl was such a bore. But you get under his skin.”
“Yeah, like a pest….”
Noah shrugged his shoulders in a way that said take it as you will. But her traitorous heart leapt with hope.
They spent the remainder of the afternoon together. Noah regaled Alessandra with stories of his relationship with Judge Matthews. She was happy to feel a genuine connection with someone without hidden agendas. There was no backstabbing in Noah’s spirit. He allowed her to be herself.
“Thanks for this, Noah. I really needed it.”
“We should make this a regular thing.”
“I’d like that.”
* * *
Alessandra stepped off the elevator into the dimly-lit foyer.
“Drake, I’m home!” she called.
“I’m in the kitchen. Dinner should arrive shortly.”
Drake handed her a glass of red wine. The top buttons of his dress shirt were undone, inviting Alessandra’s eyes to fall to his collar. She wanted to lick and taste every inch of his delicious bare skin.
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.”
“You shouldn’t be surprised because I did something nice. You’remy wife, after all.”
