Page 45 of Dream Chaser

Alejandro. My stomach plummeted, panic settling in my gut. Crap. Why did he always have to see me at my lowest?

I lifted my eyes to his. He stood under the streetlight, amber glow framing him like a halo. Black running gear clung to his defined muscles like a second skin, and sweat dotted his hairline.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

I nodded. A second later, an ugly, uncontrollable sob tore out of me.

Right in front of my boss.

Right in front of the man who’d given me my only chance to fix the mess I’d made of my life.

My chest heaved. I pressed my palms to my face as if I could hide from those green eyes.

“Hey,” he whispered, stepping closer. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything,” I choked out, voice shaking. So much for being strong.

“Joder,” he muttered. Fuck.

Then his arms were around me. Strong. Warm. Secure. It didn’t feel invasive; it felt just right. For a moment, I forgot who he was. For a moment, I forgot who I was, too. I let myself press my nose to his collarbone as he tightened his grip, sliding his hand over my back in circles.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, hiccuping.

His whisper feathered across my forehead. “Please, don’t be. Do you live nearby?”

“I’m staying at Eleanor’s.” As soon as the words fell from my lips, I froze.

I’d said too much.

Alejandro sighed, releasing me. A cold drop smashed against my forehead. Another one followed.

“They’re calling for a downpour,” he said. “Have you got an umbrella?”

“No.” I managed to find my voice. “But I can drive there and look for a spot to park close to her building.”

“She doesn’t have underground guest parking, then? You won’t find a spot to park on the street.”

The rain fell harder. He expelled another long breath, then pressed his warm palm to my lower back. “Come on. We can’t stand here. You’ll get soaked. I live in that building over there.” He pointed at a high-rise farther down the street. “You can wait it out at my place, then I’ll take you home.”

I was too tired to object, so I followed him, struggling to keep up with the energetic pace he’d set. He waited for me, then shook his head, eyes sliding over me.

I felt like a mess and was sure I looked like one too.

“I feel like we need to talk,” Alejandro said as we entered the lobby of his building, our wet shoes squeaking on the shiny marble.

The prospect of an uncomfortable conversation didn’t help my nerves, but I couldn’t blame him for having questions after witnessing my breakdown.

When the elevator’s door opened, he guided me inside, his palm between my shoulder blades applying the lightest pressure. Its warmth grounded me, and breathing became easier.

The car crawled up to the tenth floor.

As we stepped out, Alejandro pulled his keys from his pocket and motioned to the door at the end of the hallway. The moment we entered his apartment, his scent wrapped around me, a mix of cologne and something fresh. Paired with the warmth of his body behind me, it left me lightheaded.

Dangerous. Yet strangely soothing after the day from hell I’d had.

He led me into the living room and grabbed a black hoodie from a neatly folded pile of laundry on the couch. “Take this.” He handed it to me. “Will you let me take a shower while you change? I’ll be quick. Then I’ll put your shirt in the dryer.”

I wrapped my fingers around the soft fabric. “Sure. Thank you.”