Lucas was gone as fast as lightning but I was still fuming inside while resisting the strong urge to storm out of the room and run after him so we could finish what he started.


    My legs ache for standing too long and demanding that I sit down so I did.


    "Cheers Mrs. Alexander." Peterson spoke, lifting his ss in the air as though he hadn''t just threatened to shoot me moments ago. "That was entertaining." He added with a twinkle in his eyes.


    I rolled my eyes heavenward, "I''m d you find it entertaining, Mr. Peterson." I bit back irritably.


    "Why can''t you just admit he was right?" He inquired.


    "Do you think he was right?"


    "Well he is." He replied.


    "So you''re telling me it''s right to juste into the room after we agreed that I could handle this?"


    "Mrs. Alexander, I think you have no idea how men''s minds work." Peterson was surprisingly polite as he spoke and I almost couldn''t believe he''d been the same man threatening to shoot me a while ago.


    "I certainly had no idea." I grumbled under my breath.


    "Had I been in my position I would have jumped to save my wife. Damn it to hell but I won''t let someone point a gun at her." Peterson leaned back and took a sip of his drink.


    "Are  you here to lecture me about how men''s minds work or we talk about how I would help you take your fiance back?"


    "Of course thest." Peterson replied sobering up.


    "Good thing I don''t have to send you back home early."


    He ignored me and asked. "Tell me about your ns."


    "First of all, I admit I screwed up, Peterson." Although it''s not my fault I felt like he deserved an apologying from me as Alexandria. "I should have never intervened in your rtionship with Ms Hamilton nor lied to her. I''m really sorry for what I did and I''m trying to make up for my mistakes by correcting them."


    Peterson let out a sigh and looked away. "She was badly hurt… I could see the pain right through her eyes thest time I visited her and it broke my heart.


    "I promise you I will make things right. I will help you win her back no matter what."


    Peterson looked at me skeptically. "Do you really think that''s possible? After everything that''s happened?"


    "I do. But it''s not going to be easy."


    "So what are you nning to do?" He asked.


    "Talk to her."


    "She''s not going to listen."


    "I know. But I have to try."


    "I am her fiancé but she didn''t believe me. How would she believe you — the woman she thought I cheated her with."


    "Will you please calm down?" I told him softly, surveying his panic-stricken face while guilt washed through me like a tide.


    Damn. For what felt like a hundredth time, I cursed Alexandria. Wherever she is now I pray she would choke on her drink or anything she could choke with.


    "That''s n A. If it doesn''t work I have someone who could do it er— properly."


    Peterson looked at me with hope in his eyes. "Who will?"


    I gave him a smug smile. "Lucas."


    ***


    I was  standing on the balcony in my nightgown when I felt a presence behind me and when I looked back I saw Lucas.


    "Are you still mad at me?" He asked.


    I took a deep breath and turned towards him, "I''m not mad at you anymore. I was just frustrated with the situation."


    He nodded, "I understand that, but I want to talk about it. I don''t want to sleep with unresolved issues between us."


    I sighed, "Alright, let''s talk. What do you want to say?"


    He took a step forward, "I just want you to know that I care about you. I don''t want to hurt you intentionally. But sometimes, we have different opinions and that leads to arguments."


    I was startled to hear the words ''care'' from him. For a moment I was happy. But then when I realized he was thinking I''m his wife, the happiness I felt disappeared.


    "I know that," I replied, "But it''s not just about the argument. It''s about how you treat me sometimes. You can be so dismissive of my feelings."


    Lucas looked down, "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to be dismissive. I just have a hard time expressing my emotions."


    I ced my hand on his shoulder, "I understand that. But I need you to be cooperative sometimes."


    "But I am cooperative. I did exactly what you told me this morning."


    "I gave you credit for following my word… You did a good job for five minutes."


    Lucas heaved a sigh. "I''m not gonna say anything about it. I don''t want us to argue again."


    My expression softened and I smiled at him. He smiled back and pulled me into his arms.


    Breath hitched on my throat when he wrapped his arms around my hips. "Can we sleep now? This has been a long day and I''m tired."


    "And so am I." I mumbled under my breath, fluttering my heavy eyelids.


    "Good." He replied, wrapping his hand around my fingers and together we walked to his bedroom.


    I was so sleepy that Iy down on the bed the moment I got inside. Lucasy next to me and pulled me into his arms.


    The room was cold and the warmth of his body brought me somefort so I nuzzled closer to his body.


    "Sorry that we had an argument…I''m at fault too. I don''t want to put you in a difficult situation." I murmured under my breath, ying tug of war with my sleepiness.


    "I''m always here, Bel… I don''t mind being put into a difficult situation as long as I''m with you…. Please don''t hesitate to ask for my help if you need one."


    Before drifting into a sweet slumber, I felt his warm mouth descend on mine then he whispered. "Goodnight love."