Chapter 141

I resist the urge to force my knuckles against my temples to drive him out, squeezing my eyes shut for a second to cull the movie in my head.

When the door opens, I fasten on my fake sweet smile as soon as I feel the air from the hall hit my legs. Autopilot is taking over, and I go to follow him out, as per my plan. Head is moving to calculate an escape route, but Alexi is having none of it, and in a similar manoeuvre to our room, he hoists me back onto his shoulder in an undignified manner. Igniting my fight-or-flight impulse.

“Alexi!!!” I squeal as we depart, only this time he has had the foresight to pin my arms with my body so I literally cannot do a thing to break free. I can’t hit, slap, or do anything except flail around like a dolphin on dry land.

Many heads turn our way as I’m Neanderthal carried across the foyer, breathing heavily and mentally adding this to the list of all the reasons he won’t ever see me again after this. He’s crossing the line.

“