Alicia's Folly by C A Vincent

pack you up myself, Alicia,” James warned, showing her his controlling side.  
    “Why does she need to pack? Where is she going?” a voice asked. A shiver of awareness worked its way through her as Nate stepped around James and into the room. Even though he was scowling ferociously, she didn’t think she’d seen a more handsome or welcome sight.  
    “I’m glad you’re here, Mr. Langston. I’ve asked Ms. Danvers to relocate. Again. It seems she doesn’t want to take my requests seriously. Perhaps you can talk some sense into her,” James stated, his demeanor suddenly professional. He then gave them each a quick, abbreviated bow, turned on his heel and left.  
    “What the hell?” Nate growled.  
    “It’s quite the story. Are you sure you want to hear it, given it’s coming from an unemployed slack-about who takes inappropriate vacations?” she asked, her voice a low snarl. The anger she’d felt at his earlier comment was back now that he was standing in front of her again. A sandy eyebrow went up as he eyed her appraisingly. She ground her teeth together to keep from blurting out everything going through her mind while she waited for him to speak.  
    “I’d like to show you something inappropriate,” he growled, closing the distance between them. He took hold of her hips and pulled her in close, completely disarming her. Anger turned to confusion as they just stood there, looking into each other’s eyes for several long seconds. “But first I need to apologize for my earlier comment. I had no right to make any kind of assumption. It was boorish and impolite and – ”  
    Alicia silenced Nate with a kiss, preventing him from finishing. She didn’t need to hear any more. The sentiment was sincere. She could see that by the set of his shoulders and the look in his eyes.  
    “Am I forgiven then?” he breathed when they finally pulled apart several minutes later. She was pressed fully against him and his arms were wrapped tightly around her. She couldn’t help thinking how good and right it felt to be held like this. His forehead was pressed against hers and her nod “yes” rocked his head too. “And you’ll fill me in on all of the details so I can’t make anymore juvenile assumptions?”  
    “Over pizza and a movie, after I relocate?” Alicia offered hopefully. The thought of going out in public and having to be “on” didn’t appeal to her in the least.  
    “Theatre or in-room?” Nate asked. The word “theatre” was accented by a slight loosening of his embrace, the words “in-room” by the tightening of his arms around her and a subtle sway of his hips. Alicia grinned.  
    “In-room,” she whispered. “Definitely in-room.”  

Chapter 11
    Elizabeth saw Nate and the blonde leaving the hotel, her suitcase in tow, and frowned. They both looked – tired, but not the good kind of tired that comes with spending an afternoon making love. Suddenly she found herself being worried for him. He’d been here for three weeks now. What if the blonde was a gold-digger who’d latched onto him the moment he arrived? What if she was inextricably worming her way into Nate’s life and he was too emotional to see it?  
    “Over my dead body,” she hissed, startling an elderly couple nearby. Embarrassed over having spoken out loud, she apologized then followed after the lovers. There was no time like the present to demand a sit-down with her ex.  
    * *  
    Phillip listened to James rant with half an ear. He was done in and, quite frankly, didn’t give a damn what his friend believed. He wasn’t “self-destructing”. He was choosing to live his final weeks the way he wanted. That’s how much time the oncologist figured he had left. Weeks. It could turn into a couple or few months, if he followed the treatment plan he’d been prescribed, but he really didn’t want to prolong the inevitable. He knew what was coming and was determined to face it head-on. The only loose end he had to