Forever Alexa (Book Four In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series) by Cate Beauman Page B

can’t sleep. I don’t want to sleep. She screamed. She was terrified.”
    He undid the next button, then the next, his warm skin skimming hers as he tugged her shirt away. He yanked up the white t-shirt and pulled it over her head. “Take off your pants.”
    She glanced down and fiddled with the snap in the dark shadows of the room, her fingers shaking. “I—I can’t get it.”
    He heaved out a sigh, then pushed her hands away, unfastened the snap, and tugged on the zipper. Her slacks pooled on the floor, and he stared into her eyes. “Get into bed.”
    “Okay.” She took a step, looked at Livy, then stopped as she heard her sister’s screams again. “I’m so afraid for Livy, Jack. I’m so afraid. I don’t know what I’ll do if they take her away.”
    Jack stepped up behind her and pulled her side of the covers back. “Look at me.”
    She turned.
    “No one’s taking our daughter, Alex.” He skimmed his hands down her arms. “No one’s taking her away. Trust me. Let me handle this. Let me take care of you both for awhile.”
    She’d taken care of Livy, of herself, of Abby and Gran for so long. “I don’t know how.”
    “Take the first step. Get into bed and rest.”
    She nodded and lay down on her side, pulling Olivia close. “Don’t turn off the bathroom light, ‘kay?”
    “Okay.” He stretched out next to her, leaning his back against the pillows, and crossed his ankles. “I’ll sit with you for awhile.”
    “Thank you.” The warmth of his body seeped through her borrowed cotton shirt as she snuggled her little girl, listening to her steady breathing. There was no comfort in holding her baby close, only the stark terror that she was next. How would they take her? Would they pull her into the back of a van like they did Abby? Were they watching Jack’s house right now? “Are the doors locked?”
    “Yes.”
    “Maybe I should go check.” The thought of walking through the dark was more than she could stand, but losing Livy was worse. “What about the windows?”
    “I have a security system and a gun.” He took her hand and she clutched it “My house is safe. You and Olivia are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Try to get some rest.”
    She closed her eyes, still holding on to Jack, certain she would never sleep again.

 
    Chapter 7
    J ackson opened his tired eyes and looked down. He wasn’t dreaming. Alex and Olivia were really lying in the guest bed next to him. He stared at his beautiful little girl, asleep, wrapped in her mother’s arms, and smiled. They’d just met, but he loved her. She was so bright and amazing. He was still in awe that he and Alex had made her.
    His smile faded as his gaze wandered to the woman who’d walked back into his life and turned his world upside down. Her beauty was still a sucker punch to the gut. Even in sleep, snuggled up in his simple white cotton gym shirt, she took his breath away. He’d tried like hell to remain unaffected throughout the afternoon but failed miserably. Alex was as potent now as the day he laid eyes on her in the college library. She’d knocked him flat—plain and simple. Four years apart hadn’t changed a damn thing.
    He’d never felt an instant attraction to anyone the way he did Alex. Women had thrown themselves at him back in his glory days, but he’d had to work to win Alex over. She’d been so serious and sweet—perfect for him. He’d wanted her from the first moment and never anyone else after. Alex had made a man out of him, and he’d walked away.
    Jackson reached over and stroked Olivia’s soft cheek as his regret ate him whole. As much as he wanted to be angry with Alex, he couldn’t. He alone destroyed the best part of his life the night he let her run off devastated. Could he really blame her for not sharing the news of her pregnancy?
    If he could go back and change it, he would. God knows he’d paid for his mistake every day he’d had to live without her. He’d gone back for Alex, but it had