Free Alexandr's Cherished Submissive by Ann Mayburn Page A

his interest in Jessica went far beyond a professional one, but so far, none of them had said anything.
    Alex wandered into the pub, knowing Jessica was there. Maks had said Jessica was withdrawn and quiet, not her usual self at all. He was worried about her, but she pretended nothing was wrong. It bothered Alex more than he cared to admit that someone or something might have hurt her, but he’d been tied up with one of Peter’s men all day learning how to forge passports.
    Now it was late, and the bar was closing, but no one paid him any mind. It wasn’t unusual to see him here when Jessica was working, and when he spotted her sitting in a booth at the back of the large room, he was glad he had come instead of Maks. Dressed in a tight navy shirt and worn jeans, she looked tired, almost ill, and the luster was gone from her gaze. She had an open bottle of vodka in front of her and a shot glass.
    Without asking, he grabbed the bottle from her hands and slid into the booth next to her. A slow jazz melody was playing low, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Unfortunately, his girl was not. Tension radiated from her, and when he touched her, she was as stiff as stone. When her lower lip trembled he clenched his hands into fists. Something, or someone had hurt her, badly, and he had to tamp down on the urge to order her to tell him who had done this to her so he could go end their life.
    Her voice came out thick as she continued to stare at the shot glass she was toying with. “Hello, friend.”
    When she didn’t say anything else, he took a long drink before handing the bottle back to her. If there was one thing he understood, it was the need to drown emotion in alcohol. Sometimes it was the only way life seemed bearable. The thought of Jessica feeling that way hurt him inside, in a place in his soul he’d never felt before.
    “Hello, friend.” He brushed her hair back, revealing a few tear tracks. “Why are you sad? Has someone upset you?”
    She took in a deep, watery breath and let it out slowly. “No. I’m sorry. You might not want to hang out with me right now. I’m afraid I won’t be very good company.”
    “Jessica,” he said in a soothing tone that made her turn her wounded gaze in his direction. “What is wrong?”
    Her lower lip trembled, and she blinked back tears. “It’s the anniversary of my mom’s death. Well, my adoptive mom. My birth mother died not long after I was born. But I’ve heard so many good things about her from Peter that I feel like I know her. Makes me wish more than ever she’d stuck around long enough for me to remember how it felt to hug her.”
    It took a great deal of effort for Alex to hide his emotional reaction to her words. Having lost not just his mother but the stepmother he’d loved as well to mafia violence gave him an insight into her pain that made his chest hurt. He hated the thought of her suffering, but didn’t know how to make it any better.
    “I am sorry for your loss. How long ago?”
    “Two years.” She gave a watery sigh and glanced over at him. The blue of her irises glowed like neon because of her red, swollen eyes. “I was hoping this year would be better, but it’s not.”
    Without thought, he pulled her into his embrace, tucking her head beneath his chin. She fit against him perfectly, her body molding to his as if they’d found solace in each other’s arms for years. She felt divine and his entire body lit up at her touch.
    Her breath came out in a shuddering sigh. “You smell good.”
    He smiled against the top of her head. “I glad you approve.”
    Jessica nodded, her arms wrapping around his waist as she wiggled closer. Taking the silent hint, he gently pulled her into his arms until she was cradled on his lap. Holding her like this made him realize how tiny she was. He’d look like a dark beast rutting on a fairy princess if they ever had sex.
    No, no thinking about that right now.
    Unable to reply, he merely nodded. Realizing the pub was