Quinn's POV
I laced my fingers with hers, leading her out of the building, past the paparazzi at the entrance that kept clicking their cameras, almost causing the bright flashes of the light to blind us.
"Mr. Quinn…"
I heard quite a number of them call my name just to get my attention but I ignored them, with just one purpose in mind_to get Alexis to my car so that I can take her home.
My driver, Smith, was already waiting for us with the car parked up front.
"Come on, baby," I tugged on her arm, knowing she was desperate to get away from the camera flashes.
A lot of these dimwitted journalists had said a lot and had crossed the privacy boundaries with their silly questions. Worse was Stacy's presence. I detested the woman so much but it was obvious she never got the message. I also didn't miss how uncomfortable Alexis had been in her presence, as though she wished the ground could open up and swallow her whole. The way she squeezed my fingers so hard while Stacy had been talking was evident enough. It made me so furious that all I wanted to do was to shove the woman aside, away from my girl.
As soon as we got to the car, I opened the door for her and she quickly scurried in before I got in.
"How are you feeling?" I asked after instructing Smith to take us home, but instead of responding, she gulped, her eyes straying to the window to look at the busy street but I tugged on her arm, lacing my fingers to hers once again. "Baby…"
Her gaze returned to me.
"I'm… I'm fine," she attempted smiling but it was more like a grimace.
"Come here," I reached across the seat. her and pulled her to me until she was sitting on my legs. She gasped from the sudden movement but I wrapped my arms firmly around her waist and stared into her eyes. "Don't lie to me, Alexis,"
She blinked, her mouth popping open but she closed it back.
"I… It's just that I'm a bit worried about the weekend and…"
"You're scared you'll fall in love with me by the time the weekend is over?" I teased, tickling her sides.
A giggle erupted from her lips, her hands reaching for mine.
"Quinn!" she squealed when I did it again. But I finally stopped.
"It's okay, love. We'll be fine,"
She nodded in agreement, leaning down to rest her head on my shoulder but suddenly, she whipped her head towards the partition separating us from the driver, her eyes wide in alarm.
"We can't go to your place, yet…"
"Why?"
Her eyes darted to mine again.
"I have to pack a weekend bag from my apartment,"
"But you don't need one," I winked at her.
I expected a blush from her but the expression on her face only screamed terror as it seemed as if the blood drained from her face. Her fear was evident and it made me wonder if she was that insecure about staying with me for the weekend.
"It's fine, Alexis, breath," I said, trying to soothe her but she shook her head vigorously.
"We have to get my stuff. My period might come, a-and…"
I narrowed my gaze at her before informing Smith to change directions for Alexis' apartment. She was acting a bit strange.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I cocked a brow at her but she smiled nervously, wringing her fingers.
"I'm sorry," her eyes were downcast. "I'm just a bit nervous and I think I've had a tough night," her voice came out softly, and suddenly I felt the overwhelming need to comfort her.
"It's okay, love," I pulled her down until her head was resting on my shoulder. "Now, it's just you and I, you don't need to be scared, baby," I brushed my lips against her head.
"What are you going to do tomorrow when we appear on the news?"
She pulled away, wanting to look in my eyes as though she was scared I'd confirm her negative thoughts.
"Nothing," I shrugged. "You're mine, Alexis and if I have to tell it to the world for you to believe that you own every piece of my heart, then I will,"
For a moment, she kept staring at me after my not-so-subtle declaration but then, a cheerful smile bloomed on her face, and I knew I'd succeeded in erasing her fears.
"Is that why you've been moody?"
She nodded her head in response.
"I'm sorry, Quinn. It's just… It's hard for me to be around people that seem so perfect and would take every opportunity to judge me based on my looks,"
"That's because they can't stand your beauty," I winked at her and her smile widened.
"You always make me feel so special,"
"You're an amazing woman, Alexis, and it's so sad that you can't see yourself the way I do,"
Her eyes watered but she quickly blinked the tears away.
"Come on, love, don't cry," I caressed her cheeks and surprisingly, she turned her face and gently kissed my palm.
"Thank you, Quinn," she innocently licked her lips but it caught my attention. I could still remember how sweet they tasted from when she kissed me a while ago. It had taken me by surprise, but I was glad to return the favor, and have her come apart in my arms, in the middle of the dance floor.
My palm that was still on her cheek caressed it, with my thumb tracing the outline of her glossy lips. I heard her breath catch in her throat, her eyes staring deeply into mine. It was my sign to kiss her but the moment I leaned into her, the car pulled to a stop with Smith informing us that we'd arrived at her apartment. Hastily, she jumped out of the car without a second word, hurrying towards the building. I released a deep breath, slumping back against my seat.
If she was going to stay with me for the weekend, then I had to get her to loosen up around me. She was fighting her feelings for me so much that she always found a reason to put more distance between us.
A while later, she returned, carrying a small overnight bag. She'd also changed her heels for slides.
"Ready?" I asked when she got into the car and she simply nodded. With a tap on the partition, Smith turned on the ignition, pulling out of the curb, into the busy night street.
For the rest of the journey, we slipped into a comfortable silence, with my eyes watching her like a hawk, and hers staring out the window. She only returned her attention to me when we finally arrived at my home, and the car came to a stop.
"Come on, baby,"
Together we alighted from the car and I pulled her to me, wrapping my arm around her waist as I led her into the building, and we took the elevator to my penthouse.
"Welcome to my home, love," I said as soon as I opened the door with the key card and we stepped in.
A smile stretched her lips.
"It's nice and warm. Didn't think you'd like warm colors. Was expecting more of grays and black or even white pristine walls,"
Her assumptions made me chuckle, and I pulled her against me, wrapping my arms protectively around her waist. She dropped her bag and looped her arms around my neck.
"I'm glad you like it,"
She tried responding but a yawn escaped her lips instead.
"Tired, huh?"
She nodded in response.
"You've had a hell of a night,"
"You can say that again,"
"Dinner or maybe a drink or something?"
"No, thank you. I just want to take a warm shower and go to bed,"
"That's fine, we can do that,"
I pressed a kiss to her head and grabbed her arm and her bag, leading her to the master's bedroom but the moment we stepped in, she pulled her arm from mine and stepped back.
"This… this is your room, Quinn,"
"Yeah…"
"I can't…" she shook her head. "I can't stay here with you. Please, let me have my own room,"
The same panicky expression that had been etched on her face when she requested we stop at her place was back. And I was beginning to inwardly question what her panic and fright were all about.
"Alexis, you know you can trust me right?"
I covered the distance between us, but she stepped back, making my heart squeeze painfully.
"Baby…"
"It's not you, Quinn, it's me. Please, let me have a different room, even if it's just this once,"
From the expression on her face, she looked and sounded so desperate and I couldn't help but wonder what was truly going on in her head. But also realizing she's been through enough for the night, and the least I could do was calm her nerves, I reluctantly agreed to her demand.
"Just this one night,"
She gave me a curt nod. Thereafter, I held her arm and led her towards the room next door.
"Thank you," she murmured in a small voice, her words barely a whisper.
"Anything for you, love," I winked and what appeared to be a sad smile crossed her face but it was gone quickly, replaced by an unreadable expression.
"Umm, could you tell me where the kitchen is? I'll need some water. I think I'm a bit thirsty,"
"Let me get you some,"
"Oh no, don't worry about it. I don't need it now. Maybe before I go to bed or it could be the middle of the night," she let out a nervous laugh.
By this time, I was starting to get really concerned about her. She was acting so unlike her and I wasn't sure how to solve the problem. From experience, I knew she wouldn't tell me, not even if I pushed hard and I wasn't ready to start up an argument with her before bed.
"Alright, it's down the hallway before the living room,"
"Thank you,"
Releasing a breath, I stepped towards her and cradled her face in my arms, gently kissing her forehead.
"Goodnight, love, and be fine, okay?"
She blinked a few times.
"I will,"
With one final glance at her, I stepped out of the room. As much as I hated the distance between us and the new walls she was placing between us, I knew it was better to give her the space she needed but it was only going to be for this night. I couldn't stand the thoughts of having her in my home and not being able to touch her when I needed to, or even have her in my arms. Deep down, it was killing me.
Somehow, I was so worked up about her that I couldn't just leave her and go to bed. And I also couldn't check on her. It was obvious she wanted the space.
Did I move too fast by asking her to spend the weekend at my place?
These thoughts revolved around my head, as I headed for the bar beside the living room and reached for the liquor cabinet, pouring myself a glass of bourbon. I was still seated there, sipping from the drink to calm my nerves when I heard the almost silent sounds of footsteps heading towards me. I knew it was Alexis and the wise decision would be to remain in my seat, but the urge to see her once more had me rising from my seat and walking towards the direction of the footsteps_the kitchen.
I walked into the kitchen in time to see her about to throw pills down her throat, with a glass of water sitting on the counter. But immediately her eyes landed on me, she jumped in shock, causing the pills to fall to the ground, a guilty expression taking over her face.
My eyes darted to the pills scattered on the floor, but she quickly went about, gathering them, and all I could do was watch her in bewilderment while waiting for an explanation.