He's Captured My Trust (Captured Series Book 2) by Karen Frances

know he cares for her. But he is looking angrily past me, straight to Katherine.
    “Katherine,” he says. “Go now, because you are pushing the boundaries of our friendship. You won’t speak to Libby like that again. Get out.”
    “Miss Hunter, I shall show you out,” Murphy says from the hall.
    “It’s fine. I know my way out. After all, I know this place like the back of my hand.” She looks straight at me as she says it, grinning. I think I’m with Mrs. Mathews on her opinion of Katherine. First impressions and all that. I have to say, she’s not impressed me.
    I know what she’s insinuating, but it’s not working. I know Alex hasn’t been with her like that. I have no reason to doubt him.
    With that, she’s gone.
    “Baby, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know she was coming here. I had no idea.” Alex turns me in his arms so that I’m facing him.
    “I know you didn’t expect her. That much is obvious. Otherwise you would have ensured I was at least dressed for the occasion. I’m so glad I didn’t take you up on walking about in my birthday suit, because that would have been a bit embarrassing. Using some of your mother’s words, I will not allow that woman to ruin what has been a perfect day.” I remember hearing Sarah speaking about her the night I took unwell at the hotel. Sarah had seen a clip on the news of Katherine and Alex together in London and was furious with how they looked together. Most of that night is a blur, but I’ve been filled in on most of it.
    “Oh, I don’t know about embarrassing, baby. I think Katherine would have been rather envious.” He laughs, and I playfully slap his arm. “Now, I’m sure you said something about this being a perfect day, so how about we make sure it ends that way?” He places the briefest of kisses on my forehead and pulls me back toward the couch.
    “Mr. Mathews, Miss Stewart, where will you be eating?” Joan’s voice is warm.
    “Let me finish helping,” I say as I move.
    “You didn’t have to do this,” Alex says. “It’s supposed to be your night off.”
    “It wasn’t just me.” She looks to me with a friendly smile. “Miss Stewart did most of it.”
    “Thank you, Joan. I mean that. We’ll just eat here.”
    “Are you sure?” She frowns.
    I head into the kitchen and put the sandwiches onto one large plate. There’s no need for unnecessary dishes. Joan pours tea into two cups and takes them into the living room, while I take the sandwiches. Alex is speaking with Murphy as we enter.
    “Thank you both. Now go and enjoy the rest of your evening,” Alex says with a warm smile.
    I sit on the couch facing Alex and cross my legs. I can see Joan from the corner of my eye, shaking her head and smiling as she walks away with Murphy.
    “Libby, can you at least pull the shirt down a bit? You are very distracting at the moment,” Alex says.
    “So I’m distracting? In a good or bad way?” I wriggle and move the shirt slightly higher and don’t even blush. Alex shakes his head and sighs, resigned to the fact that I’m sitting in front of him with my underwear showing.
    “Good,” he says, picking up one of the toasted sandwiches.
    “You wouldn’t usually sit here and eat?” I ask.
    “Why do you say that?”
    “The look on Joan’s face.” I laugh as I take a sandwich.
    “No, I wouldn’t normally sit here and eat, but it feels right. Nothing I do when I’m around you is normal for me, but it feels perfect. Libby, I don’t ever bring women here.”
    “But Katherine?” I ask, knowing that at this moment he might—just might—answer my unasked questions.
    “These are good,” he says between mouthfuls.
    I frown at his change of subject. Tactful, not.
    “Katherine is a friend, like Michael, so yes, she’s been here. But to answer your question, neither she nor anyone else has ever been in my bed.”
    “I didn’t ask. But aren’t I a very lucky girl then?”
    “No, you’re right; you didn’t. I seem to be able