Page 50 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

“Okay,” is all he says back. I actually stop walking, but he keeps going, and I have to quicken my steps to catch up.

“So what does that mean then? I need you to be explicit, Alex.”

He turns, stopping, gripping my waist with one hand. “It means I wish you would wear your ring…And I wish you’d come home.”Home. The burn within me is building to unbearable levels. I want his other hand in my hair, on my ass. I want him to fuck me in his room at home. I want him to be thinking of me and only me.

But he would never.

I ask the question that will prove this. “If you could be with her right now, would you?” His gaze darkens, and I prepare for my insides to be scorched. For him to blow me up with his answer.Gut me, Alex, so I can turn you down. Make it easy for me to walk away. Please.

“I wouldn’t, Em.”What? He steps closer and says quietly, “I want to be with someone who chooses me. With the person who asked me to stay. I want to be that person for you, too. So stay with me, Em. Please.”

Fuck. “I want to believe you mean that…” God, do I ever. With his breath skating against my cheek, my body yearns to be touching him. “If I came back, would we stay in my room, both of us?”

“If that’s what you want.” It isn’t.

“What if I want to stay in your room? With you?” It’s time for Alex to put his money where his mouth is. Could he actually relinquish the shrine?ThisI doubt most of all.

He looks me in the eyes, knowing I’ve seen upstairs. I’ve seen his past frozen in time.

“Come home tonight and find out.” The hair on the back of my neck stands. My arms break out in goosebumps. My eyes widen, questioning. He just stares back down at me, heat building in the small of my back, my inner thighs pulsing to know.

He leans forward, our lips nearly touching. “Think about it.”

And then, I don’t know if he comes down or I reach up, but his lips are on mine, warm and slow, feeling like the softest place to land. It’s only our second time kissing, and I feel like I can hardly even remember the first.

The nearly empty beer slips from my fingers and falls to the ground with a gentle thunk.

Moving a hand up to my neck, he holds me while I brace his biceps. And he kisses me soft and deep, angling his head to reach new depths.Fuck the football game.I wantthis. Not in my wildest dreams did I picture this turn.

But can he do it? Actually relinquish her?

It seems like Alex is finally willing to make the break, though.

I pull away, biting my lip, my nerves making me shake.

“Are you sure you’re ready this time?” I have to whisper to conceal my shaking voice.

“Positive,” he says back. I don’t give him an answer because I can’t. At least not honestly.

“I’ll think about it.”

He sinks his mouth down over mine again, and I know. I’ll go back to him. Probably time and time again.

FOURTEEN

Alex

The ride home is cold, with the sun finally tucked away. So, I rub her legs at each stoplight to try and warm her up. I make sure her hands are slipped inside the pocket of my hoodie for extra warmth. I even pull her more snugly into my backside.

Still, when I pull up to her building, she’s shivering. Instead of stopping out front to drop her off, I pull into the garage, snagging the last guest spot, hoping she’ll invite me in.

I’m not ready to say goodbye. My chest aches just thinking about not knowing when or if I’ll see her again.

With the kickstand down, she swings both legs around and off the bike, unbuckling the helmet with lightning speed. Yeah, I can figure out where this is heading. I let loose a sigh, not bothering to unbuckle my helmet.

“Thanks for coming with me,” she shivers, then places both hands around her arms to try and get warm.

“Thanks for the invite…” We stare at each other, seeing one another. I see a woman that’s trying to heal just like me. I see someone I love, someone I want to love and do my damndest tomake happy. I see someone who could be my partner, my other half if she isn’t already.