Page 33 of Allured (Love and Burlesque #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

EZEKIEL

Daddy issues.

W aking up wrapped in Alek’s powerful arms is something I have grown accustomed to, though I have only spent the night a handful of times. His soft breaths tickle the back of my neck and his chest is pressed delicately against my back as he holds me as close as he can, even in his sleep.

His arms around me are a blur as I peer down at the tangle of our limbs. Never have I slept so utterly unconcerned about my personal space. I choose to laze in the too—warm embrace of our bodies.

Trying to decipher the time based on the small amount of morning light proves infeasible, so I scan around the room for my phone and glasses. I find my personal belongings set neatly on his nightstand beside me. I cannot recall taking off my glasses after our lovemaking, nor do I recall cleaning them until they nearly sparkle in the streaks of light sneaking past Alek’s closed curtains.

Once I had gently cleaned Alek up and assisted in a quick change of his sheets, I only remember the feeling of holding him against my chest as I peppered kisses on his face and sang him praise. I must have drifted off with him in my arms but I distinctly remember my vision was clear as I was admiring the pout of his lips peeking over the bridge of his nose.

He must have taken them off of me after I fell asleep. I smile at Alek’s attentive nature and suddenly, it’s as if a new cognizance burrows into my brain.

I am in love with Alek.

Truthfully, I know the seeds of love have been present since our very first meeting. I wager that they were planted when Alek fed me the first bite of his food. He had been nothing short of a revelation at that time and the biggest blessing of my life ever since. Unbeknownst to him, he had pulled me from a torment my heart was still learning to remedy.

Come Monday, the torment that is ever—so—present within my soul will finally feel terminated. Closure, as my therapist calls it. I have been working to become the man that Alek deserves, and the man that feels genuinely worthy of him as well.

“What time is it?” Alek murmurs into the back of my head.

I lean forward to reach for the nightstand, causing my lower half to press firmly against his front in the process.

“Oh fuck, I don’t even care what time it is,” Alek sighs as he grinds himself against my ass, evidently very willing to stay in bed instead.

An airy laugh escapes my lips while I put my glasses in place. A grumble of protest echoes between us when I move to sit up against the headboard of the bed.

“Your ass felt good,” he whines in displeasure.

“First of all, I believe I should be the one saying that to you.” I brush his hair from his eyes and I can see the lingering sleepiness in them. “Second of all, it’s already—” I tap the screen of my phone and see it’s late morning. “—ten in the morning.”

“Oh shit, I’m supposed to be meeting Thomas and Viv for brunch in a few hours,” Alek replies. But he remains unhurried in getting out of bed and chooses to lay his head in my lap instead.

“We should get our day started, sweetheart,” I continue brushing his hair and he makes content noises that muffle into my lap. A loud noise erupts from his stomach, obviously not a noise of contentment.

“Are you sure you can wait a few hours for some food?” I joke, reaching my hand as far down as I can to rub at his belly.

“I can make us somethin’ and then eat brunch too.” He looks up at me, a lazy grin on his face as he’s being petted that reminds me of something Peaches would do.

“Oh, believe me, I know how ravenous you can be.” I tug at his hair so that his face angles towards mine and plant a tender kiss on those perfect lips of his. Much to Alek’s chagrin, I pause our kiss before it can get heated. One of us needs to keep us in line.

“Food, Aleksander.” I pat his cheek. “You’ve got a full day, as do I, and as much as I would treasure a repeat of last night, we need to at least get clothes on.”

Alek pouts as I escape the grasp he tries to keep me in. I am almost fully dressed before he finally makes it out of bed and pulls on those enticing gray sweats again. I assume that is the only article of clothing he usually wears at home since he doesn’t bother with a shirt. Though I will be last to complain and the first to enjoy the view.

I turn and begin to gather my overnight items to pack away my bag when Alek speaks up from behind me.

“You could leave that stuff here, Ez.” He hesitates slightly, making it sound like he is a little unsure of himself.

“You would welcome that?”

“Yeah, it’ll be easier than lugging all your shit around. And I like the idea of having pieces of you here even when you’re gone,” Alek speaks softly.

I turn around with my half—packed bag hanging open in front of me. Alek is by his dresser, clearing out a drawer and motioning me towards it. There’s an adorably bashful smile plastered on his face.

“It’s all yours, baby.”

A doorbell ring echoes through the apartment, breaking the tension.

“I should go get that, it’s probably my neighbor. Sadie sometimes needs some help with chores on the weekend. It’ll just be a few minutes if you wanna wait around?” Alek asks, deciding to put a shirt on as he makes his way towards the door of his bedroom.

“Look, I’m not trying to pressure you or anything,” he pauses, looking back at me and shuffling on his feet. “But, my home is yours, Ez.”

Silently, I drop my bag and rush over towards Alek. He’s surprised for only a moment before I have him pressed against the wall near his door.

“I want the same, Aleksander. I want to share my home, my life , with you as well,” I confess as I cup his face with both of my hands. I want his eyes on mine, not shifting away from the anxiety he still carries. “Please do not doubt that, ever. ”

The kiss we share is brief but so full of emotion. We show our commitment to each other in the small moment our lips connect.

The doorbell rings again and it takes us out of our shared daze.

“She’s usually not this annoying,” Alek laughs and uses his hands on my waist to back me up towards the dresser once again.

“Claim your spot, Ez.” Alek points over at the empty drawer before heading toward the front door. I do as he asks, grabbing my bag to arrange what I’ll be taking and what I’ll be leaving.

“What are you doing here?” Alek’s question is barely audible from the opposite end of his apartment but something doesn’t sound right. Abandoning my task, I begin making my way out of his bedroom when I hear another voice join him.

“I don’t even get a ‘hi, dad’ from you?”

I turn out of the room to see a burly man taking up the doorway. Alek seems to have backed up several steps and stands there, just looking at the man. His father, my brain fills in.

From my vantage point, I can see them but they can’t see me. I take a moment to assess the situation before me. I know Alek hasn’t seen his father since he was kicked out at eighteen and never welcomed home again. I know his father was still in contact with Thomas and Vivian for some time but never bothered to reach out to Alek. Why is he here?

“I’m not here for cafecito , Alek. I just want to know why your sister and brother haven’t been talking to their mom.”

“Seems like it’s their choice to make. I have nothing to say about it. How’d you even know where I live?” Alek asks, and I can see the tension building in his body.

“I found your address in one of Viv’s old journals. This is your doing, isn’t it? What kinda mierda are you telling Vivian and Thomas, or getting them into, to turn them against Julie?” His father points accusingly. I see Alek shrink into himself and I jump into action.

“You do not speak to him that way.” I prowl towards Alek’s father. Alek looks surprised at my reaction, almost as if he might have forgotten that I am here.

“Who are you?” Alek’s father, Antonio, I finally remember, stares bewilderedly at me.

“I am Alek’s partner and you will speak to him respectfully or you will not speak to him at all. I am also Thomas and Vivian’s friend, and truly, if this is how you speak to your family, I can only imagine why they wouldn’t want to speak to you or your wife any longer.”

My stance is protective in front of Alek. I have never been a person who is quick to anger nor one to get physical, but I feel my blood pulsing and my fists clenching at my sides in thin restraint.

Antonio takes a moment to decide if this is a fight he wants or not, and while he may be a terrible father, at least the man knows when it’s smart for him to back down.

“You aren’t welcome here and I will never let you use me to get to my siblings. As far as I’m concerned these are the consequences of your and Julie’s actions. How dare you come to my damn door and ask me to betray my siblings like that when I haven’t heard shit from you in over fourteen years!” Alek speaks up behind me, slowly moving closer and closer to Antonio as he pours everything out.

Alek stands beside me now, reaching his hand towards mine and I hold his hand tightly, knowing he needs an anchor.

“You made it clear you’re no son of mine with all of the bullshit you pulled in your teens. I don’t want any part of this. ” The man hisses with venom in his tone, motioning aggressively towards Alek and me, obviously uncomfortable with the show of affection between us two.

“I’m going to find them myself.” With that statement, he leaves, not bothering to close the door or say anything else to either of us.

I close the space between us and the open door frame, shutting the door softly and locking it before I look back and see Alek staring at me with tears forming in his wide eyes.

“Baby.” I wrap him in my arms, encouraging him to rest his face in the crook of my neck. Alek only takes a few shuddered breaths against my skin before he pulls back and wipes at his face.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, Ez.” He looks at me guiltily.

“Alek—” I begin, only to be cut off.

“You know what’s the most fucked up part? I first thought he was here to mend things with me.” Anger flashes in his eyes. “He just wanted to use me to get to Viv and T. Shit, I need to call them!” He digs frantically in his pockets for his phone.

“I will call them.” My hands land on his, stopping his frenzied movement.

“I want you to cook us breakfast,” I state calmly.

Alek seems a little shocked at my request but I know that having something to do and concentrating on the extensive process of making food can help regulate his emotions right now. Once again, I am thankful for the well of knowledge from my therapist.

“Please,” I add softly. “I will call your siblings and make sure they know what is happening. I need you to focus and prepare us a meal.”

I bring our joined hands up to my lips and kiss his knuckles softly. His hands relax at the touch while he merely nods and blinks away his tears.

“Thank you,” he leans his forehead against mine for a moment, and I take the chance to place a kiss on the corner of his lips.

With a few more soothing breaths between us, we pull away from each other and move to start our respective tasks.

“Please make it a meal for five,” I ask, pulling my phone from my pocket and pulling up his siblings' contact numbers. Thankfully Viv, T, and Rhett had all given me their phone numbers during our dinner a couple of weekends ago.

I stay in the kitchen as I make the phone calls. I am grateful to see there’s light coming back into Alek’s eyes as I watch him consider the possible combinations of foods for an impromptu family brunch.