Page 96 of Sweet as Puck

Alec closed his eyes and lowered his face, slumping further in his seat. I reached for him, cupping his face, and he leaned forward, resting his forehead on my shoulder.

I undid the tie on his hair and ran my fingers through the silky strands, and Alec reached for me, tentatively touching my sides. I closed my eyes, breathing out a sigh of relief. He hadn’t said a word, but this was more than I could have hoped for.

“Please stay. Just for a little while longer,” I whispered.

Alec pulled back, lifting his face up to gaze into my eyes. I ran my thumbs over his cheeks and tugged him closer, brushing my lips over his. I deepened the kiss, tentatively touching my tongue to Alec’s. He reacted like he’d been shocked into life, hauling me into his arms and kissing me like a man possessed.

When we finally came up for air, Alec blinked open his eyes slowly. His cheeks flushed an adorable pink as he smiled at me. I traced my thumb over his cheek again and grinned back, feeling like I’d won the lottery a million times over. A giddy laugh bubbled up my throat.

Hands landed on our shoulders, and Alec startled. His body went rigid, every muscle tensing for a fight. I looked across at Gauthier and breathed a sigh of relief. He was grinning like the cat who got the cream.

“Good to see you two have worked things out.” He gestured over his shoulder to the rest of the team, who were gaping at us.

I swallowed and flicked my gaze back to Alec, hoping that I hadn’t completely fucked up. But all I saw in his eyes was relief.

Alec cleared his throat, but before he could say anything, Gauthier spoke again. “Why don’t you catch a later flight home? Stay for a while. I’ll take your luggage home with me.”

“You’d do that?” It was a simple question, but I knew it was much more than that. Alec stood up, and I followed, standing next to him as I waited for Gauthier to answer.

“Always, Hux.”

Alec grasped his hand and hauled him in for a back-slapping hug.

Hewitt bumped fists with Alec, and the rest of the team who’d stopped to watch what was happening followed, shaking Alec’s hand and saying goodbye to me.

When they were finally on the plane and Alec had assured the team officials that he’d make his own way home, he turned to me. Alec slipped his hand into mine and drew me close. “I didn’t want us to be over either. It’s stupid fast, but it’s real. I…. You and Cara are everything I’ve ever wanted. I love you too.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him close, grateful for Ezra making me see the light.

“Let’s go get our girl.”

twenty-seven

Cara

“Hi, Mum,” I greeted when she picked up the phone, trying to keep my tone light and sunny. I didn’t want to unload on her, especially because I’d asked both Mum and Dad not to keep putting me in the middle of their issues. But I did need someone to talk to. Urgh, why was adulting so hard?

“Hi, honey,” she said enthusiastically, warmth permeating her voice. “What time is it there? Are you nearly ready to set off?”

“I have a few more hours yet. I thought I’d get that chocolate we liked from Rundle Mall before I left.”

“Oooh, yes please.” She groaned, and I could just imagine her rubbing her belly.

I laughed, but it died quickly.

“I saw the social media posts. He’s very handsome.”

I winced, then I admitted just how much the truth hurt. “It was only temporary. They’re flying out as we speak. I’m….”

“Heartbroken?” Mum asked gently. “The two of you looked besotted with each other. But I have to admit, I’m surprised it was him and not Monroe. You really seemed to like him.”

“I do. I like both of them.” I shrugged, trying to play off how much, even though she couldn’t see me.

“Were you seeing both of them?” Her question wasn’t laced with any judgement or disappointment. Instead, it was only concern.

“I was,” I admitted. “They connected too. But like I said, it was only temporary.”

Monroe’s actions had spoken louder than anything else that morning. He’d walked out on us, leaving no trace of his presence. I needed to talk to him, but doing it now, when Alec’s leaving was so fresh that the wound hadn’t even scabbed, probably wasn’t the best idea. It had to be soon, though.