Page 70 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

“Are you trying to fatten me up so you no longer want me or something?” she asked, looking down at the sweets I’d brought to the table.

Like I could ever not want you. “I wasn’t sure what you felt like.” I shrugged. “Bring them back for Wells, if you’re not hungry.”

After a few minutes of sipping our coffee, as we alternated between staring into each other’s eyes and people watching through the window in silence, I finally asked, “So, tell me what’s going on with Caitlin…”

Alex stared down into her cup. “Believe it or not, we haven’t talked about anything since that weekend, and I haven’t seen much of her. That’s been unsettling. But at the same time, I don’t want to be the one to bring it up.”

I nodded. “I can understand why she’d want to forget the whole thing.” For all I knew, this time at the café might be my last opportunity to set some things straight. I didn’t want to waste it. “I didn’t have much of a chance to explain some things to you,” I told her. “Mainly, I’ve been holding back because I don’t want to come across as a bigger asshole than I already seem, given the circumstances.” I paused. “But I need you to know that the feelings I had for Kate back in college pale in comparison to what I feel for you. I don’t want to seem insensitive, but I’m not sure if she’s given you an accurate picture of what things were like between us.” I shook my head. “She and I were never serious. At least, that’s not where my heart was at the time. I never told your daughter I loved her. I never led her on.” I let out a breath.

Alex fidgeted in her seat. “That doesn’t make me feel any better, Brayden.”

I raised my voice. “I still need you to know.”

“Okay,” she muttered. “I understand.”

“I wish more than anything that things were different. But I can’t expect you to disregard her feelings. I understand the type of person you are and why your relationship with Caitlin would be more important than your own happiness. I can’t argue with that or ask you to change for me. But I want you to know that losing you will always be the biggest regret of my life.”

Alex’s eyes glistened as she looked down at her phone. “Shit. I have to go.”

“I’ll call you a car.” I pulled up the app and arranged for her ride.

Alex placed the pastries in her bag to take back for Wells.

As we stood on the sidewalk, quietly staring at each other, I could see the hurt in her eyes. But there was also something else: desire—even if she’d never allow herself to act on it.

I don’t know what came over me, but I suddenly voiced what I was thinking. “Do you ever dream about what might’ve happened if Caitlin hadn’t shown up that day? Because I dream about fucking you every damn night, Alex,” I rasped. “I probably always will.”

She swallowed.

I inched closer. “I understand why you need to hold back. But I have nothing holding me back right now.” I leaned in, taking her lips with mine before backing her against the wall of a building.

Alex panted over my mouth as she received my kiss.

“I’ll stop if you want me to,” I murmured.

Instead of saying anything, her tense body loosened as she succumbed, a moan escaping her. Alex raked her fingers through my hair as she pulled me close. I cradled her face as my tongue dove deeper into her mouth, tasting her coffee. The world faded around us. I couldn’t have cared less about the droves of people passing by and getting a load of this spectacle. My cock grew hard as a rock as I pressed my body against hers.

She was the first to pull back.

We were both out of breath as I rubbed my thumb along her swollen bottom lip and looked into her glassy eyes. “I don’t care if I go to hell for that. It was damn well worth it.”

CHAPTER 16

Alex

“You’re scaring away the customers and making me depressed.”

I looked up from the front desk and frowned at Wells. “Thanks. And I put in extra effort today.”

I really had. This morning I’d gotten up early, forced a healthy breakfast into my belly, and done my hair and makeup like I was going out. I thought it might help my gloomy mood if I looked better. But apparently a little paint and hot rollers couldn’t stop what was on the inside from spilling out.

“Oh honey, this is why I prefer one-night stands. Love sucks.” He winked. “But a good one-night stand swallows.”

I attempted a smile, but failed.

“Jeez, Louise. It’s worse than I thought when I can’t even make you smile with a good blowjob joke.”

“I’m sorry. Even I’m confused by how hard I’m taking what happened. But I can’t seem to shake this gray feeling.”

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