Page 105 of The Problem with Dating

Someone cleared their throat.

I looked up to see Cole standing in front of us.

My heart sank slightly as I crashed back down to reality.

Fake. The kisses, the intimacy, the closeness. It was fake. A show for Cole, who Alex must’ve witnessed approaching. It was fine because that was exactly what I wanted Alex to do—perform. I just didn’t expect him to be such a fantastic leading actor.Somebody give that fucker an Oscar.

Stupid heart and how it felt.

Sensitive heart and how it felt.

Cole looked right past Alex and straight at me as he puffed out his chest. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm. “We need to talk, Yara,” he demanded.

I ripped my arm away from his. “No, we don’t. And I’m late. I have to get to the auction.” I went to grab the basket from Alex. I forced out a smile, even though my mind was still dizzy. “Thanks for walking me. I’ll see you in the audience.”

Alex nodded and stared at me with such intense eyes, it was as if he were asking if I was okay.

I nodded back.

I’m fine, Alex. Just a little dizzy from you and your lips.

“I said we need to talk, now,” Cole urged, taking hold of me once more, this time tighter.

“Ouch!” I yipped.

That sound was enough to have Alex step between Cole and me. He shoved him backward, and Cole almost lost his footing.

“Watch it,” Alex growled, the bass in his voice rumbling through his gritted teeth.

“Who do you think you are?” Cole fought back, not backing down, even though he sat quite a few inches below Alex. And as stated before, three inches could make quite a difference.

“I’m the guy telling you to back off,” Alex sternly stated. “Touch my girl again, and I’ll break your jaw.”

My girl.

Oh, I was screwed.

“You’re really threatening an officer?” Cole scolded, his nostrils flaring as he stepped closer to Alex. They looked like two gorillas who were seconds away from pounding their freaking chests.

“No threats, just promises,” Alex replied.

“Okay, I think that’s enough testosterone for one conversation. Alex, it’s okay. Thank you, but it’s okay.” I grabbed his arm to pull him back. He didn’t budge, though. He kept his strong stance as he stared at Cole with hatred in his eyes. Was that fake, too? I tugged on his arm again. “You can go,” I told him. Still, no forward movement. Cole didn’t falter, either.

“Alex,” I begged, standing on my tiptoes. I brushed my lips against his ear and whispered, “Please.” His eyes shut as my touch met his skin. I felt his whole body relax against me, and when his eyes opened, they were softened. The aggression he held for Cole dissipated when he turned to look at me.

I placed a hand on his cheek and smiled. “There he is,” I whispered.

He seemed disoriented but brushed his hand against his chin. “I’ll see you at the auction.”

“Sounds good,” he agreed.

Right as he was about to step away from me, Cole called out, “Yeah, be a good puppy and scurry away.”

Alex didn’t turn to face Cole. Instead, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in closer to him. His chest pressed against mine, and he tilted my chin up with his free hand. His eyes locked with mine, a stare packed with anticipation and want and need and—he kissed me.

My eyes closed as his lips found mine. I pressed my body into the palm of his hand holding me up, knowing that if he pulled away, I’d melt into a pile of nothingness. He kissed me with all he had. Every inch of his existence finding its home against my lips. I became drunk on him, on his kiss, on his touches, on every piece of him. He might’ve been the town’s poison, but he was my remedy. My favorite black cat.

I kissed him back, slowly parting his mouth with my tongue. He kissed me deeper, not leaving space for us to take in more breaths, but somehow his mouth had become my lifeline. My body was in heat as his hand massaged my lower back. I wanted him. I wanted his taste for the remainder of the day, well into nightfall, too. I felt dizzy and whole at the same time. Alex gently nibbled on my bottom lip for a moment before pulling away from me. He planted a soft peck against my mouth one last time.

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