Page 47 of All The Happily Ever Afters

We basically match, and I have no intention of getting out of these clothes.

At least I’m wearing clothes now. I passed out in Alec’s arms and woke up to him hard and ready to fuck me again. And again. As I shift on the chair, I feel a dull ache between my thighs, and it only makes me want more of him.

I like to pretend that I’m trapped here in this massive estate with him, but I know I’m not. I have no excuse for practically shacking up with him over the course of thisbusiness trip.

This is bad. So, so bad.

But it feelsso good. It’s like the real world doesn’t exist here. Everything is fresh and new, and Alec wants me.

I’ve never been with a man who’s so honest. A man who doesn’t mind catering to me, and acts like this is all completely natural. I can’t help but think it’s because it’s temporary. Because I’m leaving.

The thought is unsettling and I shift in my seat, tearing my eyes from him.

“Hey,” Alec gets my attention and makes his way over to me. He brushes his hands off on his pants but keeps his eyes on my face. “What’s that look for?”

“What look?” I play dumb. I don’t want to be the clingy hookup that got emotional before leaving. But that’s exactly what I am.

This isn’t me. I’ve never done a one-night stand before, simply because I don’t know how to handle it. Let alone a few one-night-stands-on-vacation. If that’s even a thing.

“Stop it, Lila.” Alec admonishes me in a deep voice that sends shivers over my skin and hardens my nipples. “Don’t overthink it.”

He bends down, taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilting my head up so I’m forced to look him in the eyes.

I pull away from him, hating that I’m getting emotional over whatever it is we have.

“It’s easy for you to say,” I tell him and instantly regret it. He lets out a heavy sigh and takes a seat on the ottoman, pulling my legs into his lap.

“I hate that you think that,” he says and I watch his expression for any indication he’s lying, but he’s not. Maybe this connection is real. But if that’s true, it makes it all the harder to leave.

“Don’t think about tomorrow,” he says as he leans forward and braces his hands on the sofa on either side of my head. He towers over me, staring into my eyes. “We have right now, so let’s hold on to right now.”

I close my eyes as he leans forward, pressing his lips against mine for a sweet kiss. He deepens it and I react, moaning into his mouth and parting my lips for him. My hands reach up, gripping his shirt and pulling him closer to me.

I don’t want this to end. I’m too afraid to say it out loud though. Too afraid to admit that I’m falling too soon, and too hard.

This was never supposed to happen.

Even as Alec moves his hand to my waist and pushes my legs apart with his hips, I know I can’t stop myself.

I never had a chance with him.

LILA

“Iwant a trinket,” I say lightheartedly, although my heart is heavy. It’s my last day here, and our time together is quickly coming to an end.

I spent most of yesterday in Alec’s bed listening to the tales he remembers from when he was a child, or writing.

The words flow easily here. But I've only written poetry and short stories. Not anything related to the interview. That can wait till I get back home. I won’t let it interrupt what this place is making me feel. The inspiration and muse are strong here. And I love it.

“A trinket?” Alec asks as he picks up a piece of pottery. It's handmade of clay with filigree work, painted deep green and coated with a gloss. It’s beautiful and would be perfect for a candle holder. I take it from his hand, adding it to the small collection in the wicker basket that was at the front of the shop.

“Trinkets,” I correct myself with a smile. This is the fourth shop we’ve been in, and every one is full of the most beautiful things. Handwoven blankets, old books with that aged smell I love, artisanal decor. And the food--I practically moan just thinking about it.

“Is the entire island like this?” I ask Alec as I raise a candle to my nose. I inhale the lavender scent deeply and close my eyes.

I love everything about this place. I can’t help but think I’m being shortsighted, or maybe it’s a case of the grass is greener on the other side. But I want to stay.

I don’t want to go back to a small, cramped apartment where I don’t know a soul and probably never will. I don’t want to go back to an office that’s constantly moving at a pace that’s tiresome to keep up with.

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