Page 16 of Verses Of Us

“You called me Lex.”

“Oh, sorry. Alexis.”

“No, Lex is fine. I kind of like it.” Her heart battered against her ribs. She took a long breath, trying to bring it back to a regular rhythm. “And I like you, I’m just…” She didn’t know what to say.

“I didn’t invite you here to fuck, Lex.” His tone, and his eyes, were dark and she struggled to swallow. He took her hand, his long fingers lacing through hers, and pulled it closer. “And I’m sure you’re not here to fuck a rockstar, either.” Loud laughter erupted from the other room, drawing her attention. “Want me to shut the door?”

“We can leave it open.”For now, she wanted to add.

Somehow, she believed Ciarán wouldn’t force her into anything and she felt safe, but she wasn’t sure how much she trusted herself, especially if that door closed. And definitely not when he kept sayingfuckwith an intensity that scorched her insides and she kept having to pull her gaze away from his toned stomach and rounded, freckled shoulders.

“I like having you around,” he continued. “You make things… brighter.”

“And I like being here.” She blushed, hoping he wasn’t trying to seduce her.

She ran her fingers over his knuckles, watching as their fingers danced together. As if fighting a smile, he pressed his lips together and a faint pink covered his cheeks.

“So, about that kiss…” she began.

His chuckle resonated through the room. He breathed a long exhale and leaned back, dropping his head onto the cushions. “That was quite the kiss, Lex.”

She smiled until her cheeks hurt. “It was.”

“Has that ever happened to you before?”

“Has someone kissed me in front of a stadium full of people? Can’t say it has.”

His mouth twisted, but he looked over at her, his expression serious. “I mean, have you ever been so lost in a kiss you didn’t want it to end?”

A heavy weight settled on her heart and she fought for breath. “No. Never.”

“Me neither.”

“And about what you said earlier…” Her words faded as her throat tightened.

He pressed his lips together, but his eyes lit up. “I’ve said a lot, haven’t I?”

She could tell he was getting a rise out of her awkwardness. “You know what I mean. About…” She raised an eyebrow. “Being caught in a web?”

He nodded slowly. “Ah, yes, that.”

“What did you mean?”

“Honestly, Lex, I have no idea.” He brought her hand up, kissing her knuckles softly. “But I’d like to find out.”

Relaxed by his words, and the warmth of his breath against her skin, she still couldn’t ignore the nagging hesitation in her gut. Was she an idiot falling for a line, or was this something worth exploring?

They spent the next few hours talking about music, their families, even their favourite movies and food. Nothing was off-limits. Alexis enjoyed the way Ciarán reacted to her words, the way he focused on her lips when she spoke, or how his tongue sometimes swiped across his bottom lip. The same mysterious but delicious rush she experienced earlier on stage returned, and she surrendered to it, letting it tangle around every nerve ending.

This time, when his arm found its way around her shoulders, she didn’t fight it. She leaned into his embrace, tucking her head under his chin. And when he ran his lips over her hair, she released a contented sigh.

They were strangers, but it was as if they’d known each other forever.

Alexis never wondered if her life was missing anything. She had all she needed. All was good. That was until she found herself in Ciarán’s embrace. A longing for his affection crept through her body and she suspected he felt it, too. They both wanted something simple, someone present, without asking for more.

LITTLE WHITE LIES

Alexis

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