Page 77 of Choke

Aleks spins around and throws his arms in the air.

“Lex!” His volume is too high and makes me cringe slightly; the kids will wake up, and Jules will be furious. “Did we wake you? Shit!”

I’m still laughing as I step further into the room—until my stomach drops at the sight of a familiar face—the Mediterranean-looking guy with the devious smirk. My steps have slowed, but I continue inching forward, the weight of their stares bordering on unbearable.

“Come join the party,” he says… What is his name?

I force a small smile and step further inside. The kitchen suddenly feels too small and claustrophobic when I finally see him—perched on a stool, watching me. The side that was blocked by the divider wall until just now. His face looks flushed, probably from being in the sun all day. He’s wearing shorts, and for the first time, I see his strong, muscular legs are covered in bright tattoos. My gaze drags up his body—over the fitted t-shirt clinging to broad shoulders and, finally, his face. His warm eyes reflect the smile on his lips, and this might be the first time I’ve seen him smile like this, where it reaches his eyes.

My body turns molten, every nerve firing at once. He’s here. Adrian is here, in Florida, at my best friend’s house. My breath stutters. I never told him I was leaving.

I never told him where I was going.

But he’s here.

And he’s smiling at me.

“Hey, baby.”

Whoa.

Those words shouldn’t have the effect they do.

“What can we get you to drink?” Aleks asks, motioning to the bottles around the island.

“Gin?” I swallow, and it feels like my throat is closing up.

How is this possible?

“You got it!”

Everyone in the large kitchen introduces themselves, and the group is a mix of men Aleks knows through work and their hockey buddies who are here for a game.

Ronan shakes my hand, adding that we’ve met and go way back. Laughing and adding, “Not as far back as Lex and Libby thought, right?”

Aleks couldn’t be more intrigued by this.

“You all know each other? Wild coincidence.”

He pushes a drink into my hands, and I take a large mouthful, nearly choking when I register that it’s about 90% gin. They all laugh and go back to talking, but I feel the heat of his stare, and there is an undeniable magnetic pull; I just need to get closer to him, if only to quietly ask him, ‘What the fuck?’ I move around the island, taking the long route and watching him watch me move; his eyes are so different from every time I’ve seen him. He is playful and carries a conversation with the group easily while keeping his eyes on me. I pause beside him, knowing I must look awkward standing there staring. There is a moment of silence around the island; no one speaks as we stare at each other. Ronan’s low voice breaks it.

“They do this, ignore them.”

And the conversation and laughing resume. The question I planned to ask when I decided to go to him is gone, and I have no words. My heart races wildly, my face flushes, and his mouth curves into a smirk.

I should go back to bed.

I should walk away.

Before I can move, his hand finds my bare leg—warm, firm, claiming—a slow drag up to my hip, then a sudden tug. My breath catches as he pulls me in, pressing me flush against him. I am slightly above him and can’t look away; my already warmed body heats further from the places we touch.

“Missed you, Lex.” His tone is gentle and low.

My resolve and nerves splinter apart, and my hand, as if with a mind of its own, lands on his chest, where I can feel that his heart rate mirrors mine, doing a wild, uneven dance.

I feel like I’m in free fall.

Adrian

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