Page 42 of The Arrogant's Redemption

I hug myself as I walk toward the mirror and study my reflection critically. I almost wore a black dress—one of the few nice ones I own—but I quickly decided against it. He met me in my golden sneakers and running clothes. I don’t want to pretend to be something I’m not. So I came in a soft yellow, spaghetti-strap dress.

It’s weird that someone who craves normalcy as much as I do loves bright colors. Maybe some psychologist could come up with a deep explanation for that, but all I know is that life looks prettier in color. Not a profound thought, but it’s true.

I hear someone arrive and feel a shiver run through my entire body.

I know that the moment he walks through that door, I’ll be in free fall—but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more than to take that leap.

1 Reference to Machado de Assis, Brazilian writer.

Lazarus

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The secondI open the door to Morrison’s house and see her, I accept that my interactions with Alexis will never follow a script.

I’m far from being a boy, and I don’t get swept up by the emotions that seem to affect most people, but when our eyes lock, a wave of scorching, powerful lust crashes over me.

As I walk toward her without saying a word, a voice inside me warns that the force this girl awakens in me isn’t just intense—it’s one of a kind.

I can feel the tension radiating from Alexis too, and as I let my gaze travel over her body and face, I try to keep my expression neutral, though I’m not sure I’m succeeding this time.

My hand lifts to touch her cheek. The backs of my fingers caress the fevered skin that feels like silk. It’s a simple, innocent gesture, but her response is tilting her head back, offering both lips and neck, and that shatters my restraint.

It’s an invitation my hunger can’t resist. I lower my mouth to hers, devouring her, reason giving way—gladly—to the rawest kind of desire.

The feeling of having her in my arms again after days without touching her, kissing that hot, wet mouth, feeling her soft, willing body mold to mine—it's a short-circuit inside me.

My hands roam over every inch of her, and Alexis grips my forearms, pulling me closer, matching my urgency.

She sighs and moans into the kiss. Her tongue mirrors mine, following the dizzying rhythm of pure lust.

She’s the most passionate and responsive woman I’ve ever been with. The only one who’s ever made me forget the world around me.

But suddenly, her hands press to my chest, pushing gently, and it takes me a second to understand why she’s trying to pull away.

"What is it?"

"Someone’s coming. I heard a car pulling up."

"Relax. It’s a delivery from the restaurant. During the flight, I ordered a full dinner from the second-best place around. I didn’t have time to cook, and I figured you wouldn’t want one of your friends seeing you here if I ordered fromThe Ugly Shrimp."

"Thank you for thinking of that," she says formally, and I can tell it’s because she’s embarrassed at the idea of anyone knowing about us.

Alexis

He keeps staring at me for a few more seconds without saying anything, but when the doorbell rings, he gestures for me to wait and walks off, his expression unreadable.

A moment later, I see a guy enter with insulated bags—probably our dinner.

Only then do I notice a small suitcase near the entrance. I was so overwhelmed when LJ arrived that I didn’t see anything else—only him.

The moment he walked in, he took my breath away. It was the first time I saw him in a suit, and in my mind, I start piecing together all his different versions, like a puzzle.

The annoyed tourist I met that morning. The sophisticated man who dined atThe Ugly Shrimp. The sexy surfer who gave me chills with a kiss on the beach. And now, the magnate who just landed at a house with its own helipad.

And yet, all of them converge into someone who is absolutely irresistible to me. I have no idea where this is heading, but I know I don’t want it to stop.

"Would you mind setting the table while I take a quick shower? I’ve been working all day."

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