Page 40 of Alex
Herthin arms squeeze me tight. “Don’t be sorry, just stay for lunch and keep intouch. It’s such a relief to know you’re doing well.”
“I’llcall until you’re sick of me,” I promise. We spend the next few hours gettingto know one another. She is the sweetest woman imaginable, exactly how Ipictured a grandmother. She laughs when I mention that she could always moveclose to me and let me watch over her. Apparently, you don’t spend your life ina place like Hawaii and uproot to a city where the temperature drops belowfreezing.
Ialternate between feeling like I could burst from happiness and cry from thedespair of missing out on knowing her for all these years. Before we leave, Ipromise again to keep in touch and visit as often as I can.
Alexdrives us back to the hotel because there’s no way I can concentrate. Family.Maybe it’s only one person, but I have something I’ve never had. Family.
Thelast few days of the trip are a blur of sun, sand and sex. Way too soon, we’reseated in first class and on our way home.
Alexsmiles at me and squeezes my hand. “You look a lot better. All healthy and tan.”
“Don’tpretend I wasn’t always gorgeous.”
“Eh,you’re okay…definitely above average.”
“Please,”I scoff. “You’ve been drooling over me since we met.”
“Andyou’re hard every time I look at you. I’m sure it has nothing to do with youwatching my ass.”
“Youhave no proof of that.” He grins when I rest my hand on his thigh.
“Howdo you want to play this when we get home, Ian? If you need some time beforeletting people know we’re together, I’ll understand. This has all happenedpretty quickly.”
“Idon’t plan on making any grand announcements or anything, but I’m not hiding.I’m not ashamed.” Alex and I spent our last evening on the beach, watching thesunset and discussing our relationship. We agreed to be monogamous, but Alex isconcerned about my ability to give up women. So am I, to be honest. Wecompromised, and I promised to let him know if I wanted to sleep with a woman.He’d either watch or join in.
“Evis pretty perceptive. I think she may already suspect.”
“Probablybecause I told her I had feelings for you.”
Hiseyes widen in shock. “When?”
“Beforethe infection put me in the hospital.”
“Whatdid she say?”
“Toldme you’re an asshole and to stay as far away from you as possible.”
Shiftingin his seat, he shoves my shoulder. “Liar.”
Mygaze settles on his golden brown eyes. “She said she could tell I was fallingfor you.”
“Areyou? Falling for me?” he murmurs.
Islide my hand across the soft skin on his nape and into his curls. “I’vealready tripped, stumbled, and fell ass over forehead.”
“Sucha romantic,” Alex says with a smirk before pressing his lips to mine. “So, youaren’t totally going to freak out if I admit I love you?”
Pretendingto think it over, I gaze up “I guess you’ll just have to risk it and see.”
Hismouth is on mine again and damn if the slip of his tongue against mine doesn’tinstantly get me hard again. His eyes bore into mine when he pulls away andsays, “I love you.”
“Ilove you, too.”
“Idon’t know,” he taunts. “That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
Allright, he’s asking for it. I reach over and unbuckle his seatbelt and then myown. He looks confused when I pull him to his feet and grab his jaw. “I loveyou, you giant pain in my ass!” His hands grab my hips as I kiss the hell outof him, the hoots and laughter of the other passengers echoing around us.“Convinced yet?” I ask, enjoying how red his face has grown.
“Asshole,”he grumbles good naturedly, diving back into his seat.
