Page 62 of Beneath the Surface

Smiling, I make my way over to Alex’s table, plopping down in the booth opposite him. He glances up from his book and grins. The weight of his stare is heady, causing an ache to flare between my thighs and my heart to skip every other beat. It’s impossible to come to work without remembering how he fucked me raw on the counter, and having him here now, looking at me the way he is…

My stomach clenches, arousal spiraling through me at the memory, followed closely by the comfort in knowing he offers what I need and never asks for more than I can give. The mix of emotions twist and turn like a cyclone. When the storm passes and only the dust remains, it settles aroundhim. Because with Alex, everything I’ve been running from feels a little less dark. A little less scary. A little less suffocating. Because I know he’ll help me take the breath.

I pop a cold fry from his plate into my mouth. “I’ll have you know I just turned down girls’ night for you.”

He grins. “Oh?”

I nod, chewing slowly. “That’s right. So what are we doing on Friday?”

His head cocks to the side. “You don’t work?”

A smile splits my cheeks as I shake my head, my ponytail brushing along the top of my back. “Nope. I’m all yours if you want me.”

His eyes flash. “I always want you.”

My veins heat at his words. “Good.”

He watches me silently for a few moments. “I’m taking you out.”

“Like a date?” I ask, excitement buzzing in my stomach.

His lips tilt up. “Is that not okay with you?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s perfect. I’ve never been on one.”

His smile drops and he does that thing he does—that penetrating gaze that strips away my smile and sears beneath my skin.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I mumble.

He smirks, unwrapping a toothpick from his pocket and popping it in his mouth. “Like what?”

“All sad eyes and sexy.”

He chuckles. “I don’t know any other way to look at you, little bird.” He leans in close, his hands resting flat against the table. “You’re sexy as fuck.”

I suck in a breath, butterflies erupting in my stomach.

The bell chimes above the door and I hop up quickly, not wanting anyone to see me eye fucking another customer. But I can’t wipe the smile from my face.

A date.

* * *

It’s Friday night.Chase is with Susan and I’m...nervous.I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but a date has never been one of them.

There’s a knock on my door just as I finish smoothing down my blouse, looking at myself in the mirror one last time and cringing at what I see.

It’s a far cry from the fashionista I always dreamed of becoming, but when you don’t have two cents to rub together, you get used to making do with what you have. And the closest I have to a nice outfit is a ruched black halter style top and my nicest pair of Goodwill jeans. Blowing out a breath, my fingers swipe against my opposite wrist as I make my way to the front.

When I open the door, heat rushes to my cheeks, nerves tap dancing in my gut. Alex’s dark hair is slicked back, his teeth gleaming underneath my porch light with his smile. He holds a giant bouquet of red roses.

His eyes change as he drinks me in, his gaze burning me alive, and suddenly, this outfit doesn’t feel so ratty. Not when he’s staring at me like he wants to devour me whole.

“Hi,” I breathe. “Are those for me?” I point to the flowers.

He clears his throat, and he steps into me, having to duck slightly under the frame of the door. His lips skim my cheek as he hands me the bouquet. “Pretty flowers for a stunning girl.”

I grasp them, my fingers brushing against his, the simple touch sending my stomach flying into my throat. “Thank you, they’re beautiful,” I say, bringing them to my nose and inhaling the sweet fragrance.

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