Chapter 10
ELIJAH
“Thanks for the save,” Alex mutters as he slides into the back seat of my town car, looking like he barely escaped with his life. “Those girls can be brutal.”
I chuckle, stealing a glance at his outfit—dark jeans, fitted white T-shirt, and blue-and-white Adidas that somehow make him look effortlessly expensive. Add in the scruff on his jaw, and holy hell… he’s every bit the high-fashion model that he is.
I slide in beside him. Not only does he look good, he smells really good too. Like spicy vanilla with a hint of—
“Coffee. It’s coffee,” he says, laughing as he catches my nose practically twitching. That damn dimple flashes on the left side of his face. “Spilled the whole damn thing on me.”
“Was I that obvious?” I grin back as Steven eases us away from the curb.
“Obvious?” Alex scoffs. “You practically sucked all the oxygen out of the car. It’s a wonder we’re still breathing.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I place my hand over his, and he startles.
“Do you think she knows?” he asks.
Ah, so that’s what this is about. All the nervous twitching and weird energy. I should have guessed. He’s a straight man, after all. Or at least he had been prior to Friday evening. Now he’s back in his head, overthinking everything.
I get it. I really do.
And yet… yeah, I’m disappointed.
“Emilee?” I say gently. “She’s a smart girl, Alex. I’m sure she suspects something is up.”
He slips his hand out from under mine and slaps his palms across the top of his thighs, bouncing them anxiously.
Maybe I need to slow down. Take him on a real date.
Christ, I haven’t dated in years.
And I’ve definitely never dated a straight man.
To say I’m nervous is an understatement.
And now Gabriel’s popping into my head. I really need to talk to him—set up some boundaries. The last thing I want is for Alex to feel on edge around him. Gabriel’s a lot, especially with his dirty sense of humor. It takes some getting used to. But he’s harmless.
“I’m sorry,” Alex says, pulling me from my thoughts.
To my surprise, I look down and see my own palms sliding across my thighs—mirroring him.
?Carajo!
I’m used to being affectionate, used to holding hands with my husband. But this isn’t Gabriel. And I need to be mindful that not all men are wired the same way.
I settle my hands in my lap.
“No need to apologize,” I say softly. “So… have you given any thought to Emilee going to Spain? Ana’s really excited.”
His smile returns—tentative, but real—and I finally exhale.
“I sure have. I think I’ll allow her to go.”
Then—out of nowhere—he places his hand back over mine.
I freeze. Not sure if it was intentional. Not sure what it means.
But I don’t move.
“She’ll have a blast with Ana,” he continues, his hazel eyes meeting mine as his thumb gives the lightest, most deliberate squeeze.
“And Gabriel’s very nice. Plus…” His voice drops just slightly. “I trust you. And I’m glad we met.”
Well, damn.
Didn’t expect him to say that.
I open my mouth to respond, but—nothing comes out.
Which rarely happens.
If Gabriel were here, that fucker would be howling.
I lean in and press a soft kiss to the corner of Alex’s mouth. “Let me take you to dinner tonight.”
He shifts in his seat. “Oh. Well… but… I mean…”
“Dinner, Alex. It’s just dinner.”
I touch his face, getting momentarily lost in those shimmery eyes.
“Elijah,” he breathes, barely a whisper. “God, this is all new to me. I’ve never been with a man before.”
I hush him with a finger to his lips. “Mmm… pretty sure you were with one Friday night. And again Saturday morning. And—”
“Okay, okay. I get it.” He groans, pulling my hand away, chin dropping to his chest.
I gently tilt it back up. “Hey. I’m not asking you to have sex with me. Just dinner. You eat, don’t you?”
He exhales deeply and starts counting under his breath.
What the hell?
But then—
“I can do dinner,” he says finally, crashing into my spirit and bringing the biggest smile to my face.