Chapter 14
Alex
God. I’m not prepared for this. I went with my friend Mick to visit a friend in North Carolina for a few days, hoping the mountain air would clear my head. While it’s gorgeous there, all I could think about was how much Sunny would like it. I tried to force myself to consider the pros and cons of starting a relationship with my best friend’s little sister. But neither side seemed to win out. I feel stuck.
Returning home hadn’t given me any clarity either. And as much as I knew I needed to talk to Tuesday about what happened on the ship, I wanted to wait until I’d thought this through carefully and could come up with the right words to say to her.
Yet when Grace called telling me Tuesday was in trouble, I was out the door before giving it another thought. That right there should be my answer. She’s worth whatever risks come with dating her. The big question is, can I have a relationship with her, or anyone, for that matter, without hurting them in the end?
“What do we need to talk about?”
Is she kidding? There’s no way I’m alone in this. “That kiss.”
“Oh, it was nothing. We just got caught up in the night. That’s all. I’ll never speak of it. You don’t have to worry about Ainsley finding out.”
My hand immediately covers hers. I’m surprised I still feel a zing of electricity, given we’re both wearing sopping wet gloves.
“Sunny, I’m sorry.”
Tuesday
Here we go. This is where he lets me down gently. Well, too many days have passed for gentle.
“I shouldn’t have done that with Ainsley still in the picture. I never want you to be in the middle. I’m sorry I couldn’t control myself.”
And there it is. My head drops down to our hands as my stomach lurches.
“Please don’t take what I’m saying the wrong way. It wasn’t a mistake. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long, loooong time. It’s just complicated. And I don’t cheat. You and your brother may think I’m some sort of player, but I’m not like that.”
My face snaps to his, and I have to admit, I believe I missed most of what he just said.
“Sunny?”
“You’ve wanted to kiss me?”
“Yes.” I feel another gentle squeeze from his hand. “But this isn’t smart. Your family means everything to me. And Ricky is like the brother I always wished I’d had. Beyond him thinking I’m not good enough for you, I don’t want to lose every single one of you if it doesn’t work out for us. And I have no experience with relationships, so the odds are good against us not making it.”
What? He’s actually thought about this? “I guess none of this matters anyway. If you’re with Ains─”
“I broke up with her on the ship. That’s why we left early. I don’t want her linking you and me. She’s a catty, spiteful girl who’ll only tear you down to gain attention masked as sympathy. You didn’t do anything. But I don’t want you caught in the crosshairs.”
Reflecting on his statement, I have to admit he’s right. She’s no stranger to Real Housewives worthy drama at the rescue squad. There have been more than a few girls who’ve quit over her behavior. I don’t know why people tolerate her. But I guess there are mean girls everywhere. I’ve just been oblivious because I don’t hang with that crowd. I guess that’s one thing I can thank my overprotective family for.
We pull into the rescue squad parking lot, and I try to refocus on the task at hand. I have a responsibility to do my job, and I’m already late. “Thank you. Will you let me know where my car ends up so I can contact them about the repairs?”
“Sunny, wait.”
“I have to go. Thank you for telling me everything.” While I’m relieved I wasn’t rejected after all, it does little to change the fact he doesn’t want to pursue anything with me because of my family. I can’t allow myself to swoon over any feelings he may or may not have for me if they aren’t strong enough to force his hand.
“I’ll be back after I drop your car off.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. Your brother would kill me if I didn’t look out for you.”
I can’t help but wince.
“Sunny.” He grabs my hand again. “I’m sorry. I’ve hidden behind your brother for so long it’s almost a habit to say that. I want to help you. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“But why? I’m on duty until six in the morning.”
“I’m not leaving you here without a way home. And if a call for a tow comes in, I can respond from here as well as anywhere else. Heck, I’ll be an ambulance chaser. If you respond on a call where someone needs me, give them my card.” He winks again.
Stop that. You aren’t helping my situation with that panty-melting wink. “Be careful. I’ll see you later.”
* * *
Tuesday
“Good grief. I hope it slows down soon,” Hudson bellows. “This is exhausting. I’m glad enough of us were available tonight to staff three ambulances so we can take turns.”
“Maybe now that it’s gotten late, people will use some common sense and stay home,” Max adds.
“Common sense? What’s that?” A familiar voice interjects.
“Alex,” Max and Hudson greet simultaneously, holding out their hands to shake.
“Come to join us?” Allison asks, twisting her hair around her forefinger playfully.
“Well, not to respond on squad calls. Tuesday needed some help with an assignment due for class, and I need to give her a lift home since her car is now in the shop.”
A dejected pout crosses Allison’s face at his fictitious reply. Heck. I get it. I’m the poster child for dejected right now.
“You ready?” Alex directs toward me, and I almost forget the ruse he’s just created for being here. “Grab your backpack. Let’s get to work before another call steals you away.”
“Okay.” I follow him toward the bunk rooms. It’s getting late, and I’m irritated I didn’t think ahead to bring more than two granola bars with me. We normally stop to grab dinner but haven’t had a chance with all of the commotion.
Walking inside, I drop my backpack onto the twin bed along the wall as he plops down on the one opposite. Alex reaches into his heavy, oversized coat, retrieves a white paper bag, and tosses it to me.
“What’s this?”
“I figured you hadn’t had a chance to eat. It’s a turkey and cheese sub from Fancy Nosh.”
“Oh, I love that deli. I could kiss you right now.” My hand instantly flies to my mouth. I can’t believe I just said that.
“Ugh. You have no idea how much I want that. I’ve replayed that kiss over and over.”
He has? Suddenly, food is the last thing on my mind. “Do you find me attractive?”
“Jesus, Sunny. Of course I do. But your brother would kill me if I ever put my hands on you.”
Out of the blue, I’m feeling more emboldened than I ever have before. Any thoughts of food are tossed to the side. I want to be like the girls I’ve seen make their move on their prey here. Like the Ainsleys and Allisons of the world who take no prisoners.
Quickly I stand, kicking off my shoes, watching his curious eyes follow my every movement as I unzip my white squad coveralls and lower them down my body. I place them and my shoes at the foot of the bed to don at a moment’s notice if the tones of an incoming call should blare out. We were the last ambulance to take a call, so we should get a bit of a reprieve. I take a breath, trying to steady my nerves. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Lying back on the bed, feeling the weight of his heavy stare upon me, I turn and look in his direction. “Who said anything about you putting your hands on me?” I slide my hands into my top and massage my breasts.
“What the?” An audible gulp floats from his bed to mine.
I push forward, arching my back, deciding it’s all or nothing now. I slide my right hand seductively from my shirt down into my leggings.
“Jesus, Sunny. What are you doing?”
“I’m tired of waiting. I have needs too. If you won’t touch me, I’ll do it. Unless you’d rather I find someone─”
“No,” he blurts. “Fuck. This is dangerous.”
I make a show of fiddling with my panties so he’s fully aware I’m skin-to-skin and not touching myself through my underwear. Closing my eyes so I don’t die of mortification when he eventually stops me, I try to focus on my goal. I’m tired of the mixed signals. I want him to know I’m a red-blooded woman with needs. And that if he won’t step up and fulfill them, he needs a clear visual when he considers someone else might.
An audible click breaks through the silence, and my eyes fly open to find Alex locking the door to the bunk room. My pulse hastens, and I bite down on my lower lip as he towers above me.
“Do you think about me when you’re touching yourself?” he asks, his voice thick.
“Yes.”
A clear groan lilts above me, causing my back to arch in response.
“Is your pussy wet for me?”
“Yes.”
Another moan escapes his lips, and I notice his hands are balled into fists at his sides. “Slide your finger inside.”
I can’t help but pant at his request. I do as he asks and look up to find his normally chocolate orbs are almost black beneath his hooded lids.
“Are you a virgin, Sunny?”
“No.”
It’s difficult to read his expression. It’s a mix of relief and confusion. But there’s no time to ponder this as I’m immediately distracted by his large, muscular hand that’s now rubbing at the prominent bulge in his pants.
My eyes roll back in my head, and I let out a whimper at the thought of him pulling out his cock and stroking it for me. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but his reaction is everything I wanted and more. Well, short of ripping his clothes off and taking me here on this bed in a squad building full of people.
“I want to taste you.”
This elicits an uncontrollable gasp. No one has ever made such a statement, much less actually done it.
“Let me see your fingers, Sunny.”
What? I remove my hand from my panties and lift it peculiarly. Before I can consider whether to return to what I was doing, Alex leans forward, licking the pads of my fingers, and I struggle for breath.
“Fuck, you’re sweet. You’re killing me, Tues. Do you have any idea how badly I want you?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
“Drop your fingers back down and finish the job, baby. I want to watch you come.”
Oh. My. God.
Closing my eyes so I don’t completely flake out, I slide my hand back into my panties and swirl the pads of my fingertips over my swollen clit. I’m literally throbbing right now.
The sound of metal teeth clicking beside me causes my lids to pop wide, and I turn to see Alex reaching into his black boxers. Even with his pants still on, I can tell he’s big. My fingers dance feverishly over my wet folds as he strokes his concealed length beside me, my pace picking up each time the almost purple, wide crown of his dick peeks out of the top of his boxers.
“Alex,” I whimper, trying to keep my voice low.
“Fuck, Sunny. I want to feast on you right now. Kiss those ruby red lips, suck from what I bet are the prettiest tits I’ve ever seen, and devour that sweet pussy until you’re coming all over my face.”
“Oh, god.”
“Has anyone ever eaten you before?”
“No.”
A delicious smirk lifts one corner of his mouth as he tugs harder on his cock.
“Alex, I’m…”
Squatting down by the bed, he places his mouth next to my ear. “Get it, beautiful girl. Come for me.”
My body starts to convulse; the sounds of ecstasy tumbling from my lips are, I’m sure, far too loud for this public place. As if he’s read my mind, his delicious mouth is on mine, swallowing my sounds as my shaking starts to subside.
“I need your hand, baby.”
His words break through the fog, and I slide my hand free as I did earlier. Alex’s lips wrap around my fingers, and his groan vibrates against my trembling hand. All of a sudden, he pulls them free as profanity collides with my palm. The sight of him is like nothing I ever imagined. With his eyes closed, head thrown back, Alex stills, moaning incoherently as I only assume he empties into his hand.
What on earth have we just done?