Chapter 19
The cool surface of the door presses into my back as Alex lifts me, his hips rolling against mine, dragging a soft, involuntary whimper from my throat.
His hands move quickly after that, one sliding beneath my jaw to tilt my face where he wants it.
Oh God. This is happening.
His mouth finds mine, warm and insistent, and I meet him without hesitation, matching his rhythm as the kiss deepens. Another quiet sound slips from me, swallowed by the heat of his mouth, by the way he doesn’t give me space to think.
I catch his bottom lip between my teeth and tug, just enough to feel the shift before I let go. My head tips back against the door as I release him, and the groan he makes in response sends a sharp, heated thrill through me.
“You went to war for me,” I breathe.
Alex opens his eyes, the love-drunk haze sharpening into something so intense I almost look away. He leans in, nose brushing the curve of my throat, his voice a low murmur against my skin, dark and full of promise.
“You have no idea the hell I would raise for you, Taylor.”
A gentle bite at my earlobe draws a soft inhale from me, my lower lip catching between my teeth in response. Heat unfurls low in my stomach as his mouth moves, tracing along my jaw, then back to lips.
This is more than a kiss. It’s worship. It’s reverent.
It’s everything and still not enough.
If I could, I’d hold onto this moment, tuck it somewhere safe for the hard days waiting back home. Something to remember when things feel too heavy, too loud.
Because this isn’t just physical, not for me.
It’s the way he’s holding me, the way he’s choosing me like there’s no other option. And it sinks into me deeper than anything I can name, deeper than anything I’ve felt before, like I was always meant to end up here, with him.
My hands find his hair, fingers tangling in the soft waves as I tug him closer. I can’t help it and I don’t want to. Stopping what’s growing between us would be impossible now.
With a low grunt, Alex carries me toward his bed and lays me down gently. I make room, and he fills it instantly, settling beside me on his side, propped up on an elbow.
His other hand traces slow, teasing circles across my chest, then feathers over my collarbone.
My eyes grow heavy as I watch his fingers move over my skin. I’ve never paid attention to hands before, but my God—Alex’s are beautiful. My gaze drifts higher, following the movement of his forearms. I want to run my tongue along the perfectly sculpted muscle there.
He hums softly, like he’s heard every thought, then trails his hand upward, tilting my chin with his finger so I’m looking straight into his ocean eyes.
Tension crackles between us.
Alex licks his lips. A slow, intentional tease that floods my senses. A devilish smile cuts across his face before he closes the distance again.
I’m floating.
Drowning, lost in every sensation he’s pulling from me. Our kiss is heat and pressure, sharp edges and swallowed sounds. My hands slide up his arms, press over his chest, and trace their way down his back
I break the kiss first, chest rising too fast as I focus on the steady movement of his hand gliding up and down my belly. Each pass drifting a little lower than the last.
Hot breath brushes my lips as I look up at him. He’s watching me closely, searching my face for something. Hesitation or maybe permission.
“Can I touch you?” His voice breaks slightly, rough with restraint. “I want to touch you—fuck, I need to touch you—but only if you want it too.”
A shaky breath slips out of me as I nod, pulling him closer instead of answering right away. My hand cups his jaw, the faint scratch of stubble grounding me, holding his attention.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
His eyes flick between mine, searching one last time for any doubt. When he finds none, his expression softens into relief, quiet and unmistakable.
“Okay,” he murmurs, voice rough. His hand moves with new certainty, like my answer was the most precious thing in the world. And in this moment, maybe it was. “Okay.”
My breath catches as his fingertips slide beneath the waistband of my shorts, warmth meeting the heat already pooling low in my stomach. I moan at the first brush, as he traces over the thin lace covering me.
“Fuckkk…” Alex groans against my neck. “You’re already so wet for me, Taylor. Holy shit.”
Whatever restraint he had left snaps.
His hands tighten on my shorts and panties, pulling them down my legs and letting them fall to the floor beside the bed. In one swift motion, he’s over me again, kissing me with deep, deliberate strokes. His lips, his tongue, all intent, all claim.
Goosebumps pebble my skin as he slides his middle finger through my wetness, circling my clit with a slow, deliberate tease that makes me want to scream. My hips roll into his touch, and Alex grins against my lips.
“Oh, my beautiful girl,” he murmurs. “You like that?”
“Just like that, please.” I moan, rolling my hips again as I crush my mouth against his. His hand works me into a frenzy, and my kiss turns sloppy as I climb higher.
A rumble from Alex’s chest lets me know he doesn’t mind.
Just as I’m inching toward the edge, he pulls back, removing his hand entirely.
“What—”
The protest dies on my lips when I open my eyes to find Alex maneuvering down my body, settling between my legs. I fall back against his pillow with a breathy moan.
This man. Where has he been my whole life?
“I’m not done with you yet.” His voice drops even lower. “There’s no way I’m wasting the chance to finally have your taste on my tongue.”
He presses his forehead just below my belly button and inhales deeply, exhaling on a low, unmistakable sound.
“Not a fucking chance.”
With that, he lowers his head and peppers kisses along my inner thighs. I try to keep them open, but it tickles, and I let out a breathless giggle. He nips at my skin, sending a jolt of pleasure racing up my spine.
When his mouth finds my center, he presses a flat tongue against me and drags a slow, deliberate stroke upward.
Stars explode behind my eyes.
He alternates between licking and sucking, slipping a finger inside me and moving with slow, steady intent. A second follows, stretching and filling me as his mouth works in tandem with his hand.
My thoughts scatter completely.
“Alex—oh God, I can’t… I’m going to—” The words fall apart on my tongue, spilling out broken and incoherent anyway.
Piercing blue eyes meet mine as he pulls away just enough, his fingers still moving at a steady, deliberate pace.
“You can. And you will.” He drawls with a smirk. “Be a good girl, Taylor. Come for me, baby.”
He lowers his head again, working me in the same rhythm he’s already figured out. With his words still ringing in my mind and the steady curl of his fingers, my body gives in.
“Alex!” I cry out as pleasure crashes through me like lightning. My body tightens, then releases in a fierce, trembling wave that leaves me shaking, curling in and then melting back with a breathless moan.
But Alex doesn’t stop.
He licks through it like a man starved, like my taste is everything he’s ever needed. As I lie back, coming down from the peak, a deep groan rumbles against me.
“Fuckkk…”
Alex drops his head against my lower belly, breathing hard. His shoulders rise and fall with the effort as he stays there, grounding himself, not rushing the moment.
He stays there a little longer than is comfortable.
“Hey,” I whisper, propping myself up into a sitting position. “Are you okay?”
Alex sucks in another long breath, then pushes up onto his knees, settling back on his heels to face me. His chest rises and falls fast, a faint pink flush staining his cheeks.
My grumpy storm cloud blushing might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
His expression, however, is off. I narrow my eyes, trying to figure out what’s happening. He looks away quickly, then bites his lip. Confused, I glance down… and clap a hand over my mouth to hide my growing smile.
On the front of Alex’s thin, light gray cotton pants is a dark, unmistakable spot, right where the tip of him is still pressed.
My eyes widen, and I reach for him. He’s as human as he is impossible, and somehow, I like him even more for it.
He braces his hands on his thighs, dropping his head between his shoulders. “I swear, this is not a problem I’ve ever had before,” he mutters. “It’s just… been a while.”
He lifts his gaze to meet mine, the look almost pleading, and I cave immediately, moving toward him.
I cup his face in both hands, then kiss him sweetly on the lips. He tastes like me, and him, and every bit of trust that’s growing between us.
I can’t get enough, so I do it again.
“It’s okay, really.” I nudge his nose with mine. “But you know what this means, right?”
He gives me a wary look. “What does this mean?”
“This means you definitely, absolutely, totally like me and can’t pretend otherwise anymore.”
I beam at him, his shoulders relax, and then we’re both laughing, because this was definitely not on either of our bingo cards for today.
“I’m going to go get cleaned up. And, you know… change my pants,” Alex grumbles, scrubbing both hands over his face.
I smile to myself, nodding, and press my lips together. They’re warm and swollen in that just-kissed way that makes my heart jump.
As Alex slips into the adjoining bathroom, he leaves the door ajar. Which I take as an invitation because I also need to clean up after baking all day and, well… after what we just did.
I don’t bother with the clothes on the floor. I just head into the bathroom, where Alex is at the sink, his hands gripping the waistband of his pants. His surprised expression meets mine in the mirror.
I trail my fingers across his back as I slide past him toward the shower. With my back to him, I pull my shirt off over my head, then toss it in his direction before turning the water on and stepping inside.
A mumbled, “Fuck me,” reaches my ears as I slide the glass door shut behind me. Through the textured glass, I see Alex’s silhouette—still, watching—with my shirt draped over one shoulder.
His shower is immaculate. Organized in a way I could never achieve. A neat row of dark amber bottles with cream labels in… French, maybe?
I pick one up, carefully unscrewing the lid, and inhale deeply. Spiced bourbon. Oaked vanilla. Perfectly Alex.
The consistency makes it clear that it’s body wash, and I can’t resist pouring some into my hands, working it into a rich lather and smoothing it over my skin.
As I angle my face under the stream of water, eyes closed, I hear the glass door slide open.
Warm hands travel up my arms, settling between my shoulders where strong thumbs begin working out the tension that’s taken up residence over the past few weeks.
I groan, tilting my head to the side to give him better access to the tight muscle at the base of my neck. Alex obliges immediately, focusing on exactly where I need him.
After a few minutes, I turn to face him and inhale a sharp breath as I take him in.
Water slides over him, tracing the lines of muscle as he moves.
His chest is solid, defined with a light dusting of hair, his breath rising and falling in a way I can’t ignore.
When he reaches for one of the bottles, his stomach tightens, the movement revealing a quiet strength as his body flexes around mine. Not model-perfect—thank God.
He obviously takes care of himself. But he also lives in his body, not denying himself the things he enjoys. He’s real and that makes him completely devastating.
His hands find my hair, guiding my head under the water, snapping me out of my thoughts. His knowing smirk makes my cheeks heat. Busted.
“You know,” he starts, voice low, pouring shampoo into his hands before working it into my hair. “I could get used to this. And I really fucking love that you’ll be walking around all day tomorrow smelling like me.”
His lips find mine in a sweet kiss that contrasts the hunger that existed before. My eyes flutter closed as his hands continue their careful work.
We don’t rush the shower, taking our time as we wash each other, kissing under the water as steam gathers around us.
When my fingers are wrinkled and my skin is flushed, Alex finally leads me out. He wraps me in a fluffy white towel, drying me off before pulling one of his T-shirts over my head.
He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose, then dresses himself.
“Stay with me tonight, yeah?” His voice is warm and unguarded. This intimate version of him settles deep in my chest, right between my ribs.
I nod.
We slide into bed, and he immediately pulls me into him. One strong arm wraps around my waist, drawing me back against him with a quiet hum.
Everything smells like him. The pillows. The blanket. Me. And it’s quickly becoming a scent I don’t think I could live without.
My eyes drift closed, rehashing everything that’s happened today.
But Alex turned it into something else entirely—standing up for me, saving my bake, and showing me a side of himself I didn’t know existed.
I’m asleep before I even realize I’m falling.