Chapter 8 #3
That’s all over, completely shattered, when he looks at me with laughter and lust in his eyes.
His eyes draw me in every time and make me believe anything he says to me.
Like they’re weaving a spell over me, a spell I can’t break free from.
No other way to explain it. Why else would I spend the weekend with him, leave my house without telling anyone where I was, with only a vague text message saying I’m staying at a friend’s house.
I don’t do things like that… not when I was a teenager, and not when I was in college and free to do so. I did for him.
I brush a piece of his hair off his forehead. Watching his eyes slowly open, I smile. I could look into these eyes for the rest of my life. I hope I get to.
“I was watching you sleep.”
He looks at me, still groggy. His voice is low and gravelly—very sexy.
“I see.”
“I thought I would return the favor, since you’re always watching me sleep. I don’t know if I’m as cute as you say, but I can tell you, you look sexy as hell and downright adorable at the same time.”
“Adorable?”
“Don’t forget sexy.”
He gives me a sleepy, crooked grin.
“I’ll take it since you threw sexy in too. Why are you not sleeping? You have to get up in a few hours.”
“I just couldn’t sleep.”
“Does this have anything to do with the call from Chris?”
“A little.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Easy for him to say. I roll on my back and look up at the ceiling.
“If Chris knows about us, he will come to you. He won’t say anything to anyone before he talks to you and me.”
I hope so. I hope he doesn’t know.
“Go to sleep.” He pulls me close, half covering my body with his. I turn and he kisses me. If only I could stay here forever in his arms. I do not want to go home in the morning. I stay awake for a while thinking about nothing and everything until I fall asleep.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Nick looks up from the kitchen table, where he’s looking at some papers and holding his phone in one hand.
“You needed the rest.”
I walk over and sit next to him at the table. “What are you trying to say? I look haggard and tired?”
“Those words would never come out of my mouth.”
“That’s good, you were starting to sound like my mother.”
“She’s a liar. You’ve never looked haggard or tired a day in your life.”
I kiss him on the cheek for being sweet. I know there are days I look tore down and broke down.
“What kind of a kiss is that? This is the last morning I’m going to wake up with you here, I need a real kiss.”
I grab him by the tie and plant a big kiss on his lips, ending it with a smacking sound. “How about that?” My lips are still, almost touching his.
“You can do better than that. Here, let me show you.” He opens his mouth and kisses me, his tongue rolling around my mouth. I roll my tongue over his, and he moans his approval.
“Mmm, that’s a kiss.”
“Yes, it is, Mr. Alexander.” I put my finger to his lips when he tries to kiss me again. “Let’s not get carried away, we have to leave soon.”
He gives me a mock-wounded look, like a little boy whose candy was snatched away from him. I give him a stern look and use my teacher voice.
“That look won’t help you. We don’t have time for that.”
“What do we have time for? I have to be in court all day, and all I’m going to do is think about you. If I don’t have something, some poor guy might go to jail.”
“Really?” I question doubtfully.
“Really! Do you want that on your conscience?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want that. One more kiss and that’s it.”
“I think that would be the right thing to do. We can’t have people going to jail because I was denied the pleasure of a kiss from your luscious lips.”
“No, we can’t let that happen.”
This time the kiss lasts longer than I intended.
We get so caught up in the kiss that when his phone beeps, he doesn’t even stop to look at it.
His hands start moving up my rib cage, and his phone beeps again, and I quickly pull away before we end up having sex on the table.
I suddenly remember what Ava said about buying tickets to see us and smile.
Our foreheads are pressed together when I open my eyes, a little horny and out of breath.
“What are you smiling about?”
“Something that Ava said about us not being able to control ourselves around each other.”
“She’s right; when I’m around you I can’t stop myself from touching some part of you.”
“Do you think she’s like my personal relationship guru?”
“God help us! I hope not; she can’t solve her own man issues.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes at him. If he only knew she’s one of the reasons I’m here now. “Anyway, what are you doing tonight after work? Do you have a hot date?” I ask him, my eyebrows wiggling.
“The only hot date I would have is with you. Is there any way I can make that happen?”
“No.”
“Then I guess I’ll be home alone, working.”
“Good.” At least I won’t have to worry about him sleeping around with some dirty girl.
Hopefully. His phone beeps again. He picks it up with a smile and looks at the screen.
I stop talking when I see the look on his face change.
Whatever the message is, it’s not good. It’s the same look I saw on Friday when he was barking at Karen. “Bad news?”
His eyes look up at me, and I see the muscle working in his jaw. I know it’s not good. He hands me his phone. I don’t know if I should look at it.
I read what’s on the screen from a name I don’t recognize.
I can’t believe what I’m reading. Monday morning, it was all waiting to catch up with me.
To snatch me back to reality. I give him back his phone.
Congratulations on your engagement. I hear the pitter-patter of little feet may not be far behind.
“I’m going to find out how this got out.”
“It doesn’t matter—it’s out.”
“It’s not the truth.”
“To who?” I throw my hands in the air and cross them under my breasts. “It’s the truth to my family—the only people that really matter in this whole thing.”
“I’m going to try and do damage control on this. All it is is a rumor that will not be denied or confirmed.”
“It will be confirmed in a matter of weeks when she starts showing. Everyone’s going to know without her saying a word.”
“Cat—”
I stand up. I don’t want to deal with this. Nick stands up at the same time. “I have to go. I have to go home and get ready to go to the school. I told Mrs. Smith I was coming in.”
“Cat”—he put his hands around my arms and pulls me closer to him— “ I’m going to call you today, and you’re going to answer your phone when I call you.”
He’s not asking me a question, he’s telling me what’s going to happen. “Fine.”
“If you don’t answer when I call, I will come to you.”
I know he will. I nod my head, and he lets me go.
I go to the bedroom to get my things— only the purse I came with and my coat.
He’s standing by the door waiting for me, one hand in his pant pocket, the other rubbing the back of his neck.
He looks like a cologne advertisement. I look up at him, and he pulls me to him with a strong arm around my waist, his other hand still in his pocket. I have nothing to say.
“I love you.” He takes his hand out of his pocket and swings his finger back and forth between us. “This is going to work out. We are going to find a way to make it work.”
I wish that was true, but I don’t know how we can make us work together if it’s out in the open for everyone to see.
I’m scared it won’t, and I’m scared of the sacrifices we might have to make to be together.
He kisses me on the neck, pressing my body tight against his, on the spot he marked for everyone to see, and I push my fears aside for just a little while longer, luxuriating in his arms.