Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Well, maybe you should think about dating a non-dancer.” I gave him a pointed look.
“You certainly make a convincing case.” Alexander offered a rare blush, eyes dropping as if he too was recalling the earlier kiss. I’d make more of a case for myself after he was fed. He took another bite before asking, “And how about you? Why don’t you already have someone to dote on? That teacher can hardly be the only offer you’ve had.”
“You’d think.” I echoed his world-weary pragmatism. “I’m a short, skinny nerd more concerned with gaming than partying or things like dating apps. I haven’t exactly been drowning in potential boyfriends.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Alexander ruffled my hair with a light touch. If all it took to unleash playful Alexander was soup and a bath, I would have thrown him in a tub weeks ago. “You’re amazing. Friendly. Thoughtful. Great dimples. You’re a catch.”
“I tend to be oblivious, I guess.” Where Alexander could blush with the faintest tinge of a pretty rose shade, I tended toward bright red with pizza-oven heat to match. I placed a hand on my flaming cheek. “I suppose there have been a few chances for more than making out, but nothing ever felt quite right.”
“Wait for it to feel right.” Alexander’s tone turned urgent as he set his now-empty soup bowl back on the tray. His gaze met mine, and cherry-red cheeks or not, no way was I looking away.
“What if it already does?” I whispered. He didn’t break eye contact, so for the second time that day, I leaned in. As earlier, I moved slowly, preferring he meet me halfway or give me some sort of signal that my kiss was welcome. Alexander ran a hand over my hair, sifting the strands before trailing his fingers to my jaw. Emboldened, I dipped my head to press a kiss to his fingers.
He swept a thumb across my lips, and my heart pounded. This might be the most critical moment of my whole life. And then he kissed me, no more deliberating on my end, simply the sweetest kiss. Alexander had said earlier that he wasn’t kind, but he kissed me with a generosity and tenderness that spoke to an untapped well of goodness.
Maybe you’re special, he’d said earlier. He certainly kissed me like I was. When he performed, his single-minded intensity was almost frightening, but when he turned all that focus my way, the last thing I felt was fear.
And then he stopped, head falling back as he groaned.
“Rudy.” His voice was rough, tortured. “I’m going back to Seattle. I already have a ticket. I’m a very bad choice for your first time.”
“Yeah, well, you’re my choice.” The moment called for decisiveness, so I made my tone firm even as my insides quivered. “Let me make my own choice. I’m not asking for forever. But I want this.” I touched his lips as he’d done mine. “I want it to be you.”
“You deserve…” He trailed off, shaking his head helplessly.
“You. I deserve you. You’re my friend. We care about each other.” I took a breath. He probably wouldn’t own up to the caring, but his actions said otherwise. “And yes, maybe we only have a few more weeks left of the holiday season and your visit, but why waste what time we’ve been given?”
Alexander groaned softly. “It’s hard to argue with you when you look at me like that.”
“Like I want you to kiss me again?” I asked hopefully.
“Like that, yes.” Without further deliberation, he kissed me again. This kiss was full of promise, playful like his earlier teasing, and decidedly erotic as his tongue traced my lips. Heat licked at the base of my spine. I yanked at his layers of blankets, and he helped, opening his arms so I could join him under the covers.
“Oh.” For all that I liked my coffee dessert-level sugary, I’d never tasted anything as sweet as Alexander’s next kiss. And the one after that. His tongue tangled with mine. He was the far more nimble kisser, but I caught on quickly. I ran a hand down his neck, toying with the collar of his robe. Curious, I pressed a kiss on the smooth skin of his neck, scarcely any stubble.
He moaned softly, then yawned. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of my luck.
“Are my kisses that boring?” I teased.
“Hardly.” He gave me a swift, deep kiss, leaving me breathless before he pulled away for another yawn. “Damn it. I might be too tired for much more than kissing tonight.”
“It’s all right. There’s always tomorrow.” And for the first time, I truly believed there might be a tomorrow for us, one where we could kiss again and again until the calendar hit the new year.
Nineteen
Sauté: to jump.
Alexander
“Good morning.” Rudy’s voice tickled the edges of my consciousness. The scent of coffee drew me awake. Rudy? In the pool house? Bearing coffee?