Page 82 of Hate It with You

When I pull back, Alex touches his forehead to mine, both of us smiling as we continue to hold each other.

“You were right,” he says.

“About what?” I ask.

“A kiss like that is more intimate than sex ever can be.” He smiles wider as I laugh, his lips coming to my neck to plant a few kisses there as he pulls me closer.

He nips lightly at my ear, heat rushing to my core at the promise of more before he whispers, “Would you like to have dinner with me?”

“We’ve had dinner together almost every night the past few weeks,” I say, unsure of what he means.

He chuckles. “I meant at a restaurant.” He pulls back. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

My heart swells as I look up at the man who stands before me, my smile spreading wider than ever before, my past fading behind me as I take the first step toward moving on and say, “I’d love to.”

36

ALEX

Standing in front of Beth’s apartment door, I twirl the bouquet in my hand. Another set of pink and white lilies, matching the very first bouquet I got her for her bookstore opening. Anticipation gnaws at me as I wait for her to open the door.

When I asked her to dinner a few days ago, I was elated that she had said yes. Finally breaking through the walls she’s put up is one of my most rewarding accomplishments. Though when I told her I loved her, I wasn’t expecting her to try to say it back.

That’s why I stopped her. I know she isn’t ready to tell me yet. To say it out loud would be admitting it to herself. It would mean that whatever is between us becomes real and concrete. I wait patiently for her outside her door, and I’ll continue to wait patiently for her to say those three words.

I have all the time in the world for her.

I’ve opted for my nicest black slacks, since Leo hates it when I wear jeans to his restaurant. I’ve paired it with a white button-down shirt, going for a casual look with a few buttons undone at the top, and my black blazer thrown on, left open, over it.

With a few silver rings, my small silver chain, and my clothes hugging me in all the right spots, it’s usually a killer look for a date.

Though when Beth opens the door, my outfit is nothing compared to hers.

“Wow,” I say, my jaw falling open as I stare at her.

She’s curled her hair, the waves falling around her bare shoulders. The thinly strapped burgundy dress she wears is tied at the back of her neck, the form-fitting material hugging every one of her curves, stretching over her hips and flowing to the floor. The dress is simple, paired with small jewelry accents that let her natural beauty and shapely body shine.

She does a small turn. “You like?” she says, smiling.

As she turns, I catch sight of her spine tattoo again, the dress cutting low down her back, barely covering her ass and only a few strands of fabric crisscrossing the phases of the moon etched into her skin. I’m still standing there, unmoving, in awe of her when she turns back around to hand me her coat.

“Could you help me with this?” she asks.

I stay silent as I take her coat, opening it so she can once again turn around and slip her arms into the fabric. When she turns to face me again, I pull her into me. My hand glides along her waist beneath her coat to the bare skin on her back.

I hold out the flowers to our side, shaking them as I hold her close, I say, “I got these for you.”

She smiles as she takes them from me. “Thank you, let me put them inside.”

After she sets them on her counter, she grabs a small purse and her keys, locking the door behind her.

Turning to face me again, she asks, “Ready?”

I can’t help myself when I crowd her, pushing her gently against her door as I rest a forearm against it above her head.

“Or we can skip dinner,” I smile slyly at her, leaning down to plant a whisper of a kiss to her delicately glossed lips.

When I pull back, she reaches a thumb up, wiping away the residual gloss that lingers on my lips. Her hand skates down my neck to caress my chest in the opening of my shirt.