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“You can tell yourself that all you want, but I know different. They’ll be here in twenty. I suggest you go shower.”
I want to continue our discussion, but I need to shower more, so I race off to make myself presentable.
* * *
Alex
Sabrina’s wearingthe cutest navy shirt dress, cinched at the waist with a thin black leather belt, and black ballet slippers on her feet. Try as I might, I can’t stop looking at her legs. She’s petite, but her legs are perfectly toned, and when she’s sitting, her dress rises, exposing her creamy thighs. I force myself to tear my gaze away, which is completely unhelpful. Soft silky curls fall around her heart-shaped face. Torture. This is utter torture. I want Sabrina so badly and want her to feel safe with me.
She sits next to me on the sofa, while Chloe is on Damian’s lap in the armchair. After stuffing ourselves full on dinner, we’re all in a food coma. Throughout the evening, I draped my arm across the back of the sofa and every so often allowed myself to casually run my fingers up and down Sabrina’s arm. I felt her tense for a split second before relaxing and leaning toward me.
Damian starts teasing Chloe, and she bursts out laughing. Sabrina follows her lead. It’s a laugh that’s free. A true joy to listen to. I want to be the one to do that for her.
Chloe and Damian take their leave, and as Sabrina shows them out, I pitch in to put away the leftovers and discard the empty food containers.
“You don’t have to do all that. I can get it later,” she says from the other side of the counter.
“If I eat, I help clean. Only fair,” I say, finishing up.
“Thank you.” Her voice is quiet. She’s biting her lower lip again, and I can’t tell you how much I want to have a taste of my own.
“I should be going.” I need to get out of here before I push too fast and too hard. I grab my jacket and pull it on. When I next look at her, she seems disappointed. Even the strained smile on her lips can’t hide it. “Walk me to the door?” I ask.
As I’m ready to depart, she lowers her eyes. I can’t leave her this way. I slam the door shut and with one swift movement, I have her back to the door. She stares up at me in shock.
“I’m going to kiss you. I’ve wanted to for months. The only reason I’m telling you is because I don’t want to scare you. I’m going to count to three, buttercup. If you don’t want this, you need to tell me.” I pause, then start counting. “One.” I bend my head, moving our lips closer. “Two.” My lips hover over hers.
A breathy murmur escapes Sabrina’s sweet lips. “Three.”
Her lips tremble beneath mine, parting slightly to let me in. I brace my hands on either side of her head, with only our mouths joined. Her lips are soft and supple, melding with mine. An electric pulse surges through my body. I lick the seam of her lips with my tongue, and when she opens for me, I kiss her deeper.
When I finally pull back, her eyes blink open. I trace my fingers over her cheek, and tuck a tendril of hair behind her ear, touching my forehead to hers.
“I want to do more of this with you,” I rumble in her ear.
“Me too.” She locks her gaze with mine. Her eyes grow sad, and she sighs before saying, “I want this, but I’m scared.”
“Of me?”
She shakes her head. “Of me. Look at you. You’re perfect. Then look at me.” She’s about to go on when I stop her.
“Don’t finish that. We choose our future. Do you know what I see when I look at you?” I don’t wait for her to respond. “A smart, sexy, caring, woman.I see you.”
Her hand cups my cheek, and she touches her lips to mine. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
“We’re in this together.” As much as I don’t want to leave her, Sabrina needs time to come to terms with what I’m proposing. She needs to want this as much as I do, and I want her to be all in. As difficult as it is, I take a step back. “I’m going to leave you to think about us and whatyouwant. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I rub my nose over hers and take in her scent once more before pulling her away from the door and making my way out. “Don’t be polite. I want to hear you lock the door.”
I hear the click of the locks snapping into place. As I walk to my car, I think of all the women I’ve had in my life. Most were just sex. Not that I would take advantage of a woman like that. Damian’s dad taught us too well how to treat a woman. Any woman I’ve been with knew the score and understood we were both in it for a good time. There’ve been many women, and many much more experienced than Sabrina. Yet, nothing compares to what Sabrina and I shared with our first kiss.
Giving her the night to think about us is my way of giving her time to get used to the idea. The thought of going home to an empty house sucks. My place rocks. It’s a great bungalow, completely remodeled. I’m proud of the work I’ve done to it. Caleb, Damian, and Zeke helped, but mainly I put in the bulk of the work. As amazing as my place is, I’m going to miss sleeping on Sabrina’s double bed in her tiny bedroom.
FIVE
Missing
SABRINA
It’s been years since I’ve had a decent night’s sleep. However, the last two nights, I’ve slept soundly with Alex beside me. The world ceases to exist outside these walls when it’s just us. The past becomes a distant memory, and I’m living in the here and now.
