Page 124 of Heartbreak & Cupcakes
SADIE
As we drovethrough the city, I stared out the window and did my best to not hyperventilate. There was something different between Alex and I tonight. It was palpable. Even more palpable than the energy normally was between us.
His attention on me was more…focused. More intense. More present.
“How was your week?” The deep timbre of his voice shot straight to places in my body that his innocent question shouldn’t cause to light up like Times Square.
“It was…” I swallowed over the knot of arousal that had lodged itself in my throat. “It was busy.”
I’d never been a shy person, especially in a one-on-one situation. But as I glanced over at Alex, I felt my cheeks heat and I dipped my head.
Get it together, Burke, I barked at myself.
Alex had picked me up ten minutes ago and I still couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. All week I was sure that he was going to cancel. Every time my phone alerted me to a notification, I was convinced that Alex was going to tell me that he’d changed his mind.
Unlike the event at City Hall, tonight I hadn’t had a glam team. He’d offered, of course, but I’d declined. Mia had sent a collection of gowns, which I did appreciate. I’d put on a fashion show for Charli and we’d both decided on the simple, open back, black A-line with a wide waist and a slit that reached my hip. It was daring, yet conservative.
And when I’d opened the door and Alex had seen me, I knew it had been the right choice. He’d just said one simple word.Wow.Coming from Alex Vaughn wow said a lot.
And as I sat in the back of the SUV and crossed my legs, causing my thigh to be on full display thanks to the slit that went up to my hip, I was so happy that Charli had talked me into getting a spray tan. My hair was down around my shoulders in soft waves, and Charli had given me a smoky eye with red lips.
I felt…beautiful but also like myself. The best version of myself.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex’s hand lift. The next thing I knew he was brushing the hair that had fallen in my face, behind my ear. The hair that I was currently using to hide behind. The roughened pads of his fingertips grazed my sensitive skin and caused every inch of bare skin to lift in goosebumps.
I sucked in a sharp breath and forced myself to lift my eyes to meet his. When our gazes locked, the intensity in his stare stole what oxygen was left in the back of the SUV.
“How’s Lexi?” I asked breathlessly.
“She’s good. She misses you.”
“I miss her.” I hadn’t realized how much I’d miss that little girl. But ever since I’d moved back to my apartment, it felt like a part of me was missing. I also missed Alex, but I decided not to disclose that information. “I went and saw Mrs. G. She said she’s probably going to be ready to go home in a couple of weeks.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I spoke to Charli and she said the same thing.”
It was strange that he and Charli spoke when I wasn’t around. I wondered if they got along. Charli could be a bit, or a lot, of a ball buster. But something told me that Alex could handle whatever she dished out.
I wished I could be a fly on the wall hearing their conversations.
Alex continued to stare at me and the energy between us crackled with intensity. It was strange to be so aware, so attuned to another human being. Alex wasn’t touching me but I could feel him everywhere.
“You have no idea how fucking beautiful you are, do you?”
The low rumble of his deep voice was just as much, if not more, potent than the incredible words he’d spoken.
My head was spinning, and I felt lightheaded as Frank announced, “We’re here!”
The SUV came to a stop and I saw that we’d pulled up to a pier. Tonight’s event was apparently happening on a boat. As if this entire thing couldn’t get more magical.
Frank started to get out, but Alex stopped him. “I’ve got it.”
Alex got out of the car and came around to my side. As he walked, Frank looked back at me, “Have a great time, young lady.”
“Thanks, I’m sure I will.”
The next thing I heard was the click of my door. When it opened, Alex stood on the other side with his hand extended. He looked like a handsome prince and I felt like a princess at the ball. But I had to remember that this wasn’t a fairytale. Nothing in life was.
If I let myself, I’d spin this night, our relationship, into an epic love story. The reality was, Alex had asked me to attend this event with him. He hadn’t asked me to be his girlfriend or pronounced his undying love to me. It was one night.
