Page 91 of Power Play

Al likes me; he shows me every day how much I mean to him. But love is another story.

Last night, all he wanted was comfort. He needed something only I could give him. With any other guy, I’d be wondering why he didn’t want sex, if he wasn’t interested in me anymore.

Considering the way he woke me up with his head between my legs, then fucked me slowly, tenderly, until I came with a whimper, I know the fire burning between us isn’t in danger. He doesn’t have to be raring to go at all times. It doesn’t mean I’m losing him. It just means he’s a real person with thoughts and feelings that sometimes get a bit messy.

“What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Girl.” Audrey rolls her eyes. “Trust me, he does. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Better figure it out, quick,” Vanessa says. “Don’t just tell him. Show him.”

Now how do I do that?

Pozole simmers on the stove, the scent permeating throughout the house. Emmy is down for her nap, and I’ve showered, shaved, and put on a particularly spicy pair of undies beneath my leggings and oversized sweater.

Now all I have to do is… wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

After pacing the house for what feels like ten thousand years, I curl up on the sofa with my Kindle. Except I must fall asleep, because the next thing I know, Al wakes me up with a kiss to my forehead.

“Hmm?” I blink a few times, focusing on his tall, broad form leaning above me, still wearing his wool coat.

“Go back to sleep,” he murmurs, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. He plucks my Kindle out of my hands and sets it on the coffee table. “Get some rest. I just wanted to say hi.”

“No. I’m supposed to be seducing you.”

He chokes on a laugh. “Say what now?”

Pushing up, I struggle into a sitting position, and Al perches beside me on the couch, his warm brown eyes trained on mine. When I’m settled, he leans over and kisses me softly.

“Hi,” he whispers.

“Hi.”

Fisting the lapel of his coat, I tug him closer, kissing him for real this time. The groan he lets out rumbles through me, making my core throb with want.

When he pulls back, his face is flushed, and I run my hand through his hair. He leans into the contact, humming happily.

“What’s this about seduction?” He grins at me. “Eleven out of ten. Highly recommend.”

My face heats. “I made pozole, and I⁠—”

He stares at me. “You did what?”

“I asked Cari for your abuela’s pozole rojo recipe. I don’t know that I pulled it off, but I—I’m trying. I was going to light candles and had all these plans…”

“I know you are. I see you.” He takes my hand. “Pozole rojo is my favorite food.”

“I also got you a red Jarritos from a market in Jamaica Plain. I’m not sure if you can have it during the season, but I⁠—”

He cuts me off with his lips descending on mine. His fingers thread through my hair as he tugs me closer, pulling lightly enough at the strands that pinpricks of pleasure course through me.

“I love you,” he murmurs.