Page 24 of Pillow Talk

Chapter 10

Alexa

I barely heard him come in, but when he caressed my cheek, I felt it in my core. And when he spoke words into the night I wasn’t meant to hear, those I felt in my heart.

“Why?” I sit up and reach for his shirt to cover myself.

“Alexa, it’s late…”

“Why did you bring me here?” The question hangs heavy in the air. Looks like tonight there will be pillow talk after all.

“To accompany me to events. You know all this.” His annoyed tone does not go unnoticed.

My expression must ask what I'm having trouble putting into words.

“And to show the partners that my break up with Tess was amicable. I need them to know that our breakup isn't going to cause any drama, and I can push through the merger and be done with her, once and for all.” He sighs, running his hands through his hair the way he does when he’s frustrated, and slowly paces away from me.

I try to let it go, take his word that she’s really gone, but the need for validation rears its ugly head.

“What did you really expect to happen?” The last part falls from my lips barely above a whisper.

He must've heard me because he stops pacing. Turning toward me, he replies, “What are you really asking, Alexa?”

I hold his gaze, even though I want to hide from the weight of his stare and the desire glaring in his eyes and I bit me lip.

"Fuck it." Downing his drink, he stalks toward me and sits the glass tumbler on the nightstand. Standing next to the bed, wearing only his suit pants, he makes my mouth start to water like Pavlov's dog.

He pulls me into an upright sitting position, bed soft beneath my knees. “What are you wanting to hear? That I wanted you that first night…seeing you in that diner, a 1950's walking wet dream. God, how I wanted you,” he moans.

I gasp at his confession, my heart pounding steadily. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"That's right." His hands grab my waist possessively, kneading my hips with his fingers.

"I wanted you with ketchup on your uniform and the scent of maple in the air, and I want you now in this bed, wearing my shirt. I wanted you. I want you. It's simple, really. But my life isn't so simple.”

I'm stunned, briefly, before finding my voice. "So you expected it to be physical from the start?" I'm not angry just curious. My brain is having trouble processing anything after he said,

I want you.

"No, not like you think. I wanted you; I'm not going to lie. But that's not why I offered you this arrangement."

Stepping away, he runs his hand through his hair, exasperated.

"I- I was having the worst night of my life, and I stumbled upon the diner. Not because I needed coffee, but I just wanted someone to talk to. I was actually headed for a bar, but I passed the diner first; and it was kind of like a sign because in the darkness I looked up to the window and saw you, standing there looking a little bit lost, yourself… and, I thought maybe we could be lost together. Sharing air, no more than simple conversation. Just a chance to not be alone.”

He walks toward me.

“I'm... I had no idea. Why were you so alone?” My heart breaks for this strong man who was lonely.

“Honestly, I had just caught my partner and Tess on my desk.” The shock registers on my face, I’m sure, because it feels like my brows just jumped into my hairline.

“I’m so sorry,” I offer, knowing I’m really not. Because, that would mean I wouldn’t be here with him.

“I’m not. I had a feeling it was going on, so I was about to call off our engagement anyway. Seeing someone I considered a brother, pounding into my fiancé from behind, was all the proof I needed.” He shrugs, showing no emotion.

When I remain silent, he continues.

“But then, you spoke to me that night, and the more I interacted with you, the more all the bad shit from my day just started to melt away. Even though I tried to maintain my solitude, you had me fighting back laughter with your stubbornness.” His honesty reaches into my soul, and I’m in awe that a simple act of kindness has such an impact.