Page 80 of Beautiful Monster

“Is this what you called me in for?” she whispers breathlessly.

“No,” I answer into her neck. I fish my phone out of my pocket. While she watches, I open up the posts I was tagged in. I watch her eyes for panic, but there’s nothing there. Instead, her lips curl at the ends, making her eyes crinkle with a smile.

“This won’t stop. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll keep my hands to myself,” I say gently as she scrolls through the posts.

“And what if I don’t want you to?” She’s being cautious, testing the water. The old Alexander would have run scared at the slightest sign of commitment. She wants to know how serious I am about her.

“Then, I won’t let go of you for one second. Let them take their pictures.” My lips find the soft peak of her cheekbone as she smiles.

“And it doesn’t bother you if they think we’re together?” she asks softly.

“Think?”

Her eyes bore into mine, and she waits for me to speak. So often, I see Sunny’s hesitancy to speak up, the fear that she’s wrong, waiting for me to set the rules. My brave, headstrong, beautiful girl shouldn’t hesitate for anyone. Kissing her nose, I look into her eyes. “I don’t care who knows we’re together, Sunny.”

Winding my arms around her waist, I squeeze her closer, kissing her deeply and trying to feel the same confidence I just conveyed. Because it doesn’t matter to me, but I know it will cost something different for her, to be labeled as one of Caldwell’s flings. Even though I act like I don’t care, in truth it terrifies me. I’m pulling Sunny into my world, and I don’t know if she’ll still love me when she finds what’s hidden there.

CHAPTER 25

SUNNY

Alexander’s hand is warm in mine as we stroll through the market, artisan booths stationed on either side as the sun beats down on us. There’s a breeze in the air, making it a perfect day to be outside.

We drove separately from his sister, but she still walks beside us, and after her initial reaction to my dating Alex, she seems to have warmed up. I can tell she’s keeping herself guarded, like she doesn’t expect me to last long, so she won’t get attached.

Which is fine. If Alex doesn’t care about other people’s reaction to our relationship, then neither do I. Although, if I’m honest, I do notice people looking. They have the same initial reaction when they see him, then their eyes settle on me, and I’m not stupid. I know what they see. Young girl, excited to be seen with the most notable playboy in Pineridge. This month’s headline, forgotten by tomorrow.

But it all feels like distractions. The only thing that matters is what Alexander and I have, and it was born in that pool house, not out here in the public light of day. None of this will change us.

I trust us, and I know he does too.

He squeezes my hand and looks down at me with a smile. His eyes are hidden behind his Wayfarers, but I can tell he’s happy. I lean up and run my fingers through the gray flecks in his short hair before pulling his face down for a kiss.

“It’s a beautiful day,” he whispers while his sister is distracted. “But I want to go home.”

“Me too,” I reply with a smile, knowing what he’s thinking. All day I’ve been letting the events of yesterday, from skinny dipping to touching ourselves all the way to the moment he buried himself between my legs, run in a play-by-play loop in my head, soaking my underwear and sending nonstop flutters of excitement through my belly.

Being with Alexander was more than I expected. He’s so passionate, and yet gentle. All the fears of him screwing me up by just being with me seem so trivial now. We’re finally free—free to be together without these expectations. And even if he hasn’t said it yet, I feel his love. In the way he looks at me to the way he touches me. I’m not just a quick lay for Alexander, and I knew I wouldn’t be.

He lays his arm over my shoulders as we stop and peruse the handmade jewelry. When he finds me smiling at an azure gem in a rose gold pendant, he fishes out his wallet and hands his credit card to the merchant.

“You don’t have to do that,” I mumble, although to be honest…him buying me jewelry feels right. It feels like something a boyfriend would do, and I know it’s dangerous for me to think that way, but I do.

After the woman hands him back his credit card, he takes the pendant and fastens it at the back of my neck. Then, while no one is looking, I feel his lips gently graze the spot.

Turning toward him, I smile and wind his fingers in mine so we can continue our way through the market.

“Thanks for inviting us, Charlotte,” he says as we reach the end where the car is parked. He keeps my hand in his as he pulls his sister in for a hug.

“Yes, thank you,” I say with a smile as she takes my hand in hers.

“Sunny, I really hope you’ll look into that co-op. It’s a great opportunity for talented young artists like you.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I force the smile on my face. Any mention of that program sends a sudden pang of anxiety through my gut.

As we leave his sister, Alex and I practically run to the car, both eager to get home where we can be alone, but as we both climb into his Audi, it’s clear neither of us want to wait. As soon as the doors shut, he pulls my face to his and kisses me so fiercely, I lose my breath. My heart climbs up my throat and my need for him almost becomes painful.

“Let’s go home,” I pant. When he pulls away, I notice the way his chest moves, heavy and breathless.

Squeezing my fingers between his, he keeps our hands locked together as he starts the car. With a wink, he pulls out of the parking spot, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling like an idiot.