Page 40 of Finding Lexie
“I left you some clothes in the bathroom,” Midas told her.
She blinked. “You did?”
“Yeah. They’ll be too big,” he warned. “You and I aren’t exactly the same size. But I figured you might not mind the too-big T-shirt. You’ll have to roll the sweatpants, but they should make do until you can find something that fits better. They do have a commissary on the ship, so you can get something in your size.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I also left two pairs of socks and a small bag. You can put your shoes and things in it so no one mistakenly throws them away.”
“Shit, you’re gonna make me cry,” Lexie said, as she lifted to a sitting position.
“Don’t do that,” Midas pleaded.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
Midas wasn’t sure who made the first move, but suddenly they were both leaning toward each other. Then their lips met. Unlike when they’d kissed in Galkayo, this kiss didn’t start out slow and easy. It was passionate and almost desperate from the get-go.
Midas had the use of his hands this time, and he palmed the back of Lexie’s head, holding her in place as he devoured her. She gave as good as she got, moaning in the back of her throat and clutching the front of his shirt as they kissed. He hadn’t shaved yet, and he was aware that his stubble was probably irritating her, but he couldn’t stop.
Their tongues dueled; he nipped her bottom lip, and she did the same. He tilted his head one way, then the other, all while holding her still for his assault on her lips.
Midas was hard as a pike, and he wanted nothing more than to push Lexie back on the bed and show her how much she was beginning to mean to him. But this wasn’t the time or the place. Anyone could walk in, and the last thing Midas would ever do was put Lexie in a position to be embarrassed.
He pulled back, but kept his hand on her head. He brought his other hand up and cupped her cheek. They were both breathing hard and he could see her pupils were dilated. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips were plump from their kiss. She was fucking gorgeous, and Midas hated to have to leave her.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“This isn’t goodbye,” he said, a little harsher than he’d meant.
She nodded.
“I mean it,” he warned. “The second you get off this ship, I want you to get a phone. Even one of those throwaway ones. I need to be able to talk to you. Find out where you are, what’s going on.”
“I’m sure Food For All can help me get one,” Lexie said.
“Good.”
He rested his forehead against hers and slowly untangled his hand from her hair. It was as if even her hair wanted to hold on to him, because it took a few seconds to free himself from the curly mass. “You’ve got this,” he said softly. “You’re amazing, Lexie. Things will work out. I know it.”
He didn’t know if he was talking about things between them working out, or her life in general, but it didn’t matter. He was well aware that Lexie didn’t need him. She was perfectly fine on her own. But he was beginning to think that he needed her. She made him want things he’d never even thought about before. Having a family. Doing more than merely existing between missions.
“I’ll let you know when we get back to Hawaii.”
She nodded.
Midas pulled back and sighed. It was time for him to go. “No goodbyes,” he said again.
She nodded.
“See you later,” he said softly.
“See you,” she echoed.
Midas stood and walked backward toward the door, not wanting to turn his back on her. He gripped the handle, took a deep breath, then pushed the door open before finally turning around to step out.
Each step down the hall was painful, but he vowed this wouldn’t be the last time he saw her. Somehow, someway, he’d see Lexie again and prove that the connection they felt was real. And not just a matter of circumstance.
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