There was an issue at one of the buildings we were hired for and after I went there and calmed some people down, I stopped by the house for lunch since it was only ten minutes away. When I stepped inside, I saw Alex sitting on the couch playing my guitar and singing Stand by You. I hid around the corner and listened. When she strummed the last chord, I began to clap, and she jumped up from the couch and placed her hand over her heart.
“Jesus Christ, Stefan. What the fuck?!”
“Sorry.” I grinned as I walked over to her. “I came in and didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”
“I live here, remember?” I smirked.
“You know what I mean. Why aren’t you at work?”
“I was at a job ten minutes away and I thought I’d come home for lunch. You played and sang that song great. You have a real talent, Miss Clark,” I spoke as I walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and took out the mayo, ham and cheese.
“Thanks.” She followed me into the kitchen and leaned over the island across from me as I made a sandwich. “I was practicing a few songs and brushing up on my skills if I decide to play at Julia’s coffee shop.”
“I think you should. Remind me I need to order my mom some flowers for her birthday.”
“That’s right. It’s this Wednesday, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and Sebastian better not be making you bartend that night. We’re having a party for her at his house.”
“He’s not. I’m only bartending tonight and Thursday.”
I couldn’t stop staring at her beautiful cleavage as she was leaned over the island. My cock started to misbehave like it always did when she was around. I wanted her, and I wanted her now. Taking the tip of the butter knife, I dabbed it into the jar of mayo and wiped it on her tank top.
“Stefan, what are you doing?!” She stood up straight and grabbed a napkin.
“Oops. My bad. Did I do that?” The corners of my mouth curved upward as I set down the knife and walked over to the other side of the island. “You better take that off and throw it in the wash before the stain sets.” My finger gripped the bottom of her top and pulled it over her head.
“You’re washing that,” she said as I tossed it on the floor.
“Uh-huh.” My lips met hers for a passionate kiss.
Her arms wrapped around my neck as my hands unhooked her bra.
“What if I don’t want to have sex right now?”
“Nonsense.” I unbuttoned her shorts and stuck my hand down the front of them.
She let out a moan as my fingers reached her entrance.
“Still debating whether or not you want to have sex?” I whispered as my tongue slid across her neck.
“Nope.” Her fingers unbuckled my belt.
“I didn’t think so.”
Alex
After he left to go back to work, I sat down on the couch, brought my knees up to my chest and leaned my head back. My body was still trembling from head to toe. Getting up, I went into my room and pulled out my journal from under the mattress, opened it to my dream guy checklist and started checking off the boxes.
Hard worker – check
Makes me laugh – check
Protective – check
Handsome – check
Dresses with style - check
Tells me I’m beautiful – check
Compliments me on other things besides looks - check
Excellent kisser – triple check
Kind – check
Sweet – check
Respectful – check
Emotionally available -
Good with kids – triple check
Apologizes after a fight – check
Texts me good morning/good night – N/A since I live in his home.
Comes from a good family – check
Close with his parents and siblings – check
Likes to cuddle – check (from the few times we have)
Will notice when I’m upset – check
Takes cute pics with me – Will find out in Vegas
Good listener – check
Plays with my hair – check
Amazing in bed – quadruple check
Makes me think about him non-stop – check
Will dance with me – yet to be determined
Loves me for who I am -
He was almost perfect. Looking over my list, there were only two things that concerned me: emotional availability and loving me for who I was. Two of the things I already knew Stefan didn’t possess. But little did he know, he was close enough to be my perfect guy, my person, my prince charming, and my knight in shining armor. He rescued me from a life I desperately wanted to escape. Perhaps that’s why I had been running for seven years, to find him. I was starting to feel comfortable here, and the feeling of settling in one place didn’t freak me out. Stefan and Lily were responsible for that. Even though I hadn’t been here very long, for the first time in years, it felt like a real home.
Chapter 25
Alex
Climbing out of the car, I walked over to the group of moms I frequently spoke to as we waited for the bell to ring.
“Alex.” Simone smiled. “I was just talking about you.”
“All good I hope.”
“Of course. I was hoping Sydney could come over to your house for a play date with Lily on Friday.”
“Sorry, Simone. Lily is staying with her grandma for the weekend while Stefan and I go to Las Vegas.”
“Seriously? He’s taking you to Vegas?”
“He’s not taking me. I’m going with a group of people for his brother and fiancée’s bachelor/bachelorette party.”
“That’s right. Some lucky woman snagged up Sam. Pity.” Delilah, one of the other moms, shook her head.
“No worries, ladies. There are three other brothers left. Unless the two of you are—”
“Oh god no,” I lied. “Stefan is my boss. I would never cross that line.”
“I would.” Simone smirked.
“You’re married, Simone.”
“So what. I love me a sexy younger man. Especially one who’s a single dad.”
“Well, I think his detective brother is just as sexy,” Deborah commented.
“All I picture is that chef brother cooking me dinner wearing nothing but an apron,” one of the other mom’s spoke.
The bell finally rang, and I was saved. I really needed to stop getting there so early to avoid those awkward conversations with the group of unsatisfied, miserable, and horny moms.
“Hey, Lily. How was school?” I asked as I held out my hand to her.
“It was good. Guess what?”
“What?” I smiled at her.
“Next Monday is career day and I’m going to ask my dad if he’ll come talk to the class.”
“Wow. That’s awesome. You know he will.”
“I know. And you know what my teacher told me today?”
“What?” I opened the car door for her.
“She told me to ask all my uncles to come too since they all have really cool careers.”
“Wow. I bet she did.” I silently laughed.