He tugged my hand, and I followed him up the ladder stairs to his loft, where he opened what I considered the condom drawer and produced an envelope.
Inside, I found two printed pages. The first said Gamescon, and I eyed it curiously before flipping to the second that read Lufthansa. “You bought me a trip to the conference?”
He shrugged. “In case the flowers didn’t work.”
“This is too much, Alfie.”
“I was afraid you’d say that, but I was so worried you’d drop out of the contest because of me, and then you might be rattled when you presented to Reynold, and I couldn’t stand the thought of you losing out on the trip when it was all you wanted, and you’ve worked so hard. You deserve to go.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t know if I could accept such an extravagant gift, but the care he’d shown in organizing it floored me. “I love you for doing this. I love you for making my dream come true. I love you, Alfie. But you’re wrong.”
His eyebrows knit together. “I am?”
“Yes. Because all I want is you.”
I hugged him, and his arms wrapped around my back. It was just supposed to be a hug of gratitude, but I hadn’t felt his body against mine in over a week, and the smell of him brought back a rush of desire and longing.
He kissed my cheek and whispered, “Did you say you love me?”
“Many times.”
“Say it again.”
I shoved him onto the bed. “I love you, Alfie.”
“I’ve missed you.” He leaned forward and claimed my mouth, but I needed more than kisses.
I worked the buttons on his shirt and stripped his torso bare. “Mmm. I’ve had dirty thoughts about your chest.”
He worked my shirt over my head. “Same.”
I ground into him, feeling him through his jeans. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.”
“Same.”
I lifted up to open his fly, then stood to help him wiggle free. While I was up, I dug in his drawer for a condom, and finding it, ripped it open. I handed it to him to let him roll it on, then slid off my pants and straddled him, rubbing against him while I kissed him, until we were both panting. He was so hard against me, and I needed him, so I positioned him and slid down his shaft. He sucked in his breath and then whispered in my ear. “I love you, Sierra.”
I kissed him long and hard as I rocked up and back down again.
“Let me make love to you.” He knocked me over onto his bed and reentered me as his lips found mine. Then he began to move slowly, languorously, deliciously, his hands roaming across my body. He felt so good, so perfect, the pleasure grew until I thought I’d go right over the edge, but I hovered there with him, working my hips against his, both of us picking up the speed until we were breathing heavily and making the occasional outburst of moans and groans.
I wanted more than his body. I wanted everything that made him Alfie. I wished there was a way to bind our entire beings, souls or essences or whatever made us separate creatures. I wanted to slip into his skin and know him. I wanted our hearts to combine into one.
It all became too much, and I went over the edge, like rushing rapids at the precipice of a waterfall. I hit the bottom with a cry, just as he shuddered and dropped his head to my shoulder.
“Oh, shit,” he said. “I couldn’t hold back.”
“Right there with you.” I wrapped an arm around his back and pulled him to me, and we clung to each other in that bliss, exhausted, spent, completely one.
His phone rang, and he peeked at it. “It’s Miranda. Do you want to know who won?”
“I couldn’t care less.”
He got up and started to dress. “Well, I have to go cut a check. Come on. We can’t hide from the real world forever.”
I couldn’t understand why not, but I dressed and followed him back to the crowded bar where everyone waited for the announcement. Alfie climbed the stage, and Miranda handed him a giant envelope, like we were at the Oscars.
“And the winner is . . .” He fumbled with the seal then folded the card open. “Zane!”
I hooted, and the audience cheered. Zane bent and kissed Bryce, and I no longer envied them. I no longer felt any negative energy, not even toward Tristan, who walked out of the bar, hopefully never to return.
Just like that, I let it all go, ten years of pent-up hostilities, and I felt a peace like I’d never known.
I joined in the celebration for Zane, catching him in a hug to congratulate him while Miranda took pictures of us for the Instagram feed.
And through it all, Isaac sold drink after drink at the bar.
I found Reynold there, drinking his scotch. He appraised me with his mustache tilted. “I’ve never seen you like that. Where did all that passion come from?”
“From fighting for what I believe in.” This was true now.
He raised his glass. “That’s what I’ve been waiting to see.”
“So? What are you saying?”
“We begin work on Monday.”
“But the trip is mine?”
“Looks like you’re the only one left.”
Aida slid in between us. “What did I tell you, Reynold? You should have just trusted me to begin with.” She looked at me. “You, too.”
I hugged her. “Thank you. I’ll never doubt you again.”
She held my shoulder and gave me a significant look. “Grab hold of that boy and never let go. It’s not just that there are so few gems like him, but I can see how he makes you feel. And it’s clearly mutual.”
I looked over at Alfie, laughing as he chatted with Zane and Bryce, happy and in his element. “How I didn’t notice him sooner will be the great mystery of my life. Maybe it’s because he’s so easy. He fits me so perfectly, it’s like slipping into warm water.”
“I don’t think that’s it, or you’d still be with Howard.”
“Well, I can’t explain it.” In the seven types of love, I’d never found anything that described what I felt for Alfie.
“You don’t have to. It’s how things are with Marco. We were made for each other. It’s not always perfect, but I wouldn’t want to be without him.”
That was it.
“I felt like something was missing all week. I couldn’t figure out why, but the minute I saw him again, I knew. It was him.”
“Are we losing our babysitter?” She slid her purse on her shoulder, getting ready to head out.
“I haven’t moved out, Aida. But even if I do, I’ll be right down the street. I can always come back.”
“Nope. I’m going to start giving your things to Goodwill soon. Your space is going to make a great playroom.”
“So is Alfie’s.” I couldn’t resist a wicked smile, and she shook her head, but she was smiling, too.
When she and Reynold left, and Bryce and Zane packed it in, and the bar slowly emptied, and Miranda began closing out the register, and the lights went out section by section, and nobody remained but us, Alfie snuck up behind me, arms wrapped around my waist, and said, “You wanna go take a dog for a walk?”
I leaned back against his solid chest. “Take it easy on me, Parzival.”
His laughter tickled my neck. “I’ll get you next time.”