Somewhere in Between (Madison Square #1) (24 page)

Chapter 20

Alex (Now)

On Monday, work was pretty crazy. We were scrambling to put the finishing touches on a proposal for a new client meeting set up for tomorrow morning. Madeline was flying to New York and leaving me in charge of all our current projects in her absence. I was catching up on some e-mails when I heard a
Ping, ping
.

Drew: What are you wearing?

I smiled and sent a quick reply.

Alex: Nothing. I’m at work.

Drew: Really, nothing? Must be cold. I could come warm you up.

It was a little surreal to be flirting with Drew like this. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but it just seemed to fuel the burning questions I had about what, exactly, we were doing. I sent him a quick
lol
.

Drew: I can’t stop thinking about you
.

I didn’t know how to respond to that. Was he just being flirty, or was he trying to tell me something? Damn, I was doing it again. I needed to stop analyzing things. He hasn’t said anything about how he feels about me. I was afraid to assume anything and find out later I was way off base.

Drew: Can I see you tonight?

Alex: I’m working late, but I can stop by when I get off.

Drew: Can’t wait to get you off.

I blushed. I couldn’t help myself from day dreaming about how many ways he could do just that.

“Someone is happy today.” I looked up just as Wiley came through the door. I must have been smiling like an idiot.

“Uh, yeah.” I cleared my throat. “I had a nice weekend.” Understatement of the century!

She perched on the end of my desk. “Really?”

“Yeah, it was fun. Went to the park and had brunch at Millie’s. It was nice.” I focused on my computer screen. I knew if I looked up at her, Wiley would see the truth written all over my face.

“Was Drew there?”

“Yes.” Too late. She was already hot on the trail.

“So, you are talking again?”

“Yeah, we’re good.” I bit my lip, trying to hide the huge smile threatening to spread across my lips.

She narrowed her eyes and studied my face. “Good,” she said. She turned to leave, walking slowly out of my office, waiting for me to break.

“Fine.” I broke down. I needed to tell someone or I would burst and Wiley was my only option at the moment.

She squealed. “I knew it! So?” She waved her hands excitedly, encouraging me to go on.

“I went over to find out why he had been avoiding me and he said he was just doing what I asked and giving me time.” She nodded. “He seemed really angry and I thought, this is it, his official rejection, but instead he kissed me.”

“Really? Oh my God, Alex, that’s awesome!”

“Yeah, it was like someone lit a match we just couldn’t stop. We spent the whole weekend together.”

“So, are you guys together?”

“Well,” I dragged out the word in an attempt to stall. I took a deep breath. “I have no idea.”

Wiley got to her feet. “So, did you guys talk at all?”

I shook my head. She let out a long breath and then got to her feet. “You need to talk to him, Alex,” she said. “You need to define what it is you two are doing. You can’t have casual sex with your best friend.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “I know.” She was right. I needed to know what this was, what he wanted this to be.

***

I was leaving work when my phone made that all too familiar
ping, ping
noise
.

Drew: Papa Jack called. He needs help unloading a truck. It won’t take long. Key is under the mat. Wait for me?

Alex: I can just see you tomorrow.

Drew: No, I left you something. I promise, won’t take long.

Alex: Ok.

The key was right where he said it’d be. I flipped the lock and headed in. The apartment was dark except for a candle that flickered from the table by the door. I set down my bag and headed deeper into the apartment. I was curious to see what he left for me.

I saw another flicker of light down the hall. There was another candle lit on the kitchen counter and another on the table by the sofa. They formed a trail leading me to the bedroom. I followed the trail and pushed the door open.

The room was dark, except for the light from the street coming in through the window. I was a little disappointed and then I noticed another flicker coming from the bathroom. I followed the light, pushed open the door, and gasped.

He’d lit the entire room with candles. I was always jealous of Drew’s bathroom. It was huge with a standalone shower and the most amazing deep Jacuzzi bath. Drew had already drawn me a bath and the jets were running. The entire room smelled like my favorite passion fruit bubble bath. He had an MP3 player and a playlist of some of my favorite songs playing low set up with a small speaker by the sink.

It was insane. I was so overwhelmed that I felt lightheaded and had to grip the door handle. I never understood the concept of swooning. I thought it always made women seem weak, but it was oh so clear to me now.

I walked to the tub and dragged my fingers through the water. It was still deliciously warm. Next to the tub sat a bottle of my favorite wine with a glass and a note.

I thought this would keep you warm till I get back.

–Drew

I pressed the note to my chest and closed my eyes. God, I loved this man. I quickly undressed, poured a glass of wine, and sank down into the warm, soapy water. It felt amazing. I had been working hard all day and this was exactly what I needed.

I soaked for a while until my fingers were wrinkled. Drew still wasn’t back, so I got out and dried off. After blowing out the candles and putting away the wine, I crawled into bed to wait for Drew. I was so relaxed from the bath and the smell of his sheets that I quickly fell fast asleep.

I woke when I felt a kiss on the small of my back. Drew continued to kiss his way up my body. He tasted my skin with his tongue. I sighed as my body ignited. He kissed the sweet spot behind my ear and whispered, “Wake up, sleepy head.”

I turned on my side to face him. He ran his hand down my ribs, then rested them on my hip.

“Hey,” I said in a soft, sleepy voice.

He leaned in and softly touched his lips to mine. “You smell amazing. Can I come home to you like this every night?” He ran his nose softly up my cheek.

I seized the opportunity to get some answers. “Would you really want that?” I asked, searching his eyes for any doubt.

“Every. Single. Day.” He punctuated each word with a slow savory kiss to my neck. I wanted to give in. I really did. I wanted to just give myself over to the indescribable feeling of his hands, his skin, and my God, those lips, but I had to be strong. I had to keep him talking. I needed to know if this was real, or just sex.

I wanted it to be real. I wanted it to be real so desperately. I closed my eyes and willed myself to stop him. I sat up and pulled the sheet up to cover my chest. I needed him to focus and being naked was not going to help with that.

“Please, don’t say things like that if you don’t mean it.”

“Who said I didn’t mean it?” He smiled and leaned in to kiss me again.

I turned my face and he stopped short. “Hey.” He turned my chin so our eyes met. “What’s going on?”

“A lot has happened between us and we never really talked.”

He dropped his hand and looked down at the bed. “I know.”

I put my hand over his and he looked up at me. “When this first started, I wanted it so badly that I didn’t really think about what it would mean for us. I’m not trying to rush into anything. I just want to know if this is just sex, or…”

“Or. It is definitely or,” he said, cutting me off. “I don’t know what we are doing, Red. This is just as new for me. All I can say is that I want to see what happens. I don’t want to stop.” He reached up and cupped my cheek. “You could never be
just
anything.”

He kissed me, his tongue pushing into my mouth. This time I didn’t pull away or argue. I got lost in the sweet taste of him. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against mine.

“So, are we…dating?” I asked breathlessly.

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess that’s a good place to start.” He pulled away from me and jumped up from the bed. “Be right back.”

He headed into the living room. What was he doing?
Ping, ping
. I picked up my phone.

Drew: Have dinner with me?

I laughed. He was texting me from the living room to ask me to dinner.

Alex: When?

Drew: Tomorrow night?

Alex: I don’t know. I might have plans.

Drew: I know you do, with me. Pick you up at 7?

I giggled and typed
okay
.

I heard Drew coming back down the hall. “Looks like I have a date tomorrow.”

He smirked and lifted his eyebrows. “Really? Is he good-looking?”

“Oh yeah. One might even say ruggedly sexy.” I got to my knees, letting the sheet slip from my body, and crawled my way over to the edge of the bed.

“Ruggedly sexy, huh?” He gripped my hips and pulled me tight against his chest.

“Yeah, I just hope he’s not the kind of guy who thinks I put out on the first date.” I ran a finger down the center of his chest.

He pulled off his t-shirt and threw it to the floor.

“Well,” he said as he undid his belt and stepped out of his shoes. “I guess we will just have to get it out of your system tonight then, won’t we. Just so you won’t be tempted.”

He slipped off his jeans and crawled up the bed, pulling me under him and giving me a deep, breathtaking kiss. I felt better. It wasn’t a declaration by any means, but now there was at least hope.

***

I was watching the clock the entire next day at work. I couldn’t focus on anything but our date that night, which made the day drag. When the clock finally hit five, I darted from the office and practically sprinted home.

I showered, did my hair and makeup in record time, and then stood in my closet, trying to figure out what I could wear. Drew had seen me in everything. I settled on a tight green halter dress. It was a little sexy and showed off all of my curves. It had a 1950s pinup feel to it. I paired it with a pair of sky high nude pumps and kept my jewelry to a minimum, only putting on the diamond studs Drew gave me.

I was just transferring my stuff into my clutch when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see Drew in slim dark gray slacks and a sleek black button-up shirt stretched tight across his broad shoulders. No tie. He left the top button of his shirt undone. He had one hand in his pocket and the other held my favorite, a rusty pink rose.

The man was beautiful. There was no other way to describe him. I could practically feel his eyes run the entire length of my body as he looked me over.

“You look incredible,” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek. He offered me the rose and I took it, heading to the kitchen for a vase.

“Nice place you got here.”

I laughed. “Are you going to do that all night?”

He just smiled. “You ready?”

“Yep.” I followed him out the door and to his car, which was parked out front. He held my door open for me and waited for me to get in. He always was a gentleman, but this time it felt special. He got in and pulled away from the curb.

“So, where are we going?” I asked

“I can’t reveal all of my secrets. It’s only our first date,” he said with a grin.

We pulled up outside a posh hotel downtown. The valet opened my door and helped me out. Drew tossed the guy his keys and offered me his arm.

We went straight through the lobby, which was done in a light marble with modern sculptures and glass blown chandeliers. It was beautiful. I craned my neck, making note of the clever placement of the water.

Drew just shook his head as he led me through the lobby to the bank of elevators straight ahead. He knew how I got in places like this. Unless you dragged me out, I would be there for hours, or until security escorted me out for rearranging the furniture.