Discipline

A Lovely Afternoon

“Alex!” I say almost too enthusiastically.

“Elizabeth!” He mimics my tone. “Long time, no see,” Alex jokes.

“Yeah, no kidding! Come on in!” I move out of the way and gesture toward the living room.

“Wow, this place looks even bigger with the sunlight,” Alex comments.

“Yeah, it’s pretty big.” I look around. “So are you hungry or do you want to wait to order food? I was thinking pizza.”

“We could order it now and by the time it comes, I’ll be hungrier.”

“Okay!” I walk into the kitchen and Alex follows me, sitting in the same seat he did the previous night. I open up a drawer to pull out my many takeout menus and find the one for pizza. While I order the pizza, I notice Alex staring at me. I smile girlishly at him. I hang up the phone and place my hands on the counter.

“So what do you want to do?” Alex folds him hands together.

“Why don’t you go over to my entertainment center and pick something out.” I cock an eyebrow. He stands and slowly makes his way over to my TV. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“Yeah, water will be fine.”

I pour Alex a glass of ice water and a glass of lemon zinger iced tea for myself. I walk over to find Alex sitting on the floor, looking through the many DVD and Blu-Ray cases.

“Thank,” Alex mutters. “Hey, what’s ‘Ghost Hunters’?”

“Oh! Oh my God! That’s one of my favorite shows!” I exclaim.

“What’s it about?”

“It’s about a group of people based out of Rhode Island, called TAPS—The Atlantic Paranormal Society—that go to different houses and historical sites in search of spirits. They use scientific equipment to find evidence. It’s wicked!” I smile joyfully while Alex looks at me skeptically. “C’mon, we have to watch it!”

“Alright, I trust you…” Alex murmurs. He stands, grabbing the Season One DVD box. He turns on my Xbox One and slides the disc in. He sits down next to me and folds his hands awkwardly.

Alex must no know if I’m comfortable enough for cuddling, so I scoot closer to him and lay my head against his chest, signaling that it’s okay. He puts his arm around my shoulders and I press ‘Play’.

The pizza arrives just as the first TAPS investigation is wrapping up. I tell Alex to stay seated and watch while I pay the delivery guy, who was very surprised to notice Alex Avila sitting in my living room. Alex just waves and I smile. I prepare our pizza (putting it on plates) and carry it over. We dine on the deliciousness and continue to watch Ghost Hunters.

“So what do you think?” I ask when the first episode ends.

Alex is quiet for a moment, thinking. “It’s actually really interesting. Do they ever find any apparitions?”

“Oh, yeah!” I grin brightly. “Want to watch another?”

“Sure!” Alex picks up the controller and pressed ‘Play’ on the next episode.

Way too much pizza and a few more episodes later, I cannot take it anymore. I pause the episode and look up at Alex.

“What?” He asks, confused.

Without saying a word, I sit up and bring my leg across Alex so that I’m facing him on his lap. I look deep into his eyes and then I press my lips against his. My eyes close and imagine his do too. Our kiss grows stronger as our mouths open. I put my hands on the back of his neck and then run my right one through his thick hair. Alex’s hands travel up and down my back, his fingertips pressing into the fabric of my pants and shirt. My lips travel to his neck, his unshaved face scratching my cheek. It sends shivers down my spine.

“What’s this all about?” He finally asks.

“I feel bad that I only kissed your cheek last night. I want to make it up to you,” I answer between kisses.

“You don’t have to do—“

“—I want to though!” I shove my tongue in his mouth and bite his bottom lip as I pull away. I put my forehead against his as I hold the sides of his head. “Plus, you’re so fucking hot.” I move my right hand down to his crotch and I feel his excitement through his jeans.

Now Alex can’t take it anymore. He picks me up and lays me down on the other end of the couch and climbs on top of me. He kisses me over and over while his hands explore the curves of my body. Like a flick of a switch, I’m immediately turned on. Which is weird considering he was the one who took control and I’m usually the one doing that. But I ignore the thought.

“Oh, Alex,” I moan as he softly nips at my neck. That drives me crazy.

Alex’s hand slides up my crop top and he firmly squeezes my breast. He moves down so that he can kiss my abdomen. My eyes immediately fly open, realizing where this is really going. I sit up quickly.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asks, concerned.

“I… I’m so sorry…”

“What? Why?”

“I just… can’t do this.” I hang my head in embarrassment.

“Do what exactly?”

“This.” I gesture between us. “What we’re doing right now.”

Alex sits back on his knees. “It’s fine. I was moving a little… fast.”

I look up to meet Alex’s eyes. “No, you weren’t. I made it seem like it was okay. I’m really sorry.”

“For what?”

“I got you all… excited.”

Alex chuckles. “Do not worry about that. I can take care of myself.” He winks.

I crack a smile. “I just… I want it to work between us. I feel like adding sex this early could ruin things, you know?”

“Yeah, I do.” He nods, looking away and then he looks up to make eye contact. “I really respect that.”

“You do?” I bite my lip.

“Yeah.” He smiles kindly.

I bring myself forward and I wrap my arms around Alex for a sweet hug. I kiss him concisely on the lips and then I put my head against his chest, listening to the thump of his heartbeat.

“Thanks, Alex.”