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I finally met Alec's mom. Let me tell you, she's stunning! Dark hair, just like Alec and Jack. Beautiful eyes, long wavy hair tied up in a ponytail, a bit taller than me and she's a doctor as well. It wasn't that hard to figure it out, she was in her scrubs.
She welcomed me with such warmth, and at first, I was a bit awkward. I mean, how do you greet someone's mom when you are the reason her sons got into a fight? Do you go for the whole touch-the-feet-for-blessings thing or stick with a sanskari-namasthe? Alec's mom is brown but I didn't know how desi she was.
In the end, I went with the safe option – a simple "hello." But boy, was I surprised! Turns out, Alec's mom is a desi girl through and through! I had no idea! Should've gone with the namasthe after all.
But hey, she was so sweet about it, didn't even bat an eyelash. Just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover. I'll definitely remember to do the namasthe next time!
After bidding goodbye to Alec's mom and brothers, we start making our way to the elevator, the chaos of emotions swirls within me like a storm. What the fuck just happened back there? We were so close, so dangerously close to kissing. We almost kissed! ALMOST! But almost doesn't count for much, does it?
Sweat clinging to my skin, I can't help but replay the almost-kiss over and over again in my mind. It was like the air crackled with tension, and for a moment, it felt like everything was going to change between us. I mean, seriously, one minute we're arguing, and the next, our lips were practically touching.
I can still feel the heat of his hands on my waist, sending a rush of heat straight to my core between my legs. The way his touch made me ache with need sent shockwaves of desire coursing through my veins. My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips. Each thud echoed through me, syncing with the racing pulse of my own heart. His face, clean-shaven and sharp, held a magnetism that I couldn't resist, even when he was furious. I could see the tightening of his jaw, a silent reminder of the storm that's brewing inside him. And his scent? It was like a drug, intoxicating and addictive, filling every breath I took.
The scent of his cologne, a heady mix of musk, spice and something uniquely him, wrapped around me like a seductive embrace drawing me in deeper with every inhale.
It was like a scene out of a romance novel, one of those moments where time stands still and the world fades away, leaving only us in this tiny bubble of desire.
With his lips hovering just inches from mine, his breath, warm and enticing, mingled with mine, I couldn't tear my eyes away. They were perfect, tempting me with promises of things I couldn't even put into words. And then I felt it, his hardness pressing against me, and holy shit, did that send a thrill straight to my core. I couldn't help but press closer to him, craving more of his intoxicating touch.
His touch had this way of making my whole body tingle, and damn, did it feel good.
When I locked eyes with his perfect green eyes, it seemed as if he was mentally undressing me, stripping away every barrier until there's nothing left between us but raw lust, I knew that I was utterly and completely lost in him.
The urge to taste Alec was almost overwhelming. I couldn't shake the desire to find out if he tasted as good as he looked, I wonder what sinful flavors are rolled into one irresistible package. It was a craving so intense, I could practically feel it pulsating through every part of my body, urging me to give in to the temptation.
But just when I thought we were about to dive headfirst into some seriously hot action, Nick's voice barged in, ruining the moment.
For a split second, I couldn't decide if his interruption was a blessing or a curse. Part of me was grateful for the sudden break, a lifeline that pulled me back from the brink of something I wasn't sure I was ready for. But another part of me, a reckless part that craved his touch and his warmth, cursed the timing of Nick's intrusion.
Standing there, frozen in place, I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if Nick hadn't decided to crash our moment. Would I have just gone for it with Alec, consequences be damned? Or would I have snapped out of it, realizing that maybe getting tangled up with someone who saw me as nothing more than a pain in the ass wasn't the best idea?
The elevator dings, pulling me out of my thoughts, and as we step inside, reality crashed back in, reminding me of who he thinks I am—a nuisance, good for nothing. And now, he probably thinks I'm weak, that I need him to swoop in and take care of me.
Damn it, why did I let myself get so close to him? Why did I almost let him kiss me? It's like I'm drawn to him despite knowing how he sees me.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. Maybe if I just pretend it didn't happen, everything will go back to the way it was—back to whatever passes for normal with him.
But what even is normal with him? Everything feels so twisted and confusing. And why didn't I back away when he was inches from sealing his lips with mine? Am I sick for wanting him despite everything?
I shake my head, trying to clear away the tangled mess of thoughts. I'm mad at myself for letting it get this far. Why can't I just ignore him like I should? There's something about him that draws me in, like a moth to a flame.
But this has to stop. I can't keep letting him mess with my head like this.
Everything that went down tonight was just a fluke, nothing more. There's no way there's anything between us, and it's definitely not happening again.
The elevator doors slide shut, my heart sinks. Being alone with him in this confined space is the last thing I want right now.
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, noticing the way his jaw is clenched, his posture rigid. Alec goes to hit the elevator button for the parking, I shift uncomfortably, suddenly acutely aware of the proximity between us.
Every breath feels too loud in the silence, and I struggle to find something, anything, to shift my attention. I'm all about avoiding eye contact, scanning the elevator walls like they're the most fascinating thing ever.
"HELL NO!" , I blurt out.
Alec chuckles, "That's not how you strangle someone, Princess."
"I'm not trying to strangle you," I say, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Clearly. You're just standing on my foot," Alec replies with a smirk, I can tell. "Wrapped your arms around my neck in a chokehold, almost cutting off my air. Sure, you aren't trying to choke me." His tone is so casual, it's almost infuriatingly charming.
I slowly ease my grip, not wanting to suffocate him, with my face buried in his neck and fingers still fisting his shirt, I confess in a hushed voice, "I hate this."
"Hate me?" Alec questions, his tone laced with curiosity.
"Sometimes. Kinda? Sorta?" I mutter, feeling the blood rushing to my cheeks, my voice barely audible.
"But right now, I hate this elevator," I add, my frustration evident.
"Why's that?" Alec asks gently, his hand coming up to rub soothing circles on my back.
"Because..." I struggle to find the words, my throat constricting with panic."It's got these damn transparent glass walls," I explain, my voice tinged with annoyance. "I can see the awful sight of the depth from here. I hate heights. Hate Hate Hate it. Feels like the ground could just give way any second, and if I even so much as breathe wrong, I'd be... I'd be...Falling. Plummeting down into nothingness. "
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug, still rubbing circles on my back, and strangely, it does calm my nerves.
"I'm right here, Princess," he murmurs, his voice a comforting reassurance. "We're safe."
As his words sink in, I feel my heart rate slowly returning to normal. But just as I start to relax, he adds, "I'd never let anything happen to you."
In that moment, I realize that he's become my anchor, my safe harbor in the storm. His arms around me feel like the safest place to be. But the thought of relying on someone so completely, of letting myself be vulnerable in their presence, scares me more than my fear of heights ever could.
The doors finally open with a ding as we reach the car parking, shutting up the voice in my head but Alec doesn't move. He stands there with me wrapped around him, holding me close, waiting for me to break the hug.
Slowly, I open my eyes, letting go of him and stepping down from his foot. I look up at him, finding comfort in his steady gaze. Without a word, we make our way to his car.
******
Alec takes the reverse, his arm casually resting behind my seat, his shirt rolled up, muscles flexing as he looks back. It's strangely hot, even though he's not even looking at me. Everything he does just screams sexy, and I can't help but gape at him. There might even be a little drool escaping, but I quickly snap my eyes back to the road ahead when he speaks.
"Are you feeling okay, Princess?" Alec asks, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"Yeah, thanks... for that," I reply, my voice slightly breathless. I really am feeling okay, though I'm more than a little distracted by his presence. Okay. Fine. A little is an understatement. I'm definitely undeniably utterly distracted by his sexiness. Ughh hate this!
Alec starts laughing as he continues to drive, and I'm caught off-guard by the sound.
Oh my god, is he laughing? Like, really laughing? As in, full-on, genuine, belly-shaking laughter? I mean, I've seen him smile before, but this is a whole new level of adorable! It's not just a smile or a chuckle; it's a full-blown laugh.
My heart skips a beat as I watch him, completely mesmerized by the sight.
It's the kind of laugh that starts deep in his chest and bubbles up until it spills out of him, contagious and irresistible. With every laugh, his eyes crinkle at the corners, and his smile stretches from ear to ear, lighting up his entire face.
He looks so carefree and so beautiful, and I find myself wanting to see him like this every damn second now. I'm completely lost in him and completely enchanted by him. I can't help but feel a rush of butterflies in my stomach.
I could watch him laugh like this forever, losing myself in the sound and the sight of him. It's like music to my ears, filling me with this warm, fuzzy feeling that I can't even begin to describe.
In this moment, all I can think about is how much I want to see him laugh like this all the time. Because, honestly, there's nothing in the world that compares to the sight of him being genuinely happy. And if I have anything to do with it, I'm going to make sure he laughs like this every single day.
"Woah. You can laugh. But why are you laughing?"
Alec's laughter subsides slightly as he glances over at me. "You're all tough and feisty, throwing punches and drenching people, but when it comes to heights, you're like a scaredy-cat," he teases, a playful smirk on his lips.
Spoke too soon, he's still an asshole.
I frown, feeling a bit defensive, "I am not! Shut up!", crossing my arms and with a nonchalant tone, "I'm not scared of heights. I...I just hate it." I'm terrified of it but I'll die before I accept it out loud. I'm not gonna give him more make-fun-of-Evie-material.
Alec laughs even more at my reaction, "Uh-uh. Cute. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"Eyes on the road, Alec," I say with mock sternness, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
He shakes his head, still chuckling softly, and I can't help but smile as I watch him. Despite the fear and the teasing, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here, with him.
Wait a damn minute!
Holy fucking shit! The realization that I'm falling for him, hard, freaks me out. I try to push the thought away, to bury it deep down where it can't hurt me. But it lingers, lingering like a shadow at the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the risks I'm taking.
Alec continues to drive, oblivious to the turmoil raging inside me, I can't help but wonder what I've gotten myself into.
"Why weren't you scared when we were going up?" His question catches me off guard, and I feel a little out of place as I search for an answer.
I shrug, trying to play it cool. "I dunno, I guess I was distracted," I reply casually.
He raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Distracted by what?" he presses, his gaze fixed on me.
I bite my lip, avoiding his eyes as I recall everything that went down at The Vein. "Just... stuff," I mumble, not wanting to delve into the details.
But Alec raises an eyebrow, his silent questioning pushing me to speak up. I know he won't stop until he finds out. With a sigh, I relent. "Fineee," I say, finally meeting his gaze. "I was thinking about The Vein and everything that went down. How you were extremely mad at that water splash disaster. So, I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings."
I was so lost in my head, thinking about all the possible consequences of my actions, I didn't even realise we were gazillion feet up from the ground. That's really unsettling to even think about it now.
"I'm not mad about that," he says, his tone calm and collected.
Surprised, I turn to him, furrowing my brows in confusion. "You're not?" I ask, needing clarification.
He simply shakes his head. "No."