She raises an eyebrow, amused, but doesn’t press it. She knows I won’t tell her anyway. I’ve always loved planning things for her, letting her find out as the night unfolds.
It’s not like I have some elaborate plan. I talked to Matt at the airport. He gave me a few ideas. Places we could go just to talk. I figured we’d grab a coffee and drive. Maybe find a park with a view. Hell, I’ll even take her to the art museum. She loves that stuff. It’s not for me, but it’s warm, quiet, and good for conversation. Maybe even hold her hand… if she’ll let me.
“Oh, you’ve got big plans for us, huh?” A hint of a smile tugs at her lips, and I fight every urge to kiss them. It’s like fighting gravity—a natural reaction. Meant to be. Fucking science. No matter how far we’ve fallen, sooner or later we’re bound to land. Together.
I force my gaze elsewhere as the elevator doors open. I’m a patient man. I waited a month before sleeping with Alley. Two years of being engaged. Five months clean. Those lips will touch mine again. She’s a magnet. And we’ve always been opposites.
I just have to hold out a little longer.
“I wouldn’t say big plans,” I say, turning right instead of left toward the exit. “This way.”
“Are we going to the cafeteria again?” Her brows pull together in a scowl, like she’s genuinely disappointed.
“No. Just grabbing coffee from the café for the drive.”
“Oh. Okay.” I glance over, catching her expression as it softens.
Alley loves warm drinks—coffee, hot chocolate, wassail. Especially on cold winter nights. It’s why we got the Nespresso.She wanted to be able to make lattes anytime. Curl up on the couch with a blanket and stare out the window.
We grab our drinks and head to her car.
“Keys,” I say once we’re in the parking garage.
I always drive when we’re together, and she doesn’t hesitate, just hands them over. Like nothing’s changed.
I open her door and she slides in, then circle around to the driver’s side. It’s cold as hell out, our breath visible in the air.
“Hurry,” she says through chattering teeth.
I slide in, turn the ignition, and crank the heat, silently praying it warms up fast.
She hugs her drink to her chest like it’s her own personal space heater, and I tap one of the locations Matt sent me, heading north toward Montrose Harbor.
Alley notices and lets out a soft laugh. I barely catch it over the blast of the heater. Then she goes quiet for a second—long enough for me to wonder why. “Montrose Harbor?” she finally says, glancing sideways. “You trying to get laid?”
I chuckle, glancing at her as I pull out of the parking space. “Nah. Why would I want that? You’re just my hot wife I’ve been dying to kiss for months.”
She glances over, lips pressed tight together, dimple popping. I’ve seen that look before, holding back a smile, teasing… happy. She’s softening. And fuck, I want to throw the car in park and pull her onto my lap. I grip the steering wheel tighter.Soon—I hope.
She waits a few seconds before answering, her eyes locked on the side of my face. “It’s not happening. Just so you know.”
“You sound disappointed,” I tease. “Don’t worry, if you’re lucky, you might get a kiss goodnight. But…” I stop at a red light and turn to meet her gaze. “Only if you’re a good girl.” I cock a brow, smirking. I’ve peeked inside those books of hers. I’ve even read a few of them.
You better believe I’m going to flirt with my wife. I’ll be respectful, but I’m not afraid to turn up the heat. Someone’s got to remind her of the way things used to be.
She feels it. I know she does. The tension. The longing. Our chemistry has always been on another level. Last weekend, when she asked me to stay after I got up to leave? It was like she pushed me away only to pull me back.
Her eyes search mine, steady and unflinching. But that suppressed smile is still there, brows raised. “Been reading my books?” she asks, shaking her head with a soft laugh. “Then what’s the plan once we get to the harbor?”
“To talk. To be with you. Just us. Without the weight of everything else. Of all the other shit.”
“Hmm. I guess that would be nice.”
“Unless, of course, youwantto make out,” I say, as casual as possible. “Then I’ll happily rearrange the itinerary. We can save the talking for later. But only if you reallyreallywant to.” Her grin spreads wide, and for a second, I catch a glimpse of the girl I fell for. “And hey, if you can’t, I get it. But I’m sure Lola misses me. Clark reminds me ten times a day how much he misses you.”
“Ten times a day, huh?” Her gaze lingers on the side of my face. “That’s a lot of boners in a day. Even for Clark.”
“Well, you’ve always been my kryptonite.” I flash her a smirk. “When it comes to boners.”
