“It’s okay,” she says, and I’m caught in the torrent of comparing how similar Momma’s and Al’s stories are. What would have happened to Alondra if she’d never left him? I know better than to drift into what-ifs?—
Her hand rests on mine, pulling me from my thoughts before I can spiral. Alondra’s fingers curl around mine, and she settles next to me.
I clear my throat, turning toward Al. “I just want you to know quitting doesn’t mean you can’t still love it.”
I wish I had the code to decipher the way she’s looking at me. It makes me want to question everything I thought I knew, and my head can’t make sense of it.
“Thank you,” she says, her lips curving into a genuine smile for the first time all night. The relief I feel is overwhelming because I want Alondra to be okay. I want her to be happy. “This morning sucked, but I’m not sorry we’re friends.”
“I’m not sorry either,” I say, leaning over to press a gentle kiss to her lips. It feels right being here with Alondra—more right than anything else. She makes me feel steady.
Alondra makes me dream of wanting more for myself.
She pulls back, squeezing my hand. “I love skating,” she says, and I cup her face, holding Al with the tenderness and care she deserves. I can’t take away any of the hurt she’s felt, but I can do my best to be a safe place for her to land.
“Damn right you do.”
I slide my hand into her hair, grasping the clip holding her curls back to let them tumble over her shoulders and down her back. Alondra stares at me, pulling her lower lip in between her teeth, and I smooth my hand over them.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, twisting one of her curls around my finger, and I wish she could see herself the way I see her.
“It’s messy,” she protests, but I don’t care.
“I like messy. Real life is messy, darlin’,” I say, because I’m aware of how imperfect I am, but I think she might be perfect for me.
She leans in, pressing her hand to my chest, right over where my heart is hammering against my ribcage. Alondra pauses just before our lips can meet. “So make a mess with me,” she whispers, curling her fingers in the fabric of my shirt.
I close the gap between us, slanting my mouth over hers, and Al tugs me closer as she leans back, pulling me with her. She might as well have branded her name on my chest because the idea of being with anyone else is unbearable. I settle over her, and Al slides her hand under my shirt. I press my mouth harder against hers, a groan slipping from the back of my throat when she drags her nails over my abdomen.
It feels about as honest as we’re both willing to be right now, moving in tandem, pushing when the other pulls, and Alondra takes everything I have to give her. I lose my shirt, and Al pulls hers off a few moments later before we’re fused together again, and my hands are worshipping her.
She’s soft and warm beneath me, driving every part of me crazy for her.
I tangle my hand in her hair, trying not to push things too far tonight. I could lose myself in Al, and never regret a single second of it, but I don’t want her to have regrets. Alondra shifts her hips up, rocking against me, and it takes everything I have to pull away. “We’re not having sex tonight,” I say, out of breath.
“Why not?” Alondra has the nerve to pout, driving me crazy when I’m already fighting to keep my hands to myself. I roll off her, shifting away before she can tempt me into changing my mind.
“Because I care too much about you to have sex, or do anything other than kiss you while you’re upset. Al, I want to, but not tonight.”
“Jack, I’m fine,” she insists, and I smile, leaning to kiss her, making sure to keep our bodies firmly away from each other.
“Even if you are, trust me. I want the feeling of how fucking great it will feel when I’m sliding into you overand overto be the only thing you’re focused on when we do have sex. Not distracted by whatever bullshit your dad said to you this morning, or remembering whatever your piece of shit ex did to you before. I want to have your sole attention, and I promise, it’ll be worth the wait.”
Alondra’s mouth falls open, and I smirk when she nods, dumbfounded. “Okay.”
She’s never this agreeable.
“Just okay? You’re not going to fight me on it?” I tease, and Al sits up, pushing the covers to the side to climb under them.
“Nope. It’s bedtime. Goodnight.”
I laugh, reaching to turn off the lamp to lie down next to her.
“Goodnight, Alondra,” I say, and she nudges me with her foot.
“Don’t say my name like that.”
“Like what,Alondra?” I ask, taking care to drawl out her name this time, causing her to grumble under her breath. I wrapan arm around her waist, pulling my girl against my chest as I bury my nose in her soft curls, perfectly content to hold Alondra for however long I’m lucky enough to have her.
