Do I?Part of me does, but the part that has kept me safe my entire life does not. “No. I’ll, uh, try to catch him later.”
I turn and race to the steps and nearly trip going down. It’d be just like me to take a header down a long flight of steps as I attempt to get away. I’d probably end up in the emergency room with a broken face or something.
By the time I get to my rental car, I’m so upset, I can’t figure out how to open my car. I finally get the fob to work and slide inside, lock the door, and attempt to get myself together. That’s when I see him. Alec. He’s not alone. There’s another guy with him. Seeing him with someone else gives me hope. Maybe that woman is with the other guy.
Sliding down into my seat, I watch the pair walk up the steps. When they get to the door, it opens for the men. The woman, I’ll call her Trinity, because every Trinity I’ve ever met—there’s been one, one person named Trinity—and she was a terrible person.
Trinity is now talking to the men. When she points in my direction, I slip down further in my seat in the hopes no one can see me. Except they do see me because it’s not dark just yet and my head is still in view.
I’d be a terrible criminal.
As Alec takes the steps down two at a time, I move up in my seat. When he jogs toward my car, I pull the handle on the door and push it open. When he’s at the door, I’m already on my feet, and when he practically tackles me to the ground with the force of his hug and many, many kisses, I’m all over him too.
“Matilda”—his voice sounds husky with emotions—“you’re here.”
“Surprise,” I say between kisses. “Merry Christmas.”
“You’re the best gift I’ve ever gotten, honey.”
I hug him so tight to me, I don’t ever want to let him go. But I have to because the two people from his apartment, Trinity and the man, are nearby. “You must be Matilda.” Trinity holds her hand out for a shake. “I’m Sharon.” She touches the other man’s arm. “This is my husband, Jim.”
I add, “Alec’s partner.” He’s told me a lot about him over the last month.
Sharon looks over at Alec. “We’re gonna head home.”
“No, we just got food.”
“You need to spend time with your girl,” Jim says with a smile. “We just felt sorry for you, asshole.” Jim slaps Alec on the back. “Now that you’ve got someone here, we can go home and enjoy an empty house for once.”
“Jim.” Sharon blushes as she slaps his arm. “Stop.”
“What? Our hellions are with Grandma and Grandpa for two more hours. Let’s take advantage.” He gives her bottom a pat. “See you tomorrow night.” Jim takes Sharon’s hand and leads her off somewhere.
Alec’s attention is back on me. “Did you bring a suitcase?”
I nod and point. “In the trunk.”
After Alec grabs my bag, I lock up the car and follow him up the steps. I’m a little nervous about this visit, to be honest, but not enough to stop the inevitable from happening. “We got Thai food,” Alec informs me as he pushes open the door to his apartment.
“Oh, that’s nice.”
“Do you like that?”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever tried it.”
Inside his place, I see he’s got zero holiday decorations on display. Not a surprise. He’s busy. I watch as he sets my suitcase down beside the sofa. Next, he unzips his jacket, tugs it off, and tosses it over the arm of the couch. That’s when I notice him, or what he’s wearing. Dark jeans and a dark blue sweater. It fits him like a glove, like it was made for his body. His hair is neatly styled too. It’s short on the sides, like always, but the top is a little longer than it was the last time I saw him.
Wow, this man is unbelievable. How in the world is he intome?
“Are you hungry?” I notice a change in his voice just then. It’s his sexy voice.
When our eyes meet, I say something I never thought would ever escape my lips. “Not for food.”
“You sure?” he asks as he stalks my way.
“Positive.”
I’m up in the air and in a fireman’s hold so fast, I gasp, then laugh. “Where are you taking me?”
