And that had turned into sleepovers and hanging out without Barrett.Alone.
A month ago, I knew I needed to pull back. I didn’t want to risk the friendship that had blossomed between us by muddying the waters with sex. And it wasn’t fair to keep using Alec to make myself feel better in my own skin—even when he reassured me it was fine and that he had a “kink for being used”.
He agreed easily, his eyes understanding, but taking a step away didn’t stop him from flirting…Not that I mind.
My worth shouldn’t be decided by other people or what they think of me, but knowing this tall, dark, inked, andseriouslysexy older man wants me is a continuous boost to my confidence. And it feels even better knowing that, even without the orgasms, he still wants to keep my friendship.
“Nope, no plans.” Alec runs a hand over his close-cropped hair, his arms flexing as he does, showing off the ink swirling up his arms and under the short sleeve of his shirt. “I had some time this afternoon, so thought I’d see if you wanted to grab a coffee with me.”
There’s enough suggestion in his tone that has me narrowing my eyes in warning. “Just coffee,” I say firmly. “Nothing else.”
He puts a hand over his heart, his expression falling dramatically. “The lack of trust, Char! You wound me.”
I roll my eyes with a laugh. “Fine. Let me just finish up here, and then Flossie should be back from her lunch.”
There’s a gleam in Alec’s brown eyes, his smile satisfied. He pulls his phone out while he waits.
It doesn’t take me long, and just as I add the last book into the system, Flossie walks in, a paper bag clutched in her hand.
“Hey, Charlie, I brought you a sandwich. You said you didn’t want anything, but I—” She stops talking abruptly as she catches sight of Alec lounging against the counter, narrowing her eyes.
“Hello, Florence,” he greets amiably, his smile widening when her expression sours.
“Thanks for the sandwich,” I cut in before Flossie says something she shouldn’t. Her eyes slide to mine, mouth set into a scowl. “Alec’s taking me to get a coffee. Could you put it in the fridge for later?” Her expression doesn’t ease. She bobs her head, red curls bouncing. “I’ll be back in about thirty. Will you be okay?”
Her mouth twitches upward, eyes flitting around the empty store. “I think I’ll manage,” Flossie tells me dryly. She rounds the counter, giving him a wide berth, and disappears out the back.
“Come on.” Alec is unbothered by her attitude, throwing me a cheeky grin. “I don’t want to get in trouble for taking a long lunch.” He tucks his phone away, heading for the door and holding it open for me.
“You’re the boss,” I remind him as I grab my purse. “No one’s telling you off for anything.”
He waits until I’m brushing past him, leaning down to whisper, “That’s right, sweetheart. And don’t you forget it.”His breath brushes against the shell of my ear, and a shiver pleasantly rolls down my spine.
The man is potent, and he knows it.
“Stop that,” I chide playfully. “Coffee, and that’s it. See you soon, Flossie!” There’s a low reply from the backroom, too quiet to make out.
It’s smack between lunch and the after-school rush, so Beans & Bolts is quiet enough that we snag a table easily. Alec sits sideways in his chair, back against the window, and legs kicked out in front of him.
“How’s life at Kayla’s?”
“Same as always.” I blow out a breath, and he flicks up a questioning eyebrow. “She’s pressuring me to make nice with my parents.”
His expression darkens briefly before he lowers his lashes, shuttering his eyes. “So move out.”
“I want to,” I murmur. “Ineedto. Kayla has been telling me that I might as well just stay now that her friend has decided not to move here.”
Alec rolls his eyes. “You move out, and she loses access to Barrett.”
I scrunch my nose up. I try not to think about my best friend and cousin. They’re…I don’t even know what they are, but they aren’t together.
“You know that Flossie hates it when you call her Florence,” I say, changing the subject. Alec barely blinks, smiling up at the server as she sets our coffees down on the table.
When she goes back behind the counter, he says, “I do know that. She keeps giving me such a good reaction, so there’s no incentive to stop.”
“I’m gonna ban you from the bookshop if you don’t play nice,” I threaten.
Alec shrugs easily. “You could try,” he taunts, lifting his coffee to his lips.
