Until Lexi laughs to herself.
“What’s funny?”
“I lied to you.”
My eyes snap in her direction, fear now flooding me. Of course, it’s too good to be true.
But her smile, it’s coy yet promising.
“What did you lie about?”
She hurries and scrambles to standing on her skates, and she offers me a hand to yank me up, which is kind of pointless as I’ll just take her back down due to my size. I don’t take her offered arm because I would rather have an answer.
“I didn’t tell you that I know.”
“As in?” I need a clue.
Lexi licks her lips, and her cheeks tighten from a cheeky smile wanting to break free. “I know you turned the water off on purpose, always knew.”
She laughs and skates away. Leaving me sitting on the ice grinning to myself.
Because even from day one, she still stayed.
17
HOLDEN
Tequila. A bottle of tequila rests on the rug near the turned-on fireplace downstairs. I spill some from my shot glass onto my hand as we sit on the floor. A few shots might do that to you.
We both chuckle as we let loose. It’s been quite a day and here we are post-dinner—well, a charcuterie board. Lexi brings out a side of me that I haven’t felt in years. Sure, I would kick back with a few drinks with friends. However, the constant laugh while we’re doing it seems to be different. It’s more uplifting, with my cares of the world turned off. And even more of a change is that there is a woman in my house who is more than a platonic friend.
“Last one,” I say.
Lexi nods and tosses her empty glass to the side, and it lands on the rug. “Agreed. We have to think clearly.” She points a finger at me.
“What? That you are a bad influence?”
A cheeky proud smile stretches on her lips. “Yet you, oh so wise old guy, follow me willingly?”
My brows lift, and I give her a warning. “Seven years. Only seven years older,” I remind her then slide all signs of alcohol to the side. It gives me ample space to tickle her and guide her back onto the floor. We both quickly lie on our sides and rest our heads against propped elbows while we stare at one another. “I’m having fun.”
“Good. You should. Take it down a notch on the stress level. You’re allowed to do that.”
“So it seems.”
Our eyes are glued to one another, and after a few ticks, a gentle look floods her face. “We might be tipsy but still we know that tomorrow this is a thing of the past. I should probably go stay at the Dizzy Duck after tonight.”
“Is it the alcohol? Or did I just hear you say that you’re leaving my house?”
She shakes her head. “Our dynamics have changed, and I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Sobriety hits me at rocket speed. My lips press out, and I debate for a few seconds. “How is this different to you staying here while we fucked on what was becoming a regular basis?” My free hand lands on her hip and rubs back and forth. I can’t not touch more of her.
“It’s a little more than physical now, don’t ya think?” Her face turns puzzled.
She’s right. But I’m too selfish. “What if I refuse to let you leave? I’m beginning to think my kids wouldn’t like it either. You can still stay in the guest room.”
Lexi sighs then rolls to her back, with frustration clearly growing. “Holden, I am completely on board with Harry and Lori being in the dark. But this. Where is it going? At some point, one of us will want more, and I have a feeling it’s not you. Impending disaster is probably looming over us.”
