“My nail shape,” I reply with a small smile, getting in the car. I lean forward, greeting the woman who's driving us. “Hello, thanks for getting us so early!” I return her cheeky grin through the rearview mirror.
"No problem, miss," she replies before putting her eyes back to the front.
Clicking my seatbelt, I try to keep my eyes averted as Alexander slides into the seat next to me smoothly. I wonder if I affect him as much as he does me. He shuts the door, then reaches over to smooth a heavy hand down my thigh in a move so quick and absentminded that I don't even know if he realizes he did it before his hand disappears, and he shuts the door with a firm bang.
“Ma’am, to the airport please,” he rumbles in his deep voice, quickly snapping his seatbelt. I stay still in my seat, blinking and contemplating how on earth he manages to take over all the space in the backseat, especially when he moves to stretch a leg, and then leans to the side to grab his phone from his back pocket. Our driver pulls off, and I watch, amused, as he turns on the flashlight.
"Wh—What are you doing?" I ask, furrowing my brow with a curious grin.
To my surprise, he reaches over and picks my right hand up in a gentle hold before shining the light on my fingers. "Squoval is quite the sexy shape," he mutters, taking me completely aback. So much so my vocal chords freeze. The traitors.
As if he can tell, he flicks me a rather wicked grin and smooths his thumb over my fingers, making my skin tingle.
"Thanks," I say, blinking rapidly and feeling heat creep up my neck.
"Oh, I got you something." Alexander lets my fingers go and reaches to the seat between us. "Here you go, sweetness," he says, handing me a travel coffee.
I'm still not sure how to feel about this nickname I've acquired. But I can admit, it sets me on fire in places that are truly making me suffer because I can't ask him to quench them.
"Oh." The heat creeps from my neck to my cheeks as I take it from him and wrap my hands around the warmth."Thank you so much…I should have brought you something…" I shake my head, feeling stupid. "I wasn't thinking. It's early, and I'mnotan early bird I'm afraid." I huff a sigh and throw him an apologetic look. "You're getting the room and everything—"
"You like to sleep in, hm?" he interrupts quickly and gives me a chuckle, dropping his gaze to my lips before he turns his face back to the front. "Leyla, when are we supposed to arrive at the airport?"
“We’re set to be there in twenty minutes, Dr. Richardson,” she replies, turning onto the highway.
We fall quiet, but I can feel his gaze on me. I try to ignore it, a little intimidated by him still. However, Alexander continues to stare at me until I relent and turn to face him.
“Did you get your toes the same color?”
“No, my toes are blue," I giggle. "Party on the bottom, professional on the top.” Leaning back into the leather seat, I cross my legs, happy that it doesn't pull as bad on my back anymore.
He gives me another slow, assessing look. “Why are your cheeks so red… are you okay?” he enquires with an arched brow.
I quickly avert my face from his piercing gaze, embarrassed at having been caught in the after effects of pleasuring myself. “No reason. I guess I’m just excited is all,” I answer softly, hiding a smile. His eyes bore into the side of my face for a long second, and I fight breaking out into a full on sweat because I feel like he knows what I did.
“Hmm,” he hums, finally looking away and setting me free of all his intensity.
He swipes his phone unlocked, pulls up his itinerary, and begins to scroll through it. I pull out my own phone when it dings with an incoming message from Vanessa, who I nicknamed Nessie.
Nessie [3:06a]: Hey lady, I emailed you a demo to listen to. I know it’s early, but I figured that you guys are heading to the airport right about now, right? Unless you slept in and missed your flight. In that case, that SUCKS.
“So have you been working on any songs on your cello?” I ask him kindly, not wanting to be rude while I'm tapping back a reply. Alexander side eyes me curiously, but I keep my attention on my phone. "Like, do you know a lot of songs?"
“Yes. I can play a lot of pieces, actually. Any you want to hear or you’d recommend?” he replies.
Sarah [3:09a]: No, we didn’t sleep in. We’re in the uber headed to the airport now. I’ll give it a listenwhile we’re waiting to take off. This the one for B, right? I’m so excited for you! You’re so lucky!
Sarah [3:10a] Why are you up so early anyways?
“Well,that really depends solely on if you can do Braveheart justice?” I tease, throwing him a wry grin and giving a little laugh before looking back at my phone that dings with Vanessa’s reply.
Nessie [3:11a]: Soooo what do you mean “we” didn’t sleep in? You and Alex spent the night together? Also, got a baby remember? He takes his feeding this time of night normally. Yes, it’s for B. I hope you like it. Also, are you and Alex for sure coming to the pool party next weekend? We need to expand our friendship group.
Alexander grunts softly. “You don’t have to insult me,” he says quietly, giving me a scowl before looking back at his phone.
"Shouldn't be an insult. Your fingers lookinsanelytalented when you play." I look over to see him now flipping through pictures of the resort. His eyes suddenly snap to mine. My heart skips a beat, and I swear all the air leaves the car as we stare each other down.
“Verytalented. In more ways than one," he replies lowly.
