Page 49 of The Longest Wait

“What do you mean, behave?” Sofia eyed him like he insinuated something far naughtier than he intended. Not that he didn’twant that, but he was wise enough to assume sex was off the table.Sofia had a wild streak, and she had to not act like a maniac thisweekend at his work function. That was all he was asking for.

“Get over yourself, Sofia. All I’m requesting, please, is for youto pretend you like me since you’re my plus one to this event.This includes you not chopping me down in front of my workcolleagues. You need to act like you actually want to be my date.”

“Like that’s my fault you’ve slept through half the city andcouldn’t manage a date.”

“Don’t be a hypocrite.”

Sofia was furious as she stomped all around the hotel room.She was randomly throwing her belongings in drawers when themoment suited her, while slamming the doors loudly. “You haveno idea who I’ve slept with.”

Alex’s anger matched hers, he was fed up with her acting likespending time with him was the end of the world. He yanked herclose to him and officially lost control. “You think I have no clue?You think every time my little sister called me and I asked aboutyou, she didn’t tell me some story about your fucking love life? Forten damn years, Sofia, I’ve heard a fucking play-by-play of whoyou’ve slept with.”

Sofia stared up at him, furious emotions flittering across herface. “You think you’re the only one who had to listen to stories?Lucy has been telling me ever since I met you about your playboy ways.”

Alex dropped her arm and ran his hand through his hair infrustration. Their combustible connection in bed meant nothing.If they went too long without having sex, it was foreign for themto get along. It was almost easier to be angry with each other andhe didn’t understand why. “We can’t keep doing this.”

“I agree. It’s probably best for you to go to the engagementparty alone.”

Not having a plus one to the party wasn’t an option. Everyone at work was bringing someone and if he showed up stag, hewouldn’t hear the end of it. Alex went right back to holding herwrist so she couldn’t walk away from him. He felt like a cave man,but he was worried she was close to catching the next train out ofthe city, and at the moment, he needed her. “What do you mean,go alone?”

Sofia stuck her nose in the air. If she ever wanted proof of herbratty behavior, he planned to use this as one of his examples.“Obviously we can’t manage to last more than five minutes withoutfighting, and I don’t want to cause a scene at an engagement party.Take it from someone who has listened to Tess share stories abouther work; the last thing this bride wants is attention on anothercouple, let alone negative attention.”

Alex wasn’t ready to give up. He sure as fuck wasn’t going to theparty alone. He wasn’t going without Sofia. “You’re right.”

Sofia lifted an eyebrow. “What was that you said?”

“You’re right.” Alex fought off a smile. Sofia looked so damncute, with her arms crossed and her eyes shining bright. While shewouldn’t appreciate the compliment, she made him smile.

“That might be the best thing I have ever heard.”

“Coming from me?”

“Especially because it is coming from you.”

“I have something even better to say.”

Sofia laughed. “Why don’t you stop while you’re ahead.”

“And lose my momentum, not likely. Seriously, Sofia, let’s cutthe bullshit.” Alex ignored her bored look and kept talking. “Justfor tonight, no more arguing. We’ve done this before. In fact, ifmy count is right, we’ve gone to dinner twice and haven’t hurt eachother yet. Let’s restart.”

“Like a truce, the fighting stops?” she asked.

“I’m waving my white flag.”

Sofia smiled. “I like the idea of you surrendering.”

“Please do this for me.” He practically begged.

She pulled a dress out of her suitcase. “You’re lucky Ifeel charitable.”

While Sofia got ready, Alex sat back on the small love seat,taking in the idea he will have another night with Sofia where theywouldn’t fight. It was a mistake for him to not ask her outrightto go to the engagement party privately, it made them take a stepback in all the progress they made. A step back with Sofia wasn’t thedirection he was go. Somehow, Alex knew bringing Sofia to NewYork with him was a game changer, but he wasn’t sure what gamethey were playing. He hoped like hell it worked out from him. Hewas now wishing he took Travis and Jack’s advice and had a plan.SOFIA ADDED SOME finishing touches to her makeup beforeshe had to meet Alex at the hotel bar. All he had to do was put ona suit, so he decided to get a drink while she finished getting ready.Which was nice; it gave her room to breathe. Being around Alexnonstop did something to her, it was like she had a difficult timetrying to concentrate if he was near her. For her to survive a nightwith Alex in a hotel room and not want to have sex, she couldn’tbe off. She knew coming with him this weekend was a big deal. Ifthey slept together, it would cross the line of this pseudo relationship they shared. She sprayed on her perfume and took anotherlook in the mirror.

Her recent purchase on Alex’s dime was the quintessential littleblack dress. The dress hit her knees, which was classic and demure.However, it was racy with lace sleeves, which came across her chestand had a small clasp at her neck. Her favorite part was the openback. Even though she already decided they were not having sex,she had every intention to drive him crazy and this dress woulddo the trick.

It sounded ridiculous, even to her at first, to take intimacy offthe table. She had to though, because before the party, things weregoing good with them. Too good. The party gave her the perfectopportunity to remember Alex wasn’t boyfriend material. Not onlydid he ask her last minute to the party, but he did it in front ofLucy, like it was a game. It still hurt her feelings when she said theywere only friends last week and he didn’t bother to put up a fight. Itwas the constant reminders from him they only shared sex, whichmade her back off. There was no way she was letting her heart beshattered by the same man twice.

Either way, she was going to look damn sexy at the party. Alexneeded to sweat a little.

The moment she walked into the bar, Alex turned to her. Hisdark eyes were pleased as they raced all over her body. She sat nextto him and he didn’t miss a beat.