Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Goddammit, but a drunk Alyx was just too irresistible for his own good.
Crazy as hell, too, but still.
Her eyes locked with his. “Then make me fall in love with you instead?”
Silence, and then Alyx giggled. “That scared you!”
Yes. Nathan only stared stoically at her. Fuck yes. And his shock at her words must have been too obvious that even her alcohol-clouded mind hadn’t any trouble comprehending it.
“There’s no need to be.” She reached for him, saying soothingly, “So don’t be scared, little boy.” She tried patting him on the cheek reassuringly, but her fingers ended up drumming against his mouth instead. “I just want the pain to go away, okay? So you either fuck me or make me fall for you. Either is fine.”
“Alyx---”
Her hands moved up, and then she was cupping his face. “Let me be clear. There’s no need for you to fall for me. Got that?” And releasing him, she said airily, “You can still date other women. Totes fine.” Her hand waved negligently in the air as if to emphasize her words.
When she looked at him as if expecting an answer, Nathan said slowly, “We’ll talk about this when you’re not---”
“No!”
The high-pitched cry surprised him, and Nathan frowned when he saw a look of distress fall on Alyx’s face.
“You don’t understand. You gotta promise now!”
“I can’t. You’re not thinking rationally---”
“And that’s why you gotta promise now!” And now her eyes were shining with tears that threatened to fall any second.
Fuck. “Calm down, sweetheart---”
“I know I’m drunk! Do you think I don’t know?” A hysterical laugh escaped Alyx. “Nathan, I need you to promise me now while I’m still able to ask it.” She moved back and started to sway---
He immediately reached for her. “Steady now.”
“I’m o-okay.” She ended up straddling him. “I’m okay.” Her smile was determined, but the slur in her voice was more pronounced.
No, Nathan thought. You’re not.
“Listen to me, Nathan.” Her tone became a low, confidential whisper.
He nodded.
“I’m going to tell you a secret, and it’s going to change everything.”
When it looked like she needed him to answer, he murmured, “I’m listening.”
“Good.” But she looked like she badly wanted to cry now. “That’s good.”
His expression hardened at the way her voice shook. “Alyx---”
“I fell for my best friend’s hubby,” she blurted out.
Ah.
And she asked in a voice that was just too damn blank, “Do you think I’m an evil slut?”
Ah.
He met her eyes straight on, saying quietly, “What I think is that you’ve always tried so hard to be everyone’s ideal…” And now, it was his turn to lay a hand on her face. “That it took you completely by surprise when you realized you can be as human and fallible as the rest of us.”
Her eyes fell closed.
And then she muttered under her breath, “It’s sickening how you always say the right things---”
He would’ve laughed if he could, but with the tears finally falling, he could only yank her close to him.
Her arms went around his neck, tightening, almost threatening to choke him even as her tears began to soak his shirt.
“And you know,” she choked out, “when not to cop a feel, too.” Her clenched fist struck his back weakly. “So horribly perfect. I hate it.”
A hoarse chuckle escaped him. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ve always been perfect.” Her nails dug hard into his back, and he grinned. It hurt, but he definitely preferred a fighting Alyx to a broken one.
“Your promise.” Her voice was a sleepy mumble. “You haven’t promised yet.”
But then she started to snore, and his shoulders shook.
Nathan pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head.
I promise, sweetheart.
I’ll fill your head with thoughts of me if it’s what eases your pain.
Alyx And Nathan
“Feeling better?” Nathan asked as he slid into the luxurious lounge chair next to her.
Alyx watched him from the corner of her eye, unable to meet his gaze. What little she glimpsed, however---
He had on a checkered long-sleeve shirt completely unbuttoned to reveal the gray V-necked shirt underneath, half-tucked into ripped jeans. He was devastatingly sexy in other words, and Alyx squirmed mentally at its impact on her body, with the way her nipples puckered against the cups of her bra.
“Alyx?” Nathan suddenly bent towards her, his too-beautiful face too close for comfort as he peered up at her. “I asked if you’re feeling better?”
She cleared her throat. “Umm…” Then she noticed the sly look in his gray eyes.
It said, I know you want to fall in love with me.
Without thinking, Alyx’s hand landed smack on his face as she pushed him away unceremoniously. At the same time, a stewardess entered the lounge, and the other woman let out a little shriek at the apparent altercation.
Alyx jerked, face flaming at the horrified expression on the stewardess’ face.
Nathan laughed.
Damn him, Alyx fumed, mortified. If only there was a way to escape Nathan Callis or find someone else to talk to. But since this was his jet, neither was possible, and the damn man knew it!