Enough (19 page)

“
Here’s the place.” I said waving a hand around us. We stood in the center of the city with the Christmas decorations and music. “This probably isn’t what you had in mind but–”

“
Anything is fine with me as long as I spend the time with you.” Ale said cutting me off. My heart stopped as I looked up at him. His eyes held mine and we stayed like that for a few seconds. I feel like a feather. The wind can just pick me up and blow me away.

Alex slowly brought his hands up and cupped my face
then he leaned in to me. It was slow, like he was debating whether or not to kiss me. I didn’t protest so I waited. He closed the space between us and pressed his lips to mine. It was slow then he kissed me deeper, harder. God!

I wrapped my arms behind
his neck. I kissed him like I was dying of starvation and he was my food. I need him. I just want to get lost in his arms. I’m here with Alex.
Kissing
him. The guy that never gave any girl a chance is with me. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Our bodies fit perfectly together. Yeah, only I would seek this out while kissing this gorgeous man.

T
hen we were interrupted by a loud cough. That was not sexy at all. We moved away slowly, never letting our eyes off each other.

“Emily?”
I turned my head to the left and saw a familiar face. The short blonde hair I remembered is now long and shaggy covering those green eyes I grew accustom to. My grandparents’ neighbors’ son Nick Cassidy is standing there. He’s around Scarlett’s age. We became friends when my family came up here. He’s also Scarlett’s ex so I kept in touch with him. He was crazy about her and I love him for it.

“Nick. Hi. How you been?”
I asked.

“I’ve been better. Is the rest of the fam
ily here?” Nick asked looking around. He still has it bad for Scar. It’s cute and sad.

“No. Just me
.” I turned toward Alex. “This is one of my grandparent’s neighbors, Nick. Alex, Nick. Nick, Alex.” They said hello, made small talk then Nick walked away. We were just kissing so I wasn’t going to make him tag along and become the third wheel.

“So…
do you want to go somewhere else?” I asked. I am really growing a pair. I would never do this. Alex grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. Oh…my...

“
Show me around.” He said with
that
smile.

“Are you sure about this?” I
asked lifting up our hands. “I tend to get some people in trouble.” I need to put it out there. I need him to have an out just in case this isn’t what he wants.

“I’ve never been surer.”
He said.

Damn
. He knows what to say to get me worked up. And it’s working.

“W
hat kind of girl am I?” I asked remembering our talk on our way to Sophie’s the night of the party. I asked if he would go out with a girl that drinks and has rumors going around. He said it depends on the girl. So what kind of girl was I? I want to know. Scared? A whore? Wild?

“The right one.”
He said holding my eyes. Oh, god! Fuck me, my heart is racing and the butterflies were let loose in my stomach. Please get me out of here. I want to do bad things right about now and I know that would make me look easy. Which I’m not. But when it comes to Alex, I can’t think. I just want to do…him.

We walked around the area a little longer
until I saw a fried dough station. Yay! “You have to try these. I’d say they’re the best in the world.” I said. We got two and sat on a bench nearby.

When Alex was almost done with his fried dough
, he turned toward me. “You have a little something right…there.” He smashed a piece of fried dough on my nose. I laughed thinking he didn’t do the whole clichéd wiping of the mouth thing.

“Ahh.”
I squealed and he laughed. “You just put oil and sugar on my face.” I said wiping it off. That is like most girls’ nightmare.

“You still look cute.” I rolled my eyes playfully at him.

“You better watch out. If I have ice cream in hand…” I trailed off. I’d do a lot of things with that ice cream. Oh, man. What I would do with chocolate syrup and whip–

“So you’re
planning on seeing me again?” He asked with a sexy smile. “I don’t know…you seem like you don’t like me.”

I laughed
. “You have no idea. You’re so fucking annoying.”

W
e finished eating and started walking back home, hand in hand.

“I had a great time. T
hank you for that.” I said.

“
No problem and I should thank you. You brought me here.” I didn’t plan on it. “Are you staying here tonight or are you going back to Boston?” Alex asked.

“
I’m going back tonight.” I said. I can’t be MIA. Speaking of that, Rachel still hasn’t called me. What the fuck is up with that? It’s almost Christmas and she’s not back. She loves Christmas! “Hey…Christmas is Wednesday.” I said. “Monday’s the last day of school before winter break. That’s not enough time, Alex. I’m going back so I can find him. How is one day going to do anything?”

“
Maybe one day is all you need.” Alex said. He has no idea how true that is. I just needed one day of talking to him to know that I never want to stop.

“I hope you
’re right.” I said unlocking the front door. “I’m just going to get my things. If you want to help…you can.” Shit! I should not have invited him upstairs. But he followed.

I was walking over to Alex
with all my stuff when I tripped on the rug next to the bed. He caught me before any real damage was done. As he caught me, he held me by one of my wrists.

“Sorry.” He
said letting go of my wrist and sliding his hand to my waist. Smooth. Hold on a second…the way he held my wrists…

“
I think I remember something. Hold my wrists together.” I said.

He furrowed his brow.
“What?”

“Hold them together.” I
said holding them out. Alex slowly reached for them and wrapped his fingers around them. “No, that’s not right.” I glanced toward the bed. It looked similar to Sophie’s. The headboard’s a bit taller but it’ll work. “Come over here.” I said lying on the bed. “Climb on top of me.” I said. He just stared at me and didn’t move. I’d think I’m crazy at this point too. “Alex. I would do it myself but it won’t work. Sit on top of me. Please.” He walked over and hopped on the bed. “Straddle me.” It felt weird reenacting what happened at Sophie’s but I have to. I lifted my hands over my head and held them to the headboard. “Hold them against this.”

“
I don’t feel comfortable doing this.” Alex said looking down at me.

“I don’t
either but can you please do it.” I said begging now. I need to do this. He shook his head lightly then pinned my wrists down. I looked at his arm. Tan and bare. “I think he had something on his arm.” I said sliding a hand out from Alex’s grasp to touch his forearm. “Maybe it was the light coming from the window but I think he had something here.” Yeah, he definitely did. I remember seeing something. A tattoo maybe?

Alex le
t my other hand go. “Is that it?” He asked.

“Yeah.” He swung his leg over me and got off the bed.
“Thanks.” He nodded and walked into the hallway. Ouch. I grabbed my purse and turned off the light. “Alex, wait.” He stopped and glanced at me. “I didn’t want that to make things weird between us…” I dropped my gaze and furrowed my brow. “Is there even an
us
? Or are you here for a different reason?”

He
pulled me into him and leaned over me. I felt his cool breath on my skin, making every hair on my body stand up.

He finally smiled and kissed me.

“I like you, Emily. A lot.” Alex said pulling away from me. “I wish this could have happened sooner.” My heart was now beating uncontrollably. “I should have done something different the moment I saw you.”

“Well
, it took you long enough.” I said pulling him back to my lips. His hands found my hips then slipped to the small of my back. I moved mine up his body and felt every ripple of muscle. Chocolate syrup would be fucking amazing right now. He backed me up against the wall then the clock struck six. Alex pulled away as the silence between stretched. The bedroom is right there… No! I can’t. “We should go.” I said trying to catch my breath. Then I turned and headed downstairs. That’s better.

W
hen we got to the cars, I grabbed my phone and looked up Alex’s number to call him. He looked up at me with a confused look. “You said you don’t have my number. Do you know the way back?” I asked as he opened my car door.

“N
ot really. I came here pretty quick.” He said.

“Back out and follow me. I know the quickest way.”
I said.

I am bossy. Wow self-control is awesome.

Once I was on the highway, the car had a mind of its own. We were parked at Alex’s house in less than an hour. New record. I saw my mom standing by the front door and I couldn’t help but think she looked weird. This house is just too big for her. This isn’t even her house. This whole thing is weird.

Alex came up from behind me and
slid his hand in mine.

“I t
hink she’s worried.” He said.

“S
he shouldn’t be. I was with you…most of the time.” I said.

“Emily.
” Just the way she said my name screamed concern.

“Mom…
I was out with Alex.” I said. She cocked an eyebrow at me. Wow. She hasn’t given me that look since the first time I came home drunk. “How’s Scarlett?” I asked. Mom sighed then let us walk in. Weird because this is Alex’s house. He should be letting us in.

“She’s feeling better. Officer Ryans called today. He said the house is
almost done being investigated and we can go back tomorrow.” She said looking out at Alex. “Thank you for letting my family stay here. I’m forever grateful.”

“
No worries, Ms. Spencer. You and your family are always welcome back.” Alex said eyeing me. I plan on coming back…with less clothes.

“So
, where did you two go today?” Mom asked.

“Um, just some place.
We had fun… That’s what counts.” I said.

M
om looked down at my hand which was still in Alex’s. I swear I saw her smile before she turned around.

“
I’m glad you did. You deserve it.” She said walking into the kitchen.

“I really don’t understand why everyone’s so nice to me
…but I like it.” I said walking up the stairs toward Scarlett’s room. “I have to talk to her real quick.” Alex nodded and went into his room as I knocked on Scarlett’s door.

“Come in.”
She called out.

“Hey. Mom said you’
re feeling better.” I said walking over to the bed. Scar nodded. “What did you do today?”

“Nothing.
I stayed in bed and Declan and Mom brought me food. Texting is my new best friend right now.” She said.

“
We can go back home tomorrow.” I said.

“I know…
” She said softly. “Emily, I’m scared to go back.”

“Don’t be. No one will hurt you again.
” I’ll make sure of that.

Scar held my eyes and grabbed my hand.

“Em, I’m not scared for me. I’m scared for
you
.”

I started to get choked up. I didn’t expect Scar to say that.
Scar is my sister but sometimes we don’t act like it. Right now, she’s acting like my older sister. This is what I need. “Don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself, okay?” I rubbed her hand as I blinked back tears. “Go to sleep and take it easy, Scar. We’ll take care of everything.” I kissed her forehead and left the room. Scar looks tired. Sleep is the best thing for her now. It’s only around seven but it’s dark out. It’s sleeping time for some. That includes me.

I walked into Alex’s room
and stopped short. Alex was standing next to his closet without a shirt on and my eyes couldn’t stop staring. “Sorry.” I mumbled tearing my eyes off him. “I was thinking about–” He threw a shirt on and hopped into bed. I never thought I’d watch Alex pat the empty side of the bed for me. Oh, god. That did wild things to me. I walked over and sat down. I couldn’t help it. “I have to call a home security system place tomorrow. Any ideas on good ones?” I asked. I laid down next to Alex like it was a normal night. I should probably go into a different room. I can’t be here. But I want to be.

“I can
call the company I have. It’s the best. Silent alarms and the police show up quick.” Alex said. Then he made my heart race by moving a lock of hair behind my ear. We’re back to this…and my family is here. God help me. “Are you going back home tomorrow?” He asked. I nodded.

Alex turned off the lamp beside him and I moved in. Yes, I kissed him. I couldn’t help it.
He wrapped an arm around my waist and the way he held me really tickled. I tried to squirm away from him but instead laughed so he did it again.