Sebastian
One month later
Hummingtomyself,I wrap the towel around my hips and stroll to the bedroom to get dressed. I woke up this morning in an empty bed, realizing how fast I'd gotten used to Alexandra staying over almost every night since Nathan's untimely death. The night she called me yelling like fury while her psycho ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her was the third worst night in my life. I was out of my fucking mind, driving through every red light in town. I was hell-bent on barging in and ripping his head off, but the cops arrived just as I did and stopped me.I held Alexandra in my arms, shielding her from seeing the cops shooting him. I'm so proud of my girl for bouncing back so fast and not letting his death stain her soul. The unfortunate incident helped her. She fought back like a fierce lioness and survived. The girls only went back to the house to get their stuff. Heidi put the house up for sale the week after, and they moved into temporary accommodations while waiting for the house to sell. I don't blame her for selling the place. I wouldn't want to live in a house riddled with the stench of death.
Walking into my closet, I opt for casual black jeans, a V-neck sweater and smart trainers. I've planned a great date night for us. After everything she's been through, she deserves a romantic balloon ride followed by a dinner at Ben and Sam's house. It would be amazing for her to meet one of my closest friends. Grabbing my keys, phone and wallet, I shoot her a quick text to let her know I'm on my way to pick her up from work. I'm staying at my apartment, so it doesn't take me long to get to the hospital.Alexandra comes out of the main entrance as soon as I park my car. My skin tingles as I watch her sashay towards the car, the tight purple sweater and black skinny jeans hugging her hour-glass figure in the right places. Sitting down, she puts her handbag in the back before turning her head in my direction and giving me an enthralling grin. Breathing in her fresh floral perfume, I reach up and take the clip out of her hair, letting it tumble down her shoulders. Raking my hand through her thick, smooth tresses, I pull her closer and devour her with hungry kisses. Her mouth tastes sweet, like juicy summer strawberries. God, I can't get enough of her. I can't wait to get her naked and bound in my playroom tonight. Breaking away, I bite her lower lip, eliciting a needy moan from her. On our way to Hot Air Heaven, we talk about her day and upcoming promotion at work, which would mean more responsibility and longer days if she doesn't want to go full time to spread her hours.
"I honestly don't know what to do. Come September, I'll need to find a psychotherapy internship job and attend my second-year workshops. If I accept the promotion, I won't have time to see you or my friends."
"Why don't you move in with me, pet?" the words fly out of my mouth. The sound of Alexandra's sharp intake of breath assaults my ears, and I don't know if it's a good sign or a bad one.
"Oh-" Clearing her throat she continues, "Thank you for the offer, Sir. I'm not saying no, but don't you think it's too early to move in together?" she lowers her voice.
Damn it, I must have scared her. After what happened with her psycho ex, she must feel terrified about moving in with another man. I need to reassure her. My little sub is prone to overthinking and over-analyzing everything.
"It's okay, pet. I know this came out of nowhere. You don't need to move in straight away. It's early June now. We have plenty of time until the end of September or even October. What's worrying you about the idea of moving in together?" I give her a side glance, noticing her wringing her hands in her lap.
"Last time I moved in with a guy, he ended up almost killing me. And before you say anything, I know you won't ever hurt me unless I consent…" she giggles nervously. "But in all seriousness, two control freaks living under the same roof is a recipe for disaster. What if we drive each other crazy?"
She is making a valid point, especially when I have never lived with anyone before, but this is important to me. She is important to me. I've never felt such a strong mental, emotional, and physical attraction to anyone before. Each time we're together, my heart flutters in my chest like a hormonal teenager. I spent so much time protecting myself from experiencing another devastating loss that I failed to notice the little sub crawling under my skin and straight into my heart. I don't know what I'd do if I lost Alexandra. I don't think I can survive my heart being broken into smithereens again.
"As long as we accept each other as we are, respect our breathing space and communicate openly and honestly, I don't see a problem, pet. Why don't we do a trial run for a month and see how it goes?"Exhaling, she rubs her palms up and down her jeans, something she does when she is nervous or trying to self soothe. "I agree with you completely. I guess it might be a good idea to set aside my fears and give it a go."
"Great, let's talk more another time. Time to have some fun."
"Sure. I've never been on a hot-air balloon ride, so I'm super excited."
Parking the car, we get out and head to meet our pilot in the designated area for passengers. While we walk to the launch site, our pilot gives us preliminary safety instructions, shares fun facts about hot-air balloon history and answers our questions. Upon arrival, the crew turn on the fans, inflating the elliptical balloon envelope. After boarding the gondola, we ascend into the air, watching the buildings of downtown Seattle getting smaller and smaller. As we float over Lake Tapps, herds of elk and deer roam around while wide-winged bald eagles soar above the treetops, their high-pitched cries echoing in the air. Pressing my body against my little sub, I wrap my arms around her waist.
"Oh my God, the view is breathtaking," Alexandra exclaims, leaning her head on my shoulder and rubbing her ass closer to my crotch. Naughty sub.
"Easy there, tiger, you're getting the beast excited and we aren't alone," I whisper in her ear, earning a naughty giggle as she continues taking photos with her phone.
"I can't help if the beast likes me too much, Sir. Maybe I can have a word with him later," she whispers, wiggling her hips.
"If you don't stop, my hand will have a word with a naughty, delightful ass later, pet." Pushing her hair away, I playfully bite her earlobe, making her draw a deep, audible breath.
We spent the rest of the journey relaxing and enjoying the picturesque view of waterways, farmlands, Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens and the Cascades Range. My blood pulses with excitement as I catch the last fiery embers of the golden sun bleed into the foothills of the beautiful Cascades. The pilot tells us we are about to land. As he finds a large grassy area, the gondola makes its descent, touching the ground smoothly. We toast the safe journey with a celebratory glass of champagne before the crew drives us back to our car.
"How did you two meet, Sam?" Alexandra lifts her fork to her mouth, but pauses halfway through, waiting for Sam to answer. Ben lowers his gaze to his plate, hiding the smirk on his face.
"It's a funny story, you know." She covers her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle before continuing. "Sebastian and I went on a blind date that went from bad to worse. To cut the story short, I'd been awake for over 30 hours after studying for my exams and kept nodding off during dinner. When Sebastian went to the bathroom and came back, he found me asleep with my head buried in my dessert. Like a true gentleman, he paid and carried me back to my dorm." I chuckle inwardly when the image of finding Sam face down in her dessert replays in my mind's eye.
"She hadn't told me she'd been awake for over 30 hours. When I came back and found you asleep, I was mortified. I kept wondering if I was the worst conversationalist in the world to have put you to sleep. God, I will never forget the pity in the eyes of the diners when I carried you out of the restaurant." Sam waves her hand in disagreement.
"Nah, you were super charming and patient with me nodding off. If it was another guy, he would have walked away after five minutes. Honestly, I should've told you. But I guess it had to happen the way it did so I could meet Ben the next day."
"How did you meet Ben?" Alexandra inquires. Sam brushes a strand of her chestnut brown hair from her face.
"Ah, the next day, I went to his dorm to apologize and Ben answered the door with a tiny towel wrapped around his waist. The moment our eyes locked, I knew he would be the one I'd marry."
Alexandra covers her chest with her hand, exclaiming, "Oh my God, that is so romantic." Sam turns her head in his direction, her brown eyes softening with love and admiration. He covers her hand with his, gazing back at her. After all these years, they still look smitten with each other.
I glance at Alexandra, knowing in my heart that she is the one for me, hoping we can build a long-lasting relationship based on deep love and respect, despite my worries about her fear of commitment and my fear of loss. The oven's alarm goes off, interrupting my daydreaming.
"Bread is ready," Sam announces. Alexandra helps her clear our dirty starter plates and follows her into the cozy open-plan kitchen.
The aromatic scent of homemade vegetarian lasagna and fresh-baked bread teases my nostrils, making my stomach growl embarrassingly as if I haven't just had a plateful of antipasti. Alexandra and Sam place the food in the middle of the table.