“There are so many places I want to see.”
“Can I read the list?”
I shake my head. “It’s kind of private, and you’ll probably think some of the things are stupid.”
“It’s nice to see you have a high opinion of me,” he teases with a smirk.
“That’s not what I mean. You actually seem really nice.” I glance at the food. “I’m being treated like a queen here, and after you helping me today, I feel like I owe you.”
“You’re under my forty-eight-hour watch, remember.”
“Forty-eight? You said twenty-four.”
“You’re misremembering,” he says, but we both know I’m not. He touches his head. “That’s likely from the bump. I might have to up the watch to seventy-two.” I’m about to protest when he says, “So what did you write that I would think is stupid? Swimming with dolphins?”
“Do you think that’s stupid?”
“No, I think it’s inhumane. We shouldn’t be harnessing mammals for our enjoyment. I’m sorry if that offends you, Alyssa. I’m not going to go into a debate on it, or delete anyone from my social media because they have differing opinions, but it’s just how I feel.”
My heart does a little happy dance, and I really like how honest he is. That’s so important to me, especially after my ex hid the fact for months that he was planning to stay in New York after college. I thought we were going to do long term. I should have known better. As a computer scientist, there’s little to no work for him in this town, so why would he come back?
Oh, maybe because I was here.
But you’re not enough to keep anyone around, Alyssa.
“I agree with you, Alek. I think it’s cruel to keep them in an enclosure and make them perform.”
“We agree on something anyway,” he mumbles.
I laugh, knowing he’s talking about his self-imposed doctor duties of watching over me. “I think we can both agree this food is awesome.”
“Yup, and don’t think this change of subject is getting you off the hook. I eventually want to hear all the stupid things on your list,” he says. “Also, you have more food on your face than in your stomach.”
My eyes go wide. “I do not.”
He makes an exasperated face. “You’re a hot mess, Alyssa. Go look in the mirror.”
Still not sure I believe him, I say, “You have sauce on your face too. Right here.” I reach across the table, and swipe his face, but when I do, he captures my hand. He glances at the sauce on my finger.
“So I do.” My heart jumps into my throat when he takes my finger and puts it in his mouth, moaning as he tastes the sauce—or maybe it’s because he’s tasting me.
Holy hell.
A storm of need roils through me as we stare at one another, and I’m pretty sure neither one of us are breathing. His touch lights up my body, awakens every sleeping desire in me. Jesus, I’m pretty sure no man, not even my ex, has ever looked at me the way Alek is right now, and I’m also sure I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want him.
Captain Jack barks, no doubt confused by all the sexual tension, and I pull my hand back. I grab one of the napkins from the stack and wipe my mouth.
“So…uh,” he begins and clears his throat. “You have to visit your grandmother?”
“She’ll be expecting me,” I say and wondering if he’s thinking the same thing I am. We blow her off, and head right upstairs so I can blow something else off.
Good Lord, girl, who are you?
?
??Then we don’t want to disappoint her,” he says.
“You really don’t have to go.”