Page 69 of Wild Tangled Hearts

His eyes soften, and he leans in closer. “What this is is me falling head over heels for you.”

He closes the remaining distance between us and presses his lips to mine, his kiss soft and tender, a delicate exploration of unspoken feelings. It's a kiss filled with promise, a promise of the unknown and the potential for something beautiful.

Alex eventually pulls back, his gaze playful as he looks into my eyes. He brushes a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek.

“So, you still want to invite me in?” he teases.

“Only if I get to choose the movie.”

He raises an eyebrow, feigning contemplation.“ You drive a hard bargain. But sounds fair.”

As I open the door and we step inside, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the moments yet to come.

“What are you hungry for?” I ask, pulling out my phone.

He chuckles and lifts an eyebrow. “That’s not a fair question, Bella.”

I blush at the undertones of his words. “I mean food.”

“Hmm, how about we try the new takeout place on Front Street? They make amazing shawarmas."

"Shawarmas sound fantastic." I quickly place an order on the app, then sit beside him on the couch.

“So what are we watching?” he asks, pulling me back against his chest as I scroll through the movies on Prime Video.

"How about Bridget Jones's Diary? It’s one of my favorites."

"Ah, Bridget and her diary," he chuckles. "If I had a diary, it would probably be full of coffee stains and to-do lists."

I laugh, playfully nudging him. "And here I thought it would be filled with epic tales of your adventures."

He wraps his arm around me. "Well, this movie's got nothing on our real-life adventure."

The movie plays on, but honestly, the easy back-and-forth between us, the way our laughter fills the room, and the sheer enjoyment of each other's company make being with him so special. We dive into our shawarmas, tossing jokes and laughing, turning our meal into a delightful comedy show.

Every time I glance over at Alex, he's already looking back at me. We exchange these wordless moments where our eyes meet, and it's like we're sharing a secret language. This knowing smile passes between us like we're in on the same inside joke. Those shared smiles make me feel like two puzzle pieces clicking perfectly into place.

As the credits roll, I sit with my back against Alex's chest. His arm wraps gently around me, his fingers brushing softly against my cheek. He clears his throat, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

"I should probably get going," he says, his voice filled with reluctance and responsibility.

But as he mentions leaving, a wave of hesitation washes over me. I can feel his warmth and comforting presence behind me, and the thought of him going suddenly feels unbearable. My internal struggle begins, torn between the desire to ask him to stay and the fear of pushing too much too soon.

I weigh the options in my mind, my heart racing. Should I risk it and tell him how much I want him to stay, or should I play it safe and bid him goodnight?

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

Ignite the passion and ask him to stay over because sometimes, love can't wait until morning. Turn to this page.

Give him a sweet goodnight kiss, leaving just a hint of anticipation in the air. Keep the flames of desire at bay for now, and instead, let him know how excited you are about your upcoming date to the Art Gallery with him and his sister! Turn to this page.

Chapter32

Alex

TENDER DESIRES

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