Page 29 of Mister Rival

She laughs and it’s a glorious sound. We’re both on our backs, staring up at the ceiling after a round of the most mind-blowing sex I’ve ever had. I’m not done with her by a long shot, but we’ve paused to have a breather and talk.

“I don’t know what I was thinking with Gareth. You’re lucky you’re still friends with your ex, it’s been tough with Clementine. I’ve had to keep the peace for her sake.”

“That must’ve been hard on you.”

“It was, but I knew I couldn’t take him back. Not after what he did.”

“I’m sorry he hurt you,” I say. “But I’m not sorry about tonight. In fact, I’ve been wondering all night how I’m gonna go back to what we were before.”

She rolls onto her side and props her head up in her hand. God, she’s so glorious lying naked beside me with no inhibitions. “What are you saying?”

I take a breath. “I’ve liked you for a long time, even though I always act like a dick.”

“Ah, so you’re finally admitting you are a dick? This I need on record.”

I caress her cheek bone with my knuckle. “You’re such a wise ass, you know that?”

“It takes one to know one, and for the record, I’ve maybe secretly liked you, too.”

“And here I was thinking we were gonna have to stay away from one another.”

“Maybe we just need to get it out of our systems?” She bites her lip. Does she really mean that? It seems kinda cold.

I swallow hard. “If that’s what you want?”

She hesitates, and I’m left thinking she may not really know what she wants. In reality, she can have any man she sets her sights on. Alison has never really realized that she’s the prize, and any potential suitor should be falling at her feet.

The thought of another man where I am now makes me want to commit murder. She’s mine.

“I don’t know what I want, truthfully. I never thought I’d be able to love again, and ultimately, I’m never going to be the kind of woman who sleeps around,” she says. “Not that there’s anything wrong with playing the field. It just isn’t for me. So I’ve avoided dating. I was still wounded, as much as I hate Gareth and what he did, I loved him with all my heart.”

I tip her chin up, kissing her nose. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that, baby. If I were in his shoes, I’d never let you out of my sight.”

Her cheeks flush. “What about you? You’re a man about town.”

“Sadly, I’m not. Like I said, I haven’t slept with anyone in over six months, and even when I was, it was just mindless sex.”

“So what’s this then?”

“It’s not that, baby.”

“No?”

I shake my head, my voice dropping a notch. “No. You’re fucking everything.”

She stares at me, her mouth slightly open. “Tris?—”

“You don’t have to say anything.” I rub my nose against hers. “Just know this isn’t just sex, and I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk. I should’ve manned up instead of being a fool. I never thought you’d be interested in me in that way.”

“Like you don’t know you drive women wild.”

I shrug. “Maybe, but none stuck around. I want more than that.”

“I don’t know if I’m capable of more, Tris.”

My heart sinks at her admission. I understand. After my divorce, I was gutted. Even if we were amicable, it still hurt. I loved her, but we just didn’t work anymore.

This is the side of Alison I’ve never seen. Maybe it is the aftermath of the booze we’ve consumed, but she’s a vision. No matter what. She’s fucking perfect. Even if we only have tonight, I’m going to remind her that she’s worthy of love. That she’s worthy of anything she wants. I don’t feel great about all the things that went down with us over the years, or the deal I kept from her. I was acting like a child, not theMr. Forbesshe so eloquently called me. But now isn’t the time to push. I can show her that I’m her Mr. Right. It might take some doing, but in time she might see for herself that I’m capable of more. I’ve got a lot of making up to do.

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