Page 37 of Alex

This just doesn’t make any sense.

“You think Peter did this based on a few dirty looks he was giving you last night because we were standing close together?”

“I don’t know. It was just a thought I had.”

His gaze drops to my lips before returning to my eyes. “Plus, he saw us outside before we left.”

The kisses and the touches come to the forefront of my mind. I thought we were alone.

Oh. My. God. We were making out heavily and touching one another. And I’m pretty sure there was dirty talk.

My face flames with realization, embarrassment, and a hint of arousal.

Alex leans closer to me, our lips almost brush against one another when he says, “You’re thinking about it aren’t you?”

His voice is deep and husky as he continues. “You were so hot last night. The way your bodyreacted to my every touch. The way you moaned and arched your back when you wanted more.”

His words send pleasure straight to my core, and I whimper with need.

“Alex.” My whisper dies on his lips as they collide into mine.

I give into the desire swirling between us and let his tongue delve into my mouth. It feels sinful, kissing him in his dad’s office.

Sinful, but delicious.

After several moments, I break off the kiss. “Alex, we can’t. Not here. Not right now.”

My aching core protests as I push him away.

With one last quick kiss, he turns around and heads back to his partially packed box. Reaching into Mr. Strickland’s filing cabinet, he packs up the last remaining files before putting the lid on the box.

His muscles ripple as he stacks several boxes on top of one another and carries the boxes downstairs while I ogle him unashamedly.

Once he’s out of sight, I regain my senses and grab an empty box to pack up the files in my desk.

Alex makes two trips, carrying all the boxes in the time it takes me to pack up my desk. He lifts my box like it’s as light as a feather and jogs down the stairs with me in tow.

He places the box in the backseat with the others before closing the door.

Mr. Strickland nods to Alex before turning toward me and saying, “560 Ocean Boulevard is myaddress. That’s where you can meet us. Alex can show you around while I get these boxes inside.”

Alex cuts in. “Dad, I’ll help you carry the boxes inside, so it will go quicker.”

“Alright.”

The two of them turn their attention back to me.

“I don’t have a car.” I blurt out, surprising both Mr. Strickland and Alex.

Mr. Strickland raises an eyebrow in a questioning manner. “How do you usually get to work, Elise?”

Are we really talking about how I get to and from work every day? “Um, I walk.”

His brows furrow as his gaze narrows in on me. “Even when you work late?”

I nod slightly, feeling ashamed and embarrassed that I still walk to work at twenty-three. “I don’t have any other options right now.”

If I had extra money for a down payment for a car or the extra income every month to afford one, then I’d have one, but until then, I have to go by foot.