Page 47 of The Truth of Our Past

My arm around him tightens as I lift him off his feet and laugh. I’m not exactly sure what hangry means, but he’s teasing me.

“Shit, I guess you’ve decided on the river.” Alec wraps his other arm around my neck and pulls his legs up to bracket my waist. “Not today,” he sings, and his dimples deepen.

I imagine us naked in this position and set him down before I embarrass myself in public.

When the sun begins to set, we walk to the nearest subway station.

“So,” Alec hesitates, uncharacteristically unsure, “do you think today helped? Did it spark your creative side?”

“It was extraordinary,” I say, and I’m rewarded with Alec’s face lighting up with sparkling brown eyes, a full smile, and gorgeous dimples. The man’s face should be illegal. “I assumed you would take me to the MOMA or some other museum.”

Alec is never predictable. Although the MOMA would be impressive, it would make me more insecure, looking at famous works of art. Instead, he’s shown me opulent palatial buildings to highlight elegant aesthetics.

I link our fingers together as we find seats on the train. “It was perfect. I never would have thought to visit most of those places and yet their history and beauty are unparalleled. My mind is buzzing with ideas that might burst out of my head.”

Alec pulls a small sketch pad and pencil out of his backpack. “Let them all out.”

And I do.

My sketches are terrible and not yet to scale, but that’s hardly the point. The necklaces I’ve been dreading to design come out in a flurry of creativity and springboard into ideas for sculptures on a scale I’ve never attempted to make before. But it isn’t daunting. Today’s lessons in architecture and construction give me the confidence to take risks.

I worry that I’ve been ignoring Alec. When I glance up, he’s watching me with intent eyes and strokes the back of my neck. He lifts his chin, giving me permission to ride the wave of inspiration.

At our subway stop, Alec holds out his hand, and I would follow this man anywhere. We emerge near Unframed Art. I don’t know the city well enough to know if that was the closest stop to his apartment or mine. All I know is I don’t want this night to end.

Part of me is scared we will lose the magic of the day once he goes home.

“Come home with me.” The words rush out as if my brain already has sex endorphins and can’t filter itself properly.

“I can’t say no to you, Viking.”

“Then don’t.” I wrap him in a hug.

“I practically orgasmed watching you sketch. I’ve been waiting for your invitation.”

“That means I ignored you, and now I am demanding more of you. I’m selfish and terrible at being a fake boyfriend.” My sister was right, I don’t put other’s needs above my own. I deserve to go home alone. “You shouldn’t come home with me.” I’m arguing with Alec over something every cell in my body hungers for.

“That’s overly dramatic, isn’t it?” Alec rests a hand on my neck, and his scent of ink and fresh air nearly brings me to my knees.

I shrug.

“Honestly, Viking, I’m unsure what’s going on here. I’ve never, ever, in the history of my life had to argue with a man to get him to take me home.”

He grins, and my body temperature rises from the blatant lust in his eyes. Although he’s cocky, I’m also sure it’s true.

I run my hands around his shoulders. “I am trying to consider what is best for you.”

“So do it while we’re in bed.” Alec walks backward so he can look at me as he tugs me along. “There’s no rule saying you can’t obsess over me while I fuck you. Real sex with my fake boyfriend. You up for that?”

Chapter twenty

Alec

Fixes Me by Griffin Peterson

Von’s long legs eat up the pavement, and I’d tell him to slow down, but that would be counterproductive. Spending the day showing him the nonconventional touristy places felt incredible.

Watching him take in the sights reminded me of experiencing them for the first time. Von’s entire demeanor changed. His sharp angles softened and his eyes were saucers, soaking in every detail.

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