Page 126 of On the Line
Mitch had come to learn that Lexie’s love language was a combination of physical touch and quality time, two things she had been robbed of as a child. She’d never much cared for gifts or words of affirmation or acts of service. Words to her were often hollow, and gifts or acts of service reminded her of the way her parents would bribe her into being the dutiful daughter they needed for the moment.
But when he’d been at Trader Joe’s earlier that day, he couldn’t resist picking up the cellophane-wrapped peonies for her.
She accepted the blooms, cheeks tinged pink to match the petals. “Thank you,” she said. “They’re beautiful.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets, feeling for all the world like a teenager about to embark on his first date.
“You ready?” She asked.
“Sure am,” he said, gesturing for her to exit.
As they made their way downstairs and settled in the car, they made stilted small talk. It was nearly comical to Mitch that after all these years, all the orgasms they had exchanged and sweet words whispered in the darkest hours of the night, that things between them were so uncomfortable.
He snorted, and Lexie cut him a glance before returning her gaze to the road. “What’s so funny?”
“I mean…we’ve seen each other naked,” he said. “Why is this so damn awkward?”
Lexie laughed, her shoulders lowering in relief. “I don’t know. It feels like we’re starting over, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s why.”
“Is that what we’re doing here?” He asked, turning his body in the seat so he was angled toward her. “Starting over?”
“I don’t know,” Lexie said honestly. “I think we’re figuring it out as we go. If that’s okay with you.”
I’ll take whatever you’ll give me, he thought. But he didn’t dare say it out loud, instead only nodding.
A few minutes later, Lexie pulled into a parking lot in Greektown, and Mitch’s eyebrows scrunched together. “You’re taking me to the loft?Myloft?”
They were out of the car and down the block before Lexie responded.
“I didn’t want to share you.”
Oh boy. Mitch slowed his pace and let Lexie walk ahead of him so he could discreetly adjust his cock, which had thickened with those six words.
Nothing about the loft was different when they walked inside, save for a small round table and two chairs set up near the bar, which was loaded with takeout containers.
“I didn’t know what you’d be in the mood for,” Lexie said, “so I got a bit of everything.”
I’m in the mood for you,he thought.Just you.
He studied her as she made her way behind the bar to grab them beers, her long legs toned and tanned and stretching from the hem of her pale pink sundress, setting off her deep tan perfectly, feet stuffed into a pair of white Chucks. The skirt of her dress swished around her thighs, offering only glimpses of the full shape of an ass that he’d always wanted to sink his teeth in—and had a few times. Her arms, shoulders, and chest were bared, dark hair swishing down her back.
She handed him a beer and he sat quickly at the table before he could embarrass himself. Lexie was quiet as they set about serving themselves the food, which consisted of dishes from all of his favorite restaurants in the city.
They dug in, but the tension between them was a living thing that Mitch itched to address.
He swallowed a mouthful of roasted green beans and said, “Why are we here, Lex?”
Her eyes snapped up to his at the use of her nickname. “I wanted to see you.”
“Butwhy?”
Lexie heaved a sigh and slowly laid down her fork, apparently resigned to the fact that this conversation was happening right now, whether she wanted it to or not. “I’ve had some time to think,” she said.
Mitch’s pulse kicked up, his heart pounding against his rib cage in an accelerated rhythm. This conversation could go one of two ways, and he would either walk out of here elated or devastated. There would be no in-between.
“Think about what?” He said, feigning nonchalance and failing miserably if the look Lexie gave him was any indication.
“You. Me. Us.”
