Page 44 of Last Chance Seduction
My doorbell rang in that moment, and I froze.I was still wearing sweats and a tank top, but no bra, and looked like a mess.However, when I checked my phone, it wasn’t Brooklyn.
I put my hand on my stomach once more and let out a breath.
“You can do this,” I whispered.
I ran downstairs, nearly tripping to my death as Mr.Darcy darted forward to win the race I wasn’t aware we were in, and tried to calm down as I opened the front door.Lex stood there, hands in his jeans pockets as he rocked back on his heels.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi.”He shook his head.“If we start down that hi and hey path again, I’m never going to be able to actually say a proper hello.”
The idea that he was just as nervous as I was should have soothed my nerves.Not so much.“I never used to get flustered around you, Montgomery.It’s worrying.”
“Talk to me about it.I’m usually good with words.”
“I’m going out with a few of your cousins tonight.”
Lex winced.
A ball formed in my belly, and I frowned.“Did you not want me going out with your cousins tonight?Because I know things are weird and we haven’t talked about anything, but I’m trying.Trying to live again.So if you think that you can bar me from hanging out with your family because things will get too complicated, well no.I’m just not going to do that.”Suddenly his finger was over my lips, a single brow raised.
“Shush.”He lowered his hand, a smirk on his face that made him look far too handsome for his own good.
“Did you just shush me?”
“Damn straight I did.Woman.The only reason I even reacted at all was that I was annoyed that Brooklyn got to you first.”
I blinked, confused.“What?”
In answer, he rolled his eyes so hard I was afraid he was going to hurt himself before he reached out, gripped the back of my neck, and crushed his mouth to mine.Surprised, I stood there silent and awkward for a moment, before I finally gave in and kissed him back.Damn it, Lex was too good at kissing.Why hadn’t I known this when we were younger?I mean, this talent took effort.When had he learned it?And why did I suddenly feel as if I should have known this long ago?
When he pulled back, both of us were breathing slightly heavier, and he looked like a cat who had caught the canary.
He slid a piece of my hair behind my ear.“I am annoyed that she got to you first because I wanted to take you out tonight.But I was too slow apparently.She got you all day yesterday as did my mom, and apparently, I’m now fighting with my cousins for your time.I don’t appreciate that.”
Warming, I played with the button on his shirt.A man in a button down and jeans just did something to me.Okay that was a lie.It was Lex.Always.And that was something I would have to think on more later.“Oh.Well, she asked first.And you didn’t ask at all.”
He winced.“The only reason I didn’t ask you to dinner or to see you or anything was that Brooklyn had already said your time was claimed.And I know when a man loses.Mostly because she’s a Montgomery woman, and they’re scary.”
I snorted as I walked inside, him following me.Mr.Darcy sniffed at Lex for a moment, before he pranced away and over to the catio.I had left the screen door open so he could have his way.It was mostly guilt though, because I would be leaving soon, and he’d be trapped inside all alone.That mom guilt was a real thing.
“Can we have a talk before she gets here?”I blurted.Well crap.I hadn’t meant to say that.
Lex tilted his head, studying my face.“Do we need to?I like kissing you.I like spending time with you.Let’s just figure things out.”
This time I snorted.“We both know that I’m not good at going with the flow and figuring things out.”
“Neither am I, that’s why we’re going to be good at it together.”
This man.“I don’t think that’s how it works.But you’re right…maybe we don’t have to make things too complicated and we can just…be.”
“That sounds about right.Though I’m not good at going with the flow so you might have to keep me in line.”He kissed me again and my knees nearly went weak.“Have fun tonight.And then I’m taking you out tomorrow.”
“Oh?”Bossy man.Why the hell did I like it?
“Yes.Oh.On a real date.Not a fake girlfriend date.”
“You’re not even going to ask you’re just telling me?”But even as I said it, my stomach tensed.Because I really wanted to go out with him.Call me a glutton for punishment, but I liked this side of Lex.
