Page 23 of The Rival in South Africa
Between mouthfuls of food, Alex gave her a charming smile. “You are delightful company, Olivia.”
She tittered. Such a charmer.
My afternoon agenda was more photo shoots of the guest rooms, the pool, and cocktails that Delina whipped up. And, helpfully, Sam had offered to assist me in some staged shots around the grounds at sunset.
But first, it was nap time for everyone, and the staff was going to be busy cleaning the lodge. Once our plates were empty, the guests began filtering back to their tents. I followed behind Alex, buoyant and energetic. It was remarkable how much the safaris wore you out, I thought, as Alex yawned in front of me.
He slipped into the bathroom for the post-safari scrubbing of sand and sunscreen, and I pulled out my laptop to transfer files, switched SD cards, and cleaned my lens. I wasn’t tired, but Alex was surely going to nap.
Sure enough, when I stepped out of the bathroom, Alex was in bed, having kicked off the heavy duvet and lying sprawled under the light sheet.
I settled at my laptop to check up on the files. I moved files around, named some folders, clicked a few things here and there.
“Nikki,” came a sharp voice.
I looked up to Alex glaring at me. “What?”
“Your keyboard is very loud.”
“You’re a light sleeper.”Great insult, Nikki.
He grunted and glared some more before flopping over.
I sighed and closed my laptop. The files were transferring. I really could leave it be.
Instead, I picked up my e-reader and climbed into bed on my side. Alex grunted again.
“Hush, I’m getting settled, and I’ll be super quiet, I promise.”
I curled up on my side, my e-reader in hand, and settled into my book. Then I felt a twitch on the bed. And then again.
Oh my god, Alex was out like a light already. He may be a light sleeper, but he fell asleep quickly.
I read a few pages of my book, and then Alex shifted on the bed behind me. I almost jerked as an arm snaked its way around my waist, a warmth pressing against my back. The straps of my tank top barely covered my upper back, and Alex’s bare skin pressed against me.
Who knew Alex was a cuddler?
I stifled a chuckle and kept reading, Alex’s breath warm and heavy on the back of my neck. It was funny at first, but then it shifted. He was heavy and comfortable, and I wanted to snuggle myself in closer.
But Alex was a light sleeper, and I stayed still for fear of waking him up and having to face his ire again.
I did, however, keep an eye on the time, and as the clock ticked toward the hour, I braced myself for the banging of drums and the ensuing flailing.
Alex did not disappoint. The drums pounded, and Alex sharply inhaled over my shoulder and immediately jerked into action. Since I was braced this time, Alex’s momentum carried him sailing off his side of the bed.
I couldn’t have hoped for better.
I shoved my face into my pillow to try to muffle my laughter, but that was a worthless endeavor. I turned my head and watched Alex rise, bleary through my tears. His face was flushed, jaw gritted.
Wiping tears from my eyes, I sat up. “Alex,” I gasped out, trying for mock horror and failing horribly. “You are a cuddler!”
He brusquely wrenched the sheets up to the top of the bed, quite unnecessarily, since our bed was made every afternoon while we were out on safari. “I am not.”
The apparent indignity against my proclamation made me laugh harder, and Alex stomped off to use the facilities. He said nothing to me as he gathered his things.
“Oh, Alex, come on. Don’t be a grump. I’m just teasing.”
He stopped just inside the flap of the tent. “Did you like it?”
