The Perfect Plans Series [Box Set] (32 page)

Heading towards Alex’s group of friends at the table, I note that Ben is amongst them. A pang of discomfort rushes through me at the realization that I caught a glimpse of him earlier—though, at the time, my sexually charged state of mind didn’t quite register catching his stare towards us amid our escape to our hideaway.
Oh my God.
Did he know where we were going? What we were going to do?

The uncomfortable memory flashes through my mind, replaying the incident over and over . . . Ben leaning against the sidewall, alone, his eyes intense over a donning smirk. He was looking directly towards us as Alex led me away.
Jesus,
that smirk of his . . . it never fails to give the creeps.

With my nervousness heightened as we approach the group—Ben included—I reflexively squeeze Alex’s hand. Turning towards me, he offers a smile, effectively slowing the increased race of my pulse. His gentle grin calms my sudden nerves as only he could, his strength lending me the much-needed confidence to continue through the night as though nothing out of the ordinary just happened. Our
Radioactive
erotic quickie our own tantalizing secret, shared silently between us with every glimpse.

STANDING OUTSIDE THE club, Alex wraps me in his arms, pulling me close, his lips finding their way to the familiar place at my neck. “Finally, I have you all to myself,” he nips my earlobe, sending glorious electricity through every inch of me. “Did you enjoy the evening?”

“Are you kidding me? It was so great, Alex. Mo is hilarious—all your friends were so nice . . . and Imagine Dragons! They were amazing,” I consciously avoid mentioning our own private event, feeling the heat taint my cheeks pink.
That
was out of this world. I still can’t believe we did it. Right there, behind the stage! My body quivers deliciously around my electrically charged veins, the amazing live, extended version of
Radioactive
replaying in my mind.

“That’s it?” he pulls away from my neck, offering a playful frown. “Personally, I enjoyed our backstage pass,” his lips curl deviously, his hands gliding down over my ass.

Biting my lip, my eyes close to white light against the heated bolts shooting down my core—the sensations of our risqué indulgence in our behind-the-curtain hideaway returning in full force with a squeezing pulse at the absence of his fill. I unconsciously pull down along the width of his shoulders, the strength of them under my fingertips stirring a renewed desire as I open my eyes to his equally molten stare. “That, Mr. Tate, was incredible.”

His eyes flicker electric blue as he bends to attack my inviting lips. I can never get enough of this man’s taste.

“Get a room, you two.”

I nearly jump out of my skin at Ben’s voice. The closing of the club’s door signals his very recent exit of it, halting my pending heart attack. At least he wasn’t standing there staring at us for who knows how long.

Pulling his lips from mine, Alex maintains focus on my eyes. “Bite me, Ben.”

“You, I don’t care for, mate. Aby? Would you like to offer a more polished, attractive gentleman a taste?”

“That’s not happening,
mate,
” Alex quickly retorts, releasing me with a comforting smile to take my hand. Turning to look at Ben, he tilts his head in question, “You’re leaving already?”

“What can I say, bigger and better callings, my friend. It was a good show, though,” Ben’s devilish smirk makes its expected appearance. Can’t the guy just smile like everyone else? “Mo and the gang will probably be in there all night. You two are checking out early. Planning to head back to your place for some private dancing?”

“I’m actually moving into my flat in the morning,” I blurt, my excitement combined with regret thinking of our last night together in Alex’s apartment.

“I see, so that would be a yes then. Tate’s place will be rocking tonight,” Ben gives Alex a jovial shove.

Shaking his head, Alex waves Ben toward a taxi pulling up to the curb, “You go ahead, we’ll catch the next one.”

“Cheers, shithead.” Ben opens the cab door, “Nice to see you again, beautiful.”

Wait for it . . .
Yup, there it is, that shiver-inducing smirk,
again.
My inner actress pokes me and I offer a scripted smile in return, “Good night, Ben.”
I watch the taxi pull away, Alex turning towards me, taking me in his arms once more, his lips returning to my neck.
“What is it with that guy?” I realize I’m questioning aloud.

A light breeze feels colder than it should against my neck as Alex pulls his warm lips away to look at me, “Ben?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, I know he’s your very good friend. He just . . . creeps me out.”

Alex looks amused.

“It’s that smirk of his. It kinda rubs me the wrong way.”

“Aby, trust me, Ben is harmless. His bark is much bigger than his bite.”

Isn’t that a devilishly frightening analogy?
Even my inner actress shivers at that one. The thought of Ben’s request for a ‘taste’ adds new meaning to the bitingly cold tremors he causes in me.

“I, on the other hand, you should definitely watch out for,” Alex tightens his hold of me, his eyes flickering mischievously. “I’ll devour you any chance I get.”

My breath hitches, my body reacting to what this man does to me with his every word, every glance. Grabbing the back of his tousled hair, I pull his mouth to mine.
Oh Alexander Tate, I’m yours for the taking.

“GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE,” Stacey beams through the phone as soon as I pick up.

“Don’t you mean good night? Where are you and why are you so perky?”

“Just got home on the red-eye from Vancouver. One more Red Bull and I could have flown the plane myself.”

“Why in the world would you drink that on the flight?”

“I didn’t. It was the three Vodka Red Bulls at the after-party. Once I got back to my room and realized I wasn’t having a heart attack, I decided to catch an earlier flight home. Anyhoo . . . it’s the big day, chickabiddy! Should I be saying congratulations or I’m sorry?”

“I know,” I laugh. “I’m so torn this morning. I’m beyond excited to move into my own place, but . . . man, this last week playing house with Alex has been . . . ”

“Like playing with one of the props from Magic Mike?”

“You’re hilarious. I was going to say it’s been an absolute dream.”

“You’re such a romantic, my little cherub. You bring out the poet in me . . . what’s a word that rhymes with fuckable?”

“Stop it,” I keel over laughing. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”

“I don’t know, babe, I’m drunk and high as a kite on sugar-coated caffeine.”

“Seriously though, Stace, everything’s happened so quickly with Alex. I feel like I’ve been swept away in a whirlwind of fantasy. Everything I’ve ever wanted—everything I’ve been dreaming of for years—is finally within my grasp.”

“I’m sorry, I must have the wrong number. It seems I’ve reached the gag-me-with-a-spoon hotline. Jesus, Aby, you’re killing me here. Where’s your hunka-hunka burning love anyway? That text about your sexy-ass quickie at the concert gave me an orgasm in the middle of my meeting. I swear the guy sitting next to me thought I had turrets.”

“You need therapy. And I can’t help it, Alex is amazing. He’s everything I could have hoped for. I’m walking on a cloud over here.” Literally. After that erotic encounter, I’m still floating on that cloud of euphoria. My head is reeling. Periodically, I pinch myself to ensure that this ultimate dream
is
a reality. It simply couldn’t get any better. Any more dream-like. Unless I miraculously learn to fly, this is as fantastical as it gets.

“I’m happy for you, crumpet. You’re on cloud nine. And, oh look . . . it’s penis shaped.”

My stomach is actually hurting from laughing so much.
God, I miss my friend.

“You deserve this, Abs. Enjoy it. And speaking of Sexy Tatters, you didn’t say where he is.”

“He putting my bags in the car. I should finish up in here . . . just gathering my toiletries now. Besides, I think you need to get some zees—sleep it off, Spicy. I’ll speak to you in a few days?”

“Sounds good, babe. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

WITH EACH PASSING block, there’s a slight twinge in my heart that I won’t get to spend each and every day with Alex anymore. But my excitement at having a place to call my own
brings an incessant smile to my face. It’s been over nine months since I left my former home with Liam, living out of a suitcase, moving from one loving open door to the next. And though this last temporary residence was out of this world, preparing to open my
own
door already feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

At least I won’t be too far away from Alex,
I note happily as we drive through the winding labyrinth of roads through Kensington. It’s just another plus behind my smiling gaze.

“You seem in high spirits. Happy to leave me?” Alex looks towards me with puppy dog baby-blues.

Laughing at his display of disappointment, I smack his arm, “Don’t be silly. I’m just excited to have my own place. Why don’t you move in with me?”

“Don’t tempt me,” he flashes one of those knock-my-socks-off sexy, domineering glances.
Wow, this man makes me hot.
I should feel sated from this morning’s sex-capades, yet with one simple look, he reduces me to a needy lust hound. “Well, home sweet home,” he says, effortlessly parking in front of my flat.

Smiling, I hop out, aimlessly staring up at my new home.

Grabbing my suitcases from the car, Alex walks towards me. “I have the key,” he interrupts my admiring gaze. “It’s in my front pocket. I can’t very well get them with my hands full, so . . . ”

I smile at his sly grin. “Su-ure,” I reply cheekily.

Sliding my fingers into his pocket, I glide them around searchingly, a little more than necessary, swiping along his manhood. I smile in glee at his quick intake of breath at my purposeful search.
Who’s the sly one now, Mr. Tate?—
my inner actress commends me.

“Jesus. Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he whispers, closing his eyes on a groan as I pull out the key.

“The feeling is mutual, hot stuff. Perhaps we’ll have to rectify
that
later,” I gesture towards the instant bulge in his jeans.

With a quick growl, he flashes his mischievous grin.

I laugh, turning quickly to make my way towards the entrance to my new home. Unlocking the door, I’m filled with anticipation, pushing it open eagerly, my steps quickening as I stride inside. It’s as beautiful as I remember from my first visit. That crazy first visit. I admit that my less than attentive brain wasn’t able to truly take in the apartment’s appeal that day. In my newfound sense of focus, I head directly into the living room, aimlessly running my fingers along the plush grey sofa.

Depositing my suitcases at the threshold, Alex approaches from behind, wrapping his arms gingerly around my waist. I place my hands atop his, leaning my head back against his chest with a sigh of contentment. “I’m going to miss you,” he admits. “I’ve had you all to myself this past week. I’m not sure I’ll survive without you.”

A happy smile crosses my face at his admission, and I close my eyes in comfort. “I know what you mean. I feel the same way,” I confess, my earlier twinge of sadness returning.