Welcome to New Haven (56 page)

“Not much really. He heard that Jake hasn’t been the same since Caleb’s party.
 
We’ve seen that too and thought he was acting a little weird. Somebody called ‘Terri’ might be pregnant, but we don’t know who that is.”

Holly felt relieved he hadn’t heard any of the conversation between her and Stacey a couple of weeks ago, and what she wanted with his tongue. Eurgh!
 

“I think they meant a girl in another school.” Holly said. “I don’t know the whole story, but someone mentioned New Haven Academy.”
 

“That’s the dance Academy.”

It was common knowledge that some of the other guys in school had either dated, or fooled around with, some of the girls there. It was only a matter of time before there was a teen pregnancy. He and Holly would be very careful until they planned to have their first baby.

What the fuck? Babies?

His heart beat faster.

Holly, pregnant, with my child?

Alex could see it.
 
Her rounded stomach with his baby.
 
Happy and smiling with love for what they created together.
 
It was a strange feeling for Alex.
 
Still, technically, a kid himself thinking about becoming a father.
 
Not for a long while but… yes.
 
With Holly.
 
Only ever with Holly.
 

“Are you ok?” Holly asked.
 

“Yeah, just thinking.” He couldn’t help smiling at his thoughts. Holly turned her head to glance at him, sideways, narrowing her eyes.
 

“About…?”

About not getting you pregnant for at least a few years.

“Oh nothing that matters for a long time yet.” He said cryptically.
 

“Should I be worried?” she asked playfully.
 

“I hope not.” He said in the low voice he knew that affected her so much at school. Holly’s jaw slackened, and she flushed.
 

Alex chuckled as he pulled up outside Quincy’s.
 

They went inside, and the waiter showed them to their table. It was near the back of the restaurant, on the left hand side.
 

The booth was curved around a circular table with a white tablecloth.
 
A white, and a red candle sat in the center in black candlesticks, surrounded by small, red, rose petals.

“Wow, this is gorgeous!” Said Holly in wonder as she looked around.
 

The drapes, that hung from the long Georgian style windows, were white withered rope tie-backs and a red upholstered pelmet with a black trim.
 
The moulded seating was upholstered with black fabric with white edge beading and small red roses were embroidered into the backs.
 
The lighting was low, which had an intimate, romantic feel to it.
 

Especially accompanied by the candlelight.

Music was playing in the background.
 
Not cheesy love ballads but gentle violin music.
 

“Oh my goodness.” Holly whispered as she sat down.
 

“Do you like it?” Alex asked, glad Holly had had that reaction to the restaurant.
 
His Mom had raved about the place.
 
She’d said ‘it’s the kind of place you can be surprised with and not think you’re underdressed… As long as you’re not in sweats.”
   

“It’s amazing!”

They sat close together, fingers interlocking as usual.

“My Dad brings my Mom here. She loves it.”

“You’ve not been here before?” she asked.

He’d never been on a date before, and he’d always thought this place was for couples. Alex wondered if Holly had thought he’d been there with another girl. He’d told her he hadn’t wanted to.
 

“No. Why?”

“There’s a sign back there saying ‘family Wednesdays’.
 
I thought maybe you’d all come here together before.”
 

“Ohhhh.” He said, slightly embarrassed.
 

“Did you think I was asking whether you’d been here with another girl?” Holly asked him.
 
A confused look on her face.
 

“For a second…yeah.” He admitted, shyly.
 

“You told me you hadn’t dated before and I believe you.” Holly said as she smiled.
 
“Besides…” she continued “…The way Dev was acting and what Ben said…” Holly started laughing when Alex jumped in.
 

“What did Ben say?”

Holly told him about the conversation she and Ben had had after Clare had spread the rumour about them dating.
 
Also about Dev’s strange behavior, as if it were a miracle Alex had asked somebody out.

They laughed, and Alex nodded in agreement. He felt a lot better knowing Holly trusted him.
 
He trusted her too. Implicitly.
 

The waiter came over to take their order, but they’d been too busy talking, that they forgot to look at the menu’s.
 

“Erm…just…veggie burger and fries, please.”
 

“Same for me.” Said Alex.
 

“Any drinks?” the waiter asked, pen poised above his notepad. Alex, with his impeccable manners, waited for Holly to go first.
 

“Lemo…I mean, soda. Thanks.”
 

Alex ordered the same again.
 

“Why did you order the same as me?” she asked playfully.
 

“If you order it, it must be good.
 
Plus, I never looked at the menu at all.” He said, and Holly flushed as she realised he’d been staring at her the whole time.
 

“I love it when I make you blush.” He said lowly.

Oh my! He’s doing it again!

“Wh…Why?” Her breath hitched in her throat.
 
Her blush deepening. He leaned in really close and whispered in her ear.
 

“I know I’m doing something right.” He lifted his free hand to her face and brushed her hair back, threading his fingers into the long, silky strands.
 
He brought their mouths together and parted his lips, as did Holly, and kissed her deeply.

Their tongues found each other and glided over each other effortlessly. Their joined hands released, and they searched for each others’ bodies.

Alex held his arm around Holly’s lower back and pulled her as close to him as he could in their seat.

Holly’s hands found Alex’s hair.
God
she loved his hair!

She stroked down the side of Alex’s neck with one hand, down to his shoulder, and further to his chest.
 
Alex’s hand fisted in her vest before releasing slowly to lower towards her hip.

She loved his hands on her.

She wasn’t worried or scared at all.
 
He never once made her feel like he was just feeling her up. No. Instead, he made her feel beautiful, wanted and so damn hot she was in danger of combusting.

Alex was still cupping Holly’s head whilst his other hand had a mind of it’s own. The passion in their kiss was increasing.
 
Lips sucking and teasing each other.
 
Tongues swirling, tasting each other like they were devouring their last meal.
 
Holly released a small moan, and Alex’s hand lowered further still until it found Holly’s perfectly toned rear.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” Alex said as he pulled away suddenly, panting.
 

“What? What’s wrong?” Holly asked, just as out of breath as he was.
 

“I put my hand on your…” He swallowed “…your butt. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Well, I must have, somehow, but I wasn’t thinking…”
 

“Alex.” Holly said, putting a finger on his lips. “There’s no need to apologize.” She said gently as she removed her finger to cup his face.
 

“But…I...”

 
“If
I minded. I would have stopped you before you got that far.” She said.
 

“You would?” He was still embarrassed about what he’d done but also wanting to make sure that Holly was certain.
 
It was one thing saying something, but actually doing it was a different matter. He felt as though he’d taken advantage of her in some way.
 

“Of course I would!” She said.
 
“Alex, don’t feel bad. Please.” Holly said as she saw Alex’s face filled with regret.

She
wanted
him to do it.

Actually wanted him to put his hands on her arse! When she’d felt his hand lowering, she’d actually moaned out loud in anticipation.

Holly took a controlled breath. She needed Alex to know what she wanted.
 

“Give me your hand.”
 

“What?”
 

“Give me your hand” she repeated.
 

Alex held out his right hand, and Holly took it.
 
She caressed it a few moments.
 
Taking her time to enjoy the feel of his long, strong fingers.
 
His palm which was smooth despite his gym use, and his unmarked knuckles.

Holly moved his hand behind her back and placed it on her right butt cheek that was above the seat.

Alex’s eyes widened.

“See?” She asked, and smiled.
 
Holly felt her pulse race and her breath quicken as the feel of Alex’s hand on her behind.
 
His hand on her body, that nobody had ever touched before.
 

Alex swallowed hard.

His heart pounding.

His jeans…too tight…

He looked into Holly’s eyes and saw that her pupils were dilated, her breathing heavy.
 
She licked her lips.
 

“I want you to.” She whispered.
 

“Holly…I…” He stopped and swallowed again.
 

“Yeah?” She whispered in reply.

Holly’s stomach was in knots. Her lady parts were doing crazy things, and she desperately wanted to tear Alex’s shirt from his body and lick him… Alex let out a shaky breath.
 
He closed his eyes, and Holly saw him clench his jaw, before he opened them again.
 

“Oh my God!” He said, raising his eyebrows.
 
“When did the food and drinks get here?”

Holly turned and, sure enough, their meal had been served.
 
They turned to each other…and burst out laughing.
 
Somebody had gotten a good show.

Holly’s hands went to her cheeks as they flamed.
 
Alex squeezed Holly’s
other
cheek, and her eyes darted to his as she jumped. He winked at her as he grinned.

Alex still felt as if he were doing something he shouldn’t, but Holly had put his hand there.
 
She told him she wanted him to.

Oh great!

He was rock solid in his jeans.

Holly began removing her blazer and instead of helping, Alex froze.
 

The collar of the jacket fell back over her shoulders, down her bare arms, and as she was reaching back to remove her sleeves, her breasts pushed forward and Alex held his breath.

She folded her blazer and set it next to her.

Alex continued to stare.

Her body, once heavily covered, was displayed right before him.
 
Her toned arms; so sleek and smooth.
 
Her back and upper chest just begging to be kissed.
 
He could see the delicious shape of her torso, with her toned stomach, and the way she sat made the rear of her vest lift higher which showed off a little more skin on her lower back that he had a sudden urge to run his tongue over.

Then, of course, her perfectly formed breasts.

He tried and tried not to stare at her, but he couldn’t help himself.
 
He’d never seen such perfection in his life.

Holly lifted her hands and ran them through her beautiful silky tresses to push them back out of her way.
 
Her breasts bouncing slightly as she did.

“Football, soccer, cricket, baseball, fishing…” He ranted with his head in his hands.
 
He took a deep breath to calm himself, and to hopefully ease the pain between his legs. He heard Holly chuckling.

“Not so funny now, is it?” She said quietly.

“You are seriously trying to kill me.” He said with a pained tone.

“Payback’s a bitch.” She said with a cheeky smile as Alex looked up at her and he saw she was gazing at his body.

“I do this to you?” He asked incredulously.

“Do you even need to ask?” she replied as she was staring at his biceps.

Alex groaned in pain and ranted his sports lists again.

The rest of their time in the restaurant was amazing.
 
They talked about their lives growing up.
 
Holly’s life in England and how she came to move to Seattle.
 

Alex loved hearing about her life, her crazy protective sister, and the love of gardening she shared with her Dad, James. Holly told him that her necklace was the last thing he bought for her on her ninth birthday.

The day he died.

Alex understood why Holly had brought his ashes with her.
 
They were joined at the hip until the horrifying day that he was painfully ripped from their lives.
 
She’d also told him about the cinema and running into the showing of ‘Dawn of the Dead’ by accident and that’s why she’d reacted the way she did at their house.

Alex had hugged her tight when she told him, which resulted them getting a little ‘hot’ as they’d kissed again. It seemed like the world around them no longer existed when they did.

They had dessert, chocolate ice-cream of course, and they took some selfie’s to remember their first date, not that they’d forget, whilst the waiter went to get their bill.

Holly wanted to pay, but Alex wouldn’t let her.