Alex was fuming. I sat next to him in the passenger seat of his jeep, waiting for him to speak.
"Alex," I cleared my throat. "I'm really sorry that I got you roped into this. I just, I have to save my dad. I have to."
Alex turned to me. "Raleigh."
He shook his head. "Raleigh. You did not 'rope me into this.' I'd do anything-"
He sighed. "I'd do anything for you. Anything at all."
My stomach swooshed, and I blushed. How did he do this to me?
"Why?"
Alex laughed. "Why? You still don't get it."
I looked over at him, he wasn't making any sense.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to find out exactly what he meant.
Mr. Blunt knocked on Alex's window, startling us both.
With an annoyed expression, Alex rolled down his window. "What."
Mr. Blunt's face was blank, as if none of this was happening. I almost envied him, being able to hide things so well.
"Be ready to fly at 6 tomorrow night."
I gulped. Tomorrow. Just having a deadline made this scarier.
"Right." Alex abruptly rolled his window up and started the car.
We sat in silence on the way back to my house. The air was tense, but not uncomfortable. We were both just lost in thought.
Alex pulled into my driveway. I didn't want to get out of the car. I didn't want him to leave.
I licked my lips. "Will you stay?"
He swung his head towards me. "You want me to stay?"
I blushed. "Never mind, I was just-"
He was grinning. "I would love to stay."
Now I was smiling like a crazy person. "Well. Good."
We just stared at each other for a minute.
And then I laughed. This always seemed to happen to us.
I grabbed his hand and dragged him inside and up to my room.
And stopped short when I remembered I only had one bed.
We stood in the door of my room, looking at my double bed.
Alex sleeping in my bed, with me. I had to admit it was a recurring theme in my dreams.
"Welllll, this just got a little awkward."
I blushed. "Smartass."
I looked up at him, he was smiling.
"No, no, no Raleigh. You don't understand." He grabbed me and pulled me close. "I would be honored to share a bed with you."
Alex was so close, I could smell his shampoo. The heat coming off of him was enough to light a fire in my tummy.
I leaned in and breathed.
Alex's brow furrowed. "Did you just smell me?"
"Umm, no?"
I grinned and pulled away. "I have to get ready for bed. But please, make yourself at home."
"Oh, I will." He sounded smug, and suddenly I knew why.
He pulled off his shirt, and I sucked in a breath.
And then the pants. All he had on were tight boxer briefs.
And my god, he was fit and lean and. . . beautiful.
"Raleigh?"
I was staring.
Tearing my eyes away, I managed to grab my pajamas and close the door to my bathroom.
Leaning against the door, I tried to calm myself down.
I was buzzing. All I wanted to do was touch him. Taste him.
I groaned. How on earth was I going to share a bed with him.
Brushing my teeth, I contemplated sleeping on the floor. But was I really that chicken?
Sticking my head out the door, I saw Alex lying on top of my covers, his hands behind his head.
I steeled myself. I was fine. I could spend one night next to him without accidentally trying to feel him up.
"Hey."
I walked up to my bed, and tried to get in without touching him.
He stared at me. "Hullo, yourself."
I was already tingling, just from being this close to him.
It was going to be a long night.
