Chapter 21: Comfortable
Addison walked out of the bathroom , running a towel through her just showered-hair as she thought about the many good things about suites in hotels; not just the… being able to afford them aspect; just the good old room service, and someone who makes your bed and does your dry cleaning satisfaction. Terrific, these amenities, in and of themselves, these conveniences were really helping her cope. Cable and pay-per-view, really nice showers, a mini bar, and a closet that's actually functional. She had become accustomed to the hotel, plus she didn't really have a home, she could always get a place, yes…but what was the rush, she liked her situation at the hotel. She sat on the floor at the base of her closet as she crossed her legs and tied her white bathrobe securely around her, she pulled out a peach lace underwear set from her undies shelf above her and put it off to the side.
What to wear? Addison thought to herself, as she sorted through some things in her shelve and in the suitcase at the bottom. She didn't want to seem like she was trying too hard, it wasn't the workplace attire, she could be more laidback. She unfolded and refolded shirts, jeans, skirts, sweats, shorts, sweaters, tunics, yoga pants, sweatshirts. She decided on a long gray tank, and oversized off-the shoulder black sweater with extra long sleeves and white shorts. She went back into the bathroom to quickly lazily blow dray her hair, touch-up- pluck her eyebrows, put on some blush, some chap stick and a tad of eyeliner. She ran her brush through her drying hair and looked at herself in the mirror as she smiled. She actual felt little butterflies in her stomach as she anticipated him knocking on her door. They couldn't really conventionally date, as in go out, that's hard to suffice when you don't want to run into people you work with. So this was what they did. She'd been at his apartment and he'd been in her hotel room, other than the hospital and Joe's, that was it. But that made it different, not clichéd, they were trying to keep it private, keep it their own. She knew that the connection was what mattered, not where it was established and flourished.
Addison walked out of her bathroom and as she hummed the Norah Jones that was playing in the background of her room. She heard the light knock at her door as she clasped her hands together and walked over to it. She opened it and saw Alex standing on the other side, a smile crept unto her lips as she saw his eyes light up when they focused on hers. She opened it wider so he could walk in and he did so slowly as he briefly took his eyes off hers to engage the sight of the rest of her. He felt his heart beat faster as he saw her long bare legs were extending from shorts. Very short shorts.
Damn, they really do go on forever. He thought to himself as his eyes traveled up her body and met hers again. She closed the door and took a step towards him.
"Hi," She offered simply as she glanced over what he was wearing. "Let me take your jacket." She said as she touched his wrist. Alex didn't even hear her, he was too busy getting lost in her piercing eyes. When he didn't respond or move to take off his jacket she opened her mouth to repeat herself but was cut-off as he quickly closed the space between them as his hand touched her face, his mouth crushing hers. She hadn't anticipated him kissing her so suddenly and it caught her off guard, making her breath catch in her throat. She felt his other arm encircle her waist, pulling her closer to him. He kissed her slowly, methodically moving his mouth over hers. Catching her bottom lip gently with his teeth. Addison felt herself going weak in the knees and leveled her hands onto his shoulders, her fingers digging into the fabric of his jacket. Alex pulled back slowly and quickly placed another kiss on her surprised, open mouth. He pulled back again and looked at her, his hand grazing the side of her face as he absorbed her beauty. She had such an authentic look of wonder in her eyes. It stung him, he almost couldn't find his voice.
"I've been wanting to do that all day long." Alex confessed. Addison smiled, as she looked down briefly at the floor and took a breath.
"We have to do something about that," Addison pondered thoughtfully, looking back up at him. The way he was lovingly touching her face was making her insides turn. "Starting my day off like that way could only be a good thing." She said searching his eyes as her hands traveled slowly down his shoulders, her fingers slipping underneath the front of his open jacket. "Let me take your jacket." She repeated softly, opening both sides of the front of his jacket as she slipped it off his shoulders. Alex watched her do so, unmoving as his eyes ran over her face, he took a breath and recognized the faint smell of her perfume, his eyes ran over the angle of her nose, the line of her jaw and fell back on her mouth. Addison angled away from him briefly and set the jacket over a chair near where they were standing. "We need a system." Addison stated as she looked back at him, she felt goose bumps scatter on her arms from the look he was giving her. Like he completely adored her, and would do just about anything for her. She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach as she tugged the sides of her sleeves with her fingers. Alex reached his hand out and took hold of her fingers, tugging them lightly to better latch onto them.
"I hear a lot about systems with you." He assessed softly.
"That's because they're effective." Addison said as she stared into his eyes, trying to resist the urge to gawk at his precious mouth. The feel of his fingers gripping hers so softly didn't help the constant flutter in her gut, it proved to heighten them.
"Well, this one needs to be. " Alex said assuredly as their eyes continued to battle. Addison felt her throat become dry and she quickly swallowed. Her eyes diverted from his momentarily, their eye dual had proved to be much too consuming for her; she could feel her pulse raising. All they were doing was standing a few inches apart, and he was holding one of her hands and she could feel her knees slight tremble.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked after a moment of silence had passed and her eyes hadn't returned to his. His eyes tried to catch hers but he could see she was obviously trying to gather her thoughts. Addison tried to compose to rush of feelings that had just surfaced so quickly. She had literally just been smacked in the face with it. Addison suddenly took a deep breath and looked back at him.
"My hearts beating really fast." She murmured under her breath as she brought their hands up to her chest and flattened his palm over her heart. Alex wondered instantly if something was wrong. His other hand went quickly to her neck, his two fingers landing exactly on the pulse point. His eyebrows furrowed in concern as he looked into her eyes.
"You're alright, take a deep breath." Alex whispered. Addison smiled at his gentle concern. He probably thought she was starting to have a panic attack or going to start to hyperventilate.
"I'm fine, Dr." Addison joked lightly, as she slid her arms around his neck slowly and pulled him onto her. His arms went around her waist and cradled her small frame. Her hair was in his face and it smelled amazing. Everything about her, he realized was the epitome of intoxication. She was like a drug. He had to have her. "I'm glad you're here." Addison whispered as they continued to hug. Just the feelings of their bodies pressed together made them cling more to each other.
"I'm glad I'm here." Alex replied. His voice muffled from her hair. He slid his hands up her back and gathered it in one hand and twisted it over her shoulder, exposing her neck to him. His eyes trailed down it and over the light strap of her tank top. He leaned forward gently and placed a kiss at the base of her neck. Slowly adorning the section of her neck with his lips, her breath became heavier as her fingers ran over his sides. She whimpered lightly as his teeth nipped her ear, leaving a gentle kiss on it afterwards. Alex kissed across her cheek until her reached her mouth and kissed her gently. His lips tracing patterns on her mouth, his tongue in search of hers. Addison kissed him back with renewed vigor. They were clinging to each other tightly as their mouths dueled. Alex's fingers got lost in her hair, running his hands through it, as he felt it's genuine softness. Addison took her hands off him momentarily to pull at the bottom of her sweater, she broke their kiss as she threw it off her and kissed him again. Addison wrapped her arms around his neck and he held onto her waist as they fumbled their way towards the bed. Addison's hands reached Alex's jeans and her fingers struggled with the button, she ran her hands up the front of his shirt, feeling his stomach muscles react as he gasped against her mouth. They fell onto the bed, her landing on top of him, her legs straddled his, the immediate friction she felt in her shorts made her grip the bed and moan. Addison felt one of Alex's hands leave her as he tugged on his opened jeans and his boxers. His hand bumped the outside of her leg and he couldn't help running his hand over the length of it. She surpassed everything he ever fantasized about; she wrote the book on sexy. Addison's breath caught as she suddenly got turned over, and felt Alex's weight secure over her. She kissed him deeply as he used his knees, elbows and hands to keep some of his weight off of her as he quickly took his shirt my the back of his collar and pulled it off. Addison tried desperately to catch her breath, his mouth met hers as soon as the shirt was over his head. Her warm skin felt surreal against his, she ached for him. Addison's fingered nimbly unhooked her shorts, lifting her hips to slide them and her panties off. She felt him against her as his hands gripped her bare waist, her tank riding up, his fingers leaving gentle caress's over her skin. She felt the heat in between her legs as she broke their kiss to look into his eyes, she felt his hand slide over her stomach, waist and then the top of her thigh. Addison gasped as she felt him enter her, her hips responding involuntarily as she grabbed the back of his neck and deepened their kiss. Her body erupted at his strong consistent thrusts. Alex felt the muscles in his body tensing up as they continued making love on the bed, both gasping for breath, in the deepest of pleasures.
Addison snuggled in closer to him, as she adjusted the sheet that was around her. Alex and her were literally tangled up in each other and in the blankets and sheets on her huge bed. Alex ran his hands over her arm as he felt her every inch against him. With his eyes closed, he lay their with her in silence. He felt the light tapping of her fingertips against his chest, he could feel her heart beating against him.
"I'm hungry." She murmured against his neck. Alex felt himself chuckle slightly. A smile crept onto Addison's face. "What?" I'm hungry. Are you hungry?" She questioned as she kissed the side of his neck.
"I'm starved." Alex muttered as he traced a circle on her bare back with his finger.
"Let's order room service." Addison said. "What do you want?"
"I've got what I want right here." He replied seriously.
"From room service?"
"I dunno. What's good?"
"Anything breakfast." Addison answered as she opening her eyes briefly, then closing them again. She didn't want to move an inch, this afterglow was divine. "Their waffles, the French toast, eggs, steak and eggs, the fruit. Everything breakfast is amazing. "
"What are you gonna get?" He asked sleepily.
"French toast and fruit." Addison affirmed matter-a-factly.
"That sounds good. I want that or steak and eggs."
"How about you get the steak and eggs and you can have some of my French toast?"
"You're gonna share?" He teased as he brushed the hair across her forehead.
"Sharing with you is fun." She said simply as she leaned her head back and placed a kiss on his lips. She let go of him and turned over to the other side of the bed, grabbing the phone from the bed stand. Alex moved closer to her as he placed a kiss on her shoulder as she dialed room service. He couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten with her, it was hard for him to even fathom that two months ago she was his daily irritant. Now, she was everything but that. He was constantly surprised at how deeply he was starting to feel for her. It scared him. Took his breath away. He watched as she put in their order for room service, calling the person on the other line by their first name. She hang up the phone and turned back into him, wrapping her arms around him as she rested her head on his chest. His arm went around her and his hand rested on the side of her head.
"So this whole hotel thing is working out for you?" Alex questioned lightly.
"Yeah, it has a lot of conveniences."
"But it's not like you can stay here forever." He reasoned lightly.
"I realize that. But what's my rush? I'm comfortable here. Here, I don't have to do my own laundry, cook my own meals or make my own bed. I was going to start looking for places but that just takes time and energy. Which I don't really have much of, work takes all my time and you take all my energy." She kidded as she giggled lightly. Alex felt a faint smile creep onto his lips at what she had said, but his mind wouldn't let go of how integrated she seemed in that hotel. How attached and set in. It made him remember the conversation he had had earlier that day with Meredith. Maybe she didn't want to rush getting a new place because she was waiting for something. Maybe she wasn't sure she even really wanted a new place, not if she was going to just go back to him eventually. Alex felt twinges around his heart just thinking about it.
Knock it off, dude. He thought to himself. She's not going back to him.
Addison pulled back her face from his chest and looked at him, wondering what the cause was for the abundant silence that had just surfaced. He didn't even notice her staring at him for another few seconds until he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. She searched his eyes silently and smiled lightly as the expression on his face softened.
"Where were you?" Addison wondered softly.
"I'm right here." Alex assured her as he ran his hand down her face.
"You weren't a few seconds ago." Addison replied firmly. "What were you working out in your head?"
"How I got so lucky." Alex answered quickly.
"I'm the one who is lucky." Addison assessed gently. "You decided I was worth revealing apart of yourself I hadn't been privileged enough to know. I'm just grateful you did."
"It blows my mind that you don't understand how special you are."
"You make me feel it when I'm around you." Addison assured him as they continued gazing at each other from their laying positions. Addison leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his mouth. Silently thanking her lucky stars that she had given into him. She hadn't felt this safe, this good, this protected in eons.
"Okay, favorite color?" Addison asked as she sat, legs crossed sitting in front of Alex's spread out ones, he leaned against the row of pillows at the base of the bed frame. His face looked complacent as he thought of the answer to that question.
"Black."
"That's not a color."
"Sure it is." He reasoned.
"Were you one of the goth kids?" Addison asked seriously. Alex laughed a little.
"No, I've just always liked black. What about you? What's your favorite color?" Alex questioned as he admired the way her hair fell over her shoulders, the ends curling against her shoulders, the contrast against her skin and the black sweater she had put back on were mildly distracting.
"I have a lot of favorite colors." Addison lamented.
"Okay then, name three." Alex suggested.
"Turquoise, lavender and yellow." Addison listed matter-a-factly. "Favorite movie?"
"All the Godfather's." Alex answered, that had been easy. "You?"
"I'll show my age if I say." Addison said bluntly.
"Oh, please." Alex sighed as he rolled his eyes. "Tell me."
"Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love Audrey Hepburn. She was a class act." Addison said, as she pulled her knees into her chest and smiled at him. "Favorite sport?"
"Football." Alex answered without hesitation. "Do you even like sports? I wouldn't take you as a sporty kind of girl."
Addison scoffed at this suggestion that he hadn't found her to be particularly athletic. "I will have you know that I used to play volleyball and tennis."
"Really?" Alex asked inquisitively.
"Really, really." Addison affirmed. "Coke or Pepsi?"
"Neither, Dr. Pepper."
"Oh, good answer. Dr. Pepper is better than both of them." Addison agreed. "Favorite cereal?"
"Oh that's an easy one, Cinnamon Toast Crunch."
"I love old fashioned corn flakes."
"The sugary ones are the best." Alex replied.
"Favorite month?" Addison asked.
"I never really thought about it." Alex pondered, as his eyebrows furrowed. He glanced at her with a look of confusion on his face. "You have a favorite month?"
"I sure do. August."
"Why? Is that your birthday month?" Alex wondered.
"No, it's because it's the end of summer and the beginning of fall. It means the trees are about to change and the cold air is coming. Falls and winters are the best."
"Oh, see I like the summertime."
"There's just something about cold air that I love. I love it against my face, in my lungs. It's purifying and freeing. It kind of washes over you." Addison explained.
"I've never heard somebody describe it that way."
"Yeah,'" Addison sighed as she ran her hand loosely through her hair. "Winters are the best."
"So the rain doesn't bother you?"
"No, I love the rain." Addison admitted. "I love the way the earth smells after it rains. Like the air is cleansed and renewed. Everything's fresher, you can actually smell the trees and flowers in the air."
Alex smiled at her description as he thought of the other many things about her that he still didn't know. Even in her closeness, she was still one of the biggest mysteries he had ever encountered. Every layer of her made him what to unravel the next. He never wanted to be away from her. He never wanted to miss her again. As he looked at her face from across the bed, he suddenly realized the last thing he had expected to start feeling: he was feeling.
He was falling in love with her.