Find Me Alastar(51)

I hear the door open, then close, before the lock on the main door is snapped shut.

“Get out here now…” The Irish voice growls.

Crap. It’s Alastar and he’s fuming mad.

“No. G-go away,” I stammer as I tug my skirt up.

“I will not go away. Get. Out. Here. Now.”

Oh my God. This looks bad. I was holding Mark’s hand under the table. Fuck, f*ck, f*ck.

I slowly stand and open the door to find him glaring at me angrily.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I should ask you the same question.”

“Are you spying on me?”

“I shouldn’t have to.” He fumes.

“So you are.”

“I was across the street and I saw you come in here playing happy families. I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

I cross my arms over my chest.

He steps really close to my face. “And you are supposed to be only with me. What the f*ck are you doing here with him?” He sneers.

Oh crap, this looks bad. “I’m breaking up with him, if you must know.”

“I thought you weren’t even seeing him?”

“I told you… I’m breaking up with him before it even begins,” I repeat.

“By holding his f*cking hand?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “He’s holding my hand. I wasn’t holding it back.”

Alastar shakes his head angrily. “That’s it. I’m done.”

Fury rips through me. “You’re done?” I yell. “I’m the one who is done.”

“Looks that way.” He screams.

I shake my head in disgust. “You know what, forget it. This is stupid.”

His eyes hold mine. “I told you.”

I cut him off. “Yeah I know. You have a lot of stuff on right now. I get it.” I snap. “Go home, Alastar. I’m here with Mark and his parents and we are f*cking casual.”

“No.”

I screw up my face. “No. What do you mean no?”

“I’m not leaving here without you.”

My mouth drops open. “Oh, yes, you are.”

He shakes his head. “No, we’re going back to my place.”

I’m outraged. He can’t dangle his house like a carrot in front of me. “No.”

“I mean it.” He growls.

I narrow my eyes at him. “How dare you?”

“Oh, I f*cking dare, alright.”

I shake my head in disbelief. What part of this is casual? “This isn’t working, Alastar. You are totally crazy.”

“Em, don’t fight with me,” he urges as he places his hand on my hipbone.

I put my hands on his upper arms and we move closer together. “Stop being such a prick, Alastar,” I whisper. “I’m here to break up with him.”

His eyes hold mine.

“I work with him and this has to be amicable. I’m trying to be an adult here. Let me do this properly.”

“Do you like him?” His eyes search mine.

“No. I like you and I’m with you. God knows why? You’re a total nut case.”

He smiles and kisses me gently.

I pull away from his kiss and put my hands through my own hair. “I have to get this over with tonight. I have to tell him that I’m not interested.”

“Just go out there and tell him now so we can leave,” he says as his composure returns.

I stare at him deadpan.

“I will cook dinner for us at my house.” He smirks.

I continue to stare at him.

“You can stay over for the weekend.” He smiles sweetly dangling that damn carrot once more.

He’s bringing out the big guns now. I smirk. He kisses me again and I feel my resistance start to waver.

“Come, let’s go home,” he whispers into my hair as he pulls me close.

Shit.

The latch jiggles on the door. “Emerson, are you okay?” Marks voice calls out.

I screw up my face. “Oh, please let me tell him. This is not fair. He doesn’t deserve this,” I whisper in a panic.

“Yes, Mark,” I call. “I’m just not feeling that well. I will be out in a moment.”

Alastar stands still with his hands in his pockets, not saying anything.

“Pick me up from my apartment at eleven and I will come to yours for the weekend. Please… give me three hours and let me get rid of him for good.”

His eyes hold mine as he thinks.

“Three hours is all I need,” I plead.

“Fine.” He sighs.

I smile broadly. Thank God. This is all going to work out. “Thank you.” I kiss his neck. “Go home. I will see you soon.”

“I’m not leaving.”

I pull back and frown. “What?”

“I’m staying at the bar.”

“A-alastar.” I stammer. “Stop it.”

“Take it or leave it.” I narrow my eyes and put my hands on my hips. “What if I leave it?”

“Then I will drag you out of here by your hair… Caveman style.” He lifts his chin defiantly.

I shake my head in frustration. “No, you f*cking wont!” I snap.