Love, Lies, and Deception(3)
Taking a deep breath, I grumbled hesitantly as I made my way down the stairs, trying desperately to keep my suitcase from knocking loudly on each step. When I made it to the second floor, I let out an audible sigh of relief, but that relief was put on hold when my foot slipped on the last step … making me sail forward, screaming the whole way.
I waited for the impact of the fall to hit me, but instead of landing on the ground, I fell into the bare-chested arms of the guy who lived below us. His scent engulfed me, and it took all I had not to move closer and breathe him in. This was the same guy who made my blood ignite like fire every time he set his hypnotic blue gaze onto me. Embarrassed, I could feel the heat flooding my cheeks, and I was afraid to look up.
Why did I have to be so damn clumsy? I scolded myself. The muscles flexed in his arms as I held on to his smooth biceps, and when I realized I was still holding onto him, I swiftly let him go, regaining my composure. I’d always wanted to talk to him, but I never had the guts to approach him.
“I am so sorry,” I breathed, sweeping the hair out of my face and finally meeting his eyes. I had never felt so humiliated in my life. Well, except for the time I got drunk, ran into a tree, and broke my nose.
His light brown hair was damp with sweat, most likely from the run I knew he had just taken, and his clothes were stuck to his skin, accentuating his taut muscles. He liked to run every day and there were times I caught myself watching him through the window of my bedroom when he would take off through the trails out past our apartment complex. I’d often wanted to ask him if he would mind my tagging along with him since Emily hated to run. Not even my close friend, Kristian, liked to run.
Like an idiot, I gazed mesmerizingly at my neighbor. He had an amused smirk splayed across his face when he asked, “Are you okay?” He trailed his eyes down my body before they strayed to the large suitcase resting haphazardly on the steps. “You’re not moving out are you?”
“Yes … no, I mean yes I’m okay,” I stuttered, straightening my shoulder bag and biting my lip. “And no I’m not moving out. My friends and I are going to Fiji for spring break. It’s our one last big hoorah before we all graduate and head our separate ways.” Not knowing what to do, I extended a trembling hand out for him to shake. Oh, how lame is that? I thought to myself after it was too late.
“I know we haven’t really spoken before … I’m Marissa Chase,” I announced nervously, hoping he would take my hand and not leave me hanging.
He paused for a moment, staring at my outstretched palm, as if contemplating something. Okay, this is awkward. I was about to pull back my hand when he reached out and took it in his solid grasp. Almost immediately, sparks flew up my arm with the contact, making me shiver.
“Alec Holden,” he replied slowly, almost hesitantly.
It seemed as if he didn’t want to tell me his name, but the thought quickly disappeared when he gripped my hand tighter. With a smile on his face and still holding my hand, he continued, “Fiji is amazing, by the way. I went there last year to surf with some of my buddies from California. You should try to learn while you’re there.”
I gaped at him incredulously. “Yeah, right. I’m the most uncoordinated person you could ever meet. I’d probably get swallowed up by the waves.”
He smirked. “I seriously doubt that. I think you’d do better than you think.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t know me very well. Trust me, you’d think differently if you hung around me.”
His laugh was smooth and seductive. “I’m sure you could say the same thing about me. Other than surfing, I can be pretty uncoordinated, too.”
Relaxing at the sound of his voice, I realized I was staring at his mouth, watching his lips move. His voice was deep and soothing, just like what I imagined a caress from him would feel like. I’d seen him clean and maintain his motorcycle with gentle hands and often wondered what it would be like if he put that much care in his touches.
His hand was warm and firm as he shook mine, strong and confident; definitely an alpha male. The touch of his skin and his intense blue gaze sent shock waves down my body, and I instinctively clenched his fingers tighter, earning me a smile that had my knees buckling. What the hell was wrong with me? It was not the time to be having thoughts about another man when I just broke up with one.
He was just a guy, so why couldn’t I breathe right with him in front of me? I’d never felt this nervous around someone before, not even when I first started dating my ex-boyfriend, Jason. Alec’s body screamed sex appeal, and he smelled amazing, even if he was sweaty from running. My ex had been all I had for so long; he was comfortable and safe, except now I was free to explore other possibilities. The thought was exciting, but I didn’t think I would start in on someone so soon.
Alec’s clear blue gaze had me entranced, frozen in place, at least until the obnoxious sound of my roommate’s voice carried up to us from the parking lot. “Tick tock, Marissa! Stop flirting and come on,” Emily yelled at us.
My face blushed crimson, and I groaned in frustration as I peered down at my rude friend and flipped her off. “Hopefully, I won’t drown her while we’re gone. If I come back without her don’t tell anyone, okay?” I stated jokingly.
He laughed and glanced down at my suitcase. “I won’t. Here, let me help you with this,” he said, bending down to grab my bag, not giving me a chance to protest.