A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(51)
“Now you’ve hit your stride, venue and a celebrant. Perfect choice, if I do say so myself.” I had no doubt that Taylah would approve.
“You want me to marry you?” Dave asked, his face amused by the suggestion.
“Of course. I would love for you to be involved.” I nodded, knowing he would bring innate warmth to the ceremony and possibly some well-placed humour.
“Well sure then. You want me to marry you, then I will marry you. Now if you ladies have everything under control I’m going to get back to work.” Dave rose to his feet, happy to leave us to our intricate planning on floor.
“Thanks Dave, we’re sorted.” I gave him two thumbs up.
“All good here Hun.” Taylah agreed, satisfied we were making progress and our wine supply had been replenished.
Dave leaned in and gave Taylah a big passionate kiss and left us to our rather fruitful planning session. Sydney had emailed details of a few caterers she had sourced so I could go over menu choices. Perhaps it wasn’t going to be that bad, the whole formal wedding thing. I had two of the most resourceful women in Manhattan on my side, a kick-ass celebrant, a stunning location and without a doubt the most perfect husband. The more we planned the more excited I was actually getting. I think I actually wanted this… my version of the fairytale. Even my phobia of wedding dresses had also started to wane, thinking that as long as I didn’t look like I had stepped off the set of a Disney movie I might even wear white. It would even be worth the potential risk of upsetting deities, not that anyone was under the delusion I was a virgin.
Content that the wheels were now firmly in motion, I said my goodbyes to Taylah and made my way back to the lobby where DarNell was waiting for me. It was strange walking past my old doorway. I hesitated, wondering if I should knock and say hi to Matt and Anna. It was mixed emotions that kept my feet moving, my gut telling me it was not a good idea. I didn’t want whatever it was that was going on between Anna and Matt to ruin my high, not tonight.
~~~
Alex was waiting for me when I got home. He was sitting on our black leather couch, his long denim clad legs stretched out in front of him. His t-shirt had been discarded and casually tossed to the side. His guitar leaned up against his naked and impeccably sculpted chest as his fingers agilely slid up and down the fret board.
“Objectifying me again Lexi?” Alex’s lips twitched as he caught me in a full open mouthed ogle. “I’m going to start thinking you’re using me for my body.”
“You agreed to be my sex slave, I’m just trying to be an appreciative master.” I entered further into the lounge room, coming to a stop as I reached the edge of the couch.
Alex turned and laid the guitar on the floor beside him. I watched as his muscles rippled as he moved. “I’ve missed you.” He opened his arms, his body seeking mine as he beckoned me. “Come sit with me.”
“Will you take off your pants as well?” Without hesitation I lowered my body and nestled against him. He accepted my weight and wrapped his arms around me.
“If you ask politely. Although if I take off my pants I’m going to want to do a lot more than just sit with you.” His lips pressed against me gently as he traced the sensitive skin between my neck and my ear with a trail of kisses.
“And the problem with that is…” I had no issue with whatever would be running though his mind. No pants seemed like a win/win to me and if it prompted activities other than talking, then that would be fine by me too. As I said, this was not a problem. The problem was, that Alex was still wearing pants though he did fill out a pair of jeans rather magnificently.
Alex threw his head back as he laughed. “You really are my little sex fiend. Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to this evening while your poor husband was locked in a room with smelly musicians.” His arms flexed tighter around me.
I loved being held by Alex. This factoid had surprised me because I had never wanted it before but now I craved it, yearned for it and no mater how often or how long I was in Alex’s arms it was never enough. It was like my body was trying to bank the contact for later when it would be gone or perhaps it was because I had been without contact for so long. Like pouring water over sand, it wasn’t always visible but seeped into the deepest part of me.
“Planning your surprise birthday party.” I volunteered, wisely offering an explanation for a week that would possibly be full of covert meetings and hushed conversations. It was actually a brilliant cover; the wedding was a surprise not the party itself so Alex knowing really didn’t serve as too much of a problem. At least now he knew, I could go about the planning without arousing suspicion and possibly blowing the real surprise. It was classic diversionary tactics. Here you go people, keep your eyes on my right hand while my left hand steals your watch.
“A birthday party for me? Baby, isn’t telling me ruining the whole idea of the surprise?” Alex laughed as I snuggled closer against his chest. He smelt so good. His masculine scent mixed with the faint trace of cologne was an automatic hot button for me. What were we talking about again? Wasn’t it something about removing his pants?
“I figured you’d find out eventually, this way I don’t have to come up with some lame excuse about why I have to go set up at James and Hannah’s without you on your birthday. Just make sure you act all shocked when you walk in.” My rather rational explanation was seamless. It also meant he wouldn’t ask questions about his birthday celebration and/or plan something else. And the lack of surprise wasn’t going to be an issue either, because once he saw me in a wedding dress and worked out what was actually happening, I could guarantee he wouldn’t need to fake the emotion.