A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(52)
“We’re celebrating my birthday at James and Hannah’s?” Alex’s hands uncoiled from around my body and roamed up my torso. As much as I loved being held, I loved being touched a hell of a lot more.
“Yep, we don’t have enough room in this apartment and I’d rather not have to disinfect the couch after Dan has had his junk all over it.” Both of those reasons were valid and truthful. Dan would inevitably bring a date not knowing it was a wedding. (He’d already shared his reasons for not bring dates to weddings as it led to expectations that he wasn’t prepared to fulfill). So with Dan and a date, it would come to pass that some kind of action would be taking place. I would rather that action did not take place in the general vicinity of anywhere I would be siting, standing, laying or eating any time in the future.
“Baby, I’m pretty sure Dan has had sex on this couch.” Alex whispered, barely able to contain his grin.
“Eeeeewwwww! What the hell Alex? Now we are going to have to burn it. Why did you have to tell me that?” I leapt off of the couch and subsequently out of Alex’s arms. There were things you would never be able to forget no matter how hard you tried. These were usually relegated to the storage part of the brain, which held fond memories such as a first kiss, learning to drive a car and visiting Disneyland. Dan getting busy on the couch I curled up on and sometimes fell asleep on had been banked to that vault also. We really would have to burn it. Maybe it could serve as sacrificial offering? Appease the brain gods so that someday I would forget my face had been where he had quite possibly had his… Ewwwwwww.
“I thought we agreed on full disclosure, just up holding my end of the bargain.” Alex was unable to hide his amusement, enjoying the rare occasion where I was genuinely disgusted.
“How about we renegotiate that agreement and you lie to me when it involves Dan and any piece of furniture in this apartment?” At least until we moved into our new penthouse and then we would just buy all new stuff. Easy fixed. I wouldn’t have to worry about any of the furniture and whatever unsavory acts might have taken place on them (Disclaimer - an unsavory act was solely categorized by questionable behaviour in our dwelling by anyone other than Alex and myself).
“I can do that.” Alex leisurely unfurled as he slowly rose to his feet. My eyes followed the length of his sexy body. What were we talking about?
“Good, now what else can you do?” Surely this is the point where we finally took off his pants? Was he still wearing them because I hadn’t yet said please? Where the hell were my manners?
“I can make you forget all about Dan and his inappropriate use of our couch.” Alex tilted my chin, meeting my gaze, his eyes searing me.
“Gee, I don’t know Alex. That is a hard freaking ask.” I was not convinced it was a task that could be so easily completed. It would take weeks, months even. It would take serious dedication on both our parts but I was willing to give it a try.
“Lucky for you I’m already hard.” Alex pulled me firmly against his body, his obvious arousal punctuating his statement. He was a man of his word and that word was currently, hard.
“So you are.” Radio silence what was I trying to forget? Who? What? I no longer cared.
With a devilish, unhurried smile, Alex’s voice vibrated through me. “Come to bed, Baby.”
Chapter 12 - Best Laid Plans
The week was predictably chaotic. Both Sydney and Taylah earned their stripes as event planners of the highest power as they ran errands, collected samples and pretty much did anything I asked of them. Moving through our detailed and assiduous to-do list, we booked, rented, confirmed or purchased everything that was required to make this wedding go off without a hitch. I had convinced Emma and Jackson as well as Kate and her posse to make the grueling long haul flight. It actually hadn’t taken a lot of convincing, just two words actually, first and class. I didn’t even bother inviting my family; our last interaction had given me the closure I had needed. I wouldn’t regret their absence from my life and the fact they no longer had a part in it; they didn’t belong in this. Invitations were distributed, RSVPs received and I’d even managed to purchase a gown (another off-the-rack treasure, but it was so stunning I didn’t care.)
I had never imagined myself as a bride and as I had accepted there would be no Prince Charming for me, I had chosen not to indulge in the fairytale. Yet when I was in the fitting room of the bridal boutique I had seen a bride looking back at me. I had chosen a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown. The simple white (I’m still shocked I was wearing freaking WHITE) design clung tightly to my curves, before cascading elegantly to the floor. I had maintained my resistance to full skirts and cathedral trains, but this dress was breathtaking. The only adornment was an intricate Chantilly lace overlay, which flowed over the entire length of the gown; the bodice and skirt were devoid of beading. The stunning sweetheart neckline accentuated my breasts, making my average sized assets look spectacular.
I couldn’t wait to wear it and it had been hidden in its inconspicuous garment bag back in the darkest corner of my wardrobe. That was, until today.
Giselle, a Brooklyn native who was a freaking wizard with a brush, expertly tended to my hair and makeup. In keeping with the styling of the dress, we had taken an old Hollywood glamour approach and my makeup was reminiscent of Garbo, Monroe and Hepburn, while my hair had been swept into a sophisticated up-do, embellished with Swarovski crystal hair clips. No veil. The ensemble was completed by my beautiful Tiffany diamond earrings that Alex had given me on the day of our first wedding. As I slipped on my shoes, I took one final look in the mirror. I was mesmerized.