Love Beyond Expectations (Book 1 of the Love Beyond Series)

Chapter 22

The apartment was filled with a comfortable silence as Alex and I settled onto the couch after dinner. The night outside was calm, the city lights flickering like stars through the large windows. It was one of those evenings where everything just felt right, where the weight of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in our little bubble of bliss.

We had spent the day lounging around, enjoying each other's company, and now, as the evening wore on, the intimacy between us grew. I could feel the magnetic pull between us as we sat close, our hands brushing against each other. Alex's fingers traced idle patterns on my arm, sending shivers down my spine, and I leaned into him, letting the warmth of his body envelop me.

"Come here," he murmured, his voice low and husky as he gently tugged me closer.

I didn't need any more prompting. I slid into his lap, my legs straddling his hips as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our eyes locked, and the intensity of his gaze sent a rush of heat through me. Without another word, our lips met in a searing kiss, the kind that made the world around us disappear.

His hands found my waist, pulling me even closer as the kiss deepened, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. The passion we shared was electric, each touch, each caress igniting a fire within me that I couldn't control. My fingers tangled in his hair as I tilted my head to give him better access, and I felt him groan against my mouth, the sound sending a thrill through me.

I was lost in him, in the feel of his lips on mine, the taste of him, the way his hands gripped my waist as if he couldn't get enough. It was intoxicating, overwhelming in the best possible way, and I couldn't help but want more. My heart raced, and I could feel his beating just as rapidly against my chest as if our bodies were in perfect sync.

Just as things were about to escalate, the door to our apartment burst open, and the sound of laughter filled the room. Startled, I broke the kiss, my eyes snapping open as I turned to see who had interrupted us. Standing in the doorway, with wide grins plastered on their faces, were Emily, Ryan, Sarah, and Jake.

"Oh my God," I whispered, trying to catch my breath as I scrambled off Alex's lap, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Sorry, did we interrupt something?" Emily asked, though the mischievous glint in her eyes told me she was anything but sorry.

Alex let out a low growl of frustration, running a hand through his tousled hair as he shot a glare at our friends. 

"You couldn't have knocked?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Jake replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying the situation a bit too much.

I could feel my face heating up as I tried to compose myself. Alex, on the other hand, looked both annoyed and amused as he stood up, pulling me close to him again, his hand resting possessively on my waist.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, my voice a little breathless from the interruption.

"We thought we'd come over for a game night," Sarah said cheerfully, holding up a bag filled with snacks and drinks, "you know, since it's been a while."

I exchanged a glance with Alex, who sighed, clearly resigned to the fact that our evening alone had just been hijacked. 

"You guys have impeccable timing," he muttered, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Ryan chuckled as he made himself comfortable on the other end of the couch. 

"Looks like we saved you from getting too carried away."

I shot him a playful glare.

 "And who asked you to save us?"

Sarah laughed as she set the bag down on the coffee table.