Knowing Me, Knowing You | (S/P)

Chapter 38

*Mature content ahead. Ye be warned!

**Like, honestly, don't read this in public.

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Nathaniel

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I close the door behind us, wiping my feet on the mat. We stopped by Katz's Delicatessen —Alexia's idea, but frankly I was glad that she was willing to eat anything — to grab lunch and were just two blocks from making it back to the hotel when a heavy rain broke out without warning.

Truth be told, the weather just matches to perfection the mood of the day.  

Alex has engaged in a phone call with who I presume — giving the amount of whispering and hushed giggles ­— is Abigail. I walk to the bathroom to get rid of my wet clothes and to hopefully convince Alexia to take a warm shower with me once she's done with her call; the last thing I want is for her to get sick once again.

It was a heart-warming, soul-wrenching experience to see her like that, in front of her brother's grave. It took all in me to no break in sobs myself. I had to be there for her, I had to be strong for her. If I could take away any of her pain, God knows I would.

I want to see her smiling and happy, cracking silly jokes and laughing with abandon, holding her middle with mirth.

I want her carefree, thriving for the things she loves, I want to...my god, I just want her to be happy. 

There was a shade of hesitation when she looked at me after her mother invited us to have dinner tonight, and I wanted to tell her no, that when hell freezes over no, but that was her decision, and hers only, to make.

However, if Eloise Saunders was already on the top of my list of least favorite people, the attitude she showed today towards Alex just reaffirmed that. Any other parent would brim with joy at the sight of their child after so many months apart, but not her. Not even a hug, not a single warm smile in her direction. It's going to take all of my self-restrain to avoid making a couple of inappropriate, but completely true, comments towards her tonight.

I just got rid of my sweater when Alexia steps into the bathroom, shoes and jacket discarded. Her cheeks and her nose are still a little flushed from the cold breeze, some droplets still visible on her unruly long hair.

"I thought we could share a bath." I haven't even finished the sentence before she's standing right behind me, hands coming up and around my torso, pressing onto the bare skin of my chest.

"I have a better idea." Her declaration it's all but a smoky whisper as she starts planting small kisses on my back, between my shoulder blades. It causes my breath to quicken immediately and I feel the blood rushing to my groin.

I suck in a hard breath when her left hand starts descending towards the hem of my jeans. I feel her smile against my skin as she leaves another kiss, just this time it's open-mouthed. I meet her eyes on the mirror –large, innocent honey-brown eyes. Tease. And those strawberry, full lips I want to kiss so badly.

I turn then, my body crashing against hers, my hands resting on her hips and my forehead bumping against hers. My lips brush against the corner of her mouth, teasingly, feeling her already ragged breath against my skin. When I finally kiss her –deep, wild, hungrily – I can't help the grin on my face as I hear a panted sight escape her mouth.