The Handcuff Game

Chapter 24 - I'll Always be Here Waiting

After a few rings, a deep voice answered, "Hello?"

"Hi." I whispered, my voice sounding strained. This was so awkward, how was I supposed to apologize?

"What is it, Reed?" His voice didn't sound harsh this time, only cautious.

"I...I'm sorry." The line went silent and I knew I had to continue. I had to let myself go, like I did in those few moments in his arms – the guard had to come down. "I'm scared of losing you."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds, and I wondered if he hung up. "Al-." I started.

"You won't." He said. "As long as I don't lose you."

The line went dead, and this time, he really had hung up.

My heart fluttered – he didn't want to lose me either. He wanted me. But why had he hung up? Should I wait for him to call back? Did he have to get to class or something?

I sat at the edge of my bed, my heart pounding as I waited for his call. He had to call back, right? Why was it taking so long?

I paced around my room for a few minutes before stopping in front of my mirror and looking at myself. Something had clicked within me when he said those words. He didn't want to lose me. He doesn't want to lose you.

Fine. If he wasn't going to call, I was going to him. I couldn't stand the waiting.

I hurried to the bathroom and began fixing my hair and brushing my teeth. I switched my old sweats for some jeans and a baggy sweater before misting myself with a flowery perfume. I had never felt so jittery before... all I could picture was his face, his lips and-.

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.

Oh God, the school must've called Mom. She's here to scream. I was thankful at least that she had clearly forgotten her key so I could slam the door on her if things got too intense.

I jogged down the staircase and yanked on the door handle, expecting to see my mother, but instead, a pair of green eyes glowed down at me.

Alec held the same smirk that had always made me feel weak, and all I could do was stare at him. He noticed and grinned widely, making my cheeks flare red as he rose an eyebrow.

"Alec," I breathed, I'm so sorry I..." Before I could speak more he stepped closer, his lips inches away from mine as he closed the door with his foot.

"I'll never leave. Even if you do. I'll always be here waiting." His mint breath drew me closer to him.

My eyes watered and I smiled, unable to do anything else.

Alec pushed me back, softly putting his lips on mine. The pressure slowly built as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He lifted me and walked to the living room where we fell onto the couch and he kissed my neck. I breathed a sigh of happiness as he left a trail of kisses that ended on my lips.

I couldn't help it – I grabbed his head and smashed my lips into his. Sensing the shift in passion, he yanked me onto his lap and I straddled him as my hands wandered into his hair. I gripped it and playfully nibbled at his earlobe.

Letting out a low grunt, he pinned me on my back against the couch. He slipped his hand under my shirt, tracing my belly with his rough fingers.

I quivered underneath him before tugging at his waistband...

***

We collapsed in a tangled pile of pure ecstasy.

Alec leaned over and gave me a deep kiss before resting his head on the couch. We took in the beautiful sounds of our heaving breaths before Alec finally spoke. And of course, he said, "I'm hungry."

I laughed, grabbed a pillow that had fallen on the ground and hit him with it, "Of course you are. You want cookies?"

He smiled, "Really? Something so unhealthy? No oatmeal?"

I laughed and stood up, pulling up my jeans. "I'll take that as a yes."

He stood, then swooped me into his arms and kissed me for a few moments before carrying me to the kitchen. I didn't fight it, knowing that any form of fighting would only make him hold me longer – I learned my lesson from the shower incident.

"Cookie time!" He wiggled an eyebrow at me and set me down.

"You turn from sexy to ridiculous so quickly." I snickered and walked towards the fridge.

I felt his arms wrap around my waist and yank me back before he planted a quick kiss on my lips, "Am I back to sexy now?"

I shook my head, "Nope." I grinned and took down a pan from the pantry. "If you don't burn the cookies, then you're sexy." I laughed.

He bit his lip in a way that made my heart flutter, and he smirked when he saw my reaction.

"Something tells me burning cookies wouldn't change a damn thing."

I shrugged, trying to seem unfazed, "Let's find out," I sat on the stool, "You do the cooking."

He rolled his eyes and mumbled, "So lazy," before opening the bucket of cookie dough and spooning it out onto the pan.

He gave me a sloppy grin, "Watch this." He took a ball of dough and threw it up in the air, but failed miserably when he tried to catch it in his mouth. It ended up on the floor which he quickly picked up and tossed in his mouth, "Five second rule."

I laughed. I couldn't even bother to be disgusted. I felt such peace right now, and I had no intention of ruining it. All that anger seemed to disappear with him, and I couldn't be more grateful.

He was mine, and I'm not sure how, but I knew I wouldn't lose him. And he wouldn't lose me.