Restart

Chapter 43. Lonely

It's midnight by the time I got home, so I immediately hit the shower and I am feeling the exhaustion taking over. I am in my bed when I hear the door knock and of course I know who it is, but I was hoping to avoid this tonight.
"Hey beautiful." he says in a cheerful mood, looking unexpectedly calm and relaxed.
"Hey, why aren't you sleeping? It's late." I say looking at him surprised. I thought he would be very upset about me being out so late. I haven't even answered the message that he sent me about an hour ago, so I was expecting complaints and disapproval instead of a smiley Alexander, in the best of moods. I guess it's because that's what I was used to all those years when I was with Michael.
"I never break a promise." He whispers in my ear, while lifting me up and taking me to bed. I close me eyes and turn on my side hugging my pillow, pretending I was too tired to do anything else than sleep.
"I don't need you to do anything, just feel and accept whatever I do to you and I promise you, it will be worth staying up awake."
The truth is I was already awaken by his first kiss. This man works like a charger for my libido and I am already kissing him back and undressing him. Then I see a big tattoo on his right arm, that was covered by the cast all this time so I never got to see it. It was a tribal black tattoo and it looked so good on him.
"What's this? It's sexy." I say smiling
"Let's talk about that later" he says and turns me on my back, giving me an hour of too much pleasure, leaving me breathless and satisfied beyond words, not because he didn't have the cast on, but because the two of us where just perfect together and I couldn't care less about what my psychology manual said. Paul and my books were both wrong, as I know how this feels and this feels so damn right.
"I've missed you too much, I want you to sleep in my arms." He says kissing me and leaving small wet traces on my neck.
I am so tempted to say yes, but I am at least sticking to my 'taking it slow' plan, so I say goodnight to him. He leaves unwillingly but he doesn't have a choice and thankfully I am so exhausted from all the physical activity and completely content that I sleep like a baby. This day was pretty close to perfect and I am finally back to once again feeling optimistic about my future.
When the sound of my 'morning happiness' ringtone wakes me up, I snooze it feeling the luck of sleep has finally taken its toll on me, but then I realize it's Saturday and I now also had Saturdays off. I turn on my side feeling blissful and I sleep for another hour, before getting up. I swallow a big bowl of cereal and go to the gym.
"If it isn't my favorite person in the whole world." Luke greets me joyfully.
"Yes, I am pretty sure you say that to all your clients."
"No, I don't. I have a soft spot for you."
"Where is that soft spot? You are as hard as a rock." I joke.
"In my heart." He says looking extremely funny with that gesture he made.
"Oh, come on..." I laugh.
I spend one hour at the gym and between laughing and exercising I am feeling rejuvenated and energized.
"Come! It's time for your protein shake" he requests.
"Do I have to? That thing tastes awful."
"Yes you do. Come on, bottoms up."
I grab my nose and I force the awful liquid down my throat.
"That's disgusting! I want to try something new."
"You will, next month. Right now you need this, trust me."
"I've gained enough weight Luke, if I keep going like this, I am going to need a diet pretty soon." I complain.
"No more weight, only muscles. Damn you look too fine already! I am going to have you registered to a fitness contest that's in three months from now."
"No! You will not do such a thing!"
"Why not? By the time I'm done with you, you will look like a cover girl!"
"Luke, stop! You are embarrassing me."
"We have to do something about your confidence. Wait here." He says and disappears, only to come back later with a tall young man that was also fit but not as muscular as Luke.
"Claire this is Yianni, he is Greek and ridiculously handsome as you or anyone with eyes can see, so do be careful of him, as he tends to break women's hearts by a solemn smile."
"Nice to meet you Yianni." I say, still laughing at Luke's remark.
"Luke told me you needed a coach."
"No, I have Luke. Ok he can be annoying at times, but he makes me laugh, so I can tolerate him still." I say laughing out loud.
"Who said you can get rid of me? Our schedule will only get more intense, doll, as Yianni will be your self defense instructor, free of charge of course, because you are just too cute."
"I don't mind paying. I just haven't thought of getting self defense lessons and I don't know if I have the time."
"Well. You will have to make sure you make time."
"I leave you two, to discuss all the details."
Yianni is so different from Luke, he is serious looking and doesn't talk much. We arrange for two hourly sessions per week and I take a taxi back home, to have a shower and think of a way to spend my free day away from Alexander.
I skip lunch and I smile when I think of how Luke would yell at me if he found out. I promise myself to grab something to eat on the way and I take the tourist bus, as I loved that New York tour Alexander gave me a month ago.
Unfortunately it was nothing like that and I was now walking alone feeling disappointed in Central Park, wishing Alexander was here with me. Then I decide to call the only person I knew that was as close to a friend, to see if she wanted to hang out.
"I know you are probably bored of me, as we spend too much time together daily, but I was wondering if you wanted to grab a cup of coffee or something and I promise we won't be talking about work?" I tell her.
"Sorry Claire, I am not home, I am out with my boyfriend but you could meet us for dinner later if you wanted to."
"Ok thanks, I'll call you if I am free then."
"Great! See you."
And I am left with my phone on my hand, when it rings before I got the chance to put it back in my purse. It's Alexander. I haven't seen or spoken to him all day.
"Hey beautiful. Where are you?" He asks.
"I am at Central Park."
"Really? Are you there alone?"
"Well, yes." Is what I said, but I wish I had a different answer to that question.
"Can I take you somewhere, or are you busy?"
"No, I was going to meet Alicia for dinner later, but I didn't confirm it." I half lie, as I would never go to dinner with a couple, knowing I would only be the third person.
"Great! Please don't. I am on my way, I have a surprise."
A surprise? What kind of a surprise? I promised myself I would try and keep away from him during the weekend, since all the other days, I couldn't avoid seeing him, but I was all alone and feeling miserable. Alexander used to work on Saturdays, but when he sold 40% of his shares to Mr. Yang who was now enjoying 40% more profit than before, he decided he would take Saturdays off as well and Mr. Yang could take care of the week's pending issues.
His father was now back to work full time and he and Alexander were doing much better. I've sort of recruited him in 'team Alex' as well, along with the rest of the floor. I could swear that after that phone call, to tell him about Alexander visiting his mom's grave, he started treating me with more respect.
He is here already and I am glad, as it's nearly Winter now and the weather is getting chilly, especially late in the afternoon. I get in the car and he kisses me with those sweet lips of his, that I can never say no to, giving me a shot of dopamine that pulsed right through my heart. He doesn't like the distance between us, so he pulls me from my seat onto his lap and deepens the kiss.
"Come here. I've missed you, where were you all day?" He says in a deep lustful voice without interrupting the kiss.
I don't even answer, as I am lost in enjoyment when he suddenly stops. He gives me one more quick kiss on the lips and puts me back in my seat.
"It's a good thing I've gotten rid of the cast. You've gained some weight and you look even more gorgeous. Too sexy, only to drive me crazy with your 'I need space games' and making me suffer for having to chase you all the time."
I can see his hardness from his jeans and I know he is not only complimenting me, as he is actually being honest.
I know I do look much better, because even my mom told me, during our video call yesterday, that I was the good old me again and she never compliments me. Never!
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." He smiles.
"I used to hate surprises, as I wanted to plan every single detail of what was to follow my day, but then this is my new life, so...why not." I say giving him my biggest smile.