Page 39 of Sizzle
“That’s not what I’m saying,” says Alex. “I’m trying to tell you that you could have us both. However you wanted, on whatever terms you wish.”
“You’d do that?”
“That and more, sunshine,” he says. The sincerity in his face steals my breath.
“What about Elliot?” I ask. Not that I’m considering this, because it’s freaking crazy. And confusing. Dating two men at once? And then it occurs to me. “Are we talking about dating? Or is this just about sex?”
Why that makes him laugh so hard I don’t know, but Alex pulls himself together and answers me seriously.
“This is definitely about sex, but not just sex. I want to take you out. I want to talk to you, to know more about you. To hold you. And yes, I want you in my bed more than I want my next breath.”
“With Elliot,” I whisper. “You want me in bed—with Elliot, too.” I think that’s what he’s telling me. If I’m wrong, I’m going to have to buy a ticket to Mars because I will never be able to look Alex in the eye again.
Alex lowers his forehead to touch mine, closing his eyes.
“I want you any way you’ll let me have you, sunshine,” he says, his voice so low I struggle to make it out. “I am… not averse to trying more of what we did the other night.”
“With Elliot,” I say, just to be clear.
“With Elliot,” he says.
“Does he know about this? That we’re having this conversation?” I ask.
“No. Not yet.”
Of course he doesn’t. Elliot would never go for it. Nobody in their right mind would go for it.
Right?
“It’s moot anyway,” I say. “Elliot won’t touch me because we work together.”
“You underestimate yourself, sunshine,” says Alex. He traces a fingertip up across the back of my hand, all the way up to my elbow, then back down again, making me shiver.
“What makes you think so?”
“Let’s just say I have it on pretty good authority that Elliot likes you just as much as I do,” says Alex.
“Alex Weaver,” I say, mouth dropping open. “Are you trying to fix me up with your best friend?”
Alex laughs again, the full, masculine sound of it making me shiver in an altogether different way.
“You know what,” he says, wiping the corners of his eyes. “I guess I am. Elliot wants you, Joelle. I know he’s told you so.”
“He said he won’t touch me so long as I work for him.”
“Do you trust him?”
“Yes,” I say, telling the truth. Maybe I’m being naive, but I trust them both.
Alex looks at me a long moment then nods. He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips, pressing a kiss to each fingertip.
“What do you think, sunshine? I don’t want to get this wrong by guessing.”
“I think it’s crazy. I think there’s a reason relationships are meant to be for two people, even if I’m not sure what that reason is right now. And I think body parts that aren’t your brain might be involved in the decision making process right now,” I lose a little steam here because, wow, those body parts are distracting as hell.
Judging by his smile, Alex is undeterred.
“Do you trust him?” I ask.