Page 24 of With This Mask
He hesitates for a moment, his eyes meeting mine, searching for something. Then, with a sigh, he closes the laptop and leans back in his chair. "Alright," he says, a hint of vulnerability flickering in his eyes. "The videos I post? The… masked ones?"
"Yes," I encourage him to continue, a smirk forming on my lips.
"Well," he begins, rubbing the back of his neck, "I've actually been working on an app that syncs with the platform I use to post them. It helps me create those smooth transitions, and it's been in beta testing for a while now."
"An app?" I blink in surprise, genuinely impressed. "Wait, are you talking about this one?” I tap on the screen of my phone, and then turning it in Alec’s direction.
For the first time ever, the smile on his face is shy. He nods without saying anything.
“Alec, that’s amazing!” I blurt, completely flabbergasted. “I mean, everyone is using it these days to edit.”
“Thanks," he murmurs, looking down at the floor. "I'm planning on launching it in about a month, and if things continue like they have been... maybe I won't have to be part of my father's company anymore."
"Wow," I breathe, my heart swelling with pride for him. "Alec, that's incredible. I'm so proud of you."
He looks up at me, surprise written all over his face. "You are?"
"Of course!" I exclaim, shaking my head in disbelief. "Has… has no one ever told you that before?"
"No," he admits quietly, his gaze softening. "Not really."
"Then they're all idiots." I step closer, my hand resting on his shoulder. "Because what you're doing is brave and ambitious, and I know you're going to succeed."
"Thank you, Salem," he whispers, his eyes shining with gratitude. And then, in one fluid motion, he pulls me into his lap, wrapping his strong arms around me.
I feel the warmth of his body against mine, and my heart races as I realize just how close we are. The tension between us is palpable, an electric current that threatens to consume us both. But for once, instead of pulling away or throwing a sarcastic remark to break the spell, I let myself lean into it, allowing the moment to unfold as it will.
The warmth of Alec's chest against my own intensifies as he pulls me closer, enveloping us in a cocoon of shared secrets and desire. His fingers brush gently through my hair, sending shivers down my spine. I can't help but lose myself in the moment, my thoughts drifting away like smoke on the wind.
"Believe me, I want nothing more than to stay here, but I have to leave in a few minutes," Alec apologizes softly, his breath warm against my neck.
"Where are you off to?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Just some boring family thing," he sighs, his grip around me tightening ever so slightly. "But I'd rather be here with you."
"Then stay," I say, leaning into his touch. "No one's forcing you to go."
"Believe me, if I could, I would." He kisses my cheek tenderly, his lips lingering for just a moment more than necessary. "Will I see you at the gala this weekend?"
A pang of longing shoots through me, and I grimace. "I can't afford a dress, Alec," I confess, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice. "Gala's aren't really my scene anyway."
"Let me take care of it," he offers without hesitation, and I can almost hear the smile in his voice.
"Don't you dare," I warn, twisting around to meet his gaze. "I don't need your charity."
“It’s not charity,” he counters. “You’d be doing me a favor by adding to my Salem fantasy bank. You in a well fitted dress?” he kisses his fingertips.
“Alec,” I warn, glaring darkly at him because he didn’t say he wouldn’t pull out his credit card.
“Just kiss me, dammit,” he says demandingly as he pulls me to him once more.
Our time together is short, but hot – a stolen moment of passion and tenderness amidst the chaos of our lives. We explore each other with lips only, savoring every touch and taste, every gasp and sigh. I can feel my walls crumbling, brick by brick, as Alec opens me up to a world of possibilities I never dared dream of.
Alec’s phone chimes, and I know our time is up.
“Walk me out?” I ask, even as I climb off his lap.
“Of course,” he says, grinning wickedly as he rises. He gathers his things, and we set off through the door. Once alone in the elevator, he pushes me up against the wall, kissing me completely senseless.