Page 81 of Lightning Angel
Tears leaked through her closed eyes. For the first time in her life, hope against hope and wish against wish,Alexa was basking in a boy’s love. Tristan’s love.
Tristan pulled back to look down at her, a smile beautifying his face. She couldn’t help but smile back. Her heart suddenly felt burden-free.
“You render me speechless.” He shook his head.
Alexa’s smile widened. “I’ve missed you.Somuch.”
“And I you,” he murmured. “It was torture, staying away from you. I was nearly tempted to give into my desires.”
“Like the first day after my shift, across the road?”
“Yeah.” He looked coy.
“I was surprised, I must admit. I didn’t expect to actuallyseeyou.”
Tristan smiled at her softly. “Iwantedyou to see me, Alexa. I am done playing my invisible role in your life.”
Her heart thawed a little more. “But you could’vebeeninvisible and I wouldn’t have known you were there, yet you didn’t…”
“I was determined to abide by your request to leave you alone, as much as it killed me to stay away.”
“Ever the gentleman, aren’t you?” She gave him a teasing smile.
“And I promise, I’ll prove myself to be worthy of you.”
“I’m not sure ifI’mworthy of you.” Her smile faltered. “You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me and I’ve been so horrible.”
“Oh, Alexa.” Tristan sighed softly. “Don’t—don’teversay that. You’re my ray of sunshine; horrible is the last thing you’ve been to me. If you’re referring to your grumpy attitudes, I’d like to enlighten you that I’ve found them only entertaining.”
“So, we’re okay now?”
Tristan chuckled softly. Alexa’s heart fluttered hearing the sound of his laugh. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed hearing it until now. “Iwas going to ask you that, actually. So I guess this means weareokay—more than okay.”
Alexa heaved a sigh, surprisingly a contented one. “I was determined to make you admit that you were mistaking love for obsession, when I called you over.”
Tristan’s lips twitched into a teasing smirk. “And I was determined to make you understand my feelings for you, when you said you needed to talk.”
“Seems like you won—this time.” She returned the smirk.
Tristan’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, so there’s going to be anexttime?”
“Not a dramatic one—well, hopefully.”
Tristan laughed and settled himself on the floor next to her, his back against the bed, before he pulled her into his embrace. Alexa stiffened at first but snuggled up to him instantly, leaning her head against his chest.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she mumbled, listening to the rapid rhythm of his heart.
“If the weather won’t be bad, yes.” Tristan sighed. “The reports say a thunderstorm is expected.”
“Oh, no.” Alexa craned her neck to look up at him.
“Don’t worry about me, Alexa, I’ll be fine,” he assured her with a too-content smile for someone who would be experiencing an immense amount of pain if the lightning did strike tomorrow. He touched a hand to her cheek. “It’s no news to me; I’ve been through this more than a dozen times now. It’s a part of my life—of who Iam.”
His eyes didn’t dim the slightest.
“Let’s hope it’s just raining and there are no lightning strikes.” Alexa sighed.
“Even if it does strike, the storm won’t last all day. I could still—”