Behind Closed Doors by Ava Catori Read Free Book Online Page B

on course. What are you
doing here?”
    He
hesitated, “I’m looking for you.”
    “ Me?”
    “ Elle,
I hate how I ended things. I know this is bullish of me, but would
you consider going out with me?”
    “ I
don’t know if I can go there again, Alex. I started to have
feelings.”
    “ I
can’t stop thinking about you, Elle. I’ll be honest, I’ve
thought of calling you so many times, but didn’t know what to
do.”
    “ I’ve
thought a lot about you too,” I admitted.
    “ Consider
giving us another chance?”
    “ And
what if our picture is splashed across a paper again?”
    “ So
be it, I’ll hope they get my good side.”
    I
smiled and stood. It was comfortable in his arms, as he pulled me
into an embrace. “I’ve missed talking to you.”
    “ So
that’s a yes?”
    “ I
think it is.”
    We
were going to try again. There was something there and we both
recognized it. It wasn’t some burning fire, but there was a
spark, an ember. It was the start of something that could grow to be
much more.
    Being
buried in school, I didn’t have as much time to obsess or worry
about our upcoming date, and when we finally went out, I was so much
more relaxed than our previous first date.
    We
went to a local tavern. I wore a soft beige sweater and slacks. I
felt comfortable and ready to start over. He met me in jeans and a
grey sweater of his own. Sitting in the booth talking, we fell right
back into the pattern of where we were before. It didn’t feel
like work, and we both knew the other wanted to be there. There was
no hurry to make things move faster, and there was no worrying if the
other was invested. Time had passed, and we both realized we wanted
to see each other again. It had to be his idea though, since he was
the one that had backed out.
    Sharing
a plate of snacks, we picked at the food before us. Alex poured me a
glass of beer from the pitcher on our table, and we updated each
other on what we’d been doing in our time apart.
    Alex
spoke. “I’d like to be forward, and ask you something.”
    I
was curious, what could he be talking about? I waited to hear what
he had to say.
    “ I’d
like to take you home with me tonight, if you’d consider it.”
    I
blushed, not expecting those words. I knew what he was referring to.
I hadn’t been with a man in a long time.
    “ I
can’t stop thinking about you, and I’d like to…”
he stopped. “I’m moving too fast, I know.”
    “ It
does feel fast, Alex. We’re just getting back together. What’s
the hurry?”
    “ I’ve
known you for a long time, Elle, and quite frankly have wanted to be
a part of your life. After that happened and I turned away, I
regretted it. I didn’t know what to do. I’m not good with
a spotlight on me, and yet I didn’t stop having feelings for
you. I started having feelings for you when we worked together.”
    “ And
I have feelings for you, but I don’t think I’m ready to
go there yet. You do understand, don’t you? I’d like to
take things slowly, Alex, I need to.”
    “ I
understand, and it was wrong of me to ask. It’s just that I
have these urges, and then I see you,” he said quietly.
    The
flush rose quickly to my cheeks, “I’m flattered, but I’m
just not ready.”
    “ I
haven’t been with a woman in a while. I kept hoping it would be
you,” he said.
    “ It
can be me, just not today,” I said, softly stroking his hand.
“I haven’t…” I started, “well, it’s
been a while for me too. Can you wait? I promise it will be worth
it.”
    “ Of
course I can, it was wrong of me to bring it up so soon,” he
said, apologizing.
    “ I
don’t mind, in fact I’m flattered. I hoped you were
attracted to me that way,” I said looking down, a little
embarrassed to admit that out loud.
    “ I’m
so attracted to you that it’s crazy. I’ve wanted to hold
you in my arms and make love to you since before, and working with
you,” he stopped. “I’ve said too much.”
    I
smiled, “Alex, I’m