Plus None 2 by Emily Hemmer Read Free Book Online

fine.”
    Alex leans forward and narrows his eyes playfully. “Were?”
    I groan deep in my throat and cross my arms. “Don’t do that.”
    “Don’t do what?”
    “Don’t…pretend like you’ve got no idea what I’m talking about.”
    “Should I know?”
    “And stop asking me questions! It’s infuriating.”
    He smiles widely and I’m treated to two impish dimples. “Sorry.”
    I’d like to reach across the table and wipe those dimples clean off his face. That I wish I could do so with my tongue only fuels my frustration. “Why’d you want to see me again, really? Because if you’re looking for another one-night stand you could’ve just waited until the reception. Four martinis and your dimples – my panties would’ve evaporated and you could’ve saved yourself an awful lot of trouble.”
    “Hell, if I’d known it would be that easy, I would’ve tracked you down a lot sooner.”
    I’m done with the games. Right now all I want is closure, and maybe another drink.
    Alex looks searchingly at my face. He drags a hand over his mouth before leaning back in his chair. “I don’t know what you want me to say here, Charlie. That I regret not coming after you sooner? That I regret letting you slip away from me? I do. I regret it more than you could possibly know.”
    “Then why not do something about it?”
    He works his jaw tightly, prolonging his answer. I wait for him to say something, anything, but he remains silent. I push back from the table and stand to leave. Alex practically jumps out of his seat, laying a strong hand on my arm.
    “Please, stay.”
    “Give me a reason to.”
    Whatever internal struggle he’s battling, it’s close to beating him. His brow is crinkled in indecision.
    “I haven’t been with anyone, since.”
    I wasn’t expecting that. He nods, silently asking me to accept this intimate information as reason enough to stay a while longer. I slowly reclaim my seat and once he’s satisfied I’m not going anywhere, he does the same.
    The clatter of cutlery and tinkle of glasses against dinner plates is loud in my ears. I don’t know what to say. I suppose I could tell him that I haven’t been with anyone either but I’m not ready to let go of that card just yet.
    “Thank you,” he says.
    I incline my head in his direction, feeling exposed and unsure of where this leaves us.
    “Were you really able to put it out of your mind?” he asks.
    His question shocks me a little. For someone clearly full of secrets, he sure knows how to be blunt. “Sometimes.”
    “What about the other times?”
    My mouth is dry. I wet each lip with my tongue.
    He watches the movement carefully. “Because I think about it all the time.”
    “Alex…”
    “Can you guess my favorite memory of that night?”
    I roll my eyes. “The sex?”
    The corner of his mouth twitches. “The conversation. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
    “You mean you’ve never met a girl who thinks less than she talks?”
    Alex smiles slightly and leans forward. “I mean I’ve never met anyone so honest. Someone who just tells it like it is. No pretense, no motives.” His gaze locks, unwavering with my own. “I mean I’ve never met someone so beautiful, and so wholly unaware of her beauty. I mean I’ve never met someone so caring, warm, and generous, who only knows how to give and isn’t worried about what she’ll get in return.”
    “Stop it,” I beg.
    “I can’t.”
    I can’t look away. There’s a need in his stare, a desire so deep and unmistakable I can practically read his thoughts.
    Don’t do it, Charlie. Not again…
    Our waiter reappears, ready to take the order. “Have you made your decision?”
    “Yes.” Alex’s voice is strong, confident.
    “Wonderful. What can I get for you?”
    A nod, born out of reflex rather than restraint, escapes me.
    Alex doesn’t even look up. “The check.”
     
    His teeth pull at the nipple hidden beneath the fabric of my dress.
    “Is there a camera in