My promise to not touch Alex (much) has been the worst mistake of my life. It’s been about two weeks since I made her dinner after what started off as an amazing day that quickly turned to shit, only to redeem itself by the night’s end. I think I have lost count of how many hand jobs I’ve given myself either after she’s left my place or I’ve left hers. Believe me, the drive back from her house to my apartment isn’t enough to curb the ache I feel for her.

I’m trying to be good and respect her wishes, but damn it’s hard. Our flirt game is strong and Alex is sexy without being sexy. It’s little things like when she comes over after work and her hair is down, it’ll cover her face after I’ve given her a compliment, which then gives me the best excuse to touch her, to move her hair behind her ear.

Or the time when I went to her place for dinner and walked in on her wearing these ridiculously short shorts and dancing in the kitchen. I stood there and watched her hips move to the music, imagining what it’s going to be like when we’re finally intimate.

And that is what I’m hoping for, the intimacy. This woman drives me insane with her pouty lips, rosy pink cheeks, and long eyelashes that hide the prettiest green eyes I have ever seen. Alex has everything going for her in the looks department, but that bastard mystery man she was seeing really fucked up her head and heart.

Every day I chip away at that wall she’s put up, determined to show her that I’m a man worth the risk. I can easily see myself falling in love with her. Hell, I might already be there, but I’m definitely holding back and protecting my heart. There’s a nagging voice in the back of my head that is warning me, preparing me for when this mystery man shows back up and rocks the foundation Alex and I are building.

Since my fateful night in at Society X, I have been devoting my free time, and a bit of work time, to Alex. I’ve deleted Jenica’s number and refuse to go to lunch with Bryant unless I’m the one picking the restaurant. If I never see or hear of that place, it’ll be too soon.

Even thinking about it now makes me shudder. I can’t believe I even entertained the idea in the first place, especially now that I’ve met Alex. That’s all I needed was to get out of my apartment and be social. Resorting to paid sexual action has never been my thing, and I can guarantee it’ll never happen again.

I shut my laptop, packing it away before heading out onto the job site. The apartment complex is coming along swimmingly, and much faster than I had anticipated. Usually we’re looking at a year or longer when we build something like this, but this crew is working sun up to sun down to get this done. It’ll still be nine months or so, but I couldn’t be happier with the progress.

Down the way, the shopping plaza renovation is almost complete. Bryant is a marketing genius and got us in touch with one of the hottest commercial real estate agents in the state. Susan Mason has been a shark when it comes to finding the right clientele, and has been able to secure multiple contracts, with two moving in starting next week.

It’s taken me a bit to accept that the job with Ward Enterprises was for the best, but now that I see everything coming to fruition, I’m glad I did. Of course, dating or whatever I’m doing with Alex doesn’t hurt either. Honestly, meeting her has changed my outlook on Portland a little bit. It doesn’t seem so drab and overpopulated.

As soon as I arrive back at the office, Parker knocks on my door. “Got a minute?”

“Yeah, of course,” I say as I set my stuff down. If it were anyone else, I’d go behind my desk and sit, but not with Parker. He’s a big guy and the boss, which equals him scaring the shit out of me. And because of this, I sit on the edge of my desk, which is really the corner and I’m jabbing myself in the ass.

“Mia and I went out to Sweet Briar last night to see how things were going. I have to say, Kai, I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.”

Parker shakes his head and instantly my heart jumps into my throat. Isn’t being impressed a compliment? “I knew you could do it, but you’re exceeding my expectations. With that said, word will spread fast about your ability and I’m afraid to lose you. I have other projects in the pipeline that I’d love to discuss with you when you’re ready.”

“That’d be great,” I tell him even though mentally I haven’t committed myself to Portland past the two-year mark.

“I have one request though,” he says. I nod for him to continue. “When the job offers start rolling in, give me a chance to match them. You’re an asset to Ward Enterprises, and as far as I’m concerned, irreplaceable.”

My mouth drops open and closes quickly as I try to find the words to tell him how grateful I am. I think my lack of speech is the perfect indication for him because he smiles, then leaves my office. Even as I watch him retreat, I still can’t make my brain work. I’m in complete shock that I have made that good of impression on Parker. Maybe Portland is where I need to stay.

My phone dings, finally spurring my now achy legs to move. I rifle though my bag, only to realize it’s in my pocket.

“Hello?” I don’t bother looking to see who it is.

“Hey, so I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner?” Alex asks.

The answer is yes. It’ll always be yes, but that’s all we do, and while I love spending time with her inside our walls, I want to take her on a date.

“You know I do, but I was thinking we could take a picnic down to the waterfront and watch the fireworks tonight?”

“Oh, that sounds lovely, Kai. I’ll bring everything.”

“I’ll grab the wine. Meet at my place at six?”

“I’ll be there.” She hangs up without a good-bye, which this day and age seems to be a lost art. Even my mother will randomly hang up. She tells me it’s because she doesn’t like saying “good-bye” because it feels final. I get it. I know she misses me, and I’m due for a visit. With the Sweet Briar project just starting though, I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it happen.

I decide to stay in the office and finish up a few contracts. Usually once a project starts, paperwork gets pushed off to the side and I find myself scrabbling to get contractors paid or contracts signed. I don’t want anything to slip through the cracks on this one.

By chance I look up at the clock and realize I only have five minutes to get home. There is no way I’m going to make it. I rush out of the office with my phone attached to my ear, praying Alex is running late. My call goes to voicemail. I call again and again, with the result being the same each time.

“Fuck,” I yell as I reach my car. I drive out of the garage as fast as I can, which isn’t easy with the turns, but I do my best. Of course, traffic would be backed up because why would the universe throw me a fucking bone? She’s already fragile from that other guy and here I am, beyond late for our date.

By the time I pull into my complex, I’m an hour late. Thankfully though, her car is there, except she’s not it, which means she’s likely sitting on my steps. I rush toward my place, taking the steps two at a time, coming to a halt when I turn the corner and find her sitting there.

Alex looks at me, with tears in her eyes, breaking my heart. “Babe,” I say, giving her a pet name without even thinking about what I’m doing. “I’m so sorry. I lost track of time.”

She nods, but her eyes don’t meet mine. I climb the steps slowly, unsure how to proceed. My ex knew that I kept late hours and would often call and remind me of our plans. I shouldn’t have expected Alex to do that. I should’ve set a reminder on my phone, but I didn’t and it looks like I’ve fucked up.

I approach her slowly, waiting to see what she’s going to do. Reaching out, I touch her hand, thankful that she doesn’t pull away. “You said you were seeing someone when we first started hanging out.”

“Yes, but it was … I don’t know what it was, Alex—”

“Is she why you’re late?” she asks, looking at me with tears running down her face.

“God no,” I say, cupping her cheeks. “I haven’t seen her since the night I met you at the Ward party. Believe me, I was working and I lost track of time. I’ll happily take you back to my office and ask security if you want. I will never lie to you, Alex.”

Her hands grip my wrist and her eyes turn expectant. I lean forward and kiss her, brushing my lips across her slowly until she responds by opening her mouth and welcoming me in. Standing, she presses her body to mine, and we try to maneuver the rest of the way into my apartment.

“Your stuff,” she says, breaking the kiss. As much as I would love to say fuck it, I can’t. All my work is in there, and losing it is not an option. I quickly grab my bag and her picnic basket and bring them inside, tossing them down and kicking the door shut. She’s my priority right now and I hate the fact that I had to stop kissing her.

Alex is where I left her, but still looking unbelievably sad. I don’t know how to fix this or her for that matter, but I’m willing to try. Pushing her hair behind over her shoulder, I place a kiss just below her ear. The small intake of breath isn’t lost on me in the least as I continue down her neck, pushing her shirt out of the way so I can kiss the tender flesh of her collarbone.

Her fingers dive into my hair as she tilts her neck to give me full access to her creamy skin. The shirt she is wearing is a V-neck, giving me the perfect path to follow. I know I’m tempting fate, but I don’t care right now. With my arm around her waist, I lead toward my bedroom, anxious to have her laid out on my bed. I’ve only been dreaming about her for weeks, and maybe just maybe she’ll let me touch her.

My lips reclaim hers. Tongues dance together. And I’m undoing my button down, hoping that she’ll put her gentle fingers on my skin. Usually during our make-out sessions she’ll slide her hand under my shirt, but keeps them firmly on my back. I want to feel her touch me, explore me, and have her make me hers.

We reach my bed, and she sits once the back of her knees touch. I don’t even hesitate as I lift her shirt over her head. Fuck, the sight of her of in her navy blue bra turns me on. I want to reach for the clasp and undo her bra, but I don’t know if she’s ready.

Alex looks up at me and I nod toward my pillows. She moves back without even looking, making way for me to crawl toward her. I center myself over her, letting her feel what she does to me. Her eyes close as her fingers dig into my back. If this is a sign to come, she’s going to be fucking amazing in bed.

Fuck, I want to be inside of her, to feel her body wrapped around mine. I recapture her lips, kissing her deeply and start dry humping her. She moans, and widens her legs so I can fit better. My bare skin rests against hers, the lace of her bra scratching me. Pulling back, I look at her swollen lips and smile before sliding down her body until I’m eye level with her breasts.

My finger traces along the pattern, watching as her skin pebbles in anticipation. I pull the cup aside, ready to take her in my mouth, but her hand stops me.

I look up and meet her gaze. “Not ready?” I ask.

She shakes her head. I respect her wishes and move back up to her body and resume kissing her, pretending that everything is okay. Unfortunately, it’ll be another hand job for me tonight.