Portland is worth it. My projects are booming and Parker is praising me every time I see him. Things with Alex … they’re fucking amazing. I thought for sure the initial “newness” of our relationship would start to trickle, become mundane. I was wrong. I can’t wait to get off work every day to rush home to her. She’s either at my place or I’m at hers. We’ve swapped keys. Given each other space in our closets. And have even started finishing each other’s sentences.

I knew from the moment that I saw Alex she was meant for me. It was something that I felt deeply the moment our eyes met. After our initial meeting, I almost didn’t call her, but something told me not to give up, and I am thankful that I listened to that nagging voice in the back of my head.

I finish my workout and head for the shower. If I’m lucky, Alex will still be sleeping when I get back to my apartment and I can crawl in with her for a few more minutes before she has to leave for work. The days of me checking out the females at the gym have long passed. Not a single one interests me. None of them compare to Alex. It’s totally cliché for me to say this, but I hit the jackpot when she came into my life.

Opening the door, I’m relieved to find that the lights are still off. Alex is snuggled around my pillow, sleeping softly. I slip off my sweats and pull my shirt off so I can climb back into bed with her.

“Hmm, you smell good,” she says as she replaces the pillow with my chest. Having her in my arms is the daily jolt I need to function. “How was the gym?”

“I don’t know, you tell me,” I say as I take her hand and trail it down my abs. She trails her hand farther and cups me on the outside of my boxers.

“Babe,” I warn. She has about five minutes before she has to be up for work, and while I’d love to indulge in morning sex, the thought of getting her in trouble with Sandy is not high on my priority list.

Her hand stills and she sighs. “Raincheck?”

I turn, pushing her on her side. Her lips are soft against mine as I kiss her. “Of course. I think you know I’ll cash in.” I lean down to kiss her again, but her phone rings. She reaches over and answers it.

“Hey, Mom … no, I’m getting ready for work … okay … okay … I’ll let you know.”

Alex hangs up and turns off her alarm before it can ring out. “That was my mom,” she says, although I already know that. “So I told her about you and she’d like for you to come to dinner … tonight.” She glances at me only briefly.

I raise her chin so she’s looking into my eyes. “Do you want me to meet your parents?”

She shrugs. “My dad … he’s not the easiest to get along with. We don’t exactly see eye to eye. He’s very old fashioned and hasn’t agreed with any of the decisions I’ve made in my life.”

“So I should probably keep things PG and not ask you to suck me off in your childhood bedroom?” I laugh. Alex’s eyes go wide and she shakes her head frantically. “I wouldn’t, babe. But I’d love to meet your parents. Should I meet you there? Or do you want to drive together?”

I know she’s from Sweet Briar, but we rarely talk about her parents. Alex has hinted a few times that she doesn’t get along with her father, so I have never pressed her for more information. Now I’m going to meet him tonight, and I hope that things go well. Not just for my sake, but Alex’s as well. Taking your boyfriend home to meet your parents is never an easy thing. Believe me I know. My mom won’t stop hounding me about Alex and when I’m bringing her to Arizona. The problem is, I’m so busy at work, and I can’t find the time to take off. Right now, my free time focuses around Alex and sometimes she has to work on the weekends. On those nights, I wait for her to come home.

I can’t seem to get enough of Alex, and the thought of sharing her with my mother for a weekend doesn’t seem like something I want to do right now, except if I meet hers, she needs to meet mine.

“I’ll meet you there,” she says. “No use in you having to drive back.”

Cupping her cheek, I press my lips to hers. “You know I’ll come back and pick you up. Besides, I think I’d like to show you around the job site. And what if after dinner you have some built up tension that I need to fuck out of you?”

Alex laughs. “You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Robicheau. I’ll tell Sandy that I need to leave early today, we’re only prepping for tomorrow.”

“Perfect.”

Unfortunately, Alex has to leave my bed. I watch as her pert ass sashays to my bathroom. This woman is going to kill me.

* * *

Pastor Larry and Mayor Stan find me inside one of our finished stores while I’m meeting with the new tenants. We’re all excited that they’ll be moving in and after a few modifications to the interior they’ll start installing their products next week.

The two men of the town linger near the storefront. Honestly, it’s a bit annoying as they shouldn’t be here or they should at least wait outside, but both of them take the revitalization project seriously, although for different reasons. Larry wants to see his town thrive. He wants people to move back here and start their families. I can understand where Larry is coming from, but Stan, he wants the popularity coming with the project. We’ve caught a reporter’s attention and he comes out here once a week to check on the progress. Of course, Stan is front and center, telling the reporter and the people watching everything that is going on. Most of the time he’s wrong and Ward Enterprises has to issue a press release correcting Stan. Parker has spoken to him a few times about keeping his nose out of our business, but the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Glancing down at my phone, I realize the time. I need to leave now in order to get Alex and come back for dinner with her parents. That is something I’m not willing to be late for. The last thing I want to do is give her father an excuse to say something to her.

As I finish up with my client, Larry and Stan meander over to me, as if we have some business to discuss. I try to ignore them, but it’s near impossible.

It’s Stan who slams his hand onto my shoulder, jostling me forward. “Do you think they’re the best fit?” he asks.

I look at him squarely and shake my head. “I’m not sure I follow.” I continue to put the contract and drawings back into my bag.

“Well, they sell …” Stan pauses and looks around before leaning into my ear. “Lingerie.”

I laugh. They do in fact sell lingerie. I even ordered some as a gift for Alex. “They sell clothing, Stan. Surely, your wife wears bras?”

His face pales and he stumbles for words. I shake my head and nod toward Larry as I grab my bag. “If you’ll excuse me, gentleman. I have another appointment.” I wait for them by the door, impatiently I might add.

“Kai, I’m having a dinner party tonight. I’d like to invite you.”

“Thank you, but I have a prior engagement.”

Larry nods. “Well, if you finish in a timely manner, stop by. My daughter will be there, and like I’ve said before, I’d like to introduce you. I think you’d be good for her.”

“I appreciate that Larry, but I have a girlfriend,” I tell him. It’s the same thing I’ve been telling him before Alex and I even got together.

Again, Stan’s hand falls onto my shoulder. “Nothing wrong with playing the field.”

Shaking my head, I push open the door so the men will leave. “Have a good night and enjoy your party, Larry.” I don’t bother saying anything to Stan as I get into my car. I can’t stand the man. He’s a pompous ass who is all about taking credit for other’s hard work. I don’t have time in my life for people like that.

Thankfully, the drive to Alex’s is done with little traffic, and by the time I reach her house, my temper has calmed. I can’t imagine spending the evening with the likes of Stan. Even if I didn’t have Alex, I would tell Larry no for the simple fact that mayor will be there.

When I walk in, all I hear is Alex singing. She’s not the best singer, but can carry a tune and I don’t mind listening to her, especially when she’s shaking her cute little butt to the music. I find her in the bathroom, putting on make-up.

“You’re gorgeous without it, ya know.”

She smiles at me through the mirror. “Thank you, but sometimes—”

“Don’t,” I say as my hand rests on her hip. “Don’t sell yourself short because your father is an ass. You’re the most beautiful woman I know and I’m crazy in love with you.” I kiss her bare shoulder and then her neck. Her ear is next until she turns and crashes her lips to mine. She tastes fucking divine. “I’ve missed you all day,” I tell her as I pull away. If I don’t, I’ll have her legs wrapped around my waist and we’ll be going at on her bathroom counter.

“Let’s skip dinner,” she says, kissing a path down my neck. “You can eat me instead.”

Let me introduce you to horny Alex. This is not the same woman I met months ago. No, this is the one that let loose after the first time we slept together. I told her there wasn’t a thing she could say or do to me that would turn me off … unless she was breaking up with me. I teased her a bit the first few times and would ask her what she wanted and would only give it to her once she expressed herself. Now, it’s automatic, and I love it.

“As much as I would love to bury my face between your legs, this is an important step for us. My parents want to meet you. We just have to find a weekend that you’re not working and we’ll go.”

Alex’s head falls to my shoulder. I feel bad for forcing the issue, but the last thing I want is for her parents to think I don’t want meet them. I do. I plan to be a part of Alex’s life for a long time and want her parents to like me. I know it’s stupid of me to say that I see a future with her, but I do. Everything with her is so easy. It’s like we’ve been together for years, minus the split living situation, which I’d like to change soon.