Chapter 12 – Miami Heat

Buzz Buzz. My vibrating phone awoke me from my deep sleep. I strained as I tried to pry my eyes open, my body not wanting to cooperate. My tired muscles ached in protest as I stretched my arm over Alex’s naked chest to reach my unrelenting phone on the bedside table.

“Hello. Lexi Reed speaking,” I croaked sleepily into the phone.

Alex moved beneath me, my face plastered to his chest as I tried to find the energy to untangle our limbs from each other.

“Lexi! Did I wake you?” Matt’s crisp voice filled my ear.

“Hey Matt, yeah kind of. Late night,” I mumbled into my phone.

“Yeah I figured as much. Just giving you a heads up. My flight has landed and I’m the car heading over. Be there in 10, in case you were... in the middle of something.” I heard the smile in his voice.

“That’s considerate of you!” I laughed, my mind slowly gaining clarity.

“Oh trust me, I was doing it for my benefit rather than yours. While by all reports Alex has an impressive package, I am sure I can go a lifetime without needing to see it!” Matt chuckled.

“What reports? Who’s talking about Alex’s package?” My brain snapped to alertness.

Alex moved suddenly at the mention of his name, sliding open his eyes.

“Relax Lexi, bullshit chatter on message boards. I like to cruise the sites and see what’s being said. Always better to be proactive rather than defensive.” Matt reasoned.

“And they are talking about his DICK?” I sat up in the bed, Alex shooting me questioning looks.

“His BIG dick,” laughed Matt.

“Well at least they are reporting on it accurately for once.” I huffed, knowing there was no way to stop people from talking, writing or thinking about my boyfriend’s body. I didn’t like it but I was learning to accept it.

“Ewwww Lexi! TMI! I did not need to hear that.” Matt feigned disgust before continuing. “Anyway, get decent and I’ll see you soon. Bye”

“Bye Matt, see you soon.” I ended the call.

“So I heard, ALEX, PACKAGE and DICK out of that conversation.” Alex smiled wickedly.

I shook my head in disbelief, “Seems your cock may need his own publicist, all the attention it’s been gaining lately. Matt’s been checking out message boards.”

“Quality reading?” Alex laughed.

“They can talk about it all they want, I’m the only one who’s getting it!” I boasted, my lips curving.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Alex’s mouth covered mine with passion.

“We should get out of bed, Matt will be here soon. We have business to discuss.” I reluctantly pulled away.

Alex’s eyebrows furrowed slightly in frustration. I knew he wanted to ask me what our meeting was about but he didn’t. His arms released me as I slid out of bed. I hated keeping things from him, especially after what we shared last night. It seemed like we had moved forward in so many ways.

I walked into the luxurious bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water eased the ache in my arms and legs, revitalizing me as the spray tickled my sensitive skin. I quickened the process, hastily washing my hair and body before shutting off the tap and reaching for one of the large, fluffy towels.

Alex stepped into the bathroom as I towelled off my body. “That was quick, I was hoping to join you,” Alex pouted.

“Later.” I promised, taking in the sight of his naked body. I never tired of looking at it, he was entirely too good looking. I felt my breath quicken as he moved closer to me. He was so comfortable in his own skin and it showed when he walked.

“You don’t look so sure?” Alex whispered playfully. I took a deep breath as he stood inches away from me, I could feel the zap of electricity between us. Alex tilted his head as he raised an eyebrow. God damn it! No I wasn’t sure, I wanted him and there was no fucking time!

“I have an idea.” I struggled to talk as Alex lightly grazed his finger along my bare stomach.

“Sounds dangerous.” Alex continued further down my body.

It took all the energy I had to focus. Seriously, was he always going to have this effect on me, where all rational though leapt out the window?

“Let me have my meeting and then we can have breakfast, just the two of us. We have no commitments until tomorrow. Matt can handle whatever comes up today. We can spend the entire day together. It will just be us.”

Alex stilled as he regarded my offer, his hand stopping at my belly button. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, All day...anything you want,” I breathed.

“Anything?” Alex questioned.

“Yes, I trust you.” I kissed him tenderly on the lips.

Alex’s lips spread to a wide grin, his eyes glistened with mischief. “Go... Go have your meeting. Then you are mine.”

I couldn’t help but watch as he turned from me, his muscular back and amazing ass flexing as he walked. Damn, he was hot.

Gathering my scrambled thoughts I ambled back into the bedroom, with a towel wrapped around me to try and sort through my suitcase for something to wear.  I settled on a nude Prada dress, it’s georgette fabric cool and light. It had thin straps and was cut low at the bust, dictating I was unable to wear a bra. It was elegant, yet simple. The sides were ruched slightly, meeting in the middle.

There was a knock at the door just as was I finishing my make-up. My hair was still damp as it hung loose down my back.

“Matt!” I hugged him as he entered the suite.

It had been a few months since I saw him and even now I still appreciated what a fine specimen of man he was.  He was beautiful. His tanned skin was set off by a light blue shirt.  He had left the first few buttons, undone. His toned chest was evident underneath, as my eyes followed the line of his body down to his lower abs.  His light grey tailored pants hung low on his hips.

“Lexi!” His amazing enigmatic smile lit up his astonishing blue eyes.

“Come in, Are you checked in? God I’ve missed you!” I yanked on his arm, pulling him from the doorway.

“Yes, my bags are already in my room. You’re looking good Lex, clearly whatever you are doing is agreeing with you,” Matt grinned.

“You’re looking good too.” I gushed, ruffling his dark mess of hair.

“Whatever...” Matt smiled as he took a seat on one of the plush armchairs. “So...” He watched me take seat on the chair opposite him.

Matt rubbed his chin, the little stubble on his jawline scratching his fingertips. “What’s going on?”

“Ok…” I let a long breath escape my lips as I exhaled. “Things are going to get crazy in the next few months. I mean even more psycho than they already are. Hannah is due in a couple of weeks and every shutterbug, pap, stalker and “biggest fan” is going to have a telescopic lens pointed at James and Hannah. On top of that, Chris is already sorting out dates for a stadium tour for later in the year, which was why I hired you in the first place. Shit’s about to get VERY real.”

“Yeah, I know Lex. I’m prepared. Whatever you need, I’ll be all over it.” Matt crooned as he relaxed further into his chair.

“Matt, you are amazing and I know that as a team we are going to be unstoppable but I think that maybe we might be lacking something. Possibly another person, at the very least an assistant.” I watched as Matt nodded in agreement.

“Sure, it can’t hurt. I can call an agency if you like, set up some interviews?”  He pulled his phone out his pocket.

“I already have someone in mind,” I interjected before he had a chance to dial. “I have been working on it for a while, I needed to make sure it was a possibility, financially, before I brought it up. However, before I made my final decision, I wanted to make sure it was what you wanted.”

Matt looked at me oddly, his brow scrunched as he questioned, “Who were you thinking?”

“Anna.” I breathed, glad to finally be able to tell him. Anna was one of my friends from Melbourne who Matt had met and started dating while he was working on exchange at Cole.

“Anna? But how? She can’t get a work visa.” Matt ran his hand through his hair.

“We can sponsor her. She bypasses all the bureaucratic bullshit because we are guaranteeing her a job and support. I’ve had a lawyer working on it. I can’t do it myself, basically because I’m not a citizen. I will have her sponsored by the band’s legal entity but I will pay her health benefits and income. I have already set up an account to funnel the money into. I can get her here for twelve months, that way you guys can have a real chance at making it work.

“Matt, you have been an amazing support to me and are my best friend. If you want this, I want to give it you. I can never repay you for what you’ve given me but this small thing, I can do.”

I watched as he tried to absorb the information, his face unreadable as he processed the words I had spoken.

“Matt, do you love her? Do you want this?” I moved off my chair and knelt in front of him.

“Yes, Lexi... I think I do love her. Being apart from her is like a knife through my heart. I have been trying to move on but I can’t, I want to be with her. I need to know if it would work with us.” Matt leaned in and pulled me close to him.

Alex walked in as Matt and I were engaged in an embrace. He was freshly showered and wearing dark blue jeans and black fitted Tee. His blonde hair was slicked back in his usual fashion.

“Hey... Matt...” Alex paused, his lips pulled into a tight line.

Matt released me and stood, offering his hand to Alex, “Hey Alex! Good to see you Man.”

“Your meeting went well, I take it?” Alex shook Matt’s hand before turning to me.

“Yes, I’m hiring Anna!” I smoothed the front of Alex’s shirt.

“Wait... what?” Alex looked at me confused.

“You said it yourself, I am consumed by work. I need help and one person isn’t going to cut it. This way we kill a bunch of birds with one stone.” I squeezed his arm.

“You mean two birds, one stone” Matt smiled.

“No I hate birds, I’m going to knock off a few at once.” I laughed before continuing, facing Alex.

“I get more time with you, Matt gets to be with Anna and I also get another ally on my side.”

“That was the big secret?” Alex nuzzled my neck.

“Well, yes. I though Matt deserved to know first. If this wasn’t what he wanted then I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” My hand gently touched Alex’s cheek.

“Have you spoken to Anna yet? Has she even agreed to this?” Matt interjected.

“She will. Why wouldn’t she? Besides, I have a way of getting people to do what I want.” I bit my lip as I placed my hands around Alex’s waist.

“That she does.” A throaty laugh burst from Alex.

“No argument here.” Matt grinned.

“Ok, so it’s agreed. Why don’t you call Anna and give her the good news. Tell her I will email her an offer and the relevant paperwork. We’ll be in New York in two days, which is Friday our time, Saturday for her. I can give her a call then to discuss.”

I handed Matt the rest of the agenda for the next couple of days.

“Also, I’m taking today off. I’m switching off my phone, so anything that needs taking care of... it’s all you!”

Matt looked up from the folder I handed him. “You got Lexi to take a day off? Wow! I have to hand it to you Alex, that’s no easy feat!” Matt’s eyes widened.

“It was all her idea.” Alex shrugged, “I’m just running with it!”

“Hello, I’m still in the room!” I waved as the two most important men in my life gazed at me.

“Ok, now if everyone is done marvelling at my brilliance can we move on? I believe I promised someone breakfast.”

Matt swept me into an all encompassing hug.

“Thanks Lexi. I’m heading to my room and calling Anna. I got a handle on everything for today. Enjoy your day.”

I kissed his cheek as I threw my arms around his neck.

“My pleasure. It’s going to be awesome.”

Matt shook Alex’s hand and then headed out the door.

“So... what do you want to eat?” I slithered seductively toward Alex.

“Actually I ordered in, why don’t we go into the bedroom while we wait.” Alex wrapped his arms around me.

“Sounds like a plan.” I giggled as I followed him into the bedroom.

Alex paused as we reached the door, he hesitated before opening.

“What?” I asked as I sensed his hesitation.

“You aren’t doing this just to please me right, you want this too. The day?” Alex looked slightly nervous as he gazed at me.

“Baby, when have I ever done anything I haven’t wanted to. Yes, I really want this, I think we need this. In fact, look!” I picked up my iPhone and switched it off. Not on silent, I actually turned it off. Steve Jobs must be turning in his grave cause I don’t think my phone has ever been turned off.

Alex hesitated again, “Good, cause once you walk in here, you can’t walk out.”

“We’re spending the whole day inside? Well, ok... it’s your choice.” I moved to push past him.

“No, I mean you can’t walk out.” He stood with his hand on the door jamb, his arms barricading the door.

“I have no intention of walking out, today or any other day.” My lips found his as I lowered his arms.

He opened the door and we stepped inside the bedroom, our messed up bed sheets a reminder of our previous night, a night that had seen us make amazing strides in our relationship.

“Lexi” Alex wrapped his hand around mine. He was acting weird. Alex never got nervous and he was down right edgy. He was usually cool and collected, his smouldering calmness part of his mysteriously sexy allure. Alex closed his eyes and breathed out slowly.

“I never in a million years thought I would be here, yet here I am with you” What the fuck? Where was he going with this?

He knelt down in front of me on one knee, OH MY GOD?! Is this what I think it is? I felt my chest tighten, my heart was beating so hard I felt like it would explode. Then as if centering himself he stilled. He took another breath and continued.

“Lexi, I do not want to spend another moment of my life without you in it. You have awakened a need I never knew I had. You make me whole. I want to make a life with you. I want to be there for you, share in your joys and sadness. I need you to be there for me. I want you to be my wife.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and opened it. I felt my eyes water; my mind was a jumble. I was practically hyperventilating - He wanted me to be his wife? Wasn’t it too soon? We hadn’t even known each other a year. What the hell? Oh My God...

My eyes fell to the breathtaking round solitaire diamond nestled in the box as he lifted the lid. It caught the light from every angle and its sparkle blinded me as he held it up. It was so simple, a plain round platinum band, a single diamond that shone brilliantly. It was perfect. It was exactly the kind of ring I would have chosen for myself. Understated but elegant, classic yet classy. It would stand the test of time and not date. It was strong, yet beautiful, just like Alex.

“I know it’s not going to be an easy road but it’s the only one worth traveling. I promise to love you unconditionally and give you constant mind-blowing orgasms. Lexi Reed, will you marry me?”

Alex drew a breath, a slow smile crossed his lips as he locked his gaze on mine. I’d often joked about bringing a man to his knees and yet here he was, on his knees for me.

“This is the part where you give him your answer, Moron,” my inner voice screamed.

“Yes.” I said the word before I thought it. I had no recollection of it coming out of my mouth. It was as if someone had taken over my body, my voice sounded strange. “Yes,” I repeated, this time aware of what I was saying.

“Yes?” Alex asked. I wasn’t sure if he was clarifying for his benefit or mine.

“Alex, I want to marry you. I want you to be my husband. I want to be your wife. YES.”

Any doubt I had was gone, there was never going to be a guarantee but I knew this man loved me and I loved him. I had to take that leap; I had to take that chance. I wanted to do this. I wasn’t going to run any more.

Alex slid the ring on my left hand, his lips on mine before I was aware he was standing. “Lexi, I love you.”

“I love you too Alex.” He was unrelenting in his kiss, his hands fisting my hair as he pulled me closer to him. “Are you sure about this?” I gazed at the stunning ring that graced my finger. “When the hell did you have time to get a ring?”

My mind was now awash with questions. This isn’t the kind of ring you can just go and pick up.  He had to have purchased it some time ago. I’ve been with him pretty much every day. Why propose now?

“Stop.” Alex said firmly while still keeping his voice low. “I see the cogs turning in your head Lexi, you are going to over think this. So stop it now.”

He took my chin in his hand and tilted my head back. “I knew I wanted to marry you the day after my father died but I thought it was something I was going to have to let go. I loved you and having you close, being there with me. I knew that you were the only one. So when you came back to me, it reaffirmed in my mind what I had already decided. Yes, we have had our ups and downs but I have no doubts that I want this. None. I don’t want to share my life with anyone else and I don’t want to have one foot out the door. This cannot be temporary. I’ve never really felt the need to settle down, thinking that if I ever did it, it would be later but I never expected to feel the way I do when I am with you. You, Lexi, I want you. I need you. So yes, I am more than sure.”

His clear blue eyes pierced mine as he didn’t break his gaze. His voice was even but authoritative. He had no indecision or hesitation when he spoke the words. His hand released my chin as he caressed my check. “I bought the ring before we left New York. I’ve been carrying it with me, knowing that when the time presented itself, I would know. I was going to propose to you in Rome but it just didn’t feel right. I didn’t want you to think it was some knee jerk reaction. I needed you to trust me, to open up to me and to believe in us.”

I couldn’t speak. Alex was saying words I never expect to hear, especially not now. He was so sure, he had so much faith in me, in us. There was no doubt.

“Is this because I agreed to a day off?” I cocked my head to the side sarcastically.

“Ha! Well, in a small way it did have some influence but no that isn’t the reason.” A sly smile flirted on his lips, “Last night, after you mauled me...”

“You didn’t seem to mind it!” I argued.

“Let me finish. Last night, things were heated and aggressive, it was raw and extremely hot. But what you said to me after, was by far the biggest turn on. You trusted me, you let your walls down. You allowed me to see you and weren’t afraid.  Damn, I’m getting hard just thinking about it,” Alex chuckled.

“Fiend,” I whispered, my lips curling provocatively.

“Funny how your mouth is saying that but your eyes are telling me you are thinking about my hard cock being buried deep inside you.”

Alex’s low voice rippled through my body, right to my core. His eyes darkened as my lips parted, exhaling slowly. He knew me so well.

“I will take care of THAT in a minute.” His hand ran down my arm, my skin ablaze under his touch. “So in answer to your question, the fact you were willing to take the time off gave me the opportunity and I am ALL for maximizing opportunities.”

His lips kissed the corner of my mouth, as he gently pulled at my lower lip with his teeth.

My mind suddenly shuddered! Oh my God! Kids! We hadn’t spoken about it again! I was supposed to think about it. How could I agree to marry him without discussing this first? FUCK! What the fuck was I doing.

I involuntarily pulled back, as he tried to deepen his kiss. He grabbed my wrist as I took a step back.

“No, No running. What is it? What were you thinking right now?”

“Alex, we never finished our discussion about having a family. I haven’t decided yet. It’s not fair for me to agree to marry you when I am still unsure. You deserve an answer.”

I focused on his hypnotic eyes, for most people kids are a deal breaker. I don’t know many people who are indifferent to the idea. You either want them or you don’t and it’s not something you can really compromise on. He wanted a family and if I couldn’t give him one then eventually he would resent me. Despite what he thought, it would drive a wedge between us and he would hate me.

“Lexi, I said I wasn’t going to pressure you and I refuse to do so. It isn’t fair for me to force children on you if that’s not what you want. Yes I want to be a father but I want my children to have you as their mother. If that is not a possibility then it does not change how I feel about you. I want to marry you and I am sure as hell am not going to let you go.”

Alex did not relinquish his grip. “Stop Lexi. I have thought this through. No scenario you build in your head is going to change the way I feel. I mean it, stop thinking of things that will make me stop loving you; they don’t exist. It’s not possible.”

“You can’t know that.” I shook my head.

“Yes, I can know that and I do know that. If I didn’t you wouldn’t be wearing that ring. You have followed our career, have I ever been engaged or even lived with a girl before you?”

I swallowed hard, “It’s not like I stalked you Alex before we met.” God, thinking about those times before I had met him, there were some questionable online investigations.

“You didn’t need to. Every aspect of my life is printed for the world to see. Every time I spoke to a girl, I was dating her. As our publicist, you know that. My past is only a Google away.  You think if that had happened, no matter how long ago, it wouldn’t have made news?”

He was right, he had always been “connected” to women but he hadn’t gotten close to settling down.

“Lexi, if you are having second thoughts, we will wait. But don’t look for reasons not to, especially not from me.”

“I am not having second thoughts. I want this.” I grabbed his arm and shook it gently.

“Good. We can get married whenever you want. New York or Melbourne. Big or small. Whatever and whenever you want.”

“What about Miami?” I smiled.

“Sure if you want to come back here we can do it here, maybe on the beach. We’ll fly our friends and families in. Whatever you want.” Alex visibly relaxed at my suggestion.

“No, I mean now. Here. Today. If you want to really do this, marry me today.”

I don’t know if I was calling his bluff or what the hell was going through my head. My mouth seemed to have a mind of it’s own.

“Are you serious? You want to get married now? Here?” Alex stared at me incredulously.

“I just don’t want to share this with the world. I don’t want to announce our engagement and then have everyone on “wedding” watch. I don’t want my day to turn into a circus. For me, I have never had the Cinderella fantasy. I want it to be about the two of us, without the noise. We can get married today, skip the hype. It can just be about us.”

The more I thought about it the more the idea appealed to me. We could do this. By the time anyone found out it would be too late. It could be our moment. Isn’t that what getting married was about anyway? Two people promising to love each other forever. Why did we have to share it?

“Lexi, don’t you want to have a dress, the shoes, the flowers... all of that? I’ve already told you I’m not going to change my mind.” Alex brushed a lock of hair behind my ear.

“Hello, have we met?” I smirked. “I can get a dress and shoes in an hour. Have you seen the way I shop? I don’t want the whole “wedding” thing; it’s just not me. I don’t want to be paraded around like some debutante. So what do you say Mr. Stone? You ready for me to take you off the market?”

Alex didn’t answer; he grabbed his phone and dialled. “Hey this is Alex, I need a car. Preferably something fast.” I stared at him, a smile crept across his lips. “No I don’t need a driver. Thanks, I’ll be downstairs in 20.”

Alex ended the call and tossed me my handbag.  “We need rings and a courthouse, let’s go.”