Chapter 4 : confession

The car ride across the city was really quiet. Not in a way but it was like there was something in the air that neither Alex nor Jamie wanted to talk about.

Outside the window Light City was all lit up like a sky full of stars. There were neon signs everywhere. Traffic lights blinking all over the place. The skyscrapers looked like they were touching the sky. 

Alex kept looking at Jamie out of the corner of his eye. Jamie looked really relaxed. Also really in charge. He had this way of sitting that made him look like he owned the place.

It was pretty weird for Alex to think about how he ended up on a date with someone like Jamie. The thought made his stomach do flips.

Then Jamie asked him "Are you nervous?"

Alex was taken aback. "A little." he said.

Jamie smiled slightly. "That's honest.” he said.

Alex laughed quietly. "I feel like I'm in someone Life or something.” he said.

Jamie didn't say anything right away. He just looked out the window as the car turned onto a street with a lot of fancy buildings.

After a bit Jamie said, "You didn't wander into someone else's life. You were where I thought you would be."

Before Alex could ask what he meant the car stopped in front of a glass building. A doorman came out. Opened the car door for them.

Jamie got out first and held out his hand for Alex.

The lobby was really nice and quiet with lights and marble floors. There were flower arrangements that looked like art.

Alex felt a bit tense. He started to think about what he was wearing and how he was standing. Everything about the place screamed money. Alex didn't really fit in.

Jamie noticed that Alex was feeling weird. He put his hand on Alex's back as they walked to the elevator. "Relax.” he said quietly.

Alex gave him a look. "Easy for you to say." he said.

The elevator door opened and they got in. There was music playing and the city skyline was visible through the glass walls as they went up.

When they got to the top, the doors opened to a restaurant that Alex had never seen before. It was small and private with a few tables by the big windows that looked out over the city.

There were candles on each table. The view was amazing.

Alex walked forward slowly looking out at all the lights. "You brought me to the top of the city " he said quietly.

Jamie watched him. "Do you not like it?" he asked.

Alex shook his head. "It's beautiful.” he said. "Also a little intimidating."

Jamie understood. He pulled out a chair for Alex at a table by the window.

Alex sat down slowly. "You think people will stare at us.” he said.

Jamie took the seat across from him. "They might.” he said.

Alex sighed. "That's not really reassuring.” he said.

Jamie leaned back a bit looking at Alex steadily. "I didn't bring you here to hide.” he said.

Alex met his eyes. "That's the problem.” he said.

The fact that Jamie was an important person hung in the air between them. If people saw them together it could start rumors, but Jamie didn't seem too worried about it.

The waiter came over. Took their orders then left again.

For a bit neither of them said anything.

Then Jamie put his hands on the table. "I should tell you something.” he said.

Alex sensed that the conversation was about to get more serious.

Jamie's voice was quieter. "In my world people don't usually get into relationships for love reasons.” he said.

Alex frowned a bit.

Jamie kept going. "Most people who approach me want something from me.” he said.

Alex knew what he meant even though Jamie didn't say it loud.

"I'm used to it.” Jamie said. "It's just part of being successful."

Alex studied him carefully. "You sound tired of it instead.” he replied..

Jamie's eyes came back to his. "I am actually!” he admitted.

Alex could tell that Jamie was being really honest. It felt kind of heavy.

"That's one of the reasons why I noticed you.” Jamie said. "You don’t seem to want anything from me but love."

Alex blinked. "Because I didn't try to impress you?" he said.

Jamie leaned forward a bit. "You never tried to get closer to me " he said.

Alex laughed softly. "That was me being me." he said.

Jamies eyes softened a bit. "I know " he said. "That's why I couldn't stay away from you."

The words just hung there between them for a bit.

Alex looked down at the table. "I'm scared." he said quietly.

Jamie didn't interrupt him.

"I'm not scared of you.” Alex said. "I'm scared of what happens after this."

He thought about his relationships and how they had gone badly.

Jamie seemed to understand. "Don't give me your trust yet.” he said. "Just give me tonight."

The request was simple. It made Alex's chest feel tight.

Tonight no promises, no expectations.

Alex let out a breath. "Alright!" he said.

Dinner was of a blur but the tension between them just kept building.

By the time they left the restaurant, the city was darker and quieter.

Jamie took Alex back to the elevator. "Where are we going now?" Alex asked.

"My place.” Jamie said.

The elevator only went down one floor. When the doors opened Alex saw that they were in a private penthouse.

The place was huge with windows all around the living area that showed the city lights from every angle. But Alex didn't really notice any of that because the atmosphere between them had changed.

When the door closed behind them the tension was undeniable.

Jamie stepped closer not in a way but just enough that Alex could feel his warmth.

"Before anything happens," Jamie said quietly "I need to ask you something."

Alexs heart started beating. "What?" he asked.

Jamie looked at him carefully. "Tell me to stop if you don't want this.” he said.

Alex thought about everything that had happened in the day.

He thought about the kiss in his office the dinner above the city and how honest Jamie had been with him.

He thought about how he felt standing with Jamie right now.

Alex didn't say stop.

Jamie closed the distance slowly. Their lips connected.

This time it was deeper, more on purpose.

Alex responded right away, his hands going up Jamie's chest as all the feelings he had been hiding came out.

Jamies arms went around him pulling him closer.

Their bodies pressed together. Alex could feel the heat spreading through every nerve.

The kiss got intense and more urgent but there was something else there too.

Something emotional.

Jamie wasn't just touching him because he wanted to, but because he cared.

By the time they got to the bedroom, Alex's thoughts were all messed up.

This wasn't about physical stuff.

He could feel it as every moment with Jamie felt deeper.

That was kind of scary, but also exciting for him.

Somewhere in the middle of that night, Alex realized he might not just be giving Jamie his body.

He might be giving him his heart and soul.

Across the city in a lit lounge Victor Hale sat alone at a private table.

He had a whiskey in his hand. His phone was on the table.

The screen said "Chris".

Victor smiled a bit as the call connected.

"Hey!” Chris said.

Victor leaned back in his chair. "I have an opportunity, for you.” he said.

Chris sounded skeptical. "What kind?" he asked.

Victors smile got a bit bigger. "Financial!” he said.

There was a pause.

Chris was really interested away.

"What is the problem with this?"

Victors voice was a quieter.

"I need your help to hurt someone."

Chris started laughing.

"That does not sound right."

Victor just shrugged a little.

"It is only bad if you get in trouble."

He moved the whiskey around in his glass.

"The person is Alex Morgan ."

It was quiet for a seconds.

Then Chris said slowly.

"Alex?"

Victors smile got a little bigger.

"Yes."

He leaned forward a little.

"I know you and Alex Morgan have a history."

Chris's voice got a little angry.

"What do you want me to do to Alex Morgan?"

Victor's answer was easy.

"Help me ruin Alex Morgan's life."

Chris was not sure.

Victor said a number.

A big one.

Chris was not unsure after that.

"I am listening."

Victor hung up the phone feeling happy.

Everything was going exactly as Victor had planned.

Back at the penthouse the city lights were shining softly through the bedroom windows.

Alex was lying in bed feeling warm and tired.

Jamie was sitting beside him touching Alex's hair.

The moment felt really quiet and nice.

Alex closed his eyes for a second.

For the first time in a long time Alex felt safe with his life.

Jamie's voice was soft. "You should be with me."

Alex opened his eyes slowly. Those words felt heavier than they should but Alex was too tired to think about it and too comfortable to move

Alex didn’t know that Jamie Reed never say things that he don’t mean.

Jamie Reed always gets what Jamie Reed wants.