CHAPTER NINETEEN

Payton

He sighed and his face softened. “I’m just askin’ you to talk it out with me, Payton. Can you do that?”

“Honestly, Alex? I don’t know. You’re not what I expected. You’re sure as hell nothing like anyone I’ve ever met, so I’m kind of lost as to what to do.”

He smiled gently and held his hand out to me. “Break it down for me.”

I took his hand and he led me back to the chairs. I sat in the one I’d been in before, and he did the same. I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder and staring out at the view of the water. It was so incredibly calming and I needed that right now. “Relationships have always been easy for me,” I admitted. “In the past, I’ve been friends with someone for a while, then we’d go on a few dates and decide if there was something to develop. If there was, we’d see each other for a period of time exclusively, then if we fell in love, we’d take it to the next level.” I focused on Alex again. “There has never been drama. Ever. Even when the relationships didn’t work out, we’d separate amicably and go on with our lives.”

“Sounds pretty fuckin’ borin’, baby.”

“Well, it wasn’t. It was great,” I countered. “I always knew where I stood, always understood where we were going. No guessing.”

“Because it was all on your terms.”

“It was not!”

“Babe, it was,” he said. “Sounds like you dated a shit ton of pussies, none of them willing to fight for you or make you feel anything real. They let you run everything… afraid to disappoint the great Payton Williams.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

A Macey sounding giggle came from the hallway and I shot out of my seat to find my best friend with her hand over her mouth, standing about a foot from the open door.

“Eavesdropping now, Mace?” I snapped. “Nice.”

“I was coming to find out if you still wanted to come with us or if we should go without you. I didn’t mean to catch that last bit of the conversation,” she said, and then raised her voice and added, “Even if he is totally right.”

“He is not right! And, yes, I’m coming with you.”

“Okay, well we need to get going.”

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Give us a minute, babe,” Alex said to Macey from right behind me. Again, I hadn’t heard him move.

“Do you float?” I snapped.

“I’ll give you a minute,” Macey said, and walked away.

“I have to go,” I said, and faced Alex.

He closed the bedroom door and stroked my cheek. “One minute.”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fifty-eight seconds, handsome. Make ’em count.”

“No one conspired against you, Payton. When I was at the club earlier, Booker did say Dani was joining you, but it was after you and I spoke, and you said you were busy. He didn’t say anything about Kim or driving them.” He smiled. “I just wanted to see you, baby, and, yeah, I want to know you’re safe. If I’m driving, then I can guarantee it.”

I bit my lip. “You really didn’t plan it?”

“Can’t speak for the others, but no, I really didn’t plan it.”

I melted. “I still hate you.”

He chuckled and ran his nose against mine. “No you don’t.”

“Yes I do,” I whispered.

He kissed me gently. “No you don’t.”

I licked my lips. “Um, yeah, I do.”

He grinned and kissed me again. “Um, no, you don’t.”

I wrinkled my nose, mostly because I didn’t want to smile.

“I can keep doing this,” he said.

“I bet you can.”

Alex chuckled. “Forgive me?”

“For which part?” I retorted.

“All of it, baby. That way I’m covered.”

I rolled my eyes. “I guess I should probably apologize too.”

“What for? You’re perfect, Payton.”

“I never said I was perfect,” I snapped.

“Don’t get mad, baby.” He smiled again. “I’m just fuckin’ with ya. Don’t get your panties in a wad.”

“Don’t tell me not to get my panties in a wad, then.”

He raised an eyebrow. “We’ll work on your sense of humor.”

“Bite… never mind.”

Alex laughed and I couldn’t help but smile.

“We friends?” he asked, and I punched his arm. “Shit, baby, that fuckin’ hurt.”

“Yeah, well, my brother taught me how to hit,” I said smugly, but when I saw him rubbing his arm, I felt bad. “I didn’t really hurt you, did I?” When he gave me an irritating smirk, I wanted to hit him again. “I’m back to hating you.”

At that, he dropped his head back and let out a roar of a laugh. “Fuck me, baby, you’re gorgeous.”

“I’m going now,” I said in a sing-songy voice, and pulled open the door.

Before I could step into the hallway, I was dragged up against Alex and kissed senseless. How was it possible kissing him just got better and better?

“Payton,” Macey called, although, she was sounding a little less patient than before.

I pushed against Alex and he broke the kiss. “You’re killing me,” I complained.

“Told you I’d wear you down, baby.”

“Come on,” I said, and headed back to the living room. “Dallas and Brock left already?”

“Honey, you’ve been in there for like an hour,” Macey said.

“Bite me, Mace.” I heard Alex clear his throat behind me, but I didn’t react. My body did though, and I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself. “We ready?” I asked.

At the murmurs of assent, we locked up the apartment and headed to Mississippi Studios.