Page 32 of Alec’s Dream

He was right, I did know my son. He was smart and he did know, something I wished I could’ve shielded him from but I couldn’t.

Since Alec was no longer demanding me to tell him how the exchange went I decided to share that, too.

“The drop-off was…unpleasant,” I started, and Alec looked confused so I hurried to continue. “This week I decided Doug was no longer welcome at the house. I spoke to my attorney to make certain I didn’t have to allow him access to my home and luckily I didn’t. So I called Doug and told him we would be meeting at the rec center from now on.”

“Good choice,” Alec cut in. “Well-lit, security cameras, and lots of people going and coming.”

I hadn’t thought of those things, but they were all added bonuses to Doug no longer coming to my house.

“He grumbled about it, I refused to give in, and today he met me there to pick up the kids. He was perfectly nice until the kids were in the car, then he stopped pretending he was some sort of decent human since Rory couldn’t hear him. He expressed his displeasure and told me he would be dropping the kids at the house on Sunday. I explained if he did that he’d be met by the police.”

“Displeasure?”

Alec’s eyes had narrowed and I felt it was best to tread cautiously. I knew how quickly the fire sparked and I didn’t want to get him all riled up.

“Yep. Like I said, he wasn’t happy the exchange was happening in public. The thing about Doug is, he likes to be in control. He thinks he should be in charge of everything and everyone. And he doesn’t like to be told no.” I couldn’t help the sigh that whooshed past my lips even though I’d been trying to stop it. “I’ve already resigned myself to a showdown that’s going to happen on Sunday. He’s going to show up here to drop off the kids just to force my hand. This is what he wants.”

I settled back into the corner of the couch and tucked my feet under me trying to warm them up without being too obvious.

“What do you mean?”

Alec still hadn’t taken a bite of his dinner and I felt bad for unloading my problems on him.

“Why don’t we drop it so you can eat? You said you were hungry.”

“I can eat and listen at the same time. I’m nifty like that.” Alec winked.

I wasn’t sure what sparked my fit of giggles. Maybe it was Alec using the word nifty, maybe it was the playful wink—because, come on, who knew Alec could be playful—or maybe it was my very active, dirty mind.

When I finally settled down and caught sight of Alec, my breath caught.

He was staring at me, but not like his normal, watchful self. It was different. He was smiling but that was different, too.

The atmosphere in the room changed and the air suddenly became thick.

“Damn,” Alec mumbled.

“What?” I hated that my voice sounded so weak but the way Alec was looking at me was freaking me out.

“Didn’t think it was possible for you to be any more beautiful, but woman, when you laugh, you light up the room.”

Holy shit.

Did he seriously just say that? As far as compliments went, that had to have been the best one ever!

“Um…” I tucked my head and wished my hair wasn’t up in a ponytail so it could fall over my face.

“Don’t do that.” Alec reached over and tipped my chin up once again, locking his eyes with mine “Don’t hide from me, Macy.”

The change that had started intensified—sizzled all around us. I wanted to look away, run away, hide, do something to break the spell but Alec wouldn’t let me. He held me captive and I was unsure what was happening.

No, I knew what was happening, I just wasn’t sure if I wanted it to happen. We both sat immobile—the space between when someone makes the first move—the anticipation of a first kiss, a touch, it electrified the air. It made me want to lean forward and offer him my lips, but instead, I remained still.

Alec slowly swiped his thumb over my bottom lip before he dropped his hand. Unwittingly, my tongue licked over where his digit had traced and Alec’s eyes dropped to my mouth. He didn’t have to look directly at me—I could see the lust flicker.

What in the world was going on? Perfect, handsome Alec Hall was sitting on my couch, paying me compliments, and staring at my lips like he wanted to devour them. I’d entered la-la-land.

“Babe, I’m holding on by a thread here,” he groaned. “Do me a favor, yeah?”