Page 4 of It's Always Been You

CHAPTER4

Alex is the only girl who has ever crushed my heart. Taking another chance on this girl is worth whatever heartbreak follows. -Nash

Nash

I watchAlex twirl around on the dance floor with some of her girlfriends. Her head is thrown back in laughter and that damn black dress is molded to her every curve as she moves her body.

I watch like a predator watches its prey. Alex doesn’t know it yet, but everything changed for me when she opened that door earlier tonight. She’s mine and it’s time for me to finally claim her. I know exactly what she thinks of me; that I’m out to bed every woman and run as far and fast from commitment as I can. That’s never been who I am when it comes to Alex Marino. I’ve waited for her to be ready for me. Yes, my parents’ horrible divorce made me doubt the institution of marriage. Yes, most women make me want to run as far and fast as I can once I spend more than one night with them. But not her. Never her.

My ego was crushed when she turned me down all those years ago. I tried to play off the rejection and I let it become a joke between us. The truth is the rejection hurt, and I gave up far too easily. Now, watching her amid all these other women who pale by comparison, I know it’s time to shoot my shot again. And risk myself. And my heart. Our timing was off all those years ago. Whether she realizes it or not, this is finally our time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Andrew Mckinnon, an old soccer teammate of mine from college, approaching Alex. He was notorious for two things back then: the high number of fouls he made per game and his playboy status. Ah hell, no. He is not getting to my girl.

I stalk towards Alex just as a slow song begins to play. Perfect timing.

“Can I have this dance, ma’am?” I bow down to Alex and she giggles.

She holds out her hand. “Of course, my lord.” She covers up her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I’ve been watching too much Bridgerton.”

I pull her close to me and send her a puzzled frown. “Is that some kind of gossip show?”

Her mouth falls open. “You’ve never heard of Bridgerton? Nash, you seriously need to get Netflix like the rest of the world.” She shakes her head at my lack of television knowledge.

I grin. “Why don’t you tell me about the show?”

And so, I listen absent-mindedly while she prattles on about a show set during the Regency era, a romance of course. While she talks, I bring her closer to me, and lean down to breathe in her signature vanilla scent. I place a gentle kiss beneath her ear. She stumbles and then stands still.

She looks up at me, breathless. “What did you do that for?” Her cheeks are flushed, and her blue eyes are wide with wonder.

I grin wolfishly. “I did it because I wanted to. I’ve wanted to do that and more since I picked you up tonight.”

For a second, she gazes up at me with an expression of surprised pleasure. Then she pushes me away with all her might and I stumble back.

She shakes her finger at me. Her face is a storm of anger. “Don’t you dare play with me, Nash Summers.” With that, she picks up the skirt of her dress and runs off the dance floor.

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