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I show Alex the picture and he nods with approval. “I’m game.”
The waitress comes back, and I place the order by pointing at the picture, much to her chagrin. This time, she doesn’t forget our drinks, and they arrive half-warm about fifteen minutes later.
At the karaoke, a drunk businessman belts out an 80’s rock song with some particular prowess. When the food arrives, Alex seems impressed with the size of the portion, and even more with the quality.
Once we’re done with the food, about an hour later, I drag him to sing with me my own rendition of a popular pop song. He gets so red I believe for a moment he is going to explode.
But after a while, I am surprised and thrilled to seem him relax as he laughs and sings with me. It pulls on my heartstrings to see such a big, powerful man in this light, and I love that he was willing to get out of his comfort zone and do this with me.
As we go back to our table, handholding and all cozy with each other, he makes the suggestion I didn’t know I was waiting for. “Would you like to go to my house for drinks?”
He says it in his best seductive voice, and I can’t help but melt. “Of course…” I say, sitting back in my chair but not letting go of his hand.
Chapter Twelve
ALEX
Livcan’tkeephereyes or hands off me.
She’s all hands and languid stares, and I learn firsthand what’s it like to be objectified.
Not that I’m opposed to it. Although it does make it difficult to concentrate on driving. If I wasn’t driving, I’d be all over her too.
“We’re here,” I whisper as I park the car in the garage.
She jumps on me the following second, kissing me with furor, ignoring the gear stick and the steering wheel to try and sit on my lap.
“Wait a second!” I laugh. “I need to dismiss the nanny first.”
“Oh!” Liv slaps her forehead. “Okay!”
We take the elevator to the penthouse, and I look at my Rolex watch to check if the timing is right. It’s past nine, Harlan should be in bed by now, which will give us enough time to spend together.
Except…
I open the front door. Harlan is running around naked through the living room, and Lilly, the nanny, is running after him with his pajama bottoms in her hand.
“Harlan!” I say in a voice of command. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
Liv takes a step back while I argue with my son. The boy freezes in place and looks up to me with lips parted and a finger in between them.
“I was waiting for you…” Harlan finally says, fading the exact same instant.
“And why don’t you have clothes on?” I crouch to be at his eye level, then point at Liv. “We have a visitor. Do you think that’s appropriate?”
Liv covers her eyes and laughs at the sight of him, but that’s not really helping and isn’t affect I want to achieve. I signal Lilly to give me his pants and continue my lecture, all in a firm but gentle voice.
“Who are the only people that can see you naked, Harlan?” I ask, authoritative.
“You, Lilly, and the doctor!” He recites it without batting an eyelash.
I nod as I put on his pants, then turn to Lilly, “Where’s the pajama top?”
“I’ll go get it, Mr. Winters…” She moves quickly toward Harlan’s bedroom.
I seat Harlan on the couch and call for Liv to come join us. She’s shy, unsure of what to say, and I decide to play with her.
“Cat got your tongue, Liv?”
