Alix sighs. “They’re all married with children—too busy to keep up with my problems.”
“And why aren’t you married with children?”
A silence falls and the only noise comes from our shoes tapping against the loose, wooden planks.
“Because it’s not what I want. I’m only twenty eight. I want to travel—have an adventure—and then maybe, when I’ve found the right person, I’ll settle down.”
How simple would that be? I’ve already traveled the world and I’m not twenty eight, not anymore. Not to mention the fact I haven’t found ‘the one’ nor do I have the time to do so. My window for marriage, children and simplicity is gone, as far as I’m concerned, but Alix is still in with a chance. She has plenty of time for all of those things… and for some weird reason the thought of her doing it doesn’t sit well with me.
As we walk, a small ramp veers off the main track and leads down to the white sand. Of course she wants to take it. I hesitate briefly, not wanting to get sand in a suit and a pair of shoes that probably cost more than this entire dilapidated boardwalk. Then I realize I have no choice. Alix is going to go onto the sand regardless of whether I come with her or not. With a heavy exhale, I follow her down the rickety ramp and onto the sand. With my very first step, it fills my shoes and I cringe while Alix dips low and pulls off her boots. Naturally, I do the same. If I’m going to feel the sand between my toes it might as well be outside the confinements of leather. When her feet are free, she drops herself onto the sand and pulls her knees into her chest. I join her, despite my worries of getting sand in my suit.
“How long has it been since you’ve visited the beach?” She asks, and it’s another simple question.
“Too long.”
Alix lays back, rolls onto her side, and props her head on her hand. How she can be so comfortable with sand all over her body is beyond me.
“You know, we’re halfway through our little deal, Jesse.” The mischievous quirk of her lips is visible even in the moonlight. It’s captivating and I almost smile back. “Is there something I should know before we get there?”
“Like what?”
She shrugs with a girly giggle. “What kind of things are you into? Spanking, maybe?”
I snort and tear my eyes from her face. “I was wondering when you were going to ask me something completely inappropriate. I’m surprised you lasted for as long as you did.”
“You’re avoiding the question. How do you like your sex?”
Her question is absurd and yet she asks it casually—like someone would a coffee. I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. Normal. I like normal sex.”
Alix scoffs and shoves my knee. “Come on, Jesse. Live a little.”
I don’t know why she’s so interested in learning such intimate information. “You said we don’t have to have sex in order for you to receive your…” I clear my throat. “Thing.”
Her eyes flare at my avoidance of the word orgasm. “Oh, we will.”
“And what makes you so certain?”
She inches closer. “Do you think that when all of this is over and I’m naked, and panting, and begging you to do it, you’ll refuse?”
Fuck. The image in my head alone is enough to have me caving in. I hook my fingers around my tie and loosen it to let some air in. Alix’s eyes darken and her lips pull wider. I wish she hadn’t worn lip gloss. I really like it when a woman wears lip gloss.
“I’m thirty-three. I think I’ll manage.”
She studies me for a moment… until all traces of amusement fall from her face. “I’m a whole lot of woman, Jesse. You’ll cave in a second.”
It’s a promise. There’s no uncertainty in her voice, only confidence. After a few quick seconds I lean closer, making sure my intensity matches hers. “Are you fishing for a bet?”
“Maybe… or maybe I want a confession.”
Well, that’s not going to happen. “I’ll give it to you, your confidence is admirable.”
She flicks her eyebrows. “Confidence is key.”
My face lingers close to hers, but not once do her eyes drop to my mouth—not like they did when I caught her in the stairwell. Maybe I don’t have the effect on her I thought I did. For the briefest second, I lose confidence and a victorious grin spreads across Alix’s face.
“See? Confidence makes the difference. When your stare momentarily skittered from mine, you sucked all the heat out of this situation.”
I narrow my eyes. There’s no way she could see that.