I gave a nod to the guy, still standing a little slack-jawed, and followed her out again.
I was screwed when we reached the fourth place.
“This place is amazing. The bus stop is right around the corner. It has a workout gym, a pool,” she practically squealed. “It’s even got a balcony. A freaking balcony, Erik.”
Her smile lit up the whole apartment and I did my best to tone it down with a frown. But she was bouncing on her feet and flying from room-to-room just to report back to me with another amazing feature.
“A fucking fireplace,” she shouted from the living room.
“What about that other place we passed? The one with the gate,” I argued when she met me in the kitchen.
She scoffed. “I can’t afford that and you know it.”
“I could give you a raise.”
“I’m an intern, Erik. I don’t get raises. We already know I’m getting more than anyone else as it stands.”
“Stop being difficult.”
Her eyebrows rose and she gave me a dubious look. “Me? Because I won’t take your money?”
Stepping close, I spoke softly to avoid being overheard by the landlord trying to look busy and give us time to talk, but was really trying to eavesdrop. “From what I remember, you wanting my money is what got us here.”
She didn’t respond. Instead pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, raising her middle finger for good measure. But she softened quickly and stepped into me, pressing her breasts to my chest. “Think about it. These counters are the perfect height for you to screw me on. We would enjoy every moment christening it.”
“I guess it’s not that bad.”
She beamed up at me. “Okay, then the decision is made.”
We both turned to talk to the landlord at once.
“I’ll take it.”
“We’ll think about it.”
26
Erik
“Laura, can you please send Alexandra in?”
I released the button from my speaker and sat back in my chair, waiting for her to come strolling in. Even though it had been a couple months since she’d first strolled in, she still had my heart stopping in my chest each time she cleared the door. Her clear eyes wide and questioning, a little nervous. At least they used to be a little nervous. Now when she entered, they’d soften to a warm heat that had my dick twitching behind my pants and my heart pounding a little harder.
I’d never felt this way for anyone and I didn’t hate it like I thought I would. I’d always associated caring for someone with being vulnerable, setting yourself up to be hurt. But that happiness that filled me to bursting upon just thinking about Alexandra, made it all worth it. I just had to make sure I held on to her tight and didn’t let any more harm come her way.
She was making it hard with the whole moving out thing. It’d been two weeks since we viewed the apartment and each time she brought it up, I diverted the conversation to something else. She hadn’t taken me to view any others and only talked about that last one, so I know she had her heart set on it. A part of me held out hope that something would happen to force her hand and make her stay.
Pregnancy would not be one of those reasons. She’d finished her period last week and we’d both breathed a sigh of relief when it came.
The door creaked open and my predictable heart thundered at her heated gaze and seductive smile.
“Lock the door, Alexandra.”
Her eyes widened. “Erik…”
“Just do it.”
She obeyed and then made her way to my side of the desk, coming to sit on my lap. It was where she always sat when we were alone. After asking her to do it only twice, she didn’t hesitate to make it a habit.
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her down for a kiss. “I have something for you. I found it in the mail this morning.”
Watching her face for her reaction, I handed her the envelope. She gasped and reached out slowly with shaking hands. Her finger stroked across the University of Cincinnati logo before flipping it over and tearing it open.
“No matter what, you’re going to be great,” I reassured her when she froze, her hand around the paper but not tugging it free.
She pulled the sheet out and unfolded it. I didn’t read it with her, just watched her face. A slow smile pulled at her cheeks as tears glazed over her eyes.
Pride inflated my chest.
She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes closed tight like when she opened them, something else would be there. I brushed my fingers along her cheeks, wiping away the tears that broke free.
“I always knew you could do it.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I just gave you the possibility. You did this all on your own.”
She shook her head and took a shuddering breath, smile still stretching her mouth wider than I’d ever seen. “I’m going to the University of Cincinnati.” I laughed when she bounced in my lap. “I’m going to college,” she said a little louder.