Free The Crescent by Jordan Deen Page A

she was too busy to date, but she seemed really interested in my love life.
    Alex knocked twice on the door then came in like he owned the place. “Hey beautiful.” He had another bouquet of flowers and was wearing another new pair of jeans with a dark blue shirt that was tight around his biceps.
    Wow. Michelle whispered as she ducked out of sight leaving Alex and me alone in the lobby.
    “Hey, how was your day?”
    Alex’s gorgeous brown eyes looked black in the dimly lit lobby. He looked around like he was confirming we were alone then lowered his head to mine. His arm snaked around the small of my back as he pressed his body against me. “Better now.” He responded making me feel weak. He brushed his lips across mine as I took in a deep breath and let out a small sigh; finding myself easily mesmerized by him again. “Are you ready to go?” I was expecting him to kiss me, but when he didn’t I was more than disappointed.
    “Yeah, let me get my bag.” I said feeling dejected as I reached for my bag, but his hand was on the strap before mine.
    “Let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the walkway to his car. I barely had enough time to wave goodbye to my Aunt, whose eyes were now bigger than two half dollars.
    “No run ins with wily cats tonight huh?” Alex said as he maneuvered the car out onto the street.
    I’m half embarrassed that he remembered that from Friday. I guess it was better he brought that up instead of how I left him drunk and half naked. “No thank goodness Mr. Tinkles went home this morning.”
    “If you ask me, owning cats should be… outlawed.” I couldn’t tell if he was joking. “You know, an Amendment should be added to the Constitution that says it’s illegal to own them- make them contraband.” Alex glanced at me then started laughing. “I’m kidding.”
    “Oh.” It didn’t seem like he was kidding, he sounded completely serious. I guess I’d have to get to know him better to understand his sense of humor.
    We pulled up in front of my house and sat for several moments in silence. He drew circles on the back of my hand with his index finger; my heart beating faster and faster with every loop. “Are you mad at me for Friday?” His question shocked me, although I wanted to ask him the same thing.
    “No, I figured you’d be mad at me.” I said not wanting to make eye contact; trying to block out the memory of the hurt look on his face when I ditched him. Alex threw me off when he started laughing.
    “No way. You told me you don’t drink. That was my fault. I think I went a little too fast. I just…” He hesitated and urged me to look at him with his hand stroking my arm. “I feel drawn to you in a way I can’t explain. I keep forgetting that not everyone has had the experiences that I’ve had in my life. I know I freaked you out on Friday.”
    “I don’t drink because of my dad.” I blurted out. I hadn’t even told Jillian that my dad had a problem with alcohol. “My parents, they get into these horrible arguments and my mother let’s things go because of my dad’s drinking.”
    I looked away from Alex, staring at my knees, the door, the dashboard, anything else other than at his eyes. I didn’t want him judging my family, but wanted him to know I didn’t drink out of choice, not because there hadn’t been opportunity.
    Alex squeezed my hand tighter. “I’m so sorry.” He let out a sigh, “I feel like a total asshole now.” He stared over the dashboard of his car; I could see the slight dimple in his cheek. I squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him.
    “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know.” He didn’t look at me. I reached over to his face and ran the back of my hand down his smooth cheek; it felt like he had recently shaved. I also realized that he smelled irresistible, like he had changed cologne.
    “I won’t offer you alcohol again.” Alex finally looked at me; his dark eyes were golden under the orange glow of the