The Crescent (15 page)

“Yeah, the driver has the directions.” Alex said to Gavin then turned his attention back to me running a finger down the length of my jaw line and brushed it across my lips. “We are going to have a great time tonight.” He said it with such confidence. I was hoping that my dress stayed in place and I didn’t step on his feet while we were dancing with these heels on or that I didn’t fall flat on my face.

Alex picked up on my trepidation to walk in my new heels and secured his arm tightly around my waist and slightly lifted me up the stairs to the restaurant. I was slightly embarrassed, but thankful he cared enough not to see me fall flat on my face. Gavin even helped Jillian with her yards and yards of fabric as she tried to get out of the limo. It was funny watching her tiny frame being overtaken by the lavender fabric and even funnier when Gavin finally grabbed her wrists and yanked her up and out of the mess. Alex and I tried hard not to laugh; I didn’t want to embarrass my friend. To my surprise, Jillian laughed and made a joke of it.

The restaurant that Alex had chosen for dinner was a high scale Italian eatery that had fresh baked pastries and smelled like oil and garlic. It was dimly lit and had candles and fresh flowers in the middle of each table. A kind older woman passed by the table and gave Jillian and I each a red rose. She said something in Italian that I didn’t understand and she kissed either side of our cheeks.

“She said you glow with love.” Alex whispered after the kind woman had left.

“You speak Italian?” I asked amazed.

“One of the benefits of traveling so much.” He kissed my hand. “I agree with her.”

Thankfully dinner went smoothly and I didn’t end up wearing any of my food or drink. The dance went just as quickly as dinner had. The four of us claimed a spot on the dance floor near each other and danced the night away. Alex and Gavin both were excellent dancers; Jillian and I did our best to follow their lead, but I stepped on Alex’s feet several times. Each time I did he said I’d have to make it up to him with a kiss; I definitely obliged. By midnight I realized why Cinderella really ran off from the ball, ditching one of her high heels along the way. My feet were killing me and while this dress was beautiful, it was horribly confining.

“I have one more surprise for you.” Alex ran the tip of his finger down my arm to claim my hand in his.

“Gavin you ready to go?” We walked hand in hand to the limo and he helped me back inside to our spot. My cheeks started to hurt from smiling so much. Alex caressed my arm, slowly brushing his hand up and down the length from my elbow to my wrist. My heart raced when we pulled up in front of the Fremont Hotel, the swankiest hotel in the area with its huge columns and grand ballroom.

“What are we doing here?” I tried to hide the excitement in my voice.

“It’s a surprise.” Alex gave the driver a tip and dismissed the limo. My mind raced at the possibilities. If I didn’t go home tonight, my parents would kill me, but if I walked away from him again, I don’t think he’d give me a third chance.

My body slightly shook as he led me inside the hotel and past the check in desk to the elevators. Jillian was smiling ear to ear in the elevator. I couldn’t tell if she was in on this surprise or not- she didn’t seem nervous at all.

Alex slid the key card into the door and flung it open to reveal a huge suite. My jaw practically hit the floor. There was a living room area decorated in roses and orchids in large crystal vases. There was a large cart with various deserts and a wine bucket chilling a large bottle. I laughed when I realized it was apple cider, not champagne or wine.

“I know you don’t drink.” Alex whispered against my neck and then took off his jacket to rest on the chair. “Ok ladies, there are clothes for you to change into in the room over there. We have a selection of movies to watch and video games to play. There is even a pool and a spa downstairs if you guys are interested.” Alex grinned. I hadn’t expected there to be activities; usually when a guy takes a girl to a hotel it is for one thing and one thing only. I was motionless for several moments looking at Alex. Jillian and Gavin were wrapped in an embrace that made me look away. “Don’t be nervous.” Alex whispered. “Go ahead.” He gestured to the door as Jillian finally pulled herself away from Gavin.

Jillian and I went into the bedroom and found sweats, shorts, jeans, swim suits and shoes to change into. Jillian slid easily into a low cut tank top and a form fitting pair of jeans. I slid into jeans and a tank top that matched Jillian and a pair of flip flops, my feet so thankful to finally be out of the heels, but my mind felt like it would explode.

“This is amazing, isn’t it?” Jillian said as she fixed her makeup in the mirror. “The dance was awesome!” She slicked on another layer of frosted pink lip-gloss. “Can you believe how everyone kept staring at us at the dance? I swear, Courtney looked like she was going to kill you when we were dancing.” I watched as she carefully applied another coat of mascara, my friend had really changed and I’m not sure it was for the better. The mark in the palm caught my eye as she restyled her hair; it was more pronounced and definitely did not look like a burn. I couldn’t tell from the reflection what it was and the last time I asked her about it, she blew me off.

“You ready?” Jillian grabbed my wrist pulling me out of my stare. “That bracelet is gorgeous. You’re not really going to give it back are you?”

“I have to! I can’t keep something this expensive.”

“Yes you can.” Jillian winked and nudged me with her elbow. “Just Alex may expect something in return.”

Something…
I hadn’t let my mind get to that yet.

SEVENTEEN

Alex’s strong hands swirled through the water lifting my legs to rest across him in the spa. The churning bubbles in the water covered my hair and face in mist. I knew my hair would be flat by the time we got out of the spa. I tried in vain to keep my hair out of the water and from the mist. I pushed it up and back to rest over the side of the spa, but I could feel the ends were already limp and damp. I gingerly ran my hands over my cheeks to wipe away some of the water, but every time I did I felt my makeup smudging.

Alex stilled my hand as I passed my fingers under my eye clearing more mist away. “Don’t worry, you look wonderful.” He winked and then held my hand on his leg under the water stopping my fidgeting. His other hand rested perfectly on my thigh, his thumb mindlessly rubbing a lopsided circle. I wasn’t sure if it was inexperience, afraid of getting caught or my sickness but my nerves were shot.

Gavin had his back to us in the pool and Jillian was pressed against him. We could see her hands twisted in his hair and hear her giggling.
She’s moving too fast with
him
. I thought as she laughed louder. I had never seen her head over heels for anyone, she was cautious with her feelings like I was. She had crushes, but none that had really gone any further than that.

I jumped when Alex brushed his hands across my collarbone distracting me from my thoughts of Jillian. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, why?” I’m sure my voice gave me away.

“You seem worlds away right now.” Alex squeezed my hand. “Do you want to go home?” Alex was hoping that I would say no. He pulled me back to our own situation, my own slip with my emotions.

“It’s not that. I don’t want to get in trouble…” I looked over at Jillian and Gavin still making out hot and heavy. I tried to deflect the attention from us. “Is he a good guy? I mean… really? I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Alex grinned. “You don’t trust easily, do you?”

Caught off guard by his accusation, I asked. “What?”

“When I told you I loved you, the look on your face told me that you doubted it. Now because your friend is happy and seems to be in love, it can’t be real because it happened so quickly?”

I took my legs off his lap and sat upright in the spa. “I told you I haven’t really had a boyfriend before. I don’t know how things are going to go and this has just happened so quickly.”

Alex fired back- “So you think because things have been easy that it can’t be real? That my feelings can’t be real?” Alex scooted half of a seat away from me.

We were having our first real argument; I started to get more frustrated. He probably had dozens of girlfriends and had been in love more times than I could count, how could I get him to understand that love didn’t come easily for me. I couldn’t understand how Jillian, who was more like me than anyone else, had completely transformed in less than a month to be a mushy, lovey-dovey princess and worse how can I make him understand without sounding like a jealous bitch over her happiness?

“I knew you wouldn’t understand.” It was easier to walk away than to try to explain the relationship with my friend of more than ten years. I got up and exited the spa, covering myself with a towel and stormed off towards the hotel room. Tonight had gone perfectly and now it was ending in disaster. I slammed the bathroom door and jumped into the shower to take off the rest of my makeup and get the hair spray out of my hair. I toweled off and slid my dress back on leaving the clothing that Alex had bought on the counter; the beautiful diamond bracelet next to it. I’m sure after my mature exit from the spa that he would regret giving it to me; regret bringing me here.

I picked up my purse and forcefully threw my makeup into it. I took out my cell phone to call a cab to come take me home and wondered if I should force Jillian to leave with me tonight. I don’t know what I would tell them, or for that fact, what Alex may have already told them about my abrupt exit from the spa. I’m sure this was the end for us. Monday he’d probably move onto Courtney or Ashley.

I walked out of the bathroom, determined that my friend would have to leave with me. I didn’t trust leaving her overnight with Gavin. Besides, after how much Jillian had changed, I’m not sure I could trust her here either.

“What did I do?” Alex stood from the bed as I walked out of the bathroom. His eyes were red like he had been crying.

“You didn’t DO anything.” I answered but headed for the door. Alex wrapped his forearm around my waist stopping me.

“Talk to me.” He pulled at my side to face him. Heat radiated off his bare chest against my shoulder and I closed my eyes for a moment enjoying his smooth touch. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. “Please just tell me what is wrong. I don’t want you leaving mad at me. If I’ve done something I want the chance to apologize, or explain my action.”

Alex’s hand rested at my jaw line. Small red lines like spider webs surrounded his deep brown eyes; a thin layer of moisture threatened to escape from his bottom lashes. I had never seen him so upset before and it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest any second to heal his pain and beg for his forgiveness.

“Alex, I can’t do this. This is too new and it’s happening too fast.”

Alex released his hold on me and backed up. “Not an hour ago you said you loved me. How did I make you fall
out
of love with me?”

“You didn’t…”

“Then how can you stand here telling me this is happening too quickly? Are you sure you loved me at all?” I watched as he blinked his eyes hard and a lone tear trailed down his cheek. Taking a deep breath, I stepped back. I didn’t want to hurt him and this argument was over Jillian and my insecurity, not over something he had done.

“It’s not that I don’t love you or that I’m not in love with you. It’s just less than two months ago, I doubted I knew what love even was… and now it just feels like everything is being rushed.”

“Then why are you pushing me away?”

“I’m not.” I responded, defensively. He saw right through my avoidance in the spa.

Alex stepped closer and cupped my face in his hands. “Do you love me?” He said the words slow and determined; his eyes pleading me to say yes.

I thought carefully before answering. I had never felt this way for anyone before… except Brandon; and those feelings were more intense than what I had for Alex. But I wasn’t sure that was even real and Brandon was gone again.

“Yes. I do love you.” He could have any girl he wanted and he was fighting with me, for me. I would be crazy not to do everything I could to keep my first real relationship intact.

“Then what should be or what happens between us, is up to us. We can go as fast or as slow as you want.” He leaned in and brushed his face against mine taking in a deep breath. “I will never make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

It was hard to think with his face so close to mine and his warm breath trailing down my neck, my breathing staggered. “I know you wouldn’t. I’m just worried for my friend and I took it out on you.”

Alex smiled and leaned his forehead to mine. “I know you are and that is why I love you so much. But Jillian is happy and in love and I’ve never seen Gavin so happy either. I’m glad he has found someone that makes him just as happy as you make me.” He pressed his lips to my forehead and then whispered
I love you.

I love you too.
I whispered back to him. Whatever I’ve done to deserve him I’d do again three times over if I could keep him forever.

“Come on. Do you want to watch a movie?” He took his hand in mine and then stopped. “You need to change clothes first.” Alex pointed to my dress; I forgot that I had it on. I walked back into the restroom to change and realized Alex had followed me.

We were both silent for several moments looking at each other. Alex moved before my heart started to beat again. I held my breath as he reached for the zipper to the dress. His eyes searched mine for approval. I wasn’t sure I gave it when my dress fell into a pile on the floor. My whole body tensed and I closed my eyes trying to steady my nerves. His strong hands rubbed across my collarbone and down my shoulders to my wrists. He lifted both of my hands to rest behind his neck and he wrapped his arms around me securing every inch of my body to his. The tight muscles in his stomach against my bare stomach made me take another deep breath. I finally opened my eyes accepting what would be happening next. He swallowed hard and his arms contracted then released when my eyes matched his. Thankfully, I had worn my matching lace bra and panty set that mom had gotten me at Christmas. I stole quick glances in the mirror at myself, the supermodel was gone and she was replaced by me; with limp hair and no makeup, I regretted taking the shower.