Chapter 13 "Behave, Sarah."
When Sarah opened the door, laughter greeted her.
It was coming from the living room. Male laughter. Light and easy.
She stepped inside and stopped.
Mark and Alex were sprawled on the couch, beer bottles on the coffee table, one open laptop between them. Mark was talking fast, excited, his hands moving as he spoke. Alex leaned back, relaxed, wearing a tank top and casual shorts. His arms were bare. Strong. Familiar in a way Sarah did not want to think about.
Her heart skipped.
“Oh,” Mark said, spotting her. “Mom, you’re home.”
Alex looked up.
Their eyes met.
Something hot and sharp slid straight through her.
Oh dear God.
Why did he have to look like that?
The tank top clung to his chest. His skin was warm brown, smooth and tempting. His hair was slightly messy, like he hadn’t bothered to tame it. He looked comfortable. Dangerous to her peace.
For a split second, her mind betrayed her.
His mouth on her skin.
His weight over her.
The way he made her beg.
Her throat tightened.
“Hey, Sarah,” Alex said easily, lifting his bottle slightly. His voice was calm. Like he hadn’t ruined her the night before. Like he hadn’t claimed her body in whispers she still felt in her bones. She remembered his thrusts so vividly she could feel a moistness starting between her legs.
His mouth on her nipples, his mouth when it trailed her neck, and then went to her belly button.
When he'd closed his mouth over her pussy, she had nearly died from the pleasure of it. She had never had the experience. Until this boy.
“Hey,” she replied, hoping her voice sounded normal. Her mind was a chaos.
Mark jumped up. “We’re celebrating!”
“I see that,” she said, forcing a smile.
“It's about the job I told you about earlier today,” Mark said again, grinning like a kid.
“I know,” Sarah said warmly. “I’m very proud of you, again.”
“Sit with us,” Mark said. “Have a beer.”
She hesitated. Her eyes flicked to Alex without permission.
He smiled slowly.
Her body reacted before her mind could stop it.
“Just one,” she said.
She placed her bag down and joined them. She sat on the single chair opposite the couch, keeping space and control.
They talked. About work. About silly things. Mark laughed a lot. Alex chimed in now and then, calm and charming in a way that made him come off way older than he actually was.
Every time Alex spoke, Sarah felt a strong pull. A reminder of how much he could wreck her in bed.
When Mark leaned forward to grab another bottle, Alex shifted closer. His knee brushed hers.
She stiffened.
He leaned in slightly, his voice low. “Relax.”
Her breath caught.
Then, when Mark turned his head back to the screen, it happened.
Alex’s hand slid back with confidence.
He grabbed her buttocks.
It wasn't just a squeeze. It was more like a test.
Sarah sucked in a sharp breath.
Her whole body reacted with heat and shock. But one reaction stood strong.
Desire.
She stared straight ahead, her fingers gripping the arm of the chair.
Her heart raced wildly.
What the hell was he doing?
She wanted to slap his hand away.
She wanted to drag him upstairs by his tank top.
Instead, she did nothing.
Alex removed his hand slowly, like nothing had happened.
She didn’t look at him.
She couldn’t.
The conversation continued like normal. Mark laughed. Alex nodded along. Sarah smiled when expected.
Inside, she was burning.
When she finally stood, her legs felt weak.
“I’m going to freshen up,” she said.
“Okay, Mom,” Mark replied. “We’ll still be here.”
She picked up her bag and walked toward the stairs, her steps measured.
“Wait,” Alex said casually. “Let me help you with that. You look exhausted.”
Mark didn’t look up. “Yeah, Alex, grab it. I need to finish this.”
Sarah’s stomach dropped.
Alex was already beside her, taking the bag from her hand.
“After you,” he murmured.
They climbed the stairs together. Each step felt louder than the last. Her body was too aware of him behind her. His closeness. His heat.
When they reached her bedroom door, she turned, ready to say something sharp.
Before she could speak, Alex pushed the door closed behind them.
Then he kissed her.
Hard.
His mouth claimed hers like he’d been starving all day. His hands framed her face, thumbs brushing her jaw. Sarah gasped into his mouth, her body melting instantly.
She should have stopped him.
She didn’t.
She kissed him back. Deep and passionate.
When he pulled away, his forehead rested against hers.
“That was torture,” he said quietly. “Watching you sit there like that. Acting like I hadn’t had you.”
Her hands trembled. “Alex… you can’t do that downstairs.”
His lips curved. “I already did.”
She swallowed. “Mark was right there.”
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I kept my face calm.”
She pushed lightly against his chest. “You’re reckless.”
“No,” he said. “I trust myself. And I trust you.”
She shook her head. “You shouldn’t.”
“I trusted you today,” he said. “With your ex.”
Her chest tightened. “I handled it.”
“I know,” he said. “I wanted to send him away.”
Her eyes widened. “You stayed to see him come?”
“Yes.”
She stared at him. “Alex—”
“I didn’t step in,” he said softly. “Because you didn’t need saving. You handled it quite well, I'm sure.”
Something in his tone made her pulse jump.
He kissed her again. Slower this time. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer. She felt his hardness press against her thigh.
She moaned quietly, then caught herself.
“We can’t,” she whispered.
“Not now,” he agreed, brushing his mouth along her jaw. “But soon, mama.”
Just then, Mark’s voice echoed from downstairs.
“Alex! Come check this one out!”
Alex sighed against her skin.
He pulled back, eyes dark. “Later,” he said. “Tonight, I'll be in your bed to take you.”
Her breath hitched.
He turned to leave, then paused.
He gave her a sharp, playful spank.
Her gasp echoed in the room.
Alex smiled, already opening the door.
“Behave, Sarah.”
Then he was gone.