Lisa grins then scoops her ice cream for a bite. “Maybe.”
After devouring their dessert, Alex drives Lisa back home. Opening the car door for her, he then walks her to the front door. He looks down at her, holding her hands. “Would you like to come inside?” Lisa bites her lip to keep from giggling. Normally, this is where the guy would tell her goodbye but, considering Alex lives here also, she appreciates him going through the motions of dropping her off.
“I think I would, but only if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely.” Lisa punches in her code to the building, unlocking the door. Alex pulls it open for her and they walk inside, making their way towards the elevator. Lisa reaches out and presses the up button, then turns back to Alex.
His fingers reach up and glide gently across her cheeks. Pushing a few stray hairs back from her face, he leans in to kiss her as the elevator doors open. Alex closes his eyes and drops his hands and head down, exhaling and Lisa giggles.
“Come on,” he tells her and they step inside. Pressing the button, the doors close. Lisa turns towards Alex and steps closer to him. She wants him to hold her, to kiss her, to press her body against the elevator. She wants to feel her hands on his bare chest, to feel him inside of her. She looks in his eyes and starts to lean into him as the door opens.
Sighing, they step out of the elevator, hoping to leave the sexual tension in the elevator. He walks her to her door, as she fishes her keys from her clutch. Unlocking it, she turns to look up at him, the unasked question on her face.
“I want to come inside…but I’m not sure it’s such a great idea.”
Lisa tries not to frown. “Why?”
“Honestly? Everything about you. I want to be with you. I want to call you mine. I want to cross that threshold and claim you.” He closes his eyes as he looks down and shakes his head. “I’m just not ready yet. I…” He sighs, then looks at her. “I’m just not ready for that yet, and I don’t want to put you in that position.”
Taken aback by his confession, Lisa smiles. She can’t help herself. Hearing he feels the same way, she puts her arms around his shoulders and hugs him. “Thank-you.”
His arms move around her waist, pulling her close to him. He closes his eyes and breathes in the smell of her shampoo and perfume. “For what?”
Lisa pulls back and looks up at him. “For being honest with me, for waiting rather than rushing, for being…amazing.” Lisa kisses him on the cheek. “I don’t want to rush into anything, either.”
He sighs and grins at her. “I’m very happy to hear you say that.” He leans in and brushes his lips across hers. “Sleep well. If you’re up for it, maybe we can do lunch tomorrow.”
“You sleep well, too.” She brushes her fingers through his hair. “I’d love to do lunch tomorrow.” Standing on her toes, she kisses him. “Good night, my sweet Alex.” Smiling, she pushes her door open and walks inside.
Alex grins. “Good night, Lisa.” He turns and starts walking toward his condo.
Looking down at where he was standing, Lisa finds a single white feather about a foot long. Bending down, she picks it up and looks it over. Finding it odd to find a feather inside her building, a feather as white and clean as this one, she takes it inside and shuts the door. Locking it, she sets the feather on the table in her front entryway and takes her shoes off. She walks into her bedroom to get ready for bed.
Chapter 7
Lisa seldom had anything planned on Sunday’s, other than preparing herself for work later in the day. The last few nights have been rough to her sleeping pattern, though. Dozing through the morning, she’s awakened by her cell phone buzzing on her nightstand. Groaning she reaches over and grabs it, pressing the button on the side of it to light up the screen. Alex’s name comes up and she’s suddenly awake. Smiling, she sits up in bed and unlocks her phone. I hope it’s not too early. I’d love to take you out for brunch. I know where you live! Let me know if I can pick you up around 10 AM.
Lisa begins to draft a reply, when another text from Alex comes through. Saving her draft, she opens the text. Just so you know, this is Alex, in case you go to brunch with random guys.