“Faith, hi. Thank you for meeting me.”
“You sounded upset on the phone. Are you alright?”
“I think I’m just in need of a friend.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with your mystery woman, would it?”
“I think it’s time to give her an ultimatum. I can’t go on like this.”
Faith reached her hand across the table and held Miles’ hand. She felt so sorry for him.
“I wish I knew how to help you?”
“You’re helping me by being here right now.”
“So when are you going to tell her about your decision?”
“I don’t know if I should go see her or if I should call or…”
“Oh no, you can’t send a text!”
“You’re right, I need to see her in person and tell her how I feel.”
“Miles, I’m sorry if what I am about to say offends you…but if she really loves you then why isn’t she doing everything she can, so that you can be together?”
“She thinks she’s protecting me. That’s why we’re not together, but I don’t care anymore.”
“Protecting you?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Are you sure that’s not just an excuse?”
Miles started to think…did she really love him or was she was just stringing him along because she didn’t want him with anyone else? Maybe Faith was right and…
“Miles, I’m sorry. I never should have said that.”
“No, you’re right.”
“I’m just being over protective, I’m sure she loves you.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh, Miles…”
“Do you want to get out of here? I need to stop thinking about her.”
“Sure.”
Miles and Faith got up and headed out the door.
Once Miguel fell asleep Alex snuck out of the bed and went downstairs to start dinner. She got to the bottom of the stairs and saw Ryan and Eden coming in the front door.
“Hey.”
“Sis, hi.”
“How’s my brother?”
“He’s doing better. Not as much pain today. Right now, he is asleep.”
“Oh, I was hoping to talk to him.”
“He sleeps a lot. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if you woke him up.”
“Ryan, would it be alright if we went for dinner and then came back here after?”
“That’s fine with me, Eden.”
Alex looked at both of them. “You are welcome to stay here for dinner.”
“Nah Sis, I really want to talk to Eden.”
“Yes, your brother promised me a steak dinner.”
“Steak? I don’t remember saying anything about steak.”
“You did, right after you said champagne.” Eden chuckled.
“I thought I said pizza.” Ryan winked.
Alex shook her head and then walked over to her brother and kissed him on the cheek. “Ok, I’m going to go and cook dinner for Miguel. I will see you later.”
“Alex, you know you don’t have to cook. My brother has a personal chef.”
“I know and I gave him the week off. I enjoy cooking for Miguel.”
Eden smiled. “Well, ok then. That’s very sweet.”
“I love him, Eden.”
“I know and he loves you too.”
“Let’s go. I’m dying for pizza.”
Eden smiled at Ryan. “I’m ordering steak and champagne.”
The two walked out the door. Alex wondered what was going on between them. She knew her brother wasn’t looking for a relationship and that Eden was leaving to go back to Chicago in two days.
MIGUEL WOKE UP AND heard the shower running. He got out of bed and stripped on the way to the shower. It had been over a week now that he was home from the hospital and he didn’t care what anyone said, he was fine now. He knew what he was capable of and right now he knew he wanted Alex.
Alex was rinsing the conditioner from her hair when she heard the shower door close. Her eyes immediately popped open. There stood Miguel…naked, smiling and the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
“Miguel, what are you doing…”
Miguel grabbed Alex and kissed her. When she pulled away, he spoke. “I want you, right now.”
“But the doctor said…”
“I don’t care what the doctor said, Alex.”
“I almost lost you, I don’t want to take any chances.”
“I know my body, I’m fine.”
“Oh, I agree your body is fine but…”
“Alex, you can talk until you’re blue in the face but I’m going to have sex with you, right here, right now.”
“How about we compromise?”
“Compromise?”
Alex dropped to her knees. She looked up at Miguel as she sucked his big, hard cock into her mouth.
“Alex, oh my God!”
Alex smiled up at Miguel who was now leaning against the shower wall. Alex massaged his cock and balls as she continued to suck fast and hard until Miguel came.
Miguel felt weak and shaky. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so close to someone. He never had oral sex with his escorts because it was so intimate and it had been a very long time since he had a relationship with anyone.
Alex stood up and looked at Miguel, his expression was unreadable. “Are you upset with me?”
Miguel didn’t say anything at first he just shook his head. “How could I be upset after that?”
“Then why do you look upset?”
“Let’s go sit down in the bedroom.” Miguel shut off the shower and then grabbed two towels and handed one to Alex and wrapped one around his waist.
Alex followed Miguel into the bedroom. She was starting to feel very nervous that he wasn’t happy with her. She reached for her clothes and started to dress.
“Sweetheart, come sit down.”
Alex walked over to the bed and sat down next to Miguel.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset and please don’t be sorry. That was just very intimate and it’s been so long since I’ve felt so close to someone else. I guess it just scared me a little.”
“Scared you?”
“I’m not used to all these feelings.”
“I see.” Alex got up and continued getting dressed.
Miguel watched her and although he knew he needed to say something to make her feel better, he wasn’t sure what to say.
“Alex, I love you but I need your help.”
Alex spun around and walked back over to Miguel. “My help?”
“I’m scared; I don’t know what to say or what not to say. My feelings are all over the place. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before and I don’t want to lose you.”
Alex wiped a tear that was rolling down her cheek and then she leaned down and hugged Miguel. “You aren’t going to lose me, I promise. I love you, Miguel.”
Miles was at the gym beating the hell out of the punching bag. He had spent the last two days avoiding everyone. Today he decided he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself and move on. So here he was working out his aggression on a poor defenseless punching bag.
“Miles, take it easy, you’re going to tear the bag from its chain.”
“Hey, Dane.”
“I take it things didn’t go so well with your lady friend?”
“You think?”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I showed up with an engagement ring and my heart on my sleeve and I left with a broken heart. It’s over. End of story.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. I was a jerk.”
“Women tend to reduce us to such.”
“I’m done. You have the right idea, not settling down with one woman.”
“Miles, just because I’m that way doesn’t mean you should be.”
“I never want to feel like this again.”
“Let me tap
e up my hands and then I will go a few rounds with you.”
Dane grabbed the tape and began wrapping his hands. He knew he’d regret allowing Miles to beat the crap out of him but he knew Miles would do the same for him.
Eric was going through a laptop that belonged to their handler, Milton, who had died. He came across a file that he thought Miguel needed to see right away. He jumped up with the laptop and walked to the other side of the house where Miguel’s room was.
He knocked on Miguel’s door. “Blade, I need to talk to you.”
“Hang on, I will be right out.” Miguel got up and pulled on his pants.
Alex sat up in the bed. “Why did he call you Blade?”
“You know how guys have stupid names for each other.”
“Should I get dressed, is he coming in?”
“No, I will go out and talk to him. I will be right back.”
Alex smiled and laid back down in the bed. She loved that the pillows smelled like Miguel.
Miguel opened the door, stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.
“What’s up?”
“I was going through Milton’s laptop and look at what I found.” Eric handed the laptop to Miguel.
“Fuck, who else has seen this?”
“Just you and I. I can’t imagine anyone else has or they would have destroyed it.”
“Alright, get Miles and Dane here and then we need to come up with a plan.”
“Are you sure you are up to it, Blade?”
“Eric, don’t call me that when Alex is around. I don’t want her asking questions. And yes, I’m fine.”
“Ok, sorry Migs.”
“I’ll finish getting dressed and then I will meet you in my office.”
Faith decided that Alex needed a spa day. So she booked them appointments and showed up at Miguel’s house to kidnap her friend.
Alex answered the door and was happily surprised to see Faith.
“Hi.”
“Alex, today is your lucky day!”
“Why?”
“I booked us a spa day.”
“Oh, Faith.”
“Don’t oh Faith me. You are coming with me. I never see you anymore.”
“I know. I miss you.”
“Then grab your purse and let’s go.”
“Ok. I just need to tell Miguel.”
“I will be waiting in the car.”
“I will be right out.”
Dane walked into Miguel’s office carrying coffee and donuts.
“It’s great to see you up and about.”
“Thanks, Dane. It feels good to be out of bed.”
“If I had Alex in my bed, I don’t think I’d ever want to get out of it.”
“Yeah, well that might be the case if we were having sex but she won’t until the doctor says it is safe for me to have sex.”
“Damn, you must be dying. Just thinking about how great she was…”
“Enough!”
Dane closed his eyes for a minute and then when he opened them he apologized. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s bad enough that I know it happened but I don’t want details.”
“Hey! Welcome back to the land of the living.” Miles laughed.
“Thanks, you big jerk.”
“Eric had to make a call. As soon as he is back we can get started.”
Alex and Faith were at the spa being pampered.
“So what’s it like to play house with Miguel McHottie?”
“I’ve never been happier.”
“Oh…never been happier? Then why do you sound almost sad?”
“Miguel is afraid of his feelings, he doesn’t know what he should and shouldn’t feel or do. I guess I’m scared that he’s going to decide it is too much and end it. Faith, I can’t lose him.”
“You won’t. Just be patient with him and support him. You can teach him.”
“Who would have ever thought that I, Alex DiPietro, would be teaching the Miguel Cruz, how to handle his love life, moreover be a part of it?”
“Me. I knew once he met you he would be hooked.”
Alex smiled at Faith and then they both giggled.
“I love you, Faith.”
“I know.”
Miguel and Miles ordered a pizza after their meeting and decided to hang out while Alex was gone.
“So are you going to tell me why you look like someone stole your last beer?”
Miles looked up at Miguel. He didn’t realize his broken heart was really on his sleeve and visible to Miguel.
“You remember I told about a woman that I was in love with?”
“Yes.”
“It’s over.”
“Over? Sounded to me like it never really started?”
“I gave her an ultimatum and she walked away.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I guess for so long I always thought we’d find a way and now…”
“Now you can move on and find someone who deserves you.”
“Nah, I’m done. I think I will just play the field like Dane.”
“Do that for a while but don’t give up on finding someone to settle down with and have children.”
“Children? Wow, Alex really has changed you.”
“I don’t even know how or when it happened. It was like I met her and suddenly all of the broken pieces of my life came together.”
“Sounds like a line from a sappy romance novel to me.” Miles laughed. Miguel tossed his pizza crust at him.
“I really love her.”
“I’m happy for you, Migs.”
“Thanks.”
Faith and Alex walked in the door and could hear Miguel and Miles laughing.
“I could listen to him laugh all day.”
“Oh lord, you lovebird you!”
“Maybe I am. Let’s go see my lovebird.”
Alex and Faith walked down the hall to the living room where the laughing was coming from.
“We’re back!”
Miguel and Miles stopped laughing and looked up at Alex and Faith.
“You look gorgeous, Alex.”
Alex could feel her cheeks heat up as she walked over to Miguel and gave him a kiss.
“Thank you. How are you feeling?”
“I feel good.”
Faith just stood there watching Alex and Miguel, knowing that was what she wanted for herself.
“You look really hot Faith.”
“Thank you, Miles. Would you like me to plant a big one on you like Alex gave Miguel?” Faith laughed.
Miles stood up and walked over to Faith. “Ok.”
Faith looked at Miles who was standing in front of her as if he really was waiting for a kiss. So she decided, what the heck, and she kissed him.
Alex and Miguel looked at the two of them and then back at each other. Miguel shook his head.
“Get a room.” Miguel laughed.
Miles pulled away from Faith. “Do you…”
Faith didn’t give Miles time to ask before she said, “Yes.”
Miles grabbed Faith’s hand and the two walked out without another word.
“Wow, that was random.”
“Miles broke up with his, well I don’t know what she was but she isn’t anymore.”
“Oh. Poor guy.”
“Yeah, he is really distraught over it.”
“I just hope he doesn’t use Faith as a rebound and hurt her.”
“He isn’t like that.”
“I hope not, for both their sakes.”
“Enough about them. How was your spa day?”
“Mmm, it was wonderful. I missed you though.”
“I missed you too.”
Miguel pulled Alex into his arms and kissed her.
THREE WEEKS HAD PASSED. Alex was completely moved into Miguel’s house. She still wasn’t used to someone cleaning, shopping, parking her car for her or even cooking for her on occasion.
The doctor finally gave Miguel the go ahead to resume work and all activit
ies which meant he would be leaving for work soon and Alex was going to miss him.
“I’m going to miss you.”
Miguel pulled on his jacket and straightened his tie as he walked towards Alex.
“Then come with me.”
“Oh sure, I can be your shadow.” Alex chuckled.
“You can be my CFO.”
“But…”
“No buts…I never replaced you. I couldn’t.”
Alex smiled so big and hugged Miguel. “Oh my God.”
“I will be waiting for you downstairs, put a move on it.” Miguel laughed as he walked out.
Faith was meeting Miles for breakfast. They had become closer after the night they spent together. Miles was so sad and in desperate need of a friend. Her heart broke for him.
“Hey, Beautiful.”
“Miles, Good morning!”
“I didn’t know what you felt like so I ordered pancakes, eggs and oatmeal.”
“Yum! I am starved. What are you going to eat?” Faith laughed.
“Oh, I ordered the same for me.” Miles smiled.
“So how are you feeling today?”
“Better, not good but better.”
“It takes time. How’s the dating going?”
“I’ve been out with a few women but nothing more than dinner or drinks.”
“What, no sex?”
“I’m just not ready to do that one-night stand thing and leave a girl hanging.”
“You’re not leaving her hanging if you make a point of telling her that all you want is sex.”
“Yeah, then they want to know why and I don’t want to be sharing my business or even worse have some woman I don’t know feel sorry for me. It’s bad enough you had mercy sex with me.”
“Mercy sex! No, I had sex with you because I wanted to since that first night we were together. I wasn’t passing up the chance. You are so fucking sexy, Miles.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I knew it was just rebound sex.”
“Great, I like you, you’re a good friend and I used you for rebound sex.”
“You didn’t use me, I knew up front and allowed you and you know what, I’d do it again.” Faith winked at Miles.
“Again as in again or if it didn’t happen yet you’d do it again?”
“Again, as in, I’m here anytime you want to use me.”
“You’d be ok with that?”
“Look, we are both consenting adults, neither of us are in a relationship right now, so what’s wrong with having sex if we both want it and need it?”
Love & Lies Page 13