Alex smiled with a shrug. “Not yet.”

He left it at that for now, and surprisingly, his brother had smiled in what looked like approval. Even more surprising was not how fast everything was happening but how unafraid any of it made Alex. He could almost kick himself now for not suggesting this sooner. Since everything else was moving just as fast and he might just finally be in the clear with his schoolwork, maybe tonight he’d suggest even more.

Chapter 9

Valerie

“You’re lying.”

Valerie stared at Alex with her arms crossed until he showed her his notebook and her mouth fell open. Then she laughed, but it was more like a squeal of delight.

“You see!” he said, closing it immediately. “That’s why I didn’t want to show you!”

“No!” she said, still smiling from ear to ear and feeling her heart beat a little faster as she reached for the notebook he pulled away. “I just . . .” She shook her head. “I thought that was something only girls did. I mean I’m sure some guys do too but not big tough guys like you.”

“In my defense,” he said, still holding the notebook way above his head so she couldn’t reach it even on her tiptoes, “the first time I didn’t even realize I was doing it. The lecture I was sitting in was so f**king boring I had to doodle to keep myself awake.”

“So you did it unintentionally,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

“That’s even better though.” She laughed again.

“You see how you girls are?” he said, pretending to be hurt. “I knew you’d make a mockery of this and crush my sensitive heart.”

“Sensitive heart?” She laughed even louder, reaching in vain for the notebook. “Since when? Let me see it, please!”

“Are you kidding me?” He was still trying to feign being hurt, but the humor danced in his eyes. “I’m not showing you ever again.”

“I’ll tell Romero,” she said, totally bluffing, and stopped him in his tracks, “and your brothers.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” They stood at a standoff until she slumped her shoulders. “Come on, Alex. Please! I’m sorry I laughed. It’s just”—she had to refrain from squealing again—“so not like you.”

She lowered her hand to the front of his crotch, running it up and down and staring into his eyes until he closed them. That unmistakable bulge filled his pants within seconds.

“Please?” she whispered, wrapping her hand around him over his pants.

“You’re not playing fair, Z.” he said, lowering his face to kiss her, then nipped her bottom lip with a groan.

“Please,” she said again as she pulled his arm around her and into the back of her shorts.

Instantly, his big hand squeezed her bare ass, and he groaned again, handing her the notebook, but he lifted her into his arms, and she nearly dropped it.

“Wait,” she screeched as he threw her over his shoulder and started for the bedroom.

When she was finally lying on the bed with him over her, he stopped and watched her closely as she read what he’d written in script in the notebook more than once.

Alex and Valerie Moreno

Instantly, she was choked up, and she was sorry she’d laughed now. Flipping through the pages, she brought her hand over her already quivering lips as she saw the same thing scribbled in corners, on the top, and near the bottom. It was everywhere.

“I showed you my secret,” he whispered as he kissed her lips softly. “Now you tell me one of yours.”

Valerie turned to him as he stared at her so sweetly. She never would’ve believed this if he hadn’t shown it to her himself.

Clearing her throat and pulling herself together, she smiled. “I’ve been known to do the same thing.” She felt her face heat as she continued her admission. “I do different variations. Sometimes it’s ‘Valerie Moreno’ and other times it’s just ‘Mrs. Moreno.’ But I have my pretend signature down.”

His smile was so big and genuine. Those magnificent dimples took her breath away as he leaned in and kissed her tenderly.

“Good,” he said, pulling away. “Keep practicing because it won’t be pretend forever.”

She stared in his eyes almost afraid to comment on that, but before she could, his expression went a little more serious.

“Sal asked if you’d moved in with me.”

Once again she was rendered speechless. Was he actually suggesting . . .? She gulped, continuing to stare at him without saying a word. She dared not. He had to just be playing though she had practically lived at his place the past few weeks. But he couldn’t possibly be saying he wanted her to.

Without another word, he kissed her again softly then a little deeper. She felt him slide down slowly until she knew what he was up to. He was off the bed now on his knees, and he pulled her to the edge, already tugging at her shorts. Her entire body trembled, knowing what he was about to do to her. Once her panties were off, he spread her legs and slid her all the way to the edge of the bed. “Valerie Moreno, I love it,” he said, and in the next second she felt his warm tongue on her, making her arch her back in reaction.

~*~

Alex

Patience would never be his virtue. Alex stood outside Professor Davenport’s office. He was finally done with this shit and not a moment too soon. This had nearly cost him big time with Valerie more than once. If he could just get over this hurdle, he’d be home free, at least with his school stuff. He had enough in his life taking from his Valerie time. But this took up the most, so by default, it was the most annoying. He could hardly wait to walk into Davenport’s office a few days early and hand in his paper.