But I Never Promised You

Once the boys were out of the shower, they came back over.

I could tell today was going to be sweltering. It was ninety degrees already and it wasn’t even noon.

“Maybe Zack and Rian had a good idea going fishing. If they get too hot they can just jump in the water,” I said, fanning myself.

The air conditioning hadn’t completely cooled my apartment down yet.

“That’s a great idea, Mika.”

“What was?”

“Let’s go swimming!” Jack shouted.

“That’s a great idea!”

“Meet back here in ten?” Alex asked.

“Yeah. Conner and I should be ready by then.”

I watched Jack and Alex walk out the door before skipping to my bedroom and searching through my drawers for my cutest bikini.

***

It had only taken us an hour of driving, but we were finally here.

The beach.

I hadn’t been to the beach yet, even though, you would think anyway, that it would be one of the first things I would have done.

I spent pretty much the entire time we were there in the water chasing after Jack and Alex. They had so much energy today and I was thankful they were burning some of it off. It should be a calm night. Hopefully.

Conner mostly sat on the beach, claiming to be working on his tan and checking out the locals; looking for a girl, no doubt.

I didn’t question him. I was having too much fun.

After we had been there about two hours, Conner found us saying Rian was on the phone.

Alex dried off his hands and took the phone from Conner, “Hello?”

“Where are you guys?”

“We’re at the beach. It’s Mika’s first time. Did you guys catch any fish?”

“We caught a few, but none of them were big enough to keep. What time do you think you’ll be back?”

“It will probably be another couple hours. I think Mika wants to spend a little bit more time here and it takes an hour to drive back.”

“Okay. Have fun. We’ll see you later.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

Alex hung up the phone and set it back by his towel.

He looked at me briefly before running at me and throwing me over his shoulder.

“Put me down, Alex!” I screamed at him.

He just laughed and started running into the water, where he threw me a few seconds later.”

“Was that necessary?” I asked him.

“Completely,” he answered a smug look on his face.

I would get him back for this, as soon as I thought of how, I decided.

I could feel myself losing energy, so we left a little while later.

Conner drove us back and I sat in back with Alex, while Jack took the front seat.

I ended up falling asleep with my head in Alex’s lap.

***

I stirred awake just as we were pulling into the parking garage for our building.

“Are we here already?”

“Yeah. You were asleep for most of the drive.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re adorable when you’re sleeping.”

I blushed at Alex’s comment.

“What? It’s true.”

“I doubt that.”

“It is. Isn’t it, Jack?”

“Yeah.”

I had a hunch that Jack didn’t really know what was going on. He just agreed to whatever Alex was saying. He had a sort of vacant look on his face.

“Is something wrong, Jack?”

“No. I’m just thinking.”

“That’s weird for you.”

“I resent that! I think all the time.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

We all hopped out of the car and started walking up the steps to the apartment.

“What were you thinking about then?”

“Just stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“None of your business, Mika. Okay? Just drop it.”

“Okay. Fine. You don’t have to be a jerk about it though, Jack. I was just asking.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just stressed out right now.”

I walked over and hugged him. “I’m sorry, Jack. I wasn’t trying to be nosy.”

He hugged me back and smiled. “I know you weren’t, Mika. I was out of line. I’m sorry for yelling.”

“It’s okay.” I let go of him to unlock the door.

It wasn’t late, but I really just felt like having a night in, to myself.

“Guys, I’m feeling a little tuckered. I think I’m just gonna spend the night by myself. Is that okay?”

“Of course, Mika,” Jack said before walking into the apartment he shared with Alex.

Alex just nodded before walking over and giving me a hug, whispering, “Goodnight, Mika,” in my ear.

“Goodnight, Alex,” I whispered back.

After he stepped back, I reached up on my tip-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

“Of course you will. I’ll probably be banging on your door to wake you up.”

“Great,” I paused. “I think I’ve changed my mind Alex. You’ll have to come over. If I’m going to get woken up at ungodly hours, I want to be able to shut you up without moving all the way to the front door.”

He just chuckled and looked back and forth between me and Conner.

“It’s up to you, Conner. You can either stay with Alex and I, or you can have a guy’s night with Jack, Rian, and Zack.”

Weighing his options for each choice, he started walking for the door. “I think I’ll have a guy’s night. No offense little sis, but I don’t want to hear your sex noises.”

I gasped. “I’m not going to make sex noises. I’m not going to be having sex.”

He just stood there, silently laughing at my embarrassment.

“I hate you.”

“I know you don’t mean that, but I love you, too.”

I wasn’t going to deal with him anymore and I walked into my apartment. Not caring at all if Alex followed me or not.

I don’t know why, but I stopped in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. I felt strong arms wrap around me and instantly I felt calmer.

I couldn’t explain the way I felt around Alex. I mean, I barely knew him. It had been what, three days since I met him? I couldn’t remember, I knew it hadn’t been very many, but it felt like so much longer. Like time had slowed down for me to be with him. That sounded cheesy, even in my head.

I turned around to face him. “Hi, Alex.”

He smiled down at me. Curse my height, or rather, lack-there-of.

“What do you want to do tonight? I could go out and rent a couple movies and we could cuddle up on the couch like we did the other night.”

I smiled, but I really wanted to do something else.

“Can we do something else?”

“Sure, Mika. Anything you want.”

I paused. I was a little embarrassed to ask him. I could feel a blush creeping into my cheeks and I knew what he would immediately think of.

“No, I don’t mean what you’re thinking of Alex. It’s too soon for that.”

“Well, what is it then?”

“Will you sing for me?”

This is where he lost it. He was doubled over in laughter and of course my cheeks burned even more. I felt silly now for being embarrassed, but he wasn’t helping.

I wriggled out of his grasp and walked to the door. Opening it, I stepped out into the hallway, making sure I had my keys on me.

I did.

Looking back at my door, I quickly told myself that if he really cared, he would follow me and started down the stairs. I wasn’t even halfway down them before Alex rushed out, searching frantically.

Even with my short stature, he could still see the top of my head when he looked in my direction and starting jogging my way.

“Mika, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just, you looked so embarrassed. I didn’t figure you would be embarrassed about something like that. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have laughed at you.”

I had stopped on the landing and turned around to face him, seeing the regret in his eyes. I knew he was being sincere. I wasn’t sure how, but I could tell.

I walked up the few steps separating us and gave him a hug. “I forgive you. Can we go to the park instead?”

“Are you sure? I’d sing for you, if you want.”

I smiled. “Can you sing when we get back?”

“Sure.”

Alex softly ran his hand down my arm, sending shivers cascading through my body, before intertwining his fingers with mine.

On second thought…

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to go to the park anymore.”

He looked confused. “What do you want to do instead?”

“You’ll see,” I said as I started pulling him back towards my apartment.

Alex had pulled the door closed, but I noticed he hadn’t locked it, so I didn’t bother taking out my keys. I turned the knob, pushing the door open and pulling him inside.

Once we were both inside, I closed the door behind us.

I could tell Alex was still a little confused and I didn’t blame him, but I knew he wouldn’t be confused for much longer.

With my free hand, I reached up and ran my fingers over his cheek, biting my lip softly, nervous about his reaction. He seemed to take the hint. Tilting my chin up, his lips grazed mine. My eyes fluttered closed and I kissed him back.

I don’t know how I knew, but I could feel myself falling for Alex.

I broke apart from him, slightly out of breath. He smiled at me before leaning in close to me again, but I turned my head at the last second and he kissed my cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just realized something.”

“What’s that?”

“I never gave you an answer.”

“Answer?” he asked. “Answer to what?”

“The question you asked me the other night.”

He raised his eyebrow at me. Obviously, he still didn’t remember what question I was talking about.

“You know. When you asked me to be your girlfriend.”

Recognition crossed over his face, but I didn’t give him a chance to speak.

“Yes.”

His eyes got visibly bigger, like he was in shock.

I waved my hand in front of his face, trying and failing at snapping him out of it.

“I said yes. You know, as in I’ll be your girlfriend. If you still want me to be.”

That seemed to do it.

“Really?” he asked a bit over-excitedly.

Nodding, I replied, “Yes.”

He kissed me again and I felt my knees go weak. Very cliché, I know.

My arms wrapped themselves around his neck as his hands slid town my torso to my hips. He pulled me closer, so I was leaning against his chest. He was so warm and I seemed to fit perfectly against him. Absentmindedly, I buried my hands in his hair, pulling slightly, but holding his head to mine.

Carefully, he started moving me backwards, out of the kitchen.

I pushed him back gently, taking him by the hand and leading him past the living room.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “I’d wait if that’s what you wanted. I don’t want to pressure you.”

“You’re not pressuring me, Alex. Maybe,” I paused, “maybe Conner is right. I can’t help but want all of you. They already expect us to, anyway.”

“If anyone asks, I wanted to watch movies and cuddle on the couch. You started this whole thing.”

I felt a smile creeping over my face. He was so cute.

“Well, we could watch movies and cuddle on the couch instead. If that’s what you would rather do.”

He shook his head quickly. “Your idea sounds much more exciting. We can watch movies later.”

He closed the gap between us, again. He lowered his lips to mine and started leading me completely through the doorway. We made our way over to the bed carefully, Alex making sure I didn’t fall.

When I felt the back of my legs hit the bed, he stopped and looked at me, checking, once again, for confirmation. I just nodded at him.

He lifted his shirt over his head and I couldn’t help but touch him. He was a little hairy, but that was alright. It worked on him. On anyone else, I probably wouldn’t have liked it.

I started to take my shirt off, but he stopped me. I gave him a confused look, but apparently, he just wanted to take it off himself. He sensually slipped his finger under my left bra strap, sliding it off my shoulder.

I was sure he still felt like he was pressuring me into this, so I reached behind my back and unhooked it, sliding my arms out of the straps completely, letting it fall to the floor beside me.

“Wow,” he said, barely above a whisper.

I still heard him and bit my lip.

He seemed to realize then, that I wanted this as much as he did, because he gently pushed me backwards onto the bed.

I pushed myself fully onto it before pulling him on top of me.

Just as I was reaching down to unbuckle his belt, we heard a knock at the door.

Quickly getting dressed, I muttered, “This better be important.”