Never Forget (Memories #1)(8)
Author: Emma Hart

"She’s off to Bingo tonight. What happens when Gram goes to Bingo, Lexy? She comes back pissed as a coot." Bing laughs. "Good on her."

"I dunno then." I shrug. "I think she’s trying to set me up with Alec. Maybe the ‘help’ thing is just a ruse for that."

Bing taps his chin and muses it over. "You can see the garden from here, right?"

"Uh.."

He gets up and moves to the window. He slides the curtain across and pokes his head out the window. He comes back and sits down a minute later.

"You could do worse, Lexy."

"Gee, thanks," I retort, turning off the Kindle. Clearly, my brother has no intentions of leaving me alone.

"Just sayin’, sis. You need a boyfriend. You could do with loosening up a little." He winks and I chuck a pillow at him.

"That better not have a double meaning, Bing!"

"Would I ever?" He mock gasps and holds his hand to his chest.

I give him the ‘yeah, right’ look and he gives in.

"Okay, okay," he acquiesces. "I’m just sayin’ you could do with a bit of fun. I know you’re worried about your education but you’re not going to uni for like, seven weeks. Relax a little, yeah? Who knows, you could find a keeper."

"If I can’t find a decent guy in London, what makes you think I will in Devon?"

"Lexy, I only say it cause I care about you, yeah? Lighten up a little this summer. Have a little fun." He turns to the door and gives me a peace sign. I notice his trousers are hanging halfway down his ass.

"Pull your damn trousers up, you tramp!" I yell as he shuts the door.

"Suck it!" he yells back and I close my eyes.

Why is everyone on at me about lightening up?

~

I wake to the smell of bacon. My nose twitches as I sniff it, that glorious scent. I begin to climb out of bed when I’m hit by the thought that the pig providing my breakfast was most likely local.. Hmm.. My stomach rumbles and settles my internal argument.

Local pig or not, I need food, and Mr. Piggy is on the menu.

I yawn and open my door before padding down the stairs. I hear cutlery clanging and I stop dead in my tracks at the kitchen door.

Alec is cooking bacon. In my Gram’s kitchen.

"Uh," is all I can manage.

He turns and appraises me head to toe. My cheeks flame as I realise my satin shorts and top don’t leave much to the imagination.

At least I left my bra on last night. Thank heavens for small mercies.

"Morning," Alec says with a smirk.

"Morning," I say nonchalantly. Why am I so embarrassed? The guy has seen me in a bikini, and that’s practically underwear, right?

"Why are you cooking in Gram’s kitchen?" I ask him and jump up on the counter, swinging my legs.

"You’ve seen her on a Monday after Bingo, right?" He chuckles, a deep sound that resonates through my body. I suppress a shiver at it and chastise myself mentally.

Just because he’s hot does not mean I have to melt into a puddle at his feet!

"Uh, yeah.."

"Well, she’s usually hungover, and according to my Gran they both got a bit, uh, merry last night. So I called here and offered to do Vi breakfast."

"Is that a regular thing?"

"Every week." He chuckles again and plates up some bacon. "I still ring to ask every Monday though. Help yourself." He nods to a plate piled high and takes a sandwich up to Gram.

I shrug and hop down. I butter two slices of bread, add a healthy covering of ketchup and put some bacon between them. I cut it in half and lean back against the counter, taking a bite.

Sooooo good.

I moan slightly in delight and glance upwards – into Alec’s smouldering, blue grey eyes.

His eyes flick downwards and he looks at my lips.

"You have a little.." He points to the side of his mouth and I flick my tongue out, licking my lips slowly.

"Did I get it?" I ask innocently, controlling my smile at the way he can’t move his eyes away from my mouth.

Ignoring the crazy beating of my heart.

"No, no," he says in a low, husky voice. "It’s just.." He brings his thumb up and wipes across my bottom lip softly. I swallow and his eyes meet mine.

"Got it," he whispers, bringing his thumb to his mouth. His tongue flicks out and licks the ketchup off it and heat spreads through my body, setting my blood on fire.

I can feel my heart hammering against my chest as he searches for something across my face.

Someone clears their throat from the doorway and Alec steps to the side.

Bing’s eyes flick between us several times.

"Morning," he says and walks to the bacon. "Is this free?"

"Yeah, sure is," Alec says casually, as if he hadn’t just been caught gazing into my eyes by my brother.

"Wicked." Bing slaps up two sandwiches in thirty seconds flat and turns round, raising his eyebrows at me. "Alright, Lex?"

"Yeah. Just, going upstairs. Gotta call Jayna." I pick up the other half of my sandwich and leave the room. I practically run upstairs and push my door closed. I lean my head back against it, sliding down until I’m sitting on the floor.

Is it natural to feel so attracted to someone after only a few days? Well, I guess so. Attraction is instant, right? Feelings come after, when you know a person. And I so don’t know Alec like that yet.

So it’s attraction. Pure and simple.

Yeah.

Attraction.

That’s all.

ALEC

Lexy’s lips are soft, smooth, and just right for kissing.

I could tell that when I ran my thumb across her bottom lip, with her breathing slightly heavy. A thousand things ran through my mind.. Like how I couldn’t bring myself to sleep with anyone else knowing she was in town.

This has to stop. Soon.

Her face springs to mind. Flushed cheeks. Sparkling brown eyes. Lips slightly parted.

If I can do that with one touch of my thumb… I gotta know what I can do with my whole body.

I watch her as she leaves, walking with the just the right amount of wiggle in her hips. My eyes are drawn to them when Bing clears his throat.

”You do realise you just mentally undressed my sister right in front of me, don’t you?” His voice holds a bit of annoyance.

”Yep.” I figure honesty is best here.

”At least you can admit it.” He leans back against the counter and a small smile plays on his lips. ”I’m not blind, you’re as attracted as f**k to each other, but she isn’t your type.”

”How would you know what my type is?” I ask in a biting tone.

His eyebrows shoot up. ”You’re a player. You sleep around, leave girls wanting more then break their hearts. How do I know? I do the same. I’m not proud of it but I ain’t gonna settle down, not any time soon. Problem is, mate, is that the next thing on your to-do is my little sister. She doesn’t do that shit, you get me? She’s got her head screwed on right. She won’t fall for your tricks, she’s too smart.”