Alexander Gonzales

The door shuts behind her and I stay in bed. Tangled up in the sheets that still smells like her. I force myself out of bed. That was the best fucking night I've ever had.

It should be easy to push it out of my mind, out of my system, like we said it would be. One night. That's all it was supposed to be. I should be able to go back to my life, focus on my business, and pretend that I didn't just spend the night with the one person I shouldn't have touched. But I can't.

She's everywhere. I can still feel her hands on me. The memory of her soft skin, the taste of her lips, the way she moaned my name, it's making it impossible to think about anything else.

I slide into the driver's seat of my car, gripping the wheel tight. I need to focus, there's work today. Thing I can't ignore. I shake my head forcing the thoughts aside, as I head to the warehouse. Christopher is probably already there, waiting.
He's always early. Always on top of the details I miss when I let my mind wander like this. Today I can't afford to wander. There's too much at stake.

By the time I've reached the warehouse, I've pushed Mia to the back of my mind. At least for a moment.
The industrial building brings me back to reality.

This is my world. The one I've built with blood and sweat. Mia doesn't belong here. She's too soft, too pure for this kind of life.
That's why I've pushed her away since the very start.

I step inside, greeted by the smell of oil and metal. Christmas is standing by the back wall, arms crossed, his sharp eyes tracking every movement in the room. He catches sight of me and raises an eyebrow.

"Late night?" He says his tone teasing. He definitely knows.

I grunt in response, not in the mood. "Not now, Chris."

He laughs, a short, low sound. "I'm not judging, man. Just making an observation."

I roll my shoulders, then move to look at some papers on the table. "We've got work to do."

Chris smiles fades, and he nods. He's more serious now. "Yeah. The shipments coming in today. We need to make sure everything goes smoothly. The last thing we need is a screw up like last time." He says.

The Malory of last time makes my blood boil. The last deal we were involved in almost went sideways when one of the new guys panicked.

"Who's handling security?" I ask, scanning the room.

"Vincent's team." Chris replies. I nod, trusting him to handle it. He knows how to keep things in line. And he's one of the few people I can rely on in this world.

We go over the details of the operation. The shipment is a big one, weapons for a client who doesn't like to be kept waiting. Everything needs to go perfectly, or we risk not just money, but our reputation. And in this world, reputation is everything.

"You seem...distracted." Chris says giving me a curious look.

I bite back a curse, he knows me too well. "I'm fine."

"It's her isn't it?" He asks already knowing the answer.

My jaw clenches, and I look away. I don't want to have this conversation with him again. Not now.

"Alex, come on. You know you can't afford to get involved with her." He says.

"I'm not involved." I snap, a little too harshly.
Chris raises his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But you're not acting like someone who's moved on."

I know he's right. Mia's not from this world. She's never seen the things we deal with. She's never had to look into the eyes of a man who's about to die. And I don't want her to. I don't want her anywhere near this life. But that doesn't change the fact that I can't get her out of my head.
For two fucking years she's been stuck in my head.

From the first day Amelia introduced us, she's been there. In the back of my mind. Every day. Every hour.

***

It's been days since that night. I push the papers in front of me aside. Running a hand through my hair in frustration. This was supposed to be simple. One night. That's it. But nothing about Mia is simple.

I grab my phone off the desk, my thumb hovering over her name in my contacts. That Girl.
I should delete it. But instead I find myself typing a message before I can stop myself.

Me: I need you...

It's short. Direct. Exactly what I'm feeling.
I stare at the screen for a moment, my thumb over the send button. Once I send this there's no going back. But I can't stop myself. I need her.
I press send.

I don't know why, I've done this many times, but my heart beats faster than ever. Am I nervous?

That Girl: Come over.

It's two simple words. And that's all it takes. I'm already out the door.

***

I stand outside her apartment. She opens the door, dressed in her cute pyjamas.
She looks nervous, looking back inside once. "My moms sleeping be quiet." She says then slips her hand in mine.
It fit just perfectly.

Pulling me inside, into her room. She locks the door.
"I know we agreed to not..." I start but before I can finish Mia is already kissing me. I guess I'm not the only one who's been craving this for days.
I give in. Fuck.

"Can you be quiet?" She breathes into my mouth. I pull her closer by the waist then nod.

"Take your clothes off." I order, and I feel her smile against my lips.

This woman is driving me crazy.

We all knew one time wasn't going to work... ;)