23. Waking up slow

Alec's chest pressed against my back, his arm clamped around my waist and his legs intertwined with mine. Carefully peeling him off, I slipped out of bed so I could use the bathroom and caught my feet in a pile of clothes on the floor.

The air in the room was stifling. Alec must have felt it too and stripped down to his boxers in the night. I lifted the duvet ever so slowly, and tilting my head to the side, admired every ridge, curve and dip of his toned chest, stomach and legs. His plump lips were slightly parted, and his long thick eyelashes fanned out on his relaxed face. I contemplated climbing back into the comfort of his arms so I could trace each one with my finger and feel his full lips on my skin.

Alec groaned in his sleep. I dropped the duvet and fled to the bathroom. When finished in there, I popped my head round the side of the curtain to check the weather. The rain had stopped, and we were back to a morning with bright blue skies and blistering heat. Sunday's downpour had done little to cool the air.

In my haste, I hadn't forgotten to pack my sports bra or some cycling shorts. I did, however, forget to take some comfortable running shoes. I changed and crept into the farmhouse and up into Chloe's room. Maybe I would get lucky and she wore the same shoe size as me or at least only half a size out. I doubt Mrs Hart even owned trainers, so there was no use looking for a pair from her. If my search failed, I would have to resort to wearing my converse and put up with blisters for the next couple of days.

I needed to run, and my shoes were the least of my problems.

Luckily for me, Chloe had a pair of size five, pink Nikes neatly tucked in the bottom of her cupboard which she wouldn't miss while still camping.

I tiptoed down the stairs and set off for a much-needed run to clear my head.

An hour later, panting and covered in a thin layer of sweat, I returned to the annexe.

A shirtless Alec leant against the closed fridge, downing a glass of orange juice. I watched his Adam's apple bob up and down with each gulp, and I wanted nothing more than to run my hands over his pecs and kiss up from his collarbone to his ear lobe.

Flustered, I caught the tip of my trainer on the doormat and stumbled into the room. I would have landed on my knees but at the last second, grabbed for the door frame and awkwardly did a half fall to the side.

Alec slammed his glass down and sprinted to help me up. "What was that?" he laughed.

"Jelly legs from running." I brushed my thighs with the palms of my hands and took a few steps away from Alec. I needed a cold shower and fast.

Alec strolled back to the fridge and poured another glass of juice that he handed over. "Why didn't you wake me? I would've run with you."

His tousled dark hair and the way he smiled as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes made my belly do somersaults. I was going to kiss him today. I didn't know when, but it wouldn't be while I was sticky and stinking from my morning exercise.

"You looked so peaceful, I didn't have the heart to wake you up." I cast my eyes towards the stairs. "I'm-, I'm going to jump in the shower." Gulping my drink, I peered over the rim of the glass to get one more glimpse of him.

He nodded. "Meet me in the house. I'll get breakfast ready."

After my shower, I joined him in the farmhouse's kitchen. Concentrating on her colouring-in, Lily sat at the breakfast bar. She furiously scribbled a green crayon on the bottom of a piece of paper.

I walked up to her, placed my hand on her chair and admired her work.

Lily lifted her head. "Do you like it? Need to add animals. It's a zoo!" Next, she picked up a pink crayon and pressed it hard into the paper and repeatedly circled it round until she had a sphere with two pointy ears and a squiggly tail.

"Is that a piggy?"

She screwed her face up and shook her head. "No, silly. It's a hippopotamus. They don't have pigs at our zoo."

I took the seat next to her and laughed, "Silly me."

Alec put a plate of scrambled eggs on toast in front of me and a cup of tea. "Mum and Lily are heading to the zoo today. What do you want to do? I'm all yours." His voice dropped, and he winked as his hand brushed mine.

I couldn't suppress the giggle that escaped my lips.

"Well, I was thinking, I should look for a job. Even if it's temporary." I squirted ketchup over the top of my breakfast, cut it up and took a large mouthful.

Alec happily tucked into his own plate of eggs. "I can help you look and drive you to wherever you need to go."

We finished our food and stacked our plates into the dishwasher. His mum waltzed into the room, gave us all a kiss good morning and packed Lily's drawing away. They would stop for breakfast on the way to the zoo, so rushed out the door.

***

Alec and I spent the morning looking online for any local jobs. It was pointless. The ones I was qualified for had been filled by the time I rang. I couldn't sit around and wait for one to fall into my lap, so I asked Alec if he could drive to local restaurants. I might have more luck with smaller businesses that advertised in their shop windows.

Hopefully, my year waitressing in a French restaurant would work in my favour. With no car and not wanting to rely on Alec to chauffeur me around, I aimed for locations on a bus route or within walking distance.

At our seventh restaurant, the hostess advised us to try again at the end of the summer. Most places were filled with university students looking to earn extra morning while out of school.

As we headed to Alec's car, we spotted a small cafe to grab a bite to eat. My stomach hurt with hunger, my plate of scrambled eggs long forgotten.

"You only started looking this morning, don't look so deflated. We can try again this afternoon," he said as he pushed the door to The Tea Spot open.

A dozen heads glanced up as the bell interrupted their chattering. Once the door closed behind us, they returned to their conversations.

"I know." I squeezed through to a table in the back and waited for Alec to order for us.

The cafe was more of an English tea shop with bunting draped across the window and floral print tablecloths on each table. Porcelain plates in blues, yellows and pinks adorned the walls.

"Nattie, come over here. They're hiring," he yelled over the busy shop as he waved a small white sign in the air.

Scrapping my chair against the floor, I weaved between the tables until I could read the writing. Urgent help needed.

A petite brunette, in a pale blue apron with a pink rose print, darted around behind the counter, placing toasted tea cakes and cups of tea onto a serving tray. Her cropped curly hair bounced with each movement.

"Be with you both in a minute," she said before fixing a smile on her face to deliver the food and drinks at a nearby table.

She wiped her hands with her apron. "What can I get you today?"

I picked up the sign to show her. "Are you still looking for someone?"

"Any experience?" She gave me a quick once over with her hard black eyes as she filled her tray back up with cake slices and cappuccinos.

"I worked a year as a waitress in a restaurant in the south of France. Mainly covered the evening shift but have done the lunchtime rush and been involved in a few of their events. I'm a fast learner," I said while fidgeting with my hands.

"Great. Well, I need someone to start ASAP for the morning shift. The last girl pulled out with no notice, and I'm now left short-staffed. As you can see, we're busy today with a coach trip from the retirement home. We get them at least three times a week. In the morning, it gets busy with the builders who want their morning cuppa and bacon butty. Think you can handle it?" She slid her tray across the top of the counter and motioned with her head for me to take it. "This is for table eight. It's the one near the window with the pink-haired lady."

Without hesitating, I grabbed the order and made my way to the group. I arranged each item in front of their rightful owner, flashed my best smile, and sauntered back to the counter.

"First test passed. Next, can you start tomorrow morning for the opening shift? I'll be here to show you the ropes. Doors open at eight am, but I need you here by twenty to eight at the very latest." Her hands on her hips, she scanned the room before her gaze landed back on me. Her features were closed off, and I couldn't tell if we would get on but I would do everything to turn that around.

"Yes, I can start then." I looked at Alec, who beamed from ear to ear as he gave an encouraging nod. "I'm Nat." I thrust my hand forward, waiting for her to take it.

She shook my hand and gave the briefest of smiles. "Layla. You can wear your own clothes. Make sure it's practical and you'll want to stick to flat shoes. What you're wearing now is great. I'll have an apron waiting for you in the morning."

Following my short interview, Alec and I ordered our food and found somewhere to sit in the busy tearoom. Tomorrow, I would be the one running around after everyone and the idea of being back in work thrilled me.

With my job search out the way, we had the rest of the day free to enjoy the Hart's swimming pool. Alec honestly thought I would have packed my swimming costume and after pointing out it was the last thing on my mind when I left home, I went to Chloe's room to borrow one of hers.

While I bent over on the floor, searching through the bottom drawer of her dresser, I heard the door swing open and someone throw themselves on the bed.

I leapt out of my skin. With my hand on my heart, I jumped up and spun round to face the intruder. It turns out, I was the intruder.

"What are you doing going through my stuff?" Chloe asked, her expression blank as she picked her fingernails.

"What are you even doing home? Thought the camping trip wasn't over until tomorrow?" I knelt back down and continued my search. "Need to borrow a swimming costume."

Chloe climbed off the bed and nudged me with her hip. "Move, I'll find one. Not sure I have a bikini top bigger than an A cup. Mum's cupboard might be better." She rummaged through her drawers until she found a couple of options for me to try on.

I stepped behind the white foldable screen divider, in her room, to try on a deep V-neck rust coloured bikini. "You didn't answer my question. Why are you back already and how did you get here?" No amount of tugging on the material over my chest would minimise the plunge effect.

"Jo didn't want to stay after James got in a fight with Max last night. So he drove us both home this morning. I was happy to go, anyway." I stilled at her words and tried to hide my shock as I stepped out to show her the bikini. "Blimey, not that one unless you want Alec to feel uncomfortable the whole time," she laughed as I stuck my tongue out and scrunched my nose.

My second option was a white one-piece with black vertical stripes on the lower half and horizontal ones over the bust. The neckline scooped down to just above my belly button but laced back up to keep both sides together. "I hope James didn't fall out with his brother because of me."

Chloe shrugged her shoulders as I twirled round. "That one looks nice. To be honest, Max had it coming."

***

Alec swam laps while he waited for me in the pool house. Sitting on the steps that led to the deep end, I watched each muscle on his back tense as his body tore through the water.

As he made his way towards me, a subtle smile adorned his lips. He wrapped his arms around my waist and dragged me further into the pool. I had no other option but to wrap my legs around him as he pulled me close, my hands resting on his shoulders so I could steady myself.

"You took forever. I like this." He lifted the thin spaghetti strap of my swimsuit and pinged it against my skin.

His eyes travelled my face and the smile he wore faded. Our bodies flush against each other caused my heart to beat faster. I swallowed the lump in my throat. His hands moved excruciatingly slow around my middle and caressed my skin as they inched further up my body until one of them found its way into my hair.

Heavy footsteps, followed by a splash, tore us apart. "What is she doing here?" Alec muttered as he sank down into the water until it skimmed his chin.

Chloe's head popped out of the pool, and she wrung her hair out. "Alright, not disturbing you two, am I?" she smirked.

"Why are you home? Why can't you annoy Ben instead?" Alec skimmed his hand across the water and flicked it up to spray his sister.

"I'm just home okay and Ben's probably off with some girl. Why, what did I interrupt?" Chloe deadpanned and not waiting for an answer, fled in a back crawl.

Alec shook his head and stretched his arm out to brush it up my thigh until it settled on my hip.

"Yeah, what did she interrupt?" I dipped my mouth under the water and filled my cheeks. As Alec came nearer, I squirted it out onto his chest.

His hands clasped my shoulders, and water rushed over me as I plunged under the surface.

"Oh, you're going down, Hart."

Alec laughed as he dodged out of my grasp. Not being able to catch him, I repeatedly splashed the pool water into his face. When I had him cornered, I latched onto his back and locked my legs around his waist.

"I have you now," I whispered with my mouth close to his ear.

Alec tightened his grip around my arms and turned his head until we were in an intimate stare down. "That you do."

Chloe stayed in the pool with us the whole afternoon and then sat between us as we ate dinner and watched a movie. I loved this girl like a little sister, but sometimes she was so clueless. Alec hinted at every opportunity that she must have better things to do. Chloe, however, claimed she was bored and wanted the company. Any other day would have been okay, just not today.

One of Dr Hart's medical conferences ran late. So Lily and her mum came home from the zoo and popped out again for dinner at a friend's house. Lily was having a sleepover there, so Sarah didn't need to rush home. We still had no idea where Ben had spent the day. Even home, he would have locked himself in his bedroom. We could have had the evening to ourselves if Chloe wasn't so intent on third-wheeling us.

Eleven pm and my first shift at my new job started the next morning. I didn't want to be the one to call it a night, but I didn't know how much longer I could stay awake.

Chloe must have felt the same as she stretched her arms above her head and let out a yawn.

Alec's head snapped up, and he smiled. His eyes met mine and for the first time that evening, he looked optimistic.

"Right, I'm off." Chloe patted the seat beside her and strolled out of the annexe.

I leant into the corner of his sofa and watched Alec set our cups and popcorn bowl into the kitchen sink. He spun round and rested against the counter to stare. Our gaze locked on one another, neither one of us wanting to look away.

With a surge of adrenaline, I placed my feet flat on the floor and inched myself closer to where he stood, never dropping my eyes. "Are you done now? Can we stop walking on eggshells?"

Alec pushed off the side to meet me halfway. "What do you mean?" he said, his voice husky.

"Are you going to kiss me, already?"

Alec beamed, causing his dimples to appear and his mesmerising green eyes lit up.

"Bossy." His hand snaked around to my lower back, and his gaze swept across my face. He sank his teeth into his bottom lip, making my stomach flip inside out.

Weaving his fingers in my hair, he pulled my face close until our lips were a breath away. My gut tightened and I held my breath. Almost there.

"Alec-" the door of the annexe flew open and crashed against the wall-, "you need to come now. Ben has some crazy girl in the house that won't leave." Chloe panted as she stood in the doorway.

The gap between our lips felt like miles away. He squeezed his eyes shut and huffed. "You've got to be kidding me." His hands left my hair, and he gave my forehead a quick peck. "Hold that thought, okay. I'll be back soon. Don't fall asleep."

My heart sank. We were so close, yet something else had to interrupt our moment.

"How many times have I told him to watch out for the ones with crazy eyes?" He muttered to Chloe as he stomped off to the farmhouse.

Thirty minutes later and I sat on the same spot on the sofa, waiting for Alec. My eyes could barely stay open. I climbed up the stairs, showered and perched on the end of his bed for another ten minutes. Still no sign of him. I thought of walking over to the house to check up on them, but at this point, my body wouldn't move.

Not being able to wait any longer, I peeled the duvet back and snuggled down under it. I fought sleep as much as I could, but the longer I stared at the door, the harder it was to stay awake. The last thing I remember was checking my phone as it neared midnight.

***

So close yet so far away. I imagine Nat and Alec

are pretty frustrated at this stage.

I love feedback from my readers and

if you liked this chapter,

a vote and comment would be appreciated.

Have you ever fallen or had a crush on a friend?

How did it work out for you?

Happy reading,

Clara ❤️