Lex (Unexpected, #5)

by Cora Rose

To my best friend Prosecco for making this a little easier and a lot more fun.

Lex, you snarky bitch. I drank copious amounts of wine to write this. You didn’t let your story unfold easily. But I gave you a happy ending anyway, asshole. You deserve it. So you’re welcome. You can thank me later.

Lexington Cavanaugh only cries when absolutely necessary. I have Teflon skin. I am a motherfucking lizard person.

The man nods and extends his hand out toward me. “Thank you. I’m Colin by the way.” I stare at his hand and then slide mine into his. “Lex. So very nice to meet you.”

When I stand back up, Colin is smiling softly at me and…oh, no. Nope. Not going there with this guy. This guy wants someone to raise his kid and be a daddy. I never had a dad, and I definitely don’t know how to be one. I will never be one.

I’m walking away when Colin stops me. “Hey, actually, would you like to exchange numbers? You know, just in case something happens with your grandma or mine.”

I pull out my phone and when we’re done swapping numbers, I stroll outside, waving goodbye to Ben who sits behind the check-in counter. His face flushes red when our eyes meet.

I don’t trust a person who can’t handle the responsibility of watering a real plant once a week.

“Everyone has emergencies, but you have to remember that an emergency on your part does not constitute one on mine.”

I use my finger to gently lift his chin and force his gaze to mine. “Was that your first kiss?”

William Bernard Walker, Lex is coming for you.

“Will you be done by the time I get back?” “Of course. I took my medication today. I am ultra-focused. Wild stallions couldn’t tear my focus away.” He squirms in his seat and then pulls out his phone, playing some game on there. Oh yes, the amazing ADHD medication he takes. I’m convinced that it works only half the time. If this is him on meds, you don’t want to see him without. I guess I should be happy he even made it over here and didn’t get side-tracked at the Jamba Juice. That’s happened before.

Hello there, William, all aggressive and murdery—it’s so contrary to the innocent milk act from earlier. It sort of makes me want to turn around and bend over for him. “Kiss me,” I whisper because I want to see if he tastes as good as he smells. He doesn’t even hesitate. He crashes his lips into mine and I grab the back of his neck and suck on his plump lower lip. “Open your fucking mouth,” I pant against him, and his lips part slightly. Such an obedient, angry man.

“I bet you did.” She leans into me. “Told you. Electric.” Well, she’s not wrong. William kisses like a sock puppet, but I still got hard as a rock.

I swear to all that is holy, I thought I was asexual. For thirty years I’ve walked through life not feeling any type of sexual interest in others.

He’s fire, and I’m a suicidal moth. I know he’s bad for me, but I can’t stay away.

“Oh, and before we begin, I have a little secret. I have piercings in places you can’t see right now. So, I suggest you look really hard. Don’t want to miss any of them.”

“Or you could stay, and we could practice some more. There is so much we could do. We could set aside our differences for just a while longer.” But the fog of my lust lifts just enough for me to think clearly. This man wants something from me. I just had my fingers up his ass, his tongue down my throat. I’m wearing his fucking clothes. And my ass is not waxed. I’m not ready. I am so not ready.

Good lord, I did not expect that amount of pain and humiliation from one visit. I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again. The lady took one look at the bush around my dick and smirked. She fucking smirked. Then she said she needed sunglasses from how bright my face turned. She thoroughly enjoyed humiliating me. I’m convinced estheticians are just sadists who learned how to turn their proclivities into a profitable business. When she asked me to bend over and spread my ass cheeks, I nearly died. But I did it anyways.

He won’t be kissing anyone else but me. His mouth is mine. His whole body is mine. I didn’t have parents and I never learned how to share.

“Do you have any other family?” he asks. “No. All I have is Emery and Brenda. And that’s all I need.” William sighs against me, his breath tickling my skin. “And me,” he whispers. Why, yes, it seems that I do.

Diablo hands me a file folder, slapping it down in my open palm. “Always, now let’s scare this bitch,” he says with an evil rub of his hands. He takes too much pleasure in other people’s pain. One day this kid is going to meet his match.

Diablo packs up his saws, and a few minutes later we’re making our way back outside, squinting in the bright morning sun. “Well, that was a lot of drama for a Tuesday. Were the saws really necessary?” I ask him. “I know,” he says. “But it made her take us seriously. And with my height and general appearance, I need the fucking saws, Lex.”

“Lexington, I don’t see anyone else when you’re around.” “Oh, fuck off.” “I’m serious. Why do you think I’ve never…done anything with anyone before?” His foot eases off the gas pedal and he quickly eyes me. “I wasn’t interested in anything like that until I saw you.”

“Who said I’d marry you?” I ask, arching an eyebrow at him. He glances up at me, those blue eyes of his so endearing, and I just melt. “Fine. If you insist. We will discuss details later.”

“Who’s going to love me now that she’s gone?” I whisper. William reaches over and clasps my hand. “Me, Lexington. Me. I will love you.”

Dear Lex, My sweet boy. The moment you walked into my life you were mine. I want you to know that I see you as my son, my grandson, a part of my heart. I love you dearly and have so enjoyed getting to know what a wonderful, bright, and caring man you are. So, take heart, be brave, and hold onto hope. You will find love again once I’m gone. You have been loved by me and you will be loved again by another. You deserve the world, Lex. Thank you for letting me be a part of yours. Love always, Brenda.