The Write Stuff (Write Stuff 1)

Lisa shook our hands after the cameras went off for another commercial break. She asked me to sign the book, and I promised her an advanced copy of Wicked Lonely when it was ready.

We waited around until after the show ended to sign the copies the studio audience had received. As we left the building, Alec slid his arm around me and I snuggled into his embrace that felt so right.

I had told Lisa during the interview that I would never pen the Alec and Nicole love story, but honestly, it would probably make a pretty decent read. We had everything a good romance story needed—a rocky beginning, a slow build to a budding relationship, several hurdles to overcome, and finally, a happily ever after. So, yeah, maybe one day I would sit down and put something together. I even knew what I would call it. After seeming like we were wrong for each other, as an author, only one title felt appropriate. The Write Stuff.

>"Do you love me?" I was sick of hearing excuses. If he couldn't answer that one question, then any more talk was pointless. My voice shook slightly, but I didn't look away from his eyes.

"More than what's probably healthy."

"And you expect me to trust you? You rejected me not once, but twice, indicating both times that I would somehow mess up your life. That's some heavy-ass baggage to lay on someone. I don't think I can be with you. I'd always be afraid you'd walk away at the drop of a hat." My words were raw and piercing. I had basically closed the door on a relationship with him. The thought nearly kneecapped me.

He looked thunderstruck, taking several moments to answer. "Babe, I know I don't deserve your trust, but I'm willing to show you. I'm not going anywhere. I've sucked at commitments in the past, pushing everyone away when they get close, but I want to fight for us. I believe in this. Please, let me prove it to you. Let me have the chance to woo you. To prove I want you in my life."

I almost caved. I wanted to so badly my knees trembled, but I held myself rigid. He'd already crushed my heart once. Another rejection might damage it beyond repair. "You want me in your life now, but what about six months later when you're neck deep in medical school and you begin to think I'm holding you back again?"

He stepped closer, placing my hand over his chest and holding it in place. "I can't see into the future, but I promise you that's not going to happen. This past month has been hell without you. I want you in every aspect of my life—in my bed, in my arms and next to my side. Will you let me prove it?"

His words took my breath away and my resolve began to crumble. I searched his eyes, seeing nothing but naked truth in them. After a long, hesitant pause, I finally nodded my head.

He pulled me tightly to his chest to capture my lips.

I placed my hands against him, holding him back. "Not so fast. You're going to have to prove it first, just like you said you wanted to do. No kisses, no intimate touching or anything else. I want to know that you want me, not just sex."

He smiled willingly. "Done. Should we shake on it?" He held out his hand and I eyed it before letting it engulf mine.

***

I lit another candle as my phone rang.

"So, what was today's delivery?" Olivia greeted me.

I shifted the phone to my other ear as I lit another candle. "Nine historical romance books. One for each time we made love," I answered, blushing as I recalled the note that had accompanied the package that had been dropped off earlier that day. For the last two weeks, Alec had showered me with gifts. One day it had been a dozen daisies for the number of weeks we'd known each other. Another day he sent a bag of Sour Patch Kids for the time I had confessed my weakness for them. Each delivery was left on my doorstep and always had a small note, reminding me of its significance. The wooing didn't end there. Alec would text me sweet messages during the day and spicy messages before I went to bed, ensuring that he would be the star of my dreams. I saved each note and text message, reading them over and over again. I fell a little more in love with him each day.

"Oh lord. That boy has got it bad," Olivia sighed. I knew she thought Alec and I had gone off the deep end, but even her fear of commitment couldn't break the bubble of happiness I seemed to be floating on. It wasn't the gifts or even the messages that Alec had bestowed on me. It was the other things, like the day he took me to the park to fly kites with him and Lily, or the morning he and I went to the zoo to see the peacocks. The best part was the late-night phone calls that seemed to last forever that won me over. Surprisingly, he'd stuck to his word and hadn't tried to touch me or kiss me since the party, but he had wooed me in every other way possible. Now, after two weeks, it was me who was ready to end the deal. I wanted him so badly it had begun to consume my every thought.

"It's sweet," I lamented, blushing again. Olivia just didn't know what it felt like to be in love. I stood up to turn off the lights, smiling at the flickering candles I had set around the room.

"So, I guess that means you're ready to get back on the Alec train. Admit it. You want his steam engine back in your station."

I snorted at her crude words. "Sheesh, Liv. You're worse than a guy."

"Ha, you wish, slutbag."

My doorbell rang before I could throw out my own term of endearment. "He's here. I'll call you tomorrow. "

"Fine, but at least let him walk in the door before you throw your panties at him."

I giggled like a schoolgirl. She wasn't that far off. "Can't make any promises. Love ya," I said, heading for my door.

"Love you too, even if you are a ho." She snorted with laughter, disconnecting the call.

Tossing the phone on the counter, I glanced in the mirror, smoothing my hair down one last time before pulling the door open.

He looked more gorgeous than should have been legal, but my feelings ran deeper than that. What I felt was as much affection as attraction.

"Are you ready?" He inhaled the scent of my candles that had filled my small apartment. "That smells good."

I nodded my head, knowing when he said "ready," he was asking about our date, but I wanted something else. I surprised him by reaching for his hand and slowly dragging him into my apartment.