Page 52 of Mutual Discord

“I can do that,” I objected as he pulled up the app on his phone. But Alex ignored me, instead handing his phone to me to enter my address. With a resigned sigh, I complied.

“Come on,” he said, his hand landing on the small of my back as he herded me toward two sets of double doors on one end of the arena. “I’ll wait with you until it arrives.”

We stopped by a roundabout drive at the back of the building. The air was crisp for my thin Arizona blood, although a quick glance at my phone told me it was only sixty-nine degrees. The sounds of downtown Phoenix echoed about us, but we were tucked away from the fray. Tucked away and very much alone.

“Thank you for inviting me to the game tonight,” I said, striving for a cavalier tone. “I had a lot of fun.”

“Even though you were spotted in the background of my viral video?” Alex lifted a brow.

“Oh, I forgot about that.” I tapped the tip of my nose as I feigned contemplation. “Maybe I spoke too soon.”

“Traviesa,” Alex growled, hooking his arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his chest.

I was so surprised by the ease of the move, and then by how incredible it felt to be held close against him, that I didn’t say anything. Couldn’t say anything.

“I’m glad you came, Sofia.” His embrace tightened. “It was nice to show you this part of my life, and everyone loved you. I knew they would.”

With my heart thudding wildly in my throat, I was unable to formulate a response.

“Plus, I always have a good time when we hang out. You’re the smartest and funniest woman I know,” Alex continued, still not releasing me.

“Surely not the smartest,” I managed to force out, and I was elated with my effort when he chuckled. “Your sisters sound pretty amazing.”

Alex released a long breath that fluttered the hair at my temple. “They’re pains in my ass.”

“Surely you mean smart, funny pains in your ass.”

“No,” he said firmly, startling a laugh out of me. “I don’t mean that, but I appreciate you defending them. They would love you.”

I was pretty sure I would like them, too.

He pulled back slightly, and I lifted my head to look at him. “If Camila or Elena were to come visit, would you be interested in meeting them?”

I smiled. “Of course. If only to watch them give you hell.”

“You’re ruthless,” Alex growled, his hands suddenly moving to my sides, where he skirted his fingers up and down, sending me into a laughing fit.

Because what Alex didn’t know was that I was horribly ticklish, and I immediately shrieked, twisting and turning to get out of his grip. But Alex held tight, his laughs almost drowned out by my cries.

“Stop,” I whined between hysterical giggles. “You’re not playing fair, Alex.”

“Ay, fine,” he grumbled, ceasing his tickling…although I was still caught within his embrace.

We both seemed to recognize our intimate position at the same time because while my pulse kicked up into overdrive, Alex’s pupils expanded and all traces of humor bled away. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, and I could only stare up at him, caught in his mesmerizing velvet stare.

“Sofia,” he breathed, dragging me closer. Without even realizing it, my palms pressed against his chest, but instead of pushing him away, my fingers curled into his shirt.

I seemed to watch the scene unfold from above—the way his head dipped toward me, his stormy eyes hungry on mine. At the same time, I was completely grounded in my body, my skin abruptly too tight and the taste of his breath dancing across my lips. Remembering why this was a bad idea, why I shouldn’t kiss Alex—as I so desperately wanted to—felt almost impossible because my brain was filled with thoughts of getting as close to him as possible. So as he loomed nearer, I gave in to the urge and closed my eyes.

“Hey, excuse me! Are you Sofia?”

The gasp that slipped between my lips rang in my ears, and I stumbled back so quickly, I would have tumbled to the ground if it wasn’t for Alex gripping my shoulders. I blinked up at him, confused, before turning to spy a blue sedan parked on the curb, the passenger window rolled down and the driver craning his neck to look at us. Apparently my Lyft had arrived.

Gently pushing away from Alex, I bobbed my head, ignoring how it exacerbated my dizziness. “Yeah, that’s me. Sorry,” I added, a flush sweeping up my neck and over my cheeks.

Stepping away, I smoothed my hands down my thighs, greedily sucking air into my lungs. On shaky legs I walked to the car, reaching for the door handle before Alex pushed my hand away. I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes, instead focusing my gaze on his throat, where his Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Thanks again for coming, Sofia,” he murmured, holding open the door for me.