Only Human

Chapter 8

“Baby, we fell asleep!”

I stir awake to the sound of Alec’s voice and the feel of his chest beneath me, warm and steady, his fingers lazily stroking my back. When I open my eyes, his hazel gaze is on me. God, what a sight to wake up to.

I glance at the clock. Four p.m. “I should get tea in the oven.”

Before I can move, Alec pulls me into a kiss, rolling so I’m on my back with him leaning over me. “That can wait five minutes.”

His lips trail mine, then his eyes sweep down my body, fingers tracing my skin. “You have the most gorgeous breasts,” he murmurs, sliding lower until he cups me between the legs. I gasp. “And this…” His grin is wicked. “Now I’ve been inside you, Jess, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”

I smirk, wrapping my hand around his hard length, making him suck in a breath. “Funny. I was thinking the same about this.”

His grin matches mine. “Shower?”

“Yes.”

Alec lights up like a boy at Christmas.

---

The hot water cascades over me, soothing and perfect—until Alec’s arms slide around me from behind, his lips brushing my neck. I melt against him. With him, I feel safe. Naked. Seen.

His soapy hands trail down my body, teasing my breasts until my n*****s stiffen, then sliding lower. His fingers slip inside me, working me with devastating skill while his mouth captures my moans.

“I need to be in you, baby,” he whispers.

I brace my palms on the glass, spreading my legs. He enters me from behind in one deep stroke. Both of us gasp. It’s raw, urgent, overwhelming.

Then panic hits. “Babe—the condom!”

“I’ll pull out,” Alec groans, thrusting deep, steady. “I just need to feel you. All of you.”

His pace grows faster, his hand circling my c**t, and I shatter, screaming his name. He pulls out just in time, spilling against my thighs as the water washes us clean.

After, we cling to each other under the spray, tender kisses softening the rough edges.

---

Later, back in my room, I slip into fresh pink lace while Alec sits at the foot of my bed, jeans on but quiet, staring at the floor. Something’s wrong. I pull on his shirt and sit beside him, rubbing his back.

“You okay?”

He looks up, tortured. “You said earlier you wanted to be open with me. No secrets. I want that too.” His voice wavers. “Five years ago, my mom was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer. By the time they found it… she only had a three percent chance. She didn’t even make it two years.”

My heart breaks. “Oh, Alec…”

Tears brim in his eyes. “The worst part? My dad. They’d been fighting for years. When Mom got sick, I begged him to stay. He told me I was old enough to be the man of the house. Then he walked out. Left me to watch my mom die alone.”

Tears spill freely now. I climb onto his lap, cradling his head against my chest. “I’m so sorry. No one should go through that, especially at sixteen.”

When his sobs quiet, he lifts his face. Red eyes. Raw pain. But then he strokes my cheek with trembling fingers. “I felt numb for years, Jess. You’re the first person I’ve cared about since her. I love you.”

The words steal my breath. But they feel right. True.

“I love you too, Alec.”

Relief flashes across his face before passion takes over. He flips me beneath him, kissing me fiercely. Urgent. Needy. He pushes into me without hesitation, hard and fast, his hands clasping mine above my head. His moans in my ear fuel my own cries until we both unravel together, tangled in each other.

After, he presses his forehead to mine, breathless. “I love you so much, Jess.”

“I love you, Alec.”

We stay locked together, unwilling to let go.

---

Dinner is late, but worth it. Roast lamb, wine, laughter. Alec teases me about being a “sexy albino,” and I whack him with a pillow until we collapse into kisses. He shows me an old Halloween photo of himself as Frank-N-Furter, fishnets and all. I laugh so hard I cry.

For the first time, he talks about his friends, about Finn, about his heritage. Italian. Dutch. Native American. He invites me to see his place tomorrow.

By the time we curl up for bed, Alec spooning me tight against him, I know it deep in my soul: this isn’t just lust, or a fling. This feels like destiny.

My soulmate.