25. Candy floss kisses

"Worth the wait," he said, his voice hoarse and we both laughed. Alec placed soft kisses upon my lips and cheeks as he held my face.

My hands trembled as I rested them on his shoulders. "Definitely worth the wait," I chuckled.

Pulling me flush against his chest, he nestled into my neck and took a deep breath in. "I don't think you realise how long I've waited to do that."

With my ear over his heart, I listened to the soothing thump of each heartbeat. My eyelids closed as his fingers tangled into my hair.

"You're happy. She's happy. Can we just get going and stop with this cheese-fest already? Kids are watching." Finn huffed, but as I peered over, he grinned. Finn set a hand on my arm, then on Alec's and gave us a slight shake. "Joking aside. It's about bloody time, man. All he talks about, at uni, is Nattie this and Nattie that. Might finally give us all a break."

Alec lightly punched his shoulder, causing Finn to laugh as he took a step back. "Did not."

Alec looked down with the stupidest grin plastered on his face, his emerald-green eyes gleaming as they held mine. We followed our friends into the Arcade, swerving to the side as two boys tumbled out of the door with a reel of tickets won on the games in hands.

The group congregated around one of the video games, Sian and Andy's attention on a round of Mario Kart GP, as they screamed at the screen. James rubbed the base of Sian's neck, and she swatted him away. Andy jumped as his character won the race, leaving a sullen Sian to pout in James' embrace.

Sian popped her chin on her boyfriend's shoulder, and as soon as she spotted me, pushed him to the side. The frown on her face vanished. She linked her arm in mine and pulled me towards an empty Pac-Man game, leaving Alec with the others.

She slotted her coins in the machine and started to play. "Soooo? Tell me everything. I saw that kiss. Ugh, I thought it would be weird watching you two together, but even I have to admit it-wow." Sian kicked the base of the box as a ghost touched her yellow character.

"You saw that?" I asked, not able to hide the smile on my face.

"We all did. He wasn't exactly discreet." Bumping her hip with mine, Sian tumbled to the side, losing another life. "Nat! Look what you made me do."

"You guys didn't leave our side for a second. Desperate times," I laughed as she rolled her eyes. "Sian, it was amazing. Don't take this the wrong way, but I want to ditch you all so we can just keep kissing." My hand involuntarily raised to my lips as I replayed our first kiss.

The Game Over sign flashed on the screen, causing Sian to curse under her breath. She turned around and leant against the arcade game. "You have it bad. Just think, first kiss this afternoon and first shag tonight."

My eyes bugged out of my head. "Sian!" She was unbelievable.

"What? You live with the guy. What do you think's gonna happen when you share a bed? You're not kids anymore."

"No, we're not, but that doesn't mean it has to go so fast. We can wait a bit." I bounced on my toes and glanced over to Alec. Would he be expecting us to take the next step so soon? I shook my head, answering my own question. Of course not. It was Alec. He would never do something I wasn't ready for. I wanted to take my time with Alec. Savour every moment.

Sian pushed off the machine and nudged me to move forward. "Sure. That's what they all say."

As we strolled back up to the group, Alec automatically tucked me into his side, never having to glance away from the video screens. We stood watching James and Andy compete against each other for a few rounds.

Alec stretched his arms. "Well, we better look for Lily and Chloe. They've been gone a while." His fingers hooked into the belt loop on my jeans, and he tugged me towards the door, so I had no choice but to follow him. Not that I wasn't willing to spend every second we were there with him.

We strolled down the pier, neither one of us genuinely looking for his sisters. As we passed between two refreshment stands, Alec gripped my waist and thrust my back against the closed wooden side of one of the stalls.

My breathing came out ragged as I anticipated his kiss. As if he had all the time in the world, his knuckles drifted over my cheeks, along my jaw, until he cupped my face. "You're so beautiful, Nattie. My Nattie," he whispered, his gaze completely focused on me and nothing else.

He lowered his head, and his lips were soft and tender against mine. I clenched my stomach as another wave of flutters crashed over me. He pressed his chest on mine, his hands made their way under my top, burning my bare skin as they trailed up my spine.

Taking the kiss deeper, my fingers curled through his silky soft hair as I stood on the tip of my toes to get closer. We were never close enough. Goosebumps spread across my skin, our mouths becoming more and more urgent.

Alec broke the kiss first, and I stared up to take in his handsome features. Brushing my thumb over his swollen pink lips, his heavy-lidded eyes momentarily closed, then they were back on my face. "My plan worked. We lost everyone," he laughed.

I buried my head into his neck and giggled. "You idiot. Come on, shouldn't we really look for your sisters?"

Alec placed feather-light kisses along my throat, under my ear. "I want to stay here and keep kissing you. They can wait," he said between kisses. Warmth spread through me as he trailed down to my collarbone.

A whispered moan escaped my mouth. "I want the same." I grabbed his jaw between my hands and planted a hard kiss against his lips. "But we need to go."

***

I floated on a euphoric cloud of bliss as we ambled through the pier, hand in hand. The sun warmed my skin, music from the rides drifted through the gentle breeze. Even the seagull cries brought a smile to my face.

We found Chloe and Lily stumbling out of the Waltzers, Chloe looking a subtle shade of green as Lily sported crimson red cheeks. Lily wrapped her hand around my wrist as she swayed from side to side, describing every ride they had been on since they left us.

As we passed a burger stand, Alec stopped and made us have something to eat. We found a quiet corner, near the end of the pier, to perch on. Lily barely touched her food as word after word tumbled from her mouth. At this point, I had to question if she was even breathing, she talked so fast.

Chloe, in contrast, was silent as she picked at her bun. She sighed, looking towards the sea. I shuffled over and poked her side with my elbow. "You okay, Chloe?" I whispered so Alec couldn't hear us. Not that he could have with Lily still in full-blown conversation.

She straightened up, rolling her shoulders. Her eyes glistened as she peered over. She ran her fingers under them. "Yeah. Not hungry," she croaked.

I clasped my lips shut, fighting the urge to call her out on her blatant lie. My eyebrows involuntarily raised, giving away how I felt. Chloe leant in close. "Please, Nat. I don't want Alec to know."

"Is this still about Finn? Has something else happened?"

She nodded and put her finger to her lips. She gestured towards one of the stands, away from her siblings. I stood up and wiped my palms on my jeans. "Chloe and I are going to get some drinks. Be back in a second."

I bent over and planted a chaste kiss on the corner of Alec's mouth and froze as Lily squealed, "Nat loves Alec." I screwed my eyes shut, heat creeping up my neck. When I opened them, Alec's mouth was curved into a smile as he ruffled her hair.

"Sorry," I mouthed as I walked away with Chloe.

"So you and Alec have stopped pussyfooting around each other. Please, don't be one of those gross couples that are all over each other. I don't want to see that, especially with my brother." She winced and ordered a couple of sodas and a water from the stall.

I chewed on my thumbnail as I watched Alec tickling his younger sister as she teased him. "We're not gross. It was a small peck."

"Please, he walks around with heart-shaped eyes whenever someone mentions your name, and you're just as bad."

I shook my head and smiled to myself. "Finn. Tell me what he's done."

She pulled her phone out of her pocket to unlock it. She tapped on the screen for a few seconds and handed it over. I scanned the dozen messages exchanged between her and Finn, the last one making my eyes widen. "What a piece of a-"

"Nat, I'm only showing you this because you promised not to tell Alec."

"You need to tell your brother. I don't know if I can keep this from him. Please don't make me. He can't stay in your house and use you and Abigail like this. She deserves to know as well. She's my friend."

"But I'm also your friend, and you promised."

"Why are you covering for him? He kissed you, went off with Abigail, but then sends you messages asking to meet in secret. It's not right. I won't tell Alec because you will. I love you, Chloe, like my little sister, and I won't let you get hurt like this." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Don't be scared of Alec punching him because I will do it myself," I said through gritted teeth.

"Fine. I'll tell him but let me do it in my own time," she snapped, grabbed the drinks and stalked back to where we sat.

I shoved my fists deep into my pockets and marched behind her. After our break away from the group, we returned to the Arcade, forcing Chloe and Lily to stick with us.

Abigail hunched over a pinball machine as we entered the building. Finlay stood next to her. They were laughing, and he fulfilled the image of the attentive boyfriend as he stroked her lower back and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. My stomach twisted as Chloe's secret settled there. How could I stand back and watch him play Abigail?

I released Alec's hand and walked towards them. Chloe clutched on to the crook of my arm. "Not now, Nat. Please."

If not now, when? The longer I held on to that secret, the longer I betrayed my friend. Nevertheless, a promise was a promise, and I wasn't one to break them. I clenched my teeth and let out an audible sigh. "Okay."

I seized her hand and led her to an air hockey table, away from Finn. Alec hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Winner gets a kiss?" he murmured into my ear. His hot breath against my skin tickled, and I stifled a laugh. A wave of irritation from reading Finn's messages lingered in my gut. I refused to let it ruin my time with Alec.

I twisted around and wrapped my arms around his neck. Standing on tiptoes, I brushed my lips against his. "Deal."

***

We left the Amusement Park a little before nine pm. We caught the sunset on our last ride of the Ferris Wheel. Sian stayed silent as a blood-red sun plunged into a peaceful sea. The sky turned from yellow to pink and blended into a deep purple. A phosphorescent glow illuminated the water below the pier, reflected from the rides. It was mesmerising. I held on to Alec tighter as we reached the highest point, never wanting to forget this moment.

On the car ride home, Lily fell asleep, her head stuck to the side of her car seat, her mouth wide open. Chloe was glued to her phone the entire journey. When we arrived back at the house, she slammed her car door and stormed off. The noise never woke Lily. Alec unclipped her from her seat and carried her up to bed. "Why don't you go into the annexe. I'll only be a minute. I want to talk to stroppy pants."

"Go easy on her. She's not having the best of times."

I combed my damp locks as Alec opened his bedroom door. "You washed?" He held me close and planted a lingering kiss on my lips. "I would have come with you," he whispered into my neck, his husky voice sending tingles on my skin.

Playfully, I shoved his shoulder. "You wouldn't have. Slow down, Romeo." Sitting on the edge of his bed, I ran my comb through my hair before securing it into a loose braid.

"Guess it's just wishful thinking," he chuckled as he yanked his T-shirt and shorts off, leaving him in a tight pair of black boxers. My hands stilled as I went to tie the end of my plait. As he lifted the fabric over his head, his perfect, flat stomach tensed. His boxer briefs were dangerously low on his hips, and it took everything in me to look away. Alec knew that too as he strolled into the bathroom, spun around right before he closed the door and winked.

I threw myself on the mattress, buried my face in my palms and groaned. If I was braver, I would have followed him.

I had just enough time to check myself over in the mirror before Alec stood at the end of the bed, his hair slicked back and wet from his shower. Disappointment flowed through me as he covered up with a grey vest. I tugged my skimpy sleep shorts down, feeling self-conscious as his gaze swept over my exposed skin.

I wandered up to him, grabbed the towel out of his hand and lightly ran it over his scalp. He settled down on the edge of the bed and pulled me onto his lap. His hair was now messy, just how I liked it.

"Does this feel a little weird?" I blurted out as I dropped the towel to the floor and toyed with the hair on his nape.

"If it's weird, it's the best kind of weird." Alec reached out, his fingers drifting across my face and over my lips. "Do you remember the wish I made when I gave you that necklace?" He leant in, placing tender kisses to my eyelids, cheeks and eventually my jawline but never my mouth. "Well, I wished I'd kiss you. I wish I'd specified a time because I've waited for ages."

My face hurt from the silly grin that spread across it. "You're so cheesy-, but I love it."

"What do you expect when you made me sit through all those chick flicks?" His deep laugh made my insides melt.

"Picked up some pointers along the way. I'm not complaining."

He gathered me up into his arms and rolled us over onto his mattress. Alec's lips were on mine, a kiss filled with heat and passion. His body pinning mine, so I could feel each hard ridge. His weight should have been suffocating, but I wanted more. I hugged him closer, my fingers exploring his biceps and dipping under his top.

Alec groaned as my tongue made its way into his mouth, his own circling mine and causing me to gasp.

Alec held my arms above my head. "What are you doing?" I said, my voice coming out cracked.

Hovering over my body, he placed open-mouthed kisses down my neck and lightly ran his tongue over my collarbone. One of his hands held mine in place, the other brushed up and down my sides. My breaths came out in shallow pants as desire blazed across my skin.

The moment was broken by Alec laughing, his fingers tickling my armpits.

"Stop, stop, stop," I cried, tears of laughter running down as I tried to kick him off.

Alec released my wrists and tumbled to the side. He pulled me onto his chest and hooked one of his legs over mine. We were both breathless.

He turned to look into my eyes and tucked a loose strand from my braid behind my ear. "You okay?"

I nodded. "I thought-, I thought you were going to touch me."

Alec's eyebrows shot up. "Do you want me to touch you?" He shuffled forward to brush his nose against mine.

"I don't know. No one has done that to me before." I shrugged and picked at an invisible thread on his vest.

"What do you mean? But I thought you and Max had sex?"

My hands stilled. "We did, but he never touched me. Not like that," I paused then whispered, burying my face into his chest, "Don't make me say it."

Alec tilted my chin up so I couldn't avoid his gaze. "I don't understand."

"Do you really want a play-by-play of what Max did and didn't do?"

"Well, no, but can't say I'm not curious. Is it stupid if I tell you I wanted to be your first? And I'm glad if I can be your first for certain things," he murmured in a deep husky voice I couldn't get enough of.

"No, but I won't be yours, will I?" My voice wavered.

Alec cast his eyes away and shook his head.

"Who were they? Do I know any of them?" I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for his answer.

"No one you know. I promise. I wouldn't do that to you even when I thought it was hopeless." He placed a soft kiss to my lips as I smiled.

"Not Hope then?"

"Definitely not Hope."

"Good."

Alec flipped me onto my back as he propped himself on his elbows, towering over me. His fingers lingered over the stitching on the neckline of my camisole. His gaze locked on mine. My heart beat faster in my chest while he studied my face. Fully clothed physically, I was stripped bare emotionally the longer he stared.

"Alec-" I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Will you touch me then?"

***