[chapter twelve]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
Alexa yanked open her front door and blinked several times as she registered that it was Robby standing in front of her, not the Domino's delivery man she was expecting.
She'd seen him in the last few days, of course, but they hadn't exchanged even a single word. Nothing work related, nothing personal, barely a hint of recognition when they passed each other in the maze of hallways at RCR. Nothing.
Her eyes flickered from his face to the single red rose he held in his hand and then back to his face, her expression puzzled.
"I thought any more than one might look like a bribe." Robby said sheepishly.
"Bribe for what?" Alexa asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Forgiveness?" Robby asked quietly.
"The going rate for forgiveness is at least a dozen, and that's with a lot of groveling involved." Alexa said patiently, her face passive despite the pounding of her heart.
"Dammit. I knew I should have consulted the bribery handbook." Robby said, wincing.
Alexa finally giggled as she watched him.
"I'm so sorry about the other night. I…I behaved like a real ass. I'm really sorry, Lex." Robby said contritely.
"I wasn't exactly sweetness and light, either. I was just…I was just defensive." Alexa acquiesced.
"Yeah, but I shouldn't have…I'm really sorry." Robby repeated.
Alexa watched him for a slow moment before opening the door wider. "Come in."
Robby breathed a deep sigh of relief as he stepped across the threshold, barely brushing her cheek with his lips.
Robby turned to face her again as she shut the door, reaching out to take one of her hands in his. "I really want to talk through all of this. I want to make us right."
"Us?" Alexa smiled softly.
"Yes. Us." Robby said sincerely. "You are the best thing that's walked into my life in a really long time, and I'm not letting you go without a fight."
Alexa said nothing, instead letting the force of his words wash over her.
"I know you're going back to school in a few weeks, but…" Robby trailed off and shrugged. "But I don't care. I want to be with you."
Alexa smiled at him and blushed slightly. "Schoolgirl or no?" She teased.
Robby laughed and nodded his head. "Yeah. Schoolgirl or no." He glanced around, noting how quiet and dark the house seemed. "Listen…" Alexa cocked her head, watching him. "Can we talk about this later?"
"What do you mean?" Alexa asked.
"Because, if it's okay with you, I'd much rather go upstairs and do all sorts of terrible stuff to each other and then talk about us later." Robby grinned like a little boy.
Alexa tried to contain her grin. "What makes you think I want to go to bed with you?"
Robby shrugged and eyed the floor. "I was just sort of hoping I'd have enough enthusiasm for both of us."
Alexa watched him for a moment before crooking her head towards the bedroom. "You are so smooth, Gordon. So smooth."
Alexa never even heard the pizza
guy ring the doorbell twenty minutes later.