Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

long before long I wastaking that plunge and performing for him.

Those nerves,together with the frustration of still having to wear a stupidVelcro, space-inspired foot brace, were putting a damper on myrecent good spirits. I’d had enough of my broken ankle, and, asstupid as it may sound, it was not the reminder of my fall andmiscarriage that I wanted or thought I should endure. I’d lost somuch more, but my ankle seemed to oppress that and it kind ofirritated me. I wanted out of this moon boot completely and backinto my heels. I wanted to forget about falling down the stairs butnot forget about Bianca. She was far more superior than myshattered ankle, and she deserved my recollection more than my falland subsequent fracture.

***

Feeling alittle flat and wishing the next few weeks would pass by ratherquickly, I sat on the circular ottoman in the middle of thewalk-in-stadium, my knees raised and my head resting on top ofthem. I sulked as I looked over my rainbow wall of heels, heels Imissed terribly. It would be months before I could wear any of themagain, and pathetic as it may sound, it saddened me.

“Stop staringat your shoes and get out of there,” Bryce called from thebathroom.

“No! I can’tdo anything else with them at the moment apart from stare, so I’mstaring,” I grumbled.

The buzzer tothe front door sounded. “Perfect timing,” he mumbled.

I grabbed mywalking stick and headed out of the room, momentarily stopping inmy tracks at the sight of Bryce. He was not long showered andcasually dressed in dark denim designer jeans which hugged his arseperfectly. He also had on a plain long sleeved black v-neck t-shirtwhich clung to his muscled arms and chest. He looked simplygorgeous.

“Where are yougoing?” I asked curiously and somewhat disappointed that he wasgoing out without me.

“Catching upwith the guys over a few drinks.”

He approachedthe top of the stairs and stopped, holding out a hand for meknowing I was still apprehensive in going down them, especially onmy own. I didn’t know if this fear would ever leave me, but until Icould walk properly again it was either assistance from Bryce orthe elevator.

I took a holdof his hand. “When were you going to tell me about this? I kind ofwanted to snuggle and watch a movie tonight.”

“We can dothat tomorrow, Hunny.”

He smiled, buthis smile betrayed him, displaying evidence of somethinghidden.

“What are youup to?” I asked, my face now smiling in response.

“You’re aboutto find out.”

He led me downthe remainder of the steps and to the entry door of the apartment.“Are you ready?” he said mischievously, as he opened the door andstood aside, letting in Tash, Carly, Lil, Jade, Steph and Jen.

Tash walked infirst, holding up a DVD of Dirty Dancing. “Nobody putsAlexis in the corner,” she dramatically stated as she kissed mycheek.

My mouthdropped open in shock. Carls stepped up to me next and plonked acake in my hands, quickly kissing my forehead and heading straightfor Bryce. I looked at the cake and smiled, she’d attempted myfavourite, Lemon/Lime Meringue Cake...I must reiterate the wordattempted.

Jade followed,holding a game board. “Celebrity Head,” she said grinning whiledancing her shoulders up and down—she knew I loved games.

Stephplayfully bumped Jade aside and gave me a quick hug then lookeddown at my foot. “Thought as much,” she said, quite sure ofherself. “You need a pedi.” She held up her makeup bag whichcontained some bottles of nail polish.

Lil was next,holding a big bunch of assorted brightly coloured roses. “This isyour official Cheer-The-Fuck-Up-Party, Luv. You didn’t want to goout dancing, so we have come to you.”

Jen giggledand waved her Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ CD in the air.

I wasspeechless for a second then found my voice, although it wasstuttered. “What? When? Who?”

They allpointed to Bryce.

Normally hewould shrug his shoulders, or play dumb or dismiss it, but hedidn’t. He just strode toward me and grabbed my face with hishands, directing my lips to his. I fell into the kiss, heavily,greedily and completely mesmerised. My walking stick fell to thefloor and I held out the cake, indicating someone better grab itbefore I dropped it. Someone did, and as soon as my hands were freeI placed them around his neck and threaded my fingers through hishair.

“Get a room,”Tash groaned.

“No, this ishot,” Steph replied.

“Where’s thefucking popcorn?” Jade asked.

“I’m getting adrink,” Lil declared.

“I miss myhusband,” Jen sighed.

And Carls justasked to join in.

I ignored themall, I was totally invested in the man in my arms, drinking him inand savouring his mouth. “I love you so much,” I whispered againsthis mouth.

“The feelingis mutual, my love.” He kept his eyes locked on mine. “Now have agreat night. Relax, drink, drool over Patrick Swayze, but just thisonce though,” he smirked.

“Don’t youworry, he’s got nothing on you. I’ve seen you dance...in next tonothing, remember?” I raised my eyebrow seductively at him.

“What. The.Fuck!” Steph screeched, “He dances...too? Alexis, I officially hateyou. H.A.T.E you.”

Bryce kept hiseyes on mine, love pouring out of them. It literally made me weakat the knees. “I’ll see you later.” He kissed me again then leftthe apartment, this time his kiss leaving my lips tingling,swollen, confused, and sad at his departure.

“Come on, you.Its’ party time,” said Jen encouragingly, as she threaded her armin mine and led me to the lounge.

***

We sat downand watched Dirty Dancing while eating the delicious tapasthat Bryce had arranged one of the complex’s restaurants to deliverto us. He amazed me with his attention to detail, and I pined forhis return even more, so that I could show him my appreciation.

“AlexisElizabeth Summers, get your head out of Cloud-Clark and payattention,” Tash snapped.

“What? Sorry.”I adjusted my Celebrity Head headband and took another swig of mygin. “Is it my turn?” I asked.

They allbarked. “Yes!”

“Okay, geez!Um, am I male?”

“Sometimes Ithink you are,” Tash added sarcastically.

I launched mycushion at her.

“Yes, Lex, youare a male,” Lil clarified.

“Am I fuckinghot?”

“Yes,” Stephsaid bluntly.

“Are youserious?” Lil was wide eyed. “No, Lex, he is not.”

“Yes, he is,”Steph corrected her. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t want that betweenyour legs.”

“No, Iwouldn’t.”

“You’re alesbian aren’t you? Admit it, I’m totally fine with it, Lil. I lovelesbians.”

I laughed atSteph’s ability to deliberately bait