[No smut] [AN: C'mon, lacking powerstones guys.]
Chloe shifted onto her side, resting her head against her arm as she watched him, her expression calm in a way that didn't leave much room for doubt. "I already made that decision," she said, her voice steady but warm. "The moment I said yes to you, I knew I wasn't just signing up for dates and phone calls. I was choosing a life with you."
Alex turned his head toward her, studying her face more closely now, like he was trying to see if there was even a hint of hesitation behind her words. There wasn't.
She reached out and traced her fingers lightly across his chest, her touch absentminded but grounding. "As for work… I've been running nonstop for years," she continued, her tone softening just a little. "Cases, paperwork, late nights, stress. It never really stops. I think a break might actually be good for me… and for Trixie too. She deserves more of my time than she's been getting lately. Besides, I can always join the NYPD if I want to go back to the field."
Alex listened without interrupting, his brow tightening slightly as he processed everything she was saying. "You do know that if you join the NYPD, you'll have to start from the bottom again," he said after a moment. "After everything you've built in LA, all the work you put in to get where you are… you're really okay with throwing that away?"
Chloe smiled at that, not uncertain, just sure in a way that made it hard to argue with. She shifted closer, her hand resting over his as she laced their fingers together. "I'm not throwing anything away," she said gently. "I'm choosing something else that matters more to me right now."
He held her gaze, still not entirely convinced, but he didn't pull his hand away either.
She squeezed his fingers lightly, her smile growing just a little. "I found something worth the sacrifice," she added, her voice quieter but stronger at the same time. "And before you try to talk me out of it, don't bother. My mind is already made up."
Alex let out a slow breath, a faint smile slipping through despite himself as he shook his head. "You're stubborn," he muttered, though there was no real frustration behind it.
Chloe laughed softly. "You already knew that," she said playfully. "It's part of the charm."
He huffed a quiet laugh, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he looked at her again, this time with less resistance and more acceptance. "So what's the plan then?"
She pulled back slightly, her expression shifting into something more practical. "I've still got a few open cases here," she explained. "I'm not walking away in the middle of those. I'll wrap them up properly, hand everything over clean, and then… I'll move in with you."
Alex nodded slowly, taking that in, then reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Take your time," he said.
For a moment, neither of them said anything else. The room felt calmer now, like everything had quietly fallen into place without needing to be forced.
"You know, we should take a bath, have one more round under the shower... well, if you have stamina, and then maybe go out? Hit the beach?" Chloe asked as she sat up.
"Are you challenging me?" Alex said with a smirk.
"Who knows?" Chloe said with a wink as she got down from the bed and walked toward the bathroom.
Alex watched her go. His eyes were on her naked back. He chuckled a bit. "Damn! I can't get enough of her." He also got down from the bed and followed her behind.
...[Later that day]...
[Beach]
The waves rolled in steadily as the afternoon sun lit up the beach in warm gold. The beach was not busy; only a few people were there, enjoying the calm. This made it feel like they had their own quiet spot in the world.
Chloe lay on her stomach on a wide beach towel, under the big umbrella. Her head rested on her folded arms as the ocean breeze moved gently through her hair.
Alex sat next to her, holding a bottle of sunscreen. He squeezed some into his palm and rubbed his hands together. Then, he started applying it to her shoulders, using a firm but gentle touch.
Chloe let out a soft sigh, her eyes closing almost instantly. "God… I missed this," she murmured, her voice relaxed in a way that didn't happen often.
A faint smile formed on his lips as his hands moved slowly across her upper back, making sure he didn't miss a spot. "Missed sunscreen?"
She let out a quiet laugh, her shoulders shifting slightly under his hands. "No… this. You." She turned her head just enough to look at him. "Your massages are unfairly good, which you already know."
He chuckled under his breath, continuing the slow motion of his hands as he worked down her back. "Yep, but still, I'll take the compliment. And your muscles are really tense."
"Mhmm~" she let out a little moan. "Everything's always so busy… work, life, responsibilities. I sometimes forget what it feels like to just stop and breathe like this."
Alex didn't rush to respond. His hands slowed slightly, more thoughtful now as he reached her lower back. "You don't have to forget it again," he said quietly. "We'll make time... We always do. By the way, I'm here in LA for a few weeks, so we'll be meeting a lot, and if you still get lonely, give me a call."
Chloe smiled faintly, her eyes still closed as she let herself sink into the moment. Then she lifted her head and looked back at him. "You mean booty call?"
He shifted slightly, brushing his thumb gently along her side before finishing with her arms. "Yeah," He answered instantly. "Booty call. Wait! Why didn't I think of that? We can do roleplays to spice things up. I'll be your personal stripper and you'll be my personal stripper. We can create a little schedule. Maybe you'll sit in a bar, dressed in a sexy dress and I'll pick you up with my charm and smile."
"I'll be the one to pick you up," Chloe said with a little nod. She loved these new ideas. She continued, "Tonight at the Old Tavern."
"I'd love to see you try," Alex said.
"Try?" She laughed softly. "I promise, I'll do more than just try. You'll be lost for words by the time I'm done with you."
"We'll just see about that," He said as he resumed his massage.
...
[Late Night] [Old Tavern resort]
The bar area of the Old Tavern had that low, golden lighting that made everything feel slower and a little more intimate than it really was. Soft music played somewhere in the background, blending with quiet conversations and the clinking of glasses. Alex sat at the bar, one hand around a glass of scotch.
Then the door opened.
His eyes shifted automatically, casual at first. Then he froze.
Chloe stepped in with a confident stride that turned a few heads even in the dimly lit space. The sexy red dress hugged her figure perfectly, the neckline dipping just enough to draw attention without trying too hard, while the hem skimmed the tops of her knees. Her lips shone with bold red color, and her hair sat in an elegant bun that exposed the graceful line of her neck. She scanned the room briefly before spotting Alex at the bar, a glass of scotch in his hand.
'Holy shit!' Alex froze for a moment when he saw her. She really had done more than just try, and the sight hit him harder than he expected.
She noticed him right away and walked over. Without waiting for an invitation, she slid onto the stool across from him and crossed her legs in one fluid motion. Then she extended her hand toward him as if they were complete strangers meeting for the first time. "Chloe Decker."
Alex recovered quickly and took her hand in his, his grip warm and steady while a slow smile spread across his face. He gave her fingers a light squeeze before releasing them. "Alex Wilson. Nice to meet you, Chloe Decker. You come here often or is this your first time checking out the place?"
Chloe leaned forward just a little, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief as she kept the act going. She rested one elbow on the bar and tilted her head slightly while studying him. "First time actually. I heard the drinks were decent and the company might be worth sticking around for. What about you? You look like the type who knows his way around a good scotch."
He lifted his glass in a small toast before taking another sip, his gaze never leaving hers. The corner of his mouth twitched with amusement at how easily she slipped into the role. "Guilty on the scotch part. As for the company, I usually keep to myself unless something catches my eye. Tonight seems different though."
He set the glass down and signaled the bartender with a quick nod. "What are you drinking? First round is on me since we're getting to know each other."
She smiled at that, her red lips curving in a way that made the whole pretense feel electric. Chloe uncrossed and recrossed her legs while she considered the offer. "Surprise me then. Something smooth with a bit of bite. I like a drink that keeps things interesting without overwhelming everything else."
The bartender placed a fresh drink in front of her a minute later, and she picked it up to take a slow sip. Her eyes stayed locked on Alex over the rim of the glass. "So tell me, Alex. What brings a guy like you out alone on a night like this? Looking for trouble or just enjoying the quiet before it finds you?"
Alex chuckled softly and shifted on his stool so he faced her more directly. He let his eyes drift over her for a second before meeting her gaze again. "Maybe a bit of both. Quiet nights have their appeal but every now and then you run into someone who makes the evening a lot more memorable. You strike me as that kind of someone."
Chloe set her glass down and traced the edge of it with one finger while she listened.
"Flattery already? You're pretty good at this. Most guys trip over their words or go straight for the obvious lines. I have to admit I'm impressed so far," She said.
He reached over and lightly brushed his fingers against the back of her hand, where it rested on the bar. The touch was casual but deliberate. "Impressed is a good start. I was hoping for more than that by the end of the night though. You seem like the type who doesn't settle for average conversation or average anything else."
She laughed quietly at his words, the sound warm and genuine even as she stayed in character. Chloe leaned in a fraction closer so their faces were only a short distance apart. "Careful with those assumptions. I might surprise you even more before the night is over. But go on. Keep talking. I want to see how far that charm of yours actually goes."
Alex held her gaze without backing down, his expression relaxed but full of quiet confidence. He took another sip of his scotch while the energy between them crackled with anticipation. The roleplay felt natural and fun, exactly the kind of spark they both needed after the long day at the beach. "Challenge accepted. Stick around a little longer and I'll show you exactly what I mean."
[10 minutes later...]
Chloe stood up after finishing her drinks. She looked into Alex's eyes and said, "I think I like you, Alex Wilson and I'm feeling a little adventurous tonight... What about you?" She opened her clutch and took out a key card. "Room number 209. Meet me in ten." She placed it in his coat's pocket before giving him a little wink and walking toward the elevator.
'Alright. She is good... Really good.' Alex thought as he watched her go.
---[MORE POWERSTONES💎💎💎]---
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[1] [In the upcoming chapters, we'll see shooting, game development and Star Wars script] Ch: 292 [Balancing Empires] Ch: 293 [Supergirl: Day-1 Shoot] Ch: 294 [Day 1: Wrap up with big bang] Ch: 295 [A family moment in the pool]