Hijinks Page 7

  Chapter 10

  Alex kissed her then, hard and hot. She parted her lips because she didn’t have a choice, didn’t want a choice. She welcomed him inside her mouth, brushing her tongue with his, feeling her breasts swell. Her nipples ached. She gave herself up to the feeling of being close to him and wrapped her arms around him.

  He rose to his knees, bringing her with him. She looped her arms around his neck, wanting to stay with him forever. Alex with all his strength and hardness thrilled her. She’d always felt secure and wanted in his arms.

  He nudged her backward, until she bumped into the cabinet. Then he laid her down on the hardwood floor. The mix of his overheated body pressed into her and the cool floor against her bare skin left her trembling.

  His mouth, hot and moist, lingered against her throat before claiming hers. She squirmed underneath him, wanting to touch every part of him. He was all lean muscles and planes, and she trailed her fingers over his shoulders, his arms, up his sides.

  Urged on by the way her body warmed and tightened in reaction, she grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. Her breath caught as he cupped her curves. He’d always had the power to make her scream in pleasure and it’d been so long, too long.

  Desperate and achy from his touch, she strained toward him. She tugged at her shorts, wanting nothing between them, only to have him inside, filling her completely.

  Her body screamed for more and still he only kissed her. His tongue demanded, possessed and stroked. Teasing, until her insides coiled and she almost lost control.

  At last, he drew back far enough to undo the button of her shorts. She lifted her hips and panted as the material swept down her legs. He paused, staring down at her before lowering his head and kissing her stomach. She slid her fingers into his hair and caught her breath in anticipation. Her body pulsed with each heartbeat.

  He licked her skin and she gasped. Slowly, more slowly than should be allowed, he moved higher and undid the front clasp of her bra. His hands skimmed her abdomen, moved higher, closer to her breasts. Closer and closer. Then he distracted her, and kissed her ribs, her collarbone, her neck.

  She arched, silently urging him on. A little more. Just a smidge—

  His large hands covered her breasts and his head came up as he gazed down into her eyes. She quivered at the contact. The mix of rough, strong hands, against her sensitive nipples, and his gentleness was her undoing. Her head came off the floor, and she moaned.

  “Let me,” he whispered. “Been so damn long.”

  He held her as if afraid he was dreaming. She let her head drop back as she focused on his touch, the way his fingers moved over her. Then he brushed his thumbs across her nipples and she couldn’t wait.

  “Please.” She reached for him.

  He moved slightly, fumbled with his slacks and kicked the offensive fabric away. She stared at his bare chest, the defined muscles, and the dark hair in the center. He wrapped her in his embrace, cuddling her in his strength. She clung to him, wishing she could attach herself to him and never leave, that way they’d always be together.

  It was always this way with Alex. Maybe it was because she knew they loved each other with a desperation only they understood. She wasn’t just an old girlfriend or an ex-fiance. They were soul mates.

  He gazed at her. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered.

  He kissed her lips. “Did you really miss me?”

  “Yes.” She cupped his face in her hands. “Yes.”

  He nudged her legs further apart and lowered his mouth to her breast. He sucked and licked, sending ribbons of sensation all through her body. She held on to him, afraid he’d stop. Pressure built inside her, and when he used his hand to tease her other breast, she thought she’d die. He knew exactly what to do, what she liked, and how to please. He moved back and forth between her breasts, caressing until she moaned.

  She was so ready, so on the edge. It’d been too long and only he had the ability to shatter her into a million pieces.

  He hovered over her and smiled. “Do you know what you do to me? I can never get enough.”

  “Neither can I,” she murmured.

  He moved slowly. She grabbed at his arms, her nails digging into his skin, not willing to let go. She moaned and wrapped her legs around Alex, locking him to her. The force of his erection pressed against her.

  “Shan...” He groaned. “I hope you’re still on the pill. I can’t...”

  She nodded against his shoulder. “I am.”

  “Thank God,” he said with a heavy breath.

  He slid into her. She gasped and clamped her legs tighter. She wound her arms around his neck. His eyes locked on hers. He thrust, withdrew and plunged again in a slow, steady pace. She liked that. She liked the musky scent of him, too. The combination of skin and all male.

  Heat flared between her thighs. Every erogenous zone she owned purred under the assault of pleasure. Need flooded her. Passion for the only man she’d ever loved made her heart race.

  Desire filled her to the top and trickled down her sides. Every inch of her constricted as she burst with hope for the future. She lost track of time, lost her location, and lost all thoughts except the wonderful feelings Alex gave her.

  Alex’s body stiffened as he followed her to completion before he whispered her name and cradled her close. She smiled, and rolled with him as he held her in his arms. She inhaled deeply, struggling to catch her breath.

  She had no idea how long they lie on the wooden floor, naked, locked in their own little world. She didn’t care. Alex was all she needed.

  Eventually, they both groaned and pushed themselves off the hard, unforgiving floor. She stretched and noticed the coolness in the air.

  “The air conditioner is running.” She picked up her clothes. “It’s a lot cooler.”

  He slipped into his slacks. “I’m not complaining because the heat got you naked, but I hope Domo doesn’t decide we need warming up again for a while.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She walked to the bathroom, freshened up and redressed.

  The knowledge that Alex wanted to come back to Seaport gave her more to worry about without him declaring his love for her. He definitely wanted her. Sex on the kitchen floor proved that much, but there were still issues that need to be resolved. Just because he decided to go in a different direction with his career, too much remained unsettled between them.

  Not to mention they were both going crazy locked in the house, and for all she knew, it was inevitable they’d succumb to sex. She swallowed. Whatever happened between now and rescue, she would not let herself dwell on the hope that they were together for good. She barely survived their last breakup, and even her sanity was questionable.

  Her determination to stay in one place was supposed to please her but without Alex, living alone seemed more punishment than contentment. Yet, the fear of never having that one place in her life to call home scared her to death.

  She joined Alex in the living room. He sat on the couch, so she took the chair beside the fireplace. He frowned, and she glanced away, picking at the frayed edges of her shorts.

  “Why are you sitting clear across the room?” he asked.

  She inhaled deeply. “No reason.”

  “Then come here and sit with me.” He patted the cushion.

  She pulled her legs up and crossed them, staying put. “Alex, we need to talk.”

  “About?”

  She turned her hands and raised her palms in the air. “Us. We’re not together. We just made love. We’re stuck in the house. There are a million things that are happening and not happening, I don’t know what to think.”

  “Let’s fix one thing at a time.” He crooked his finger. “The first...you’re too far—”

  “The dog needs to go out,” Domo announced.

  She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. “I don’t have a dog, Domo.”

  “The dog needs to go out,” D
omo repeated.

  “This is ridiculous.” She stood. “Domo, I don’t—”

  She widened her eyes and stared at Alex. “Oh my God.”

  “What?”

  She tilted her head, thinking. Domo’s command didn’t make sense in a lockdown. Nothing they did allowed the doors or windows to open. Yet, Domo insisted they have a dog. Dog’s needed to go outside. Everyone knew that.

  She scrambled to the microphone in the ceiling. “Domo, I’m putting out the dog.”

  “Now you’re starting to worry me.” Alex laughed. “Arf. Arf.”

  She pointed at him. “Louder.”

  “You’re starting to worry me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Not that. Bark.”

  “You need to sit down, and think—”

  “Alex, bark.” She waved, urging him to hurry.

  “Arf. Arf.”

  She groaned. “Think big dog, Alex.”

  “Woof. Woof.”

  “Good dog.” She put her finger to her lips.

  Over the thundering of her heartbeat, a metallic click punctuated the silence. She jerked her gaze toward Alex. His jaw hung lax, his eyes wide. She slowly grinned.

  “The door unlocked,” he whispered.

  They both ran toward the door. She arrived first and swung it open, tumbling out onto the porch.

  Chapter 11

  The warm breeze coming off the southern California coast rejuvenated Shannon’s spirit. She hung on to the porch post and laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. After thinking they’d never get out of the house, she wanted to soak in the freedom of the outdoors.

  Alex leaned against the railing and let his arms hang. “You did it.”

  “We did it.” She wiped her face. “I’m not going back inside the house until Domo’s fixed.”

  “That’s smart.” He chuckled. “This was one hell of a vacation, but the good news is we got out of there before the New Year.”

  “True.” She sagged against the porch post.

  The door slammed next door. They both turned in the direction of Alex’s parents’ house. Linda jumped off the porch with a tub full of clothes, glanced toward them, squealed and dropped the container. She jogged across both lawns with a huge grin aimed at Shannon and Alex.

  Shannon waved. “Oh great. Now you come to check on me.”

  “I knew you’d kill me if I interrupted you. Mom’s going crazy wondering what is going on with you two, but Dad kept her busy by volunteering them both to help decorate for the New Year’s Eve celebration.” Linda glanced between her and Alex before settling on her brother. “So, have the two most stubborn people I know worked everything out?”

  She panicked and hoped Linda saw the tight shake of her head. The last thing she wanted was Alex’s family believing they’d resolved their problems and were getting back together.

  “No.” Alex answered his sister’s question, and then touched Shannon’s hand. “I need to go to the hotel and shower, change my clothes.”

  Heaviness filled her chest. Was he protecting her? Was he afraid of giving Linda false hope?

  “Uh, thanks for everything, Alex.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

  “It’s okay. Anytime you want to get stuck in the house, I’m your man.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Make sure you call the tech, or at least Bart Conrad. He could probably rig something up, so you at least can come and go from your house without worrying.”

  “I will.” She watched him stop briefly and talk with his sister on his way to his car.

  Linda frowned as Alex walked away from the house. When he drove away, her friend climbed the steps and joined her on the porch. Exhausted and miserable, she leaned against Linda’s arm and sighed, too devastated to do anything other than accept him leaving.

  Tomorrow he’d go back to New York, pack up his things, quit his job, and then settle somewhere in Seaport. She’d have to live with running into him at the store, when he visited his folks, and because they shared the same friends, every time she went out, he’d be there.

  “For the first time in my life, I should move,” she whispered. “I could go somewhere far, far away. A place that doesn’t use a zip code and I’ll have no way to communicate with the outside world, so I never have to wonder if Alex will show up on my doorstep.”

  “You’re worrying me. That’s the last thing I would expect you to say.” Linda hugged her. “What happened? I figured you two were cozied up inside and working things out. I was positive we’d be celebrating when you both finally came out. Instead, you look like you’re about to cry, and Alex walked away as if he’d lost his best friend.”

  “I am.” She sniffed. “Domo went in lockdown mode. We couldn’t get out. It was awful.”

  “Oh, honey, I had no idea. Alex told us not to bother you. You should’ve called.” Linda glanced at the house over Shannon’s shoulder. “Domo’s possessed.”

  “Long story, but we couldn’t call anyone. We were literally held prisoner.”

  “Alex couldn’t get you out? He’s usually good at solving problems,” Linda said.

  “He tried, but no, nothing worked.” She swallowed past the lump in her chest. “I can’t talk about it right now, I’m afraid I’m going to cry. I need to arrange to have Domo fixed and concentrate on not falling apart.” She turned to Linda. “Can I use your phone?”

  A half hour later, she had everything squared away and Bart coming over in a couple of hours to help the offsite tech team with Domo. A dull ache pounded in her head. She pressed her fingers to her temples. What had she done?

  She’d slept with Alex.

  His life was changing now that he was moving back to open his own firm, and what did she do with the knowledge? Nothing.

  In her determination to make sure Alex received everything he deserved, she’d denied herself what she wanted. She leaned against the house. He’d confessed to wanting to come back to Seaport, and she all but pushed him away even though she’d wished for him to make a life here for the last nine months.

  His outgoing personality and charisma had attracted her to him from the start, but it’d taken him a month before he’d asked her out. It’d taken him eight years to ask her to marry him. Yet how many times had he surprised her by taking her to the beach to see a sunset. He’d voluntarily washed her car after she’d had a rough day.

  His quiet acceptance and commitment meant more than any spoken declarations of I love you. When he wanted her to visit him clear across the country, he never asked, he sent an airline ticket instead. He supported her saving money to open her shop by finding a hair stylist who was retiring and driving her eight hours to haul the chairs and washtubs in a truck he’d borrowed from a friend.

  The last four nights, he’d let her lean on him as her house fell apart around her. He welcomed her into his bed when she couldn’t sleep, and he spent most of the night beating on that stupid window. He might not have come right out and said he wanted her back, but he’d shown her in every way.

  “I’m so stupid,” she muttered.

  Linda moved in front of her and grabbed her shoulders, forcing Shannon to look at her. “Stop that kind of talk. You are not stupid.”

  “He c-came back for me.” She laughed on a sob. “He loves me.”

  Linda smiled. “Finally. Do you know how hard it’s been to keep my mouth shut when all I wanted to do is slap some sense into both of you?”

  “Alex wants me?” She held on to Linda. “Are you sure?”

  Linda nodded. “Yes. We all knew why he stayed away, but he came back for you.”

  “I didn’t know.” She walked the length of the porch, shaking her head. “He never said...”

  “Of course he didn’t. He’s a Yager. The men in my family are not known for their ability to talk about their feelings, although they’ll argue until they turn blue about who’ll win the baseball game and tease us until we want to slug them.” Linda grabbed her hand. “The question is, what
are you going to do with my brother?”

  She stared out into the yard. Alex was scheduled to go back to New York tomorrow, and she wouldn’t allow him to get on the plane without telling him that she still loved him. She gasped, and whirled around to Linda. “I need to go back in the house.”

  Linda held out her arms, blocking the open door. “Oh no...I’m not letting you go back in that crazy house of yours. As your friend, I forbid you.”

  “It’s important.” She inhaled a deep breath. “Alex needs to know how I feel, and there’s one way I can prove it.”

  Linda hesitated. “All right, but I’m blocking the door and if you don’t come out in ten minutes, I’m calling the fire department.”

  “It’ll only take two minutes.” She squealed and hurried toward the opened door. “Come on. Let’s use the porch chair to jam the entrance. If the door moves, yell. I won’t take another chance of being shut inside and missing New Year’s Eve.”

  She peeked inside the door. Everything appeared normal except the metal shields remained over the windows and locked in place. She pulled the porch rocker toward the entrance and set it inside the doorframe.

  Linda sat in the chair and waved her in. “Hurry. I don’t want Domo to squish me if he decides to swing the door closed.

  She climbed over Linda and jumped into the living room. Whether it was the silence of the house or the adrenaline rush pushing her, goose bumps broke out on her arms. She studied the blankets scattered on top of the couch and recliner from where her and Alex had rested during the day. He never left her alone, even when she’d given him the silent treatment during her frustrations. He’d stayed beside her, silently lending a shoulder for her to lean on.

  In the hallway, she kicked the pile of useless remote controls and the manual used to run the Smart House out of her path. Alex had read the book cover to cover twice and wore the writing down on the buttons of the controls in his determination to fix their situation. She couldn’t even get past the instructions on how to install the batteries in the remote controls.