Lost and Found (Beyond Fairytales)

by Linnea Alexis

  “Beautiful. Just beautiful.”

  Need slammed into her like a runaway train. She craved the comfort of his arms around her, the taste of his hungry lips on hers, the pleasure of his skillful hands stoking, satisfying.

  He knelt between her legs and unzipped her jeans, taking too much time. He stared into her eyes, and a lazy smile curled the corners of his lips.

  “Lift your ass for me,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

  Without hesitation, she held his gaze and did as instructed.

  He curled his fingers over the waistband and eased her jeans and panties down, exposing her stomach, her center. Backing up, he pulled the clothing all the way off. His eyes darkened with desire, and he crawled between her thighs. His large hand caressed her mound, and she moved beneath his palm. He drew in a ragged breath and slid one finger inside. Then two.

  Her core ached with longing for him, and she thrust her hips forward, seeking the relief only he could provide.

  “You’re so ready for me.” He withdrew his fingers, and pulled his shirt off over his head.

  He eased his zipper down. Midway, she whispered, “Let me.”

  He raised his hands in surrender. “Far be it for me to deny the lady her bidding.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood to face her.

  She eased herself into a sitting position in front of him, and eased the zipper down until she held him in her hand and ran her thumb over the tip. His jaw tightened. He closed his eyes and hissed. She maneuvered his jeans over the hard bulge, hidden beneath the denim. His erection sprang free, and she traced a fingertip over its length.

  “Ooh. Commando. I should have remembered you were a man who lives dangerously.” she whispered in a sultry voice. She released him, and lay back on the bed, eagerly awaiting the next act.

  Eli knelt next to her. He lifted her chin and continued his seduction with his lips. Starting at her mouth, he worked his way down, down, down to the wetness between her thighs, where he buried his tongue inside, moving it in and out until she called out his name.

  The man was relentless, bringing her to the brink of orgasm over and over, increasing her need for him more and more. He moved his lips to her breasts, sucking one and then the other.

  When she could take it no longer, she pulled him down on top of her. Her breath came out as husky gasps. “Hurry. I want you to make love to me.”

  “Patience, babe, patience.” He feathered kisses on her face and neck.

  “Fuck patience. Now,” she ordered. “Fuck me now.”

  “I thought I was supposed to be the one to talk dirty.” He yanked his discarded jeans from the floor, and removed a condom from the pocket. He dropped his jeans on the floor, opened the foil package, and sheathed himself.

  “Hurry,” she whispered, spreading her legs to welcome him home.

  He accepted the invitation and slipped inside, filling her.

  They moved together, slowly at first, working in concert. Each thrust drew a moan from her lips. She begged for more, and he gave her more. He plunged deeper and deeper, and she called out his name. As the rhythm increased, she grew more anxious for the release that grew near. On the brink of coming, she drew her knees up toward her chest and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  He pushed his full length inside her sheath. She lifted her hips and ground against him, maximizing the pleasure he offered.

  Her breathing grew erratic. She was so close.

  “Come for me, babe.”

  She moved faster and faster. When she shouted his name, he devoured her mouth and stifled her scream. She crested first and groaned in satisfaction. Her body quivered, responding to wave after wave of erotic pleasure.

  He lifted his head and moaned. His body tensed, and then stilled.

  His body, slick with perspiration, collapsed on top of her. The climactic aftershocks—the delicious spasms—gradually subsided. Hoping to keep the sensations coming, she ground against him, trying for one more climax. One more.

  He withdrew and rolled onto his side.

  She lay facing him, her arms and legs entwined with his. She held him close, afraid if she let go, he would slip away and she’d lose him once more.

  Eli brushed her hair from her face and kissed her eyelids. “Being with you is a dream come true. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “Do you really think we should pursue a relationship?” Her heart fluttered with hope. A solitary tear slid down her cheek.

  “I want this, and I’m willing to give it one hell of a try.” His breathing grew deeper, and he drifted to sleep, whispering her name.

  She kissed his neck, his collarbone, his eyelids, and his dimple.

  Resting in the comfort of his arms, she wiped at tears of doubt that whittled away at her confidence. How could she be so lucky to have a second chance with such a good man? She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, basking in lovemaking’s afterglow.

  Chapter Eleven

  Early morning sunlight streamed into the motel room, through the narrow opening between the drapes. Eli’s eyelids snapped open. A check of the alarm clock on the nightstand showed six-thirty.

  Today was the day of the auction. Pine Mountain Storage should be opening their doors in about three hours.

  He rolled over and stared at his reason for waking up at such an ungodly hour—the woman he’d dreamed about and hoped to reconnect with for so many years. Reveling in the aftermath of last night’s sexual marathon, he kissed his fingertips and touched Haley’s bare shoulder. Great sex was a very good excuse for losing sleep. A slow, easy grin slid across his face. Trying not to awaken his personal Sleeping Beauty, he rolled away from her.

  On his way to the bathroom, he stumbled around his discarded clothing to avoid tripping over them. He scooped up his pants and shirt and set them on the foot of the bed.

  He started a pot of coffee.

  Haley stirred and rubbed her eyes. “Morning,” she said in a gravelly and sexy voice.

  “Sorry if I woke you, but I was having trouble sleeping.”

  “No problem.”

  “Hope you don’t take cream in your coffee because I can’t find any. No sugar either.”

  “Black is fine,” she answered with a yawn.

  Eli brought her a cup and sat next to her. “You’re amazing.” He lifted her chin and brushed his lips against hers. “The rain has stopped. If we hurry, maybe we can grab a quick breakfast before heading to the auction.”

  She swung her legs over the side of the bed and dragged the sheet along to cover her breasts. She sipped her coffee.

  Considering she’d spent most of last night naked, he found her modesty endearing. Sweet. “How’s the brew?”

  “Just the way I like it. Hot.”

  Like their sex?

  “Would you hand me my bag so I can get ready?” she asked.

  “Don’t get dressed on my account.”

  She wagged a finger at him. “Naughty boy. I thought you wanted to get something to eat.”

  Slightly sore from sleeping on a too-hard mattress and enjoying Eli, Haley’s spirit soared. She’d never felt freer. Never felt more desired. Maybe things could work out with Eli. She certainly hoped so.

  She turned on the shower and jumped in. No time to shampoo, but at least there was time to wash away the perspiration and scent of sex from her body. She’d just lathered up the washcloth when the shower curtain flew open. She shrieked and crossed her arms in front of her breasts to conceal them

  “Eli, don’t scare me like that.” She swatted at him with the washrag.

  He stepped into the tub. “Mind if I join you? I’m feeling kind of dirty myself. ”

  Her gaze flew to his arousal. “So I see. Where’s your condom, big guy?”

  “I ran out. But for what I’m planning, I won’t need one.”

  “You won’t? What do you have in mind?” Who was she kidding? She’d take whatever pleasure he offered. “Do we have time?”

  “We don’t need much time
,” he promised. Palms up, he wiggled his fingers, staring at her hand holding the soapy washcloth. “Let me do the honors.”

  She handed the washcloth over, her heartbeat drumming in delicious anticipation.

  Neither spoke. The shower’s spray was the only sound bouncing off the walls in the small bathroom.

  Lathering her arms and breasts first, he moved quickly and expertly to her stomach, leaving behind a trail of need following each swirl of the soapy cloth. When he knelt in front of her, she whispered his name and etched it in her heart. He started at her feet, worked his way up her legs, and stopped at her core. He parted her and swiped the cloth over her most sensitive part.

  “Time to rinse off.” He stood and backed away, allowing the shower’s spray to sweep over her, rinsing away the suds, along with her inhibitions.

  With hands on hips, he scrutinized his handiwork. “Looks like I may have missed a few spots that now require special attention.”

  “Then you’d better do something about it…Catman,” she purred.

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “Damn straight. Guess I’ll start here.” He kissed her right breast, drew the nipple into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue. He took the same care with the left breast. His hand moved between her legs, where he stroked, setting a rhythm.

  His mouth found her navel and worked its way down. On his knees in front of her, he lifted her leg and draped it over his shoulder. Gripping her butt, he buried his face between her legs and licked, penetrating her silky opening with his tongue.

  She trembled and fisted his hair. Eli was right. He didn’t need much time to take her to paradise. Closer. Closer. More.

  His skillful fingers replaced his tongue. He plunged them inside her, moving them in and out while his thumb massaged her most sensitive spot.

  Her breath caught. Her orgasm was so powerful she shattered and screamed his name, her legs buckling and turning to clay. But he wasn’t done. His tongue filled her mouth, probing, teasing. Her tongue joined the battle.

  Wanting—needing—to return the pleasure she received, she reached between them and held his length in her hand, working him until his body tensed. When he climaxed, he pulled her into an embrace so commanding that his shudders and aftershocks became hers as well. Bodies entwined, they stood under the pulsating shower, rinsing off the evidence of their lovemaking and waiting for their breathing to return to normal.

  “Told you we didn’t need much time,” Eli said in a ragged breath. “Shades of spring break.”

  Haley chuckled. “Guess we’ve still got it.”

  “I’ll say.” He kissed her tenderly. “So what do you want to do about it?”

  It almost sounded like a challenge. Was he trying to recapture a memory of his youth? He’d said he wanted her. Could she believe him?

  Damn it. She was beginning to care for him. A lot. Tears welled.

  What the fuck? Crying wasn’t the response he’d expected—especially after the great sex they’d just shared. Didn’t they have something going? Hadn’t they reconnected? He liked her. Liked her a lot. He’d hoped for a commitment. God knows, he was ready. Had he come on too strong? Better take it slow. Guess in his exuberance, he had gotten pretty aggressive. Just because he was eager to start a relationship didn’t mean she wanted one.

  He offered Haley the bathroom to dress while he used the bedroom. Slipping on a black T-shirt, Levis, and a pair of tennis shoes, he was ready.

  The rain had stopped, but the ground was still riddled with puddles. He didn’t bother with a ponytail today. Instead, he finger-combed his shoulder-length hair and wound it behind his ears.

  “Ready, babe?”

  “Be right there.”

  Her cheerful response to being called babe made him grin. He threw yesterday’s clothes in his gym bag.

  Carrying her makeup and toothbrush, Haley stepped out of the bathroom; the light behind her reminded him of a halo. No stretch, he thought. She looked like an angel in a cream-colored peasant blouse and black skinny jeans. His breath hitched. The crotch of his jeans tightened. He was ready for round three. She’d gathered her wet hair into a loose ponytail. She wore little makeup. Hell, she didn’t need it.

  He tried keeping his emotions tamped down, but he couldn’t help blurting what was in his heart. “You look great.”

  “So do you.”

  Feeling like a schoolboy who’d just found out the prettiest girl in class liked him, he drew in a ragged breath. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she begged him to stop. But he resisted. There wasn’t time. There was an auction about to happen.

  “I’ll start loading up the car,” he said. “It’s time to get this show on the road.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Fearing the outcome of the auction, Haley’s body trembled as Eli parked his car in the storage facility lot.

  “Finish your breakfast.” He pointed to the half-eaten egg sandwich in her hand.

  “I can’t. My stomach is in knots.” She rewrapped her sandwich, set it in the empty cup holder, and retrieved her handbag from the floorboard.

  “I know, babe, but try to relax.” He drew her into a hug, whispering reassurances in her ear, and she was able to calm down.

  What would she find in the units? Dread pounded in her chest. Eli stepped outside and rounded the front of the car. He opened Haley’s door and helped her step onto the pavement. Drawing her into an embrace, he kissed her cheek. “You’re going to be just fine.”

  She managed a weak smile. “I know.”

  Potential bidders mingled in the parking lot. Young people. Old people. Tall and short people. Very short…. In the front of the crowd—Nicodemus—the storyteller from the Renaissance faire. What is he doing here?

  “Looks like this auction is attracting lots of attention,” Eli noted.

  She clutched his arm with both hands and stared at the little man leaning against a metal pipe that he used as a cane. No one seemed to find it odd he was in attendance.

  Eli said, “It’s going to be all right. I wasn’t going to say anything, but if the late charges and fees are too steep, I’ll cover it.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I know. But I want to. I’m as anxious as you to find out what Allen was hiding from the world. Let’s go to the office and find out what you need to do to stop the auction. I wouldn’t want it to continue because of a technicality.”

  Reaching for her hand, he squeezed it tight. She liked the feel of her small hand in his larger one. It made her feel protected. She’d never have dreamed the man who had helped tear out her heart would make it whole again.

  Eli opened the office door and let her pass through first. A tall, balding man wearing a name badge identifying him as Bob looked up from a stack of papers.

  “We’re here about the auction,” Eli said, leaning an elbow on the desk.

  Bob picked up a clipboard. “Yeah?”

  “I called a couple of days ago. Haley Monroe. I’m here to stop the auction on two units. I want to pay any fees and penalties due.”

  The man ran his finger down a list and stopped at her name. “Cash and credit cards only. No checks.”

  Haley opened her handbag. “How much do I owe?”

  “Hold on a minute, ma’am,” the man behind the desk said.

  Was something wrong? Did someone already buy whatever Allen had in storage? “Yes?” she said, trying to sound calm, even though her stomach turned flips.

  “I just noticed something. Could Allen Monroe also be A. M., Incorporated? The phone number is the same. And your name appears on the lease, along with your husband’s.”

  She and Eli exchanged hopeful glances.

  “I’d also like to bring that unit current. How much do I owe for all three?” A.M., Incorporated? She’d never heard of it before and, from the blank look on Eli’s face, neither had he.

  Bob quoted a price. It was too steep for her. She chewed on her bottom lip to stop her chin from quivering and glan
ced at Eli.

  Eli pulled out his wallet. “I’d like to pay the fees, if that’s all right.”

  “That would be perfectly acceptable as long as Mrs. Monroe is present.”

  Eli handed over his credit card and driver’s license.

  “Out of curiosity, what is your relationship to the Monroes?”

  “I’m their attorney.”

  Bob glanced at his paperwork. “Seems the rent on A.M., Incorporated’s unit was paid up until this month. Do you have your key with you?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I also need to see some ID.”

  She whipped out her driver’s license and set it on the counter in front of him.

  His gaze moved from the license to her face and back again. Satisfied, he did the same with Eli’s license. He took his credit card and completed the transaction. Eli signed the payment authorization and Bob returned his credit card.

  Bob double checked the paperwork. He looked up and smiled. “Let’s go. I want to take you upstairs to show you where the smaller unit is located.”

  Exchanging glances with Eli, she protested, “Can’t I check it out later? What if the auction begins? Shouldn’t you let someone know my units are no longer for sale?”

  “The auction can’t start without me,” Bob said. He led them across the lot, to the side of the storage building. He paused in front of a flight of metal stairs and scribbled something on the clipboard.

  A young boy scampered toward the stairs—the same boy Haley had seen the night before outside the motel. Her breath caught. What the hell is he doing here? She pinched her arm to verify she wasn’t dreaming—that she was awake and he was real.

  “Here, boy, you’re going to need this.” Nicodemus waddled after the child and handed him the metal pipe. Why did the strange little man turn over his walking stick to the child? What was the boy going to do with it?

  The boy nodded at Nicodemus and climbed the stairs. His shoes clanged on the metal steps on his way up.

  She opened her mouth to ask the strange little man who the boy was and why he was here, but she was unable to utter a sound.

  Nicodemus faced her and stroked his beard with long, gnarled fingers. His dark, piercing eyes bore into her soul, sending a chill down her spine. To avoid his penetrating gaze, she turned and scanned the people’s faces. Didn’t anyone find it strange a child would attend an auction? But no one seemed to notice him or look in his direction. Not Eli. Not Bob. No one.