by Lexy Timms
She forgot her task of getting the roses set up and turned in his arms, snaking hers around his neck and lifting to her toes to pepper him with kisses. "I'm scared, too, but you and I have to stop beating each other up. If we're going to move forward together, then know that, no matter what... I'm here for you. I'm going to be beside you to help with the Annette situation, to raise the baby with you, to take care of you and anything else you need. That's me, Alex."
He pressed his forehead to hers, closed his eyes, and took a shaky breath. "And I want that to be me for you. Not a shell. Not half-assed. I want to be everything to you."
"Good." She pressed against him. "Let's eat dinner and figure out a few things, and then we're getting in the shower. I need someone to wash my back."
"And your butt?" He opened his eyes and smiled wickedly.
"You have a tool that can do that?"
"Oh, hell, I’ve so many tools that’re waiting to drill into you." He wagged his eyebrows and chuckled.
"I want all of them. All of you." She nipped at his lips and turned to focus on the task of the roses. She set them in the sink when she couldn’t find a vase. "Open the wine for us and let's have salads first."
"Okay. Smells delicious in here." He walked to the stove and took a few minutes to taste everything. The small sounds he made while burning his tongue or fingertips caused her lips to turn up in a smile. She watched him over her shoulder, falling more in love with him by the minute.
Everyone went through shit. They would, too, but it would be their willingness to come back together, to ask for forgiveness and to love each other past the storms that would sustain them.
He glanced over his shoulder and smirked. "I knew you were checking me out."
"I'm always checking you out. I have the image of you above me, your face contorted in the throes of passion, locked in my mind's eye.” She blinked in surprise. She hadn’t really said that out loud, right?
"Fuck. That's hot." He licked his lips. "I'm going to change. You need me to help with anything first?"
"Nope. I'll meet you at the table."
He took a few steps toward the living room and stopped. "Thank you, Jamie. For this... for all of it." He brushed his fingers by his lips as his expression softened. He was impossibly beautiful.
"You're welcome." She turned back, trying hard not to choke on the emotion that sat inside of her. To know he was going to try to reconcile things with her if she hadn't made the first move was warming, but even if he hadn't, she felt really good about showing him how much he mattered. They would do that. Then have sex. A lot of it.
After finishing the salad, she moved everything to the table and plated dinner as well. She'd just finished pouring the wine when he walked back in. His jeans were low on his hips, and he didn't have his shirt or shoes on.
The beautiful swell of his chest and abdomen caught her attention, forcing her to pause to enjoy the very sight of him.
"Damn, you're so hot," she mumbled and reached out, brushing her fingertips down his stomach as he moved to sit beside her.
He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each finger softly as he watched her from underneath hooded eyes. "I have great, and yet disturbing, news." He reached for the wine, taking a quick sip before speaking. "Annette isn't pregnant, but she was paid to pretend that she is."
Relief flooded Jamie like she'd never experienced before. "Seriously?" She pressed her eyebrows together. “Wait. What? She was paid?”
"I'm still at a loss as to who would do something like that, but she's not budging on the name." He shrugged and leaned back, his body language showing that he was relieved.
She whirled around and threw her hands in the air as she spun. “She’s not pregnant. She’s not pregnant!” She kissed him. “Yeah.”
He chuckled. “A simply quiet yeah? That’s it? I threw a chair when I found out.”
Jamie laughed, giddy with relief. She pointed to a chair and sat down in the opposite one. She picked up her fork. "Eat, Mr. Reid. I have plans for you. You're gonna need your strength."
He chuckled and picked up his glass of wine. "Would you really have helped me raise the baby?"
"Yes." She glanced up and locked eyes with him. She clinked her wine glass against his.
"I'm sorry about giving you shit about Mark. He and I spoke on my way home today. I was being a total dick about that, too. I just hate the idea of you liking him more than you like me. My dad had such a love for him, and, honestly, I love him too. I'm still trying to separate being so angry at him from the fact that he's my brother and really a great guy. It's just going to take time." He shrugged. "But... I shouldn't be giving you hell for caring for him. You're doing it as an extension of caring for me."
"He's a good man, but I wouldn't have turned my head to speak to him if he wasn't your brother. I'm a one-man woman, Alex. There is no one else for me. Ever." She took a bite of her salad, enjoying the calmness that sat between them. And the relief. Instant, gratifying, relief.
"Forgive me about the situation at my father's house. I was out of sorts, and just being stupid. I honestly didn't mean to make you feel trashy or slutty, or anything. I just responded in the moment, and it was stupid. My reputation at the firm isn't going to change because of you or anyone else. It's going to get better or worse because of me. You make me a better man. I hate that I've hurt you."
"People have to learn each other, and we both have to change a little to make us work." She reached over and slid her hand over the top of his. "I'm good with us being in the open or not. I want to be seen as your woman just because it's the natural inclination, I guess."
"And you will. I’ll declare to the world that we're a couple. I'm tired of my investors hitting on you, and that damn intern watching you like you're a hot piece of ass. I want him out of your office." His tone shifted to something more demanding.
Jamie lifted her eyebrow and tilted her head. "Then get the construction done. I want him out, too, but not for the same reason as you. He's a great guy and has been nothing but appropriate. Don't start making things up in your head. He's all for you and supporting the firm."
He glanced down at his plate and back up. "You're right. Keep me in check. Please. I'm so fucking jealous of anyone getting close to you. I need to figure out how to balance that."
“You don’t have to worry. I want him out so I can go into your office through my private door, for my own personal reasons.” She grinned slyly when his eyes sent her a smoldering stare. “The silly jealousy thing will fade. I’m yours. You have to believe me.”
"I'm starting to." He moved his chair closer and slid his hand down her thigh. "So we're good? You're okay?"
"Yes. We're good." She turned and ran her fingers down the side of his face. "The food is going to get cold, isn't it?"
Hunger burned in his gaze, and he nodded before pulling her in for a passionate kiss. Why she even bothered to cook was beyond her. She crawled into his lap, straddling him as he pushed her skirt up over her thighs. His thumbs grazed the thin strap of her thong panties as she moaned into the kiss, her body beyond ready for carnality with the man she loved.
He broke the kiss and took her face into both hands. "I love you. So much, Jamie. I want you to be mine. Just mine. I’ve no interest in anyone else."
"I love you too, Alex." She pressed against him, his words blasting passion through her entire body.
He loved her.
Finally.
Chapter 19
The passion that started in the dining quickly moved to the bathroom as Alex pushed his chair back and held onto her tightly. Jamie clung to him, making love to his mouth as his strong hands pressed into her rear. He walked them through the living room into the large master bathroom.
"Bath or shower?" He helped her slide down the front of his body.
"Shower." She stepped back and pulled her dress over her head.
His eyes widened and he tugged her back against him, consuming her mouth again as he wo
rked on her bra and then her thong.
"Damn, I need you," he mumbled against her neck, just before moving down to fondle and lick at her breasts. His fingers brushed over the tight skin of her stomach before teasing the top of her sex.
"Yes. I was going to rape you today, either way." She slid her fingers into his hair as he moved to his knees and reached around her, massaging her ass.
He glanced up and smiled. "Oh, you were? Why is that likely the hottest thing I've ever heard?"
"Because you're a bad boy." She bit at her bottom lip and continued to run her fingers through his hair. His eyes moved across her, leaving her exposed, but more than ready for anything he wanted.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He moved forward, sliding his tongue down the front of her wet skin.
She groaned and pulled at his head a little, showing him without too much force how much she needed him.
"Back up to the wall and lean back. Put your leg over my shoulder. Just one of them." He grinned as she moved back. Slowly he crawled toward her, with the look of a predator on his handsome face. By the time he made it to her, her legs were shaking slightly.
"Good girl." He turned his head and pressed his teeth into her thigh as her leg rested on his shoulder. "I'm going to fuck you all night. It's long overdue."
"Please?" she whimpered as he turned and pressed his open mouth to her sex, sucking and licking in a rhythmic fashion. There was no shame in her desire to roll her hips, forcing herself more tightly against his face. The deep growls and moans that left him rolled over her exposed skin and left her covered in chill bumps.
The sight of him on his knees, lapping her, combined with the pressure of his fingers playing with the tight opening of her body, left her dangling over the edge of explosion. He pressed a finger into her, and her body tightened. Heat burst from her stomach and she lifted her chin toward the ceiling and cried out, thrusting against his attack.
"Mmm hmm... give it to me, Jamie." He continued to fuck her fast and expertly, giving her another orgasm within seconds.
"Please," she begged as she breathed out and pushed at his shoulder before sliding out of his grasp. Her hands pressed to the wall opposite of them as she leaned her head against it, gasping for air. "That… was… amazing. So damn... Fuck!" she gasped, trying to still her racing heart and throbbing center.
"I want more. You know I'm greedy." His voice sounded so good, so filled with masculinity. So demanding.
She turned and pressed her back to the wall as he moved to the shower, turning the water on and setting the temperature. He made sure to turn back around and face her as he unzipped his jeans and slipped out of them. His cock stood thick and proud, commanding her attention.
"My turn." She moved toward him and reached for him, sliding her hand down his erection. It never failed to thrill her completely that he was hers for the night, if nothing else. But this time... he loved her.
"Not now. Another time. I need to be inside of you, baby." He ran his fingers through her hair and tightened his grasp as his other hand moved down her side and over her hip, petting her firmly. He pulled her into a kiss that filled her senses with her own lust. It tasted good on him, and the idea of his mouth being filled with the most intimate parts of her set her blood on fire.
"I need that too," she whispered against his mouth as she glanced up, playing the sexy minx that she was quite well.
"Get in the shower and press your hands to the front wall."
She didn't speak a word, but did as he commanded and stepped into the shower and moved her long blonde hair to drape in front of her left shoulder. There was a need to have his mouth on her back and shoulders, and to do so, her hair had to be moved out of the way.
Jamie slid her hands up the cold shower wall before pressing herself against it and shivering.
"Here. Let me warm you up, baby." He slid his hands over her back, up her arms, and cupped her fingers in his as he pressed his hard body against hers.
She couldn't help but sway a little, needing to feel the thick press of his erection against her ass. The spray of warm water teased her as it wet the space between them, allowing the friction of his body grinding against hers to be so much better. Lubricated.
"I love the way you feel against me." She turned her head to the side.
He leaned in and kissed the side of her mouth as he repositioned himself to enter her.
"How about inside of you?" He pressed in a little and she groaned loudly. "More, Jamie?"
"Fuck, yes." She pushed back as aggression ran through her. "Lots more."
He chuckled darkly and kissed the side of her mouth once more. "What my woman wants... she gets."
Alex moved back and ran his hands over her hips and the top curve of her ass once more, before gripping her tightly and forcing himself the rest of the way inside of her.
They joined each other in a series of moans as he began to work her slow and hard. The deep thrusts jolted her senses and released warm fingers of pleasure that stretched from head to toe.
He leaned against her again and slipped his hands around to the front of her body, grabbing her breasts and playing with her nipples as he pressed his teeth to her back.
"Bite me, but don't hurt me." Jamie shivered and pressed back, rocking against his offering.
His teeth pressed against her skin and she cried out in pleasure as another orgasm took her. Soft kisses took the place of his teeth, and his fingers slipped into her sex, rubbing back and forth against her clit as she rode the high.
Their love-making lasted for what felt like forever, but she didn't want it to end. He finally joined her in a long, drawn-out orgasm and they collapsed against the side of the shower, holding each other and panting against each other’s skin.
"I love you so much." Alex pulled back and turned her around before enveloping her in his arms. He kissed her hard and took most of her weight as her legs were shaking something horrible.
"I love you, too, Alex. Take me to bed." She leaned against him, tucking her face against his neck and relaxing into him.
There was nothing like being held by him. His strong arms were a perfect reminder that he would always hold her up.
"You want more, sexy minx?" he chuckled and turned the shower off.
"Always." She smiled and moved back, reaching to hold onto the faucet as he handed her a towel. "I don't think I could ever get enough of you."
"The feeling is quite mutual." He opened the door and got out before offering her a hand.
Jamie wrapped the large blue towel around her body, took his hand, and got out of the shower. They moved into the bedroom, and he tugged her towel from her before she crawled up in the bed.
"Damn... that's so nice." He stood at the bottom of the bed, watching her.
Jamie turned and lay on her back, extending her hand toward him. "Come up here and hold me."
"How about I make love to you and then hold you?" He lifted his eyebrow and crawled up the bed slowly, taking time to drag his nose and lips against her flesh as he did.
"You're insatiable." She ran her fingers down his shoulders and over his back as he reached her and pressed against her.
"Only with you." He moved up to gaze down at her. With his elbows pressed to the bed on either side of her head, he brushed her hair back lovingly and let his eyes move across her. "I thought I'd lost you. I still want to apologize a million times. To make things perfectly right between us."
"They already are." She shifted before wrapping her legs around him. "The slate is wiped clean. We can start, not over, but from where we left off."
"I want you with me every night." He leaned down and brushed his lips by hers.
"That can be arranged. I'll talk with your PA." She smiled and pressed her legs against his perfect rear, groaning as he entered her again.
"She's a bit of a tiger. Watch out for her. She bites." He tensed and rocked against her before tucking his face against her neck and sucking at her flesh.
"I hear there’s only one man she's willing to put her mouth on," Jamie groaned loudly and lifted her hips, wanting more of him.
"That’s me." He moved up to her ear. "Right?"
She laughed and rolled them over, sitting up and pressing herself down the length of him. "Yes. You're the only ‘he’ in my life."
"Good. Show me what you're capable of, lover."
"You asked for it." She leaned forward, dug her nails into his tight chest, and let her inhibitions fly out the window.
It was a night she wanted him to remember.
Chapter 20
Waking up the next morning with Alex beside her was a dream come true. His dark brown hair was tousled from rolling around all night. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she carefully turned on her side and tucked her hands under her face.
There would never be another man who was capable of stealing her heart the way this one had. He was willing to believe in her when no one else would, and fight for her when she wasn't willing to fight for herself. That Stephen set them up to be nothing more than co-workers was almost ironic.
She reached out and brushed his hair back as his eyes opened. The deep blue of them stole her breath, and she tried hard to memorize every detail of his handsome face.
"Are you watching me sleep?" he asked in a gravelly voice.
"Is it creepy if the answer is yes?" She smiled and brushed her fingers down the side of his face. His stubble tickled her fingers in a way that caused her to stifle a groan.
"Not at all. It's flattering." He moved closer, repositioning himself against the front of her as they lay on their sides together. "I haven't slept this well in ages."
"Must be a good sign, hmmm?" She smiled and moved forward, softly pressing her lips to his. Something about being warm and cozy in the morning turned her on, though it wasn't at all the morning for going another round in the sheet. It was the final day of their investment conference. She was grateful it was almost over… Too much stress and time involvement for little return.
