Another step.
“It’s so soon and it’s crazy but…it doesn’t change anything. I thought I’d be okay with staying in separate places and all that, but the truth is, I’m not. When we get to San Francisco, I want to stay with you. I mean, I want to spend as much time as possible with my dad but at the end of the day, I want to go back to the hotel with you. I don’t want to say goodnight to you and watch you leave. Not this weekend.”
Maybe not ever, she thought. Taking a steadying breath, she met Reece’s dark gaze and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
“Reece?” she said quietly, afraid that she may have been too forward this time.
“Let me ask you something,” he began, his voice low and gravelly.
“Okay.”
“Do you have any idea how badly I want to pick you up and carry you into my bedroom and make love to you?”
Alesha swallowed hard as she nodded, anticipation filling her.
“I didn’t bring you here—or stop here—for this. You know that, right?”
Again, she nodded.
“We don’t have a lot of time and…”
“Reece?”
“Hmm?”
“Stop talking,” she said boldly as she closed the distance between them until they were touching. “We can walk to the bedroom or you can carry me but if you don’t decide soon I may just go insane.”
A slow grin spread across his face and all Alesha could think was finally!
He scooped her up into his arms and made his way quickly across the room toward the stairs. “This is going to be hard and fast,” he said, taking the stairs at a near run. “But I promise to make it up to you tonight.”
“Deal,” she said.
Once he crossed the threshold to his bedroom, Reece kicked the door closed and placed Alesha on the bed. She couldn’t help the silly grin on her face. She was happy. Pure and simple. The thought of making love with Reece—even hurriedly—was the best thing in the world to her.
She kicked off her shoes as Reece pulled his t-shirt up and over his head. Alesha could only stare because his body was perfection. That first day she had seen him in the park she had been able to tell he was athletic, but it didn’t prepare her for the lean, sculpted muscles he had just revealed.
“If you keep looking at me like that, this is going to be even quicker,” he teased.
“I can’t help it,” she admitted shyly. “You’re just…I mean…wow.”
He chuckled. “There’s that word again.”
She shrugged and gave him a coy smile. “I believe we’ve already discussed the reason why I use that word.”
With one knee on the bed, Reece leaned forward and slowly began running his hands up her body. When he reached the button on her jeans, his eyes met hers. “I really wanted our first time to be slow and sweet, but…”
Alesha was one step ahead of him. Reaching down, she tugged on the hem of her sweater and pulled it up and over her head, tossing it to the floor. There was no need to ask Reece if he liked what he saw; his heated expression said it all. He crawled over her, gently forcing her to lie back down until they were chest to chest.
Her name was part whisper, part growl as he looked at her.
“We’ll have all night for slow and sweet,” she said softly. “But right now, I really want that hard and fast you mentioned earlier.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Reece was kissing her hungrily. She understood his need because it matched her own. Clothes fell away as they moved together—bumping noses and rolling around. They laughed. They kissed.
They loved.
****
“How long have you lived here?” Alesha asked some time later. It was well after lunch time and they both knew they should have been on the road already, but they were happily wrapped around each other in Reece’s king-sized bed.
“It’s been four years now,” he answered. He kissed the top of her head and his hands were still lazily caressing her wherever he could reach. “I was one of the contractors on the job when this community was being built and I really liked it. So I got in fairly early on, got my pick of which unit I wanted and really made it my own. No other townhouse in this development looks like this one. I mean the floorplans are the same, but all of the custom finishes are mine.”
“That’s amazing. That’s kind of my dream—to someday own a place of my own and really put my stamp on it and make it mine.”
“Are you going to buy a place in Hope Falls?”
“That’s the plan. Dad’s place is fine and well but it’s not home for me. It’s not the house we lived in when I was little so I have no connection to it. I need to get through the renovations with the store and then I can start thinking about a house.”
“What kind of place are you looking for? One story or two? Modern? Traditional? Big property? No property?”
“Sheesh, why don’t you shine a light on me?” she teased and then laughed. “I’d love a craftsman style, something more traditional. And it has to have an updated kitchen and a fenced-in yard. Other than that, I’m completely flexible.”
“Why a fenced-in yard?”
“I want to get a dog,” she replied. “I’ve always wanted one and my mom would never allow one and then when I graduated from college and was renting, none of my landlords allowed pets. So now that I am finally on my own and planning a place of my own, it’s sort of my first order of business. A dog.”
“I get that.” Then he started to chuckle.
“What? What’s so funny?”
“It’s nothing. It’s just that…” He laughed again. “There’s a couple of dogs that come and sort of…hang out at Two Scoops.”
“Really? You mean with their owners?”
He shook his head. “Nope. They tend to escape from their homes and come into town to get ice cream.”
“That’s hysterical! Who owns them?”
“Well, Scooby belongs to Amy and Matt Kellan. He was Amy’s dog, a Great Dane, and now she’s married to Matt so I guess now he officially belongs to both of them.”
“A Great Dane named Scooby?” she asked and then started laughing. “That’s awesome! Is there a Scrappy? Please tell me there’s a Scrappy Doo that comes with him!”
“Actually, there is!”
“Oh my gosh! I love it! Does Scrappy belong to Matt and Amy too?”
“No. Scrappy belongs to Amy’s sister Nikki and he’s a Chihuahua. They make quite a pair.” He laughed again. “It’s really something to see when they come walking down the middle of the street.”
“I can’t wait to see that! I can’t believe my dad never mentioned it before!”
“It’s probably more of a thing for my folks because the dogs come for ice cream. So just know if you get a dog, there are some bad influences in town.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied with another chuckle.
Beside her, he nodded. “So what are you thinking of, a big dog or small one?”
“Promise not to laugh?”
That immediately had him laughing.
“Hey! You promised!”
“Technically I never answered,” he teased and then quieted down and cleared his throat. “Okay. Now I promise.”
“I really want a tiny dog. Like the smaller, the better. Something like a Chin-wa. It’s a mix between the purebred Chihuahua and Japanese Chin. They’re loving and playful and would be a great choice for someone looking for a small pup that doesn’t shed much—which is me.”
She had to give him credit—he didn’t laugh.
But he was most definitely smirking.
She frowned. “Say something. Go on. I can tell that you’re dying to.”
He made a zipping gesture over his lips as he shook his head.
“Fine,” she said, “be that way.” Then, deciding to be a little wicked, she squirmed out of his arms until she was on top of him, straddling him. Reece’s hands instantly went to her hips but his gaz
e lingered on her bare breasts before meeting her gaze. She gave him a very knowing smile.
“Baby,” he said gruffly, “we really should get dressed and get on the road. It’s a three-and-a-half hour drive to San Francisco.”
Alesha leaned down and silenced him with a kiss. “Then I guess we’ll just have to be quick again.”
He quickly rolled her over onto her back. “I aim to please.”
And he did.
Chapter Six
Alesha was quiet later that night. They had spent the evening visiting with her father and uncle and had gone to dinner with them. Everyone had laughed and seemed to have a good time, but as they were driving back to the hotel, Reece could tell that she had a lot on her mind.
“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay?”
She was looking out the window at the passing scenery and simply nodded.
Part of him felt a little guilty. Things had gotten intense earlier at his place and even though they’d both been on the same page, today wasn’t the time for it. He should have been more sensitive about that. He had just wanted to be there for her—to be a supportive friend while she came to visit her father—and what had he done? Pounced.
Twice.
Note to self, no more pouncing tonight. Dammit.
They arrived back at the hotel in silence and rode the elevator up to their room on the eighth floor. The view was spectacular and when they had checked in earlier, they had commented on how they couldn’t wait to see it with the city all lit up. One look at Alesha and he knew her mind wasn’t on it.
So what was he supposed to do?
Clearing his throat, Reece walked across the room and stared out at the city skyline. Maybe it would have been better if Alesha had stayed with her dad at her uncle’s place and not here. She’d probably feel a lot better right now.
He almost jumped out of his skin when she came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist as she rested her head against his back. As much as he wanted to ask her if she was okay, he knew it would be better if he just let her talk about what was on her mind when she was ready.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For being here with me today.” Alesha sighed and moved to stand beside him, looking out the window. “Today was harder than I thought it would be.”
Reece nodded.
“It’s only been a week and I know he hasn’t started his treatment yet but it hit me that we lost so much time because of the divorce and my mom moving us away and now, when I should be with him, I’m far away again.” She paused. “Maybe I should sell the bookstore and focus on taking care of him.”
Unease crept up his spine. He’d just found her again! If she sold Read Between the Lines and moved away to San Francisco, where would that leave them?
Then he mentally cursed himself because his thinking was completely selfish. However, he knew what she needed to hear. Turning toward her, he took her in his arms and held her close.
“Alesha, that bookstore means the world to your father. He entrusted it to you because he didn’t want to lose it and because he knew you were the only person in the world who would appreciate it and love it the way he does. Once his treatment is over, he’s coming home to Hope Falls. You can be there for him. You can hire someone to work for you part-time so you’ll have some flexibility. You saw how excited he was today when we told him about all the work we did on the store. That’s the sort of thing he’s going to need to keep his spirits up.”
She snuggled closer. “You’re right. I know you’re right. And I know we’re going to have a good weekend together visiting, but I can’t help but feel a little bit guilty.”
“About what?”
“That I’m there at the store and he’s not,” she said quietly. “I used to hate that store.”
He pulled back and looked at her as if she were crazy. “How come?”
She shrugged. “He chose that over his family. Starting the business was a dream of his. He walked away from a successful law career for it and when my mom said that it wasn’t something she could be on board with, he still chose it.”
Well damn, he thought. He knew some of this—Alesha had shared it with him that first day—but knowing all of it made his heart break for her. Pulling her back in close, he kissed the top of her head. “And yet you still came back when he needed you. That just proves what an incredible person you are.”
Alesha shook her head. “Not really. It was more about coming back to Hope Falls and taking care of Dad than the store.” She looked up at him. “And if I’m really going to blow your image of me, I have to say that it was more about coming back to Hope Falls.”
Reece couldn’t help but chuckle. “Seriously?”
“Yup. I always wanted to come back. That was the only place we ever lived that just felt…I don’t know…like home. I had…” She pulled back again and looked up at him. “I had the best friends there.”
He smiled. He couldn’t help it. Nodding with understanding, he said, “You were definitely missed when you left. And for a long time after.”
Staring up at him, a smile slowly appeared. “How did I get so lucky?”
“Lucky? A minute ago you didn’t seem to be feeling that way,” he teased.
“I know, but…I’m standing here…with you…and it just makes me realize that I really am lucky. A week ago I was overwhelmed and feeling alone and then you showed up and saved me—sort of like when we were kids.”
A loud bark of laughter was out before Reece could stop it. “Oh my God! I can’t believe you remember that!”
Alesha joined in the laughter as she moved out of his arms. “Those bullies took my snack! And you came over and shoved them out of the way and yelled at them and then shared your snack with me.” She smiled broadly now. “You were my hero.”
His heart swelled. He may have been in kindergarten at the time, but he never forgot that day. Reece was always the kind of guy who hated to see anyone get picked on, but when he spotted Alesha crying as two older kids ganged up on her, it had spurred him into action. Besides coming to her rescue, he had found a best friend.
When she had moved away three years later, his world felt like it had come to an end. At the age of seven, however, you tend to get over things and move on, even when you don’t want it to happen. All these years, he’d never forgotten Alesha. He just didn’t think she would even remember him.
“I liked being your hero,” he finally said, his voice low and serious.
And in that instant, the mood in the room changed. Gone was the sadness, the solemn feeling, and in its place was the heat that seemed to be simmering under the surface since Alesha had come back into his life.
Slowly he walked toward her. When they were toe to toe, he cupped her face and looked down into those beautiful eyes that always drew him in. “I still want to be your hero.”
His thumbs caressed her cheeks and Reece watched in fascination as her eyes slowly closed and her breath hitched slightly.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
And that’s what he had been waiting for—for Alesha to tell him what she wanted. If all she wanted tonight was to have someone to talk to or someone to hold her, he would have done it. But as he lowered his head to hers, he was also extremely grateful that she wanted this too.
This afternoon had been fast and frantic and he had meant what he’d told her—he had wanted their first time to be slow and sweet. Tonight, no matter how much he wanted to rush things, he was going to be true to his word. He was going to make love to her.
Alesha’s arms slowly wound around his shoulders as his lips met hers. She sighed as she pressed up against him and Reece let his hands make their way down from her face, her throat, down her sides until he could rest them on her waist. She felt so small and fragile under his hands, but he knew the real Alesha Reed. She was strong and fiercely independent. But right now, when they were like this, it made him feel good that she let down her guard with him
and let him take care of her.
Doing his best to tamp down his need, Reece kissed her slowly, taking his time to simply enjoy the feel of her soft lips and the sound of her soft sighs—all of which were becoming addictive to him.
Tightening her hold on him, Alesha deepened the kiss briefly before breaking it. Her breath was ragged as she looked up at him. “I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record but…thank you.”
“For what?” he asked softly.
“We talked about how we were going to come back here and how romantic it was going to be,” she began, “but you didn’t push. You knew I needed some time to just talk and I…I appreciate that. So thank you.”
“Alesha, you don’t have to thank me. What kind of man would I be if I acted so selfishly?” he asked but didn’t wait for her to answer. “I want you. You know that I want you. But more than that, I care about you. Whatever it is that you need from me, I want to give that to you.”
She leaned back a little and looked at him—her expression puzzled. “How is it that you’re still single?”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re almost too good to be true! I don’t think I’ve ever met a man as considerate as you. I’m afraid that I’m going to wake up and find out this was all a dream.”
Reece shook his head. “Not a dream,” he said seriously, “but to me, it’s like a dream come true.” He kissed her forehead. “We’ve spent every day together this week and I feel like the luckiest man alive that you came back into my life.”
“Reece…”
He ducked his head, feeling a little embarrassed by his admission. “We were kids back then and had no idea what we were feeling other than friendship.” Then he looked up at her. “But when I saw you again it was just like…I don’t know…like it all made perfect sense.”
Hope Falls: Wildest Dreams (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 4
