“This is your house?” I asked.
“Yeah, baby. Do you like it?”
I nodded. “From the outside it looks gorgeous. I didn’t think you’d ever move to Vancouver, though.”
“Ryder and Sadie bought a house up here, so a couple of us followed.”
“Ahh, that makes sense.” I grinned. “You and Ryder and your bromance.”
He chuckled. “He’s my brother, baby.”
“I know. I get it.”
He took my hand and kissed the palm gently. “Come in and I’ll show you around.”
“What about my bag?”
“I’ll get it later.”
I nodded and followed him into the house expecting to find a bachelor pad... it was not. It was adorable. “Reese, this place is so cute.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Cute?”
“Okay, maybe not ‘cute.’ Manly, but still very showhome-esque.” I giggled. “I was expecting a messy bachelor pad.”
He grinned, leaning down to kiss me quickly. “The plan has always been to flip this place, so I had to appeal to buyers.”
“You did all this work?”
“With a little help from the guys, yeah,” he said. “Come see the view.”
He led me onto the back deck that overlooked the river and I gasped. “Reese, it’s incredible.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close, kissing my temple. “Yeah.”
“Do you have to flip it?”
“No, why?”
I smiled up at him. “I want to live here.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded.
“You gonna marry me?”
“Probably not,” I breathed out.
“What the fuck?”
I patted his chest. “You haven’t asked.”
He grinned. “I’ll figure out how to fix that.”
“That’d be good, honey.”
He gave me one more squeeze and then we headed back inside. “You can take the wig off, Lex.”
“Oh, thank God.” I ripped it off my head and dropped it onto the sofa.
“If you go outside, though, you need to put it back on.”
I cocked my head. “Are you worried about drones?”
“And passing boats... and zoom lenses,” he admitted.
“I’ll be careful, Reese. I promise.”
“Thanks, baby.” He stroked my cheek. “I have a surprise for you.”
I clapped my hands. “I love surprises.”
“I know you do.”
He took my hand and led me down a bright hallway and into what appeared to be the master bedroom. The king-sized bed sat against the back wall facing sliding glass doors that opened onto the deck we had just been standing on. There were shear curtains that were closed, but still let light in, then heavier drapes pulled open to maximize the sunshine.
Sitting on the bed were shopping bags. Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, Target, and Anthropologie. “What did you do?” I squeaked.
“Did a little shopping,” he said.
“I can see that.”
“I want you to try everything on and I’ll return whatever you don’t like.”
I blinked up at him. “Are you kidding me?”
“I know you don’t have a whole lot right now and that you can’t go shopping yourself, so I asked Paisley to help me find some things you might like.”
“You did?”
“I did,” he confirmed. “She’ll also be comin’ over later. Blake’s gonna figure out a way to get her here without notice.”
I clapped my hands and hugged him. “Really?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Now try on the shit.”
I laughed and rushed for the goodies.
In the end, there was only one pair of jeans I didn’t like, mostly because they made my bubble butt look flat and that was not acceptable to Reese.
He’d bought me two new pairs of jeans, a pair of tennis shoes, a gorgeous strappy pair of sandals, a pair of flats, a pair of knee-high boots, and a pair of heels that complemented my brand new little black dress (that I really hoped I’d get to wear soon outside of his house). There were also three pairs of leggings, a couple of skirts, four of the cutest tops I’d ever seen (Paisley’s influence, obviously), six T-shirts, and underwear that would last a while. Both sexy and practical. The plan was to leave most of it at Reese’s, but I couldn’t resist shoving a few things into my backpack to take back with me to the abbey.
“Did you leave anything in the stores?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Not much, no.” He kissed my head. “Are you happy?”
I met his eyes. “Honey, everything’s perfect. This is all so unbelievably generous. Thank you.”
“I got just as much out of this, you know?”
“You hate shopping, so how does that work, exactly?”
He smiled. “I got to watch you dress and undress over and over.”
I flattened my palm over his growing erection and licked my lips. “Wanna return the favor?”
He picked me up and covered my mouth with his, carrying me to the bed. I guess I had my answer. Dropping me gently onto the mattress, he yanked off his shirt and stretched over me, pushing my T-shirt up over my head, freeing my mouth and nose, but using the fabric as a blindfold.
“No moving,” he ordered, and I swallowed as I nodded. I felt pressure on my clit over the lace of my panties, then the sensation of the fabric being slid down my thighs almost broke me, and I had to force myself to breathe. “Reese,” I rasped.
“Shh, Freckles.”
I squeezed my eyes shut behind the blindfold, doing my best to stop myself from letting out a frustrated growl. He pushed my knees apart and my legs shook as he covered my core with his mouth, sucking my clit gently as I arched up to get closer.
“You’re moving, Alexa,” he admonished.
I huffed, but set my butt back down on the mattress.
“Good girl,” he said, and went back to his task.
He slid one finger inside of me, then two as he continued his assault on my clit. I panted out, “Oh, God, baby, I’m—”
“Don’t come,” he ordered.
I lost his fingers and let out a hiss of frustration. “Reese.”
My hips were lifted slightly and then Reese filled me and I arched up to get more. I tried to slide my fingers into his hair, but he pushed my arms over my head, keeping the shirt firmly over my eyes. I whimpered with need, but he rolled a nipple before sucking on it gently and I sighed with pleasure.
“I want to touch you.”
His hand slid between our bodies and he fingered my clit. “In a minute.”
“Now,” I breathed out.
The T-shirt slipped off my eyes and he grinned down at me. “Eager beaver.”
“Damn straight my beaver’s eager.” I leaned up to kiss him. “Get this off of me.” The shirt had now made it difficult for me to move my arms.
He pushed the shirt off my body and chucked it in the corner of the room as he kissed me deeply. His hand went back between our bodies and I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold back for long. “Reese.”
“Come, baby.”
I did. He thrust into me a few more times and then I felt his cock pulse inside of me and I held him tight as he kissed me again. He broke the connection and stared down at me, stroking my cheek. “I love you, Lex.”
“I love you too, honey.”
“Missed this.”
I smiled up at him. “Me too.”
“Can’t let you go back.”
“Can you make that happen?”
He sighed, dropping his forehead to mine. “I don’t know.”
Sliding out of me, he flopped onto his back and pulled me on top of him.
“I don’t know how it would work,” I admitted. “The trial isn’t for months. I can’t really see myself being out of the security of the abbey.”
“I know.” He
held me tighter. “Me neither. Don’t like it, though.”
“Me neither,” I mimicked.
He smiled. “You ruin me, baby.”
“Back atya, sugar bear.” I ran my finger down his chest. “Can we do this on a regular basis?”
“As often as we can, absolutely.”
“I wish I could give my testimony over video now. I feel like I got you back and I don’t want to have to wait to start our lives.”
“I’m more concerned about another postponement.”
“Ohmigod.” I sat up with a gasp. “I hadn’t even thought about that, which is dumb since I’m an attorney. There have already been three.”
He dragged his hands down his face. “I know.”
“Will they do it again, do you think?”
“No clue.”
“Well, can we make a plan if they do postpone it?”
He leaned up on his forearms. “What kind of plan?”
“A plan for us,” I said. “One that involves us being together every day. Not sneaking out of storm drains for X-rated interludes.”
He grinned and tugged me back on top of him. “Yes.”
“Promise?”
He rolled me onto my back and kissed my neck. “Even though I love X-rated interludes, I’d much rather be with you every day. So, yes, I promise.”
“Correct answer.”
I giggled when my stomach growled... loudly... and Reese sat up. “My woman’s apparently hungry.”
“Or I have gas,” I countered.
“Have you suddenly developed irritable bowel syndrome?”
“I might if you don’t feed me.”
He dropped his head back and laughed before pulling me off the bed. “Come on, baby. Leave your clothes off.”
“When is Paisley getting here?”
“Not for another two hours,” he said.
“Mmm, naked cooking. I’m in... unless you plan to fry stuff.”
“I will keep the hot oil down to a minimum,” Reese promised.
“I appreciate that, sugar bear.”
He kissed my neck. “No way in hell I’m marring this body.”
I giggled. “Ulterior motives. Got it.”
He pulled me close and leaned down to kiss me gently. “Love you.”
“So you’ve said.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Am I being too romantical for you, Lex?”
“It’s been a long time, honey; you need to let me get used to your total adoration for me again.” I smiled. I was the least romantic person on the planet, something Reese used to tease me about mercilessly. “I’ve had to contend with only Paisley for years.”
He chuckled. “The only two women I know who hate romance more than most men.”
“So very, very true.”
“Come on, let me do the most romantic thing in the world and feed you.”
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Sounds good.”
Reese and I headed to the kitchen and managed to eat part of our food before he fucked me up against the kitchen counter then took me back to bed.
After several more orgasms, I showered and dressed in one of my new pairs of jeans and a soft T-shirt. Paisley arrived about twenty minutes later and I was introduced to Blake.
Blake was about six feet tall and held himself like a much bigger man. He had long silvery black hair he wore in a man-bun and he reminded me a lot of Anson Mount, complete with full beard and smirky smile. Every inch of skin visible was tattooed, including his neck, which was so very biker. I remember Reese mentioning he was fifteen years older than him, so he must be in his forties now, although, he looked much younger.
Alexa
A WEEK LATER, I was fully over being stuck in the abbey. I had only been able to see Reese twice since our overnight and it was killing me.
I was in the chapel, alone, placing hymnals in pews when Sadie walked in and headed toward me. “Hello, Sister Maria, how are you?”
“I’m well, Sadie. Thank you.”
“I was wondering if you would like to join me and Ryder for dinner this evening.”
My heart raced knowing that meant Reese time. “I would like that very much.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up around five.” She wrinkled her nose as she lowered her voice. “You’ll need to wear the wig with your veil and habit.”
I sighed. “Okay, Sadie. I understand.”
“Great. We’ll see you tonight.” She pulled me in for an awkward hug. “I’m so glad you’re coming.”
“Me too.”
She gave me one more smile then left me standing next to the third pew from the back.
Finally.
I desperately needed to see my man.
* * *
Reese
I paced Ryder’s living room waiting for Alexa to arrive. She was late and I was growing increasingly frustrated. Sadie had left over an hour ago and should have been back by now, but here I was still pacing the room. I should have collected her.
Ryder clapped me on the back and handed me a beer. “She’ll be here, brother.”
I took the bottle and sighed. “What’s takin’ so fuckin’ long?”
Ryder chuckled. “You know Sadie drives like an old lady. She’s bein’ careful, but she got to the church and left about twenty minutes ago. She’ll be—”
Before he could finish his pep talk, I caught motion on the cameras. Sadie’s BMW started its ascent up the long driveway. I set my beer on the coffee table, pulled the drapes to the picture window closed, and waited inside the front door. Sadie walked in first, followed by Alexa who didn’t have a second to greet Ryder because I grabbed her, tugging her veil and black wig from her head and kissing her deeply.
Alexa responded immediately, giggling against my mouth. “Hey.”
“Hey. Missed you.”
“Missed you too, honey.”
“Please tell me you’re wearin’ somethin’ else under that thing.”
She raised an eyebrow. “This thing needs to be shown more respect.”
I rolled my eyes. “It would be great, baby, if you wouldn’t mind,” I said carefully, “if you would so kindly take off your habit so I can make-out with you and not feel like I’m goin’ to hell.”
Sadie giggled behind us and the sound brought me back to the present. “Shit.”
Alexa grinned and patted my face gently. “Kinda forgot she was there, huh?”
I sighed and forced a smile. “Little bit.”
“Unzip me,” Lex ordered, and turned her back.
I did as I was instructed and was rewarded with Alexa in jeans and a low-cut sweater that slid off one milky shoulder (which I leaned down and kissed gently). “Thanks, baby.”
“My pleasure, sugar bear.” She faced me with a smile and then picked up her discarded habit and veil, folding them neatly and setting them on the bench by the front door.
I caught Sadie grinning behind her hand and raised an eyebrow in challenge. She shook her head and could no longer hide her mirth. Waving her hand between me and Lex, she said, “I really like this, Reese.”
I grinned. “Me too, Sadie.”
Alexa made her way back to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I pulled her close and kissed her head before walking her (still attached to me) into the kitchen.
“Can I get you a glass of wine or a beer, Lex?” Sadie asked.
“Wine, please.”
Sadie poured her a glass and tried to hand it to her, but I wouldn’t release her to retrieve it. Alexa giggled. “I need to get closer to reach the sweet nectar, baby...”
Instead of letting her go, I shuffled us both closer to the kitchen island.
“You’re ridiculous Reese,” Alexa complained but didn’t loosen her grip on my waist.
I kissed her temple in response.
“Was he like this back in the day?” Sadie asked Ryder.
Ryder wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her. “Yeah, baby, he was.”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Wo
w,” she whispered.
Alexa chuckled. “It was out of control back then, too.”
“Hey now,” I admonished.
“You can growl at me all day long, Mr. Alden,” Alexa said as she craned her neck to look up at me. “But it doesn’t make it any less true.”
I smiled down at her and kissed her nose. “Gonna grab my beer. Don’t move.”
“Exactly where would I go?”
I didn’t answer her rhetorical question as I headed to the living room and grabbed the beer I’d earlier discarded. When I walked back to the kitchen, Alexa was at the stove helping with dinner.
“You moved,” I accused, and she glanced over her shoulder with a laugh.
“Technically, I didn’t move, honey. I stepped to the stove.”
“Are you arguing semantics?”
“Damn skippy I am,” she retorted.
I grinned and kissed the nape of her neck, whispering, “Wish I could get you naked.”
“I heard that,” Sadie said.
I laughed. “I don’t care.”
Alexa reached around me and smacked my ass. “Behave.”
“No promises.”
She faced me and kissed my neck. “How about you and Ryder go bond and I’ll help Sadie with dinner?”
“I spend a lot of time with Ryder,” I complained. “I’m good right here.”
“But if you’re here, I can’t talk about you.”
“Sure you can.” I took a swig of my beer.
“I’m not going anywhere, honey.” Alexa squeezed my hand. “Go relax.”
I studied her and then shook my head, leaning down to kiss her. “Fifteen minutes.”
“Twenty.”
“Fourteen.”
“You can’t give me less time,” she argued.
I sighed dramatically. “Sixteen, then.”
She giggled. “Fine... sixteen.”
I stared at her a little longer, then left the kitchen.
* * *
Alexa
“Oh my word,” Sadie whispered. “I have never seen him like that.”
I giggled. “He’s a little over the top, huh?”
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