Sweet Alibi

by Adriane Leigh

  “Possessive, huh?” His beautiful smirk lit his lips.

  “Very.” I leaned up on tiptoes and kissed it off his lips.

  * * *

  “Tell me about your day.” Tristan dusted his long fingers around the bare skin of my back. I was draped across his naked chest, my head resting over his heart, sucking in his fresh ocean scent mixed with the scent of our lovemaking. We lay with only a thin sheet covering our lower halves as we enjoyed the post-sex glow.

  “It was awful. I’m glad it’s over and I’m glad I’m home with you.” I kissed his dark nipple and felt a shiver run across his body.

  “Mmm, I’m glad you're home too.” His voice was rough and sexy and had desire shooting tingles across my body.

  “You miss me?”

  “Just your sexy ass. I could do without the nagging.” He smacked my bottom so hard it left a sting.

  “What?” I squealed and pushed off of him, rubbing my ass. “I don’t nag.” I shot him a glare to see his sensual lips curved up in a mischievous smile.

  “I know; I’m just kidding. I missed you. And this ass.” He stroked his palm over my bottom softly.

  “Good.” I kissed his full lips before leaning back down on his chest.

  “I’m glad you did it alone, baby. I get it now.”

  “Mmm, I wasn’t alone,” I whispered as a sleepy haze infiltrated my brain.

  “What do you mean? Who was with you?” he murmured in my hair.

  “I’ll tell you in the morning. Too tired.” I yawned and tucked into his neck, falling asleep to his delicate fingers running figure eights around my back.

  Fifty-Three

  Tristan

  “Hey, babe?” I stepped up behind her as she made coffee, her first morning home.

  “Yeah?” she turned and planted a kiss on my lips. “Good morning.”

  “I guess so.” I slid my palms up under her shirt and pulled her hips to mine. “Very good morning.” I caught her lips in a kiss and thrust my tongue in her mouth, devouring her first thing. Best morning ritual ever. I skimmed my hand up her narrow waist and palmed her tits in my hands, pinching her nipples just to hear her squeal.

  “That hurts,” she squeaked, but her lips landed back on mine again.

  “I thought you liked it when I was rough?” I murmured between kisses.

  “Mmm, I do . . .” she moaned and arched into me. I slid one hand down inside her little sleep shorts, the ones that drove me insane because she looked so hot in them. I ran my fingers down the crack of her ass and pressed her to me, sliding my fingers through her wet folds from behind. “Jesus,” she moaned as I swirled a fingertip around her swollen flesh.

  “Fuck. Wet first thing in the morning? I think you were made for me.” I thrust a finger inside her and pumped as she arched and moaned into my mouth.

  “Tristan, oh God,” she panted before I felt her tight walls quiver and clench around my fingers. An orgasm shot through her body and sent waves of pleasure coursing from head to toe. Her head fell onto my shoulder and her legs went limp. She rested against me, her breaths coming out heavy and erratic.

  “God, how can you just do that first thing?” she murmured sleepily.

  “I’ve got great inspiration.” I kissed along the flesh of her neck, goose bumps pebbling in my wake. It felt good that her body was so attuned to mine. I had the same effect on her she had on me.

  “You make me feel . . . you know just how to . . . God, you own my body,” she finally completed her thought.

  I chuckled and sucked her earlobe into my mouth. “Don’t forget it, baby.”

  “So, what were you going to ask me?” She plopped down in a deck chair a few minutes later, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands.

  “Before I made you come so hard you nearly fell at my feet?” I shot her that smile reserved only for her.

  “Yeah, that.” She rolled her eyes.

  “You said you weren’t alone yesterday. Did Silas come up after all?”

  “Oh, no.” She took a sip of her coffee as if she were avoiding answering me. “Kyle was there.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her, my jaw working back and forth as I tried to process the information. She hadn't let me go with her, and her ex-fucking-boyfriend had shown up? “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t mean to not tell you; I was just so tired, and after what I came home to . . .” she said, referring to finding Briana plastered all over my body on the back porch. Georgia ran a nervous fingertip around the lip of her cup. I gritted my teeth together. I was trying to think this through, trying to contain the anger, trying not to jump to conclusions and lash out.

  It wasn’t working.

  “That’s fucking bullshit, Georgia.”

  “What?” She whipped her head to me in confusion.

  “You wouldn’t let me go with you, and I wanted to, begged you to let me go, and then he goes with you anyway? What else happened? What else aren’t you telling me? And don’t use last night as an excuse because you knew nothing happened with Briana and me. You were there when I pushed her away.” I knew I was losing it, letting my temper take over, but I couldn’t help it. It ripped me up inside that Kyle, the douchebag who had cheated on her for years, had been there for her and I hadn’t. Maybe I should have insisted on going anyway, regardless of what she had thought. Lesson fucking learned.

  “What are you talking about? Don’t be like that. I’m not not telling you anything. I didn’t get a chance.” Her features pressed into a hard line and I knew she was pissed. This day was only going downhill and I should have known after the fantastic orgasm I'd given her this morning that it was the only way to go.

  “It’s pretty fucking suspicious you won’t let me go, but then he shows up to save the day, just like he’s always done. When he wasn’t fucking around on you, that is.”

  Her mouth dropped open in a perfect O and I knew I’d gone too far. Anger and pain flashed across her beautiful, sad eyes before she jumped out of the chair and bee-lined for the house. I followed her in, hot on her heels, begging her to stop and hear me out, before she stomped into our room and slammed the door full force in my face. Another inch and she would have smashed my nose.

  She was pissed.

  But still so fucking hot with all that rage boiling up inside of her. What the fuck was wrong with me—Georgia mad gave me a hard-on?

  I ran a hand through my hair and heaved a sigh.

  “Look, Georgia, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. I’m an asshole.”

  “Fuck, yeah, you are,” I heard her growl on the other side of the door. It sounded like she was standing right there. A fist clenched around my heart at the pain in her voice.

  “I’m sorry. Will you open the door and talk to me?” I whispered, my palm splayed across the wood of the door.

  “No,” she yelled.

  “Please?”

  “No. Go away.” I heard the lock click into place.

  “Fuck, come on, Georgia, I’m trying. Just give me a chance,” I said softly. She didn’t answer, so I took it as an invitation to continue. “I just . . . flipped when you said his name. I knew he would try to get you back. I’m kicking myself for not going. I should have been there for you, no matter what you said. Christ, I could've sat in the car if you'd wanted me to, but I would have been there. It killed me to let you go alone. And then he shows up . . .” I trailed off, my thoughts a confused blur in my head.

  I heard the latch unlock and the door creaked open. Her beautiful brown eyes stared back at me, wet and swirling with emotion.

  “Christ, don’t cry. I never want to make you cry, Georgia.” I barged through the small crack she’d left me and wrapped her in my arms. Sobs overtook her body and we sank to the floor, her legs wrapped around my waist, my hands locked around her back. Her body trembled in my arms.

  “It was so hard, being there. Confronting it, then I ran into his family in the hallway. I felt so bad for them. They were me. They were
as innocent as I was, as my parents were. They were victims too. Then I felt terrible for begging the parole board not to let him out, because I was taking him away from his family, another family ruined. My family had already been taken away from me. It seemed wrong to make another one suffer.”

  “No, Georgia, no, no. He did that. He chose that; that’s not on you,” I murmured as I stroked the thick mane of hair that fell down her back.

  “I know he chose it, but it’s been fifteen years; maybe he served his time,” she whimpered.

  “Well, that’s up to them, baby. They’ll know what to do. You did what you felt was right in here.” I pointed at her heart. “Now it’s up to them to do what’s right up here.” I pointed at my head. “It’s over. Whatever happens, it’s over for you.”

  She nodded and hiccupped softly.

  “I'm sorry I didn’t tell you sooner about Kyle. He took me out to eat, he tried to get me back, but then we ran into his baby mama slash fiancée. I took a taxi back to my car and all I could think about was getting back to you.” She said all of this in a rush between hiccups.

  “Christ.” My brain swirled with the new information. That fucking douchebag had a fiancée and a baby on the way and he was trying to get my girl back?

  “It’s okay. I know you didn’t get a chance to tell me last night. I shouldn’t have reacted how I did. My brain just went haywire when you said he was with you. But I know nothing happened. Not that I trust him a fucking inch, but I trust you.” I wrapped my hands around her neck and caressed the smooth curve of her jaw line. “And, just for the record, he’s a douche for moving on so quickly. I could never, if we didn’t work—” I couldn’t finish that thought. “It would destroy me. That’s all. I’m sorry you invested so many years being with him, and then he could just do that . . .” I trailed off.

  “It doesn’t even matter. I just feel bad for her. And terrible for their baby. Kyle used to be a good guy. I just hope he can be a good father. Every baby deserves a good dad.” Sadness washed over her face and I sensed something more she wasn’t telling me.

  “Are you sad he’s starting a family without you?” The question fucking hurt, and I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer, but I had to ask.

  “No.” She shook her head. “It’s not that, just mourning the loss of what I thought my life would be. Do you know what I mean?”

  “I guess.” I didn’t, because I'd never had a plan for my life, never cared to have one until she breezed into it and swept the air straight out of my lungs.

  “I’m not mourning the loss of him or my relationship with him. It’s just the plan I had for my life is different now. It’s so much better; I’m so much better.” She grabbed my face between her palms and stroked my cheeks with the pads of her thumbs. “But it’s still an adjustment. I feel a little off kilter, you know?” She continued to soothe me with the soft timbre of her voice, her soothing touch on my skin.

  “Yeah.” I pressed a kiss on her lips.

  “I love you, Tristan. You’re not getting rid of me so easily.” She gave a soft tug on my hair and then wrapped her arms around me, pressing our bodies flush, relieving the tension that had settled in my muscles.

  “I love you too,” I muttered and relished in the feel of her body pressed to mine. The girl could turn me from a bear to a puppy dog in an instant with just her touch.

  Fifty-Four

  Georgia

  “Mmm, where are you going?” his sleepy voice grumbled as he wrapped an arm around my waist and locked me to him.

  “It’s the big day; I’ve go a lot to do.” I giggled when he thrust his hips into mine, giving me a clear indication of his morning erection.

  “Let’s stay in bed all day. I want you to myself. I’m sick of sharing.” He pouted before sucking the flesh along my neck. His palm skated up my torso to palm my breast and pinch my nipple, a zing of delicious pleasure shooting straight to my core.

  “You want me all to yourself every day.” I nipped at his lip, causing his hips to thrust into mine again. He snaked a hand around and held both my ass cheeks in his hands tightly, pressing me firmly to him so I could feel every glorious inch of his body.

  “You have to let me go,” I murmured as my eyes fluttered closed. I relished his smooth skin against mine.

  “Never.”

  “But if you don’t, I’ll give in,” I moaned, because I was already giving in.

  “My plans are working, then.”

  “They always do.”

  “Not as often as I’d like.” He smacked my ass.

  “Twice a day not enough for you?” I rolled my eyes.

  “Don’t get smart with me.” He grabbed my chin and pulled my lips to his, capturing me in a rough kiss. He was taking possession, proving my body was his, but he didn’t need to, because I already knew it and was a willing participant. I’d always been unable to resist his charms, and he used that against me on a daily basis.

  I crawled up his body and straddled his hips, my hands cupping his face, my dark hair curtaining around us as we devoured each other. Tasting and licking, moaning and sucking.

  “Christ, you’re going to kill me.” He dashed forward and snagged my bottom lip between his teeth and bit almost painfully. I giggled and fell back on the bed. His strong arms caged me in as his eyes sparkled with mischief and desire.

  He was beautiful.

  And always so playful.

  It was what had me falling so hard from the beginning, the piece of him that had brought the light back to my life. He was my light in the darkness.

  “Death by sex; you’d love it.” I indulged in one long kiss before pushing him off me.

  “I can think of no better time to die, than buried deep inside you.” His lips turned up in a cocky smirk.

  “Tristan.” My mouth dropped open in shock. “You can’t say stuff like that.” I turned and headed for the en suite bathroom.

  “Why? Does it make you wet?” His eyes were still doing that delicious sparkling thing I loved so much.

  “Oh my God.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m taking a shower.”

  “Can I come too?” He looked at me with the most endearing puppy dog eyes.

  “You’re ridiculous.” I grinned. “No funny stuff.” I pointed at him. His eyes lit up as he darted off the bed and lunged for me. I shrieked and made it into the bathroom before his arms locked around my waist.

  “A shower without funny stuff doesn’t sound like fun.” He nipped at my earlobe.

  “I mean it. The caterer’s going to be here in an hour to set up. Hopefully it’s not too windy out there today. If we fuck this up because of your overactive libido, Silas will kill both of us.”

  “My overactive libido? I’d argue that it’s both of us.” His lips were still attached to my earlobe as his hands were skimming across my body.

  “Whatever, you horn dog. Shower?” I pushed him off me.

  His eyes twinkled and a flirty grin lifted his lips. “Shower.” He nodded, then stepped into the shower and began adjusting the water temperature. Not only did he have the body of a Greek fucking god, but his smile, his eyes, and his laugh lit my life. I’d made some poor decisions last summer, but I was just thankful I’d ended up on the right path, the path that had brought me right here, with him.

  * * *

  We sat at a round white linen-covered table on the beach, nestled in a nook among the sloping dunes between my rental house and Tristan’s. Silas and Justin faced the roaring ocean waves, and we sat around them, celebrating their union. After Silas and Justin had gotten married this spring, I’d begged them to let me throw a reception. Silas had refused at every point, but I’d finally worn him down.

  The early May temperatures were ideal; the slightest breeze blew and rustled the dune grass. The weather wasn’t too hot or humid, and everything was perfect for our small gathering. Drew sat beside me, beautiful and glowing in a plum maternity dress. She was as big as a house and never stopped complaining about it, but Gavin doted on her, and
took her bitchy attitude with a grain of salt. In fact, he was looking at her with as much love in his eyes as he’d had when they’d broken the news to us eight months ago. She was due at the end of this month, just over three weeks to go, and while she wasn’t supposed to be traveling so far from home and her doctor, she’d refused to miss this. Deep down she loved Silas; she just didn’t like to admit it.

  Gavin sat next to her, a heavy arm wrapped around her shoulders, caressing the bare skin of her arm. She turned and laughed at something he said and then pecked him on the lips. I could see happiness dancing in their eyes, and the only thing that made me sad was that they lived so far away.

  Justin’s parents sat beside Justin. They looked just like him and were so sweet and supportive. Silas had married into a loving family and I couldn’t have been happier. He’d never had that; I’d been his only family for so long. He deserved to know what love and acceptance felt like. Justin’s parents were also happy because Silas and Justin had set up their permanent residence near them. I was overjoyed that Silas would be less than a half hour from me. Life was finally falling into place.

  “A toast to the beautiful couple.” Tristan raised his glass and everyone followed suit. “I would, without a doubt, be wildly jealous of another man cuddling with my girl on the couch watching sappy chick flicks, but thankfully, Silas likes boys, so as long as I don't have to watch those movies with her . . .” I trailed off as I winked at Georgia. She rolled her eyes back at me. “In all seriousness, Justin and Silas, you both deserve all the happiness in the world. Everyone deserves to find their other half, and I know both of you will cherish the love you've found for a lifetime.” I paused as soft clapping sounded around the table. “And a toast to the beautiful hostess. The last year has been the best of my life because you’ve been in it, Georgia. We didn’t always do things in a conventional way, and our love didn’t take a natural path, but it took the one it needed to take, and I’m just glad that my path led me here with you.” He stood and I raised my eyes at him in question. He pulled my chair out to face him before he dropped down on one knee and reached into the pocket of his dress pants.