by Alexis Anne
And even though Uncle Oliver had a small hand in raising me, he wasn’t the man I’d asked to walk me down the aisle. I’d asked Adam. I’d thought about walking down myself in a symbolic act of independence, but let’s be honest, I needed an arm to lean on and Adam’s was one that made sense. His parents came too, which made it feel even more perfect that I’d asked him. He gave us the family Elizabeth and I never had, and now I was adding to those ranks with the Landry’s.
“Clear the room,” Elizabeth said.
“I thought you were taking care of things?” My hands shot to my hips. If my sister couldn’t manage Colt then no one could.
“Yeah, well, the man makes a compelling argument.” She ushered everyone out. “See you in a few.”
“Traitor!” I called after her.
But I didn’t have time to dwell on that. Oh no. Colt walked in and took my breath away. He filled out his tux looking like prince, except sexier, as he loomed in the doorway of the Maureen O’Hara room.
“You’ve been hiding from me all day.” The door clicked closed behind him.
“That’s the way a wedding day works, Colt. It’s bad luck to see the bride.”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe in luck—good or bad.”
And neither did I. “You couldn’t wait a few more minutes?”
I watched as he moved to my wedding dress, an ivory satin and lace gown with a fifties silhouette but a modern flare. “It’s not that I couldn’t wait.” He pulled down the zipper and removed the hanger. “I will always wait for you.” He turned toward me with a smile. “It’s that I didn’t like being kept apart.”
He stood in front of me holding my gown, waiting for my reaction.
“You don’t like tradition?”
He smirked. “Not really. Not when it doesn’t make sense.” He stepped closer and held up the dress so I could slide inside. Once it was situated on my shoulders he moved to my back and pressed his bare hand to my skin. “We’ve been in this together since day one. This is our relationship. Our marriage. I don’t like thinking of us starting it apart.” He began sliding my zipper up slowly.
My knees went weak. “I think it’s supposed to be symbolic. Two separate people becoming one.”
He fastened the clasp at the top of the zipper and pressed a kiss to my skin just above it. “We did that a long time ago. You’re not some virginal bride being sold off to a man, and I’m not going to stand up there waiting for you like some sort of prize.”
I melted back into him. “You have a way with words, Cowboy.”
“But I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Is this just you wanting to put your stamp all over everything?”
“No,” his breath whispered over my ear. “I’m well over that and our family doesn’t need that reminder.”
“You really just want to modernize our wedding day?”
He turned me so we were face to face, his hands cupping mine as he stared lovingly into my eyes. “No. It’s about making today a reflection of us. The life we’re building.” He took my hand, threading his fingers between his as he pulled it up for a kiss. “We’ve built this life together, on the foundation of our love, with our passion for life. Plus, I really missed you.”
Elizabeth was right. The man made a compelling argument. I was excited to see David and Jonas standing beside Colt. I was just as excited to see Elizabeth and Ted standing on my side. Did it really matter if Colt saw me first?
Not really.
And it struck me how happy I was. “Huh.”
“What?” Colt asked, searching my face.
“It just hit me. I don’t worry anymore.” Not in a long, long time. At least not in that overwhelming, life-consuming, stress-inducing way. Instead I spent my days enjoying this life I made with Colt and dreaming of the future. When I worried, it was over small things, and usually after talking to Colt those worries disappeared.
“The only thing I’m worried about is how tired we’ll be tonight.” He sounded concerned.
“Aw, are you worried about getting laid?” As if we hadn’t had the most amazing Holy Shit I Won An Oscar sex this morning. The man was insatiable.
He shrugged. “What can I say? You keep me hungry.”
“Don’t worry,” I whispered in his ear. “I have a wedding gift for you I know you’ll love.”
His whole body stiffened. “What is it?”
I shrugged, knowing he was growing hard in his tux just thinking about it. “All I can say is it involves you, me, and the loft.” There might also be a cowboy hat involved. And rope.
“Really?” he growled. “God, I love that I never know what’s going to happen next.”
I kissed him one more time, slow and deep. “I feel the same way.”
* * *
Thank you for reading Lily and Colt’s story! I’ve been wanting to write Lily’s side of the Lawrence sister story ever since Tease. If you enjoyed it, sign up for my newsletter. Subscribers get information on upcoming releases first!
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* * *
THE TEASE SERIES
Tease
Tempt
Stripped
Burn
5 Dirty Sins
6 Dirty Secrets
7 Dirty Lies
MORE FROM ALEXIS ANNE
THE STORM INSIDE
Reflected in the Rain
When Lightning Strikes
Never Let Go
Summer Heat
Night Games
* * *
Tease
Tempt
Burn
Stripped
5 Dirty Sins
6 Dirty Secrets
7 Dirty Lies
* * *
The Storm Inside Box Set
The Tease Series Box Set (Books 1-4)
* * *
The Complete List of Alexis Anne Books
EXCERPT FROM TEASE
I was getting close to my building. All I had to do was walk past the restaurant and up to my apartment—grilled cheese for dinner was as good as anything. But my legs weren’t listening to my head and, before I knew it, I was stepping inside Seychelles instead of the door to my apartment.
My heart was thudding in my chest like a drum, making my cheeks flush and skin burn like I was out for a run. I wanted this. It scared the crap out of me, but my attraction was so strong that it wasn’t worth fighting.
I stopped at the window and checked my reflection, smoothing down my dark hair and unbuttoning an extra button on my blouse to expose some cleavage. But then I turned toward the bar and realized it was empty and I was an idiot. Adam wasn’t there.
Of course he wasn’t there. What was I thinking? It wasn’t a sure thing and yet…I was positive Adam would be there, waiting for me with a wicked grin.
“Elizabeth?” It was Hannah, the hostess, approaching me from her podium.
“Hey, sorry. I thought I was going to grab dinner real quick, but I’m not feeling great. I think I’ll just make a sandwich and go to bed.”
She cocked her head and the corner of her lips turned up a little. “Actually, I was coming over here because someone wants to see you.”
I froze somewhere between mortification and anticipation. “Who?”
“Adam Callaway. He asked me to show you to his table when you arrived. Unless—”
I held up my hand. “No, it’s fine.” Now I really was an idiot. Hannah had probably seen all my primping.
Her smile turned into a full-blown grin. “Right this way.”
I followed her through the restaurant, weaving through a smattering of tables filled with quiet couples grabbing a quick dinner after work, and into the darkest corner. Adam was looking down at his phone and I got a chance to study him for a moment. His dark hair was brushed back, but loose and a little messy. He wore a light blue button-up and grey slacks. He looked like he’d just come fro
m a meeting and not at all like he was enjoying a vacation.
The moment he saw us approaching he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet, a dazzling smile playing on his lips—not quite the wicked one I was imagining, but close. He was just as sexy as I remembered him.
Actually, that was a lie. He was even sexier. His broad shoulders pulled at the seams of his perfectly tailored shirt and suddenly I was wondering what they’d look like straining as he moved inside me.
“I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad I came, too,” I replied with a smile. The kind that usually gave guys the idea I wasn’t using that word lightly.
Adam chuckled, catching my hint. He kissed me lightly on the cheek before we each sat. Hannah was gone by the time I looked up, but I could hear her giggle from across the restaurant.
Subtle was not the word of the night.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought a table would make conversation easier.”
“Who said I wanted to talk?” I was going for the obvious. It would be better for both of us if I made my intentions clear from the beginning.
Adam coughed a little. Perhaps my forwardness was a bit much. I tried to dial it back a little.
“Well I guess I don’t have to ask if this is a friendly dinner or not.”
I grinned. “I’m glad you brought that up. Can we lay all our cards on the table?”
“Can I drink first?” he asked, picking up the glass of red wine in front of him.
“Absolutely. Mind if I share?”
“Not at all, that’s why I got the bottle.” He picked up the Wente Cabernet Sauvignon I’d been drinking the night before, and filled my glass half way. “Now, what did you have in mind?”
It was make or break time. I needed my terms to be clear or I’d have to walk away. I was ridiculously attracted to Adam, but I couldn’t risk this being anything other than sex. “If I understood our conversation last night, you are only in town for a short visit?”
He nodded slowly, his eyes locked on to mine. I couldn’t tell if he liked what I was saying or not.
“Good. I’m not looking for a relationship, just some fun.”
He swirled the red liquid in his glass studying me, then it, before he took another sip and set it down carefully on the white table cloth. “Does that mean I can’t enjoy dinner with you?”
My nerves fluttered. Something in the cadence of his words told me Adam was pushing me again. In a weird way it was like he already had my personality—and my desire to stay out of relationships—pegged. But that couldn’t possibly be true, this was only our second conversation. “I’m sure we could have a meal or two, but I want to be clear: I’m not looking for anything.”
“We can’t be friends and fuck buddies?”
“No,” I snorted. I could only imagine the fifteen different ways that would implode on me.
But instead of throwing Adam off, he took it as a challenge. “Really? Now, that seems wrong. If I can fuck you, I can certainly enjoy hearing about your day over a glass of wine.”
My breath caught in my throat. I wasn’t expecting that response and I found it far too attractive. “You see,” I leaned forward on the table and clasped my hands under my chin, “that kind of thinking tends to lead to caring and feelings. I don’t have time for either of those.”
“But you do have time for sex.”
“Priorities,” I replied with a smile, just as I felt something brush against my leg.
“Sounds to me like you might need to revisit those. I think I can make you scream my name and bring you coffee without ruining your life.” His foot moved up my leg and pushed my knees apart.
I swallowed. The contact of his body against mine was electric. Even with distance and clothing separating us, it turned me on. “I wouldn’t want to take that risk.” My words were softer, breathier, than they had been a moment earlier.
“I don’t see where the risk is. I’m only here for two weeks. How can you lose? If you don’t like me, I’m gone. If you do like me, I’m still gone.”
Adam leaned back lazily in his seat which gave him a better angle to move his foot up my thigh. That was when I realized he wasn’t wearing a shoe. Just a sock. It was soft and supple against the sensitive skin that led from my thigh to the hot, throbbing taking place between my legs.
If he just pushed, the pressure would feel so good.
But he didn’t. Instead, he pulled back, tracing a trail down my thigh and calf, and then left me alone.
The loss of his touch was shockingly overwhelming. Almost as overwhelming as having his foot so close to my core. Adam had a gift, and he knew how to play me.
I should run.
“Two weeks, Elizabeth. Think of how much fun we can have.”
“Two weeks?” I asked. It was like I was under his spell. He’d given me a taste of what having him in bed would feel like, but only a taste. It left me unsatisfied and ready to combust. How could I possibly think straight when all I wanted was to drag him upstairs and rip off his pants?
“Two weeks. I won’t butt into your life unless you ask me to. I just can’t stand the idea of fucking you without getting to know you. We had a good conversation last night.” He huffed under his breath and sat back up. “It isn’t very often I meet someone I actually enjoy talking to.”
And that was what did it. I’d said the same thing to Mitch. I hadn’t wanted to go looking for new friends because it was so hard to find any I liked. I liked Adam. He was smart and funny. He listened as much as he spoke.
I wanted to keep talking to him.
And just like that, I let go of my first line of defense. “Let’s see what dinner holds and go from there.”
Adam held my gaze. He looked confused and intrigued. I’d done this before—caught the passing interest of a good guy with my cold distance. The one comfort I still had was knowing that all I had to do was show Adam my real life and he’d be gone in a heartbeat. The curiosity was only there because of the mystery. Once my secrets were out, there was nothing left to hold them.
So this would be ok.
“We should order,” I offered, opening my menu.
“I figured you had that thing memorized by now.”
I glanced over the familiar curving fonts and snapped the heavy binder shut. He was right, again. I didn’t need to look, I was using it as a distraction. I wanted to escape from the reality that I was making a massive mistake.
The waiter took our order and the next thing I knew, Adam was leaning back in his chair, smiling and drinking. “So, Elizabeth. How was your day?”
The bastard. The sex had better be earth-shattering. “Surprisingly boring compared to last night.”
“Same here. It’s amazing how ‘relaxing’ seems boring when you’d rather be doing someone else.”
It was my turn to cough. I took a swig of wine to tamp down the urge to skip dinner and move straight to sex. “Well, at least we’re clear on how you feel.”
* * *
And this is just the beginning! Tease is h-o-t, but also oh, so sweetly romantic! You know you need to read Tease now!
Or grab the first four books in the series in the The Tease Series Box Set (Books 1-4) and start binge reading now!
EXCERPT FROM THE STORM INSIDE
Jake slammed my back into the wall of the shack, the boards of the wall bending and flexing from the impact. For a moment I worried we’d punch a hole right in the side of the building, but then Jake nipped my earlobe at the exact same moment he flexed his hips into mine, and I forgot everything I was thinking.
Everything but him.
I didn’t think about the ten years he’d been gone or how much I hated him. All I could feel was his hard body pressed up against mine, his rough hands as they desperately roamed over my skin, and the intensity in his kiss.
We’d always made an explosive combination—that clearly hadn’t changed. If anything, the added experience and time apart made what we’d had in the past look sweet and warm. Be
cause this—what we were doing now— was off the charts insane. It was brutal and animalistic in the most fantastic way.
The afternoon thunderstorm was howling outside. It was my favorite time of day, and Jake knew it. The thing about Florida’s summertime storms was that you could feel them. When lightning strikes, the air crackles with electricity moving through everything around you. The moment it splits the sky, thunder vibrates so deeply it shakes the earth and every molecule in your body. You feel it everywhere.
Thunderstorms are a full body experience from the light and the vibrations, to the sound of the wind, the pounding of the rain, and the taste of the humidity in the air.
It’s like Mother Nature is trying to sweep you away in a symphony of senses. And at the moment I was swept away by both the storm and by Jake. I was completely lost to everything.
It had always been like this with us. Ten years hadn’t dulled it at all. If anything, the waiting only made it more intense than ever.
His hand closed around my jaw, turning my head away so that he could nuzzle my neck. As his tongue stroked upward along my skin, the muscles in my belly clenched and I squeezed my legs around him tighter.
“Oh god, Eve...” he moaned, pinning my hands to the wall and looking up at me with fire in his eyes as he continued to rock against me. The intensity with which he wanted me only made me crave him more. I ground back against his firm waist even harder.
Words seemed to ruin everything between us, so I wasn’t about to start talking now. I just panted, throwing my head back, and pushing against him with my hips to let him know I wanted to continue. There was no doubt in my mind how wet I was, my body was practically begging to have Jake back inside me.
Taking my cue, he released my wrists and slowly, silently, began to undress me, not that it took much. My bikini was held on by four sets of strings.
His eyes hungrily roamed over my naked breasts with a passion that made me shiver with hot desire.
