Bending down to pick up his carefully dropped pencil, Jack straightened up, face to face with the girl of his dreams. Lexy smiled shyly.
“Hey.” Jack grinned back.
“Hey yourself.” Her big blue eyes, devoid of make up, were breathtaking.
“Uh, can I talk to you later, after class?” His whispered comment brought twitters from the females and grunts from the guys around them.
Lexy stared at him for what seemed an eternity. He had just about given up hope when she whispered that she would wait for him by her locker. Did he know where it was? He nodded. A loud clearing of a throat beckoned him back to reality. Mr. Larson gave him “the look.” Jack put up his hand in acknowledgment and sat down quickly. His mind raced. Mission started.
Lexy was waiting as promised. And she was alone. He couldn’t believe his good fortune. She smiled bashfully as he approached.
“I didn’t think you would really be here.” Why did she make him feel suddenly shy and awkward? The New York boy never had to wait for a girl, they came to him. And he was always in command of the situation. What the hell was going on here?
“I...I didn’t know if you would really come either.” Lexy’s long, dark eyelashes drooped in deference to his admission.
“I was, well, wondering if you would like to take a ride on my bike with me sometime. That is, if you like cycles, and if you aren’t busy. I’ll understand if you are too busy or somethin’.” Jack lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet. His left foot made a couple of circles on the newly waxed tiled floors.
“I think I’d like that, Jack. I’m not sure my mom and dad would like it, so we’ll have to meet someplace, at least the first time, I mean...I mean.....” Lexy seemed totally flustered by her admission but his heart was soaring. She had just inadvertently admitted she had more than a passing interest in him.
“Hey, that’s ok. I can totally relate. I know how parents are about Harley’s. Especially if their daughter is riding one.” And he did know too. Even bad girls parents didn’t like them riding bikes.
“I know they would like you, Jack, and once they got to know you, I’m sure it would be alright. I didn’t mean they wouldn’t like you just cause you have a motorcycle. It’s just that they are a bit old fashioned and they need to be broke in gently on something like their daughter riding on big cycle.” Lexy gave him a pleading glance.
“Don’t worry An-uh, Lexy. How bout I pick you up Saturday morning at the McDonald’s parking lot near here, say around noon?”
“Ok, Jack. I’ll be there.” The bell rang loudly, and they both jumped. “I’ll see you tomorrow at noon then?”
“You know I’ll be there.” Angel.. Wyatt grinned wryly as she turned and fled down the hall. Yes! Mission continuing and soon would be accomplished. The small town cheerleader, all around good girl would soon belong to the bad boy from New York. The darkly handsome youth whistled as he strode down the hall to his next class. Things were definitely looking up and even the halls looked brighter. She would be his by the end of the month if he played his cards right. Little did he know that his life would change forever, but not the way he planned. Not that way at all.
Three
Lexy was curled up on the sofa in her favorite bathrobe watching Drop Dead Diva when her phone rang. Moments later, Ryan, her eighteen year old son came down the stairs.
“It’s for you, Mom.”
“Tell whoever it is I'll call them back. I don’t want to miss the rest of this.” She loved the heart pounding mystery of the castaways. “I can’t wait to see how they get out of this one.”
“Uh, Mom. It’s some guy named Jack. Should I have him call back?”
Lexy vaulted off the couch. “No. I’ll take it in the bedroom. She grabbed the phone from his hand.
“Okay, Mom.” Ryan eyed her, surprised and curious. His mom wasn’t usually so eager to answer the phone. Especially since the divorce. Ryan was a good-looking boy, with dark hair and dark brown eyes. Someday he would have the mature, handsome good looks of his father.
Lexy's heart was pounding so hard, her hands were shaking. “Take a deep breath, woman. You can handle this.” She closed her eyes and took three deep breaths, letting them out slowly. Then she reached for the phone.
“Hello.” Her soft contralto voice was almost a whisper.
“Lexy. Is that you? This is Jack. Jack Wyatt.” His deep, sexy voice pierced her heart.
“Yes. Jack.” Her legs were suddenly weak. Lexy sat down quickly. Silence. Then....
“I got your letter. I’ve been busy, so I haven’t had time to call till now.” There was another silent pause. “Uh, how are you doing, Lexy?”
“Oh, I’m...Okay. Jack. It is nice of you ask.” Doing as well as a divorced woman with two teenagers can be.
On the other end, Jack was pacing the floor in his hotel suite, raking his free hand through his hair, nervously. It had taken him some time to get up the nerve to call her. How could she be so cool and collected? His mouth was dry. And who had answered the phone? Of course. She would have kids. What a fool he was. He began again.
“Listen, I...I want to apologize for being such a jack...well you know what I mean, that night at the party. I was way out of line. I’d like to make it up to you.” Jack paused a brief second to catch his breath. Just hearing her voice again made his pulse start going crazy.
“That’s OK, Jack, I-”
“Let me finish, Lexy. I felt like a fool the minute you turned and walked away, but I was too proud to come after you. Thea set me straight on a few things, and, well, I just wanted you to know I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”
“It’s over now, Jack. I understood. It doesn’t really matter.” Her heart was pounding. Of course it mattered or she wouldn’t have had the guts to write to him.
“Well...I was really actin’ stupid. You know me, open up my big mouth and insert foot. You...” Jack hesitated, scratching his head nervously. Lexy still made his heart take flight even after all these years. “Come on. Let me show you I’m not such a bad guy after all. I was wondering if you might want to come out to New York this weekend. I've reserved a flight for you on Friday at two o’clock. Your ticket is paid for. You'll have your own suite.” He rushed on quickly so she wouldn’t have a chance to say no and he wouldn’t lose his nerve.
“I have some time off this weekend, so I thought it might be a good time for us to, uh...see each other. I mean now that you aren’t married anymore, or anything....” His voice trailed off. God, he must sound like such a jerk. He began to pace faster, sweat trickling down the back of his neck. “That is, of course if you don’t have plans or somthin’.”
Lexy took a deep breath. He certainly was assuming a lot.
“No. No I’m married anymore.” She wondered just how much Thea had told him. If she knew her friend well, she hadn’t revealed much.
“Well, Jack. Seeing that you already bought the ticket and planned the weekend, I guess I could make arrangements to come.” Lexy thought she heard a sigh of relief at the other end. Did she just imagine it?
“I only thought it would be easier for you not to have to make the plans, Lexy. You sounded like you wanted to see...see New York again.” Way to go, stupid. Blow it right away, and she wasn’t even there yet. He rubbed the back of his neck vigorously, feeling the heat that was rising in his body like a heat ray slowly flooding his body from head to toe.
“Well... mmmm...I’d love to see New York again. Ya know what Jack, I’ll come.” Lexy was glad he couldn’t see how flustered she really was.
“Good. Good. I’ll be at the airport to pick you up.”
“All right, then. I’ll see you in a couple of days, Jack.”
“Yeah. See ya then. Oh, I booked a flight for you with Midwest Express. A ticket with your name will be waiting for you.” More silence, except for two people breathing.
Lexy broke the silence. “Well...thanks. I guess I’ll be seeing you soon then.....”
“Ok then.
..see you soon.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was the nervous one. Lexy actually found herself smiling after saying good bye and hanging up. It was the first time in a while that she didn’t have to force a smile.
She grabbed her phone again, punching in her best friend, April’s number.
“April. It’s me. Fine. Listen. You will never guess who called me just now. Jack. Jack Wyatt. He’s invited me to New York this weekend....and I’m going!” The words came tumbling out of her mouth.
There was a momentary silence on the other end of the line and then,“Oh my Lord, I’ll be right over!”
Lexy still had her phone in her hand when her best friend walked into the bedroom. She still had a dazed look on her face.
“Well, out with it, woman.” April stood there, hands on her hips.
“I wrote to him after seeing him last month in New York and told him I was divorced. I suggested that maybe we should get together again....for old time’s sake. Lexy paused, breathless once again. It was getting to be a habit lately.
"April, I can’t believe I was so forward. I really must be desperate.”
April gave Lexy a discerning glance. Lexy looked at her helplessly.
“I’ll keep an eye on the kids for the weekend. Start packing and we’ll do some power shopping tomorrow after work. Call right now and take a personal day on Friday. Well, get going! Don’t just sit there like a lump.”
“But April, he didn’t ask me if I wanted to come. He had everything planned, right down to where I was staying. I’m surprised he didn’t tell me what to wear too.”
“So? You wrote to him, not the other way around. It’s what you really want anyway isn’t it?”
“I don't know. I’m not sure.” Lexy said haltingly. She threw her hands up in the air. "I don't know what I want!"
“Look.” April stood there like a drill sergeant with her arms folded. “You’re going and that’s that. Accept the consequences. You’re getting more than what you asked for and I suspect, just what you were hoping for. Now get moving!” When April made up her mind about something, that was that.
"Now let’s see...” April poked her nose in Lexy's closet. “This looks good for starters.”
Four
Lexy’s mom dropped her off at McDonalds. It was 12:10. Lexy glanced around anxiously, afraid Jack had left because she was late. Her mom had been doing the wash and couldn’t understand why a few minutes would make such a big difference anyway. Lexy hoped he hadn’t thought she wasn’t showing up. Lexy had hardly breathed the whole time she was in the car with her mom, thinking she might say something stupid or give the fact away that she was going to do something her parents would definitely not approve of. Even though the teenager had told Jack he would be welcomed by her mom and dad, she knew it wasn’t exactly true.
Lexy was terrified that her mom would see that something was out of the ordinary with her usually sensible daughter. Exiting the car, careful, not to trip or seem like she was shooting out of the car like a rocket, Lexy turned and quickly kissed her mom, saying she would see her later. Lucy had smiled at her pretty daughter, told her to have a good time, and drove away. Lexy thought the cobalt grey Mercedes would never disappear.
“Hey there beautiful.” Lexy swung around quickly, almost losing her balance. He stood there, dusky hair hanging in his mahogany, contemplative eyes. Faded blue jeans, torn at the knees were slung across his hips. A faded brown leather bomber jacket opened up to reveal a dark olive tee-shirt with Van Halen scripted across the front. Lucy’s daughter nearly passed out from the rush of adrenaline that rose to flush her cheeks.
“I didn’t see you there, Jack. You...you caught me off guard.” She managed a weak smile.
“Sorry Lexy. I didn’t mean to scare you.” That was the last thing he wanted to do. He could hardly believe his good fortune that she’d even shown up. “Are you sure that you want to do this?” The 18 year old youth held his breath. What if she changed her mind?
Lexy smiled that smile that melted his heart, the same one that had captured it the first time he’d laid eyes on her. “I can’t wait Jack. Let’s go.”
The brown-haired boy grabbed her by the hand and let her around the corner of the building. Lexy gasped. The enormous, glistening , ebony bike rested there like a forbidden icon that a girl like her should never touch, never even come close to.
Gasping, she turned to Jack. “It is really boss.” Slowly Lexy approached it, like it was a wild, black stallion that she would never be able to tame. The boy next to her pulled her forward toward the monstrous bike.
“Don’t be afraid, Lexy. Touch it, feel it out. It won’t bite and I will take good care of you once we are riding. I’ll only go as fast as you want me to.” The boy knew that once she was flying down the road and heard it purr like a kitten that she would be bitten with the bug for life.
Lexy reached out, timidly at first, and touched the shiny metal coat. It almost felt warm to the touch. Unexpected. The girl was sure it would be as cold as ice. As she continued to explore the cycle, Lexy relaxed and actually began to look forward to the ride, forgetting all else except riding behind Jack Wyatt.
Jack felt her relaxing and knew it was time to make his move. He tugged her hand, she turned and grinned happily. He slung his leg over the big, black beauty and pulled her behind him.
“Hold on tight around my waist. If you are uncomfortable at any time, just let me know and I’ll stop. I thought we’d take the river road. Not much traffic and it’s a nice ride. Sound ok to you?
“Sound’s great to me, Jack. It’s beautiful along there.”
Yeah, and we can be alone too. Big bonus. Jack could hardly believe his luck. Back in New York a girl like this wouldn’t have given him the time of day. Of course, he had never really tried either. He hopped up and kicked the starter. The engine roared to life. Jack turned to Lexy to see if she was still good with this. The flushed, excited look on her face spoke volumes. He nodded and she nodded back. The two young teenagers flew out of the parking lot as if on wings. If you would have asked either one of them, that is what they would have said. They felt they had wings that day.
Five
He saw her in an instant and knew from the look on her face that Lexy Kane was both nervous and petrified at the same time. And still looking good too. His gaze surveyed the black leather skirt and jacket that fit her like a glove. The slim leather boots added the right touch. He remembered how she loved the brown leather he'd worn when....
She walked with a graceful sway that cried innocent, yet sexy. All American girl? Not this babe. Not anymore. At least she didn’t look like it. Lexy Latton Kane had aged well. Jack Wyatt intended to find out how well.
Their eyes met and locked. They walked toward each other, a thousand questions on both of their minds.
“Hello, Jack.”
Lexy was totally lost now that he was actually standing in front of her. No man should look this good.
“Hello angel,” and then, softly, “Lexy.” His dark eyes held hers for just the tiniest moment.
Lexy, still shivering, from the cold and nerves, lowered her eyes, fidgeting with the zipper on her jacket. Angel. He'd called her angel, again. He remembered more than he was letting on. She knew he was. It had to be true.
Jack stared blatantly at the small, but well endowed figure of the woman before him. She was even better looking than he'd remembered. Most of the women he knew were nearly as tall as he was. She didn’t even come to his shoulder.
He grinned at her then. "Good to see you, Lexy."
She looked up, smiling shyly in return. The smile of an innocent.
There was that smile he’d been unable to quite forget since those days, years ago. He swallowed hard. For the second time in his life he was suddenly unsure of himself around a woman. And the hell of it was, it was the same woman, just an older and more beautiful version.
This is crazy. I’ll be okay in a minute. Just take it easy man. Get b
ack in control. Now!
Taking a deep breath, Jack turned on the charm. “Let me get your things and we'll go. We can get reacquainted with old memories on the way to the hotel.” He smiled disarmingly.
Lexy's face turned bright crimson. Her freckles always stood out when she blushed. The dimple on her cheek deepened. Jack noticed it immediately. It was one of the things he remembered most about her. The soft depression near the corner of a full, distended mouth gave her an endearing quality. He shook that thought from his head. Endearing. What in the hell was he thinking anyway?
“I...we don't need to do that, Jack. I'd like to know you again. I mean, you know, how things are going with you now!” Standing there, still looking like a little girl, she clutched her bag tightly with both hands.
Her innocent demeanor nearly drove him crazy. She couldn’t do this to him, stand there looking so innocent and vulnerable despite the fact she was as sexy as hell. But then, hadn’t that been what had charmed him in the first place? Geez, Wyatt, that was what, seventeen-eighteen years ago!
Jack ripped his eyes from her and reasserted himself. He was the boss, in charge here. He’d spent years molding himself into someone without feelings. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, let anyone change that. Not even an angel.
“We’ll work on that later on after dinner, baby. I'll bet you're starved. I know how that airplane food can be.” In control of himself once again, Jack motioned her to follow him as he picked up her luggage.
Looking Out for Lexy Page 3
