by Marie Force
It was suddenly imperative that he see her. He tucked her letter into a nook in the kitchen to return to Paul in the morning and went to his room to grab a jacket. In the bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face and brushed his teeth. Then he tapped lightly on Paul’s door and opened it.
“What?” Paul muttered.
“I’m going out.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I just… I need to see her.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks, Paul. For showing me the letter and for everything else, too.” In the midst of the daily struggle with their mother, he and his brother didn’t often get into emotional topics if they could avoid them. But Jenny’s letter was a reminder that life could be short, and there was no time like the present to tell people how you felt about them.
“You, too. Thanks for coming home when I asked you to. I never could’ve done this by myself.”
“I never would’ve let you.”
“Don’t take the bike out in the rain.”
“I won’t.”
“I like her, Al.”
He knew his brother meant Jenny. “I like her, too. Get some sleep.” On the way out the door, he sent Jenny a text. Coming over. Didn’t want to scare you.
Didn’t I just see you?
Wasn’t enough.
Alex ran through the rain to his company truck and headed toward the Southeast Light. On the way, the story she’d told in her letter ran through his mind like a horror movie. How did anyone survive a loss like that? He’d thought it traumatic to lose his dad to cancer, but at least his dad had lived a good long life.
And what was his plan when he got there? Would he tell her what he’d learned about her in the hour since they were last together? At some point, he’d tell her. Maybe not right away, but he’d let her know that he’d read the letter and admired her even more than he had before.
He had to keep in mind what she’d said about not treating her differently after he knew the truth of her past. She didn’t want that and had been very clear on that point. So he had to make an effort to compartmentalize what he’d learned about her past and put it aside to give the woman she was today what she wanted and needed.
As she hadn’t bothered to lock the gate at the lighthouse, he was able to drive right up to her door. When he cut the engine and the headlights, he noticed the total darkness surrounding the lighthouse. The place was downright spooky.
Holding a flashlight, Jenny met him at the door.
“Did you lose power?”
“Yes, and it’s scary. Is it okay to say I’m really glad to see you?”
He smiled at her as he shut the door and kicked off his shoes in the mudroom. “Yeah, babe, it’s okay to say that.”
“To what do I owe this very nice surprise?”
“I told you. I didn’t get enough of you earlier.”
“You had all of me earlier,” she reminded him as she led him up the spiral stairs to the first level.
The view of her sweet ass in sexy boy shorts on the way up the stairs made his mouth water. At the top of the stairs, she turned abruptly and caught him staring. Alex smiled sheepishly at her. “I’m only human, and that’s a very nice ass you’ve got there.”
“Glad to know all my yoga has been good for something.”
The thought of her bent into all sorts of intriguing positions had him widening his eyes. “Yoga? Could I get a demonstration?”
She set the flashlight on the table, and the small circle of light made the room seem smaller and cozier than usual. “Maybe. If you’re good.”
With his hands on her hips, he brought her in tight against him to ensure she knew how badly he wanted her. “How good do I have to be?”
“Very, very good.”
“I can do that.” He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers, absorbing her alluring scent and the peaceful calm that came over him whenever he was near her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Are you sure?”
When she looked up at him with those bottomless brown eyes, Alex decided he couldn’t keep what he knew from her. It wouldn’t be right. “Paul showed me the letter you wrote to the council when you applied for the job.”
Her face lost all expression. “Oh.”
“I hope you’re not mad that I read it.”
“Why would I be mad? You already knew a lot of it.”
“Still… I want to say that if I didn’t already admire you as much as it was possible to admire anyone, I would after reading that. I know you don’t want to talk about it or dwell on it, and I promise not to treat you differently, but I need you to know I think you’re amazing and resilient and…” His throat closed around a tight knot of emotion. “And I’m very honored that you choose to spend time with me.”
“Alex…” She put her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. “That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“I mean it.”
“So I might be forgiven for the tomato incident?”
He smiled as her soft hair brushed against his lips. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Can you sleep over?”
“I was hoping you’d ask me to.”
“Good, because I’m a little creeped out by the dark.”
Relieved that they’d successfully navigated yet another emotional minefield, he said, “So that’s all I’m good for? Keeping the boogeyman at bay?”
She took his hand, picked up the flashlight and aimed it toward the set of stairs that led to her bedroom. “You might be good for a few other things, too.”
“That sounds very promising.”
Lightning zigzagged in the sky as Jenny propped the flashlight on her bedside table, which drew Alex’s attention to a framed picture.
He picked it up and took a closer look. “Is this Toby?”
“Yes.”
“He was a good-looking guy.”
“Yes, he was.”
“Where was this the other night when I was here?”
“In the drawer. I didn’t think you needed another guy watching us while we did…you know…that.”
Smiling, Alex returned the frame to the table and ran a finger over the blush that flamed her cheek. “I don’t want you to feel like you ever have to hide him or pictures of him or the life you shared with him from me. He’s part of you, and I’m falling very deeply into serious like with you.”
“Serious like,” she said with a grin. “That’s a good thing?”
“That’s a very good—and very unexpected—thing.”
“For me, too. It’s very good and very unexpected. And it means a lot to me that I don’t have to hide what I shared with Toby from you.”
“I’d never want or expect that. However, we do need to talk about your shameless flirtation with Jared James earlier. Right in front me, too!”
Jenny’s mouth fell open in shock. “I wasn’t flirting with him!”
“Oh Jared,” Alex said in a phony female voice, “come see my lighthouse. Any time.”
“You’ve lost your mind. I was not flirting with him. I knew him years ago at school.”
“Whatever you say. I know flirting when I see it.” Deciding to give her a break, he put his arms around her.
“Get away. You’re being a jerk.”
“I’m teasing you.”
“I wasn’t flirting with him. I wouldn’t do that right in front of you.”
“So you’d do it when I’m not looking?”
“You are an extremely exasperating person sometimes. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Me? Exasperating? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He caught her by surprise with a kiss. “And I know you weren’t flirting with him, but you charmed him nonetheless.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I felt sorry for him when he said he’s nursing a broken heart.”
“That is too bad, but he’s not going to make you his pri
vate-duty nurse.”
“Honestly, Alex! What part of I’m not interested in him didn’t you get? For some reason, which is escaping me at the moment, I seem to be interested in you.”
“You are? Really?”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Was this whole thing a roundabout way to get me to admit something you already knew?”
“It worked, didn’t it?”
She shocked the living shit out of him when she gave him a hard shove that landed him on his back on the bed. She further shocked him when she removed her T-shirt to reveal bare breasts and a tight belly. Wearing only the boy shorts that had fascinated him earlier, she came down on top of him.
“That was hot. Seriously hot.”
“Don’t they teach you boys up here in the North not to mess with GRITS?”
“Um, GRITS?”
“Girls Raised in the South.”
Alex cracked up laughing, but his laughter became a moan when she straddled his lap, letting the heat between her legs settle above his erection. “I’m very sorry I messed with you, and I apologize for tricking you into admitting you’re digging me.”
She poked him in the belly. “I don’t think you’re one bit sorry for either of those things.”
“I am! I swear I am!” He held out his arms to her. “Come down here, and I’ll show you how very sorry I am.”
With her hands flat on his chest, she bent at the waist until she hovered just above his lips. “I’m here.”
“So I see.” He framed her face with his hands and kissed her softly yet persuasively.
A split of thunder, crashing directly over the lighthouse, made Jenny gasp. The rain beat down upon the metal roof, and lightning continued to zip across the sky that was visible through the windows she’d left uncovered.
“I hate thunderstorms.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe, and I’ll take your mind off it.”
“And how exactly will you do that?”
He reached up to cup her breasts. “Leave that to me.”
* * *
She gently but insistently removed his hands. “Not yet. Hands to yourself until I say otherwise.”
His raised brow was the only indication that he wondered what she was up to.
Starting at the hem, she lifted his shirt up and over his head, dazzled as always by the rippling muscles on his chest and belly. She wanted to kiss every one of them and scooted down so she was straddling his legs.
Using her tongue, she traced the outline of his eight-pack, taking her time to make sure she didn’t miss anything. An occasional sharp inhale and the quiver of skin let her know her efforts were having the desired effect on him. As she worked her way down, his breathing became harsher, especially when she traced the sharp outline of the V-cut over his hips.
“Jenny, that’s enough.”
“Nowhere near enough.”
Air hissed from between his clenched teeth as she tugged on the button to his shorts and unzipped him. She worked his shorts and boxer briefs down his legs, her gaze fixed on the sight of his impressive erection. She arranged his legs so they were bent at the knees and pushed them open with the gentle press of her hands against his inner thighs.
“Jenny… Jesus. You’re killing me here. Let me touch you.”
“Not yet.”
She tipped her head and let her hair fall over him before she added her tongue to the mix, traveling the length of him and circling the tip, marveling as he got longer and harder. Then she took him into her mouth, stroking the base with her hand tight around him. With her free hand, she cupped his balls in a gentle caress.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his hands grasping her hair. “Don’t stop.”
She loved that she could give him such pleasure, that she could take his mind off the litany of troubles he faced every day, even if only for a short time.
“Jenny…”
Aware that he was warning her of his impending release, she took him deeper and stroked him harder. And when he came with a shout, she was ready.
“Holy shit,” he gasped when he sagged into the mattress.
Jenny licked him clean as he twitched with aftershocks from the powerful release. She kissed her way from his belly to his chest to his lips.
His arms came around her, tight and fierce. “Is it my turn yet?”
“If you insist.”
“I do. Give me a minute to recover, and then it’s all about you.”
“Mmm,” she said, smiling at the sensual promise in his tone.
“Jenny?”
“Yes?”
“I haven’t felt this good in a really long time, and it’s not just because of the sex, which is amazing. It’s everything. It’s you.”
She raised her head to look at him. “Me, too. I’d started to wonder if…” Catching herself before she could make an overly revealing statement, Jenny shook her head.
With his hands on her face, he compelled her to meet his gaze. “What were you wondering?”
“I can’t say it.”
“Yes, you can. I want to hear it.”
Jenny licked her lips and watched his eyes zero in on the movement of her tongue. “I wondered if I’d ever feel this way again.”
“And how do you feel exactly?”
“Hopeful.” She said the first word that came to mind, but it summed things up rather well.
“I do, too. Except… The situation with my mom and everything… The timing is a bit tough for me. Nothing about the life I’m living now was part of my grand plan.”
“What was your grand plan? Before your mom got sick.”
He sighed and combed the fingers of his right hand through his hair. “I had an incredible job working at the U.S. Botanic Garden. My degree is in horticulture, and I’ve had some success with breeding rare orchids. It was satisfying work that I enjoyed.”
“Is there any reason why you couldn’t do that here? I mean, maybe it wouldn’t be the same exact thing you were doing before, but do you have to be in Washington to do whatever you did with the orchids?”
“I was working under a grant, so that was a big part of it, but the grant was mine, not the Garden’s.”
“Maybe you could reapply and relocate your program? Just thinking out loud.”
“Maybe,” he said, seeming intrigued by the idea.
“From what I know about dementia, your mom could live in this condition for a long time, and I already know you won’t want to be far from her. I bet she’d hate to be responsible for you and Paul putting your lives on hold indefinitely because of her.”
“I know she’d hate that, because in her rare moments of clarity, she’s said as much.”
“Why are you cutting grass in the broiling heat if you have a degree in horticulture?”
“Because it’s what’s needed at the moment. We had a rough couple of weeks with my mom earlier in the season and fell behind on everything. My dad used to say when you own the place, there’s no such thing as too good for any job. He’d say that when my brother and I would bitch about the owner’s sons having to cut grass.”
“I like his attitude.”
“The business has been successful, but he was always humble. He never forgot where he came from.”
“I think I would’ve liked him.”
“You would have. Everyone did.”
“He’d be proud of you and Paul and the way you’ve stepped up for your mom.”
“I hope so.”
“What father wouldn’t be proud of sons like you two?”
“Thank you for that. I like to think he’d be proud of us. When he was sick, he asked us over and over to take good care of our mother. She was foremost on his mind.”
“And he’s still foremost on hers.”
“I want that,” Alex said. “I want what they had.”
“So do I. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. My parents have it, too. They’re amazing together, even after all these years.” She propped her chin on her hands. “Speaking of my paren
ts… They’re coming for a visit this week. I’d like for you to meet them.”
“I’d love to meet them. Are they staying here?”
“No, they’re staying at the McCarthy’s hotel.”
“Oh thank God,” he said as he rolled them so he was above her, looking down at her with those dark-chocolate eyes. “I was already trying to figure out if I could scale the lighthouse from the outside to get to you while they’re here.”
Laughing, Jenny said, “You’re downright incorrigible.”
“I’m downright smitten.”
His sweet words went straight to her overcommitted heart, flooding the empty corners with warmth and excitement. “So am I.” It was the truth. Why not say so?
He looked at her for a long time before he kissed her. At first, it was just his lips, soft and persuasive.
Her arms tight around his neck, she squirmed under him, needing more.
“Easy, honey. Let me take my time.”
Jenny forced air into her lungs, trying to relax when his every touch set her on fire. He wasn’t kidding when he said he planned to take his time. Everything happened in slow motion as he paid homage to her lips, neck, breasts and belly, working his way down slowly, so slowly that by the time he was settled between her legs, all he had to do was touch her with his tongue, and she came.
“I love how responsive you are,” he whispered against her sex, making her tremble.
She didn’t have the words to tell him that she wasn’t usually so responsive. In fact, only one other man had ever been able to coax such responses from her.
Alex was the reason she was so responsive. It was him and the incredible energy they created together.
He kissed his way back up just as slowly, capturing her lips as his cock pressed against her slickness. Keeping up the slow theme, he entered her in tiny increments.
Jenny dug her fingers into his back, trying to encourage him to move faster, but he was determined to take his time.
“So hot,” he whispered in her ear. “So tight. I can’t get enough of you.”
