by Toni Jackson
Twenty minutes later, Tina was still flipping channels. Her body was tired, but her mind was wide awake. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since she ran into Alex. And she refused to have dark circles under her eyes tomorrow. Sitting up, she grabbed the phone and dialed the cause of her insomnia.
The phone barely rang before he answered. “Tina?”
“Hey.” That sounded so dumb. Why couldn’t she use her grown up words when she talked to him?
“Hey, yourself.” Pushing herself up in bed, she rearranged the mountain of pillows behind her. “How was your day?” he asked.
The smooth tones of Alex’s voice slid over her, easing the tension in her body. “Crazy. Tiring. Yours?”
It was silent. A minute later, softly spoken words drifted across the line. “I went to see my mother.” She could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Oh. I see. How did that go?”
His laugh sent chills ran down her spine. “About as well as expected.”
She opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off. “Look, can I come see you? I won’t stay long, I promise.” Tina glanced over at the clock. It was still early.
“Um, okay. Sure.” She had to change. Greeting him in a shirt and panties was an invitation for trouble.
“I’m not far away. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” He disconnected before she could answer.
Flipping the covers back, she scrambled from the bed. She dug out a pair of old sweatpants and grabbed a bra. Just in case, she picked up the clothes scattered around the room and tossed them in the hamper. She jumped when the doorbell rang.
After a quick glance through the peephole, she opened the door. Alex stood there, in a black t-shirt and low slung jeans that had seen better days. The shirt hugged him in all the right places, the low slung jeans giving the slightest hint of the dark blue briefs beneath them. She loved his slim physique when they were younger, but she liked his new body, too.
Stepping back, she let him enter then closed the door, leaning against it to appreciate the way he filled out his jeans as he walked deeper into her living room. Dark curls hugged the base of his neck, begging for touch. She fought the urge wrap herself around him and run her hands under his shirt, over his skin, then under the band of his briefs.
He turned when reached the center of the living room. Under his hot gaze, stripped her bare. She had to grab a handful of her shirt to make sure she was still dressed. She motioned to the couch, waiting until he sat down, before positioning herself at the other end, just out of his reach. She watched his eyes darken when he turned to face her. When did things get so awkward between them?
When they grew up.
Everywhere his gaze touched, her skin burned. “So, what’s your mom up to?”
“Hounding me about grandchildren. “
Tina shook her head, laughing. “You aren’t even married yet.”
“And you think that makes a difference?” He shook his head. “She informed me that with or without matrimony that I need to be doing my part to carry on the Peterson line.”
“What! So she’s going to pimp you out for a grandbaby?”
He smiled broadly. “Oh, not just any baby. A baby with you.”
Tina sputtered, her mouth opening and closing several times before she could speak. “Me? Why me? Alex, your mother has an unhealthy obsession with having a red-headed grandchild. I’m sure there are plenty of red-headed women you can talk into bed,” she teased.
His smile faded as he looked down at his hands. “Well, you see, on one thing my mother and I are in agreement. I want the baby with you.”
Tina’s heartbeat accelerated as Alex slid closer to her on the couch and picked up her hand. “I’m just not in a rush.” His hands slid up her arms to her shoulders. He turned her body towards him and eased her legs across his lap. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers. “Date me.”
Whoa. What?
She frowned. “Date you? We dated for years.”
Alex smiled as he studied her face. “There are some events that Sean suggested I go to, and some he’ll be taking Dani to, also. I would love for you to go and save me from the bloodthirsty women.”
“Really?” She focused on the heat radiating from his body.
“Mhmm.” His head lowered towards hers, then he paused, letting her make the choice.
There was no use pretending to be shy. Being in his arms again, the years faded away until there was nothing left but sensation. As crazy as it sounded, she wanted this. Needed this. Needed him to touch her and smooth away all of her doubts and fears.
She. Needed. Him.
He moaned as she closed the difference between them. She threw a leg across his lap, arching her hips against him, grinding on bulge hidden beneath the zipper of his jeans. His hands slid under her shirt and stroked her skin.
Her hands had a mind of their own as they moved up his chest and around his neck to bury themselves deep into his hair.
A little voice in the back of his mind kept telling Alex to slow down, better yet, stop. The thought of pulling away from the handful of woman straddling his lap was killing him. But he wanted to do this the right way and not rush into anything. There was a strong physical attraction between them, but this time he wanted it to last until they were old and gray, sitting in matching rocking chairs every evening, watching the sunset.
He broke the kiss and rested his head against Tina’s. “I have to go,” he whispered.
Rosy lips pouted, making it hard for him to stand by his decision. “Yes. I want to stay, believe me. But it’s for the best.”
Alex gripped her hips and lifted her from his lap. He stood and winced, then adjusted himself before moving towards the front door.
Tina slipped from the couch and followed him, arms crossed and still pouting. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he muttered, moving through the door before he could change his mind.
Tina leaned against the door and groaned. She had another long night ahead of her.
Chapter 13
The following month was filled with Alex overseeing his new office, Tina working and the two of them getting to know each other again.
Tina’s frustration was hitting an all-time high. After every dinner, every event, Alex took her straight home and never attempted to sleep with her. They would kiss for a while, but he always pulled away first, leaving her wet and aching.
If she were a man, she’d have blue balls.
Even the strange calls she continued to receive and the anonymous gifts weren’t enough to distract her from the tension between her and Alex. The latest one had shown up today. A small pin with a silver bird. It found its way onto the collar of the homeless woman living on the corner.
The day after Tina received the pin, Alex walked into the gallery and studied the artwork on display. The past few months had been going well. Sean had been a valuable asset in determining the best location and helping him with other minor details. Now, his company’s move to Virginia was well under way since the renovations were complete. This would be a major accomplishment. There was only one thing that would make him whole.
Tina.
Every night they weren’t together, they talked on the phone, reconnecting with each other. A few times they double dated with Dani and Sean and a few dates it was just the two of them. With him traveling back and forth out of town, his time to woo her face to face had been limited. But now, with final plans in place, he could spend more time with her.
Just the two of them.
With that in mind, he had instructed his driver to bring him to the gallery, where he hoped to coax her into having lunch with him. The understated elegance of the décor impressed him. Here and there he saw pieces that he assumed were some of Dani’s artwork. Each one demonstrated different aspects of everyday life. Even when they were in school, she had used life as her inspiration. He smiled as he remembered the Tasmanian devil she carved for his birthday one year.
A flash of red caught his attention as he stood gazing at one of the statues. He spun around and watched Tina walk across the back of the gallery. Today she was dressed in all black – a form fitting dress, sheer back seam stockings, and a pair of black stilettos that filled his mind with ideas of how to coax her out of every last stitch of clothing she wore.
Except the heels. He’d let her keep the heels.
Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail that swayed across her shoulder blades as she walked, revealing the delicate curve of her neck. Alex loved the contrast between her dark bronze skin and red hair. It drew the attention of half the people in the gallery when she passed by.
Instead of alerting her to his presence, he decided to watch her in action. This was no longer the young girl he once loved. Instead, he was faced with a woman who was healthy and independent, who had a mind of her own. It was possible she wouldn’t want to take the final step with him. But it wouldn’t be for his lack of trying.
After watching a little longer, he began walking in her direction. She appeared to be speaking with someone just out of sight. Although he had never been able to speak Spanish fluently, the tone of the conversation told him it would be the perfect time to intervene. He stopped just behind Tina and frowned over her shoulder. Her tone said she was pissed off. She was giving the person an ear full, for all the good it did. The object of her tirade was more interested in assessing her curves than paying attention to her conversation. He stood, arms crossed, his appearance sullen. She never noticed Alex until the man spoke quickly and nodded towards him. Tina’s eyes widened as she glanced over her shoulder.
“Alex! What are you doing here?”
Smiling, he resisted the urge to nibble on her exposed neck while slipping an arm around her waist. He directed his words towards the man. “I came to take you to lunch.” The man glared back at him, which Alex found strange considering he had never seen the man before today.
“Oh!” She blinked several times before answering. “Um, okay.” She turned back around to the man and spoke quickly before turning back to Alex. “Let me get my purse and let Temar know I’m gone.”
She turned without waiting for the man to leave. His hands clenched while watching the man check out Tina as she walked away. Alex decided he wouldn’t move until the man went back to work. He wasn’t surprised when the man decided to stand his ground. It wasn’t until Tina’s heels signaled her return that the man strolled off towards what he assumed was either the storage room or the loading dock. He made a mental note to check into the guy’s background before turning to face her.
He enjoyed the way she moved, a smooth rolling step that told the world that she knew her place. Only he understood the part of her that stayed hidden. There would be plenty of time to stake his claim, when he was sure she wouldn’t pull away from him again. He extended his arm to her and escorted her through the gallery. Just before they reached the front door, Tina began to mumble.
“I saw you and Manuel in your little pissing contest. I know we’ve gone on some dates, but you can’t just stroll back into my life…send some flowers…intimidate the men that work for me and think I’ll be okay with it? Well, let me explain this to you so that you’ll understand…”
Alex tuned out the rest of her rant when she mentioned flowers. He hadn’t sent any flowers to her since he’d returned. He planned to save that for a special moment.
“What flowers?” he muttered as they neared the car and Tina began a quiet rampage in Spanglish, quickly losing him. Knowing that she was too far gone to hear him, he grabbed her arms and turned her to face him.
“What. Flowers.” he asked again. “What made you think they were from me? It could have been one of your admirers, or maybe a happy client.”
Tina’s mouth opened twice, but no sounds emerged. He didn’t send the flowers.
“No.” Her hair flailed from side to side. “There was a card on it that said, This is only the beginning. I thought it was you because of our conversation. I did wonder why you would have sent red roses instead of calla lilies, but I thought maybe you had forgotten.”
He stared at her while gently caressing the side of her face. “I haven’t forgotten anything about you.”
His driver stood waiting by the open door of the car. Alex ushered her inside, but didn’t speak. Tina turned to him, concerned. She waited patiently, knowing that he would talk when ready. It was one of the things she loved about him. The way his mind worked was incredible. At the first red light they reached he spoke, his words filled her with dread.
“You’re going to think I’m overreacting, but I think you should be careful. The message doesn’t sound like it’s someone you’ve dated. It was short and worded to let you know that the person is going to begin trying to win you over; which is why you thought the flowers came from me.”
“Yes.”
Alex continued frowning as the car moved again, speeding through traffic. “Honestly, it would have to be someone who didn’t know you well. They don’t understand what red roses symbolize for you.”
Red roses reminded Tina of her mother’s funeral. They were her mother’s favorite flower and everyone brought them in her honor. They completely covered the casket and became a representation of her loss. The air that day had been thick with the smell of the flowers, almost choking her with their scent. Since then, she hated the sight and scent of red roses, instead preferring fresh Calla Lilies.
“So,” he continued, “we can assume it’s someone who wants your attention.” He turned to look at her. “Could it be Manuel?”
Tina’s expression was priceless. “Manuel? Not even. These were expensive flowers, not ones from the grocery store or a vendor on a corner. Twelve tight buds just beginning to bloom, long-stemmed, in a cut glass Waterford vase. They were slightly chilled with dew still clinging to the petals.” She cocked an eyebrow at his amused expression. “What? Did you forget I look at art all day? I’ve learned to pay attention to detail.”
“I know FBI agents who couldn’t give that kind of detail.”
She shrugged. “What can I say? I’m good.”
Chapter 14
Tina expected Alex to take her to a restaurant since most of their dates had been in public. Instead, she discovered Alex planned to have lunch at his suite instead. It was private. And since he was staying at one of the five-star hotels, she had high hopes for the food. The trip from the car upstairs to the room was silent, but she could tell he was thinking. So was she. About the flowers…about them.
What were they to each other? Was it was unrealistic to believe they could slip back into each other’s world after such a long time? Not to her.
Every man she had ever met was compared to him…and lost. She hadn’t had sex for so long she was firmly in born-again virgin status.
And yet.
The kisses they had been sharing made her contemplate things she hadn’t wanted in so long.
Stepping from the dim hallway into his suite was a surprise. Bright light poured through windows that perfectly framed the downtown landscape, including the Monument. Patterned overstuffed furniture formed groupings across the suite. Off to the side, double doors stood partially open, teasing a glimpse of a king size bed with a suit thrown across it. She strolled past to the window, pretending not to notice the open door and the temptation it presented. Enjoying the view of the monument, she heard Alex order room service.
Alex watched Tina as she stood admiring the view. He moved across the room to stand behind her, suppressing the urge to draw her back against him and enfold her in his arms. She was the same, but so different. This wasn’t the woman he left behind. She was more. Confidence and steel, ready to accept any challenge. But he could also sense the softness that still lived inside her. Her friendship with Dani proved she was still capable of love. The two of them were sisters. He only hoped there was something left for him.
“Beautiful view,” she said, breaking the silence.
�
��Yes, it is,” Alex murmured, stepping back before being tempted to show Tina just how beautiful. The woman played hell with his restraint. He headed over to the couch, loosening his tie.
Turning, she watched as he discarded his coat, tossing it across a nearby chair. She flushed as she watched his muscles straining against his shirt. Since the night he came to her house in those jeans, she kept comparing it to the way he looked in suits. The jeans won, hands down. He wore his suits a little loose, which made him seem smaller. She wanted him and was tired of waiting and playing games. It looked like she was going to need to do something drastic to get a reaction from him.
“I meant to comment on your muscles. Seems like you’ve been working out since the last time I saw you.”
Alex hid his smile before he turned to face her. She noticed. “A little bit.”
He was starting to believe bringing Tina here was a bad idea. Every night when he kissed her goodnight, he fought to keep from tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her off to the nearest bedroom. And here they were…in a room with a king sized bed just a few steps away.
Tina’s rubbed her hands up down his arms over the crisp cotton material of the shirt. A jolt of pain made him realize he was biting his tongue. His body jerked when her nails dragged across his chest. He forced his hands down at his side to keep from stripping away the shirt and placing her hands on his skin. Her touch burned. He wanted more. He wanted her. “Careful. If you start that, you’ll be lunch.”
Tension swirled between them as Tina stopped her sweet torture, a smug smile curving her lips.
Kicking off her shoes, she padded over to one of the chairs and pulled her feet up under her. The thick foam cushioned her body and eased the stress of the last few days from her body
