Toys and Baby Wishes

by Karen Rose Smith

  She slid on her back within the circle of his arm. "Once I got to sleep," she teased.

  His hand spanned her stomach then toured her breast. "Are you complaining?"

  "Never." Her body came alive with his touch.

  He taunted one pink peak with his forefinger. "I like waking up with you. It could be habit forming."

  She danced her fingers down the middle of his chest. "Habits are hard to break."

  "Some don't need to be broken."

  She sifted her fingers through his dark chest hair. "There's a habit in this house of having breakfast at eight. Are you up to it?"

  "I'm up to a lot of things," he grinned wickedly, rubbing against her hip.

  "I'm talking about breakfast."

  He kissed her on the lips and sat up on the edge of the bed. "If we must, we must."

  "Do you mind?" she asked anxiously.

  He lifted his robe from the foot of the bed, wrapped it around him and belted it. "I know you came home to spend time with your family. It's okay." He walked over to the window and looked out. "Hey, it snowed. There's at least four inches out there!"

  She hopped out of bed and stood beside him looking out over the back yard. "The first snow is always so beautiful."

  "Do you want to build a snowman?" he asked boyishly.

  "And make snow angels?"

  "I don't know what kind of angel I'll make, but you've got a deal."

  She plucked her pink chenille robe from the bedroom chair and buttoned it. "Do you mind if I spend some time with Dani this morning first? I didn't get a chance yesterday. We can have the afternoon together."

  "Lexa, I really don't mind. I'll read the paper, have a few cups of coffee, maybe take a walk. I don't need you to entertain me." His eyes twinkled devilishly. "At least not all the time."

  She slid her arms under his and hugged him. "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "For coming this weekend. For taking time to get to know my family."

  "Even if I see some things you don't want me to see?"

  "Even then."

  "Lexa, you know, don't you, that you can--"

  "What?"

  "Nevermind." The serious look didn't leave Josh's face, but he kissed the tip of her nose. "Let's get moving before I decide I'd rather stay here than play in the snow."

  Lexa's father ate breakfast with them, then left for work. Lexa spent much of the morning with Dani, talking and planning. After lunch Dani went to visit a friend who was home for the holidays. Anna was out doing the weekly shopping, and Lexa looked forward to spending the afternoon alone with Josh. She found a pair of old boots in the closet and equipped Josh with her father's galoshes. They walked the grounds, arm in arm, taking in the breathtaking beauty of unspoiled snow.

  Lexa insisted they lay down and flap their arms and legs to make snow angels. When they were flat on their backs with snow creeping in their collars, Josh called to her, "Are you sure this is fun?"

  "Sure, and it's artistic too. Wait till you see your imprint. Remember to be careful when you get up."

  Josh was as careful as he could be but when he looked at Lexa's angel and back at his, he said with disappointment, "Why doesn't mine look like yours?"

  "Because you're bigger and you flapped too hard."

  He caught her around the waist and lifted her legs until she was dangling in his arms. She held on tightly around his neck. "You didn't tell me to flap lightly," he complained.

  "You didn't ask," she parried with a sassy smile.

  He dropped her back on her feet, took a hard kiss and concluded, "Now we're going to do something I'm good at."

  Her eyes widened dramatically and with all the innocence she could muster, she asked, "Out here? Josh, what would the neighbors think?"

  He tweaked her nose and swatted her behind. "C'mon, smart alec. We're going to make one terrific snowman."

  They had problems rolling large balls for the body because the snow wasn't deep. Each ball made a long track on the ground where the grass peeked through. When they finally managed three balls into an upright position, Lexa laughed. "It's crooked."

  Josh began mounding loose snow onto the second ball. "Never fear, Flannigan's here."

  "Oh, right," Lexa muttered drily.

  "Don't complain. Go find a carrot for his nose."

  Lexa not only returned with a carrot but with an old derby of her father's and a scarf of her own. Josh found stones for eyes. Lexa stood a few feet away from him to admire their handiwork.

  "Not bad," Lexa decided. "Now we need a snow woman."

  "What for?" Josh teased, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

  She wagged her finger at him. "What are you, Flannigan? Sexist?"

  He pointed to his chest with feigned amazement and questioned, "Me? A man who believes men and women are equal? A man who believes a woman has the right to be president as much as a man, a man who believes--"

  Lexa stooped down, patted together a snowball and cut in, "A man who believes a woman can win a snowball fight?" With careful aim, she threw straight at his chest and the packed snow landed with a splat.

  "You're asking for trouble," he warned. When another snowball landed against his shoulder, he shot into action. Within a few seconds, he had packed three snowballs and torpedoed them at her legs. She turned to fashion more of her own. Without taking careful aim, she spun on one foot and threw. Two plastered Josh's stomach, the third exploded on his chin.

  "That's it!" he shouted. He took off after her. "Now you're going to get yours."

  She ran from him and shrieked over her shoulder, "I was just trying to win."

  He was a length behind her. "Now, I'm going to win."

  She eluded his grasp and raced for the back door. "Did anyone ever tell you you were too competitive?"

  He caught the storm door before it slammed in his face and despite the awkwardness of his galoshes almost caught her jacket. When he missed again, he kicked off the boots, shoes and all, and rushed after her up the stairs.

  Lexa kicked off her shoe boots in the hall and headed for her room. She had almost managed to close the door when Josh forced it open. She backed up away from him, out of breath and giggling. "It was only a game!"

  He closed the door and turned the lock. "We haven't finished this game yet."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Lexa scurried away from Josh and stood behind a velvet-covered chair. "I think we could stop now."

  He unzipped his jacket and flung it on one post of the four poster bed. Then he peeled off his socks and unzipped his jeans.

  "What are you doing?" she yelped.

  "Getting ready to win the game." He smiled smugly.

  "Not without a fight." She took off her jacket and tossed it at his head.

  He shifted away and pulled his sweatshirt over his head, playfully tossing it to a corner. Lexa cast a glance at the door. He suspected she was calculating how much time it would take to unlock the door and run into the hall. He approached her slowly, not sure which way she'd try to escape.

  When she made a run for it, he blocked her, managed to tunnel under the hem of her sweater and in one swift movement pulled it over her head. As she squirmed and wriggled, he caught her around the waist and pulled her down with him to the bed.

  Pinning her hands above her head, he threw his leg over both of hers. "Give up?"

  She wiggled, actively trying to break his hold. "Never."

  "How did I know you'd say that?" He unfastened her bra and unsnapped and unzipped her jeans.

  "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

  "Putting you in the same condition I'm in," he said lazily. When she tried to raise her shoulders up off the bed, he began a kiss that was exacting, fervent, taming. When he felt her body relax and the tip of her tongue dare to touch his, his hand caressed her stomach. He raised his head and asked huskily, "You don't still want to win, do you?"

  She remembered how she came to be lying on the bed. "You don't play fair," sh
e accused, squirming once more.

  He attempted to pull her jeans off with one hand. "Aw, c'mon. Give in."

  She tried to roll away from him. "Never."

  He pinned her under him and clasped her hands on either side of her head. This time the kiss was pure seduction. He wheedled his way into her mouth and stroked repetitively until her fingers curled between his and the tension went out of her legs. He finished the kiss with a final sweep of her mouth and peppered soft, moist kisses down her neck. Disentangling one hand, he worked her breast, rolling the nipple between his thumb and forefinger until she moaned. When her free hand kneaded his shoulder, he released the other one. While he trailed kisses to her breast, he pushed her jeans down. She raised up to help him and her panties came off too.

  Josh kissed her hungrily, exploring every sweet centimeter of her mouth as if he could never get enough. He pressed into her body so she was completely aware of how much he needed her.

  Lexa's hands played in the hollow of Josh's back, stroked over his buttocks, trailed as far as she could down the back of his thighs. She aroused him so easily. But she aroused more than physical desire. He wanted to teach her to trust him.

  When she undulated against him, he murmured, "Not yet, sweetheart. Not yet."

  His hands petted her thighs open and before she realized his intent, his head lowered to her.

  "No," she gasped.

  "Yes. Let me know you. Let me know all of you."

  When she didn't protest again, he kissed generously, sucked gently. Loving, prodding, provoking.

  "Josh, I love you," Lexa breathed.

  He thought he'd feel satisfaction when she said it, he thought he'd feel peace. But without her trust, love wasn't enough. He stripped off his briefs, lay on his side, and nudged her to face him. She reached for him, fondling and stroking until he ambushed her mouth again, giving as much as he took.

  While their lips clung, he slid her leg over his hip and entered her. Her softness enveloped all of him, thrilling him, exciting him, making him long to take her to heaven and beyond, making him long to destroy all her walls so she could truly be his. He released her lips, moved in and out slowly, and used his fingers on the sensitive spot that pushed her pleasure to its limit.

  Lexa murmured, "Oh, Josh. It's so wonderful. Don't stop."

  He didn't. As his pulse pounded in his temples, he gave her what she sought. In giving he found his own release.

  When he slowly opened his eyes, he saw the wonder on Lexa's face. It was a start. He brushed her hair from her brow and murmured, "I think we both won."

  ***

  Lexa sorted applications, trying to keep her mind on her work, not on an evening with Josh. She smiled. Since they had returned from her dad's, she had spent two nights at Josh's and he had spent two nights at her place. She loved being with him. They had exchanged keys and when she returned home from a meeting or volunteer work, he was waiting. It was almost like being married. Almost.

  When her phone buzzed, she picked it up. "It's Clare Flannigan," Joanne said. "Line two."

  Lexa punched two. "Hi, Clare. How are you?"

  "I'm fine. But you might be in for trouble."

  "Uh oh. What did I do now?" she joked.

  "Lexa, I don't think this is anything to laugh about. I went to the senior center last night to play cards and I heard from several people that Stanley is furious with you. Somehow he found out what you advised everyone last week and he threatened to sue you for libel and slander."

  "He can't do that, Clare. I have as much of a right to advise you to be careful as he does telling you how to invest your money. If he's feeling that threatened, it's even more possible he has something to hide."

  "You haven't heard from Josh's friend yet?"

  "No, Josh called him yesterday. We could hear anytime. I hope it's sooner rather than later."

  "I just wanted to tell you what was going on so you can be on your guard. I don't know if Stanley will confront you or not."

  "Thanks a lot. I appreciate it."

  Clare's phone call troubled Lexa all afternoon. She wasn't sure whether to confront Stanley herself or remain silent. Her instincts told her to stay away from him. She usually followed her instincts.

  With Josh working late because of longer Christmas hours, she stayed at her office after Joanne left, finishing odds and ends. When she finally rose from her desk, her phone rang, but no one was at the other end and caller ED said "unknown caller."

  After she put on her coat, she turned out the lights, switched on the security system, and locked the door. She walked to the parking lot, shivering with the blast of icy wind. This was not a fit night to be out. As she approached her SUV, she saw something on her windshield. At first she thought Josh might have left her a note, but something about her car looked strange. Moving closer, she saw what it was. Fear zipped up her spine as she realized she had four flat tires. With trembling fingers she reached for the paper on her windshield under the wiper. Unfolding it, she read in large printed letters--MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. She stared at it a few seconds in shock, letting the wind buffet her. It didn't take Sherlock Holmes to deduce the origin of the note, not after Clare's call. And this was an old-fashioned way to threaten her–no cell phone records, no caller ID.

  Lexa looked around the parking lot, across the street, back to her office, trying to slough off the creepy feeling someone was watching her. After removing her cell phone from her purse, she stooped down to look at her front tire. It had been slashed. Thoroughly frightened, she stood and looked around again, seeing nothing but darkness, city lights, and shadows. She heard a rustling in an alleyway, but when she turned toward it, the noise stopped.

  Lexa headed for her office at a fast pace, anxious to be in a safe place. Her fingers fumbled with the key as she strove to remain calm, but when she turned on a light and switched off the security system, she was shaking all over. Get a grip on yourself, girl. You have to decide what you're going to do.

  She took three deep breaths. Should she call Mark Gibson at the police station? What if he wasn't there? She could call Josh, but...

  The phone on her desk rang sharply. She studied it, fear gripping her stomach. You're overreacting, Lexa. Just pick it up. When she did, again there was no answer and the same "unknown" ID. Someone was watching her...or at least the lights in her office.

  Slumping into her desk chair, she braced her elbows on the blotter and held her head in her hands, trying to think clearly despite the pounding at her temples. She's the one who said she wasn't afraid of Stanley. Had that been sheer bravado or stupidity? Thousands of dollars were involved. What might he do to protect himself? What could she do? She was safe in the office, wasn't she?

  Her cell phone chirped and she stared at it as if it might bite her. Then she checked the screen. It was Josh.

  "Josh, thank God..." Her voice cracked.

  "What's wrong?" he asked, sounding alarmed.

  "I..." She swallowed her fear and told him what had happened.

  "Is the door locked?" he asked with a thread of anger invading his even tone.

  "Yes, I made sure when I closed it."

  "Don't open it again until you hear my voice. Understand?"

  "I have to call the auto club."

  "Call them. But do not open the door. I mean it, Lexa. I'll be there in five minutes. Call the auto club on your land line and stay on your cell with me."

  After Lexa called the auto club, she sat in her office, holding onto her phone, listening to Josh, waiting to hear his knock on the door.

  Five minutes seemed to stretch into hours. Finally Josh was saying, "I'm here. Almost at the door..." There was a heavy double thump on the door and Josh calling, "Lexa, it's me."

  When she stood up, her world spun for a moment then righted itself. She opened the door and as soon as Josh stepped inside, he engulfed her in his arms. "Baby, are you all right?"

  She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm fine. I overreacted."

  "Y
ou didn't. If I get my hands on Stanley--"

  "We don't know if it's him."

  "Who else do you think it might be? Do you have a closet full of enemies you haven't told me about?"

  "Of course not," she mumbled against his sweater. "I just want to go home."

  Josh knew exactly what he wanted to do but decided on what was best to do. He leaned away from her, holding her upper arms. "This has really shaken you up, hasn't it?"

  "No, I'm okay. Just tired." Actually, she couldn't think straight. She wanted Josh there, yet she didn't want to need him. She had stood on her own for years so why couldn't she do it now?

  He was still reacting to her fear. "I'll take you home and we can cuddle up in bed."

  Her confusion wasn't helped by the headache pounding in her ears. "I don't need a babysitter," she snapped, more annoyed with herself than the situation.

  Josh caressed her cheek. "Believe me, I don't intend to babysit."

  She recognized the gleam in his eyes. It brought a wobbly smile to her lips. "I'm really all right. Merely embarrassed you saw me like this."

  "Anyone would have been spooked." Flashing yellow lights passed by the window. "That's the tow truck. Let's give him the information he needs so we can go home."

  ***

  Josh worried about Lexa as he telephoned the police station. She was upstairs, taking a shower, pretending she was fine. He knew she was scared.

  When he got the main menu, he tapped in Mark's extension, hoping he was still in the station.

  Mark answered and, without a preamble, Josh explained what had happened to Lexa.

  "There's nothing I can do," Mark said when Josh had finished.

  "What do you mean there's nothing you can do?" he asked, irritated Mark wasn't more helpful.

  "You don't have any proof Stanley was behind it."

  "I know he's behind it."

  "Not good enough. I need hard evidence, not guesses. If you still have the note, I can check for fingerprints, but I doubt I'll find any."

  Josh's fist came down on the sofa with his mounting frustration. "Lexa has to be protected. If you won't do something, I will."