The peaks and valleys of his abs were a delight to explore. Lexi wanted to trace them with her tongue, but he wouldn’t let her get enough space between them to lean down.
So, instead, she contented herself with running her fingertips down the bulge behind his fly. Brett groaned and a shiver rocked along Lexi’s spine.
She tugged at the tab of his zipper, freeing him so that she could finally touch.
Last night she’d been spread out before him, wanting and desperate. Tonight she wanted to make him feel the same way. Needed to know that she could drive him just as mindless.
Shoving his pants and shorts to the floor, Lexi wrapped her hand around him. She wanted to see him, but it was too dark. Instead, she let her fingers explore, learning every hard inch of him.
Up and down, her tight fist slipped over him again and again. His head dropped to the door with a muffled bang as if he didn’t have the energy to hold it up anymore. His mouth found her shoulder and he sucked.
His fingers tightened around her hips, digging into her flesh and holding on. “Stop,” he breathed. “Stop now.”
Brett flexed his hips, pulling his erection from her grip. As he fished in the pocket of his pants, she heard a rustling sound. He held the tiny packet between two fingers, triumph glittering in his darkened eyes.
“Tonight you’re prepared?”
“How did you guys survive as teenagers? Thanks to the clerk at the drug store, no doubt the entire town is now wondering who I’m sleeping with.”
Lexi groaned, but she’d worry about the implications of that later. Now all she wanted was for him to put that condom to good use.
Her body ached. The emptiness was almost painful. Her jeans chaffed, but Brett made quick work of them. Cradling each ankle, he gently tugged until her legs were free. And the minute she was, she wrapped one leg high over his hip.
His fingers found her throbbing core. He sucked in an appreciative breath. She was hot and wet with wanting him. He played, rubbing against her until she thought she couldn’t stand it.
And then the swollen tip of him was nudging her entrance. A little at a time, he slipped inside. And he felt so damn good.
Lexi’s body stretched around him, pulsing and begging him to give her more. When he was sheathed to the hilt Brett paused, letting her adjust. But that wasn’t what she needed.
Squirming against him, she tried to get him to move his hips. “Please,” she begged.
“Shh,” he whispered, his eyes glittering at her through the darkness even as his hips gave one quick pulse.
Pleasure spiraled through her. She could feel him so high and deep inside her.
Filling his palms with her ass, Brett boosted her higher. She wrapped her legs around his waist and with the support of the door behind her, hung on for dear life.
Brett drew back and she almost whimpered at the loss of him. But before she could make the sound he was driving back into her. Smooth stroke after smooth stroke, his hips pinned her tight against the door. Which was exactly where she wanted to be.
Her body bowed and tensed. With quick thrusts he brought her to the brink of release and then backed away. Over and over again he drove her straight to the edge but wouldn’t let her drop over.
Every muscle was strung so tight she quivered. Fine tremors rocked her body. Her head thrashed back and forth against the door. Her hair was a messy cloud of abandon around her face. She didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was what Brett was making her feel.
She whimpered and begged with incoherent words. Hadn’t she been the one supposed to make him beg? So much for that plan. She was no match for him.
And then he let her fly. She came apart in his arms, her strangled cry muffled by his own mouth. Wave after wave of bliss washed over her.
Somewhere in the back of her brain she heard his release, her name a guttural groan of ecstasy. Beneath her clinging hands his body arched and strained.
His head fell to her neck. Their mingled breaths joined. She wasn’t the only one trembling. Tight against her, his muscles quivered.
Slowly, his mouth trailed across her damp skin. “That was worth waiting for.”
Lexi had to agree with him. But now that the blinding need was gone, the unease was there.
They were in the storage room of a public bar.
“Crap, how long have we been gone?”
Through the dark Lexi saw the flash of his frown. “I have no idea. Why?”
“Because someone’s going to miss us.”
Lexi pushed against his shoulders and dropped to her feet to scramble for her clothes. She pulled them on with more haste than finesse.
“So? Who cares?”
She shoved his own jeans and shirt against his chest.
“I do, Brett. I’d prefer it if the whole town didn’t know that we’re sleeping together.”
His eyes flashed fire before turning ice cold. “But we aren’t, are we? So far we haven’t gotten anywhere close to a bed. Maybe we should try that next.” He turned his back and pulled on his clothes.
Part of her felt relief. Anyone could walk in. The rest of her felt cheated that she could no longer see his amazing body. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.
“Since you seem so concerned with appearances, why don’t you head back out front? I’ll wait a few minutes and then follow.”
That seemed reasonable. Nodding her head, Lexi reached for the knob, but Brett’s hand wrapped around her wrist stopped her.
He pulled her tight against his chest, and traitor that her body was, it began humming all over again.
“Just so we’re clear, we’re not through yet.”
Lexi swallowed. Her heart responded to the dark heat of his words by thumping erratically in her chest. Nodding, she was relieved when he let her go.
She needed space to clear her head. Hurrying to the table, she scooped up her purse. Hope looked up at her, puzzled. “Where have you been?”
“Bathroom. I’m not feeling well. Gonna head home.”
That got her brother’s attention. Giving her a hard look, Gage asked, “You okay to drive or do I need to take you?”
Shaking her head vigorously, she said, “No, I’m fine.” She fought down the blush that would give her away. Her military-trained brother and her journalist best friend were both too sharp not to notice and wonder what had flustered her.
With one quick glance back at the hallway, she sped to escape before Brett followed her out. Once past the plate-glass windows and any prying eyes, she sagged against the old brick wall.
Good Lord. She’d just had sex in a public place. Before tonight that’s not something she’d ever wanted to do. But she’d enjoyed it. Her body shuddered with memory. More than enjoyed it.
What was this man doing to her?
9
BRETT WASN’T USED to walking away from sex feeling slightly disappointed, even a day later. Oh, Lexi had been amazing, but the way she’d skulked away like he was some secret vice she was ashamed of...yeah, he wasn’t used to that.
He didn’t understand why she cared what anyone else thought.
But today he was determined to find out. Maybe now that they’d gotten some of the heat out of the way he could concentrate when he was around her.
Although, if the explicit dream he’d had last night was any indication, maybe not.
He still wanted her. Desperately. But it was more than sex. He wanted to know her. Not just the sound she made when he touched her, but what her childhood had been like and why she felt the need to deny the passionate side she kept buried deep inside.
And he didn’t want to learn those things from a dossier.
So, bright and early, Brett found himself standing outside Sugar & Spice. The front door was locked, and the sign s
aid she was closed on Sundays, but her SUV sat in the lot so he knew she was there.
Walking around the building, he found the alley behind and the back door to her place. Unlocked.
Brett shook his head. Turning the knob, he stuck his head inside and hollered softly for her. “Lexi.”
But there was no answer.
He walked inside. The scent of something heavenly wafted to him from the ovens. Where was she? She wouldn’t leave the ovens unattended. Not intentionally. Brett’s heart fluttered uncomfortably in his chest and a sense of dread suffused him. Something wasn’t right.
Suddenly a sound caught his attention. He noticed a door nestled between two stainless-steel shelves full of ingredients. Crossing, he tugged it open and nearly swallowed his tongue.
It was a small office. A desk was bumped up against the far wall. An open door showed him a full bath with a tiny glassed-in shower. But what took up most of the space was an industrial-strength treadmill. A yoga mat rolled into a long tube and a medicine ball sat against the far wall.
Brett leaned against the open door, enjoying the view. Lexi hadn’t noticed him, probably because the machine was whirring. The treadmill was angled at an incline that mimicked running up the side of a mountain. It faced away from the door, in front of a small TV mounted on the wall. The sound was muted, but one of those do-it-yourself home shows flashed across the screen.
Oh, he’d bet she was good with her hands.
Her feet hit the mechanized track with steady, even strides. Her skin glowed pink where it was bare beneath the tight exercise shorts and T-backed running tank. A damp line arrowed straight from her nape, down her spine to disappear at the rounded curve of her ass.
He wanted to touch her there. God, he’d never found sweat sexy before, but on Lexi...
Her body was beautiful, the strong muscles bunching and releasing. He could stand there all day and watch her, but eventually she would stop and he’d get caught. Although at the moment, he didn’t care if she knew he was staring.
Two nights ago she’d been stretched out before him, a virtual smorgasbord of delight. She was gorgeous then. Last night she’d been so passionate. But now, seeing her body in motion was like watching an artist at work.
He appreciated line and form. Lexi Harper had them in spades.
He waited until her pace slowed a bit. She took a sip from a bottle of water lodged in a holder in front of her. Reaching for a hand towel draped across the bars, she ran it over her face and neck.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he said, “You should really lock the door. Anyone could walk inside.”
She yelped and spun around so quickly she nearly fell. The belt beneath her feet kept moving even as she tried to punch the stop button and find solid ground on the runners on either side.
Brett surged forward, trying to steady her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Shaking off his hands, she glared at him. “Then what exactly were you trying to do?”
Brett shrugged lazily. He watched her. “I wanted to see you.”
“And calling wasn’t an option? You had to sneak in the back door and scare the hell out of me?” Her hand pressed tightly between her breasts, as if she were trying to hold her galloping heart inside her chest.
All the gesture did was draw his attention down to her breasts. The tank she was wearing was cut low, revealing the swell of them. The center of his palm tingled with the need to touch her.
But that wasn’t why he was here.
Dragging his gaze away, Brett looked into her dark-chocolate eyes and tried to remember why he was here. But it was hard.
And, frankly, so was he.
Obviously, Lexi noticed because her eyes narrowed and her mouth thinned. “If you came for another quickie then you’re going to be disappointed.”
He stalked forward. Lexi shuffled backward on the treadmill until her back hit the instrument panel. Instead of stopping, Brett followed her up onto the belt. His palms gripped the cool bars, bracketing her. But he didn’t touch.
“I didn’t come here for a quickie, but we both know if I had neither one of us would be disappointed.”
Fumbling behind her, Lexi slapped at the button that would start up the belt. Without even blinking, Brett jumped up, letting the bars take his weight as he planted his feet wide on the runners.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“Why are you here?” Lexi breathed. Her pulse fluttered at her throat, begging him to bend down and taste. Somewhere he found the will to resist.
The sweet scent of her tempted him. It was stronger. Was it her or the store?
“I wanted to see you. Spend the day together. Get to know you.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected. Her eyes widened with surprise. She shifted nervously on the treadmill and looked away. He didn’t understand her reaction.
Brett grasped her by the chin, gently tugged until her gaze met his again. There were golden flecks in her eyes, a warmth that he hadn’t noticed before. He liked them.
“Do you want me to leave?”
He watched the war inside her and waited patiently for her to decide. He didn’t want to go, but if that’s what she wanted....
Licking her lips, Lexi parted them. Without moving anything else, she brought their mouths together. Heat and need blasted through Brett, but he didn’t move. Instead, he let her control the kiss.
When he was afraid his restraint was about to snap, Brett pulled away.
She panted, her eyes glowing with a need that he understood all too well.
Shaking his head, Brett took a step away. It would be too easy to give in, but that wasn’t why he was there.
Lexi’s face blanched and his chest tightened. Dammit! He was out of his depth with her. He had no idea what she wanted or how to give it to her.
“That’s not why I came here, Lexi. Believe me, I’d like nothing better than to boost you up onto the bar of this treadmill and take you right now. But I’m not going to do that.”
“You’re not?” she asked, her voice rough with desire.
“No. I’m going to help you with whatever you had to do today. And you’re going to tell me all about your trip to Switzerland and culinary school. I’ll tell you about the dog I hid in my room for two weeks before my mom discovered he was there.”
She studied him for several moments. “How do you know about my summer in Switzerland?”
Brett swore silently. He tried to control his expression. He’d been staring at that damn dossier too much.
“You told me. I think during dinner at your house.”
Lexi’s eyebrows crinkled. “I don’t remember that.”
He shrugged, hoping the motion came off as negligent. “Maybe your mom mentioned it. Someone told me, how else would I know?”
That seemed to satisfy her. She nodded. “No sex?”
“I didn’t say that. But the next time I touch you there’s going to be a bed very close. And I want to take all night.”
Lexi sucked a breath through her teeth. The sound of it echoed through him making all the muscles in his belly clench with yearning. He wanted that now. But he was nothing if not patient.
And he knew it would be worth the wait.
For the next several hours he watched Lexi work. He was surprised at just how time-consuming everything was. She was a perfectionist, testing and tasting until she was satisfied.
At one point she cut her eyes to him as she was pouring crushed herbs into a mixture. “Are you going to admit my aphrodisiacs worked?”
“Why would I do that?”
Lexi’s mouth pursed and she shot him a pointed glance.
Setting a hip to the counter beside her, Brett crossed his arms over his chest. It was either that or touch
her. And he was trying so hard to be good.
“If I remember right, you were the only one who couldn’t keep her clothes on.” He leaned closer, filling his lungs with the scent of Lexi and chocolate. “And if memory serves, you didn’t have a single chocolate.”
Lexi closed her eyes. A shiver quaked through her and Brett bit back a groan. Her grip tightened on the spoon she was using to stir the concoction. The memory of that fist slipping up and down him last night slammed through him.
Swallowing, Brett tried to think about anything but how she’d felt sheathed tight around him.
Her soft voice shocked him. “If either of us had a condom you’d have been naked, too.”
Leaning closer, he let his mouth trail just above the curve of her neck. His words caressed her. “True, but that had nothing to do with chocolate and everything to do with the beautiful woman I was sharing dinner with.”
“Why do you keep saying that?” She shifted away from him, putting inches between them.
But there was something else.
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you keep saying that I’m beautiful?” She glanced at him through her lashes and Brett was shocked to realize they were a shield.
“Because you are.”
“I’m not. You know you don’t have to lie to me and tell me pretty things to get into my bed.” With a sigh, she turned back to the chocolate she was stirring. “I can’t seem to keep my clothes on around you anyway.”
That pissed Brett off. Terribly. His hand grasped hers, stopping her relentless rhythm. Slowly, he peeled her fingers from the spoon and set it aside. Gripping her shoulders, he forced her to turn and look at him.
“Nothing I’ve said to you is a lie, Lexi.” Brett’s conscience twitched, but he ignored it. Nothing important had been a lie. “You are gorgeous. But I’m not just talking about your body and face, although you have no idea how tempting those are. You’re generous and sweet. Passionate and talented. You’re the full package.”
Lexi jerked her chin from his grasp. Her skin flushed red but he wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or something else. Beneath his hands her shoulders were taut with tension.
She's No Angel Page 10
