Not Just Friends (Brookfield)

by Wolfe, Lacey

An hour and a half later, Connor set his controller down and leaned back into the couch. “You’re good. I thought I’d kick your ass in that.”

  “Perhaps I have a few secrets of my own.” Alyssa grinned.

  “I guess so.” He pulled her to him. “I can’t wait to discover them.”

  She stared into his eyes and to his surprise, she leaned up and took his lips. This was the first time Alyssa had initiated a kiss with him. As he tasted her, he couldn’t help but think about how much she’d come out of her shell with him. He liked knowing more about her than just her taste in books. And the more he learned, the more he knew he could never walk away from her or go back to being only friends. Alyssa had always been more than a friend. It had just taken him way too long to figure it out.

  Taking control, Connor pushed her until she was flat on her back. Being with her in this room would be amazing. It was his favorite room in his whole house and where he spent all his time when he was here.

  “You and I in here, a fantasy come true,” he whispered. “But first I need to get protection from my room.”

  “A fantasy, huh? How about I pleasure you and you can watch the way I did.”

  Was she talking about…? She winked at him and pushed him off. Oh, she was talking about that.

  Alyssa began to kiss his neck and her hands explored his chest. He was about to object, but then her hands played his belt buckle and she went onto her knees in front of him.

  He’d be insane not to do this. He was a guy, after all.

  Alyssa pulled his pants and boxers down, letting him spring free. She stared up at him. “You’d better watch, or I won’t let you finish.”

  He nodded. There was nothing else he’d rather be looking at right now. She leaned forward and her warm mouth guided him in. This was going to be quick, but not enough. He planned on making love to Alyssa all night in his bed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The big day was finally here. And the line outside The Reading Corner was long. Alyssa couldn’t believe it. She had a table set up to the side with refreshments. They had more in the back in case they ran out. Judging by the line, that was going to happen.

  Alyssa checked the clock and noted Julie and Tracey Peters would be there at any moment. They would be coming in from her apartment, since the crowd was bigger than expected. When she’d spoken with Julie earlier, Julie had been over-the-top with joy. And the author was in a full-blown panic because she had never expected to become such an overnight sensation. Not only had the author become popular in the Northwest, but her book was becoming a widespread household topic all over the country.

  The door leading to her apartment opened, and Julie walked in first, Tracey right behind. Alyssa suddenly felt all fan-girl and squealed like a teenager.

  “Hi, Ms. Peters, it’s an honor to meet you.”

  “Thank you. This is really weird. I’m just a regular person and I can’t believe that many people are here to see me.”

  “Your work is amazing. Enjoy it.”

  Tracey pushed her auburn locks behind her ears as she eyed the refreshment table. “I’m going to eat a muffin before we begin.”

  “Good idea,” Julie said. “While you have a snack, I’m going to check out the signing table.”

  Alyssa followed Julie over. “Everything look okay?”

  “Perfect! You’ve outdone yourself. Thank you.”

  “It’s no problem. Anything I can do to make it easier.”

  Tracey walked over. “Wow, I love this poster thing.” She touched the large photo of her newest release. “Can I take this with me to my next signing?”

  “Of course,” Alyssa said. “Ready to get started?”

  Julie took Tracey’s hand and Alyssa admired the relationship the two had together. Tracey nodded and took her seat. Alyssa walked to the front and opened the door, letting the fun begin.

  Three hours later, the fun was over. Alyssa couldn’t believe the amount of people who had come and the sales she’d had. Frankly, she had expected people to come and go. But many browsed and purchased other books. Today was a success. Life was going great. Things were really going good between her and Connor. Perhaps she and Diane might patch things up. If she were dreaming, she hoped she didn’t wake-up anytime soon.

  The author had left ten minutes before and Alyssa was surprised to see Julie return. Alyssa was folding up the chairs she had set out for the reading.

  “Hey, forget something?” Alyssa asked.

  “No. Thought I’d help you clean up.”

  “Thanks.

  Julie folded up the cloth. “How’s it going with that cutie you’re seeing?”

  “Really well. Not sure how long it’ll last, but I’m enjoying it while it does.”

  “Stay positive. Anyway, do you think you could get away from him tonight and go out with Ava, Claire, and I?”

  It had been a long time since Alyssa had gone out with friends. “That’s perfect, actually. Connor’s going out with friends tonight.”

  “Not Mark. He’s babysitting. But Ava and Claire’s husbands are going over there as well. He’ll get some guy time. I think some sports event is on anyway.”

  “What time?” Alyssa asked.

  “I don’t know about you, but I need a long, hot shower to wash away my aches.” Julie set the folded tablecloths on the floor.

  “That sounds like heaven.”

  Julie laughed. “We’ll meet at The Wagon Wheel to eat and then head out from there. I’m going to be the designated driver this evening.”

  Alyssa wondered if Julie was volunteering because she was pregnant. She’d mentioned not long ago about wanting another one, but she had made it sound like the plan was still a ways off. Alyssa wasn’t going to ask though. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Thirty minutes later, The Reading Corner was back to normal. Now all Alyssa had to do was wait on Tina. She’d had her assistant take a break since she was closing up. One of the benefits of a small town, everyone closed their doors early in the evening and no one cared.

  When Tina got back, Alyssa headed upstairs to shower and get ready. She was excited about going out with a group of girls. It had never been something she’d really done. She was always at The Reading Corner, and it seemed like her life was finally changing for the better.

  Before she hopped in the shower, she sent a text to Connor. Missed seeing you today. It was a madhouse. Have fun tonight.

  She set the phone down on her counter and then climbed into the steaming-hot water. As the warmth engulfed her, she basked in how good it made her feel. Her mind flooded with images from earlier that the morning when she’d showered with Connor.

  Spending the night at his house had been nice. She’d gotten to know him on a different level. She had expected things to be slightly awkward in the morning, but they weren’t. Connor said he liked having her there and he wanted to do it again. It had been hard for her, though, not to wonder how many women he’d spent the nights with there before.

  She rubbed her hands across her face and through her wet hair. She couldn’t go there. They each had a past. His more active than hers, but it still existed. And feelings of jealousy weren’t going to do her any good. He liked her and wanted a relationship with her. That’s all that mattered.

  Turning the shower off, she wrapped a towel around her and stepped onto the padded rug. On her way out of the bathroom, she grabbed her phone and saw the notification light blinking. She unlocked the screen and saw a message from Connor.

  I’d much rather be spending my evening with you. – Connor

  Alyssa smiled and put the phone down. It was time to dress and get ready for her evening out as well. Though, like Connor, she’d much rather be with him.

  * * * *

  Alyssa climbed into the back of Julie’s car after they’d finished dinner. Now they were headed up to Jacksonhole to a bar.

  “That was so good.” Ava rubbed her belly as she took her seat in the front.

  “They have the best ch
icken tenders,” Julie said.

  Alyssa had to agree. The food had been good. It was nice to be treated two nights in a row to food that hadn’t been frozen first. “We have to go there again,” Alyssa added, feeling a little more comfortable.

  Groups had never been something she was good at. She knew Julie and the other two she had spoken to a few times. But after this evening, she hoped to stay in contact with each of them and possibly grow a few friendships.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Claire buckled her seatbelt. “Now let’s go get our dance on before the men change their minds.”

  Half an hour later, Julie parked the car. Alyssa gazed at the brick building with neon lights flashing in the windows. It had been a long time since she’d been to a bar. The only time she’d been in the past was when she dated Matt and he dragged her there. But this was different. Tonight she’d be dancing and having a good time. She’d have a few drinks probably and then drag herself to work the next morning. Perfect.

  They climbed out of the car and approached the front, where a bouncer stood.

  “Welcome, ladies, I need to see some I.Ds. There is no way ya’ll are old enough to get in here,” he flirted.

  After they showed him their I.Ds, he winked at each of them as they entered. Alyssa took in the scene as they made their way toward the bar. It was packed.

  “Wow, this must be the place to be,” she said.

  “It appears so. Too bad none of us are single. There are some hot men here tonight,” Ava said.

  Alyssa grinned and looked around. None of these men compared to Connor.

  At the bar, they all ordered a fruity drink, minus Julie, who got a water. The bartender serving them was a young guy. He had tanned skin with sun-kissed hair. Very attractive. Bars definitely were a place of temptation.

  Taking her drink, she followed her friends over to the side. She took a few sips from the straw and listened as the others chatted. She could tell they were all close and knew a lot about one another.

  “We’re so glad you came with us, Alyssa,” Claire said.

  “Alyssa is wonderful. She did so much for me today.” Julie smiled at her. “And she just snagged Connor Phillips. Can you believe it?”

  “Really? Maybe you can get him to settle down.” Claire pressed her lips to her drink.

  It wasn’t news to Alyssa the reputation Connor had. But it was hard hearing it when it referred to her getting the town’s playboy to settle down. When she was with Connor, he melted her heart and said all the right things. She wasn’t naive to the fact he probably did the same with others. But she liked to think she was special and maybe things could actually develop between them.

  “Excuse me, ladies, would any one of you beauties like to dance?” A handsome Italian man stood by their table.

  Alyssa stared at him, unsure of how to respond.

  “I’ll dance, as long as there’s no touching.” Ava held her left hand up. “I’m a happily married woman, to a sheriff.”

  The man’s smile vanished. “I can’t make that promise.”

  “Then I can’t dance with you. Sorry.”

  He walked away and over to the next group of women.

  “I do want to dance though. Alyssa, come on.” Ava took the drink from her hand and handed it to Julie. She yanked Alyssa out onto the dance floor.

  “I’m not good at this.”

  “You don’t have to be. Just feel the beat and move your hips. Trust me, no one cares. The only people judging are the sober ones, and they’re just jealous.” Ava pulled Alyssa to her. “Now no one cares how bad you dance. It’s girl on girl.”

  Alyssa laughed and did her best to move with the beat of the song. It didn’t take long and she finally let loose and started to have fun. Several men walked up at times and tried to dance with them, but Ava chased them all away. Alyssa was in awe of the confidence this woman had. She hoped one day she could handle herself the same way.

  After several songs, sweat was beginning to form from all the body heat. Alyssa pushed her hair back from her face. “I need a drink.”

  “Me too.”

  They went back over to Claire and Julie. Alyssa almost sucked her whole drink down.

  “Slow it down or you’ll be on your butt, drunk.” Claire giggled.

  “Note taken.” Alyssa didn’t want to get plastered.

  “I’ve got to use the restroom. Alyssa, come with me,” Julie said.

  Alyssa handed her drink to Ava and followed Julie across the bar. The place had doubled in people since they’d arrived. Obviously, this was the place to go in Jacksonhole.

  The bathrooms were located near the pool table. Julie chatted the whole way over about another author who was going to visit. Alyssa was thrilled.

  “Oh, come on, Connor.”

  Alyssa froze and Julie spun around. “What’s wrong?”

  Alyssa slowly turned to the sound of a woman laughing. Then she saw Connor—her Connor—pressed against the wall by a woman with long, flowing blond hair. She was close. Too close for Alyssa’s comfort. Connor had a slight smirk on his face.

  She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she could hear the woman asking for one kiss.

  Julie placed a hand on Alyssa’s shoulder. “Go over there.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. Tell that girl to back off. From where I’m standing, it looks like Connor might like the help.”

  “From where I’m standing, it looks like he’s enjoying it.” The image of Matt and Diane kissing flooded her mind.

  Anger boiled that this was happening again. Alyssa marched over to where Connor and the woman stood. “Connor!”

  “Alyssa!” He shoved the other woman off him.

  “Hey, what was that for?” the blonde woman asked as she stumbled back.

  “It wasn’t at all what it looked like.”

  She shook her head. “I really thought things were different. That I was different for you. I was wrong.” She turned and walked away.

  “Alyssa, wait,” Connor called.

  But she couldn’t. She wasn’t about to cry for all these strangers to see.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I don’t understand. Connor is here?” Ava asked.

  Alyssa nodded as she leaned against the car out in the parking lot. The cool air on her skin felt like heaven.

  “He was with another girl?” Claire asked.

  “We don’t know that,” Julie said. “It looked that way, but it is a bar, after all. He wasn’t kissing her and his hands were not on her.”

  “It was only a matter of time. We’re talking about Connor. And even you guys said it in there. He’s a playboy. It’s my fault for thinking he could actually like me.”

  “I do like you.” Connor approached. “I don’t want that woman. I want you.”

  They all turned as he walked up. “You’ve got some nerve,” Ava said.

  “I wasn’t cheating on you, Alyssa. The woman was an old fling. And she wanted me to take her home. I told her no and asked my friends—who unlike yours, don’t give a shit about me—to help me out. They walked away laughing.”

  “And you couldn’t have pushed her off?” Alyssa crossed her arms. “The way I saw it, you were smiling at her. Pretty encouraging, if you ask me.”

  “Damn, Alyssa, I didn’t want her. I was wrong to let her touch me. It went too far in that way. But I didn’t kiss her and I wasn’t going to spend the evening with her. Before you approached, I was about to push her away.”

  “You never should’ve let her touch you though to begin with.”

  He rubbed his palms across his cheeks. “She was drunk and not taking no for an answer very well. It wasn’t the ideal situation.”

  Julie reached out and rubbed Alyssa’s arm. “Don’t make any rash decisions right now. Sleep on it.”

  Connor moved closer to Alyssa. “Please tell me you believe me.”

  She wanted to, but at this moment she couldn’t make sense of any of it. She felt slightly light
headed and leaned back against the car.

  “Are you okay?” Claire asked.

  Alyssa shook her head. “I’m feeling queasy. I want to go home.”

  “I’ll take you,” Connor said. “Your friends can finish their evening.”

  “Our evening is over. And unlike your friends, we care about Alyssa. We’ll take care of getting her home safely,” Ava snapped.

  Connor let out a frustrated sigh. “I’ll call you in the morning, Alyssa.”

  “Bye, Connor.” She climbed into the back seat.

  * * * *

  After Alyssa and her friends were gone, Connor went back into the bar in search of his friends. He wanted to go home and if he had to, he’d call a cab.

  “Dude,” he called out to Jay. “I’m ready to head out.”

  Jay was in his own corner with a woman. “I’m not, unless you are.” His comment was directed at the woman giggling at him.

  “Where’s Stan?”

  “Right here. What’s got you so upset? Last I saw, you looked like you might get lucky.”

  “Screw ya’ll. I asked you to help me. She was drunk.”

  “Why do you care? She wanted you.” Stan smirked.

  Connor took a deep breath. “Because I’m seeing someone and it’s serious.”

  “It isn’t like she would know,” Jay said.

  “Yeah, you would think. Except she was here. And she saw.”

  “Oh crap, dude!” Jay pushed away from the woman.

  “Yeah, now she left with her friends and all I want to do is go home myself.”

  Stan and Jay glanced at one another and Connor hoped like hell he might have friends like Alyssa did.

  “Can’t you call a cab?” Stan asked.

  There it was, the truth he’d known all along. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  He turned away from his friends and pulled his phone from his pocket as he exited the building. After he called for a cab, he leaned against the building to wait. He wanted to see Alyssa. He couldn’t let her go. But at the same time, he knew what he’d done wrong. If he’d been honest with himself about the way he felt about her and with his so-called friends, he might not be in this mess. Most likely he would’ve spent the evening with Alyssa instead. Rubbing her feet after her day.