“Is that helping?” he asked.
Is what helping? His arm pressing hers? The way his steely gaze soothed her soul? How her heart leapt every time he smiled at her? Or that her insides turned to jelly from his deliciously sexy accent?
Arching a brow, he peered into her mug. Oh, of course. The drink.
Her cheeks warmed. “Yeah, it’s great. Thanks. I could use a shower.” So lame.
After grabbing her duffels, he guided her around the stacks of moving boxes. “Moved in a few weeks ago. Unpacking hasn’t been a priority.” They entered his bedroom. He flipped on a small desk lamp, snatched a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. “Make yourself at home.”
“No, you stay. I…I don’t want to put you out.”
“I’ll shower in the hall bath.” Stepping close, he stroked her cheek with the back of his finger. “I want you in my bedroom.”
Those words undid her. Her body hummed from the gentle way he caressed her skin. But she stepped back, severing their connection. While he didn’t appear affected by their chaotic evening, she wanted to bury her face in his chest and sob. But Mituses were pros at concealing their emotions, so she forced a grateful smile. “I won’t be long.”
“Fresh towels in the linen closet. You seem to have a thing for those and, lucky for you, mine isn’t even locked.” With a playful wink, he closed the bedroom door.
Sucking down a jittery breath, she crumpled onto his bed and dropped her head in her hands. To say she was a wreck was an understatement. A kaleidoscope of emotions swirled through her.
Spinning out on the ice had scared the hell out of her. Her roommate’s lunatic boyfriend had freaked her out. If Crockett hadn’t jumped in twice to rescue her, her evening would’ve ended in disaster. Those heroic efforts, coupled with their steamy connection at Incognito, had her quivering for a very different reason. The rush of emotion tumbled from her and she drew her knees to her chest and rocked.
Their explosive connection tore at her heartstrings. When she’d had the opportunity, she didn’t leave him at Incognito. To further complicate things, she couldn’t get enough of him when she stayed. Their passion had always been off the charts, but now she was making up for lost time. Gritting her teeth, she glanced around the room, cluttered with moving boxes.
Crockett’s king bed was unmade, the navy blue sheets and dark comforter a rumpled mess. She imagined them lying together, her legs entwined around his while he kissed her breathless and moved inside her. A burst of energy surged through her. Enough! I can’t keep going down that path. It’s a dead end.
She had to suppress this constant craving. A steaming hot shower would calm her shattered nerves. After stripping off her clothing, she walked into his bathroom. This is bigger than my bedroom. The Jacuzzi, spacious enough for two, caught her eye. Her mom had mentioned that Crockett and Colton had launched an innovation that could rock the telecom world. Based on his new digs, the world had been rocked.
Showering had helped. Feeling less anxious, she pulled a sweatshirt from her bag and—crap. In her mad dash to leave, she’d forgotten sweat pants. Even her favorite yoga pants were missing. She tugged on the top and rummaged through Crockett’s drawers until she found a pair of drawstring shorts. These’ll work.
Even though she was in a strange apartment in a new city, being there felt right somehow. Like she belonged. For the first time since she’d moved back, her loneliness lifted a little. Crockett had always had that effect on her. She padded out of his bedroom and down the hall.
“In here,” he called.
Crockett stood at his kitchen island cracking eggs into a bowl, shirtless. Oh, boy.
“I’m a big fan of breakfast at three in the morning. Hungry?”
Starving, but not for food.
His cotton drawstring pants hung low on his hips and his thick thighs stretched against the soft fabric. He hadn’t shaved. Earlier, when she’d kissed him, his scruffy whiskers had scratched her face. And she’d loved the raw burn. Are you trying to torture me?
He tossed a nod toward her bare legs. “Are you cold? Do you want pants?”
“I’m fine if you don’t mind my wearing your shorts.”
With a sly smile, he said, “I’ll suffer through it.”
Keeping a safe distance, she stood across the island admiring her host. The man standing before her had the body of a god. Over the decade, Crockett had filled out in all the right places. Long and lean, like a runner, but ripped and taut, like a weight lifter. He’s built like a tank.
As he moved about the kitchen, her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Even after learning his true identity, she couldn’t keep her hands off him at the club.
Why did all roads always lead to this one man?
With his gaze cemented on her, he rounded the island. The closer he got, the faster the butterflies whirled. She imagined his firm grip and his hard kiss as her body bowed to his. She wanted to say something—anything—but words failed her. All she could do was stare back.
He switched on the stovetop burner, grabbed a pan, and poured in the scrambled eggs. His bare arm brushed against hers and shock waves scurried through her. She could have moved away. She should have moved away. But, like earlier, she didn’t.
Heat seeped through the thin layer of her worn college sweatshirt. How would he react if she slinked her hands over his biceps? She peeked at him and her breath caught. Long red scratches marred his shoulders. “Wow, you’ve been clawed.”
“And I loved every second of you.” His deep voice rumbled through her and her insides clenched.
Me, too.
The Crockett she’d once fallen deeply in love with flashed her a grin. “But, I could use your magic touch.”
Those words punched her gut. In an attempt to diffuse the storm brewing beneath the surface, she grabbed a spatula to push the eggs around in the pan.
During the summer they’d dated, he’d swing by to see her on his way home from karate after work. Kimberly would heat a plate of leftovers, then disappear into her home office. Crockett would tell her about his latest sparring injury, then insist her magic touch would make the pain go away. Without fail, her kiss magically healed him, every single time.
She lowered the heat on the stove, but couldn’t regulate her own internal thermostat. Why did Crockett have to bring up their past? “Do you want antiseptic cream?”
Their eyes met. “Where’s the fun in that?” He studied her face and her cheeks burned under his intensity. His commanding presence enticed her toward him. As if under a spell, her lips parted, her breath came in short bursts, and her fingers tingled, desperate to stroke his scruffy face.
Bing!
Saved by the toaster. As she slathered the crispy bread with butter, she squeezed the knife to steady her tremble. When he turned away to pour coffee, she admired his backside. Before she could check herself, she sighed. The wingspan of his broad shoulders paired with that long, muscular back and tight ass rocketed her sex drive into the stratosphere. Then she spied two familiar freckles on his shoulder blade and the bittersweet memory came racing back.
They’d been at the neighborhood pool and had returned to his place to make sandwiches. He hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt and she’d drawn a smiley under the freckles. Next to that she’d penned: ‘CW + AM Forever’. It had been silly and immature, but he hadn’t minded. He’d been the sweetest boyfriend…until he dumped her.
I’ve gotta get out of here. One night, then I’m gone.
With their plates loaded with food, they ate side-by-side at his dining room table while the snowplows lit up the sleeping city across the dark river. But Alexandra stayed keenly aware of Crockett’s close proximity. His every breath and sideways glance reminded her she was with the one man she’d fought so hard to forget.
They fell into a familiar rhythm, like two halves of a whole. He set his fork down to sip his coffee. She paused to drink her water. She crossed her legs. He shifted in his chair. By the end of their meal, their shou
lders rose and fell in sync. Despite facing the window, Crockett turned his chair so he could see her without craning his neck.
His solicitations comforted and unsettled her. Regardless of her deep-seated feelings, she needed to keep him at arm’s length. Her heart was already breaking over her mom. She couldn’t fall for him again only to lose him again. He’d dumped her once. Chances were good he’d do it again. Torturing herself was pointless. She wasn’t staying. When her mom got better, she’d return to California.
Plus, she needed him to do the interview. DC’s Brightest Tech Star would bring in the ratings and get her noticed. Then, she could circulate her resume and get the hell out from under Max’s thumb.
She’d show her appreciation by cooking him dinner and buying him a tube of antiseptic cream for his shoulders. Wow. That’s pathetic.
“I’ll crash on the sofa,” he said. Ignoring her protests, he escorted her to his bedroom, and retrieved a pillow and blanket from his walk-in closet. “Get some sleep.” He closed the door, leaving her alone.
A sharp pain sprang from her chest. Feeling like he’d abandoned her, she flung open the door. In the darkened hallway, he turned.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said.
A satisfied grin spread over his face. “Are you thanking me as Electra or Alexandra?”
Both. Smirking, she said, “Goodnight, Crockett.”
He tossed her a nod, then retreated toward the living room. Fearing another nightmare, she left the door ajar and the desk lamp on. Exhausted, she curled up in his bed. Surrounded by Crockett’s delicious scent, she closed her eyes and remembered happier times.
She’d met Crockett Wilde when Colton had invited his freshman college roommate home for Thanksgiving. Alexandra’s attraction to him had been immediate and intense. Normally quiet, the fourteen year old had been so tongue-tied she’d barely uttered a word during his entire visit. Beyond Crockett’s obvious good looks, his easy laugh, Texan charm, and sexy accent made her heart pitter-patter and her cheeks flush.
After crushing on him for four, long years, she wanted him to see her without her dark disguise. So, when her mom hosted a party to celebrate everyone’s graduation—hers from high school, and Colton’s and Crockett’s from Harvard—Alexandra traded her Goth look for a chiffon dress and heels. She washed away the black hair color, pulled her brown hair into a sweeping ponytail and went makeup free. Despite feeling totally naked and completely vulnerable, she had to do it. Even if Crockett hadn’t cared, her mom had been ecstatic. That, alone, had been worth the effort.
But her plan had worked. Crockett had noticed her. They spent most of the afternoon and evening together. And when he told her he’d landed a tech job in Northern Virginia, and wasn’t returning home to Texas, she’d made up her mind on the spot. She would give him her virginity before she left for college in August.
In true form, Crockett had been a gentleman. He asked her out on a date—then another and another and another. When they did finally make love, she fell, hard. But in true Mitus fashion, she kept her feelings tucked deep inside. That summer they became inseparable—until he sent her packing and broke her heart.
She rolled over and hugged the other pillow. As she drifted to sleep, she imagined snuggling in Crockett’s strong embrace.
Alexandra woke with a start. Adrenaline spiked through her as her eyes darted around the unfamiliar room. Then, her consciousness kicked in. I’m at Crockett’s. And her thundering heartbeat slowed.
Another nightmare. The faceless man and dark-haired woman had argued, but then as nightmares often go, the woman morphed into a different lady—a blonde drenched in makeup. The man kissed her. For some reason, that upset Alexandra. The man wasn’t supposed to be kissing that lady. She wasn’t his mommy. What the hell? The dream made no sense. I’ll need sleep meds to get through this bout of nightmares.
Confused and frustrated, she tiptoed toward the kitchen for a glass of water.
“You okay?” Crockett asked.
She startled. “Ooh. Yeah, sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you. Just grabbing some water.”
“I’m a light sleeper.” After flipping on the stovetop light, he filled a glass with filtered water from his refrigerator and handed it to her.
Guzzling the cold liquid helped, but she couldn’t shake the disturbing image. “Thanks.”
He furrowed his brow. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“At Wilde Bed & Breakfast, we have a tell-the-truth policy.” He paused. “Let’s try this again. What’s really going on?”
Tell him. “I had a nightmare.”
In the kitchen, Alexandra’s eyes had been wild with fear, but when he settled her on the sofa, beneath the warm blanket, her quaking subsided. He sat beside her. “Talk to me.”
She paused to gather her thoughts. “I met an employee at Incognito,” she said, tucking her leg beneath her and pivoting toward him. “Her name is Sage and I’m concerned she’s being abused.”
Her trigger. Time to listen.
Though concerned for Alex, he stayed silent hoping she’d continue.
“She’s skittish and she flinched when Jase Payne, the GM, touched her. She had trouble making eye contact. When I asked her a question, she deferred to him. All the classic signs are there.”
“And you want to help her?”
“I want to talk to her, at the very least. She also had a nasty bruise on her cheek. And last night, her hand and wrist were wrapped in gauze. I think Jase struck her.”
“So, that’s why you were snooping around?”
“Yeah. She led me to that door in the alcove, but she disappeared before I could speak to her. Jase said she works in the kitchen, but a server checked and no one knows her.”
“Maybe she’s a chambermaid and doesn’t want to admit to changing the bed linens.”
“There’s more,” she murmured. “Something is going on at Incognito that makes me suspicious.”
From the many stories Kimberly told him about Alex’s tenacity as a journalist, he knew she went full-tilt until she’d flushed out the truth. “Go on.”
“Before I do, you can’t say anything to anyone.”
He wanted to blurt, “Who would I tell?” Instead, he extended his hand like he was conducting a damned business deal. “You have my word.”
Though they shook like two professionals, he stayed connected for an extra beat before letting go. So much passion flowed between them. How could she deny the obvious? Or was he imagining something long gone?
“Some members don’t check in via the tablet.”
Seriously? That’s all she had? “That’s not required, is it?”
When she moved to the window, her curvy ass distracted him. After barely digesting that she’d moved back east, seeing her float around his new home was surreal. With her back to him she said, “Management personally escorts them into a room.”
Crockett joined her at the window as the bright orange sun crested over the horizon. “Like white glove treatment?”
“No. They go into the room with the masked member.”
“Are you positive?”
“Yes.”
He hitched a brow. “That’s a little odd. Who does this?”
“Jase and Francois, his assistant.”
“How long do they stay in there?”
“I’ve never seen anyone come out. Once, I spied Jase exiting from the door marked ‘Private’ next to the linen closet.”
Nodding, he said, “So that’s why you mauled me in the alcove.”
Her cheeks pinked. “Since Sage had led me there, I didn’t want him to suspect anything.”
“Good to know, Nancy Drew. Honestly, Alex, I don’t know why you’d care if management escorts club members into their suite. It is strange, but not criminal.”
“One of the men—the older gentleman, Dracule—calls it rejuvenation.”
He shifted his attention out the window. “Maybe that’s how he feels…you know…after.”
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Brushing the flyaway hair from her face, she hitched her hand on her hip. “Men are being escorted into the same unmarked room on a regular basis. I’ve seen it every time I’ve been there.”
“It is odd, but I’m not sure that’s reason to suspect the worst.” He kept his voice steady, on purpose. Inciting her was the last thing he wanted to do.
Her shoulders dropped. “You don’t believe me.”
“I did not say that. Is it possible you’re gunning for a story where there is none?”
“Crockett—” She crossed her arms. “Granted, I am suspicious about most everything, but there is something bizarre going on at that club and I’m not talking about the sex play. Plus…” Fear banked in her eyes. “Seeing Sage has triggered my nightmares. I’m hardly sleeping.”
Dammit. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry.” Her flowery scent surrounded him and he tightened his hold.
When she pressed her body to his, memories of them flooded his thoughts.
Over a decade earlier, she’d confided terrifying dreams that had haunted her since childhood. Then, a month into their relationship, the nightmares ended. She credited him, though they’d never spent the night together. “I feel safe with you,” she’d said. Those words had stayed with him all these years.
Then, two weeks before she left for college, she told him she was going to withdraw. “I don’t want to leave you.” Going to journalism school at USC had been her primary goal. Though she wasn’t a chatty teen, she had been vocal about that. For days, he struggled with his decision, but in the end, he couldn’t stand in her way. Especially since his sweet Sophia never had the opportunity to follow her own dreams.
When he’d reminded Alex that she’d wanted to attend USC and study broadcast journalism since forever, she still wouldn’t back down. She wasn’t going to leave him. The “let’s be friends” and the “you should date other people” talks also backfired. She was staying. And his heart broke for what he knew he had to do.
Breaking up with Alexandra had been gut-wrenching for them both. Being the bad guy had sucked. This time, he wouldn’t let her leave without telling her how much he loved her.
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 13
