THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series

by Stoni Alexander

  “Crockett, please. I’ll drive slowly and I’ll text you.”

  After pecking her forehead, he hugged her. “Most couples start with dating, then they go away for a weekend. They drink too much and screw all the time. We’ve had one fucking incident after another.”

  She cupped his unshaven cheeks and peered into his eyes. “I love every moment with you, even the crazy, painful ones.” Her sweet smile made him smile. “And for the record, we’re doing plenty of screwing. This gal is one happy camper.”

  Alexandra rapped on Colton’s guesthouse door, then stepped inside the warm foyer. “Mom?”

  “In here, dear,” called Kimberly.

  As Alexandra walked into the cozy living room, her mom pushed herself into a sitting position on the sofa. Brigit’s dog, Mojo, greeted her with a wagging tail and she petted the German Shepherd whose tail thumped on the floor.

  “Your new home is beautiful.” Alexandra hugged her mom.

  “It is lovely and I’m relieved Colton is close by if I need help.”

  Brigit entered, set a serving tray on the coffee table, and offered her future sister-in-law a steaming hot mug of tea. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “It’s good to see you.” Alexandra took the drink and eased onto the sofa.

  Brigit handed her future mother-in-law a small travel mug. “Kimberly, your tea is lukewarm. I didn’t want you to burn yourself.”

  She closed her shaking hand around the plastic handle. “Thank you, Brigit.”

  After setting the plate of cookies on the table, Brigit snatched a wafer, broke it in half, and gave the larger piece to Mojo. “I’m going to give you two some time together.”

  “Please stay,” Alexandra said. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

  Brigit hesitated. “I insist,” Kimberly said.

  With a sweet smile, Brigit sat on the ottoman and brought Alexandra up to speed with the move and the schedule going forward. “The night nurses will continue spending evenings with your mom.”

  “Thank you for taking care of that,” Alexandra said.

  “My pleasure,” Brigit said. “How’s your new job going?”

  Alexandra didn’t want to lie to her mom, but telling her she’d gotten fired would only upset her. “Settling in. Remembering there’s no freeway. It’s a beltway.”

  Kimberly laughed.

  Twenty minutes into the visit, her mom’s eyelids drooped and the plastic mug slipped from her hands. After rescuing it, Brigit set it on the tray.

  “Would you like to rest for a bit, Mom?” Alexandra asked.

  “I’m fine, honey.”

  Knock, knock.

  The front door opened. “Anyone home?” Colton called.

  “C’mon in, son,” Kimberly replied.

  Though Colton smiled, Alexandra could tell he was stressing. The V between his brows was more pronounced than usual. “My three favorite girls.”

  “Colton, I love the attention, but you were just here,” Kimberly said.

  “Do you remember Ashton Hott?”

  “Of course I do,” Kimberly replied with a smile.

  “He’s waiting outside.”

  Kimberly’s eyebrows jutted up. “In the cold? Oh, for goodness sake, Colton, bring him in.”

  “I heard that,” Maverick boomed. “Where’s my Mama Mitus?” He entered the living room and threw out his arms, his contagious grin lighting up his face. “There sit three of the most gorgeous women this side of the Mississippi. Who wants a Maverick hug?”

  Kimberly laughed. “Oh, Maverick, honestly, you never did learn to use your inside voice.”

  Maverick’s thunderous voice made Alexandra chuckle. After Maverick leaned down and tenderly kissed her mom’s cheek, he bear-hugged Alexandra.

  “Ashton!” she squealed.

  “Hey, baby girl!” Maverick set Alexandra down. “How the hell are you?” He gave her the once over. “Damn glad Goth didn’t make a comeback.”

  Kimberly laughed.

  Alexandra tousled his blond mop. “You haven’t changed a bit. And that’s a good thing, too. Still a big ball of crazy?”

  “Absolutely. Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Maverick eyed Brigit. “This must be the future Mrs. Mitus.” With a sweep of his hand, Maverick bowed. “I am in awe. The one woman who could make this insane man fly right deserves my utmost respect.”

  Through her smile, Brigit shook her head. “Ashton Hott, the legend. Colton has told me some pretty crazy stories about the wild bunch. It’s a wonder Harvard survived your escapades.”

  “The good old days,” he said with a wink. His playful expression fell away and he sat next to Kimberly and clasped her hand. “I’ve been thinking about you. Wanted to tell you how much I appreciated you over the years.”

  Kimberly patted his hand with her other one. “Thank you.” Her sad smile tore through Alexandra. “I’m glad I got to see you, Ashton. You were one of my favorites.”

  “You, too, Mama Mitus.” Maverick kissed her cheek before clearing his throat. “You laughed at all of my lame jokes and always made sure I got something to eat whenever I’d stop by to see this guy. We had some good talks about life, you and I.”

  “Yes, we did,” Kimberly said.

  Alexandra had never seen this side of her brother’s friend and she blinked back the tears.

  Maverick gave Kimberly a gentle hug before he stood. “I need to borrow the golden man, if you lovely ladies can part with him.”

  “Mom, I’ll be back to get you for dinner.” Colton pecked her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too, dear,” said Kimberly.

  “Elliott is making beef Wellington,” Brigit said. “Can you both stay?”

  “You eat like a king, Mitus,” Maverick said to Colton. “Count me in.”

  “I’ll stay if it’s still snowing,” said Alexandra. “I don’t like driving in it, especially since I had that little mishap.”

  Kimberly shot to attention. “You had an accident?”

  Crap. She hadn’t wanted her mom to find out. “It was nothing. Plus, Crockett was with me.”

  Relief washed over her as Kimberly settled back into the sofa cushion. “I love our Crockett.”

  Maverick laughed. “Everyone loves Crockett.”

  Me, most of all.

  “Honey, I’m going to finish helping your mom unpack,” Brigit said to Colton.

  “Thanks for doing this, babe.”

  Rap, rap, rap!

  As Brigit hurried toward the front door, she called over her shoulder, “Kimberly, I promise you’ll get some rest.”

  “I love all the activity,” Kimberly replied.

  “What are you doing with yourself?” Alexandra asked Maverick.

  Ashton Hott was one of her favorite people. Larger-than-life, he used to tease the hell out of her whenever he’d visit. Memories of her brother, Cain, were sparse, but she’d imagined he would have turned out like Maverick. Loud, funny, and with a headful of unkempt hair.

  “Living la vida loca, baby girl. And keeping up my reputation as DC’s biggest playboy.”

  She swatted his bulging bicep. “Seriously, Ashton, do you work?”

  “I own a private security firm that provides protection to U.S. overseas interests.”

  “Like corporations?”

  Maverick nodded. “You got it. Plus, military installations, private companies and individuals. I use your boy’s unmanned aerial vehicles.”

  Her lips split into a grin. “What makes you think Crockett is mine?”

  “Alexandra, please. I can’t reveal my sources.”

  Kimberly laughed. She loved that Crockett had talked to one of his best friends about her in that way.

  Maverick’s phone rang and he lifted it from his pocket. “Excuse me, ladies. I’ve got to take this. Kimberly, can I talk in your kitchen?”

  “Of course.” She glanced at Colton. “I’m in the hub of excitement.”

  “Something like that,” Colton replied.
/>
  As he headed out, Maverick tapped his earbud. “What’s the word?”

  Brigit returned with Red, Colton’s business manager.

  “I’m a party crasher,” said Red. “Your home is beautiful, Kimberly. Settling in okay?”

  “Brigit is helping me unpack and I’ve had a string of delightful visitors.”

  “Hey, Alexandra,” Red said. “Good to see you.”

  “You, too. How are you?” Alexandra asked.

  “Living moment to moment.” She tucked her short auburn hair behind her ear, revealing a diamond cuff. “I need your signature, boss. The fourth wireless carrier ordered ten thousand Crockett Boxes. The Francesco Company needs a parts order expedited.”

  “Did you read this?” Colton asked Brigit.

  “Yes and I signed it,” Brigit replied.

  Colton scanned the contract. Using his finger, he signed on Red’s tablet.

  Maverick barreled into the room, his attention glued on Red. “Well, well, whom do we have here?”

  Red plunked a hand on her hip. “Take a picture, hot shot. It’ll last longer.”

  He laughed. “Great idea.”

  “This is my business manager, Red,” Colton said. “And this is Maverick, one of my closest friends.”

  Instead of offering her hand, Red shielded herself with the tablet.

  “I thought Vanessa was your biz manager.” Maverick continued eyeing Red.

  “Red took over that position three years ago,” Colton said.

  “I liked Vanessa,” Maverick said. “Where’d she go?”

  “Figures,” Red blurted.

  “Jail,” Colton replied.

  “What the hell, bro?”

  “That’s a whole different story for another day,” Colton said.

  “One I’d like to hear. Unfortunately, I’ve gotta fly—work crisis—but I need your help,” Maverick said. “You know Senator George Internado, right?”

  Colton tossed him a nod. “Need an introduction?”

  He glanced at the women. “Can I speak freely?”

  “You’re in America, so I damn well hope so.” Red rolled her eyes.

  After resting his bum on the arm of the sofa, Maverick crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. “Since Internado heads the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he’s privy to covert operations within the CIA. Those players need my company’s services.”

  “You’re a cocky one,” Red murmured.

  Maverick shot her a wink. “In the sandbox where I play, you gotta be.”

  “Why now?” Colton asked.

  “Rumor mill is hopping. Something big might be brewing.”

  Colton slid a hand into his pants pocket. “Red, please arrange a lunch—no, make that dinner in a private dining room at my golf club.”

  “Got it,” she said.

  “Babe, you want to join us?” Colton asked Brigit.

  “No, thanks. I’ll pass on Internado.”

  “No like?” Maverick asked.

  “I managed his personal wealth, but things soured,” Brigit replied.

  “Red, include yourself,” Colton said.

  She whipped her head in his direction. “Me? What on earth for?”

  “You know a lot of the players on the Hill, don’t you?” Colton asked.

  Her nonchalant shrug gave her away. She sure does. “What did you do before you worked here?” Alexandra asked.

  “Lobbyist,” Red said, then shot Maverick the evil eye. “And I took this job to get away from all of that.”

  “Never say never, doll.”

  Under her breath, Red, grunted.

  While they were talking, Maverick’s phone continued to ring. No sooner did he silence it, then it would ring again. “Thanks for the intro. Gotta fly.”

  “Good riddance,” murmured Red.

  Maverick chuffed out a laugh. “Looks like you’re stuck with me. Let the suffering begin.”

  29

  Never Leave Me

  “Goddammit!” Crockett pounded his fist on the Formica table in his Tank and shoved out of the chair so hard, it banged against the back wall. “Fuck me.” He had reached his breaking point hours ago.

  “Dude, go home,” Decker said. “You’re done.”

  Rubbing his neck did nothing to soothe his aching muscles. One thirty in the morning and they had nothing to show for their debugging efforts.

  “Something has fucking got to give,” Crockett muttered.

  “I hear ya.” Decker continued typing, the scrolling lines of code blurring together. “You want me to drive you home?”

  “Thanks. I can manage.”

  “Text Alexandra.”

  “What for?”

  “You talked to her at eleven. She asked you to text her when you leave.”

  “Right. Thanks for having my back.” Crockett texted: “Leaving. Home in ten.” Dots appeared. “Christ, she’s up.”

  “She loves you, man. When you popping the question?”

  “I’m working on that,” Crockett replied.

  “Success?” Alexandra texted.

  “No,” Crockett texted back.

  “I’m outta here,” Crockett said, opening the door of the Tank. “You coming?”

  “That last pot o’ coffee kicked in. I’ll crash here.”

  “I’ve gotta give you a raise.”

  Decker tossed him a salute. “Mo’ money.”

  Crockett drove home enveloped in silence. Fueled by the pressure to solve the problem, he’d expected they would find the bug in the code. But they’d uncovered nothing. Not even a fucking breadcrumb of a clue that Larry Berry, or anyone else, had tampered with anything.

  When Crockett rolled into his parking spot, exhaustion hovered like a storm cloud. His dress shoes echoed in the dead-quiet underground as he made his way to the elevator. When he stepped inside, the doors closed and he glanced at his reflection. I look like hell.

  Knowing Alex would be waiting sent him powering down the quiet hallway toward home. Once inside, he hoped to find her curled up on the sofa, but the roaring gas fire was his only warm greeting. He dropped his computer bag and coat on the sofa, then poured himself a whiskey. The first mouthful burned a trail to his stomach, the second tasted like more.

  Even at this ungodly hour, pent-up energy coursed through him as he tossed his noose-of-a-tie and suit jacket on the bar before dropping onto a stool. He wanted to unleash his fury on a punching bag, but the condo gym didn’t have one and the karate studio had closed hours ago. If I had a competition, I’d kick some serious ass. His head had been throbbing all evening. Not even the three aspirins had offered him any relief.

  “Hello, Huntah.” Alex’s sultry voice sliced through the demons raging in his head.

  He turned. Wearing only a silver mask and stilettos, she sashayed over. A black mask dangled from her fingers.

  Electra ignited his desire in a way that no one else could, not even Alex. A tornado of energy shot straight to his groin. He stood to receive her and to give his growing cock room in his boxers.

  “Electra.” She’d slicked her perfect breasts and pert nipples in oil, her shimmering skin illuminated by the flickering firelight.

  When she pressed her naked body to his, heat infused his chest and a deep growl erupted from his throat. “I’m not sure even you can handle my anger and frustration tonight, baby.”

  Her already dark irises blackened with desire. “Yes, I can.” She pressed her mouth to his and adrenaline spiked through him. Her fluttering lashes and big brown eyes stayed locked on his. One, two, three kisses against a backdrop of moans. “Give me all of you.”

  “I need you so badly.”

  “Mmm.” She rubbed his crotch. “I need you, too.”

  When she ran her tongue over her lower lip, he wanted to shove his shaft into her mouth until she sucked him dry. As she got busy tying on his mask, he fondled her slippery breasts, thumbing her hard nipples. “I plan to bring you as much pleasure as you give me.”

 
“I can’t wait.”

  He placed his hand between her legs and fingered her slickened core. She’s soaked.

  Moments later, his clothes laid in a heap on the floor. His stiff dick jutted out, hungry to tunnel inside her. She lifted a condom packet from the bar, tore it open and rolled it onto him.

  He grasped her hand. “From behind. By the window.” He drained the glass before they headed across the room. “Hands on the glass,” he growled. “Spread your legs.”

  “I’m so desperate for you.” With her palms pressed against the window, she bent at the waist.

  Though masked, Alex hadn’t worn the blonde wig, so he fisted her hair into a ponytail and tugged, exposing her neck. He kissed her tender skin, biting his way from her nape to her earlobe before leaning around to claim her mouth.

  Panting, she broke the kiss. “Fuck. Me. Now.”

  Arousal pounded through him. With the head of his cock poised at the opening to her core, he plunged inside.

  Their cries of ecstasy filled the room as he tunneled to her end. She moved, ever so slightly, to accommodate his length and he was able to sink even further.

  “Electra, I’ve missed you.” He kissed her beautiful, bare shoulder. “So fucking much.”

  Breathing hard, she groaned. “Pinch my nipples. Hard.”

  When he did, she clenched around his shaft. “Ah, yes,” he bit out through gritted teeth.

  “That…oh…oh…yes, like that.” She pushed against his cock and the swell of arousal blurred his thoughts.

  He smacked her ass. “Naughty, Electra.”

  His deep thrusts were met with her raw, throaty moans, the need building at a frenzying pace. He wanted to slow down, appreciate her, and the moment, but the deluge of pleasure overtook him. Again and again flesh slapped against flesh. In those moments, the intensity of their fucking became his everything. Her body ebbed and bowed to his. Even so, he couldn’t get enough of her.

  “Huntah, you’re gonna make me come.” Her husky groan was his trigger.

  A surge of euphoria pummeled through him and he anchored his hands on her hips and growled. The orgasm took hold, sending waves of ecstasy pouring from him. “Fuck, Alex, I’m coming.”