by Tiana Cole
She would just have to keep an emotional distance until she was certain.
About what, she had no clue.
~
“Alex this is amazing!” Amanda’s big brown eyes were wide in surprise as she took in the charming little bed and breakfast.
Alex smiled, happy he went with the rustic country inn style rather than the multitudes of Victorian themed establishments. He took in the big overstuffed country chairs, the large stone fireplace, flowered curtains and the big blonde wooden reception desk. It was so homey and relaxing. He knew it would be the perfect place for romance. “I’m glad you like it. I chose it with you in mind.”
She blushed prettily and grabbed his hands with both of hers. “You chose well.” Brushing a soft kiss against his lips, she pulled back with a smile. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Their gazes connected in a heated look of unspoken want and desire. His hand curled around her waist and she gasped. “I like making you smile.”
Amanda smiled. “You do it so well, Mr. Baez.”
“Hello! Welcome to the Blueberry Inn. I’m Madeline and I own this place with my husband Jimmy.”
“Hi Maddie, I’m Amanda and this place is great. Really.”
“Thank you dear, I hope you both enjoy your stay here.” She glanced at them both and smiled again. “Baez?”
Alex nodded and stepped forward to check in and get settled into the room. He had a long romantic weekend planned, starting right now. He’d given Maddie a brief rundown over the phone of just how special this weekend was for them. She winked, trying and failing to hide her conspiratorial smile.
“I’ve put you lovebirds in the Golden Suite, named after Jimmy’s favorite chestnut.”
If Amanda had any misgivings about sharing a room, she didn’t show it or say a thing about it. “That’s nice. Are there horses here?”
“Yep. Just talk to Jimmy or one of the boys in advance and you’ll be good to go.” Then she grabbed a key—an actual key!—and took them up the wide staircase to their room. “Enjoy your stay. I’m around if you need me. Wi-Fi password is in the welcome packet and dinner is at seven.”
“Thank you Maddie.” She nodded and left them alone. Alex turned to Amanda and smiled. “We’re going dancing tonight sweetheart. Put on something sexy and make me spend the rest of the night going out of my mind with wanting you.”
Sucking in a breath, her brown eyes darkened to big liquid pools of desire. She nodded with a big, shaky smile. “I can definitely do that.”
When she came down the stairs looking like a million bucks in a sexy pink number that clung to her lush breasts and nipped in waist before flaring out and stopping just above the knee. And those shoes, he definitely wanted her to keep them on later. All night. “Amanda you look…damn.”
She blushed from her chest all the way to her scalp but the pleased smile told him she appreciated his…appreciation. “Thank you Alex. You look incredibly handsome.”
With a hand on the small of her back, half of which was exposed with that sexy pink dress, he guided her to the car. Jaws clenched, he tried to keep his focus on the fifteen minute drive instead of the length of leg exposed by that sexy dress. When they finally arrived at the club, Alex immediately felt the pulsing beat beneath his feet and smiled.
“Salsa dancing?”
He shrugged. “Among other things, yes. I hope those shoes are more than just sexy.”
Stopping, she pointed and flexed her toes in front of her. “These babies are made for dancing,” she assured him with her sexiest grin.
The only thing Alex could think about as he held Amanda, spinning and twirling her on the dance floor, was that she was spot on about those shoes. They were a hell of a lot more than sexy. They were sinful. “You’ve got great moves,” he told her, standing close and molding her silhouette with his hands.
Twirling in his arms, she smiled and flung her arms over his shoulder and pushing in until their bodies were flush tight. “I’ve got a good partner.”
That flirtatious smile and her scent mingled together in an irresistible combination of sweet and sexy. He spun her out quickly, smiling while she spun and laughed a few feet away from him and yanked her back. “So do I.” His gaze was hot, hungry as their hips moved as one across the dance floor. The beat so righteous it vibrated his entire body.
The song ended and Amanda grasped his hand, pulling him to the bar. “I need water,” she smiled at him over her shoulder.
He ordered two waters and pressed his body into hers, trapping her between him and the bar. “You are so beautiful, Amanda. I’m glad I met you.”
Her smile came fast and it was a stunner, drawing his attention to her cat-like eyes and that plump mouth. “I’m glad I met you too, Alex. I have a feeling that knowing you is going to be a real adventure.” Softly her hand stroked his cheek and the moment was charged, instantly electric, maybe combustible. Then she was moving closer, up on her toes to bridge the gap between her petite frame and his. And her mouth was on his, at first slow and sweet but then she moaned like she approved of his taste and Alex lost all semblance of control.
His hands tightened on her hips, pulling her closer to where he throbbed for her. Then he proceeded to devour her mouth, licking at the watermelon flavored gloss slicked across her lips, tasting a flavor that was unique to Amanda alone. He needed to stop before he was too far gone to do it on his own.
Luckily Amanda needed a breath. “Wow that was some kiss.”
“Get a room,” someone yelled, making them both laugh out loud.
“You heard them, Mr. Baez. Get a room.” She smiled and his breath stuck in his throat.
In less than two minutes Alex had them in the car and on their way back to the inn. He had another surprise in store for her.
~
“A moonlight dinner, Alex? How romantic!” Amanda couldn’t believe he’d planned something like this. She couldn’t remember anyone ever doing anything quite as amazing as this for her.
Alex smiled but even in the candlelight she could see the pink blush on his cheeks. “I wanted this weekend to be special because I think we could be something pretty special.”
Amanda tried not to sigh but damn the scene before her was swoonworthy. A small round table was set up in the gazebo out near the manmade lake, complete with a small space heater so they wouldn’t have to cut the night short. “I think you’re pretty special.” She thought a whole lot more than that, which terrified her to no end. She’d never had so much fun with a person before than she had being twirled on the dance floor, and this dinner. How could she continue to resist what she knew was her falling love?
“You do? That’s good because I think you’re pretty special too.” Grabbing her hand he brought it to his mouth and kissed it, sending a shiver down her spine. “In fact, I think you just might be special to me. I think maybe I chose this place because of you.”
She didn’t quite understand what he meant but from the moment she met him things felt different. Alex was easy to be around and he was easy to talk to, making her smile and laugh with ease. More importantly though she felt comfortable around him in a way she hadn’t with a man before. “Well then, what do you plan to do with me?”
His gaze made her freeze, frozen by his clear blue eyes. He licked his lips and said just one word. “Everything.”
Feeling brave and bold, and sexy she smiled and looked him straight on. “That sounds like a good place to start.”
Alex laughed and the rich deep sound washed over her, warming her body to its core. And beyond. “So I wanted to share something with you from my home. This is a traditional Silmañan dish.” He went through each dish, naming them and explaining what was in them.
“It smells delicious. Thank you for sharing this with me.” She saw that flash of something in his eyes again and chose to ignore it. Maybe he really was homesick. Heck, Amanda knew if she had a home that she remembered she would miss it. As it stood she had a deep longing for a place but she d
idn’t know where that place was.
By the time dinner was over, Amanda felt relaxed and fed. Leaning back in her chair, she smiled. “I think we should take that wine up to our room and relax.” She laughed at the speed with which Alex was on his feet and dragging her across the dewy grass and up the painted wooden steps of the inn. “Slow down!”
“Sorry,” he grinned, not looking sorry at all as he pulled her up the staircase and locked them in the room. “But I needed to get you up here. Alone.” Pressing his hips against her, her eyes widened as understanding dawned.
“Needed to hide evidence of your naughtiness, Mr. Baez?” Deciding on her own brand of naughtiness, Amanda pushed her hips against his and gasped this time. Alex was hard and hot and big. And she was incredibly turned on.
“No I just needed to get you alone. Badly.” His kiss was rough, full of a raw desire she had never been the focus of. She didn’t understand the force of the desire he inspired in her with just a kiss so she succumbed to it, let it pull her under his spell until nothing existed but Alex and the wicked things his mouth did to hers.
This is happening, she thought as her hands went to his chest, sliding over the hard muscles and down the hard ridges of his abdomen. So hard, so strong. He quivered under her touch, broken breaths coming in harsh as desire took over. “Alex,” she moaned when his mouth sought her neck, her throat and lower.
He pulled back, searching her gaze as a lazy grin slowly crossed his face. “You sure, Amanda?”
“So sure,” she told him, tugging on the buttons of his shirt until his naked chest was bared to her. “Absolutely sure.” Her hands went to his waist, opening his pants and giving a small tug until they were on the floor.
“Good,” he growled, quickly removing her dress before he picked her up and tossed her on the bed, quickly covering her body with his. “Because this first time will be quick, but I promise.”
She stilled his words with a finger. “Don’t. Just hurry, okay?”
With a smug smile he nodded, giving her naked breasts a gaze so heated her nipples puckered. “Consider me hurried,” he told her before sucking a nipple into his mouth, nibbling while she squirmed underneath him.
“Alex,” she moaned, gripping a handful of hair until her knuckles ached. “Please.”
Releasing her with a pop he sat up. “Please, what Amanda?”
“I need you Alex.” Something in his gaze darkened, intensified and then glazed over.
One quick tear and her lace thong was lost on the floor, but the sight of Alex in all his naked glory had stolen her attention. He was hot and hard, and bigger than any of her previous boyfriends. She couldn’t turn her gaze away, especially from the most obvious part of him. She gasped when his cock twitched and looked up at him.
“That was all you.” And then he was leaning over her again, mouth pressed to hers as he kissed her until she was mindless with desire. Her body quivered under his firm but gentle touch. “Are you ready for me Amanda?” Alex’s voice was low and seductive, like an aged whiskey or something equally decadent.
Before she could answer him though, his hand was between her legs, strong fingers gliding through her folds before sinking into her wet heat. “Oh!” The cry burst from her, his touch lighting up her body like fireworks on the Fourth of July.
His smile was slow and sensual. “You’re ready. Tell me you’re ready Amanda.”
“I’m ready.” She was more than ready. She needed this moment, this night with him more than she had ever needed anything. So don’t just lie here, get involved girl! She did just that, reaching between them until his thick length rested heavy in her hand. “Ah,” she hissed as his blunt tip made contact with her folds, so hot and hard as she pulled him into her body. “Alex,” she breathed out when he thrust all the way in.
“Mandy,” he groaned in her ear, his weight pressing her down. “So good.”
“So hard,” she rasped out and he froze, looking down at her with an unreadable expression on his face. On the verge of begging when he slowly pulled out, touching every nerve ending inside of her, she cried long and loud when he slammed back into her. His delicious hardness filling her to the point of pain. Then it turned to a blossoming heated pleasure that she couldn’t quite describe. It was out of this world.
“You with me?” He smiled but she could see the strain around his eyes and his mouth. He was holding back. Because of her.
“Always,” she told him, digging her heels into his fine ass to make him move. Move he did, in the most decadent strokes she had ever received. They were soft and hard, slow and fast, deep and shallow, and when he did that twirly thing with his hips, Amanda broke apart into a million pieces, every one of which floated up around the room twinkling like the stars outside. “Oh, my,” she groaned as his hips continued to piston at a speed so fast she found her body tightening again and slowly making that climb before jumping off with Alex. They fell together, his rough grunts mixed with her soft cries until they lie side by side, struggling for breath.
Struggling to make sense of what had just happened between them.
Finally Alex spoke. “I don’t know what that was, but give me fifteen minutes and we can do it again.”
Amanda smiled at him, glad he’d opted for playful instead of serious because right now she was finding it really hard to be anything but serious. Somewhere between that kiss at the door and screaming his name she came to a startling realization.
She was in love with Alex.
Chapter 7
“I really wish we didn’t have to go home.” Alex lay on his side next to Amanda, resting his head on one hand and smiling down at her. She looked so beautiful in the early morning sunlight, smiling up at him like he was her whole world.
“Me too,” she sighed, tracing his jaw with a single finger. “This weekend has been magical Alex. I…,” she trailed off and looked away, seemingly overcome with emotion.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” He grabbed her chin and turned her to face him. “Talk to me, Amanda.”
One tear escaped, falling down the side of her face and down her earlobe. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just being silly.”
“I like when you’re silly. Tell me.”
“Is this real, this thing happening between us? Sometimes it feels like it’s too good to be true. I think I’ll wake up and find out this was all a really great dream.”
He smiled at her but it wasn’t a real smile, because he had a secret. Something she needed to know. Soon. He was in love with her and wanted a future with her, which meant he could trust her with the truth of his identity. But they had twelve hours left before they had to leave and he wanted to make it memorable. He didn’t to ruin this, their first getaway as a couple. “It’s not a dream, sweetheart. I’m here and I’m real, and I want you. Only you Amanda.”
Her lips curled into the most beautiful smile, just for him and she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. “I want you too. Only you, Alex.” Pushing at his chest until he was on his back, she straddled his hips and leaned forward to kiss him. “I like waking up in your arms.”
Rough hands grip her hips, grinding up into the bare flesh between her legs. “I like having you sleeping in my arms. I love waking up inside your delectable body.” He meant it, he loved everything about her. Soon, she would know.
Amanda smiled at him and kissed him again, licking his lips before she began a slow torturous trail to his hardness, gripping him tight and pulling him into her hot, wet mouth. “Mmmm,” she moaned, those almond shaped eyes spearing through him.
Alex tossed his head back as this special woman who meant the world to him, used her mouth to bring him the ultimate pleasure. By the time they emerged from their little love nest, half the day had passed. But he couldn’t bring himself to care, because spending a full day in bed with Amanda was his idea of the perfect damn day.
By the time they’d arrived back at the Blueberry Inn, they were tired, cold from picking apples all day and laughing fro
m the good time they had. He promised Maddie a glowing review, gave her half the apples for the delicious cobbler she’d made and made love to Amanda one last time before they checked out.
Alex spent the drive back to Elite worrying over how and when he would tell Amanda who he really was.
~
A week had passed since Amanda and Alex returned from their weekend getaway, and she felt certain that he loved her as much as she loved him, though neither of them had said the words. Yet. She planned to change that today.
When school had let out for the day, she made a quick stop at her apartment and then to the grocery store. During her last class of the day the idea had come to her, exactly how to tell Alex just how much he meant to her. She would make him a romantic dinner—lamb steaks, mashed sweet potatoes and steamed veggies—and declare her love for him then. And if it turned into wild hot sex on the dining room table, she was alright with that part too.
At first she wanted to tell him as soon as they returned from the Blueberry Inn, but she wanted to wait. To make sure the romantic haze of the weekend hadn’t influenced how she felt. But after a week of sharing meals, making love and her grading papers while he scouted new competitions for his riders, she knew what she felt was right. So she put the potatoes on to boil and put the meat in the oven before grabbing a quick shower.
Alex would be home in just over an hour, which was plenty of time to get pretty and prepare what she wanted to say. Any reservations she’d had about him had died with their late night conversations. She’d learned so much about him, particularly about his relationship with his family. His mother was a snob due to being born wealthy but his father and brother were solid people and judged people fairly. He missed them terribly but he was happy with his choices.
So she felt confident that today was the right day.
Dressed in a simple skirt and sweater set, she sat back in her chair and waited for the food. And for Alex.
