Kissing Cousins

by Lexi Buchanan

  Noah pries me away from Ramon, and gives me the same tight hug and a kiss to the top of my head.

  “Alexander,” Ramon holds his handout, and quickly embraces him, followed by Noah. “I guess this talk is long overdue, huh? I mean you can only pussyfoot around for so long before you crack.”

  Noah snorts. “Took us a while.”

  Ramon squeezes Noah’s arm and then sits at the huge oak kitchen table in the center of the kitchen. “Why are you here when you’re supposed to be in Boston?” Ramon asks, staring straight at me.

  Tears suddenly hover on my lashes. “I can’t be around Paige for now.”

  Alexander takes my hands and intertwines our fingers in a show of support. Both my fathers’ eyes track his movements, but stay silent.

  “Paige is against my relationship with Alexander.” I sigh.

  “You both need to sit down and get everything all on the table, and then put your relationship back together.”

  I shake my head. “It isn’t going to be as simple as that.” I glance at Alexander and he nods so I continue, “She’s so against us that she’s been encouraging a friend of Jaxon and Dylan’s to hang out at the apartment under the guise that it’s me who really wants him there. Brad’s a nice guy Dad, and he doesn’t deserve to have Paige lying to him. I had to tell him that I’m in love with someone else.”

  I let the silence hover, and then add, “She’s being ridiculous, and I’ve no wish to talk to her right now because when I do she isn’t nice. In fact I don’t even recognize who she is anymore.”

  “Hmm,” Noah murmurs, sitting back in his seat, “perhaps we need a trip to Boston.” He holds Ramon’s gaze. “Maybe there is more going on with her than what she wants everyone to know.”

  “If there is then I haven’t noticed anything else bothering her. This whole attitude started at Charlotte and Tanners wedding.” I bite my lip wondering if I have missed something with my sister because of my distraction with Alexander.

  “We’ll head out there and spend a few days.” Ramon smiled. “Don’t worry about Paige, but tell us what’s going on here.” He offers a soft smile, and adds, “Even though it’s been obvious since the hospital in Stowe.”

  “Um,” I mumble, feeling my embarrassment flushing my cheeks.

  “I can see with my own eyes that you two are in a relationship, but what I want to know is what are your future plans.” Ramon glances at Noah, who raises an amused brow.

  Alexander squeezes my hand. “Rachel goes to Italy and finishes college, then she’ll come home to me,” he states, much to my fathers’ amusement. “Although I plan on talking to Olivia, Michael, and the others at McKenzies about taking time off, or moving my office temporarily to Florence.”

  I squeak in surprise and jump all over Alexander, which involves me straddling him, and then bursting into tears. He holds me close, caressing back and forth on my back in a soothing motion. I bury my face against his neck, partly with embarrassment, and partly because it’s my safe place: in his arms, breathing in his scent.

  Slowly I calm down, and whisper, “I thought I wouldn’t see you for the whole month I was away.” I pull back and smile through my tears. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re coming with me.”

  I wrap myself around him and stay settled in his arms.

  Alexander talks to Ramon and Noah while I think back to how Paige has been with Alexander and me. It bothers me that I might have missed something going on with her. It doesn’t explain her behavior though. She’s never intentionally hurt anyone before, and that with Brad was hurtful. She’s also made Seth angry, which I’m sure she would have avoided if she’d thought about the consequences first.

  Moving back into my chair, I take the tissue Noah offers me.

  “Will you tell me how it goes with Paige? I need to know she’s okay,” I ask my dads.

  Ramon takes my hand. “Leave it to Noah and I, but eventually I do want you both talking again. You’re more than sisters, you’re twins.”

  I nod. “I know. I don’t want to lose Paige, but I’ll always choose Alexander. He’s my heart Dad. Surely that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

  “It is.” Noah softly smiles and glances at Alexander. “What do Lucien and Sabrina think of your relationship?”

  Alexander tries not to fidget and only just succeeds. “My father knows, and gave us his blessing in a way … as for my mother, like Olivia told me, she will know. My mother doesn’t miss anything.”

  “Just like all of the women in the family,” Noah smirks and shakes his head. “Your Aunt Carla will be around here as soon as she finds out. She won’t be happy we haven’t told her.”

  “Then call her, Dad. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

  “Let me talk to my parents later, and Rachel will message you once we have,” Alexander says.

  “Of course.” Ramon squeezes my hand.

  I hesitate and then ask, “Are you sure you’re both okay with Alexander and I?”

  Noah laughs and Ramon shakes his head.

  Ramon says, “You’re our daughter Rachel, and Alexander is our nephew, which means we love you both. It would be stranger if you were blood relations, but you’re not … I promise, we are both happy for you.

  “Real love only comes once in a lifetime, and some people are lucky enough to find it twice, but it isn’t something you should ever live your life without.” He holds his arms out and embraces me, kissing me on the side of my head.

  “You both have our support,” Noah says, shaking Alexander’s hand.

  19

  Alexander

  The image of Rachel holding Sirena and Garrett’s new baby, McKenna, is something I won’t ever forget. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t imagined how she would look holding our baby in her arms, nursing it at her breast. It’s a dream that I hope will come true one day in the future.

  Our cousin had been tired when we’d arrived, but her happiness was clear, especially the love that she has for her husband. Garrett certainly got lucky the day he got trapped in the elevator with Sirena. Ironically, it was the way her parents had met—same elevator even.

  My heart swells with love as I lean against the kitchen counter and watch Rachel stirring the pasta over the burner. Her long hair is pulled into a band at the back of her head, showing off the delicate curve of her neck.

  “I know you’re staring,” she comments, a smile on her lips.

  “You’re in my apartment, where you belong, and I can’t stop staring.” I move closer and place my hands on her hips, dipping in and kissing her bare shoulder. “I love you being here with me.” I rest my chin on her shoulder, my arms slipping around her waist.

  Rachel reaches up with a hand and holds it against the side of my face, sighing. She meets my gaze. “I’m happy Alexander, and I’m so in love with you, that I’m never going to leave.” She kisses my lips and lingers. “I’ve waited a long time to call you mine. Nothing and no one will ever change that.”

  My breath catches at the look in her eyes and I try and remember where we are.

  Then I think to hell with it.

  Capturing her mouth, I bring her fully into my arms, and after I’ve quickly turned the burner off, I grab her bottom. She wraps around me, writhes against my body, driving me crazy.

  Growling, I shove her back against the wall. Our tongues slide together, my mouth pressing hard against hers. Desperate.

  My hand slips between us and I shove her shorts and panties down her legs, my fingers already searching between the folds of her wet sex.

  She breaks from the kiss, panting, her gaze holding mine. “Inside me now, Alexander.” One hand reaches inside my sweats, wrapping around my erection while I shove them the rest of the way down.

  They’re still around my ankles when I grab her wrists and hold them above her head with my left hand. I lean my forehead against hers, our eyes connecting, and use my right hand to guide my flesh between the swollen lips of her pussy.

  Her breath
catches when I thrust inside, my heart just about ready to pound out of my chest. I grab ahold of a thigh and move it higher up on my waist.

  “I love you,” I tell her, and start hammering her to the wall.

  She writhes and moans, her muscles quivering around my throbbing dick. Her hands land on my shoulders and her nails dig in. Her whole body arches and breaks out into climax, my own races forward, and then I’m pulsing in release.

  I slowly glide in and out, prolonging our pleasure, while the little gasps of pleasure Rachel gives wind me up until seconds later, I’m rock hard again.

  Her eyes widen. “Again?”

  “God, I think my legs are about to collapse.”

  She chuckles and I grin, sliding us to the floor. She wiggles in my lap and I moan, holding her down. “Don’t move,” I ground out. “We need to stop and get cleaned up.” It’s the last thing I want, but I don’t want my parents catching us like this. Olivia especially would tease me for the rest of my life.

  “Hmm,” she mumbles, kissing me. “I really don’t want to move.” She slides me free and rises to her feet, and smirks. “That,” she glances at my pelvis, “needs taking care of.”

  I hold my hand out and she tugs me to my feet, her hand going straight to my jutting erection.

  I hiss. “We literally have minutes before my parents arrive.”

  “I know.” She grins and drops to her knees. “And I know just the thing to have you coming within seconds.”

  Her warm mouth wraps around me while my fingers break the hair tie and slide through the thick strands of her long hair. I arch closer, already feeling my release boiling in my balls, and then she sucks me completely into her mouth while pressing against my sac. I have no hope in hell of holding off.

  Rachel sucks my release from me, swallowing, and holds me against her with pressure on my ass. Her nails dig into the flesh and I twitch and come one last time, cursing.

  My legs no longer feel like they’re mine as I rest my back against the wall to stay upright. Rachel follows and slowly slides her mouth from around me.

  “You taste good,” she whispers, leaning in once I’ve helped her up from the floor. “Very good.” She licks her lips.

  I kick my sweats free of my ankles, and bending, collect them along with Rachel’s shorts and panties. I take her hand. “Let’s take a quick shower, then we’ll finish up dinner.”

  “Is it safe, showering together?”

  I give her a wicked grin. “I doubt it, but that’s what’s happening.”

  20

  Rachel

  Uncle Lucien and Aunt Sabrina arrive just moments after we’re dressed, although I haven’t been able to catch my breath. Alexander has a wicked mouth and sensational hands. He knows how to use them to his advantage as well.

  Seeing Aunt Sabrina rushing into the apartment, I smile and laugh when she throws her arms around my shoulders. “You make me so happy,” she whispers.

  “Sabrina, let her breathe.” Uncle Lucien tugs his wife away and kisses me on the forehead. “It’s good to see you, Rachel.”

  Alexander hugs his mother and as they separate, she dabs at her eyes. “I promised Lucien I wouldn’t cry.”

  “I hope they’re tears of happiness,” Alexander moves closer and wraps an arm around my waist and briefly nuzzles into my neck.

  “Of course they are.” Aunt Sabrina shakes her head. “I’ve known for years.” She grins.

  “You have not known for years.” Uncle Lucien laughs. “What your mother means is that she wishes she’d known for years.”

  “Oh, you hush up,” Aunt Sabrina says and quickly hugs her husband. “What’s for dinner? I’m starved.”

  I kiss Alexander on the lips and smiling, slip my arm through Aunt Sabrina’s. “Keep me company while I warm the food.”

  “Behave yourselves in here,” Aunt Sabrina says as we leave father and son to entertain themselves.

  “Don’t be nervous,” Aunt Sabrina whispers. “We’re still the same people as we were before.” She smiles and moves over to the pan of pasta sauce. “Oh, this smells divine.” She inhales and then stirs the sauce.

  “Aunt Sabrina,” I say quietly, and fidget. “Are you really okay with this, Alexander and I?”

  She drops the spoon back into the saucepan and quickly takes my hands. “Alexander is our son and we love him. We’ve loved you since you became a McKenzie as a baby. Although, others won’t understand the situation the same way as the family do, there is nothing wrong with you both being together.”

  She pauses, and comments, “I believe Paige isn’t happy though?”

  I nod sadly.

  “I love you both, but if you want to be happy then you need to follow your heart, Rachel.”

  “Thank you.” I exhale and chuckle. “I think everyone knows about us apart from Jaxon.” I grin.

  “Jaxon is the most laid back. He’ll be mad he hadn’t worked it out for himself, but you’re right, he’ll roll with it,” Aunt Sabrina agrees. “Now,” she smiles, “tell me what you need help with.”

  “Everything is ready, I think.” I get the dishes and glasses from the cupboard and place them on the countertop. “Oh, you could pour the wine if you don’t mind.” I nod toward the bottle of red.

  “I’m on it.” Aunt Sabrina uncaps the wine and smiles to herself while she pours. “I’m thinking,” she admits, “that perhaps Lucien and I could visit you and Alexander in Italy for a few days.”

  I grin, delighted.

  “We’d both love that. My dads have said the same, so maybe you could coordinate with them. It would be so fun.” My smile dips. “I want Paige to come as well, but I’m not sure she will.”

  Aunt Sabrina smiles. “I’ll talk to her. Perhaps if she knows that as Alexander’s parents we are okay with you both being together then maybe she’ll come around.”

  “Ramon and Noah have gone to Boston for a few days to make sure she’s okay.” I shrug. “They think maybe something else is going on and that she’s letting her anger out on me.”

  “They’ll get to the bottom of it, I’m sure. You’ve both fallen out before and it hasn’t ever lasted too long.”

  “Not over a boy before,” I say and chuckle. “Not that Alexander is a boy, or anything.” My blush rises as I quickly turn away.

  Aunt Sabrina laughs. “All I’m going to say on the matter, considering he’s my son, is … the McKenzie men are all children, just in a man’s body.”

  Uncle Lucien clears his throat in the doorway. “You were saying?” He raises a brow at his wife.

  “You heard exactly what I said.” She grins and taking ahold of his jaw, pulls him to her waiting lips. “I love you,” she whispers, and quickly steps away. “I think we need to eat.”

  “I’ve been sent to tell you Alexander is hungry.” Uncle Lucien picks up two of the dishes on the countertop. “He figured as I’m the authority figure you’d listen to me and get a move on.”

  Aunt Sabrina shakes her head as we follow Uncle Lucien through to the dining room—no Alexander though.

  I glance around and find him lounging against the corner of the window behind me, a soft smile on his lips.

  Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I move over to my man and slide into his arms, my gaze on his handsome face. “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m so happy, Rachel.” He searches my eyes as I let him see how much I love him. He nods and places a light kiss on my forehead. His hand slides into mine and our fingers intertwine.

  As he leads me to the table, I don’t miss the knowing look that passes between his mom and dad.

  21

  Alexander

  The view from my office in the McKenzie Holdings building never gets old. I’ve sat here many times, staring off toward the snowcapped mountains in the far distance while I think about current projects that I have on my desk. Today I’m not thinking about work. I’m thinking about the woman I love who is currently at home, packing.

  Rachel leaves for Italy t
omorrow morning and I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to say goodbye to her. I’m going to be joining her in just a little over a week, but it hurts that I’m not going to be able to accompany her over the ocean.

  We have a date in Florence, which will have to keep me going while I miss her. Her beautiful face will appear daily on my phone while we video chat. I’ll still be able to hear her voice, but I won’t be able to touch her or bury my nose in the curve of her neck to inhale her scent. She says the curve of my neck is her calm. Well, hers is mine.

  For the first time since I started working in the family company, I want to walk away from it all to be with Rachel. I know that it’s wrong of me, and probably stupid, but I want to be on the flight with Rachel tomorrow, it’s a desperation that I’ve never felt before.

  I feel as though the morning is going to be the last time I see her, which is ridiculous. I can’t get rid of the feeling.

  My palm rubs the ache in my chest as I catch my sister’s reflection through the window. Olivia leans against the entrance to my office, observing me in silence.

  I’m not sure how long she’s been standing there as I sigh heavily and turn my chair in her direction. I rest my arms on the large oak desk in front of me and try to relax. I don’t succeed.

  “I’m worried about you,” she says, sitting in one of the two visitor’s chairs. “You’ve never been distracted before.”

  I offer a mirthless laugh. “I’ve never been preparing to say goodbye to the only girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

  She shakes her head. “You do know she’s coming back, right?” She frowns. “I also thought you were heading over there in a week.”

  “I am.”

  Olivia looks surprised. “Then I don’t get it.”

  “You don’t need to get it. Even I don’t get it. But my heart feels heavy because I have to put her on a plane in the morning.” I run my hands through my short hair. “She’s only been in my apartment a short time, but I can’t imagine not being with her. We’ve waited for years to be together and now that we are, I don’t want to spend a night away from her.”