Hailey flushed pink from cheeks to chest, her eyes widening and then narrowing into a glare.
They had an impressive staredown—not one blink.
Lauren’s work here was done. Her phone dinged with a text and she snagged it off the bar.
Alex: Come over tonight after Viv’s asleep.
He was very persistent. She texted back see you on Monday with a smiley face so he’d know she wasn’t mad. They needed to talk and showing up there late at night sent the wrong message. It wasn’t like she expected a commitment. At least not so soon. But she needed…something…some inkling that he had real feelings because she was having way too many soft and tender thoughts.
“Come on, Lauren, back to my place for a debriefing,” Hailey said, tugging Lauren’s arm.
Lauren quickly paid in cash and followed, hoping talking about it would help things become clearer.
When they stepped outside, Hailey stopped on the sidewalk. “Sorry. I do need to get back to work. I just needed an excuse to bail on the staring contest without losing. Call me later if you want to talk, okay?”
“Sure,” Lauren said.
Hailey walked briskly down the block back to Ludbury House.
Lauren turned in the opposite direction and walked at a much slower pace back home, her mind a muddle. Could she resist Alex long enough for a good talk? It sounded simple, but with Alex, nothing was that simple. He was a triple threat—sexy, ravenous, and irresistible. And she was long overdue for passion. But was that enough?
Chapter Sixteen
Alex opened the door to Lauren on Monday morning and hungrily took her in from her long light brown hair framing an angelic face to luscious breasts in a black tank top with black shorts and those long tanned legs. He had to get her alone again, hopefully tonight.
“Morning,” he said gruffly. The beast was out of his cage and he was hungry for more.
“Morning,” Lauren said softly.
Viv launched herself at Lauren’s legs, hugging her tight. “Thuper!”
“Princess Kei-Kei!” Lauren picked up Viv, giving her a hug.
Alex watched the exchange and found himself smiling. He loved that Viv was crazy about Lauren and vice versa.
“Dolly!” Viv hollered, pointing to her room. Lauren set her down and Viv ran back to her room. He’d bought Viv a new Dolly yesterday—same exact doll, hence the same name, but with hair.
Lauren went to follow, but he stopped her, pulling her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back. She couldn’t help it. She was a hugger.
He whispered in her ear, “I read your favorite books last night. The Fierce trilogy.”
She jerked back, her hand on her throat, her green eyes wide. “You did not.”
He pulled her hand away from her throat and replaced it with his. Her pulse beat rapidly under his fingers, her skin heating to his touch. “I skipped to the good parts.” He felt her swallow.
Yup. He had her number. And would be taking every opportunity to act on it. He’d been worried about being too aggressive with her, keeping himself in check with great effort, but then when he read her fantasy, what really turned her on, he realized he didn’t have to hold back at all. She just had to admit what she secretly craved—dirty talking, no-holds-barred sex with a man who’s comfortable taking charge. This was going to be fun.
He gave her a slow knowing smile, stroking his fingers down her throat. Her lips parted, her eyes heating.
“Alex,” she whispered in a breathy voice that made him lean in, “I do like those books, but I’ve never done that stuff in real life. I need to feel comfortable.”
He shifted to her ear. “You found the right guy for all your fantasies. I’ll get you there and you’ll like it.”
She sucked in an audible breath.
“Dolly!” a small voice exclaimed. They both turned to find Viv holding her new doll by the hair.
“What a beautiful new Dolly!” Lauren exclaimed. Her voice wobbled and was a little loud. Viv didn’t notice, but he sure did.
“Tonight,” he told Lauren.
“We’ll talk later,” she threw over her shoulder and joined Viv for their morning fun.
He went to his studio, energized and ready for work. He threw himself into his project, putting the finishing touches on the fantasy book covers. He’d gotten an extension on the due date. He skipped lunch he was so immersed in the project finally coming together. He emerged from his studio late that afternoon when Lauren pulled into the driveway. She frequently took Viv out in the afternoon to the playground, the Spray Bay, or to visit his dad. And she always texted a picture of Viv enjoying herself when they were there and then texted again when they were heading back. He couldn’t have imagined a better caretaker for Viv—responsible, caring, affectionate. She genuinely seemed to enjoy being with Viv, who was a bundle of energy and not easy to keep out of trouble.
He met them in the driveway and peeked into the backseat. Viv was sleeping. She frequently napped in the car, especially after a day of outdoor activity.
Lauren got out to get her. “She made another new friend on the playground. A little boy named Liam.”
“Awesome. I’m going to let her nap. I’ll carry her in and then you—” he dropped his voice to a husky register “—come with me.”
She froze. “Alex, we need to talk.”
“Sure, we can talk.” After, he added silently. Sue him, he was ready to explode with his long-neglected needs.
Lauren shot him a dubious look. “It’s important. We both probably have stuff to say.”
“Or do.”
Her eyes flashed.
He bit back a smile. Lauren was finally comfortable enough with him to drop the angel act. Sure, she was nice, but that wasn’t all she was. After reading the erotic part of her favorite erotic romance books, he suspected she had a lot of fiery passion bottled up. And he was the lucky man who got to pop the cork.
He opened the car door. “Let me get her settled first and then we’ll have some quiet alone time.”
“To talk,” Lauren insisted.
He ignored that. He carefully, oh so carefully, got Viv out of the booster seat, nudged the car door closed with his hip, and carried her toward the house, careful not to jostle her. Lauren opened the door with her key, holding it open for them. The moment he stepped in the house, Viv woke up. “Daddy!”
He sighed. “Hey, pumpkin.” He looked to Lauren, who was trying not to laugh. “I’ll text you about later.”
Lauren grinned, seeming pleased his nefarious plans had been thwarted. “Only if you promise we’ll talk.”
“We will,” he said. After.
Lauren eyed him suspiciously. It was like she could read his dirty mind. Well, he had given her a big hint.
He smirked. “Come on, it’s the only time we can talk without little ears.”
Viv put her hands on his cheeks and squeezed. “Talk, talk,” she mimicked.
“See?” he said through squeezed cheeks.
Lauren laughed. “Come on, Miss Vivian, let’s get your diaper changed.”
He set Viv down, who ran down the hallway toward her room. “I can change her.”
“I got it,” Lauren said. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks.”
He chuckled. “You’re worth more than I could ever pay.”
She looked at him under her lashes. “You do have a way with words.”
“I’ve got a lot more stored up. Words that’ll make you blush and moan.”
“Shh.” She blushed bright pink.
He cupped her warm cheek. “You are quite the blusher. Don’t worry, she can’t hear.”
“Alex.” A reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
He held her chin. “Come on, give me the full wattage.”
She shook her head, laughing.
“There it is,” he said with a smile. She was so beautiful, so sexy.
Viv reappeared naked from the waist down. “Mommy, pee!”
He and Lauren exchanged a look of shock. He wasn’t sure which part was more shocking, the mommy or the pee. Lauren had been so careful to correct Viv, telling her to call her Super L. Viv hadn’t said it since that first time three weeks ago.
Lauren recovered first and focused on the important part. “Well, let’s see.”
They all trooped to the bathroom, where Viv proudly pointed at her potty. He peeked over. The tiniest drop of pee in there. Not even enough to trigger the potty song that was supposed to happen when she peed. Did that even count? Where was the rest of it?
“Wow!” Lauren exclaimed. “What a big girl you are! Good job! Now let’s flush and wash hands. That’s what everybody does.”
“Good job, Viv,” he added belatedly. He was still new at all this potty-training stuff. Though come to think of it, he hadn’t even realized Lauren had begun training her.
Viv followed Lauren eagerly, helping her flush the drop of pee and then washing her hands and drying them. Anyone looking at them—so in synch, with similar coloring—would think they were mother and daughter.
His eyes watered. There was no way he could ever let Lauren go. Viv needed her.
~ ~ ~
Lauren had just finished a quiet dinner at home that night when her phone dinged with a text. She picked it up. Alex.
How do I keep up the potty training? She won’t go again.
That was the weird thing. Lauren hadn’t even started training Viv yet. She’d bought her the cute panties with pink ruffles last Friday, made a big deal out of washing them and putting them in her drawer for when she was ready to be a big girl, and then her plan to begin today flew out the window when Alex informed her he’d read her favorite erotic romance trilogy in a husky voice that said he had some ideas. She gave herself a moment to get over the hot flash of lust that memory sparked before texting back.
Make a chart, put a sticker on it every time she goes, and give her an M&M.
Alex: What kind of chart? Monthly? Daily?
Lauren: Just draw some rows for the stickers. She doesn’t know days, weeks, months yet.
Alex: True. I don’t have stickers. You better come over.
She smiled. She did have that stuff, but she knew he also had an ulterior motive. I’ll bring some later. Text me when Viv’s asleep. I’d really like to talk.
Three hours later, Lauren was yawning and thinking about going to bed. She checked her cell one last time. Alex had texted five minutes ago. She’s asleep. Come over and wear a dress.
She ignored the request. On my way. She grabbed her purse, about to tuck her phone inside when it dinged again.
No panties.
She glared at the screen. If you’re not going to take this seriously, forget it. :(
I’m serious. Promise.
Then I will see you with panties on.
She shook her head and headed out the door, determined to have that talk and figure out where she stood before she got in too deep. When she got there, she decided to let herself in with the key so the doorbell wouldn’t wake Viv. She pushed the door open and Alex was standing there, a dark hunger in his eyes.
“Hi,” he said in the deep velvet voice her body now recognized as seduction. Heat surged through her as he pulled her inside and quietly shut the door behind her.
“Hi,” she managed.
“I’ll take that,” he said, taking her purse and setting it on the table where he kept his keys.
She took a deep breath, surprised to find she was trembling slightly. She straightened. There was nothing to be nervous about, she told herself. They were simply going to talk. Get everything out in the open.
Alex closed the distance between them alarmingly fast. Her breath caught, registering his intent, and then all coherent thought deserted her as his mouth crashed over hers, his tongue thrusting inside. He pinned her against the door, wrists over her head, his leg wedging between hers. She was liquid heat, her heartbeat thrumming in time to the pulse between her legs. His mouth was ravenous, hard and demanding, and she reveled in it, her hips moving restlessly against him, needy in a way she’d never been before.
He released her suddenly. She blinked, disoriented as he turned her, bending her over and pinning her hands against the door under his. His voice, low and deep, rumbled in her ear. “Spread ’em.”
“Are you a cop?” she asked, light-headed with the quick turn of events. This wasn’t in the Fierce trilogy, though he’d only read the sex scenes. The hero was a dominating alpha who always took the heroine, a shy librarian, from behind. The similarities were as clear as the pulse pounding in her ears.
He nudged her legs apart with his leg and then cupped her breasts with both hands. “I might be. What’re you hiding under these clothes? Feels like a killer body.”
A laugh escaped before she gasped, his hands stroking straight from her breasts down her stomach and between her legs.
“I feel like I’m being frisked,” she said, breathless.
“Yup. You’re giving me some trouble. That’s why I had to bend you over the hood of my car.” He pulled her shorts down and off.
Oh, fuck. He was going to do her right here out in the open. “Alex,” she protested, though not too loud because the last thing she wanted was a two-year-old witness to debauchery.
He yanked her panties off and then slid his palms slowly up the inside of her legs. She held her breath, both needing his touch and needing to get somewhere private fast. “Where’s the dress, huh?” he asked, his fingers stopping just short of pleasure central. “This is a crime.”
She straightened in disappointment, turning to face him. He pulled off her shirt, bra went flying, and then his mouth covered hers, his hands stroking her bare back. He finally let her up for air, took off his shirt in one quick move, turned her back to the door and bent her over. His chest heated her back as he leaned down to bite her earlobe and tug. Liquid heat pooled between her legs.
“Alex, please.” She didn’t even know what she was asking—she just knew she needed what only he could give.
He groaned, his hands roaming, seeming to be everywhere at once, igniting her. “I love to hear you beg.”
She looked at him over her shoulder. He still wore shorts with an impressive bulge. “You take me to your bedroom right now,” she ordered.
He grinned and slid his long fingers to her center, parting her to stroke intimately before thrusting his fingers inside her. Her knees buckled. “Lauren,” he growled, stroking her on the inside, “tell me what you want. What you crave.”
She couldn’t catch her breath.
His fingers withdrew and then stroked her bottom lip with one finger, pushing past her teeth and inside. She tasted herself, an erotic unusual sensation for her. She sucked his finger and he groaned. He pulled her up, grabbed all their clothes in a surprisingly considerate move, took her by the hand, and led her to his bedroom.
He shut and locked the door, dropping the clothes on the end of the bed. Hiding the evidence, she realized, in case Viv woke. She swallowed hard as he turned to her with a predatory look.
“I’m going to give you everything you secretly desire,” he said in a gravelly voice, the words scraping against her insides.
Her mouth went dry. He crossed to her, his arm snaking around her waist as he slowly backed her into the far wall, his eyes dark and ravenous. She was dimly aware they were as far from Viv’s room as they could get and could only hope she could keep the noise level down.
He entwined his fingers with hers and pinned hers against the wall. He stared at her mouth. “Say it.”
“Kiss me.”
A ghost of a smile crossed his features before he took her mouth in a passionate kiss, hard and demanding and thorough. She felt possessed, claimed, his. She throbbed and lifted her hips, silently asking for what she needed. It was all she could do. He possessed her mouth, her hands pinned by his, the hard planes of his body pressing against her softness. He trailed open-mouthed kisses along the side of her neck, his teeth scrapi
ng against her, leaving an electric charge of pleasure in his wake. And then lower, his mouth continuing to her collarbone as he slowly lowered their grasped hands to her sides.
“Alex,” she said breathlessly, “I want to touch you.”
He released her hands, kneeling in front of her.
“Oh, God,” was as far as she got before he cupped her breast and sucked, pushing her nipple to the roof of his mouth. She slid her fingers into his hair and held him to her, her insides tightening, aching for him to fill her. He released her breast, his teeth scraping against her sensitive nipple, jolting her. Before she could get out a word, he’d captured the other breast, drawing it deep into his mouth. Her fingers loosened in his hair, a soft whimper escaping.
His hand cupped her between the legs suddenly and she gasped. His fingers were wicked and demanding and amazing. His mouth continued suckling her breast, a direct line of pleasure to her sex. She panted, moving to his rhythm, overwhelmed, the pressure building and building. Oh, God. She was going to—she slapped a hand over her mouth, trying to keep quiet through what promised to be a hard climax, when he suddenly released her, standing and pressing his body against her. She whimpered, achy and needy.
His hand cupped the back of her neck firmly. His dark eyes gleaming. “Let me hear the words. Say it.”
“I want you.”
He bit her lower lip and then sucked. “Want me to what?”
“Fuck me.”
“Yes,” he muttered before his mouth took hers roughly. He grabbed her hand and pushed it between her legs. “Touch yourself and tell me how you want me to fuck you.”
She glared at him. “I can touch myself anytime. I want you to do it.”
He grinned and moved his fingers over hers, making her touch herself. “You do that a lot, angel?”
She moaned and he stilled both their hands. “Yes. I haven’t had sex in eight months before you.”
He groaned. “You are making me so fucking hot. Keep touching yourself.” He yanked down his shorts and boxer briefs, kicking them off.
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