Alexis stared at her, allowing her words to infiltrate her mind, soak into the depths of her heart. It slowly dissolved the debris of emotional neglect of her youth. It felt like an awakening; the way her mind suddenly bloomed open like a field of daisies with the rising sun.
And there in the middle of a golden circle of flowers, stood Noah; her mountain man. The man who had infiltrated the locked chambers of her heart without her knowing, who had salvaged her soul with love.
For the first time, she not only heard her heart; she listened, and responded in kind.
“I love him. I love him, Rachel. I can feel it, in my heart. He has infiltrated every crevice of my body and soul. I won’t let him go. I can’t . He’s my savior. My Fred Flintstone,” she ended in a hushed whisper.
“Now, all you need to do is tell him that.”
Alexis looked stricken. “Just like that? Walk up to him and blurt out that I love him?”
Rachel shook her head. “When the time comes the words will follow. All you need to do is trust in yourself, trust in your heart and let that guide you. But most of all, Lex, trust in Noah and his love for you.”
“You’re right. I do trust in him.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear. I’m proud of you, Alexis. It takes a strong person to admit when they’re wrong, but an even stronger one to bury the past.”
Alexis hugged her.
“You have always been my strength, Rachel. You’ve travelled a road filled with as many potholes as mine, but you have always been strong enough to take the turnoffs when it mattered. If not for that, I would have been lost. How you managed at such a young age to be this insightful, I’ll never know. But I am forever grateful.”
Rachel looked uncomfortable and for once avoided Alexis’ eyes. But before she could question her, she smiled broadly.
“Now that we’ve sorted out your love life, let’s get all dolled up and join the festivities at the hotel. David said he’ll pick us up at ten.”
“I don’t feel very festive, Rachel.”
“Nonsense. We’re going to dance and drown in tequila and after we’ve nursed your headache in the morning, you’re going to talk to Noah.”
She jumped up and tugged on Alexis’ hand until she eventually gave up and followed her to the bedroom. It was no use trying to talk her out of it. Once Rachel had set her mind on something, she didn’t stop until she had her way.
Chapter Twelve
When they were younger, clubbing used to be fun. But, as they grew older, life got riddled with the many responsibilities that came along with it. Dancing and jollying the night away happened less and less.
Alexis realized just how much she’d missed the carefree nights with her friends.
“Jeez, Lex, do you feel the buzz?”
“Yeah, it’s quite eclectic,” she agreed. Her voice portrayed her disinterest and Rachel turned on her with her hands on her hips.
“Now . . . none of that gloomy face, Alexis. We’re here to have some fun and celebrate your success at your new job and meeting the love of your life.”
Rachel flicked her hair back and grinned mischievously. She wiggled her eyebrows and with a naughty twinkle in her eyes. “Besides, I haven’t been laid in months. I might just get lucky. There are some yummy hunks around.”
“Oh Rachel, please don’t ever change,” Alexis laughed and followed her as the crowd effortlessly opened to accommodate them.
Rachel had that effect on people—male and female. With her hot little body, hip length, liquid gold hair and sweet pixie face, everyone adored her on sight.
“Two tequilas, my lovely man and make it snappy,” she cooed at the barman who gaped at the petite woman jumping effortlessly on the barstool. She laughed gaily at his expression and leaned forward to gently close his slack jaw. “Now , sweetie,” she smiled, which caused him to swallow and grope around for the shot glasses.
A couple of shots later and they were moving with the music, hands in the air, bodies swaying and undulating; their eyes full of enjoyment. Alexis allowed the tension of the past week to seep out from her body and began relaxing with every swing of her hips. It was like a shot of adrenaline to the heart and all at once she was moving, one with the music; one with every person dancing around them.
An hour later, she gave Rachel a time-out sign. They found an empty booth to the side of the bar.
“I’m famished. All this dancing has used up all my energy. Do they serve anything to eat here?” Rachel asked. She lifted her hair from her nape and arched her back. “Damn, I’m hot.”
“Alexis, you do know that underage girls aren’t allowed in this club,” a gruff voice said behind her.
Alexis saw Rachel freeze and waited for the usual frigid look in her baby blue eyes to flash in retaliation. She didn’t have to wait long. Rachel had heard the same snide remarks often enough and hated being mistaken for a young girl because of her petiteness.
She turned around slowly, and Alexis noticed her body tensing the moment her eyes got caught in a silver snare of Mason’s gaze.
Rachel tilted her nose in the air and bestowed him with a haughty look, up and down, until her eyes came to rest on his shaven head. Alexis noticed with interest how her hands curled into fists.
“Well, I suppose for a bald old-timer like you, I would appear too young,” she said with a blinding smile.
Mason’s eyes narrowed in warning, but Rachel wasn’t fazed and tossed her hair back. “How old are you, by the way? Fifty? No,” she tapped her nail against her teeth, “probably closer to sixty.”
Alexis tried to suppress the giggle that threatened to escape her lips, but Logan, who was standing next to Mason, wasn’t as thoughtful. He barked with laughter. He slapped Mason on the back, which earned him a searing glare.
“See, mate, I told you, you were mistaken. That sexy ass was a dead giveaway that this little hoyden is no child,” he said with an engaging smile.
Rachel turned to him. “Buttocks, if you please.”
Mason snorted. “Buttocks, if you please? What are you, twelve? Ass describes your booty a lot more aptly than but-t-oc-ks,” he said slowly, like he was teaching a child.
Oho, these two are gonna be at each other’s throats soon.
“You are no gentleman, sir, and for that matter, you’re nothing more than a . . . an uncouth caveman!” She turned to Logan and in a blatant rebuff to Mason, offered him her hand. “Rachel Cooper,” she introduced herself sweetly.
Logan took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “Ah, Alexis’ friend. Welcome, Rachel. I’m Logan Case and this is Mason Walker.”
“Pleased to meet you, Logan. I’m famished. Care to show me where I can find something to eat?”
“It’ll be my pleasure. I do partly own the place, you know.” he told her conversationally, clearly trying to rile Mason.
He hooked her arm into his. She glanced over her shoulder at Mason. “Oh, do remember to order some soup for the old timer as well. We wouldn’t want his dentures to fall out trying to chew on some steak,” she snipped as they walked away amidst Logan laughter.
“Little snip,” Mason muttered as he watched them disappear in the crowd. He turned to Alexis. “You look better, Alexis. More relaxed.”
She gestured for him to sit. “I do.” She smiled at him. “Between you and Rachel I found the door and closed it, Mason. Locked forever. For the first time in my life, I feel free . . . of memories that kept yanking me back into the dark void every time something good came my way.”
“But this time you fought it. Why, Alexis?”
“Because I need Noah in my life, Mason. This past week, not hearing his voice, not seeing him . . . it has been a torture. I can’t be without him. He is my future.”
“Then don’t you think you should tell him that?”
“Yes. Tomorrow. If I don’t have a hangover. Rachel is on a mission tonight.”
“No, Alexis. Now . Go and talk to Noah. One thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s n
ot to wait. Sometimes a couple of hours could be too late because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. You have to grasp happiness with both hands.”
He seemed sad and lost in thought for a couple of moments but then shook it off.
“He’s in his office, Alexis.”
“At this time?”
“It seems the two of you have been drowning yourselves in work for the same reason. Go and save him before he collapses from fatigue.”
Alexis didn’t hesitate and stood up. Suddenly, all she wanted was to feel Noah’s strong arms fold around her and hold her. She hugged Mason and he kissed her gently.
“You’ve released him from a loneliness that has been chipping away at the real man within. Whether you realize it or not, Alexis, you saved him too. The two of you were meant to be together.”
“Thank you, Mason.” She hesitated briefly, her arms still around his waist. “I . . . you know I love you and Logan too, don’t you? Not like Noah, but you have a very special place in my heart.”
“As you have in ours, little one, and will forever.” He patted her nose. “Don’t think you’ll rid of us the moment you hitch up with Noah.”
Her smile lightened up her face. “I’m glad. I kinda like it when you come visiting.”
His eyebrows lifted suggestively. “As do we. So, I guess you’re gonna have to make up for us missing out the past two weeks.”
“With pleasure. Will you make sure Rachel gets home safe?”
He nodded and let her go and she quickly made her way outside. She was too impatient to wait a shuttle, and hopped into a golf cart and zipped toward the office block.
Her heart thudded wildly inside her chest as she hesitated in front of Noah’s office door. Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling as courageous as she had been while talking with Rachel and Mason. She’d hurt Noah badly with her mistrust and she wouldn’t blame him if he pushed her away.
She was still pondering what to say once she stepped inside, when the door opened suddenly. Noah was walking out while reading a document and collided into her. It was so unexpected that Alexis ended up flat on her ass on the floor—her legs sprawled.
“Alexis,” he said, surprised. “Are you hurt?” He asked gruffly when she didn’t move.
Alexis managed to draw her enraptured gaze from his tired looking face and looked down. “Oh!” She closed her legs and quickly stood upright. She yanked her short dress down. “No, I’m fine. I think,” she said as she felt a pinch in her butt cheeks when she flexed her legs.
I’ll probably end up walking around with blue ass cheeks for a week!
“What can I do for you? Or . . .” his gaze seared her scantily clad body, “should I even ask. Looking for a quick fuck, are you?”
The tight fitting black mini dress had been Rachel’s idea and she’d not cared enough to oppose her.
“Noah . . . please, don’t,” she croaked miserably but understood his reaction.
He sighed and leaned his head back. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” He walked past her to place the document in a tray on his assistant’s desk. “What do you want, Alexis.”
“I need to talk to you, Noah. Please.”
He turned and fixed her with an enigmatic look. His looked nonchalant, but she detected tension in the lines of his shoulders.
She noticed how dark his eyes had gone, the only sign of emotion—his black eyes drilling into hers.
“Very well.” He gestured into his office and she spun about to precede him.
She could feel the trembling start at the base of her spine. He seemed so cold—distant, so unlike her Noah, who always gazed at her with warmth and . . . love.
Alexis turned and stepped into him, her hands resting on his chest.
“I don’t know how I couldn’t have seen it, Noah. It was there and now I know, finally, what the warmth in your eyes and voice kept telling me. I should’ve known but I . . .”
She bit her lip when he didn’t move, just continued to stare at her—waiting.
Alexis sighed and turned to sit down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. She stared ahead, unseeing.
“I grew up in a broken home. Not broken as in divorced parents, but there were no emotions, no feelings in our house. Not for me, at any rate. I was an annoyance to my parents. I often wondered and wished, to be honest, why they hadn’t given me up for adoption? They never wanted me; and neither of them let any opportunity go by to inform me of that. My happiest years were in boarding school with Rachel and Shanna. If not for them . . . I probably would’ve ended in juvie or worse—high on crack. I had the means to. My parents believed drowning me in money made up for what they lacked in parenting.”
She blinked and glanced at him. Noah silently condemned her parents for what he could see reflected in her eyes—endless sorrow, rejection and pain.
“All I wanted, while growing up, was to be loved. I never asked for anything but that was all they had to offer—material things and shunned my need to be loved. Over the years I guess I became hard, I . . .” She swallowed at the painful memory. “On my twelfth birthday, the day the new school semester started, my mom waved me away when I went to say goodbye to her. I was bothering her again. She didn’t even hug or kiss me goodbye, just told me to go . . . and she didn’t even remember it was my birthday.” A hoarse laugh filled the room. “They never did . . . I was just not important to them.”
She looked at her hands and realized they were clamped so tightly together that her knuckles had turned white. She flexed her fingers.
Alexis looked at Noah.
“I never learned how to love, Noah. Over the years I shunned every man who pushed too hard. I believed I was incapable of love. I didn’t trust it and I sure as hell didn’t know how to give it. Or for that matter . . . what it felt like to receive it.”
“Alexis—”
“And then one day, I stumbled across a porch on a forgotten road, straight into the arms of a mountain man dressed in a tiny towel. I forgot to breathe in that moment. I thought it was just sexual attraction.” She shook her head and her eyes glimmered with tears. “If only I knew better . . . my heart was telling me, this is the one . He is the other half of your heart you’ve been yearning for all your life.”
She twisted her fingers when he didn’t respond.
“Seeing you with another woman was such a shock because I have been thinking of you as mine from that first glance. But I needed this wakeup call to teach me what I couldn’t identify myself. I kept asking myself, how is it that you shine brighter than the sun? How you breathe life into me, when no other can? I love you , Noah and I can’t . . . there is no meaning to my life without you in it.”
She swallowed back the lump in her throat.
“It’s yes, Noah. I say yes, and I am accepting—no, I’m taking what you offered that day on the plane. What you’ve offered since that first night we were together. I offer myself to you in return, hoping that you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me—”
Then she was in his arms with his fingers pressed against her lips.
“There’s nothing to forgive, luv. I’ve made mistakes too. I should’ve realized from the discussion we had early on that love was an uncharted territory for you. I should’ve been more patient. I should’ve told you how I feel.”
“What do you feel, Noah,” she asked. “You never did say . . .”
He could hear the plea in her voice. It was the little girl in her that needed the assurance.
He palmed her cheeks and kissed her lips with soft, tender kisses that made her crave more.
“You have no idea how devastated I was when you threw what I freely offered, back at me. But now, I understand. You’ll never be alone again, luv.”
Another soft kiss.
“You have become the reason I smile when I open my eyes in the morning. Maybe I waited too long, but I wanted to give you time. I planned on asking you to move in with me last weekend. I want you with me. Every morning I wake up, I want to find you in my
arms. Your warm, sensual body and your breath upon my lips as I kiss you awake.”
This time the kiss was deep and passionate, and she felt the love he bestowed upon her with his tender touch.
“I love you, Alexis Moore, so very much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I have been having visions of little redheaded boys and girls running around the lodge.”
Alexis blushed, and then paled.
Noah brushed his fingers over her cheeks. “No, luv, I don’t believe for one minute you will be like your parents. Our children will be the luckiest kids on earth. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because, not only will they have the most wonderful mother, they will also have love of both their parents. You have more love inside you to give than you realize, Alexis.”
“Will you teach me, Noah? Show me the way to true happiness?”
“Ah, my love, you’re the one who has taught me so much in the short time. I’m not perfect, but I’ll follow you into hell if that’s what it takes to keep you safe. I’ll be your protector, as you are mine. Always trust in me and my heart, as I do yours and together we’ll ride through every storm, facing every challenge the new dawn may bring. We’ll do this together, luv. You and me, meshed as one.”
“Hmm,” she said with a slow, sexy smile curving her lips. “Talking about meshing as one . . .”
Noah grinned at her and sat down in the large wingback chair in front of the window. He unzipped his pants and stroked his cock which was already at half-mast. He patted his legs.
“Come here, luv.”
She eagerly did as ordered; her eyes were held captive by the glowing heat in his eyes. He pulled her closer and gently kissed her belly. She quivered under his wicked lips.
“Turn around, Alexis.”
Alexis had no defenses against the deep dominant vibration of his voice. She didn’t protest when he removed her dress and dragged her panties down her legs. She cried out when two hard slaps cracked against her butt cheeks. She clutched her burning cheeks and glared at him over her shoulder.
“What was that for?”
“For taking so long to figure out that you loved me,” he said with a teasing smile but the heat in his eyes ignited her loins. He stood up and undressed in record time, taking a seat in the chair once again.
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