by Jenna Harte
“Why don’t you take my place, Chelsea? I’ll move next to Drake.” Mitch winked at Lexie.
Lexie gave her brother the evil eye.
“Thank you, Mitch.” Chelsea smiled.
“This is my employer’s grandson, Drake Carmichael. Drake, this is Chelsea Beemer.”
They exchanged hellos but were interrupted by Danny’s arrival with the beers. “You’ll never guess who had the nerve to show up.”
“Who?” Mitch took a beer from Danny.
Lexie followed Danny’s gaze. Bobby Lee Shafer and his pregnant wife were sitting at one of the picnic tables. There was a time when seeing Bobby Lee, particularly with his wife, Kelly, crushed Lexie’s spirit. Lexie and Bobby Lee had been college sweethearts and planned to marry until a few weeks before the wedding, when he slept with and impregnated Kelly. Nearly eight months later, Lexie determined she was lucky she hadn’t married Bobby Lee. After all, he was the cheating type.
“I don’t know why you didn’t shoot him when you had the chance,” Danny said to Mitch.
“I wanted to.”
“You two are nuts. I’m going to say hello.” Lexie wanted to prove to herself her heart was mended. Or if not to herself, then to the rest of the town that would be talking about the whole sordid business. She’d rather have them saying how strong she was and how she’d moved on instead of, “Poor ole Lexie McKenna. Bless her heart. Did you see Bobby Lee and Kelly flaunting their happiness in poor Lexie’s face?”
“What? Why?” Danny asked. “After what he did to you?”
“It’s done and past. And if Mitch is going to shoot all the jerks I’ve dated, he can start with you, Danny.” Lexie stood. “I’ll be right back.”
Lexie had only made it halfway when Drake caught up to her. He casually draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her next to him. Lexie stopped abruptly and looked at him, suspicious.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you.” His expression was bland, his words matter-of-fact.
Anger and embarrassment whirled together. “Did Danny and Mitch put you up to this?”
“Yes. They said something about how pathetic you’ll look without a sophisticated rich Yankee on your arm.”
“Well, at least they sent you and not Danny.”
“I think the idea was to make you look less pathetic.”
She laughed. “No kidding.” Then her eyes narrowed again. “Do I look pathetic to you?”
“Hell no. I’m in it to see what kind of dumb ass would leave you at the altar.”
“You see that woman next to him? The blonde one with long legs?”
“The big belly?”
“She’s pregnant. Anyway, she’s why he left me at the altar.”
Drake studied the woman then turned back to Lexie. “I don’t get it.”
Lexie studied him a moment, wondering if he was being sincere. He stared back at her and shrugged.
“You’re a charmer, Drake. I think I like having you around.”
He smiled back. “Well then, let’s go meet Bubba Lee.”
“It’s Bobby Lee.” She slipped her arm through his.
As she walked with Drake at her side, Lexie had to admit she liked the idea of giving the appearance she’d moved on and was doing well. She wasn’t really into games, but what harm would it do? Although she didn’t think Bobby Lee would care very much about seeing her with Drake, she was sure Kelly would. Kelly was all about looks, pedigree, and money, and Drake had those in spades.
“Bobby Lee?”
His eyes registered surprise. “Lex. Hey, hi.” He stood and moved to kiss her on the cheek, but Drake pulled Lexie tight. Bobby Lee opted to shake her hand instead.
“You remember Kelly, don’t you?”
“Yes. Hello, Kelly.”
“Hi, Lexie. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t get up. It’s so much work when you’re pregnant.” There was an undertone of gloating.
“Please, don’t get up. This is Drake Carmichael. Drake, this is Bobby Lee Shafer and his wife, Kelly.”
“Mr. Shafer.” Drake took Bobby Lee’s hand and gripped it tight enough that Bobby Lee flinched.
“Mr. Carmichael.” Bobby Lee pulled his hand away, rubbing it with his other hand. “Are you new to Charlotte Tavern?”
“I’m from New York, but I’m here visiting Lexie while I tour my family’s holdings.”
“Holdings?” Like a hound dog, Kelly’s interest piqued.
“Carmichael Corporation. We own retail centers—”
“Yes, how wonderful such a prominent businessman would come to our humble community event.” Kelly heaved herself up to stand.
Figures. It took all of Lexie’s will not to roll her eyes.
“So, how do you know our little Lexie here?” Kelly cooed.
Lexie and Drake looked at each other.
“We were introduced by my grandfather.”
Lexie smiled and nodded.
“He’s quite taken with her. Fortunately, he’s about sixty years too old for her. Otherwise, I may not have been so lucky. Isn’t that right, darling?”
Lexie nearly snorted. “I’m quite fond of him myself, but, well, no one can really compete with Drake here.”
Kelly gave Drake an appreciative once-over. “So you and Lexie …”
Lexie enjoyed the speculation in Bobby Lee and Kelly’s eyes, but she didn’t want to outright lie either. “I just wanted to say hello and congratulate you on the baby.”
“Thank you, Lexie.” Bobby Lee looked like he wanted to say more but decided against it.
“Shall we return to the others?” Drake pulled Lexie a little closer. She liked being close to him, and had to remind herself that this was just for show.
As they turned, Lexie could hear Kelly whispering, although she couldn’t make out what she was saying. But once Kelly spread the word, hopefully, no one would be feeling sorry for Lexie anymore.
Except, it wasn’t real. And when Drake was gone, the talk would start again, only it would be about how he’d left her and how could she think a man like him would be interested in her.
“I think our game backfired,” she muttered.
“What? Bobby Lee was cowering, and Kelly is thinking maybe she stole the wrong man from you. How can that backfire?”
“Never mind.”
“No.” He reached out to stop her. “Tell me.”
“It’s a personal thing, Drake. I appreciate your playing along. It was fun to see Kelly’s mind trying to figure out how someone like me could land someone like you.”
Drake frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“They think we’re an item. And when you go back to New York, they’ll gossip about how could I possibly think a man like you would want a girl like me. And they’re right. We’re so different. I’m sure you’ve never dated anyone like me. All your women were more like her, I’m sure.” Lexie nodded toward Kelly.
“Then how come every time you smile, I forget my name? And when you left to visit with ol’ Bubba, I got hard watching you walk across the lawn? In fact, I think you’ve already caused me permanent damage with the constant ache I have to endure when I’m around you.”
She wasn’t sure if the irritation in his voice had to do with his constant aroused state or that he’d shared more than he wanted. She decided to go with the former.
“There’s a cure for that.”
He studied her a moment, as if he was trying to decide the next move. “You’re the nurse. You going to cure me?”
“Do you want me to cure you?”
Drake leaned toward her. “I may die if you don’t.”
Chapter Twelve
“Tell me you live close to here.”
The eagerness in his voice echoed hers. She was ready to get to the main event now they’d decided to indulge their attraction. She glanced back toward Mitch and Chelsea, trying to decide if she should let them know she and Drake were leaving. Mitch’s expression was quizzical,
while Chelsea grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Could they tell what she and Drake were discussing?
She turned her attention back to Drake, who was still in her space with desire and need radiating off him in waves. Yep, her friends could probably tell what she and Drake had in mind. She should have been embarrassed, but her craving for Drake outweighed any thoughts of what others would think.
“I live at Oliver’s.”
“You don’t have a place of your own?”
“It seemed like a waste of money to rent a place when I live-in most days.”
“We can’t go back there.” Annoyance laced his tone.
Maybe this was the universe’s way of saying they shouldn’t sleep together. Too bad she didn’t put much stock in the universe actually giving her messages.
“There’s a hotel at the other end of the square. It’s fancy—”
“Sounds good.” Drake took her arm and led her in the direction she’d pointed. “I’d throw you over my shoulder, but I’d hate to make you riled and have you take me out.”
She laughed.
“Amazing how we speak the same language and yet I can’t understand half of what you say.”
Lexie struggled to keep up with Drake, who was practically dragging her down the street. Heat and desire emanated off him. Could he feel her excitement and anticipation? She’d never engaged in a one-night stand before, but it wasn’t because she was a prude. Until Drake, she hadn’t had the opportunity or the desire.
“Drake, this hotel, it’s not a by-the-hour kind of place—”
“That’s okay. I have a feeling we’ll need more than an hour anyway.”
“Oh.” A delicious thrill tingled through her body.
“Having second thoughts?” He glanced at her.
“No. I’ve just never done anything so…”
At her pause, he stopped. “You can’t have any doubt I want you. And I respect you, Lexie, but I can’t give you—”
“I know this is just a one-time thing. No promises. Just sex.”
Drake studied her, for what she wasn’t sure. “You deserve more than that. More than Bobby Lee. More than me.”
His words were a gift. No man had ever said anything to her suggesting she had value beyond being a good southern woman. But she didn’t want to be good. She wanted to know what it felt like to have a man like Drake touch her. She wanted to touch him back, letting her imagination guide her to do all the things she could with his tall, strong body.
“I’m not a little southern belle. I want you. I want to use you.” She waggled her brows suggestively and grinned.
“One night.” His eyes pierced hers intently, as if he wanted to make sure she understood his position.
“One night.”
He grabbed her hand and dragged her up the street. When they passed a drugstore, he pulled her in.
“Good thinking.” Lexie eyed the box of condoms he tossed on the counter, along with a twenty dollar bill. Fortunately, the sales clerk wasn’t someone she knew, or more importantly, didn’t know her. She glanced around the store, but it was empty of customers. Not that having someone she knew see her with Drake buying condoms would change her mind. She wasn’t even sure she’d be embarrassed. Drake was a potent man. He had everything a woman could desire: money, looks, and sex appeal. Lexie might brag after tonight.
At the end of the transaction, he grabbed the plastic bag the woman placed the condoms in and, with his other hand, took Lexie by the arm, hurrying her out the door.
In the hotel, Drake rented a room and, with his hand on her elbow, led her to the elevator. When the elevator doors closed, he grabbed her around the waist, picking her up and pressing her against the cool wall of the elevator. Without word or warning, his lips were on hers. She thrilled at his loss of control, letting out a moan and threading her fingers through his hair. His kiss was hard and desperate, or maybe it was hers.
“This isn’t a good idea.” His teeth nipped at her ear.
“You’re probably right.”
“But we’ll do it anyway.”
“God, I hope so.” She wrapped her legs around him and squeezed.
“Lexie,” he groaned.
“Stop talking.” She grabbed his ears and crushed her lips against his.
He responded by grinding his groin against her.
“Oh, lordy.”
“What is it about you?” he breathed harshly against her ear.
“Quick wit?” Her words came out in a gasp as Drake’s fingers brushed her aching nipple. The elevator jerked to a stop, and the doors opened. She was dazed, but Drake took command, putting her down, grabbing her hand, and pulling her toward their room. He fumbled with the key card, unlocking the door. They stumbled through the door and, before it closed, his hands were pulling her shirt over her head.
“You’re not going to stop this time, are you?” Her ego wouldn’t survive another rejection from him. If he was going to change his mind, he’d better do it now.
“The only thing that can stop me now is if you say no. I’ll do anything you ask as long as you don’t say no.”
“Then hurry.” She was breathless as she worked to get his shirt off. “You’re too tall.” He let go of her long enough to yank his shirt over his head. Shirts, pants, and shoes left a trail in their wake as they moved toward the bed. Drake picked her up and tumbled with her onto the mattress.
He recaptured her lips, his kiss urgent and demanding as he slid one hand down her body. His head jerked up as his hand reached her abdomen. “What’s that?”
Lexie looked at her belly and then to him. “It’s a belly-button ring.” Had he never seen one before?
“Jesus, that’s sexy.”
“You’ve never been with a woman who’s had a belly-button ring?” Did rich, posh women not get body piercings?
“Let’s not talk about other women.” He slid down, using his tongue to trace her belly button. His mouth, wet and hot, devoured her. Drake wasn’t the first man to touch her, but he was the first who truly seemed to know what he was doing, and he wasn’t wasting time. His long fingers slid under her panties and found her equally as wet and hot as his mouth did delicious things along her thighs.
“How do you like to be touched?” Even as he asked, he slid one finger down through the folds between her thighs.
“That isn’t bad,” she managed.
He did it again, this time letting a single finger slide into her, up and forward, pushing her near the brink.
“Gawd.” She arched, her head thrown back while her body sought more from him.
“You like that.”
“Yes.”
He did it again, sliding in and up, forward and out, and the wave of tension built faster, higher than she’d ever experienced. She would’ve been embarrassed by how fast if thought was possible. She bit her lip, not wanting the pleasure to end so quickly.
“You’re not one to hold back, Lexie. Don’t start now.”
She lifted her head. He was watching her reaction to his touch. She was both embarrassed and turned on by it. He pressed into her again; the increased fullness and pressure let her know he’d added a finger.
Her head dropped back as his fingers moved in and out. Her hips took on a life of their own, moving with him, finding the right angle, the right rhythm. The pleasure built fast. His lips brushed against her thigh and his thumb pressed against that one exquisite spot at the V between her legs. That was all it took. Her climax hit like a freight train, slamming into her, hard and explosive
She gasped for breath, but he didn’t give her time to recover.
“Again!” He slipped his fingers inside again, but Lexie wasn’t so sure. Her world had already tilted on its axis. “Again, Lexie.” This time, his tongue laved over her swollen, sensitive flesh as his fingers slid deep inside, and her body responded again. Heat and pressure built, higher, higher.
“Drake.” She couldn’t catch her breath.
“Give it to me, Lexie.” His mouth came
down on her again, suckling on her most sensitive flesh as his fingers pierced her thick and deep, and sent her spiraling again.
And it still didn’t seem to be enough for him. “More!”
“Drake.” His name escaped on a gasp. She reached for him, her fingers running through then gripping his hair. “I want to touch you.”
At first, he resisted, but then he shifted off her and discarded his boxers. Lexie rolled to her side, catching her breath, and finally setting eyes on the body she’d fantasized about since he walked into Oliver’s home.
“Great day.” She grinned then laughed. A giddy, nervous laugh.
“It’s not good for a man’s ego to laugh when you see the goods.”
“I’m not laughing at the goods. I’m laughing because I’m delighted and thinking how good I’m going to get it.”
He looked at her, like he often did, with an expression of not knowing what to think. “Do you always talk like that?” And then he hissed as Lexie dragged a hand down over his abdomen and lower.
“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?” She kept her eyes on Drake’s goods, thickening, twitching, and bobbing as her hand teased his abs and thighs.
“No. I’ve just never met anyone who says exactly what’s on her mind.”
“Do you mind?” She leaned over and gently blew on the wet pearl sitting on the tip of his penis.
He let out a feral groan. “No.”
“Liar. You didn’t like it when we met.” She really wanted to wrap her lips around him.
“I don’t always like hearing what you have to say, but I appreciate knowing exactly what’s on your mind. I don’t have to guess with you.”
She licked her lips, anticipating being able to enjoy him, one touch, one taste at a time. Before she could start, he rolled her under him in one swift move.
She frowned. “I wasn’t done.”
“But I nearly was.”
“I didn’t even touch you.”
“You didn’t have to.”
She smiled, enjoying her newly discovered power.