by Tina Holland
“Well, you want information from me, don’t know me well, it’s similar.”
“You’re not a spy.”
“I kut pretend to be vun meester Stone.”
Jake chuckled when Lexi faked a Russian accent, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Oh,” Lexi looked down at her feet, as if finding them fascinating, “I didn’t think you might…not—” she stammered, “um…well that is to say…never mind.”
Jake stared at her, mystified but wanting her nonetheless. “Lexi, what are you trying to say? Just spit it out.”
“I didn’t realize you weren’t attracted to me!” A look of embarrassment passed over her face.
Jake enveloped her in his arms and lowered his lips to her own. He inhaled. Her perfume reminded him of flowers on a beach. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip beckoning her to open to him. When she did, Jake delved into her mouth letting his tongue mingle with hers. His arms massaged her shoulders as he lowered her back onto the sofa.
Lexi moaned. Damn! Jake was a good kisser. She inhaled his masculine aroma as his weight fell over her. Lexi adjusted her legs and he nestled between them. She felt the hard bulge in his pants. Attraction wasn’t the problem. Jake deepened the kiss and Lexi arched up against him.
Jake’s hands pushed her hips back into the couch, “Wait.” His voice was husky against her swollen lips, “I need to touch you.”
He ran his left hand up her side until it found the curve of her breast. A restrained gasp escaped her throat.
“Lexi.” His russet eyes bore into hers, “I find you very attractive.”
Lexi twined her hands around his neck. “Jake,” she whispered. “I find you very attractive.” She arched back up against his erection.
Jake claimed her lips again as he cupped her leather-clad breast.
Lexi whimpered.
Jake molested her nipple through the leather, causing it to peak.
“Oh Jake.” Her breast ached, yet she didn’t want him to stop.
“Do you like that?” He paused as if unsure what she needed.
“What do you think? Continue…please,” she implored.
Jake rolled the leather material around her sensitive bud between his thumb and forefinger. His right hand held her face as he traced a fingertip along her jaw line. He grasped her head and rolled, placing himself beneath her.
It was a fancy trick, Lexi commented, “Damn Jake, you’ve got the moves of a ladies man. Killer will be easy to write.”
He blushed at her comment. Lexi leaned down kissing him to soften the blow. He removed his hand from her breast to place both hands around her neck. His tender fingertips pressed at the back of her neck and worked their way down her shoulders and arms as if she were a piano.
Lexi’s hands feathered over his cotton-clad chest. She toyed with the idea of unbuttoning the shirt to see what lay underneath.
When Jake pressed her hips down against his rock-hard masculinity, she sighed. Lexi moved her hips in rhythm, meeting his dry thrusts.
“Lexi, sit up, please.”
Lexi possessed no desire to leave the cocoon they formed. She lifted her eyes toward his face questioning, even as she did his bidding.
“We need to get naked.”
His words hit Lexi like a douse of cold water. The reality of how far she’d let him go was unnerving and made Lexi wary. She’d managed to let this “kiss” experiment get out of hand. Now she’d have to cool the chemistry down, and fast, “Jake, I can’t.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.” Lexi found it difficult to rise off the Adonis-like Jake, but did it nonetheless. “I never meant to let it get this far and it’s just that…”
He glared at her with golden eyes of fortitude.
“Don’t look at me like that! I didn’t mean to get you all hot and bothered.” She defended herself.
His face relaxed a little, “Look, I’m frustrated. I was the only interested party.”
“Interested party! I’d hate to correct you, Mr. Stone, but my erect nipples and damp panties beg to differ.”
Jake smiled.
“If you gloat I’ll throw something at you.”
His smile grew wider.
“Ugh!” She stalked off down the hall.
“Where are you going?”
She turned on her heel to find him right behind her. “Where’s your bathroom?”
“Next left.”
Lexi found the door with no trouble and closed it behind her. She needed to collect her thoughts and herself. She took note of her appearance in the full-length mirror, behind the bathroom door. Her brown hair was tousled and her skirt was askew. Her ruby red lipstick was long gone, replaced by the swollen glow of kissing. Lexi straightened up her clothes, washed her hands and passed her fingers through her tresses trying to calm the strands. She took another assessment placing her hands on the knob but jumped back at the loud knock on the bathroom door.
“Lexi, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
“Okay.”
She leaned her ear up against the door listening for retreating footsteps. She heard nothing. Lexi braced herself and wasn’t surprised to see Jake standing right outside. “I need to leave.”
“I didn’t mean to—” Jake started.
“Jake, don’t! This is a mess of my own making and nothing a cold shower won’t fix.”
“For me or you?”
“Both.” She smiled at him. “I meant it to be just a kiss. I didn’t intend more.”
“Why can’t it?”
“What do you mean?” her curiosity overwhelmed the good sense she possessed to keep her mouth shut.
“Why can’t we experiment beyond the kissing?”
“For your book?”
“Yes.”
Lexi leaned against the door jam and sighed. It was her idea, but to have her own words thrown back sounded clinical. It wasn’t like she wanted Jake Stone to profess undying love; it was just…well, complicated. Uncomplicate things, a little voice whispered.
“Jake, I think we need a few rules.”
Jake rolled his dark eyes at her.
“What was that for?”
“Rules just make matters worse.”
“Rules make sure no one gets hurt,” she responded defensively.
“Like you.”
“You too.” Why was he fighting her on this?
“Okay, let’s hear these rules.”
Jake didn’t want to listen to a set of laws. He wanted to kiss Lexi more, run his hands through her locks and maybe, just maybe, get her undressed. His cock twitched in his khakis.
“Rule number one—one step at a time.”
“What does that mean?” Jake didn’t recall skipping a step.
“It means we make a plan to experiment on whatever and then it stops. No deviation from the plan.”
“I think that’s a stupid rule.” No nookie tonight, Jake shook his head with regret.
“Why?” Lexi tapped her boot on the floor.
“Because that’s not realistic, and it doesn’t help me.”
“Or your libido,” she muttered.
“No, I mean, in order to understand everything I need to experience everything.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Lexi, I’d never make you do anything you didn’t want to. We stopped just now didn’t we?”
She had the good grace to blush.
God, his pants were tight. “Lord knows I’d like it to go a lot further, but you always have the right to say no.”
Her green eyes peeked up at him through her bangs. “Each individual has the right to say no. Sound fair?”
“I can’t imagine saying no to anything if you bring it.”
“You never know. I might push outside your comfort zone.”
Jake found her hard to believe, but he didn’t press her. Jake sought what Lexi brought to the table. She was smart, funny and sexy as all hell.
<
br /> “Okay, we agree on the first rule.”
“Yep.” Her policy-making was painless.
“The second rule. Do you want to make the second one?”
Jake thought for a moment and inspiration struck. “Research shouldn’t be limited to the bedroom.”
“What do you mean? You want to have sex on the dining room table?”
He laughed. “No, but I like your idea better. I mean I find inspiration for stuff at the weirdest locations, art galleries, museums, that sort of thing.”
“Are we talking voyeurism here?”
“Lexi, I love how your mind goes to the gutter, but no, I’d like to spend time with you. It might help me with Killer’s growth. I’d like to bounce plots and ideas off you. I’d like you to contribute more than sex to my book.”
“Oh.” She seemed puzzled.
“Okay?” Jake was unsure how to gauge her reaction.
“Yeah, it’s an okay rule. I have just two more.”
“Which are?”
“We should be discreet.”
“What the hell difference does that make?”
“Jake, if I go out with you at some point someone will recognize one of us.”
“What is your point?”
“Don’t your readers have inquiring minds?”
“The majority of my readers don’t know where I live except I’m from the Midwest, and unless they’ve attended a book signing they’d have no idea what I look like.”
“I knew.”
“Because of Mark.”
“Because I researched you. Be warned, the local bookstores know what you look like. The Killer series is picking up steam and everyone wants access to the home town boy made good.”
Jake was flattered Lexi thought well of him, “What about you? I hear you’re ‘flying off the shelves’ as Mark pointed out.”
“That’s a different story. Because of what I write, I’m like the redheaded stepchild. Besides, being a military brat born in Lexington, Kentucky doesn’t help me much. I have no doubt every town I set foot in would claim me if I wrote mainstream or the next break out novel.”
“Your dad was in the military?”
“Yep. Colonel Andrews retired about ten years ago, although he still has his security clearance.”
“Colonel. Wow. Lexi, you might be more help than I thought.” Jake’s head rolled with questions he could ask a retired Colonel.
“How?”
“Well, I’d love to meet your dad, get some real insight into the military equipment, that sort of thing.” He leaned forward.
“Whoa! Back up the train, you are not meeting the Colonel.” Lexi held up her hands.
“Why not?”
“You just aren’t.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Should we add ‘no meeting parents’ as a rule?” He grinned as an outline of exasperation crossed her face.
“I believe that’s covered under being discreet.” Her emerald eyes flashed.
“And the last rule?”
“Since we’ll be spending a lot of time together, if either of us feels there is emotional involvement, the experiment is over.”
“Um, okay.”
“What?” she asked pointedly.
“I think you’re putting the cart before the horse here.”
“I don’t think so, but feel free to disagree.”
“It’s fine.” Jeez, why did she get serious on him?
“I think that’s enough for tonight, Jake.”
“Are you sure?” He leaned in hoping to kiss Lexi once more.
He got his wish; she tilted her head and let his lips caress hers. She ran her tongue over his lips before lifting her head, “Good night, Jake.”
“Lexi.”
“Bye.” She grabbed her purse and dashed out of his apartment.
By the time he’d gotten down to the street, Lexi was gone. “Call me! I want you to make it home safe!” Jake shouted into the night.
Chapter Three
Lexi no sooner set her keys on the hook inside her door when the phone rang like a beacon. She dashed to the small table by her sofa. “Jake, I’m home and fine. Put your cock back to bed.”
“Baby, my cock is fine but maybe I’ll let him stay up for a bit. Shoot, you sure know how to get a guy’s boxers tight don’tcha?” Buck Caulfield drawled on the other end of the line.
Lexi didn’t contain her sigh of provocation, “Buck Caulfield! You got some nerve callin’ here this damn late.”
Lexi and Buck met when the Colonel was stationed outside Houston. Buck’s mom, Abigail, died a few months after the Andrews family moved. Lexi’s own mother doted on Abigail’s three orphaned sons, Buck, Dallas and Austin.
“I miss you darlin’.”
“That may well be but, sheesh, it’s like, one A-M.” It was hard to stay mad at a cowboy as smooth as Buck.
“I know, same time zone, sweetie.”
Lexi pictured the six-foot cowboy crossing his long legs and leaning back in a chair.
“Don’t pull that Texas good old boy shit on me.” She was irked, as usual when he was calm.
“That’s hardly fair Lex, I’m Texan and you know I’m a good boy,”
“Ugh!” Lexi didn’t argue with him. He’d always been good to her. Well except for the time she caught him with cheerleader, Susan Smith, and Buck had looked up ever so casual and said, ‘Lexi-girl, I think we’re broke up.’
“Who’s Jake?” Buck’s voice cut into her memories.
“None of your damn business.” Crap! She forgot Jake’s name was mentioned.
“I’m makin’ it my business.” She recognized that curious tone.
“A friend of mine.”
“Sounds like more than a friend if you know his anatomy should be in bed.”
“What do you want, Buck?” Lexi pushed his questions off.
“I’m comin’ for a visit.”
“When?” Lexi stilled the panic in her voice.
“Getting on the plane in a couple hours.”
“The hell you are.”
“I love how you get that southern drawl when you’re all upset.”
Lexi imagined him grinning, “Why?”
“I thought I’d stop in, see the Colonel and maybe ask for your hand.”
“Whatever.” A week after the Susan Smith incident Dallas ratted Buck out to the Colonel, who, promptly told Buck to start running while he loaded a shotgun. Buzz Caulfield had called asking why his boy’s ass was peppered full of pellets. When the Colonel told him, Buzz simply yelled, ‘Boy, you better start running again.’ Buck healed up after about a week and came knocking and asking for Lexi’s hand. The Colonel slammed the door and told him unless he acquired a taste for ‘Buckshot’, he’d better not come back around.
“Somebody needs to make an honorable woman out of you. It’s obvious you’re starved for male attention, writing girl-porn.”
“Get Fucked, Buck!” He knew better than to make fun of her writing, “Them are fightin’ words.”
Buck laughed in guffaws.
“Why do you insist on making more between us than there is, Buck?” Lexi no longer wondered why she put up with the cowboy’s antics. She did it because he was her friend.
“Because, woman, you gave yourself to me!” He spoke as if it was the answer and solved everything.
“Because, man, I’d, like, known you all my ‘effin life and figured if anybody should have my cherry it should be a Good Ole’ Texan like yourself.” It was a true statement. Her heart was no longer involved with the cowboy even if her libido was from time to time.
“Shoot Lexi-girl, how can a man resist when you get to talkin’ sweet?”
“Well you come and say ‘hi’ to the Colonel. He ain’t too fond of you anyway.” The marriage proposition seemed an on-going ritual between the Colonel and Buck. Although it was nowhere near as serious. Firearms were no longer involved.
“Pa’s got me meeting with his broker up there.” His tone switched from
playful to serious.
“Oh.” Her breath came out in a whoosh of relief.
“Aww Lexi-girl, I was just playin’ you. I do want to meet this Jake who has your knickers knotted up though. Gotta run baby, we’re loadin’.”
Lexi sighed as the phone clicked. She did not need Buck coming into her life and mixing her all up. He was sexy, wild and damn unreliable. Not like Jake. Whoa Girl! Where did that come from? It scared her more than a little. Lexi didn’t need reliable. If she did, Jake fit the bill. He was attractive, smart and her knickers were knotted up thinking about him. When he mentioned museums and art galleries, Lexi sensed he enjoyed those places. And Buck, well, he went hoping it led the roundabout way to a girl’s bedroom.
Lexi gave in to temptation a few times and slept with the laid-back cowboy, but she was smart enough to realize nothing would ever come of it. Unlike Jake. Jake’s kisses were addictive. Lexi was positive the sex would be even better.
“Omigod.” She dialed Jake’s number.
“Hello.”
“Jake. Lexi. I’m home.”
“It’s been like an hour, everything okay?” He sounded sleepy
“Yeah. Sorry, a friend called, didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“I wasn’t sure you heard me shout down the street.”
“Oh, I heard you.” She smiled remembering his voice in the night.
“Lexi, you wan to hit the museum tomorrow?”
“That sounds okay, what time?”
“Maybe in the afternoon, we can have lunch together.”
“Okay. Should I meet you at your place around noon?”
“No, I’ll pick you up. Give me your address.”
Lexi gave him her address and told Jake she needed some sleep. After she hung up the phone, she went to work picking up paper explosions around her house. Next, she tackled the dusting and put some dishes in the dishwasher. She decided to put her feet up on the edge of the sofa, and grabbed the afghan her mother made for her last birthday while the dishes were washing, maybe a short cat nap…
* * * *
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
DING-DONG! DING-DONG!
“Lexi, are you in there!” A muffled voice came through her dreams. Lexi’s head screamed and she was damn uncomfortable, “Go away,” Who was at the door this late? Sounded like Jake, “Jake, Come back tomorrow!” She shouted back. Lexi rolled over. The sun blinded her. Oh, crap! Sunlight!