Winter

by Michelle Love

  But I’m completely attainable!

  The movie’s over and this is my chance. I turn to her and take her hand in mine. “Did you have fun today, Lexi?”

  “I did,” she says as she leans her head on my shoulder. “I’m tired. You wanna show me to my bedroom?”

  I want to show her to my bedroom!

  I get up and pull her up with me, not letting her hand go. We get to the stairs and I gesture for her to walk in front of me but she looks at me and shakes her head.

  “No sir, we walk together, you’re not going to watch me climb stairs again.”

  I snap my fingers and smile as I take each step with her. The long hallway I lead her down and go to the bedroom across the hall from mine.

  “Here we are, Lexi.”

  This is it, my last chance.

  I turn her back to the door and place my hand behind her neck, making her face tilt up to mine. “Lexi, can I be your first kiss?”

  Her hands move up to my chest, holding me back.

  “Max, I’m not someone who takes things lightly. Who I give myself to is important to me.”

  “What if I told you I want us to start seeing each other? I find you fascinating and want to get to know you better. Don’t you like me too?”

  The blue of her eyes sparkles. “Sure I like you, but, Max, we just met.”

  “I already know you better than any one of the girls I’ve dated. You’ve probably let me in more than you have any other man.” I run my finger over her lips and they quiver. “Let me be your first kiss and let’s see where that leads us, please.”

  “You’re out of my league, Max. Besides, I’m no party girl.” A tear glistens at the edge of her eye.

  I kiss the corner of her eye. “I’m tired of party girls. I want to settle down and you fit in perfectly with that. You and I are a great match. So, what do you say to giving it a shot?”

  “Max, please, I’m not ready.”

  I lean in and whisper, “You are, Lexi.” Then place my lips on her neck. She takes a deep breath as I glide my lips across her cheek and stop before I touch her lips with mine. “Please say yes, Lexi.”

  Her hands run up my arms and she slips her arms around my neck, then says, “Yes.”

  Thank you!

  As our lips touch explosions occur throughout my entire body. A long piece of her hair I wrap my hand around and pull back so her mouth opens beneath mine. Sending my tongue past her soft lips I taste the sweetness of her mouth. Her body loses all the tension it had carried, and she leans into me, her breasts press against my chest. Our hearts pound in unison. I want to scoop her up and take her to my bed, but I realize I can’t. I manage to pull my mouth from hers though it takes everything in me to do it. My forehead rests on hers as our ragged breaths mingle between our now very hot bodies. I’m certain I’ve found her, the mother of my children, and the other part of me.

  Alexis

  As I lay in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in my mind spins out of control. Max kissed me! It was like nothing like I had ever imagined. I wanted the kiss to go on forever. Something aches in my lower regions and leaves me feeling like I need more from him, but I can’t go that far with him, not ever.

  I wonder if everyone’s body burns as if it’s on fire when they kiss.

  He wants to start dating. I know I’m not what he deserves though and I have to disappear before I really fall for him.

  Part 2 Secrets of Attraction

  Alexis

  Thunder rumbles in the distance as I walk the three dogs that I walk each day. Large, dark clouds are moving in and I begin to make my way back to the van that I had bought to help me in a new career as a dog walker and mobile pet groomer.

  Six months have passed since I kissed Max Lane, and while I found that I really liked him, I’ll never be enough for him. He blew up my phone and camped out by my front door for about a month as I hid from him.

  A Mickey Mouse set of scrubs I’m wearing as I make my way back to the van to hopefully get the dogs loaded up before the rain begins. Two of the dogs are large, one a Great Dane, the other a Doberman. The third is a tiny Shih Tzu, named Feisty. A deafening clap of thunder sends the dogs pulling in three different directions at once. I struggle to hang onto all the leashes, but the Great Dane gets free and bolts away, going the opposite direction.

  “Diggity dang dog, get back here!” I yell out to the dog, but it runs like its tail’s on fire. As I grab up the small dog, I pull the Doberman along with me and run to secure the animals in the van. I take off after the big dog who’s quickly fading from my sight.

  The tail end of the dog is all I see as the black and white behemoth disappears around the corner of the building which houses the restrooms.

  I come around the corner at full speed and run into a large broad chest. A white shirt is all I see as I hear a man’s voice say, “Whoa there. Did you lose this monster?”

  I glance down to find him holding the purple leash which had slipped from my hand. The Great Dane sits on her haunches next to his long legs.

  “Sorry,” I say as I back away from him.

  My heart stops beating.

  It’s him!

  “Max!”

  His arms go around me instantly, and he whispers, “Lexi, my God! It’s really you.”

  The world tilts as his warm breath hits my neck. My body melts into his, and I never want him to let me go. But a voice comes from behind him, making him unwrap his arms, and he takes a step back, leaving me breathless. “Max, who’s this, darling?” a tall blonde woman with too much make-up on asks as she places her hand on his shoulder.

  “An old friend,” he answers as he keeps his eyes on mine. “How’ve you been?”

  “I, uh, you know, umm, I guess fine is the word I’m looking for.”

  Max laughs. “Missed that stammering you’re so good at.”

  My entire body aches to go back into his arms and go back to that night and that kiss. It seems my heart is already breaking, so I say, “I need to get back to the other dogs, so can you give me the leash?”

  His hand brushes mine in the exchange and my body tingles. I peek up to find him licking his lips.

  “Lexi, let me walk you to your bike.”

  “I have a van now. I’m in the dog walking and grooming business. Thanks for offering though.”

  I pull at the dog and turn away from Max. After only a few steps his hand catches my wrist, stopping my hasty retreat.

  “Lexi, please answer when I call,” he whispers. Then out loud he says, “It was nice to see you. Don’t be a stranger.”

  I turn back to him, and a lump forms in my throat. I give him a nod and a smile covers his handsome face. With a quick turn, I walk away as tears blur my vision. My heart races as I think about how hard it is to see him again, and how hard it will be to get him out of my mind again.

  Max

  Lightning crisscrosses the dark sky as I drive Ashley to her hotel.

  “Are you taking me back to the room?”

  “I have to get to work very early in the morning and need to get to sleep early tonight.”

  Disappointment fills her face, and she says, “Why can’t I stay the night at your place?”

  A deep breath I take.

  “You’ll distract me too much.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Ashely is great on paper as the dating website matched us up, but the truth is I don’t have a connection with her like I do with Lexi. Now that Lexi said she’ll answer my calls, I’m not about to let her get away again.

  I pull up to the front of the massive hotel and glance at Ashely.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “You aren’t even walking me up?”

  “Do you need me to?” I ask as the doorman comes and opens the door, reaching in to help her out. “He’ll be sure you get to your room safely.”

  “Fine, Max,” she huffs as she gets out of the car, then turns back. “I hope you have this business taken care of by tomorrow aft
ernoon so you can pay some attention to me for a change.” She slams the car door and walks away.

  For a change? Really! I’ve been with her non-stop for three days and she has the audacity to say that. Why do I keep picking entitled, needy bitches?

  I glance at the clock on the dashboard and find it to be only eight o’clock. I type Lexi’s address into the GPS and start for her house. Tomorrow will not be soon enough. She said she’d answer the phone for me, so hopefully she’ll answer her door.

  Alexis

  The shower is warm as water runs over my tired body. I’m unsure if I’m so wiped out from chasing the Great Dane or running into Max. His touch took a lot out of me. The woman he was with looked like she had a hold on him she’d not soon let go of. He’s moved on, and it bothers me more than I ever thought it would.

  I get out of the shower and dry off then put on Max’s T-shirt I ran off in when I ran away from his mansion that morning. In the beginning, I wore it often to sleep in. It gave me such nice dreams, but after a while it just hurt too much and I put it away in the back of my nightgown drawer. The lacey panties he bought me to go with the expensive dress which I left at his place I put on as well.

  Yeah I get it I’m a weirdo! Hasn’t that been established?

  The spark he’d incited in me with his kiss has been renewed and I want to revel in the memory if only for a little while. I make my way down the short hallway to the living room, humming as I go. The television I turn to the music channel and dance to the kitchen where I pour myself a glass of wine. Both the glass and the bottle I take back with me to the living room. I flop down on the sofa, then grab the book I’ve been reading off the coffee table, taking a long sip before I begin to read.

  A knock comes on my door, and I sit up, nearly spilling the drink. “Now who could that be at this time of night?” I glance at the clock on the wall. “Oh! It’s only a little after eight. Bet it’s old Mrs. Bouchard, needing sugar, or trash bags, or laundry soap. The woman never has anything and does her housework at night. Crazy old bat.”

  Without asking who it is, I open the door to find Max standing there with a six pack of beer and a gallon of my favorite ice cream.

  “Didn’t know which one you were up for, so I brought both,” he says as he walks into my apartment.

  Max puts the ice cream in the freezer and the beer in the fridge as I close and lock the door in stunned silence.

  “I see wine on the table,” he says and grabs a wine glass out of the cabinet before he goes over and sits on the sofa. He fills the glass with wine then pats the place next to him.

  “Come sit with me. Let’s catch up.”

  My words dripping with sarcasm, I say, “Please make yourself at home.” I sit down, leaving plenty of room between us.

  Max gives me his million dollar smile and says, “Thank you, Lexi. Now tell me how you got into the dog walking business, and how that’s going for you.”

  I take a long drink from my wine glass and refill it to the very top.

  “I wanted to make a change, so I did.”

  Max watches me pick up the glass and take another long drink. He reaches up after I’m done and takes the glass from my hand, setting it further away from me. He looks back at me and asks, “Nervous?”

  “Thirsty,” I answer as I sit back. “Who’s the woman you were with at the park?”

  The grin which comes over Max’s face gives me a clue he’s happy I asked. He leans in.

  “Tell me, Lexi, are you wearing your contacts. Can you see me?”

  “I have them on, I can see you just fine, Max. So who was she?”

  “That’s my shirt you have on,” he says as he plays with the hem, his hand brushes my thigh. “Do you wear it often?”

  I pull at the bottom, trying to cover more of my exposed legs.

  “No, it’s been months. I didn’t realize I was having company. Are you going to answer me or not?”

  Only one side of his lips raise in a crooked smile.

  “What do you care who she is?”

  I lean up and grab the glass again, taking another long drink before I place it back on the table and answer, “I guess I don’t. You can see whoever you want to Max. Why you keep choosing the same type I don’t understand, but it’s not my business anyway.”

  Max takes a drink of his wine and puts it down.

  “I may ask her to marry me.”

  My mouth drops open and I jump up and begin pacing back and forth. “Why?” I ask as I throw my arms in the air. “Why do you want to do that? I realize I don’t know her, and she didn’t say anything mean to me like that last girl, but she’s so, so… Well you get what I’m saying.”

  He laughs. “There’s that stammer I love so much.”

  I glare at him.

  “Tell me why you’re in such a rush to get married?”

  “Three days after you snuck out on me I turned thirty years old,” he says as he pats the place next to him, beckoning me to sit. I comply, but not as closely as he directed.

  “Guess who I spent my birthday with, Lexi.”

  “I have no idea. Probably a bunch of models.”

  “Hilda, James, and the guy who cuts the grass.”

  I drop my eyes as my heart aches. “No one else?”

  “No one else, Lex.” His hand moves over mine. “I wanted you to be there. It’s all I wished for the whole day. I called and texted and begged you to come, if only as a friend, but you ignored me.”

  Tears well up in my eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, Max. I never thought I was hurting you.”

  “Of course it hurt, Lexi.” His hand runs up my arm and around my shoulders as he pulls me to him. I lay my head on his broad chest. His lips touch the top of my head. “Why would you think your leaving without any reason why, wouldn’t hurt me?”

  “I’m nobody. A nerdy girl with no real future. I’m not anywhere near good enough for you,” I say then find my hand on his tight stomach. “You’re rich, built like a steal cage, and gorgeous, not to mention brilliant.”

  He tightens his arm, hugging me closer.

  “You’re not a nerdy girl with no future. I think you’re courageous. It seems you’re quite the entrepreneur, doing the whole freelance accountant thing, which I still need if you care to help an old friend out, then starting your own pet thing.”

  “How come you’re so nice to me?” I ask, as I run my hand over his abs.

  “Why wouldn’t I be? I find you gorgeous and funny as well as interesting.” His hand runs through my hair. “I’m tired of being alone. I want to start a family. Ashely wants similar things in life. Unfortunately, she’s not ready to start a family. I think I might be able to talk her into it within a year or so though.”

  “Do you love her?”

  His silence answers my question. He finally says, “Love isn’t everything I suppose. The website I went to matched her and me up and we are kind of compatible. She won’t play in the swimming pool with me, or ride in my helicopter, but she likes to shop and I don’t mind that.”

  With his words I pull away from him. “Really? You have got to be kidding me!” I take him by his shoulders, shaking him. “Wake up dude! She’s not the one for you. You can’t ask her to marry you. Gee whiz, she might say yes and make the rest of your life miserable.”

  Slowly he moves closer until his face is inches from mine. “Give me a reason not to, Lexi.”

  “What are you saying, Max?”

  “It’s you I want. With the snap of your fingers she’ll be gone.”

  “You don’t really want that, do you?”

  He nods and takes a strand of my hair in his hand, twisting it around until my face tilts up to his. “I want you, Lexi. I only want you.”

  The warmth of his breath so close to my lips makes mine part and breathe him in. “Max.”

  “Say it, Lexi,” his tone stern. “Tell me what you want.” He pulls my hair hard and brings his lips even closer. My arms go around him, but he keeps his lips just ou
t of reach.

  “I want you, Max.” I breathe out and find his lips on mine, sending me to the place I’ve dreamt of going to again. In an instant my back is on the sofa as he crushes my body under his. His tongue thrusts through my parted lips and he searches every part of my mouth as I groan into his. His hands slip under my T-shirt and find my naked breasts which he cups in his hands, squeezing and pinching my nipples. His mouth is hard on mine, and I tangle my hands into his dark, wavy hair.

  One hand he moves to my bottom, gripping it. He moves the other one down to grip the other cheek and picks me up as he stands, making me wrap my legs around him. He pulls his mouth from mine and says, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this.”

  His forehead rests on mine.

  “Max, I have no protection, we can’t… uh, you know, ummm.”

  “There you go with that sexy stammering again. You’re making me crazy with it. If we have to slow down, you’ll need to quit talking or I won’t be able to control myself.”

  “I’ll shut up then ‘cause we have to slow way down.”

  “Lexi, I’m clean. I always use a condom, and you’re a virgin so we can do this without protection, baby.” His hands grip my rear end as he takes a step towards my bedroom.

  “I trust you, but there’s more than one reason to use protection, Max.”

  “The other reason doesn’t matter to me. I want the other reason, Lexi.”

  His words stop me, and I drop my legs to the floor.

  “Stop!”

  I push against his chest but he refuses to let me go.

  “Why?”