He tilted forward, his mouth cruising over hers. An electric shock seemed to shoot through him, his body flinching and surging into hers. The taste of him sent her head spinning, her senses drowning in heat. His mouth was an arousing mix of hard and soft, moving against hers, coaxing her mouth to fit against his. For the first time in a long time, she wanted more. She heard Luciano groan hoarsely, but the blood rushing through her head dimmed the sound. She whimpered, one hand moving on its own to rest on his chest, brushing over a hardened nipple.
Luciano grunted at the contact, his mouth hot and exciting as he crushed her lips beneath his. He crowded her up against the refrigerator, his hands braced beside her head. Her eyes closed; bright flashes of light popping behind her lids. Dizzy with desire, her lips tingled everywhere Luciano’s touched hers. Liquid heat pooled between her legs, a soft cry slipping out when his blunt teeth nipped at her bottom lip, tugging it open. She spun out, spinning out of control.
She was sinking deep into the kiss when a loud cough sounded from the doorway. She pushed at Luciano, moving away from him. Smoothing a hand over her hair and releasing a shuttering breath, she looked over to see the deliverymen standing in the entrance, shuffling their feet. Flushing, she moved over to them.
“We’re uh, we’re finished with the furniture in the bedroom.” A portly, short man stepped forward and handed her a clipboard. His name tag read Tom. “We just need you to sign at the bottom.”
She took the clipboard, trying to steady her racing nerves, her signature a sloppy mess as she tried to calm her racing pulse. She walked the men out, handing over the clipboard and a tip. Closing the door behind them, she braced a hand on it, needing a moment to clear her head. She turned to find Luciano watching her, his thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his pants. She couldn’t tell from the look on his face what he was thinking and it was making her nervous.
“So, what time should I come to get you?” he asked, his voice curt.
She gave a brash smile, moving towards him. “Eight should be fine.”
He nodded, brushing past her and out the door, sending white hot flames of energy through her body. After he left, she found herself sitting on her couch, a hand pressed to her still rapidly beating heart.
~***~
At eight pm sharp, he rang her doorbell. He picked at a fleck of dust on his shoulder, fighting the nerves in his stomach. He looked up at the sound of her door opening, his breath whooshing out of him at the sight.
The deep cut neckline of the sexy, black empire-waist dress she had on cupped her generous breasts, emphasizing the rich, coffee crunch color of her cleavage. The high waist let the skirt flow out around her long legs in a soft bell shape. He stared, his mouth open slightly in awe. Her hair was loose, brushing her shoulder.
Alexina smiled, stepping out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. “Luc, you okay?”
Luc struggled to gather his composure, astounded at the sight of her. Now she wanted to use his nickname, when all he wanted to do was drag her back into her condo and take that dress off her and dive in, nice and slow. “Ah yeah. You look...wow!” What he really wanted to do was run his hands through her hair and drown himself in her mouth. Lava burned through his veins at the sultry smile she gave him.
She flicked the lapel of his pinstriped suit jacket, her fingers skimming over his chocolate brown tie. “You look good too.” She stepped past him towards the elevator.
At the sight of her exposed back as she walked by, his blood pressure spiked. Lord help him.
They pulled up in front of a two story building on the out skirts of Belton Lake, thirty minutes later. Luciano got out, walking around to Alexina’s side. The car ride had been quiet, with Alexina mostly staring out the window. He couldn’t figure her out. One moment she was a flirt, sending electric bolts of desire through his body and the next, she’d withdraw. He took her elbow, leading her towards a pair of sedately colored stained glass doors.
“Nice.” She remarked, her head tilted back to peer up at the building. “I never knew this place was here. What’s the name?”
“Tallulah Muesel’s.” He pulled open the door, ushering her inside.
“It’s a nice, out of the way place.” His hand came to rest on the small of her back, drawn there as if by a magnet. His fingers itched to smooth over the bare skin, feel it warm beneath his hand. He remembered the last time he’d felt this...needy for her. He’d taken her to his swim team dance and they’d made out all night. That memory had given him some very hot dreams and constant ribbing from his teammates. He wondered if she remembered that night.
He stepped up to the maitre’de; a thin, tall man seated at a large cherry wood desk. “Klein, party of two.” The man nodded, turning to a young man on his right. With a bow, he motioned for them to follow him.
“How did you find this place?” Alexina asked over her shoulder they wound through white linen covered tables, illuminated by swank candlelight. “It’s wonderful.” She breathed as she looked around.
Luciano thought back to the first time he’d been here. He’d brought Kelsie, before he’d known she was cheating on him. He remembered sitting across from her, wondering what the hell he was doing with her. That was also the night he’d gotten the call that Alexina’s husband had been killed.
He cleared his throat, “Uh...someone told me about it.”
They sat opposite each other, their table situated in front of a large plate glass window, overlooking Belton Lake. Alexina’s gaze scanned the water, her eyes contemplative as her menu lay abandoned in her hand. “I’d forgotten how beautiful the lake looks at night.” She sank back into the cushioned chair, a wistful smile playing at her lips.
Luciano placed their drink order, before letting his eyes rest on her profile. He watched her, wondering what was on her mind. She seemed so far away. “So, are you going to the reunion next Friday?”
“I hadn’t thought about it. I didn’t graduate with you, remember?” she kept her eyes on the small waves marring the otherwise smooth surface of the lake.
Yeah, he remembered. The memory of her last day evoked all kinds of emotions, ones he’d rather not dwell on now. “I figure you can escort me, if you ask nice.”
Alexina’s shoulders moved with amusement as she turned to look at him, her eyes bright with mirth. “Well, since you put it that way.” She chortled, taking a sip of her wine.
“So Luc, tell me what you do for a living?” She leaned forward, her eyes trained on his face.
He shifted closer, his hand coming to rest on hers. He noted the tremor that ran through it before she withdrew, a wobbly smile in place. He pretended not to notice. “I design cars. Mostly luxury models. I’m trying to design a hybrid hydrogen car that has the same torque as one of those gas guzzlers.”
“An Engineer...I always thought that of you. So smart...” She gave a laugh, her head tilted to the side as she looked at him and he had to fight back the urge to take a taste of the skin exposed. He felt only a little relieved when the waiter came back to take their orders. It was going to be a long evening.
Chapter Six
The delivery men placed the last of her furniture and Alexina nodded to herself, pleased at the arrangement. She took a quick glance at her watch; there was still time to get to the mall and find something to wear to the reunion in three days. She couldn’t believe she’d let Luc talk her into this. Wait, now she was calling him Luc? When had that happened? The time they’d spent together at dinner a few nights ago had done something to her emotions, stirring them up, bringing hidden desires to the surface. Her barriers were weaker now and it was getting hard to keep him out.
She was going to have to be extra diligent in keeping him at bay. He’d been sweet, charming, a gentlemen in the most annoying ways. At times, she’d felt like punching him for being so ‘nice’. Not that she wanted to make a move on her, but damn, he could have at least tried, let her know she was still attractive. She shook her head, exasperated with herself.
>
After seeing the movers out, she headed back to her room to get her purse and jacket. She opened the door, surprised to see Jaelyn her old classmate, in front of her, a hand mid-strike. She looked...bright in her poppy red tunic and black Capri’s.
“Hey, I was just about to knock.” She grinned, her cheeks dimpled. “You must be physic.”
Alexina stepped back, ushering the other woman in. She walked her to the new U-shaped, crème colored couch, sitting down beside her. “What can I do for you?” She found her gaze drawn to the other woman’s feet. She stifled a laugh. She was wearing platform flip-flops with a huge daisy on either foot. Her toenails were a bright orange.
“Isn’t it a great color?” Jaelyn wiggled her toes, a pleased look on her face.
Alexina smothered a laugh, “I...uh yes it is.”
Jaelyn waved the subject away. “I was coming to see what you were going to wear to the reunion.”
This time, Alexina did laugh. “I was just heading out to find something. Would you like to go?”
Jaelyn broke into a wide grin, obviously pleased. “Of course I would. I know just the place.” She jumped up and walked back to the door, looking around as she did so. She fingered a wooden mask on the wall by the door. “You did a great job decorating. I love the one chocolate brown wall.” She walked out, waiting for her in the hallway.
“Thanks.” Alexina wasn’t sure if it was a good thing Jaelyn like her style or not. She let it go, locking the door behind her as they headed towards the elevator.
~***~
The stars twinkling in the dark sky were the only lights she had by the time she made it home. Limping to her couch, she lowered herself into it, her movement ginger and slow. She thought she had energy, but she had nothing on Jaelyn. The woman seemed to never stop, knowing everyone and every place. She had taken Alexina to every store in the mall and out, hitting little shops in downtown Killeen she’d never known about. Even after they’d found the perfect outfit, Jaelyn had still wanted to shop. It had been a great time and she had met some interesting people in the process, like the old man who made statues from old license plates.
She tried to think back to the last time she’d had such a good time, but she couldn’t. It had been too long since she’d hung out with any woman other than family. After her mother had died, she’d closed that part of her life off, not wanting to be hurt. She’d missed the comradeship, but her mind had told her she didn’t need it. She wiggled her toes, trying to get feeling back into them. She was going to have to get into shape if she was going to keep up with Jaelyn.
The only grey spot to the day had been when Jaelyn had brought up Luc’s name. Unprepared for the rush of emotions that had come barreling out, she’d snapped at the other woman, telling her it was none of her business. Alexina had been instantly contrite and apologized, but it had added a layer of tension to the day that hadn’t been there before.
The thought of that moment had a stray thought of Luc and what he was doing popping into her head. Heat seeped into her bloodstream as she remembered his kiss in the kitchen. It had been a long time since someone had made her burn so hotly. She couldn’t remember Donald’s kiss ever leaving her so weak in the knees. She licked her lips, recalling his taste. She stood, walking to her stereo, turning it on low. The muted wail of a saxophone filled the air and Alexina closed her eyes in pleasure. She drifted over to the bags, pulling out a royal blue silk confection, all plunging neckline and thin straps. Holding it in front of her, she walked to her bedroom, swaying to the music. She wondered if Luc would like it.
The last pin was just going into her chignon when the doorbell rang. Exhaling slowly and slipping into her black heels, she headed towards the door. Alexina opened the door, a soft gasp of pleasure slipping out. The gray shirt and tie of Luciano’s suit had his eyes and skin gleaming with vitality and masculinity. A hum of pleasure sounded in her throat at the huge bouquet of white peonies he presented her.
“These are my favorite.” She cradled them in her arms as if they were her baby.
“I remember.”
Their eyes met and a current of something hot and greedy jumped between them. The heat spreading through her body at Luc’s heated gaze was making her want things, things she’d put firmly in the no pile; Love, desire, yearning for a family. She found she’d somehow moved closer to him, the smell of smoke and leather and heat teasing her nose. It was too tempting to go back to that place, to let someone in who would probably leave her alone, again.
Just as Luc’s hand reached out to pull her closer, she stepped back, her legs jelly.
“I should put these in water.” She shot him a breezy smile, ignoring the irritated look in his eyes as she turned and headed to the kitchen, her fingers shaking.
~***~
“So, where is the reunion?” Alexina watched Luciano as she drove, his attention fixed on the road ahead of them. His focus gave her a chance to study him without the feel of his eyes on her skin. He’d always managed to impress her, with his calm control and reason, even as teenagers. Age seemed only to have intensified it.
“It’s at the Golden Horse.” He flashed a smile at her, his teeth gleaming in the dark car.
She scoffed, “The Golden Horse? Isn’t that the place where you could rent the room by the hour?”
Luc laughed, the sound rich and deep, “Not anymore. A few years ago, this big corporation came in and put a lot of money into it. It’s on par with some of the bigger names these days.”
Alexina chuckled and sank back on the soft leather of the seat, watching as the lights slid by in blur.
The pulled up to the hotel, lights blazing as people milled about in front of it. The doorman at the front held the door, nodding to the elegantly dressed guests as they passed through two huge white marble pillars that flanked the stately entrance.
Alexina looked around, awed at the sight of its gold detailing. “They added like 30 stories to the building.”
She waited for Luc to walk around and open her door, taking his hand as he helped her from his black Mercedes.
“Well, Killeen sure has moved up in the world.” She stepped up onto the curb, letting Luciano close the door behind her.
He laughed, handing his keys over to the valet, pocketing his ticket. He took her hand, nestling it in the crook of his arm. “You’ve been away for a long time.” He replied quietly.
The wounded longing tone of his voice had her head swiveling around to look at him, her heart thrashing in her chest at the intense emotions swirling in his eyes. She stumbled tripping over her feet, breaking the contact. He gripped her arm tighter, his eyes watchful. “You okay?”
She nodded and flushed, embarrassed at herself. Thankfully, she had to drop his arm to step in the door.
The lobby of the hotel was bustling with crowds of people. To the left was the check-in desk, packed with people waiting to check in or out. To the right was a cluster of tables with overeager woman sitting behind them, passing out nametags. A tremor shot through her body at the feel of Luc’s warm hand on her exposed back.
“You ready?” He murmured in her ear, steering her towards the table.
After selecting their respective nametags, they headed into the ballroom situated behind the tables. Alexina stepped in, the nostalgia from her high school days knocking her for a loop.
The maroon and gray streamers crisscrossed above them in the large room, casting shadows on the candlelit tables below. She was surprised to see that there were no balloons in sight, instead, beautiful summer flowers everywhere she turned. One of the cheerleaders must have decided to add some sophistication. It had worked. Luc took her hand and tugged her towards the bar on the other side of the room. It took an effort, but she managed to calm her racing heart at the touch of Luc’s skin on hers.
“So, what do you drink?” He turned to her, his mouth curved as he watched her.
“Ah...rum and coke.” She smoothed a hand over her dress, making sure that nothing was showing. The n
eckline was lower than she remembered and she kept feeling people’s eyes on her.
Luc watched her, his eyes hot and feral, following her every move. “You look good tonight.”
Alexina flashed him a brilliant smile, her nerves suddenly gone. “I know.” She took the glass from his hand and turned to look out over the crowd, laughing at his grousing behind her back. She nodded to a few people she remembered from school, speaking to them as they walked past.
He came to stand next to her, one hand shoved deep into his pocket while he took a sip of his beer. He didn’t turn to look out over the crowds, instead shifting to look at her, an enigmatic, brooding look on his face. He seemed to be trying to figure something out, eyes narrowed.
“You know, if you keep your face like that, it’s going to stick.” She turned to look at him, a smirk on her face.
He opened his mouth to speak, stopped when a tall, lanky man with subdued red hair walked over to them, a petite, perky brunette on his arm.
“Alexina, is that you?” The man asked, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
A summoned smile in place, she turned her gaze to the man, stunned at who it was. “Morgan, what are you doing here?” What was her husband’s ex-co-worker doing here? She knew he’d never lived in Killeen and even if he had, he was too young to have graduated in her class, being in his early twenties and all.
She watched as he walked closer, his suit immaculately cut to his frame. Someone had taken him under his or her wing and polished him up she thought as she walked to him, her hand outstretched.
Morgan took it, pressing a dry kiss to her cheek. She tried not to flinch from the touch. “I’m here with my date.” He turned to the woman on his side, motioning her forward.
“I’m Celeste.” She didn’t extend her hand, her face set in tight lines.
Nope, didn’t know her either. “It’s good to see you. How are things at Cunningham and Cunningham?”
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