“Lexi, I need to talk to you. Can’t you stay for at least one more day?” he pleaded, taking her stiff hands in his own.
It stung to see the pleading in her father’s face and she stared over his shoulder, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Fine, I’ll be at the-”
“You and...Luciano should stay here. IF this information is so damaging, you could be in trouble.”
She couldn’t stay here. “I’m not-”
“I would feel better if you stayed here. Please?” Her father interrupted, his warm hands on either side of her face, staring into her eyes.
With his eyes pleading, more open than she could ever remember, she nodded grudgingly.
It was when she was getting her nightgown out that Sharise came into her bedroom, perched on the edge of her bed.
“I’m glad you decided to stay.”
Alexina could only gape at her in shock.
Sharise picked at a thread on the comforter, her eyes everywhere but on Alexina. “I know you and I have our...issues, but we have one thing in common; your father loves us both very much. That day, at your house, it devastated him to hear how angry and hurt you were. He thought he’d done the right thing all this time.”
“What?” oh that was rich, thinking that shutting your daughter out, leaving her to find out life altering news on her own was somehow the right thing to do. Did everyone really think she was an idiot?
She shook her head, the burgundy color flashing in the light. “I know, men rarely make sense, but he didn’t want to lose you. He’d lost a son and a wife and you were all he had left.”
“Why are you telling me all these things, especially after what I said to you?”
Sharise looked down at her nails, before looking back at her, her honey colored eyes deep and sorrowful. “I understood a lot of things that day and I don’t blame you for the anger or the hate you feel towards me.”
Wait, she didn’t hate Sharise, at least not the way she’d made it sound. It was just that she had come in; taken the only thing she had left of her old life and excluded her from the new one. “I don’t-”
She held up a hand, stopping her “Alexina, let’s not go down that road. I just wanted to tell you that your father loves you and he only did what he thought he needed to. Even though you can’t see it, he’s hurting and he misses you. Just...give him a chance.” At that, she stood and left.
~***~
He was leaning against the balcony railing, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. The house was quiet, everybody having gone to bed earlier. He’d been unable to sleep, the lost look in Alexina’s eyes keeping him up with worry. Luciano wanted to go to her, hold her, take it all away, but he wasn’t sure if he could. Ever since they’d found that journal of Donald’s, she’d been pulling away even farther, slipping through his fingers.
The only spark he’d seen had been when her sister had come down to say goodnight, the two of them hugging as if it had been years since they’d last seen each other. Luciano lit the cigarette in his mouth, inhaling it deeply, holding it in his lungs until it burned, before releasing it slowly. He wondered when he was ever going to be able to tell her that he loved her, that he had always loved her. What she’d said earlier about him pushing her came to mind and he held it in front of him, turning it over in his mind.
He didn’t see it as pushing, just a fierce need to be with her, trying hard not to let her slip away. Did that really make him a bad person? Ever since his father had left them and died, he’d been trying to get that feeling back, that happy feeling of having a family, of waking up next to someone who had his whole heart. He wanted it to be Alexina more than anything, but he didn’t know how to get it. What was it going to take to make her see it?
Luciano stabbed out the cigarette, turning to stare at the door that led to her room from the balcony. He could almost smell her spicy sent, that fiery honey taste of her heated flesh filling his mouth. He’d seen her light go off earlier and he supposed she was asleep. That didn’t stop him from moving to the door, hand poised over the knob. A moment to contemplate what he was doing, before he turned the knob, surprised to find it unlocked. Stepping in, he stood in the doorway letting his senses adjust to the darkness.
There was a sliver of light coming through from the full moon and he let it lead him to Alexina’s bed, a huge four-poster piece, draped in flimsy, sheer fabric. The blood in his veins started churning at the shape of her body, outlined beneath the comforter. He slipped out of his shoes, his bare feet sinking into the plush carpet.
Walking past her heavy dresser, a picture caught his eye and he stopped. Picking it up, he stared at it, his heart thudding in his chest. It was a photograph of them, together. He frowned, trying to place the moment; it was of them at the lake with a group of friends, hanging out. Judging by the placement on her dresser, she remembered it clearly. Setting it down, he turned back to her, the whiteness of the fabric on her bed like a beacon, pulling him closer.
She was facing away from him, her shoulder exposed above the covers. They slid back beneath his hands; her skin uncovered inch by inch, his mouth starting to salivate at sight of such beauty. He slipped in beside her, a shiver slipping down his spine at the soft heat of her naked skin. A gasp fell from his lips when she turned toward him, her sensuous breast pushed up against him.
“Lexi...” he whispered, hands slipping to her hips, his teeth nipping at her shoulder. The need for her was a fire raging in his blood and it was taking everything in him not to just take. She shifted, her body moving closer to his. A moan, then a delicate hand came up, cupping the back of his head.
The journey up her neck was slow, his mouth stopping to lick at her sleep warmed skin. A thousand emotions were flashing through him, love and want colliding and exploding in his head. Finally, his mouth found hers; slanting over it, home at last.
Alexina came awake, her eyes wide as she stared him, before jerking upright in bed. “What are you doing?” She pressed a hand to her chest.
Luciano reached out, a hand running up her arm, cupping a plump breast, thumb brushing over the stiffened center. He saw her bite her lip at the sensation, swaying towards him. The contrast of their skin, dark and light blending, blurring together stirred something in him.
“I need you.” His hand dove into her hair, pulling her mouth back to his.
She moaned, her body melting into his, eyes closing as she sunk down next to him. “We can’t.” Her voice husky, hands gliding over his back.
“I guess you’ll have to be quiet.” He murmured, fingers tight on her scalp holding her captive as his mouth devoured her, moving languorously over her lips. He was sinking into her, drowning in the honeyed sweet smell of her.
Luciano pressed her down onto the bed, the crisp sheets crinkling beneath them as he covered her body with his.
He let her tug his shirt off, swallowing a whimper of protest when their lips parted. The hiss of satisfaction couldn’t be helped when his skin connected with hers. She was so soft and smooth, his head went hazy from the all the pleasure and sensations.
“This is so perfect.” His lips skimmed over her jaw, awe ringing in his voice.
A hand glided over a plump breast, possessive in its caress. The shiver than ran through her echoed through his body and he smiled into her skin. This raw hunger he felt, this unquenchable thirst for her, she could feel it too. He knew it from the way her body responded, opening up to his touch. They pushed his sweats off, hands tangling, before sighing in relief as skin finally met fitting together, no barriers between them.
Luciano could feel each bone melting beneath him in surrender, each breath deeper and slower. His hand slipped between them, toying with the moisture he found between her legs, a shiver of anticipation shooting between the both of them. A growl low in his throat crashed through as her legs parted, cradling him close, silken arms wrapped around his shoulder. Just the tip of his shaft rested against her, the heat of her teasing him, urging him in.
Hand
s braced on either side of her head, he eased into her, savoring the exquisite feel of her tight walls clenching and pulsing around his rigid shaft, pulling him deeper. She was so tight and warm; each stroke was tantalizing torment, making his breath catch in his throat. Breathing ragged, he took his time, keeping his passions in control, needing this moment to last.
Alexina’s lips parted, just the tip of her tongue showing as she looked up at him, her eyes dark with need. “Oh god Luc...” he could hear the need in her voice, making it low and raspy.
Little sounds were slipping past her swollen lips, feeding the fire in his gut. He tilted forward, smothering her cries of excitement with his mouth, his body still moving slow and deep inside. She kept murmuring his name, tantalizing hands moving over him, driving him on. He blazed a trail down her neck, across the tops of her curvy breast. Catching one succulent nipple in his mouth, he closed his eyes and twirled it with his tongue, light nips with his teeth. The taste of her was something exquisite, an exotic taste of faraway places and wanton dreams.
Thousands of thoughts flooded his brain and he struggled to comprehend them; this wasn’t that puppy love from high school, those old feeling that up until now he’d thought were real. This was something deeper, stronger than he’d ever felt before. He wanted to see her smile again and laugh. He wanted to see her belly swell with his baby, the way it had in his dreams all those years ago.
Bracing himself on his elbows, his mouth found its way up her jaw line to nip at a soft, delicious earlobe. “God, do you have any idea how much I love you?” He hadn’t meant to say that, but the need had been there, intense and threatening to explode in his chest.
Her eyes popped open at his admission and for a split second, he thought was going to say something, but her eyes fluttered closed instead, her head tilting back, exposing the smooth, enticing column of her neck.
One hand snaked between them to grasp her clit, twirling the tight nub between his fingers strongly. He watched her crest, her orgasm racing through her body, making it arch beneath his. He didn’t want it to end, couldn’t bear the thought of not being inside her, so he built her fervor back up, slow and ruthless in his ministrations. His hands were everywhere, but his mouth only wanted one thing, hers. He kept their mouths sealed together, fused and moving as one, his tongue claiming hers.
Only when he felt her body quake beneath his for the last time, did he let his own body achieve satisfaction. The tempo of his thrusts increased, white-hot sensation starting at the base of his spine and working upwards, the edges of his vision graying. He tilted his head back and with one long, harsh growl emptied himself into her warm depths. Unable to support himself any longer, he rolled to his side, his arms tight around her, pulling her in close. He kissed her warmly, one hand buried in her hair. Alexina snuggled close, her head safely tucked into the crook of his neck, her hand resting over his heart.
A short time later, he roused, aware that he was not in his bed. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stay the night, but he wanted to hold her as long as he could. When had he become so mushy? Being with her, being inside of her; had changed him. He could feel the shifting in his heart. She hadn’t said anything about his admission earlier and though he would never admit it out loud, her silence had hit him right in the gut, a painful wound that was bleeding slowly. Sighing deeply, he kissed her forehead, inhaling the scent of her, before he slipped from her bed.
Gathering his clothes, he cast one last look at her sleeping form, before leaving the way he had come. Only later did he realize he hadn’t worn a condom.
Chapter Eighteen
It was a little awkward, sitting across from your lover’s father, love bites up and down your neck, a cup of coffee in hand trying to act as if nothing was wrong. It was even more awkward when said father kept staring at you, butter knife held like a weapon in his hand.
“You were there the day my daughter and I got into that fight weren’t you?”
Startled by the bite in his voice, Luciano jerked his head up, “Yes sir, but I-”
Peyton pressed on, “She probably told you that I was a horrible father.”
Ok, this was getting complex and he didn’t really want to get involved in a family issue, at least not without Alexina in the room. “She didn’t-”
Peyton didn’t seem to hear him, a lost look darkening his eyes. “I was, at least once her brother and mother died.”
“Sir, I-”
Peyton held up a hand, a tremor racing through it. “I have something to say and I want you to hear it, so stop interrupting me.”
Luc leaned back in his chair, surprised at the weary tone.
“I didn’t mean-I’m not good at this and I just want to get it all out. I love my daughter. From the moment she was born, I doted on her the best I could. I never was the open father, having never had it myself, but I did my best. I never let any harm come to her and she usually got away with murder. When they diagnosed her brother Dorian, with cancer, I thought it was my fault for being so indulgent with them both. I-I shut her out, or at least that’s what Sharise says. I just know that I didn’t want to lose her too. I was harder on her after Dorian died, fearful that something would happen to her also. I treated her mother the same, thinking that if I did, they would be safe and god wouldn’t punish me again. Foolish really. I lost some good years being an ass.” He took a sip of coffee, the mug rattling on the table as he set it back down.
“Things-life was just getting back to normal when a drunk driver killed her mother. Things haven’t been right since then.”
“Maybe you should tell-”
“She’s so different from when she was child, or even high school. She keeps so much in and keeps everyone at bay. She just...flits from place to place and thing to thing, never quite touching down. She used to laugh at everything, smile for no reason. Now, it takes a miracle to get it from her. I know that I’m partly responsible, if not fully. Just...be careful not to push her. I did that, when I moved her here to Virginia and when I married Sharise. I thought I could somehow make her be happy with what I decided. I only thrust her away, put a distance between us that I can’t seem to fill. Be careful not to press her or force her to accept change. She needs to come into it on her own.”
Luciano nodded, looking down at the darkness of his coffee. Silence fell as they contemplated the woman who was still asleep upstairs.
“I take it you slept well?” Luciano jerked his head up, wary of the gleam in the older man’s eyes.
“I uh...it was great.” A wince and he looked down. That hadn’t been meant to sound so enthusiastic.
Peyton merely stared at him, unblinking. “Uh huh...So...what do you do for a living?”
“I uh...I’m an engineer, designing cars.” Was this going to be his interrogation? He really wished he thought to put on pants and not the pajamas bottoms he always slept in. He felt slightly naked.
More silence as Peyton stared at him over the rim of his coffee mug.
“So, what do you and Alexina think is going on with this mess Donald left behind?”
A deep heavy sigh, his body falling back into the high backed dining chair he was sitting in. “I honestly don’t know. It’s complicated and I don’t know...where to go from here.”
“We have to call Jake.” Both men turned to see Alexina standing behind them, looking refreshed and ready to take on the world, the snug jeans showcasing her long legs, her shoulder exposed in the yellow off-the shoulder t-shirt she was wearing, her complexion aglow.
The shiver of unease that raced up Luciano’s spine at the mention of the other man had him gripping the handle on the coffee mug a little tighter. “I’m not so sure-”
“I found the password. It was in the back of Donald’s journal. He has records that are more concrete. He actually scanned in proof of what he found. He talks about how he and Jake are working on this together and that he trusted him about this. We need to call him.” She declared briskly, walking into the sunlit room, pouring herself
a cup of the still hot coffee. She ignored both men, heading into the office.
~***~
She knew Luc was pissed off at her by the way he kept jingling the change in his pocket, something he’d done since high school. He’d been insistent that they not call Jake yet, but she’d dug her heels in, stubborn in her own determination. It didn’t help that it was still on her mind that he’d told her he loved her. God, this was getting complicated.
“What time did Jake say he would be here?” They were sitting on the back deck, toes dangling over the edge of the pool. She’d come out here to escape Luc’s scowl and foul mood, not needing the extra negativity. Even though they were sitting right next to each other, he felt a world away.
“I don’t know. He said something about noon.” She watched him take a deep drag on the cigarette in his mouth, frowning at the sight. These past few days, he’d been smoking more, having gone through one pack already. She scooted over to him, reaching around to message his shoulders.
“Luc, what’s going on? This is the third one you’ve had today.” She liked the masculine purr rumbling in his chest as she worked on his shoulders.
“I...it’s nothing.” His head flopped toward, giving her better access. Alexina knew there was something and it was bugging her not to know. She opened her mouth to try again, but her father stepped out, eyes creased with worry.
“There’s someone her to see you, but it’s not Jake.”
Instantly, Luciano’s shoulders tensed beneath her hands, crushing out his cigarette. Standing, he moved towards the patio door, but Alexina stopped him, a hand to his chest. She paused, the rhythmic beating of his heart stirring something inside. Last night had meant something to her, but she was too scared to think about it, to figure out why she was still dwelling on those three words. She peered up at him beneath lowered lashes, trying to gauge his mood. “Luc, I want to tell you something.”
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