You Can Always Go Home

by Rogers, Desiree

  “We gotta head in. We’ll talk later,” he kissed the knuckles on her hand, before stepping around her and down the deck. She stood where she was, staring out into the yard, trying to fight back the crushing disappointment sweeping through her.

  ~***~

  Moran was sitting on the couch, his legs crossed, lounging against the plush cushions with a drink in one hand. The pose struck Luciano as being arrogant and overly sure of himself, setting his teeth on edge. It didn’t help that it was the same person from the reunion, the one who’d managed to push all his buttons. Something wasn’t right here.

  “I see you made it back from Texas in one piece.” Alexina smiled, stepping into Morgan’s open arms as he stood up.

  Luciano bristled at the kiss he pressed to her cheek, his hands balling into tight fists. It wouldn’t do to get into a fight in her parents’ home, but if he didn’t stop rubbing her arms with that hungry look in his eyes, he was going to deck him. Just when he was about to walk over and rip her out of his arms, Alexina stepped back, her eyes frosty but her tone friendly.

  “How is Jake doing? I thought he would be coming by.”

  “Oh, he had a meeting with Mr. Cunningham. He sent me in his place.” He smile again, but the corners of his mouth drooped a bit and the hairs on Luciano’s arms stood straight up.

  “I just wanted to say that I’m glad you decided to call us about this. It’s probably nothing.” The corner of his eye twitched and Luciano alarms went off making his skin itch. If it wasn’t important, then why was he sweating?

  “This way.” Alexina gestured towards the office, the two men trailing behind.

  She led Morgan to her father’s large desk, a stack of papers neatly piled. Holding them out, Morgan took them, glancing through them. A flash of awareness passed through his eyes and Luciano watched as his whole demeanor changed; posture stiff and agitated, skin paling as he flipped past pages.

  “I’ve seen these, Jake has copies.” Luciano narrowed his eyes at the blatant lie in his statement. Whatever was in those papers had him about to jump out a window. What was he hiding?

  “Oh, really? What should I do with all this then?” Alexina held up the journal and flash drive, her face innocent as she stared at Morgan, eager for a solution.

  Could she really not see Morgan’s reaction to what he was holding? Maybe she just didn’t understand what it meant. Luciano watched as he swallowed hard, pupils huge as he stared at them.

  “I could take it for you.” He stepped forward, his movements fervent, a hint of desperation seeping through.

  Alexina stepped back, obviously thrown by Morgan’s reaction. “I’m not-”

  His phone rang, stopping her mid-sentence. Holding up a hand, he gave her an apologetic smile. “I gotta take this. Hang on just a minute.” He turned and stepped out of the room. Luciano followed, avoiding Alexina’s confused stare. Something was very wrong here and he was going to find out what it was.

  Morgan had stepped around the corner, ducking into the guest bathroom right by the office. Luciano stopped by the open the door, braced against the wall.

  “Yeah, she has it...it’s all here...stop sweatin it. I said I’d get it.”

  Luciano body tensed. He didn’t know whom he was talking to, but at this point, it didn’t matter. He would be damned before he let Alexina hand anything over to this wanna be thug. He stepped back into the room quickly, hoping he had enough time.

  “There’s something going on.” He caught her gaze, hoping she understood what he meant.

  “Huh...why do you say that?” she stared at him blankly, her brow creased in confusion.

  He could hear Morgan moving towards the door. His time was up and he hoped that she understood. “Just don’t give him anything.”

  Morgan strolled into the room, a smug confident smile in place. “So, you want me to take all this off your hands?”

  Alexina shook her head, a contrite expression in place. “I’m going to hold onto it.”

  Morgan took a step back, startled by her words. “Wha-are you sure? It’s no prob-”

  She held up a hand, “It’s okay. Let Jake know that I'm going to keep this, since he’s already got a copy.”

  His mouth working, Morgan tried to say something, but he seemed shaken. “Ah...okay then.”

  Beaming, Alexina took his arm in hers, leading him to the door. Luciano watched Morgan walk down the front path, his footsteps hesitant and unsure. He turned back to stare at the house, his eyes falling on the window where Luciano was standing, smirking. Anger flared in his eyes, before he turned and stormed away. He had a feeling this was not going to end it.

  “What was that?” Alexina demanded, stepping into he room.

  Taking a deep breath, Luciano turned to her. “I think you should sit down.” He waited, watching as she perched on the edge of her chair.

  “All right, now tell me what is going on? Why couldn’t I just give this stuff to Morgan and be done with it?”

  Taking a deep breath, Luciano told her everything he’d heard and his suspicions. Her eyes were round saucers by the time he was done, fear creeping along the edges. Moving to where she was sitting, he crouched down in front of her, taking her cold clammy hands in his. “Did Donald mention anyone else he trusted?”

  “He did say something about the FBI. There’s a number I think.” She looked dazed, her eyes glassy as her mind tried to process what was going on.

  One hand reached up, gripping her chin lightly, holding it between his thumb and index finger. “We should head back to Texas and call. I don’t think we should hang out here.” That was an understatement. Things were about to hit the fan and he did not want her in the middle of it. Best to call the FBI and let them handle it from here.

  She nodded mutely, rising from her chair, movements unsteady as she turned and headed to the kitchen to tell her father.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was a long flight back, her mind churning over everything they’d found. The old guilt was there, eating away at her. Donald had been trying to do something right, trying to do good and he’d been killed for it. While she’d been planning to leave, he’d been in danger. She stared out the airplane window listlessly, trying to wrap her mind around everything. She had to get this right, make sure that Donald hadn’t died for nothing.

  Luciano drove them home, his driving smooth as he worked through traffic. She watched his hands on the wheel; strong, masculine hands that left her feeling breathless when he put them on her. Her breast tingled in response and she had to look away as her breath caught in her throat. They still hadn’t talked about his confession and so much time had passed, she wasn’t even sure how to broach the subject now. It didn’t matter; he hadn’t been serious anyway. It had probably been a heat of the moment thing anyway.

  Before she knew it, they were at her building, riding the elevator up to her floor. Stopping at her door, she turned to him. “Thanks for coming with me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Was all he said as he waited patiently for her to open the door.

  “I guess I’ll talk to you later.” Her hands fumbled on the door, his gaze probing as he watched her.

  “Mmm...hmmmm” as soon as she opened the door, he stepped past her, dropping his bags by the door.

  Flustered by the hungry look he was giving her, she stepped back, her hand still in the doorknob. “Hey, what are-”

  “I’m staying here with you till you call the FBI.” He stared at her, something hot and reckless flaring in his eyes.

  Her hands started to tremble at the thought of him being under her roof again, as if they were lovers. “Why?”

  “I want to make sure nothing happens. Something feels off.” This time the emotion flashing in his eyes was something more definable; a controlled rage at the people who had put her in this position.

  She crossed her arms, comforted by his desire to keep her safe, his big body braced for an attack. Damned if she would let him see it though. “Uh huh, and where do
you plan on sleeping?”

  He grinned devilishly, walking towards her with slow purpose. “You know-”

  Stepping around him, body quivering at the lust shining in his eyes, she headed towards her linen closet. “I’ll get you some sheets for the couch.”

  Luciano’s Smile faltered, “But-”

  Alexina laughed at his crestfallen face, feeling a bit more balanced. “Have a nice night.”

  ~***~

  She was hot and pinned to the bed. It was still dark outside and a look at the clock told her it was only two in the morning. A quick turn of her head and she gasped, surprised to find Luc, watching her, hands moving on her side.

  “What are you doing?” that was supposed to come out less breathy, but with Luc’s hand caressing the dip in her waist, it was hard to be stern.

  “I couldn’t sleep without you.” Voice rough and husky, chocolate dripping from every word, he nuzzled her ear with his nose.

  “I knew there was ulterior motive.” A soft gasp slipped out when his large hand wandered up and tweaked a nipple, playing with it through the fabric of her nightgown.

  A muscled leg shifted, gliding between hers, knee bumping against her mound. “You want me to leave?” he nipped at her ear, blunt teeth sending chills through her body.

  She melted, struggling against the sensation. She had to keep her wits about her. “I think...we should talk.”

  “Mmmm hmmmm...about what?” nipped her neck, licking the sensitive spot.

  “About the other night.”

  His body tensed briefly, before becoming fluid against hers, drifting down her side. “I’m not really in the mood.” He pressed his hot mouth to her thigh.

  “Luc...I’m serious.” Her breath stuttered out as his hand slid between her legs, thumb moving in slow circles over the skin.

  “So am I. Serious about tasting you.” Sliding over her legs, he pushed them apart, shoving the silk of her nightgown out of his way.

  “Wait...I’m trying...to have a...conversation.” She tried to grab his head, keep him from distracting her with his mouth, but her actions were feeble, her body responding to the heat of his shoulders nestled between her legs.

  “I know.” He muttered against her skin. “I’m going to have to work on that.” His mouth clamped down on her wet lips, tongue flicking out slowly to taste her.

  “Ah...Luc.” Her pelvis arched into his mouth, driving his tongue deeper. She wasn’t going to be able to keep this up not with the way he was driving her to the brink, his mouth hot and wet, licking at her like an ice cream cone trying to get the last drop.

  One thick finger slipped in, mimicking the movements of his tongue, his thumb circling on her clit in rough, measured loops. A low moan ripped from her throat and she let go, her climax rushing through her. Alexina lay panting on the bed as he kissed his way up her body, his mouth latching onto a hardened nipple. Large masculine hips settled between her legs, his hardened erection nestled close.

  “How...how do you do that?” she managed to utter, her mind foggy with the pleasure he was giving her with his mouth, quick stabs of pleasure shooting through her. She reached up, a hand cradling the back of his head, holding his mouth close to her breast.

  This was how it was supposed to be, this need to be close to another person that was so great it left her breathless. She wanted him, wanted to wake up next to him and know that everything was going to be okay. Because she wanted it so bad, she pushed it away, focusing on the physical, on the delicious weight of him pressing her down into the mattress. Anything else, and she might give in.

  Luciano murmured something against her skin, arms hooking beneath her legs and pressing up, spreading her legs wide, taking control. He took his time pushing into her, filling her unhurriedly as her breath shortened and quickened.

  “God...you’re so...” he didn’t finish his sentence, his mouth finding hers, tongue moving in her mouth, mimicking the same slow movements between her legs that kept her hovering on the edge, body quivering in anticipation.

  “Luc...” she could do nothing but feel, helpless in the position he had her in. She wanted it deeper, needed more. She shifted, tilting her hips up, taking him deeper on a gasp, changing the angle of his thrusts. A whimper, then a sigh in relief. It worked, his shaft hitting that special spot. Luciano must have liked it also, from the way he grunted, his eyes going black at the change in penetration, each stroke deep and hard.

  Alexina arched to meet each possessive thrust, her head twisting on the pillow as her body surged against his. He was claiming her, telling her with each stroke of his body and every kiss to her skin that she was his and she reveled in it.

  He buried his head in her neck; hot wet kisses to the side as his chest rubbed against her tingling, sensitive nipples. One last stroke and she came apart, body stiffening and bowing up off the bed, clenching tight around his shaft, hands gripping his shoulders tight. She dimly heard him give a hoarse shout of completion, neck arched as she tightened around him.

  He held himself still, growling in satisfaction as his own release hit him, her body milking him dry. Letting go, her legs dropped to the bed, cradling him close as he sunk back into her. She held him there inside her, her hands moving over his sweat slick back with soothing, loving caresses as his strong arms wrapped around her. Holding her close, he nuzzled his face into the valley between her breasts, a soft kiss to the steady beating of her heart.

  Alexina wanted to stay like this forever, without the worry of those damn papers or the fear that he was going to leave her as everyone else had. She fell back to sleep, still wishing.

  ~***~

  It was after ten in the morning before they got up, Alexina heading to the kitchen to make breakfast. Looking over her items in the pantry, she suddenly felt the urge to make French toast like her mother used to. She felt...different after last night and she needed to find a way to get it out. Luc’s eyes were heavy on her as she moved about the kitchen and she tried hard to shut it out. Having him there, in such an intimate moment, felt right and it left her unsettled, hands shaking as she whisked the eggs and milk together. When had it gotten to this point, where she could see him sitting across from her every morning, planning their lives together?

  Working briskly, she shut it all out, needing to distance herself from the emotions churning inside her. It would never work and she needed to just accept that and move on. Setting a plate in front of him, she laughed silently as he wolfed down two pieces, barely taking a breath between bites.

  “This is good. Aren’t you going to eat?”

  What she wanted to do was slide into his lap and kiss the syrup off the corner of his mouth, just dive into him and drown in his scent. Horrified, she found herself leaning forward about to do that.

  “I-”

  The phone rang, cutting off whatever she’d been about to say. Hurrying over, she grabbed the receiver from the cradle.

  “Hi, Alexina? It’s Jake.”

  “Good morning. How are you?” she glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see Luc’s body tense, fork paused midway to his mouth.

  “Everything is good here. We do miss seeing your beautiful face though.” His tone was sociable, as if he called her all the time at nine thirty in the morning. It left her unsettled, stomach churning with discomfort. “I was calling to see what happened.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When I sent Morgan over. He said you had something for me but then you took it back.” The accusing lilt at the end of his sentence made her eye twitch.

  “Well, Luc-Luciano overheard Morgan talking to someone and it didn’t sound...kosher.” She told him everything that had happened; the documents, the conversation, Morgan’s behavior. Jake fell silent, only the slight whirring sound of a computer in the background could be heard.

  “I can not believe this.” Jake expelled a low breath, his voice sounding as if he were speaking through clenched teeth.

  “I just...didn’t feel right.” she explained
feebly, Jake’s anger seeping through the phone.

  “Well, I can certainly understand your hesitation. How about I come down personally and get it?” there was a hint of steel to his suggestion, daring her to say no.

  “Morgan said it wasn’t important and that you had a copy.” She shot Luc a helpless look, desperate for a way out. Being around Jake always left her palms sweaty and her nerves bad. He just didn’t know how to keep his hands to himself.

  “Well I don’t. And this is very important.” He was pushing now, putting her in a corner.

  “Oh, I see.”

  “I’ll fly out at the end of the week and let you know when I get in.”

  Caught, she scrambled for a way out of. “Oh, but it’s not nec-”

  “I insist. I’ll see you soon to let you know when I’m leaving. Take care.” He hung up, stopping her protest mid-sentence.

  She turned to Luc, bewildered at what had just happened. “He’s coming in.” chills were running up and down her spine and she had a sinking feeling about the whole thing.

  Luc’s eyes were intense as stared at her, the gray darkening as he spoke. “I think we need to contact the FBI.”

  ~***~

  Several hours later, Agent Stephens was in her living room, legs crossed as he took the cup of coffee she offered. The gray suit he was wearing made the whole situation seem more real and she gulped nervously.

  “You got here quick.” Luciano quipped eyeing the other man, suspicion dripping from his words.

  Thin lips quirked, though he barely paid Luciano any attention as he watched Alexina sit down across from him. “Your husband had a lot of info for us and it’s more far-reaching than we originally thought.”

  “So, I have a question. Where were you when he was killed? I mean, he had all this information and you are just now coming out? I don’t get it.” Luciano sat back in the cushions, eyes hard as he stared the agent down.

  “We were busy watching the Mathusa family. At the time, things were getting heavy within the ranks and we had to keep an eye on them. We...messed up.”