Looking Out for Lexy

by Kristine Dalton

  Jack put his arm around her shoulder and helped her up. “Don’t worry Lex. We’ll take it nice and slow.” He hoped he could. The way Lexy made him feel when he was with her was very dangerous. Wyatt would have to be the strong one in this relationship as far as sex was concerned. That was obvious. He would take it slow no matter the agonizing consequences to his own body. Lexy was worth it.

  “We better get going, Jack. It’s almost 9:15 and my parents are really strict about Sunday nights. Believe me, sober or not, they will be watching the clock. I don’t want them calling my friends house and finding out I’m not there.”

  Jack hugged her one more time. “Ok babe. Let’s get going. I’ll walk you to the corner again. I hope I’ll be meeting your mom and dad soon.”

  “Me too.” Lexy winced as he pulled her up the path. They would never accept him and she was falling madly. It was already too later for her.

  As they strolled toward the corner, Jack knew already in his heart of hearts that her parents would never accept him. He figured it was because he was an out-of-towner, not knowing about the strong relationship between the Kanes and the Lattons.

  The corner near her house came up much sooner than they expected. It was painful for both of them now to be apart.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow at school, Lex.”

  “Ok. See you then.” Lexy closed her eyes as he leaned in for the kiss. Her body still hadn’t settled down from his moonlight fondling. The kiss was tender and loving. And short. When she opened her eyes Jack was already waving goodbye as he strolled down the street away from the girl standing alone in the moonlight. Her heart ached.

  Nineteen

  Jack knocked on her door at 11:45 p.m. Lexy stepped out in a soft, silky pair of navy slacks and a navy silk shirt. Jack was dressed in baggy khaki pants and a dazzling loose, white cotton shirt opened at the collar, a hint of his dark hair showing.

  Lexy nearly died of lust as she looked at his slim, muscular body and long, dark hair bushed back, a lock of it carelessly falling across his big, brown eyes. She had an insatiable desire to put her arms around his neck and back him into her room.

  The feeling was mutual. Jack willed his body into semi-control.

  She took a deep breath and gave him her most angelic smile. He held his hand out to her and led her to the elevator, deserted except for the bellhop.

  Jack pressed her gently against the wall, kissing her deeply. Lexy placed her hands on his chest and struggled to free herself from his embrace.

  “Jack, please. You promised.” She whispered softly as he released her.

  “It’s just a kiss Lexy. I'll keep my promise. I do want to kiss you though. That's okay, isn’t it?”

  Lexy fought back the impending panic that his touch brought. How was she going to manage her own emotions? Her body was saying yes and her mind was crying no! She gulped and took a very deep breath.

  “You may kiss me and that is all.”

  “Okay, Lexy. What ever you say...for now!”

  He grinned wickedly at her as they stepped out of the elevator. A backward glance showed a young man who was obviously used to this kind of behavior. She blushed slightly. They strolled outside, hand in hand, as Jack hailed a cab.

  “I thought we'd go to another club I visit once in a while when I’m in New York. Sound all right to you, Lexy?”

  “That sounds fine to me Jack. I’m ready to have a good time after my little nap at home before I was so rudely interrupted. She felt more at ease now, knowing he'd keep his distance. The cab had them there in no time.

  “Here we are. Let’s go. And Lexy, there are a lot of lecherous men in here. Stick with me, angel. You don’t have to dance with anyone else. Don’t forget that you are with me.”

  “I’ll remember Jack. You mean lecherous men like yourself don’t you?”

  Jack laughed, put his arm around her neck, and pulled her head against his. “You got me there, sweetheart. I’m a changed man, Lexy. Just stick with me.”

  Uh huh. Changed like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. Lexy smiled secretly to herself. Well, she’d just see the rest of the week end what kind of wolf he was.

  As they entered the dim atmosphere of the establishment, Lexy observed several couples on the dance floor, and a few more at tables engrossed in heated conversations. Jack led her to the bar.

  “How’s it going, Mr. Wyatt?”

  “Fine Mike. What do you want sweetheart? I’ll have scotch.”

  “A light beer will be fine.”

  “What! No wine? Ah, I forgot. Milwaukee is the beer capital isn’t it? A light beer it is.”

  “You behave yourself, Mister Wyatt. You promised not to make fun of me, being a small city girl.” She swatted his arm.

  “Ho. I better watch myself around you. That was a mean swing.” She laughed and playfully punched him again.

  Lexy was impressed with the place. It was somewhere between dive and glitz. Much different than the place they’d been last night. She couldn’t decide which is was, dive or glitz, but she could see Jack being comfortable here, out of the limelight. She liked that.

  “Hey Wyatt! Over here.”

  Lexy looked in the direction of that familiar voice. Chris Brandt was waving them in his direction. Jack leaned over and whispered to her.

  “Looks like we have company for the evening. Chris is probably well on his way. Hang on to me, Lexy.”

  He laid a twenty on the bar and grabbed their drinks in one hand. “Keep the change, Mike.”

  Jack put his arm around her shoulder and they strolled over to where Chris was downing a few tequilas with a lovely, dark haired beauty.

  “Hi guys. This is Marisa. This is my latest ingénue. Definitely star material. This is Jack Wyatt and... I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”

  “Lexy Kane.” She held out her hand to the young woman. Marisa waved at her as if Lexy were being dismissed. Jack tightened his arm around her abruptly to let her know it was all right.

  Chris gulped another drink down as Marisa cooed over him. Jack pulled out a chair for Lexy, stretching out in the one next to her. She gazed at him as he sat down.

  God, he looked sexy with those dark eyes and hair hanging in his eyes just enough to make him even more mysterious! Lexy felt her blood get hot. Cool down girl. He was being a good boy, just like she wanted. The trouble was she kept remembering the unbridled ardor from the night before, and God, the next morning! She shook those thoughts loose, trying to concentrate on the matters at hand. Chris Brandt was using his influence as Rebel Canyon's manager to woo a very willing, young lady.

  Lexy leaned back, taking it all in, sipping her beer slowly. This could prove to be very interesting. A look at life in the star track. It would give her a very good idea of what she’d have to deal with, for a while anyway, when she and Jack continued to see each other after this weekend.

  “Oh Christopher, honey, let me try some of that.” Marisa squealed with delight as he poured her a shot.

  “Now watch me babe. Do exactly what I do. That’s my girl. She’s really good isn’t she? Definitely star material. I'm going to record her next week.” Chris leaned over, kissing her passionately.

  Jack glanced at Lexy, winking at her. Lexy made him want to be on his best behavior. She was a one-eighty turn around from the women he knew.

  Class. She had class. And innocence. Not sexual innocence, but innocence in the big world out there. It made him want to protect her from all that was bad. That was something he wasn’t used to. He wasn’t quite sure how to act around her either. Tomorrow would be interesting. An art museum for God’s sake!

  “Miss...Uh Marisa, what is it that you do exactly.” Lexy decided to be nice to her even if it wasn’t reciprocated. Besides, she was really very interested. She’d never actually spent anytime with anyone in the entertainment business besides Thea before this weekend, and she had to admit, it was quite exciting.

  “I’m going to be a great singer some day. Chris has given me a bit par
t in his new video, Lover's Journey. I'm to play an artist’s model.” She giggled as she cozied up to Brandt.

  Jack looked up quickly, his dark eyes suddenly smoldering. “Can I see you at the bar for a minute, Chris?” He pushed his chair away with a scrape, standing there until Chris got up.

  “Come on, buddy. We’ve got some talking to do.”

  Jack stalked to the bar with Chris meekly following, trying to explain himself. Lexy turned to Marisa.

  “What exactly are you going to be doing in the video?”

  “Oh, nothing much. One of the band members plays an artist and I’m his model. Jack comes to visit the artist while he’s painting me.”

  Lexy didn’t even ask whether or not she’d have most of her clothes on. With a body like Marisa’s, she could easily guess. She didn’t like the idea of Jack on the same set with a nearly naked woman, even if it was only for a moment.

  “Say, how do you know Jack, anyway? Last I heard, he was with Gina Jones. I mean, well, you don’t look like his type.” Marisa was babbling now as the tequila took hold of her.

  Lexy remained cool and collected. “We’re just friends. We’ve known each other...for a long time.

  She glanced at the two men at the bar. They were in a heated argument. Jack was gesturing and pointing over to their table. Chris was spending most of his time looking down. Jack suddenly threw his hands up in disgust and walked back over to the table. Chris followed humbly, if it were possible for such a large man to be humble. They sat back down with the two women.

  “Marisa, darling. There uh...has been a slight change in plans. You’ll be wearing a dress in the artist scene.”

  Chris looked at Jack for approval. Jack seemed satisfied, the burning coals in his eyes cooled to a point. Lexy made a mental note never to get on his bad side. Marisa pouted, saying nothing. She knew who the star was, and that she was lucky to even have a part.

  “Now let’s have a good time. I’m ready to party till dawn.” Jack grinned, sliding his hand under the table, grasping Lexy's in his. She held on tight, at the same time remembering where that same hand had been the night before. It made her shiver. He relaxed then, smiling at her. His grin was enough to make any woman weak in the knees. Lexy was no exception.

  It was 5:00 a.m. before he walked her to the door of her hotel room. She leaned back against the wall, her body sagging slightly from fatigue. Drinking only four bottles of beer all night, she still felt rather giddy and at the same time, very tired. She was amazed at the scotch Jack could put away, and it didn’t seem to faze him in the least.

  Jack put his hands on the wall above her shoulders, bending to kiss her. The kiss started slow and leisurely, his lips brushing hers lightly. She clasped the back of his neck. His tongue parted her lips and began to penetrate with more insistence. As the kiss deepened, his hands started rubbing her shoulders and arms, one hand slowly slipping around, a finger lightly brushing across her breast through the silky shirt, teasing the nipple to immediate erection. She drew a sharp breath, severing the kiss.

  "Please, Jack." She started to shake slightly.

  "Lexy. You're just so hard to resist. Such a temptation. You've had me from the moment I first saw you in high school.” His chocolate eyes rested briefly on her. Her trembling disturbed him. Something was not right here. Every time he got near her.....

  She put her arms around herself to calm her unsteadiness. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I mean in a few hours. A trip to the museum will be a nice change of pace for you, Jack.”

  You don’t know how much of a change, Lexy, he mused to himself and kissed her again, this time putting his arms around her neck running his fingers through her hair. Abruptly he broke it off, holding her at a distance. Lexy gazed at him with some confusion. His eyes spoke volumes. He released her, leaning over to whisper in her ear.

  “Good night, sweet angel.”

  She watched him get on the elevator with his arms crossed over his chest, still gazing at her intently as the doors closed. With an exhausted sigh, she zipped her card in the door, slipping into her room.

  Ah, blessed, blessed sleep lay ahead. Changing into her nightshirt, she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the large, satin pillow.

  Jack was even more confused by her actions. She seemed to want him as much as he did her. Until he'd get too close. Whatever it was, he needed to, had to, find out. Slowly. He would go slowly. It would be worth the wait. Too bad his body wasn’t going to be nearly as considerate of her feelings.

  Twenty

  Winter had turned into spring and for Lexy and Jack the end of the year couldn’t come soon enough. They had managed to hide their relationship well. Although Lexy had managed to keep Tom at a distance with the promise that she’d think about them as a couple, he was getting suspicious. The young good-looking athlete kept one eye on Jack and one eye on Lexy. He never quite caught them together at school other than speaking to one another occasionally, but he still suspected. Lexy, although it was difficult, never spoke to her friends anymore about Jack other than he was just a friend. If they didn’t believe her, they never said anything. Jack had resigned himself to the fact that her parents were not going to meet him anytime soon. Lexy had promised that as soon as school was out and they were on their way to college, she would bring up the fact that there was a young man for them to meet. Reluctantly he had agreed, knowing it was the best for both of them if there was ever any hope of them accepting him as her boyfriend. Maybe the fact that he was going to college too would help. Maybe they would see that he was worthy of their daughter.

  Lexy and Jack were playing a dangerous game that night. Her mom and dad were going out to the club and she had invited Jack over. Never having been to her house before, the handsome young man was nervous. Especially being alone in the house with Lexy. Having managed all these months to contain himself, being alone with her in her house, with her bedroom upstairs would be a tough one. Little by little the sexual relationship had strayed into forbidden territory, but had not crossed that line yet. Jack knew it would happen soon and so did Lexy. They would have to be very careful, especially with college coming up. A pregnancy would not be a good thing at this stage of their life. Eventually that would happen as Jack had already decided that she would be his wife someday. He was hopelessly in love. She loved him back. He knew that even though the words had never been spoken by either of them.

  Lexy heard a soft but strong knock on her kitchen door. They had decided that Jack should come around the back after dark. Most of the neighbors were out anyway, it being Friday night and all. They would be safe for a couple of hours. How the eighteen year old young woman wished she could just talk to her parents about Jack. As it was, tonight was going to be tough. Tom had asked her to the senior prom, supposedly for old times sake, and she had to give him an answer soon. Brenda already knew about it, having spoken to Darlene Kane, Tom’s mother, and was expecting her daughter to say yes. Going to the event with Tom would be barely tolerable, but probably a necessity for her and Jack’s sake. He wasn’t going to like this at all. Lexy knew she wouldn’t be able to stand seeing Jack with someone else, even if it didn’t mean anything.

  “Hey, baby.” Jack greeted her with a kiss as she opened the door and he stepped inside. “So, this is the mighty fortress my princess lives in. I bet you have a canopy on your bed, right?” Jack grinned as his pretty girlfriend turned a bright shade of red. He loved the fact that she was Miss Innocent.

  “Cute, Jack! So, what’s wrong with having a canopy over your bed anyway?” Putting her hands on her hips, she stared at him defiantly.

  “Hey, Lex, I’m only jokin’ with you.” He put his hands up in surrender. She really did have a canopy. One he was quite sure he wasn’t going to see. At least not this night.

  Breaking out in laughter, Lexy clapped her hands. “Got ya! Come on, I’ll show you the house and you can even peek in my room and see the canopy on my bed. Look, but don’t touch.”

  Grinning, the chestn
ut-haired boy grabbed her hand as she led him out of the kitchen, past an enormous, dark mahogany dining set with matching hutch and serving buffet that fit perfectly into the immense dining room. The house definitely had an air of elegance about it. His palms began to sweat. If Lexy noticed, she didn’t mention it. Peeking into her room once upstairs, Jack nodded approvingly. Definitely a room for a princess. Wyatt could understand this as she was an only child, like him. He was no prince though, and her parents wouldn’t cotton easily to the idea of their only daughter going out with a pauper. Now Tom Kane on the other hand.... he didn’t even want to think about that one. Kane had been hanging around Lexy more lately and he didn’t like it.

  “So, what do you think? Lexy pulled him down on the perfectly placed sofa near the fireplace.

  “You have a great place, Lex. I hope your parents don’t ask to see mine. Not that it is bad or anything. My Aunt Isabel does her best to keep it up. Since my uncle died a few years ago she’s been making due, but it’s tough.”

  “But you help her out with your job at the Ben Franklin. I’m sure she appreciates all the help you give her.” Lexy looked at him proudly. She knew he was going to be a find man someday, her fine man.

  Jack slipped his arm around her, fingering the shimmering strawberry hair he loved to touch. “Yeah, she tells me that all the time. She must get sick of me playing my guitar all the time, although she doesn’t say anything. My aunt’s just happy I got accepted at UWR. The music program is supposed to be great and I hope to hook up with some other guys and put together a band. My aunt’s even agreed to let us practice in the garage sometimes. That is if we aren’t too loud. You know how that is.”

  “I’ll be glad to be a groupie for your band when you’re a big star and on the road. And when are you going to play for me anyway?” Lexy tried to look serious, but couldn’t maintain the facade as they both grinned.