Looking Out for Lexy

by Kristine Dalton

  She had married that wimp Kane though. Was it possible that the former football hero had not been so heroic? Whatever it was, Lexy wasn’t talking. Wyatt sighed, sinking down in his seat, angling his long, slim legs to try and find a more comfortable position. The next time they were together, he would be less aggressive and more gentle. Opening his eyes as the sound of the drink cart was banging its way toward him, a beverage sounded good at the moment. Soon they would meet again and Jack Wyatt would soothe her wounded soul. At least he would try.

  Lexy put her suitcase down on the back porch. The door was slightly ajar with UPS packages stuffed in between the screen door and the main door. Unlocking it, she grabbed the packages and went in. Setting the them on the table, she returned to the porch to retrieve her luggage.

  Once inside, she snapped on her stereo and collapsed on the couch. Listening to Perry Como’s rendition of O Holy Night relaxed her considerably. Lexy had managed to catch a standby flight and she was beat. Flying had never been her forte, and she’d be on a plane again in less than twenty-four hours.

  Lexy got up slowly. Retrieving the parcels from the kitchen table, she returned to the living room. Glancing at the return address, she was surprised to see Jack's name. She took the one with her name on it, tugging at the strings that bound it. Lexy gasped with pleasure as she opened the shimmering gold box which revealed the blue silk dress she had admired in Donna Karan’s shop. She stood up, gimpy ankle and all and held it up to her. The size was right! He certainly knew how to size up a figure. She blushed a scarlet color as she thought of him looking at her half naked.

  She was smoothing the dress over her hips and admiring herself in the mirror when the phone rang. She reached over and answered.

  “Hi, Sexy. Did you get my package?”

  “Oh, Jack! It is so beautiful. You shouldn’t have. It must have been so expensive. I love it!”

  She turned this way and that, loving the way it hugged her every curve. It looked great on her she had to admit to herself. Jack would love it on her. She blushed again at the thought of his touch. It was immoral how he made her feel.

  “Money is no object Lexy, where you are concerned.”

  It pleased him immensely that she was happy with his gift. It made him feel good. In his whole life, no one else had ever had this effect on him. These feelings and sensations were extremely foreign to him and he wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. The only other women he had ever given gifts to were his aunt, and they had not been not dresses!

  “I’ll be flying in around 3:00 tomorrow afternoon. Meet me at the airport. Don’t forget to pick up your ticket at Midwest Express. I put it in your name. I will have a few minutes to get off, so look for me, okay, sweetheart?”

  Lexy shuddered in spite of the warmth of the fire she'd lit a few moments before the phone rang. The way he called her sweetheart made her feel as if she’d just stepped out of that very same fire. She was hot for him and she knew that he felt it too. She inhaled deeply before answering him.

  “I’m not sure this is such a good idea, Jack. I have some paper work to look over and you know my ankle is sore and I......”

  “It can wait. Be there. Bring your new dress, Lexy. I got a call from Chris and we’ll be flying to a party in Los Angeles the evening before you come home. It’s one that I can’t get out of. The sponsors of Lover's Journey are having a bash and the band is expected to be there. I think it is kind of a going away party for me. You will be smashing, so don’t worry, angel.”

  “All right, Jack. I will come. But only because I want to come!

  Not because you are ordering me to. I’ll bring the dress because I happen to like it and we’ll discuss this party before I decide to go.” Lexy's ire had risen slightly. Tom had been like that with her and she wasn’t about to fall into that trap again. Jack got the point. He didn’t want to do anything to push her the other way.

  Humbly her accepted her terms. “Okay, Ms. Kane. You’re the boss. See you tomorrow morning.”

  “Bye, Jack.” She put the phone back in the cradle.

  She couldn’t give in to him every time. He had to know she was in love with him. Then again, he had come to Vail to seek her out. Lexy sat down on her bed, lying back with her arms behind her head, gazing at the ceiling.

  What if this really turned into something? Her kids had been suspicious when she’d left early with the same weak excuses she’d tried to lay on Jack. Jessie had been especially nosy after she’d seen her mother with that mysterious man. She sighed as she sat up. Rising, Lexy stood looking in the mirror once more to admire herself in the dress.

  The frock was cobalt blue that brought out her eyes like the depths of the ocean on a clear day. It had a mock turtle neck with a small slit from the bottom hem of the neckline down to the breast line. It showed the cleavage just enough to make a man want to see more. The silk shimmered over her body showing the curves in all the right places. The sleeves buttoned at the wrist with a slight opening. The skirt flared out just above her calf, the side slit, showing just enough of her shapely legs.

  Lexy hugged herself, her breasts becoming even more pronounced. She would have to be careful of that. Jack had a hard enough time keeping his hands off her. She would try to be a little more standoffish on this trip.

  Nothing like hopping right in the sack with him in Vail. God, she was starting to act like one of those video dollies. Yet, he made her feel like she was the only one in the world for him. Lexy faced herself in the mirror.

  “Now Lexy Kane. You get a hold of yourself. You are old enough to have an affair and not worry what anyone else thinks. If it ends, it ends. No one will ever hurt you again.” She shivered.

  God, she wanted him to care about her. He really confused her. What would a devastatingly handsome rock star want with a small town girl like her? He led the life of luxury and glamour. He certainly wasn’t going to fall in love with some Midwestern hick when he could have all those glamorous babes.

  Miss Low Self Esteem was rearing her head again. She sucked in her breath and starting biting her lower lip nervously. Well, she’d get through this weekend and put an end to this nonsense before he could tell her to take a hike. Yes, she definitely had to end this. Not only would her life be turned upside down, but so would Ryan and Jessie’s. It wouldn’t be fair to change their lives so abruptly.

  Ryan. Especially Ryan. She was glad that Jack hadn’t seen him in Vail. He would have known right away. Lexy wasn’t ready for that confrontation yet. She had to take care of her own fragile ego first.

  “Oh Lexy, you are putting the cart before the horse again. He hasn’t even made any type of commitment to you.” Lexy muttered to herself in the mirror as she removed the dress and slipped into her nightshirt.

  Lexy sat next to the fireplace and watched as orange and blue tongues of flame leaped and crackled. She closed her eyes and felt the warmth against her face. Jack's deep set hazel eyes swam before her. She smiled as she leaned her head back against the sofa and thought about his hands caressing every part of her body.

  She hugged herself and heaved a sigh. Lexy was hooked and no amount of her telling herself no was going to do her any good. Well, if she was going to get hurt, it might as well be with someone she loved. She got up slowly and put out the fire.

  Twenty-Four

  Jack had agreed to Lexy going to the prom with Kane. Not that he liked it, but he knew it would give them time alone if everyone thought she was with Tom. Besides, his girl was going to fake a headache and have him drop her off early. Kane wouldn’t like it but he would. Lexy was going to meet him afterwards at their spot by the lake. The two of them had managed to see each other often, but not for long periods of time. They rarely saw each other at night as her dad watched her like a hawk. A few kisses here and there and that was about it. His loins ached at the thought of touching her. They had come so close. Of course he had protection, most of the time anyway.

  Jack Wyatt was already in love with Lexy Latton. He k
new he could no longer deny it to himself or her. Prom night he was going to tell her. If they made love, it would only make it better. If she wasn’t ready, the boy wouldn’t push it, but if she was.....Jack’s heart started racing.

  It was two hours into the prom. Tom Kane and Lexy Latton had been nominated for king and queen. Lexy had her fingers crossed that it would not be them, but she knew in her heart that it would be the supposedly happy cheerleader and the football captain. Her mom and dad were certainly happy about the two of them going together. It had waylaid their suspicions that their pretty red-haired daughter wasn’t seeing that street punk anymore. Lexy and Jack had been extremely careful not to be seen together at school the last two months. The two star-crossed teenagers met happily a few hours at a time when ever they could. Lexy had avoided going on dates with Kane by feigning excuses of too much homework and helping around the house. The good-looking blonde boy didn’t seem to have a problem with it, so things seemed to be going well.

  Another month and school would be over for the seniors. After graduation Lexy felt that she would be free to do as she pleased. Brenda and Bill Latton wouldn’t be too happy that she was seeing Jack, but the fact that she would be going to college in the fall would help matters, especially since they were attending different schools.

  A loud “Excuse me” into the microphone brought Lexy out of her deep thoughts. The class president stood at the microphone, surrounded by the pastel colors of the “Eternal Spring” theme. He waved his tuxedoed arms in the air to get the decked out crowd to focus on him.

  “I have in my hand the court and this year’s Eternal Spring king and queen. Without further ado, let me put an end to the suspense.” Opening the brightly colored envelope, the president read the names of the court. “And this year’s king and his queen are no surprise to anyone. Would Tom Kane and Lexy Latton please step forward to accept the crown as this year’s royal couple. And may I add how lovely Miss Latton looks tonight. Oh, and Kane you look ok too.” A ripple of laughter and applause ran throughout the pastel crowd as Tom grabbed Lexy’s hand, leading her to the stage.

  Lexy forced a smile. At the beginning of her last year in school, she had been looking forward to this moment. Meeting Jack Wyatt had changed all that. This had gone from being what should have been a highlight in her young life, to one of drudgery and anguish because she wasn’t with the one she really loved. The beautiful queen for the night smiled as she was nearly blinded by the flashing camera lights as two figures with shiny plastic crowns walked the royal runway to the glittering pair of thrones.

  Young Wyatt stared from a safe haven above the crowded room. Lexy was more beautiful than he’d ever imagined. Jack had discovered his little niche a few weeks back as he was searching for a place to watch his girl. She seemed happy enough to everyone, but he knew better. Jack and Lexy had been together long enough that the boy knew when the girl was not happy. Jack hadn’t told her he was going to be there because she would have been nervous and he didn’t want that. A few more hours and they would be together. Alter Tom dropped her off, Lexy would call him and it would be their time.

  Lexy gritted her teeth as she smiled and waved from her throne. Only a couple of more hours and freedom! Her eyes strayed to the clock on the wall. How many times these past few years she had looked at that clock wishing gym class was over. How many times she’d watched as the basketball team delivered a win and she’d cheered them on. Now, as Lexy glanced at the orb affixed to the white tiled wall, she only wanted it to move faster than it had ever done before. In about an hour, she would plead a migraine. Tom would be furious, but so be it. He was having his last and final hours with her and the girl didn’t care if he liked it or not. Besides, he would find some of his buddies that thought prom was a waste of time and go on his usual drinking binge. After a couple of beers and a few slugs of whatever they managed to steal from mom and dad’s stash, he wouldn’t forget all about her.

  “Hey, Lexy, are you listening to me?” Tom’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

  She turned and looked at him. His brow was furrowed with anger. “I’m sorry, Tommy, what were you saying?”

  “I said, you don’t seem to be here tonight. What’s going on with you, Lex?” Bright blue eyes bored into her.

  Lexy forced a bright smile. “I was just thinking how nice everything is. I was thinking about how soon we graduate and all this will be over. Don’t you think about that Tom?’

  “Right now I’m thinkin’ about us and being prom king and queen and that you aren’t acting too thrilled about it.”

  “Of course I’m happy about being queen. Who wouldn’t be?” Lexy’s smile melted his frown. He was so easy.

  A voice came over the loudspeaker suddenly. “Will their royal highness’s please take the floor and lead us in the class dance.”

  Kane stood up, taking Lexy’s hand and led her to the dance floor. The cherry-haired queen would not have been happy had she known her prince was watching unhappily from afar.

  Wyatt wished he’d never come to this fiasco. The chestnut-haired youth didn’t like his girl dancing with the boy he despised. Keeping his cool in check, Jack got up and walked quietly away. It wasn’t Lexy’s fault and he knew it. Jealousy was not a feeling he liked, and he wasn’t caring too much for the way he was feeling now. Knock it off, Wyatt. She’s yours in another couple of hours. Keep cool, keep calm. Jack supposed she’d be telling Kane soon enough to take her home. Jack didn’t envy her that. Tom Kane was going to be mad.

  Jack and Lexy would find out just how angry in a very short time. Kane wasn’t stupid and suspected all along that something was going on. He wasn’t going to be happy at all with what he would find that night.

  Lexy ran to Jack as he pulled up on his jet black cycle. She had dressed quickly, donning her cheerleading outfit. Wanting to wear it one more time and knowing that Jack found it very sexy, she hoped he would like it that she dressed just for him. He nodded approvingly as he helped her on the back. Lexy laid her head against his back. His dark hair curled slightly down past his neck, soft and warm against her cool cheek.

  ‘Ready, baby. Have I ever told you how sexy you look in that?”

  “Ummm. Many times.”

  “Then you won’t mind if I remove it to see what’s underneath?” He grinned as she slapped him on his stomach.

  “Jack, stop that.” Lexy blushed in the moonlight as they sped swiftly along.

  Two dark figures pulled up to a road stop on the highway. Getting off the cycle, Jack took Lexy’s hand. As they headed down the path to their favorite place along the Lake Michigan shoreline Jack asked about Tom.

  “Well, he didn’t take it too well at first.” Lexy slipped slightly. Jack grabbed her around the waist.”

  “Be careful baby. I should’ve brought a flashlight.” He held her closely as the stepped carefully down the well-worn path.

  “It’s funny. He was really mad at first. Then, he just said ok and took me home and told me he hoped I would feel better.”

  “You don’t think he knows, do you, Lex?” Jack was concerned. They were approaching the familiar spot where they had spent many happy hours together.

  “I don’t know Jack. But if he does, there isn’t much he can do about it now. School’s almost over and we will both be free. I don’t think Mom and Dad will be too mad and if they are, too bad. I’m eighteen and I’ll be on my own soon after that.”

  “Ok, Lex. If you aren’t worried then neither am I.” The handsome dark-haired prince led his lovely red-headed queen toward their destiny. Neither of them had any idea that their lives would soon be changed forever.

  Twenty-Five

  “Where are we? It's breathtaking." Lexy gazed out on the succulent green hills that turned quickly into mountains as the plane flew overhead.

  “As a matter of fact we are over the Napa Valley now. I have a small spit level ranch house with a few acres on a ridge overlooking a part of the valley. It’s nice and cozy. I thought we could
really get to know each other without a lot of people around. It seemed a safe place to go.” He looked at Lexy with those long-lashed dark chestnut eyes of his, seemingly searching her for something.

  What was it that he wanted from her? As his gaze traveled over her body for what seemed like an eternity, she thought she knew exactly what he wanted. Just who would be safe from who?

  Jack wanted that and something more. He hadn’t quite figured out the second part. Yet, here he was, taking her where no other woman had ever set foot. The commuter plane was circling the airport at Santa Rosa. As they came to a gentle halt, Jack was still lost in thought, staring at her without realizing it.

  “Are we going or are you going to stare at me all day?” Lexy broke into his reverie.

  “Yeah, I think I might.”

  She reached over and took a playful swipe at him.

  “Just kidding. Just kidding.”

  He gave her that famous crooked grin. The one that made him look so innocent and harmless. Uh huh. Harmless as a lion stalking its prey, she thought.

  Jack grabbed her hand, helping her out of the plane. He directed her to a small hanger. He slid the huge doors open, revealing a small two seater plane and a red Dodge Ram pickup.

  "Well, what do you think?" He glanced hopefully in her direction.

  “Well. It depends on which one you are talking about. I love the jeep. The plane is...is awfully small.” Lexy could already feel her stomach starting to revolt. She and small aircraft did not get along. Her first and last ride had been when she was barely a teenager.

  Seeing disappointment creeping over his face, she added quickly, "But, you know, the plane is really kind of classy too."

  “It’s not much, but it's all mine. I'll take you for a spin this weekend.”