All the curtains were pulled tight across the windows. The place looked empty from the outside. He let himself into the front room and was relieved to see the light on in the kitchen. A muttered curse drifted towards him, followed quickly by a bang.
What did it say about him that finding Liz lying on the floor with half her torso under the sink wasn’t even surprising? In fact, standing there looking down at her sneaker-clad feet, it felt nearly normal.
“Whatcha working on?”
Liz squealed and sat up, smacking her head on the edge of the cabinet. “Owww, dammit! You’re not supposed to sneak up on me like that!”
He chuckled, which earned him another scowl. “Sorry. Here, let me help you up.”
Liz rubbed her forehead and climbed to her feet. “No, it’s fine. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.”
“What are you doing down there, anyway?”
She shrugged and gestured weakly towards the sink. “Just thought I’d see if I could do anything about the faucet dripping, which then led to me taking a look at your garbage disposal.”
Damn, she looked good. All day Alex had been thinking about coming home to her. Now, it was all he could do not to wrap his arms around her. He took a step closer, but stopped as she pivoted away from him and turned the water on.
“See? All fixed.” She stared at the water like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
“Liz?” He reached out to her, but again she turned and sidled away from him.
She grabbed for a glass and filled it with water. “So, how was your day?”
Alex frowned. It was so hard understanding her moods sometimes. One minute they seemed fine, then the next…he shook it off. “It went well enough. My dad cornered me into touring his properties with Cynthia, which was fine up until she headed for this house. I about lost my shit when I realized where we were going.”
The tension he had sensed in Liz evaporated instantly. Her stiff shoulders and back sagged slightly in relief. “I know.”
He paused. “You knew we came by today? Damn, Liz, I was so afraid she’d discover you were here. When we didn’t see you, I assumed you’d gone for a walk around the lake like we’d talked about.”
“Another five minutes and she probably would have found me. I was just coming up from the basement when I heard the car door slam outside. Did she say anything about the toolbox by the front door?
“I told her I was staying here.”
“Alex! Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. She noticed something was up the minute she walked through the door. I told her that, with my dad being so sick, I was using the place to unwind once in a while. I’m sure she bought it.
“Where were you? I half expected to see a pair of sneakers poking out from behind the curtains or under the bed.”
“I ran and hid behind the tree in the backyard. After about fifteen minutes of crouching there, I started feeling silly. In fact, I began second guessing myself so much that I almost walked back into the house. It’s a good thing you came out when you did.”
He winced. “That would have been terrible timing.”
“Tell me about it. You mentioned picking up your dad’s car this morning, but we never discussed what kind it was. I thought it might be your and felt foolish for hiding.”
“This business of running from the authorities is hard, huh?” The comment had been meant to lighten the mood, but wound up having the opposite effect.
Liz crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. Alex could tell she was debating whether or not to say something more. He waited her out. She gave her attention to the table, to the stove, to the sink, and then finally to him. “So, um…that’s all today was with Cynthia? Just property management for your dad?”
Alex had to admire the courage it had taken for her to ask him that, despite the thread of underlying vulnerability in her voice. He took a step forward, his body mere inches from hers. “That’s all it was. Just property management for my dad.”
She sucked in a breath and held it for a moment before slowly releasing it. “And you and Cynthia…”
Alex placed both hands on the counter to either side of her waist and slowly leaned closer. “There is no me and Cynthia.”
Liz opened her mouth to ask another question, but he was done giving her words. Alex swooped down and covered her lips with his, capturing her tiny gasp of surprise and letting it feed his own desire. For once, he’d let his actions do the talking for him.
Gratification swept through him when he felt her respond, eagerly molding her body to his own. Her arms snaked around his neck and he could feel her fingers weave into his hair. Clenching his hands at her hips, he drew her closer, willing her to feel how much he wanted her.
Chapter Thirty-Three
His kiss completely took over her senses. Instinct had her reaching to control the situation or risk going up in flames. She pressed herself more firmly along the length of him. He was so tall that she had to stand on her tiptoes in order to reach his mouth. Liz ran her hands through his hair and pulled him back, letting him know that she was going to set the pace.
Her lips brushed softly along his, moving from one corner of the mouth to the other. Other than his mouth parting on an inhale, he didn’t move. His willingness to let her take control was all the invitation she needed. Deepening the kiss, she let her tongue tangle with his. Moaning, he pulled her roughly against him. His strong fingers trailed up the side of her waist.
Deciding they’d do better sitting down, Liz grabbed him by his shirt and led him into the living room. She pushed him down on the couch. Alex reached for her, drawing her between his legs. “Wouldn’t it be better if we moved to the bedroom?”
She acknowledged to herself that it probably would be, but knew she couldn’t afford to get too comfortable with this man. Her body was already at risk, she wouldn’t let him near her heart. “Shh.” Leaning down, she kissed him again before grabbing the hem of his shirt and ripping it over his head.
Yes. This is what she wanted. He looked like a golden Greek god. Slowly, she sank down between his legs, kneeling on the floor in front of him. Her hands spanned his broad shoulders before roaming over his hard muscles. Unable to resist any longer, she leaned forward and licked one hard, male nipple, exalting the way his breath caught in his throat. Her tongue traced along the pectoral muscle in his chest. Liz could feel his heartbeat race beneath her lips and smiled. She loved being able to affect him like this.
Alex sent shivers through her body as he gently traced the curve of her cheek before following it down the length of her neck. Delicious heat pooled at her core as she felt his bulge against her belly.
Need was combustible.
Hers had been lying dormant for years, waiting for that one moment to ignite her entire system. The spark of his awareness was intoxicating and revved her entire being to full throttle. Previous encounters were mere wisps of smoke compared to the all-consuming fire currently heating her blood.
His muscles tensed as she slowly made her way down to the ridges along his abdomen. She massaged his thighs, enjoying the way his legs spread further for her. His arousal pushed proudly against the inside of his zipper, begging to be released. She pressed her mouth against the prominent bulge and blew hot breath through his jeans. Alex groaned, his head falling back to the couch.
She had the power to make him lose control. She, Little Lizzie, the-flat-as-a-board, grease monkey, could hold the heat and strength of his desire in her hands.
Her fingers fumbled at the waistband of his pants. “Alex.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re wearing too many clothes.” He chuckled and lifted his hips, letting her drag his pants and boxers off of him in one fell swoop. His erection sprang forward, unapologetically eager.
“Better?”
Liz soaked in his broad shoulders, the contours of his chest, and the proud, jutting proof of his desire. The thought of tasting him had h
er licking her lips. She looked up to find Alex watching her with hooded eyes. She could see that he knew what she was thinking and watched him swell even more.
Liz sat up and, never breaking eye contact with him, opened her mouth. Alex sucked in a sharp breath as his cock jumped in anticipation. Leaning forward, she gently – almost delicately – sampled him.
Wetting the palm of her hand, she carefully gripped his base, holding him directly in front of her lush mouth but not – quite – touching. The moment stretched until neither of them could stand it anymore. Ever so lightly, she brushed the soft inside of her lips over the head of his cock, letting him feel her breath on his sensitive skin. Teasing him until he was straining towards her, his flesh begging for her full attention.
She was greedy for the taste of him, eager to feel him filling her wet, hot mouth. Wrapping her lips around the head of his dick, she slid him fully in, moaning as he hit the back of her throat.
Looking up through her lashes, Liz was gratified to see his head had dropped to the back of the couch. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he groaned her name. He blindly threaded his fingers through her hair, pleading for her not to stop.
Oh, she wasn’t going to stop.
Liz began gently stroking him in a long, slow rhythm. She made her way back up the length of him, sucking him the entire way, flicking her tongue along the sensitive spot just under the tip of his head.
His hips jerked. Need urged him to take control. One hand gripped the edge of the couch while his other pressed harder on the back of her head. Liz reached up with her other hand and grabbed his hips. She held him securely in place and seated him more fully in her mouth before repeating the motion over and over again.
His back arched. After a few more hard, sure strokes she could feel his powerful thighs begin to vibrate. Her own sex throbbed for him. She loved knowing she could make him lose control and reveled in the way she affected him.
“Oh god, Liz…” Raw passion edged his voice as he tensed. She was so close to pushing him over. Giving his length another long suck, she swirled her tongue around the head. He shuddered before abruptly pulling away. Startled, she reached for him again. “Wait,” he ground out. “I need to feel you.”
She hesitated for a split second before reaching for the hem of her shirt and pulling it off. Liz stood, slid her pants off, then straddled his lap, eager to feel him inside of her. She took his face in her hands and let him see her desire, gratified to see it reflected back at her.
He leaned forward and kissed her neck before nipping at the delicate flesh there. Her breath caught as he trailed his mouth down and nuzzled the line between her breasts. His magical fingers traced the line between her hip and shoulder, then around her back.
Reaching down between them, she grabbed his base and positioned him. Her thighs burned as she hovered over him and teased them both by rubbing his tip around, dipping it just inside her entrance. Liz was wet and ready, she didn’t know who was being tortured more, him or herself.
Steadying herself with one hand on his shoulder, Liz guided him fully into her. Lower and lower she sank until she was deliciously impaled on his shaft. She could feel him growing even harder in her. It took her a moment to adjust to his size, but she relished the way he filled her so completely.
His hands palmed her ass as she rocked her hips. Her body tingled at the friction between them. Shockwaves shot up through her core to her nipples. Her system revved, every nerve ending pulsing and throbbing. Panting filled the air as she picked up speed. He reached up and pinched her nipple between his thumb and finger, just hard enough to border on pain.
She bucked like a racecar coming off the mark.
“Jesus, Liz.” He pistoned his pelvis up against hers, stoking the heat and tension built up in her. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes…” Her answer turned into a throaty purr as his lips moved down her jawline. He traced the sensitive tendons of her neck, pausing to lick at the sweat that had pooled in the hollow of her throat.
Pleasure and pressure built to a dizzying pitch as passion took over. Their combined desire had taken over and neither one of them were in control. Every part of her being, every molecule of her existence, was redlined as they barreled towards climax at a fever pitch.
*
Alex had never seen anything as hot as Liz in that moment. Her head thrown back, her body arched, her breasts twin points thrust up at attention. He could feel the bite of her nails in his skin as her hands gripped his shoulders for balance and she gave herself over to passion.
She was so long and compact, with whip-lean hips and the subtlest curves. He’d wanted to explore them further, to take his time with them. But then, he hadn’t been expecting the way she’d taken over. Her silken thighs wrapped around his waist, securing him more than any restraint ever could.
He was at her whim, at her mercy.
And he was loving every second of it.
Thought fled as Alex felt her inner muscles begin to tighten around him in a vise grip. Her heat and scent were everywhere, surrounding him, intoxicating him. He thrust his hips up, driving himself into her, needing to fill her with every part of himself.
Together they pushed the throttle and strained towards the finish line. With a final burst of speed, her greedy little clutch milked him for every drop as they crested the hill together and soared for one shining moment.
Liz collapsed against Alex’s chest, her breath tickling the side of his neck. Her nipples dragged along the sensitive skin of his chest and kept time with the rhythm of their breaths. He wrapped his arms around her and lightly stroked her back down to earth, following every dip and hollow of her vertebrae.
A sense of bliss and well-being filled his mind, the first he’d felt in months. She raised her head to look at him and he shot her a cocky grin. “Wow.” Her eyes lit up at his reaction. “We’ve come a long way from high school, haven’t we?”
He watched as a hint of caution and wariness filled her eyes. It was in direct contrast to the way she brightened her smile. “Things were different. I don’t think you said more than two words to me back then.”
Liz sat up and carefully began extracting herself from him. His skin chilled in her absence and Alex fought the instinct to drag her back into his arms. There was a sense of vulnerability in her that he wasn’t expecting. Before he could explore it further, she was pulling back.
“Thanks for the stress relief. I’m going to go clean up.”
Stress relief? He could practically see the walls being resurrected around her as she retreated back into her inner sanctum. The intimacy they’d shared moments earlier vanished. Even standing before him naked, she suddenly felt miles away.
“Um, okay. I guess I’ll go get dinner started.”
She barely acknowledged him with a nod, then wordlessly gathered her clothes and walked away.
Alex was left sitting on the couch confused. Despite the fact he’d just had the most mind-blowing sex of all time, he couldn’t help feeling a little empty inside.
Chapter Thirty-Four
He shouldn’t have had sex with her.
It’s not that he hadn’t wanted to. He’d wanted to ever since he’d walked into Olivia’s kitchen and seen her taking the dishwasher apart. But he should have realized it would further complicate an already complicated situation. If he were smart, he would have waited until this whole situation was resolved. That way, he could have asked her out on a proper date, the way normal people did.
Irritated with himself, Alex rolled over and thumped his pillow into submission. Minutes later he was flopping onto his back. The clock on his nightstand said it was a little past three in the morning. If he didn’t get to sleep soon, there was no way he’d be able to function tomorrow. The stakes were simply too high to be walking around half comatose. Staring at the ceiling, he thought about ways out of the mess they were in.
A muffled crash broke into his brooding. Every hair on the back of his neck stood at attention. Alex
jumped to his feet and climbed into his pants. Slipping his shoes on, he grabbed a t-shirt before pressing his ear to the bedroom door.
The house was hushed and sleeping. Silence stretched out just long enough that Alex wondered if he’d dozed off and dreamt it. Knowing he’d never be able to rest until he confirmed everything was okay, he slowly turned the handle. The soft click of the doorknob made him wince. He stopped, listening for any indication there was someone in the house.
It was probably Liz, he thought. Some part of him was relieved to think she might be as restless as him after the events of the evening. As it was, they’d each gone to bed alone after a stilted conversation that had felt lacking on both sides.
Still. Better safe than sorry.
Alex eased the door open, thankful when the hinges didn’t squeak. He paused in the doorway, letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light in the hall. That’s when he heard it, a quiet shuffling noise of careful feet stepping on carpet.
There was no reason for Liz to be walking with such caution, even factoring in the hour.
Going with his instinct, Alex crossed the hallway and carefully opened the door to Liz’s room. He could barely make out the lump of her body under the covers. Taking care to fully close the door, he hunched his way to her side.
Whatever they were going to do, it would have to be quick and silent. He knew it wouldn’t take long for whoever was in the house to locate the bedrooms. By then they needed to be out of there.
He hesitated for a split second before placing his hand over Liz’s mouth. He could feel her lips open in protest and imagined the alarmed look on her face, but before she could struggle in earnest, he put his mouth to her ear. “Shh. There’s someone in the house. We need to get out of here.”
He was relieved when she nodded her head, indicating she understood. Crawling from the covers, Alex noticed she’d gone to bed dressed in her yoga pants and tank top.
Secret Need (The Harper Sisters Book 2) Page 17