Adam smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed her brow. Shifting his body so that she was on top of him, he cradled her against his big chest. They held each other without saying a word for a long time, just loving the intimate embrace and reveling in the warm closeness. Adam kissed her hair, stroked her back and arms and softly said her name.
“Allie?”
Without realizing it she pushed closer to him, stroking his arm and rubbing her head against his shoulder for the sheer enjoyment of feeling his skin next to hers, loving the scent of him, the taste of his sweaty skin as she ran her tongue across his collarbone. Finally she whispered a response.
“Yes, Adam?”
“Everything okay?”
Alicia smiled and buried her face in his neck. She kissed his neck and shoulder, and then rose up so she could look into his eyes while her hands clung to his shoulders.
“Everything is better them okay, Adam,” she said softly. “I haven’t felt like this since ... ever. This is better than I remembered, Adam. Better than I imagined, better than I dreamed.” She cuddled into his shoulder again and ran her hand over his free arm, the one that wasn’t holding her against him.
“You know I love you, right?” he asked, bringing his other arm around her and holding her even closer.
She smiled sleepily at his words. “Yes, I do. And I love you right back, with all my heart. I’ve been in love with you for a long time, Adam.”
“Yes, but I loved you first,” he said with satisfaction.
Alicia moved so she was straddling him, looking down into his eyes with a mischievous, sexy smile. “Prove it, Adam. Love me again so I’ll know for sure,” she whispered.
Adam tightened his grasp on her and reversed their positions so quickly she gasped. “Your every wish is my command, my love.” And he began to love her all over again until they were both too weak to move. They fell asleep in each other’s arms, sated, completed, and one.
Chapter Ten
A few hours later they had slept in each other’s arms, made love several more times, and had a long, sexy shower together, which led to more passionate interplay. Now they were relaxed on Adam’s huge bed, Alicia in one of his T-shirts and him wearing a towel around his waist. He was feeding her slices of kiwi fruit with his fingers and she was holding an icy bottle of spring water from which she was taking sips between bites of the cold, sweet fruit. She said she’d had enough and Adam popped the last piece into his mouth, watching her as she looked around his room.
“I like this room, Adam. Although it might be difficult to have overnight guests,” she teased.
The sleeping area of the loft was separated from the rest of the loft by a wall of glass bricks. There was no door per se, and the area could be entered on either side of the wall simply by walking around it. The wall didn’t extend all the way up to the high ceiling, either; it was ten feet high and about twelve feet long. The bed that he’d designed occupied the unconventional space. It was a platform bed and the platform was also made of glass bricks wired for illumination, so that with the throw of a switch the base of the bed would light with a soft glow that emulated candlelight. The mattress was a California king, a huge expanse that was like floating on a giant raft
There was very little furniture in the room, just a night-stand to one side of the bed and a long dresser against the wall. A beautiful wool carpet with a subtle abstract pattern in muted tones provided the only color in the room; there weren’t even paintings on the brick walls. There were tall palm trees in each of the huge industrial windows that were across the back wall of the bedroom, but those were at Alicia’s insistence. She’d forced him into having plants by sending them over as a housewarming gift. Left to his own devices, he wouldn’t have had one bit of green anywhere, but he conceded that they made the space more eye appealing.
She stared brazenly at Adam as he rose to remove the black lacquer tray from the bed and return it to the kitchen. She loved looking at his long, muscular legs and torso. His body was like a huge, glistening sculpture in motion. A sudden burst of giggles made him return her look with one of his own.
“What’s so funny, Allie?”
“I was just thinking about last night at the auction. I’ll bet people are still talking about it,” she said with a smile. “Especially Miss Darcy Hamilton.”
Sitting straight up, she suddenly looked puzzled. “What did she mean about the best man winning, anyway? She said that to you last night Was she calling me a big ol’ horsy broad or something?”
Adam gave a wry snort as he went over to the dresser to retrieve a large leather chest from its center. He placed it on the end of the bed in front of Alicia and sat down behind her, spreading his legs wide so they cradled hers and pulling her flush against his bare chest. “She was referring to me, sweetie. Darcy wasn’t interested in me; she was after you, Allie.”
Allie was totally still while she strove to understand what Adam was saying. “Oh. Ohh," she said as light finally dawned. “Well, I never ...” she muttered as she handed Adam the bottle of water to put on the nightstand.
“And you never will, not as long as there’s breath in my body,” he vowed as he inhaled the traces of her delicate fragrance.
“Adam, what’s in the box?” she asked curiously.
He was so preoccupied with stroking Alicia’s hair he didn’t answer her question. He loved burying his hands and face in it and inhaling the sweetness that was hers alone.
“You can never run away from me,” he whispered. “If you were in a dark forest and I was blindfolded, I could still find you, Allie. Your smell is imprinted on me.”
Alicia sighed with pleasure as she felt his warm, sweet breath on her neck and his big hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes and arched her back against him, her breathing becoming erratic as her desire grew.
“Adam,” she whispered.
“Yes, Allie?”
His tone of voice was innocent, as though he was unaware of the effect he was having on her. He could see her nipples pointing through the thin cotton of the T-shirt and he knew she was more than aroused. He slid his hands under the loose shirt and captured her breast with his left hand. With his right, he searched her feminine recess to find her wet and yearning for his touch. He fondled her breast, squeezing and manipulating the now blossoming nipple, and with the other hand he found her most sensitive spot, the place that would bring her the most pleasure. He used his long fingers to stroke and coax the hot wet jewel until he could feel the gush of moisture that signaled a nearing completion.
Alicia’s breathing turned into rapid pants as the sensations he was creating turned her body into a pulsing fountain of desire so keen it was almost painful. She turned her head to the side and he bent to her, capturing her lips and imprisoning her mouth with his tongue. Her moans turned to cries of heated passion as his two middle fingers entered her canal and his thumb continued to bring her to a shattering orgasm that had her screaming with pleasure. As the tremors subsided Alicia was a little embarrassed. She tried to avoid his eyes as she pulled away from his embrace, but Adam would not be denied. He tightened his arms around her to prevent her escape.
“Where are you going?”
‘To bathe and to hide my face,” she mumbled.
He turned her around to face him. “What’s wrong, Allie? I hope you aren’t embarrassed. There’s nothing we can do together that should ever cause you any shame, just pleasure.”
She could feel her cheeks heating up at his words. “I’ve never done anything like that before. It was different for me. Wonderful,” she added hastily, “but different. It was ... I just felt so, so exposed, I think that’s the word I’m looking for.”
“Exposed because I was watching you and I could see how much you liked it?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Well, I was watching you. It’s extremely arousing to watch your pleasure; it’s beautiful and very sexy. Is that embarrassing to you?”
She leaned forward
and kissed him. “No, actually it didn’t embarrass me and that’s why I was embarrassed. Because I should have been.” To her surprise Adam enfolded her in his arms and laughed.
“It’s that Catholic school upbringing, baby. We have years of conditioning to undo,” he teased.
Alicia turned around completely so she was facing him in a kneeling position. “Oh yeah? So you think I’m an uptight schoolgirl, do you?”
She whipped the T-shirt off and stared at him boldly, letting her eyes roam all over his bronzed body. With a sly smile she divested him of the towel and released his massive erection, taking it in both her hands.
Adam watched her with a lazy smile and eyes half closed from enjoyment His long lashes lifted in surprise as he realized what was about to happen.
“We repressed schoolgirls like to watch too,” Alicia purred.
No more words were spoken except his voice calling her name, hoarse with ecstasy.
***
The morning was waning into afternoon when they finally managed to get dressed. After a short nap, a long shower, and a quick meal, Alicia was attired in some old sweatpants of Adam’s, rolled up several times, and another T-shirt. Adam was similarly dressed and they both looked like bums, but neither of them cared what they looked like, they were too pleased to be together. Now it was time to discover what was in the mysterious chest. This time Adam carried it into the portion of the loft that was outfitted as a study, announcing he couldn’t trust her in the bedroom. A broad window seat upholstered in gray Ultrasuede ran the length of a wall under the huge industrial windows in the brick wall. A big antique oak desk and tall oak bookcases salvaged from a library served as a wall to separate the area from the rest of the living space.
Alicia sat cross-legged on the window seat and Adam put the chest in front of her, as he sat yoga style across from her. “Open it.”
She smoothed her palms over the supple, polished leather and admired its beauty. “This is incredible. Where in the world did you get it?”
“I had it made. I needed something very special for the contents of this box and I couldn’t find anything unique enough. So I designed it and had someone make it for me. Open it,” he said patiently.
She lifted the lid and was struck by the exquisite construction of the box. It was burnished golden brown leather on the outside and the interior was ostrich skin, except for the lid and the bottom, which were lined with rich brown velvet. Whatever she was expecting it to contain was certainly not what was resting in the chest. There was a packet of postcards tied with a red ribbon, a stack of letters held with an orange ribbon, a small bundle of what looked like ticket stubs confined with a peacock-blue band that looked like one she used to wear in her hair, and a plethora of other items including a leather-bound book of some kind. Alicia blinked slowly and stared at the unusual arrangement.
“Well, I’ll bite. What is all this, Adam?”
He smiled and handed her the packet of postcards. “That’s every postcard you sent me from Costa Rica and every other place you’ve ever been since I met you,” he said quietly. “This is every movie we’ve ever been to.” He handed her the thick little bundle. “And every concert and play.” He gave her another stack of tickets with a rose-colored ribbon around them. He reached into the box and pulled out a smooth stone. “Remember the time we went to the Grand Canyon? You gave me this for some reason.”
Wiping away tears, Alicia nodded. “I gave it to you because it was pretty and it looked like gold in the sunset I just wanted you to have it. I didn’t think you’d keep it.”
“I keep everything you give me, Allie.”
He handed her a parchment document envelope fastened with a thin black ribbon. She opened it with shaking fingers to find every silly note she’d ever written to him, on notebook paper, paper napkins, takeout menus, and one that was on a small paper bag. There were also small neatly cut pieces of wrapping paper, each inscribed with a date and an occasion written in Adam’s precise handwriting.
Amazingly, there was a slight redness along his cheekbones as she stared at him. “Your gifts are always wrapped so beautifully I hate to open them and I never want to forget them,” he said sheepishly.
“That’s where all the ribbons came from, too.” Alicia sighed. By now she was crying freely as she recognized the box for what it was; their entire life together. Adam removed the box from the window seat and put it on the floor. He extended his legs out in front of him, holding his hands out to Alicia, who promptly went into his arms.
“That was supposed to make you smile, you dope. Why are you crying?” he asked tenderly.
“I am smiling,” she said through her tears. “I’m so happy I can’t express it. That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, I’ve never even heard of anything so romantic.” She snuggled closer to him, loving the feel of his hard, strong body against hers.
“Yeah, that’s me, Mr. Romance,” he said mockingly. “Let me show you the best part,” he said, reaching down into the chest for the leather-bound book.
Alicia sniffed and wiped her eyes as she took the book from him. Then the tears started again as she saw page after page of pictures, all of her. There she was laughing, smiling, looking serious as she pored over her studies, in ridiculous poses on trips they’d taken together. There were a few shots of the two of them together and some with other family members, but for the most part it was just page after page of Alicia, a ten-year span of her life captured for his eyes only. There were even a few sketches he’d done of her, when and where she couldn’t imagine.
“Adam, I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.
“Say you love me. I like the way that sounds,” he told her, kissing away her tears. “Say you’ll come away with me, right now.”
“I love you. I’ll go anywhere with you.” She sniffed. She kissed him back, sexy nibbling kisses on his jaw and chin and lips. ‘Where are we going?”
“Idlewild. Let’s get going before you try to have your way with me again. For a repressed schoolgirl you’re pretty scandalous.”
“You taught me everything I know,” she assured him. “Let’s go now, because I feel the urge for another lesson coming on.”
***
Within a few hours they were on their way to Idlewild for the weekend. After Adam packed the things he would need, they drove over to the condo Alicia shared with Marielle. As Roxy promised, the Mini Cooper was in its usual parking space when they pulled up. Marielle was lounging on the patio with a stack of magazines and a pitcher of iced tea when they arrived, but she rose to greet them with a smile. She took note of Alicia’s incongruent outfit of giant sweatpants rolled up so she wouldn’t trip over them, the scandalous sandals, and the oversized T-shirt of Adam’s. “Someone’s been up to something, I’d say. Where’s my dress?” she asked with a wicked grin.
“We dropped it at the dry cleaner’s on the way over here. Where are the kids?” Alicia looked around for her niece and nephew, who were normally gamboling around like puppies.
“They’re spending the weekend with Gigi, bless her heart. I’m doing absolutely nothing but sleeping for the next three days.” Marielle sighed.
“Come help me pack,” Alicia begged. “That way I’ll be out of your hair quicker.”
Marielle agreed but couldn’t resist a dig. “Speaking of hair, what happened to yours? It looks like a sheep’s butt.”
Leaving Adam on the patio to take advantage of the chaise longue, the two women went to gather a few things for Alicia. Marielle was also kind enough to bump a few curls into Alicia’s hair to tame it a bit.
“I was kidding, it didn’t look that bad. But you need to get in the habit of keeping a few hair products over at the loft so you can repair the ravages of passion. I vaguely remember what a night of good hot sex can do to a hairdo.” She looked at Alicia closely and smiled. “And it was good and hot wasn’t it? It’s about time,” she said carelessly.
Alicia tried to be shocked at the frankness of her sister�
�s comments, but Marielle had never been one to pull her punches. She’d always been a straightforward, earthy woman, much like their mother. “You don’t seem surprised, I must say. And you don’t seem to disapprove.”
Marielle looked at her younger sister and her face softened. “Chica, just because my own marriage was a total disaster doesn’t mean I’ve turned into a bitter old broad. There’s nothing wrong with being in love and being happy. It was just a matter of time before you and Adam realized you were meant for each other,” she told her. “You guys go off and have a wonderful weekend together. The real fun will start when you get back and the aunts start planning your wedding,” she laughed.
***
Adam had more than one occasion to wonder what Alicia was smiling at as they drove north out of the city. As usual on any holiday weekend, the expressway was bumper to bumper with folks heading to northern Michigan where campgrounds, summer cottages, and cabins awaited them. The traffic didn’t bother Adam with Alicia by his side, looking adorable in nicely fitting, well-worn jeans, running shoes, and a man-tailored white shirt. He loved the way she would stroke his arm when she made a comment, the way her hand rested on his thigh when they were silent. He just loved being with her, period.
“And you’re sure your family isn’t going to mind you not being there for the cookout?” Alicia asked for the third time. His father, Big Benny Cochran, hosted a legendary Memorial Day cookout every year, and the tradition had passed on to Donnie and Angelique since they were now living in the big Palmer Park home. Alicia had voiced her concern about him being a no-show, especially since his only sister, Benita, would be in town with her husband and children and they didn’t get to visit often. Adam appreciated her concern but didn’t share it. Lacing his fingers in her hand, he brought it up to his mouth and kissed it before reassuring her.
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