You and No Other

by Toni Jackson

  A firm tap at the door of the suite kept her from teasing Alex, who stood watching her like she was dessert. She waited until he turned to answer the door before releasing the breath she was holding. There had been that link between them, forging a bond that existed even when they weren’t together.

  The aromas of the food coming from the covered containers pulled her towards the table. She lifted tops from the dishes as Alex tipped the bellboy and closed the door to the suite. When she got to the second dish, she paused and gave him a questioning look before uncovering the rest.

  Her throat clogged and she closed her eyes against the tears that formed. “You remembered.”

  Although they had eaten out, it had usually been at events with a set menu. Their date nights often consisted of small intimate restaurants. Here, a hodgepodge of food covered the table. Tina noticed each dish was one of the ones they joked about eating together when they were older and established.

  Tina’s first choice was Lobster. When she was younger, she tasted it once and was hooked, even though she couldn’t afford it. She had eaten it many times since then, but never paired up with a thick black Angus steak, a bowl of caviar, strawberries, a shrimp cocktail with shrimp as big as her hand, a bottle of Dom Perignon and a giant Chocolate Mouse decorated with gold pieces.

  Now here she was, surrounded by all the things they discussed in their youth. Her soft sigh was the only outward sign of her nostalgia.

  Always alert to her moods, Alex stiffened, afraid that he had done something to upset her. “You okay?”

  Tina nodded and turned to lean against him. Alex slipped his arms around her, gently stroking her back. “It’s okay, baby, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just. I don’t know. I just thought about all our dreams. And here was one I could bring to life for you.”

  Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked up at him. “How could you still love me after what I did? I pushed you away. Hell, I drove you away! And here you are, spoiling me!”

  Alex stood, silent and contemplative. Finally, his shoulders sagged. “It took me a while to understand why you pushed me away. I left here determined to forget you.” The touch of his hand on the side of her face started a heat within her body. “I wanted to take things slow with you so that you understand that I’ll be here for you. I’m not your father.”

  She didn’t know whether to cry for what she had put them through or laugh and dance that they had found each other again. “I never thought that I would see you again. That we would have another chance.” She slipped her hand behind his head and pulled him down for a kiss. “I don’t want to go slow anymore,” she whispered.

  Standing on her toes, she lifted her lips to his and poured everything she had into the kiss. Her heart, her soul, her pain, her regret. Her love. He wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss, but still, she could feel him fighting against it, trying to hold back. Her hands were nimble as she unbuttoned his shirt and spread her hands across his chest. He growled, his body jumping as she flicked her nails across his nipples. Grinding her body against his, she felt the outline of his cock, full and straining against his pants.

  “Tina…sweetheart…lunch…,” he groaned as she ran her hand across the front of his pants and squeezed.

  Alex’s knees buckled. The restraint he had been holding onto disappeared. She was his. Why should he continue to deny himself a small piece of heaven? His heaven. He reached down and slowly slid her dress up over her hips, breaking from the kiss long enough to pull it over her head and toss it aside. With a silent thank you for her front snap bra, he opened it and eased it from her shoulders. Stepping back, he bit his lip at the sight of her standing in nothing but a tiny thong, her body glowing in the afternoon light.

  Sliding his hands around her, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

  Sitting her down in the middle, he began removing his clothes. By the time his hands moved to his zipper, Tina found herself rubbing his legs together anxious to have all of him exposed to her view. He unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor. She nearly jumped from the bed at the sight of his arousal pushing out of the waistband of his briefs. He quickly removed them, tossing them to the side and stepped towards the bed.

  Hoping to speed things along, she reached down for the thong, only to have him grab her hands. “No,” he commanded. He placed both of her hands above her head and lowered his lips to hers. “Don’t move them,” he muttered before leaning forward to drink from her lips.

  When he lifted his head, his eyes were nearly black. He lowered his head again and nipped at her neck. Methodically, he kissed and nipped his way down her body, lavishing special attention on each breast before travelling lower. His expression was almost demonic when he gripped the strings of the thong and pulled it slowly down her legs.

  He dipped his tongue into her belly button moments before he dipped down and parted her soft curls. The first touch of his tongue sliding over the tiny nubbin had her ready to scream. She was reaching for him before she realized what she was doing.

  Pulling back, he grabbed her wrists. “Put them back above your head,” he growled.

  Chest heaving, she raised he arms again, and gripped the bedspread to keep her hands in place.

  Satisfied she was going to obey, he lowered his head again and continued his assault on her body. Whimpers filled the air as he teased and stroked her to madness. She was incoherent, begging and pleading with him to stop his sweet torture and put her out of her misery. Instead, he hooked first one then another finger inside her, pushing her over the edge.

  Tina wailed as her body shattered.

  Alex wiped his mouth and raised above her, spreading her legs wider and shifting between them. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he slid inside her, praying that he didn’t embarrass himself. It had been so long; she felt better than he remembered. Tight, wet and hot, she gripped him like a glove. If he could stay like this forever, he would die a happy man.

  Wrapping his arms around her, he pushed his hips forward, moving in and out of her until she began meeting each thrust. He nearly missed a stroke when she wrapped her arms and legs around him, then tightened her muscles around his cock. He closed his eyes and let his body take over. Holding back and trying to be gentle was impossible at this point.

  “You feel so good. The way you grip me, I’ve missed this, missed you.”

  He claimed her lips. He wanted her wild and hot, unable to do anything but freely give herself to him. Her freedom and lack of inhibition in the bedroom made him crazy. Nothing had changed between them.

  Tina wanted to scream. The combination of words and movement had her on the edge, ready to shatter. “Yes, yes please, Alejandro! No por favor, necesito todo de ti. Te quiero. Nunca dejé de amarte!”

  It wasn’t enough for him. Her words of love touched him, but he wanted more. He wanted her - unconditionally, no strings. No shadow of her father standing between them and a chance at a future. He wanted…forever.

  He tried to hold on, but the thought of her filled with his child was enough to break his control. His next stroke slammed into her, pushing her over the edge. Lifting her legs, he pushed harder, deeper until she came a second time. Only then did her allow himself to let go.

  Chapter 15

  Hours later they were still entwined, each lost in their own thoughts. No words were necessary at this point, the silence was soothing. Their bond, renewed today, was firm and strong. If not for the rumbling of Tina’s stomach, they would have been content to stay in that position for the rest of the evening. Alex smiled at the sound. It reminded him of why they missed lunch.

  “Come on. Let me feed you.” He rose from the bed, giving Tina an ample view of his firm backside before he walked to her side of the bed and scooped her up. He carried her into the outer area as if she weighed nothing. He let her slide to her feet beside the couch and returned to the room. He emerged a moment later carrying two thick robes. Handing one to Tina, he donned one before
helping her into the other. Once she was comfortable, he grabbed a plate and started placing food on it, warming it in the almost invisible microwave that sat in a corner. He handed it to her then prepared a plate for himself.

  Tina started with the lobster, loving the way the flavor caressed her tongue. She glanced over to see Alex watching her and blushed. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

  He glanced down. “I’m picturing us, twenty years from now, this comfortable.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want what we should have had years ago. I want you to be my wife. I’ve always wanted you to be my wife.”

  Although it was hard to curb the instinct was to run, Tina realized this was the natural progression of their relationship. If she hadn’t pushed Alex away the first time, they would be married now.

  Alex watched as she sat, eyes lowered and bit her lip. “I know I’m moving fast. But I don’t want to waste any more time. It’s been ten years, and it feels as if I just left yesterday.” He sat his plate to the side. “We can at least try, right?”

  She watched him, still biting her lip. She wanted to say yes. She ached to say yes. But what if things didn’t work out? What if someone came back from his past? It would kill her to make that commitment and things not work out.

  “Stop looking for excuses.” He said, his voice hard.

  How did he always manage to read her mind? Was she that transparent? “You’re moving too fast.”

  Sighing, he sat back and closed his eyes. “I know. I know.” He pierced her with his sharp gaze. “But you’ll stay with me tonight?”

  She smiled. “Yes.

  Chapter 16

  That day started a new pattern. Alex began meeting Tina at the gallery for either lunch or dinner. Dinner would often lead to him staying overnight at her place. One day, a few weeks later, when Alex was out of town handling some last minute business, Tina stepped out of her office to find a tall, golden-haired man standing in the gallery looking at one of Dani’s sculptures. In the past, she would have immediately adopted a flirtatious manner to make the sale, but after working things out with Alex, the thought of it felt like betrayal.

  The man was handsome, that she couldn’t deny. Several of the women in the gallery gave him a second and even a third look. The statue he admired was one of Dani’s most expensive pieces.

  A quick glance at his clothes told her that he could more than afford it, but something kept her from approaching him. Finally, he turned and caught her staring. He smiled as if he had been waiting for her to appear. His eyes were the color of honey, a warm brown that had probably caught and held the attention of many a woman. His face was angular, with only the slightest whisper of a beard lining his cheeks. But there was something about him…she could almost swear that she had seen him before.

  “Hola, senorita,” he said, flashing a brilliant smile.

  All Tina could think was Playboy. A dangerous playboy.

  “Hello, Mr.?” She decided it would be best to set the tone from the beginning. She didn’t have an aversion to speaking her native tongue, but she wanted to make sure anyone listening heard the whole conversation. Something about him set her on edge.

  “I am Juan Delgado. I am town to complete some…unfinished business…and was referred here to acquire some pieces.” He looked back at the statue. “The artist shows una gran cantidad de talento.”

  “Si, ella es brillante.”

  His surprised expression didn’t feel genuine. “Es usted español?”

  “Yes. My father was Spanish. My mother Irish.”

  “Ah, si. That explains the hair.”

  Tina nodded. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

  His eyes scanned her from top to bottom. “I’m not sure. I’m not very good at judging art. Perhaps we could discuss it over…dinner?”

  She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m afraid not. Only the statues are for sale.”

  His short bark of laughter turned the heads of several people who had just entered the gallery. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do is buy you. But, I would like to get to know you better.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m in a relationship. A very serious relationship.”

  “Ahh. My loss then.” He grabbed her hand and lifted it to his lips. “He is a very lucky man. I hope he appreciates the jewel he has.”

  She nodded. “He does.”

  “Perhaps…we will see one another again. On different terms.”

  Tina shrugged. “Perhaps.” I doubt it, highly, she thought.

  She watched as he turned and left the gallery, entering a waiting limousine. It wasn’t until it pulled away from the curb that she realized she had been holding her breath. Rubbing her arms, she made her way back into her office and closed the door. She was going to need a little time to recoup.

  Sitting in her office away from the customers soothed her, at least until she heard a light tap on her door. Thinking it was Temar, she didn’t look up when she called for the person to enter.

  “Tina!”

  Her head snapped up to see Jessica Peterson, Alex’s mother, beaming from the doorway. Standing, she walked around the desk and into the arms of the woman who was the closest thing she had to a mom after Dani’s mother passed.

  “How did you know I was working here?” Tina asked.

  “I browbeat my son until he told me, of course.” Tina laughed. Jessica Peterson was a tiny dictator who ruled Alex with an iron fist. His father died when he was six, leaving Jessica to not only raise Alex but also take over the small store he ran. When Alex was eighteen, she sold the business and spent most of her time at home, waiting to spoil her first grandbaby.

  “I didn’t mean to intrude, but when Alex told me that the two of you were trying to work things out, I couldn’t sit still any longer.”

  A smile spread across Tina’s face. Jessica was always full of energy, always on the go. Tina always gave a silent prayer that Alex took after his father, who by all accounts, was a peacemaker.

  “He didn’t try to pressure you did he?” She relaxed into her chair when Tina shook her head. “He’s loved you forever. The two of you shared a bond that some people never experience. I know that there are things that make it hard for you to trust. I’m just,” Jessica blushed and looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. “Just please, if you feel the need to run away, promise me you’ll talk to him first.”

  Tina walked over to Jessica’s chair and knelt beside her. She took both of the woman’s delicate hands in hers and brought them against her cheek. “How about I promise you now do you one even better?”

  “I had a lot of growing up to do. The person I was would not have been a good wife to Alex. I was afraid of so many things. It took this time for me to grow up and understand what I need to be for him. He needed a strong woman. It took some time, but that’s what I am now. The way I was, we wouldn’t have lasted. But we will now.” Closing her eyes, she swallowed past the lump in her throat.

  When she looked up again, tears filled Jessica’s eyes. “I think you’re right. Matter of fact, I know you’re right. Forgive an old woman for barging in on you.”

  Tina stood and wiped a tear from her eye. “You are always welcome here, anytime.”

  Jessica stood. They hugged each other, both gaining a better understanding of the other. Both of them in silent agreement that the most important person in their lives was Alex.

  Chapter 17

  The tinted windows did little to block the streetlights as the limousine twisted through the downtown streets. He and Tina had taken a step he hadn’t planned for just yet - but there was no way to take it back. Even if he could, he wouldn’t. She was his. She had always been.

  He hated having to go out of town just as they made a breakthrough. Now he was impatient to see her again. Instead of heading to his hotel room, Sean went straight to Tina’s when he got back in town that evening. As the car pulled to the curb, he realized
she might not be home. He sighed with relief when he noticed her car in the driveway and lights in the upstairs windows. She expected him to come back today, but hadn’t expected to see him since he wasn’t due back until later. He knocked on the door and waited, impatient to see her again.

  He had a surprise for her.

  When she opened the door, he almost decided to scrap his plans for the evening. Tina was barefoot, wearing a pair of cutoff shorts that showed off firm, toned legs and had him biting his tongue. Her top was little more than a sports bra, leaving all of her tanned stomach exposed and dipping low to emphasize the soft swell of her breasts. And it was all his.

  The sultry smile that appeared on her face as she watched his reaction told him she felt she held the upper hand. She had never been a tease with him, but she loved to flirt. “See something you like?” she whispered and stepped aside to let him. She was ready to play.

  He frowned and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Her expression was priceless when he grabbed her arms, turned and pinned her against the door. “Tease,” he muttered, lowering his head to capture her full lips. She always tasted so sweet. He wanted nothing more than to strip both of them and take her hard and fast against the door. God, he had missed her. All of the traveling back and forth had been making him crazy. He was quickly lost in the feel of her body molded against his. Enough that he almost - almost - forgot the surprise he had for her.

  The thought of her was all that kept him moving forward during his time in the military. Memories of the time they spent together and the determination to come back to her in one piece. He would have loved nothing more than to stay here, wrapped in her arms forever, but then, he would never get to show her his surprise. It took all of his willpower to ease away and unlock her arms from around his neck. A deep breath filled with her scent helped him gain control of his raging hormones. “That kind of homecoming that will always keep me coming back to you.”