by Calista Fox
* * *
She woke the next morning to a delicious aroma mixed with the blessed scent of strong coffee.
She padded barefoot into the kitchen.
“Hey,” Alex said, all hot and sexy in his black briefs, grinning so seductively she almost forgot about the food and coffee. Almost. She was starving. And hungover.
“Whatever you’ve made smells fantastic.”
“Loaded omelets and breakfast potatoes.” He handed her a plate piled high.
“You’re really too good to be true, Alex.”
He chuckled. “They’re just eggs, Lo.”
“Hardly.” She eyed the mound on her plate as he poured coffee for her. Then he joined her at the counter with his own dish.
His gaze raked over her. “Rough night?”
“Bet I’m looking pretty scary right now. At least I had the good sense to take my makeup off before I fell into bed.”
“Where were you?” he asked.
“Maya. Wild place. We danced until they kicked us out. My feet are killing me.”
He was quiet a moment. A hint of tension suddenly permeated the air.
Lola smiled. “It was a girl thing, Alex. No guys.”
His shoulders loosened. Was he jealous that she might have been out enjoying the company of other men?
In a more nonchalant tone, which sounded the tiniest bit feigned, he said, “That’s cool. I mean, it’s not like we’re dating or anything. We never laid down the law on exclusivity.”
She took a big bite of omelet and chewed on it—and Alex’s words. Then she swallowed and told him, “I wouldn’t hook up with another guy while I’m having sex with you. I’m good with monogamy.”
Not to mention you’re all I need.
Whoa. This again?
What the hell was going on with her?
“I wouldn’t screw around, either,” he said with conviction in his voice and gravity in his pale-green eyes.
Lola tried to keep the conversation on an even keel, since it was too early in the morning for anything heavy, and her mind was still fuzzy from frozen cocktails. “It’d get pretty expensive for you, considering the incredibly beautiful flowers you send.”
“Those weren’t just for sizzling sex, Lo. We never finished our dinner to celebrate your promotion and your return to Scottsdale.”
“That’s because we were having sizzling sex.”
He let out a low laugh. “True. But I also wanted to congratulate you on your first week in the Marketing department.”
“I kicked ass and took some names.” She gave a little rah-rah fist-pump. “With help.”
“And,” he added, “I wanted to thank you for not making a mess in my condo. You’ve been an outstanding guest.”
“Aw, shucks.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “See? It can be fun having a roomie. You even get laid from time to time.”
“I wouldn’t mind a quickie this morning, but I’ve gotta hit the shower and make a ten o’clock softball game. We have a double-header today, last two games of the season.”
“Can I watch?”
“Sure.” He leaned over and kissed her sweetly on the cheek. “I could use a personal cheerleader on the sidelines.”
“Well, lucky you. I happen to have plenty of experience with that.”
“Never told me why you quit junior year.”
She glanced down at her chest. “I really wasn’t comfortable being on public display.”
“Right. I get it now.” His gaze narrowed. “But, Lo. You do know you’re a knockout? And that the people who know you best know you have brains to go with the beauty?”
She kissed him. And it wasn’t a sweet one on the cheek. It was a sexy kiss that aroused her from the instant their lips touched.
Alex slid off his bar stool and wedged himself between her parted legs, wrapping them around his hips. His tongue tangled with hers, and Lola was swept away by the intensity of their kiss, the heat that radiated from both of them, the need that rose quickly within her.
Her hands gripped his rock-hard biceps as the kiss deepened. Alex held her waist, scooting her toward him so his erection rubbed against her. Lola’s insides ignited.
She tore her mouth from his and said, “Tell me you’ve just changed your mind about the quickie.”
He groaned. “Stay here. I’ll get a condom.”
“Didn’t you mention a shower?” She wagged a brow.
Taking her hand, he pulled her off of the stool and led her into his bathroom. They stepped under the warm spray of water and lathered up. Then Alex’s hands were all over her. Lola loved sliding her slick, soapy body against his. When they rinsed clean, she knelt in front of him, wrapped her fingers around his hard cock, and ran her tongue from base to tip. His hips jerked in response. He threaded his hands through her hair, pushing the wet strands off and away from her face.
She sucked him deep, and he let out a primal growl. Her head bobbed as she took him almost all the way into her mouth and then teased him with her tongue, glancing over the small indentation of his tip before drawing him in again.
When tremors ran through his legs, he guided her head back and said in a dark, lusty tone, “I want to come inside you.”
He shut off the water and laid a towel over the vanity, then grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up. He dug around in a drawer, found a condom, and rolled it on. Lola spread her legs wide, and then he was buried inside her, and she honestly didn’t think anything could ever compare to Alex thrusting and pumping, pushing them both up, sending her into that beautiful bliss she’d never known before him.
“Alex, you get me so worked up. Christ.”
He had one of her thighs draped over his arm, the other leg circling his waist. She planted her palms on the marble and threw back her head, arching her spine. He fucked her heartily, until they erupted in unison, calling out each other’s names.
* * *
“Still rockin’ the Man o’ Steel thing, eh?”
Alex grinned at Pete, then took a few practice swings with his bat.
Pete said, “She’s even here to cheer you on. You sure you know what you’re doing, bro?”
“Covering first base and hitting three home runs like I did during the ten o’clock game.”
Their team had won, thanks to the runs he’d batted in, including a grand slam. So yeah, since Lola had been sitting in the stands when he’d heroed-up, he felt pretty damn good. They’d watched another game afterward, then had lunch on the patio at El Chorro, with its sensational mountain views, before returning to the park for his second game.
With a hint of concern in his tone, Pete said, “You know what I’m talking about. This thing with you and Lo. I’m thinking it’s not so healthy, dude.”
“Since when is having hot sex not so healthy? I use protection.”
“For your Johnson, sure. But what about your heart?”
Alex scoffed. “I can handle it.”
“You’re in love, Alex. She’s getting laid. You’re dealing with very different mindsets here. And as much I dig Lo, I’m your friend, too. I don’t want to see you left high and dry because of her.”
“Let it go,” he grumbled. Alex didn’t need the obvious pointed out to him. Nor was he ready to end the sexfest with Lola. Even though, in the back of his mind, he knew Pete was right. “We’ve got a game to win. Let’s do it.”
He knocked out another grand slam, driving home the winning runs in a grueling game. Pete and his teammates patted him on the back, but it was the look of admiration in Lola’s vibrant blue eyes that kept the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
He dropped his duffel bag on the grass and stared up at her as she stood in the stands, at the end of the bleachers, clapping her hands and bouncing on the soles of sexy sandals. She wore navy-colored shorts and a white tank top. Her long blonde hair was piled high on top of her head, and her bright smile and tempting dimple stole his breath.
So, yeah. Once again, he had to admit that Pete was righ
t. Alex wasn’t doing himself any favors, falling even more in love with Lola Vonn. Maybe he wasn’t the geek he’d once been, but he still questioned whether he’d ever be in her league.
She leaned forward and planted her hands on his shoulders, using him to balance herself. “That was incredible,” she told him, beaming proudly. “I was biting my nails, thinking there was no way in hell you guys were gonna win. Helluva team you were playing. And with the bases loaded at the bottom of the ninth… Jeez, Alex. You sure know how to deliver under pressure.”
He kissed her. Then he reached for her and whisked her off the bleachers and into his arms. He held her tightly, her feet dangling a few inches from the ground.
“I had a little extra incentive. You never cheered for me in high school.”
“The debate team didn’t have cheerleaders. And God forbid I should break out with a ‘Give ’em hell, Alex!’ during a debate.”
“You were always there, though.” His heart did a weird constricting thing that pulled his chest tight.
“Of course.” She regarded him with a sweet smile and a sparkle in her eyes. “We’re best friends. That’s what we do.”
“Despite everyone in school wondering what the beauty queen was doing hanging out with the geek.”
“Seriously, Alex. The girls fawned over you—you just didn’t always notice.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I always liked how smart you were. President of the Student Body. President of the Honor Roll Society. Captain of the Debate Team. I’m actually surprised you didn’t become a lawyer.”
He finally set her on her feet and said, “My parents were both in industrial risk insurance. Mom was a VP in Underwriting, Dad was a senior VP in Claims. They made it sound exciting.”
“Is it?” she asked.
“I have my days. Like when I can keep smaller businesses afloat instead of slapping them with mile-high premiums. My clients stick with me because I find ways for them to afford our product, which they need. I lose one or two from time to time, but my turnover rate is the lowest in the company. Incredibly low by industry standards, in fact. I try to be a partner, not just an insurance agent.”
She smiled. “You even make insurance sexy.” She kissed him again. “Geeks rule.”
And that’s when it hit Alex. He really was screwed. Because he saw so much more between him and Lola than was actually there. Her mega-watt smiles, electric kisses, and provocative words were simple and innate on her end—and complex and meaningful on his.
Alex processed everything about her to the extreme. Making him feel as though there was more going on with them than hot sex.
He realized Pete was trying to spare him from having his heart ripped out of his chest the moment Lola decided she didn’t want or need him anymore. And Alex was stomping all over his friend’s good intentions by continuing to let his emotions—and his dick—guide him where Lola was concerned.
He was balancing on the tip of a very sharp knife.
Extracting himself from the beauty he could never get enough of was no simple feat. But he forced himself to release her. “The team’s going for happy hour at Pizzeria Bianco. Wanna join?”
“Absolutely. I haven’t been there in forever, and though Pete’s Margherita pizza was stellar the other night, I’ve been craving the Rosa. Who would have thought to put pistachios on a pizza?”
“Awesome addition.” They headed to his car. Alex gave more thought to how easy his friendship, relationship, FWB, whatever with Lola was. In theory, it shouldn’t have been, given how topsy-turvy she made everything.
In reality, though… this was totally working.
You are way too stupid for your own good.
In his head, it was Pete’s voice uttering those words of caution. Alex knew to heed the warning. But could he?
They drove to the downtown restaurant and had beers, antipasto, and crespelle at Bar Bianco next door before moving over to the dining room when they could accommodate the large group.
Lola sat between Alex and Pete. Alex didn’t miss the curious looks his teammates’ wives and girlfriends gave Lola.
For the first time, Alex was actually in tune with what Lola had been saying all along about the sideways glances her figure inspired. Sure, he’d noticed when other guys in school had drooled over her. But he could also empathize with them. He’d done it, too. Just more discreetly.
As he gazed at her, admiring the view, she whispered, “What? Do I have something in my teeth?”
“Nope.”
She eyed him quizzically.
He laid a hand on her bare thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re perfect.”
“Far, far from it,” she muttered, her eyes locking with his. “But thank you.”
Following the pizza excursion, they returned to the condo.
“I am so stuffed,” Lola moaned. “Way too much food.”
“I hear you. And I played two games today.” He stretched out on the sofa.
Lola settled on the loveseat. “They just released the new season of The Walking Dead on Netflix. Everyone I know is streaming it. You game?”
“I’m all for a Saturday night marathon. ’Cause I’m not moving anytime soon.”
They didn’t last long. Lola was asleep two hours later. Alex grabbed a blanket from the hall closet and draped it over her. Then he headed off to his bedroom, showered, changed into a T-shirt and briefs, and decided an early crash wasn’t such a bad idea.
* * *
Lola woke from a very sound sleep. Yawned. Stretched. Then realized she was snuggled under a blanket on the loveseat. Alex was nowhere in sight.
She tossed off the covers and headed to her room. But drew up short in the kitchen. Reversing her direction, she crept quietly into Alex’s bedroom. She crawled under the sheet and duvet and cuddled against him, wrapping her arms around him and spooning him from behind.
She inhaled the fresh scent of his soap and reveled in his hunky body next to hers. In the middle of the night, in a somewhat groggy state, she had to admit that curled up with Alex was just about the most wonderful place on the planet. Aside from sprawled on top of him. Or lying beneath him.
Lola further faced the fact that Alex was the only man she could imagine sharing this sort of intimacy with.
Her lips glided over his neck, and he stirred.
“Oh, yay,” she said in a soft voice. “You’re awake.”
“Two more seconds of you rubbing against me and I’ll be hard.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” she whispered in his ear. Her hands slid under his T-shirt and her fingertips glided over the ridges of his abs and then to his pecs. “You have a phenomenal body, Alex.”
He reached under his shirt, gripped one of her hands, and dragged it down between his legs. “I didn’t even need the full two seconds.”
She slipped her palm behind the waist of his briefs and stroked him slowly. Alex groaned.
“Hot and hard,” she murmured. “That’s sexy, Alex.”
“Get me off,” he said in a sleep-roughened voice.
“Yes. But… I want you inside me.” She nipped at his earlobe. “Make love to me.”
He stretched toward the nightstand. Grabbed a condom. Rolled toward her, forcing her to release his cock.
Lola whipped off her clothes while he discarded his and sheathed himself. Then he was settled between her parted legs, sinking deep into her, stealing her breath.
“You’re always ready for me,” he rumbled against her neck. “That turns me on, baby.”
Her fingers plowed through his hair. His head lifted, and their gazes locked. They moved together in slow, perfect, tantalizing unison. Her pelvis lifted. His ground erotically.
“Alex,” she whispered.
“Yeah?”
“This is just right. I’m wet and wanting you, and you’re amazingly, wickedly delicious.”
His head dipped, and he whisked his tongue over her tight nipple. His warm breath skated over her skin as he said, “No one compares to
you, Lo. You’re in a class all by yourself.” He glanced up and stared into her eyes again. “I am lucky as hell to be inside you right now.”
She saw something different in his peridot eyes; felt it to the core of her being. She knew he wasn’t a player. He didn’t lead women on. And maybe that’s why she finally accepted that what existed between them was so much more than friendship.
Lola was in love.
With Alex.
Her Alex.
Emotion overtook her and she kissed him. Passionately.
He rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. She straddled him, and he thrust up into her, clearly spurred by her fervent kiss.
His hands roamed her body, and Lola honestly thought nothing could feel any better. But Alex never was one to stick with status quo. As she rode him slowly, one of his hands clasped her hip, keeping her slipping and sliding along his cock in a sensual movement. His other hand moved between her legs to massage her clit, then shifted to the cleft of her ass. He stroked her languidly, then circled the rim of that forbidden spot with his lubricated finger, making her pulse jump and her body ache even more for him.
“Alex…”
“Go crazy for me, Lo.”
“I am crazy for you.”
His finger pressed in. In response, her pussy squeezed him tight.
“Lo.” Lust and longing tinged his voice.
Alex sat up, forcing her to do so as well. His cock filled her, and Lola gasped.
They found an exciting rhythm that pushed her right to the edge. With his hands on her body and his mouth on her neck, Alex made her hot and hungry for him.
“I’m going to come,” she whispered. Her head fell back. Her spine bowed.
Everything in her core tightened and then shattered.
“Alex!” Fire roared through her veins. She clenched his cock, buried so deep inside her.
“Just like that, Lo. Christ.”
She felt the tension seize him before he ground out her name and shuddered from his climax, which made her soar even higher.
They were perfect together.
Lola wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. Emotion welled within her.
I love you.
The words formed in her head so easily. But Lola kept them to herself for now. She didn’t want to tell Alex how she felt right after they’d had sex. She didn’t want him to misconstrue the admission as something related to how good her orgasms felt—she wanted Alex to know it was him that made her feel good. In and out of bed.