The Ultimate Treasure

by Anne, Melody

  “Kiss me, Lance.” Her words were music to his ears, and he didn’t hesitate even a nanometer of a second. His head descended, and she was reaching for him as he closed the distance. Their mouths collided in a passion that had been brewing for too long now that they were finally together in a bed again.

  This time they were where they needed to be, and his body was on fire as he pushed against her, feeling the heat of her core. Her breasts were covered with a thin shirt, and he could feel the softness of them cradling his chest. He should take some of his weight off her, but he was losing his mind as her hands wrapped around his back and her nails dug into his hot flesh.

  She squirmed beneath him, thrusting her hips up to press against him as she moaned into his mouth. He captured the sound as he swept past her lips and devoured her mouth. His fingers dug into her hair as he pushed his pelvis down. He needed to remove their clothes, and he needed to do it quickly before anything else could interrupt them.

  Wrenching his mouth from hers, he loved her whimper of disapproval that quickly changed when he kissed down her jaw and sucked the skin on her neck where her pulse was pounding out of control. He needed her shirt gone, so he lifted up enough to wrench it from her body before he continued trailing his tongue down her collarbone, seeking the beauty of her breasts.

  Her nipples were bright pink, and he couldn’t resist running his tongue over both of them, seeing them shine as she wiggled beneath him, calling out his name in a low moan. His body pulsed, and he wanted to crawl back up and cradle himself in her thighs but he also needed to taste her again.

  “More,” she demanded as her hands fisted in his hair, and she held him to her breasts. He gladly obliged, taking one nipple into his mouth and sucking it hard, relishing in her whimpers of pleasure. Her hips bucked up against his chest as she sought sweet relief.

  He needed more. Moving down her body he kissed her quivering stomach as he hooked his fingers into her pajama pants. She lifted her hips as he pulled them down and was in awe, gazing at the beauty of her most sensitive place.

  Running his finger down her opening, she spread her thighs, giving him full access as she twisted on the bed. Looking up her body, he nearly came in his pants at the sight of her biting her lip as she tried desperately not to cry out.

  Sinking a finger inside her, Lance was awed at how wet and hot she was. She would cradle him perfectly when he finally sank deep within her slick folds. He couldn’t take it anymore, and he bent his head, running his tongue along her heat, making her entire body jerk off the bed.

  “Lance, please . . .” she whimpered as he found her pulsing flesh and sucked on it while two fingers pumped deep inside her. He felt the trembles, knew she was going to come. He wanted to send her over the edge, but this time he wanted to do it while looking into her eyes.

  Removing his fingers, he climbed up her body, not taking time to remove his pants. He reached down and slid them out of the way as Lexie wrapped her legs behind his back and gazed at him in a passion induced coma.

  “Yes, Lance, now,” she told him.

  He didn’t wait any longer. With a solid thrust, he pushed himself forward and nearly came at the hot entrance into her body. She cried out, this time loudly as her back arched and her naked breasts rubbed against his chest.

  Her legs wrapped around him, pushing him all the way inside, and Lance saw stars dance before his eyes.

  “It was worth the wait,” he growled before he stopped talking and captured her swollen lips. He pushed his tongue in and out of her mouth as he moved his hips faster and faster, pumping inside her tight heat.

  She cried out, this time the sound was captured by his mouth as he felt her let go, her body squeezing him rhythmically. Lance lost it, moving his hips quickly as he let go and released deep within her.

  Exhausted, he collapsed, their slick skin rubbing against each other as she cradled him tightly between her thighs, her fingers rubbing up and down his back. He twitched inside her as she squeezed him, and he realized he could do it all over again. He’d never get enough of this woman. It would be unending pleasure.

  There were voices outside their door, and then a tap on it. Lance was so languid after their lovemaking, he didn’t have the energy to cover them. He didn’t care. His body was over hers. If his family members were going to be rude enough to open the door, they’d get a nice glimpse of his ass.

  “Leaving in one hour,” a voice called and then their footsteps faded away down the hall.

  With reluctance, Lance pulled back and looked into Lexie’s face. She smiled shyly at him.

  “I guess the morning session is over,” she said with a chuckle. Relief flooded him. She wasn’t having instant regrets.

  “Don’t worry. I can see an afternoon, night, morning, mid-morning—” he began when she cut him off with her laughter.

  “Do you plan on breaking me?” she asked.

  He leaned down and took her lips in a soft kiss. “Let’s break each other,” he suggested.

  “I might be up for that,” she told him.

  Lance had an hour. He decided they could each come one more time before they had to face his family. Her eyes lit up when he began pumping inside her again, and the rest of the world faded away.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hot water streaming over her body, Lexie was more relaxed than she could ever remember. What a perfect way to start the day, she thought, with a hunk of a man sliding in and out of her. And not just any man, but Lance Storm, a sexual god who she couldn’t believe she’d been able to resist for so long.

  He’d wanted to share the shower with her, but she’d had no doubt that if he did, they would never make it downstairs. As it was, they were going to be late for the deadline his family had set. And she didn’t even care about that. It was well worth it. Why had she resisted his lovemaking for so long? Was she truly that big of a fool?

  Now that he’d opened up that door, she wanted more. She wanted him to take her in the shower, on the counter, in front of the fireplace, and in that big beautiful bed. She wanted him with an indescribable need. Was she being stupid about it? Yes, she was. She knew that, but it was too late to close that door, so she’d better just suck it up and deal with it.

  Or maybe not. If she closed the door on her emotions and her mind, she could simply enjoy this Christmas, which she was certain was going to be the best one of her life, and suffer the consequences later. That was well worth it, she decided. She’d have her cake and eat it too. Then when it was over, she’d have a lot of ice cream as she came down from the high.

  That decided, she shut off the shower and stepped out. As she toweled off her body, she pictured Lance’s hands all over her. That had her turned on again and wanting to go into that bedroom and attack him. She was sure he wouldn’t mind. She wasn’t sure what the family had planned, but it couldn’t possibly be as fun as the two of them naked together in that big bed. Maybe they could stay there for the entire week. Who needed Santa?

  Lexie was slightly relieved when she came out of the bathroom and Lance wasn’t there. With the way her thoughts were going, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her hands to herself. She’d never thought she’d turn into some sex siren, but now that she’d opened those doors, she didn’t want to close them again.

  Going downstairs was a bit daunting. She didn’t have to try to find anyone because the noise led her in the direction of the dining room where people were grabbing pastries, hot chocolate, and eggnog, and visiting with each other.

  She stood in the doorway, making sure to avoid the mistletoe and trying not to feel like an invader. She told herself all those siblings had gotten married and brought new people into the household who had been accepted. But that didn’t help because even though she and Lance were having sex, she wasn’t his real girlfriend. She was just a way to stop his family from meddling. She didn’t want to think about that. It was too da
mn depressing.

  “Ready for more?” Lance whispered in her ear. She hadn’t even seen him approach. With those quiet words spoken for only her to hear, her core heated and her breasts tightened.

  “Not here,” she told him in a fierce whisper. He smiled at her before bending over and giving her a quick kiss. Lexie hated her damn cheeks, because she felt them heat. She’d been expecting this sort of thing. They were supposed to be putting on a show for the family.

  The thing was, though, it didn’t feel like a show. It felt real, and she could get used to his mouth on hers often and in all sorts of places. No. No. No. She was in the middle of a crowded room and didn’t have time for those thoughts.

  “What are we in such a hurry to do?” she asked Lance as she took a step back from him.

  “That’s the miracle of surprises,” he told her.

  “Is everyone going?” She didn’t see how they could all go anywhere without closing down an entire town. How many people were there? It had to be a few dozen. It was too dizzying to try to count.

  “We’re riding with my brother Crew and his wife, Haley,” Lance told her. That wasn’t so bad. She’d be with just a few people. Much better than the entire group.

  “Nope, there’s been a change,” Crew said as he stepped up. Lexie had seen Lance’s brother Crew but hadn’t talked to him before. The man was as good-looking as Lance and had the same sparkling eyes. His wife joined him and gave Lexie a friendly smile.

  “Joseph said he hasn’t been spending enough time with his single nephew,” Haley said with a laugh as she emphasized the word and winked at Lance. “He’s driving, and we have to pray to survive.”

  “I’m not single,” Lance said in almost a panic as his arm snaked around Lexie. “I have Lexie here.”

  “There isn’t a ring on her finger yet, and you know Uncle Joseph won’t be satisfied until that happens,” Crew said, obviously enjoying himself.

  Lexie found herself rubbing the spot where a wedding ring would sit. She just wasn’t sure exactly how she felt about having one there. She’d never wanted to marry, had always looked at it as the most awful thing in the world, growing up with the father she’d been ill-fated to have. But as she gazed at all the happy Anderson couples she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been wrong.

  Did one bad example in her life mean she was damned to an eternity alone? Her sister had found one of the good ones. Lexie was sure Lance was also a great guy. But he hadn’t wanted marriage any more than she had a month ago. This was getting far too complicated for her to process. She’d rather hide in her room than face those sorts of questions.

  “Maybe he won’t have to wait much longer,” Lance said with a wink sent her way that made her head spin. She told herself this was all part of the act. Still, her throat closed up as she looked at the man who was becoming far too important to her.

  Not able to speak, she smiled before turning back to look at Crew and his wife and giving them a wobbly smile.

  “Come on, Lance, you’re scaring her,” Haley scolded as she pulled Lexie away from Lance. Lexie wasn’t sure if she was relieved or not by the gesture.

  Lance had to be too good to be true. That was the bottom line. Men like him weren’t that great. They looked good on paper, but reality was different than fantasy.

  “Don’t be scared off by these men. They have far too many hormones running rampant,” Haley told her. “But take it from me, they are worth getting to know.”

  Lexie wondered if this woman was a mind reader. She instantly liked Haley. Something about her invited a person to share their deepest and darkest secrets. She’d have to ask her sister who her favorite sister-in-law was.

  “This is a bit overwhelming,” Lexie admitted and Haley laughed.

  “Believe me I know. When I first met Crew, I approached him and asked if he’d teach me how to be a seductress for another man,” Haley admitted.

  Lexie was floored. “Seriously?” she asked with a gasp.

  “Yep. I was all set on winning a man who wasn’t worth the prize,” Haley told her. “Crew reluctantly agreed, but then I seduced him in the end,” she added with a big grin.

  “Wow, that sounds like a fairy tale,” Lexie said.

  “A dirty fairy tale,” Haley told her with a laugh.

  “What are you girls doing over here?” Joseph asked with a big grin as he joined them.

  Lexie was intimidated by the giant man who did a great impression of Santa. All he needed was a red suit and a tobacco pipe, and he’d be good to go at any mall in America.

  “We’re gossiping about your nephews,” Haley told him with a smile.

  “Those boys need you ladies to keep them on their toes,” Joseph said with a laugh. Then he focused on Lexie. “Are you keeping my Lance on his?”

  Lexie’s cheeks heated at his intense gaze, and she wasn’t sure what to say to this mountain of a man. If he knew what she and his nephew had done that morning he might not be looking at her with such a sweet smile.

  “Um . . .” she stuttered, not knowing what to say.

  “He needs to do the right thing and let you make an honest man out of him,” Joseph said as he pointedly looked at her finger. Lexie was ready to sink into the ground.

  “Why don’t you quit trying to scare the woman off and maybe I’ll do that?” Lance said as he came and saved her for what felt like the millionth time.

  “Now that’s what I like to hear at the holidays,” Joseph told them before patting Lance’s shoulder so hard she didn’t see how he didn’t fall over.

  “You’ll learn to appreciate Uncle Joseph. He might be a meddler, but he loves us all,” Haley said with a sympathetic smile. “Don’t run away, just take it all in.”

  The conversation ended when people started making their way to the front door where vehicles were warmed up and ready to go. Lexie felt a bit of excitement as she watched her sister get into a vehicle with her daughter and husband.

  This was a pretty incredible family, but Lexie wasn’t sure she fit in with all of them. Her sister had been like a mother to her so it was natural that Savvy fit right in. Lexie had been different. She’d been hidden from so much, but she’d seen a lot more than Savvy would have liked her to have seen. It changed a person in ways she wasn’t able to talk about. Maybe someday, but she didn’t see it happening anytime soon.

  “Ready?” Lance asked.

  “Always,” she said. Thinking about the word, she realized it was becoming more and more true. She might always be ready for this mysterious man who had shown up in her life and refused to go away. The thing was, now she didn’t want him to go anywhere.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lexie was packed into the backseat of the SUV between Lance and Haley while Crew sat in the front chatting with Joseph, who’d turned up the radio station playing non-stop Christmas tunes.

  When Rudolph came on in a country twang, Lexie smiled when both Haley and Lance started singing along, purposely messing up the words as the two of them nudged her until she caved and joined in.

  She’d never win an award for her musical talent, but she didn’t care. There was something about Christmas music that made a person get into the spirit of the holidays. And with Lance’s deep, surprisingly good voice sounding in her ear she couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

  As he reached over and rested his hand on her thigh, the touch scorching her, she squirmed in the seat. She needed to push his hand away, but Haley was looking at the two of them with a secret smile that had Lexie panicking. She couldn’t give away their deception in front of his sister-in-law and his uncle, who she was sure had eyes in the back of his head.

  “We might need to sing some karaoke soon, or start our own band,” Joseph said in a voice that had Lexie jumping where she sat. The man was louder than anyone she’d heard before. He certainly would never need a microphone.

 
“I think I’ll stick to the bathroom shower,” Lexie said without thinking. Lance turned and gave her a sizzling look that made her cheeks glow.

  “I’ll do a duet with you then,” he told her with a wink. She was too mortified to turn and see what Haley thought about that comment.

  “Haley and I perform those kind of duets every chance we get,” Crew said from the front seat, laughing with joy.

  Lexie was shocked at how they could say such things in front of their uncle. But Joseph just continued singing the next song, acting as if he hadn’t heard a word. Lexie wasn’t used to sharing such intimate thoughts, or saying whatever came to mind. It was a good thing she wouldn’t be around this family too long because she was sure she couldn’t get used to that.

  “We’re not far away now,” Joseph told them.

  Good, Lexie thought. She wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable, it was just that she was having to work harder to keep her guard up the longer she was with these people. Locked in a vehicle while Joseph quizzed her, and Lance’s brother made every innuendo known to man, was taking the last of her self-control away.

  They arrived in a giant parking lot and Joseph turned off the car. He and Crew got out and opened the back doors before Lance or Haley could reach for the knobs. When Lexie stepped out, Lance took her hand, and she looked around. There were lights up ahead but she wasn’t sure where they were.

  “What is going on?” she asked. No one had filled her in on what they were doing.

  “It’s another family tradition that normally winds up with some sore behinds, but the spiked eggnog almost makes it worth it,” Lance said.

  She dug her heels in. “I’m not moving until you tell me,” she said.

  Joseph laughed as he looked at the two of them, and she was a bit embarrassed to be throwing a small tantrum in front of his family. But Lexie wasn’t keen on surprises, especially ones that could end with her injured.