“Why?”
Good question. Maybe because he’d been so honest with her, baring his soul, his beliefs, and what she was wondering was…well, hell.
“Come on, Harly,” Alex urged quietly. “I’m not going to faint. I’m not going to get mad.” He grinned a little crookedly. “I even promise not to cry.”
In for a penny, in for a pound, as the old saying went. If she couldn’t tell him how she felt now, when could she? And if he could be honest, so could she.
If only it was that easy.
Looking at Alex standing there, big and masculine and handsome, his gaze so intense and patient yet with an alertness that defied his relaxed stance, she wondered that she could even have doubts. There would undoubtedly be a score of women in his past who would give their eye teeth to be in her position right now. Only she wasn’t certain of her position.
Taking a deep breath, she backed further away, creating distance between them. His eyebrow arched up but he didn’t stop her. Moving around behind the kitchen bench, she placed her hands on the bench top and thought about how to start. It seemed so much easier when watching an actor do it on the television. Reality was a whole other ball game.
Alex moved forward, but rather than come to a stop directly before her, he instead leaned against the wall beside the counter not far to her left. Reaching out, he took a mint from the open packet and unwrapped the lolly. Popping it into his mouth, he chewed on it while waiting patiently. Leaning against the wall with his ankles crossed and his hands in his pockets, he was the epitome of relaxation. If one didn’t notice the intensity of his gaze.
Harly glanced at him. He merely raised his eyebrows in answer and said not one word. She half wished he’d ask something to give her a start, but geez, he’d already said his piece. Now it was her turn.
Rather than meet his eyes, she returned her gaze to the bench top between her hands. “How can you possibly know in such a short time that I’m the one for you?”
“I just do.”
“Not a good enough answer.” Not good enough for her.
“You don’t believe me.”
“I find it hard to believe,” she corrected.
“Then I’ll just have to work on convincing you.”
She ignored the warmth that sentence caused. “There’s a problem with that, Alex.”
“I somehow thought there was.”
Harly glanced sharply at him, but his expression revealed nothing, so she turned to him, wanting to see his face. “I don’t know how I feel about you.”
He nodded calmly.
Fine. As long as he could be calm about it, so could she. Harly straightened her shoulders. “I don’t sleep around, Alex, so don’t go thinking that what happened last night is going to happen again anytime soon.”
He studied her thoughtfully.
Refusing to say more until he answered with words, she folded her arms beneath her breasts and raised her own eyebrows at him.
“But it will happen,” he stated.
Caught off guard, she stared at him. “What?”
“You said it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, so you haven’t ruled out that it will happen again.”
“Are you laughing at me, Alex Lawson?”
“Not at all. Just trying to get an understanding.”
More than a little irritated because she couldn’t read his stoic expression, she snapped, “I’m not a woman who sleeps around.”
“I know that.”
“How the hell can you know that? You just got here.”
“You’re shy when naked, and honey, even though you were unbelievably hot in bed, there was no doubting how inexperienced you were.”
Flabbergasted, she could only open and close her mouth.
Calmly picking up another mint, Alex unwrapped it and said before popping it into his mouth, “And you’re deliciously tight.”
Her cheeks went bright red.
His eyes gleamed carnally. “The first one I’ll remedy, the second, well, your delightful body will get used to my size.”
Not knowing what to say to that, because the God’s honest truth was that Alex had been her one and only lover, Harly could only stare at him while her cheeks burned…and she tried to ignore the surge of heat in her loins at the memory of his size entering her. Do not go there. Do not go there. Do not bloody go there!
“But it’s more than just the lovemaking that’s disturbing you,” Alex continued.
“You’re disturbing me.”
He grinned that crooked little grin that made her heart go - do not go there either! Harly gathered her wits. “You came back into town after sixteen years, we have a blow-up, we end up in bed together, this morning you declare that you feel something for me and you’re not going to let me go, and I’m telling you that I have no idea how I feel about you or this whole situation.”
He thought about that for several seconds, chewing slowly and nodding his head before finally answering. “Okay.”
When he didn’t say anything more, she asked incredulously, “That’s it? Just ‘okay’?”
“Sure. I understand you’re confused. I know how I feel, and I have an understanding now how you feel.”
“How can you be so calm about it?”
“You’re being honest with me. I’m being honest with you.”
Was he for real? “You don’t seem worried that I don’t return your claims of undying devotion.”
“Harly, I’ve learned a lot in the time since we last met. One of those things is patience.”
“You think if you’re patient I’ll come around? You’re that sure of yourself?”
“Hmmm, maybe ‘patient’ was a bad choice of word.” He rubbed his chin, a gesture that coming from another man might have seemed as though he was laughing at her, but Alex was deadly serious. “Harly, I’m willing to put the time into this relationship to prove my declaration, and I’m willing to wait for you to discover your true feelings. I can’t put it any plainer than that.”
“This may take awhile.”
“Yup.”
“What if I don’t feel like that? Ever?” She watched him curiously.
He looked at her.
“Honestly,” she prompted.
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
Pushing away from the wall, Alex moved the two steps to place him directly in front of her. Reaching out, he took her chin in a gentle hold.
Heat immediately washed through her, and she could only watch in fascination as he leaned close. His gaze, so intense, locked with hers, and when he spoke it was with a conviction that made her breath catch.
“Harly Bentley, you said it yourself. You don’t sleep around, you don’t trust people you don’t know, and you are no fool. But you trusted me last night, you didn’t hesitate in letting me sleep over, you allowed me to make love to you, and you slept in my arms afterwards. This morning after your initial embarrassment, we enjoyed each others company while having breakfast. Now you tell me, honey, if that doesn’t mean something.”
Her heart hammered as his breath brushed over her lips. She didn’t know what to say, not when the truth was right there between them. There was no way Harly would have invited any man to stay at her home overnight, much less had sex with him. It had been so natural with Alex, so easy. But neither was it that straightforward.
“I don’t…”
“Don’t what?” he encouraged quietly.
“It doesn’t mean that I feel anything…romantic…for you.”
“It doesn’t mean you don’t, either.”
She swallowed. It was true. But she was still uncertain, it was all so new, so unexpected.
And so….exciting.
Frightening.
“I’m scared.” The words came out without thought.
His eyes warmed. “Just take it easy, Harly. There’s no rush.”
Mortified, she glanced away. “I didn’t mean-”
“Yeah, you did. But it’s okay.” His lips brus
hing lightly against her own had her lashes lowering. Mortified she might be, but the firm silkiness of his lips had the emotion slide away to be replaced with the awareness of him.
One gentle kiss, undemanding, almost sweet, and then his lips were gone.
Opening her eyes, she looked up to find that he’d shifted back, his hands braced on the kitchen bench top as he smiled down at her.
“We need to get to know each other again,” he said.
“I guess so-”
A car horn blowing broke through her words, making them both turn to look at the window. Buffy barked from somewhere in the hallway and then there was a knock at the door.
“Someone’s here.” Straightening, Harly took a deep breath and moved with slightly trembling knees into the hall.
Part of her was relieved at being able to put space between her and Alex, while another was sorely disappointed. Oh yeah, she was one confused woman.
Opening the front door, she was greeted by her mother who kissed her cheek and walked past her in stockinged feet, her hands full of several grocery bags.
“Dad and I came to check up on you,” Mrs Bentley informed her, making for the kitchen.
Mr Bentley toed off his shoes and walked past Harly, ruffling her hair as he did so. “’Morning, chicken. Got the tea pot on?”
“You’ll need to boil the kettle again.” Closing the security screen, Harly followed her parents down the hallway. At least this diverted her attention for awhile, something she felt she sorely needed.
To really absorb what Alex had just sprung on her, she needed to be alone, clearheaded, and just sit and stew in her shock. And rattled emotions.
“My word, is that you, Alex Lawson?” Mrs Bentley was saying as Harly walked into the kitchen. “Look, Hal, it’s the Lawson boy.”
Mr Bentley shook Alex’s hand. “Good to see you, Alex. Heard you were in town for a visit. Having a break from the Army?”
“On leave,” Alex replied easily, taking the grocery bags from Mrs Bentley and placing them on the kitchen bench before resuming his seat at the table and picking up the coffee mug.
Harly came up beside her mother and watched as she started taking assorted items from the bag. “Really, Mum, you didn’t have to do this.”
“We were worried about you, Harly. Out here alone in the storm, possibly cut off due to flooding.”
“I’m not marooned, Mum. I’d have lasted a couple of days before having to risk my life slogging through two feet of water to the nearest town before starving to death.”
Alex grinned.
“You know your mother, always a worrier.” Mr Bentley tossed several tea bags into the china tea pot.
“Your father had me up at six am, but I told him the shops weren’t open until eight, so he’d just have to wait.” Mrs Bentley spotted the two plates on the table and she paused before shooting Alex a sudden sharp glance. “Breakfast for two, dear?”
Harly knew exactly where her mind was going and there was no way on God’s green earth that she was going to admit it, so she hid her blush by turning to the pantry and starting to pack away the groceries she held. “Alex dropped by to check on me, Paul and Becky were worried. I offered him something to eat.”
“Toast?” Mr Bentley unwrapped a chocolate roll. “You can do better than that, Harly. Thank goodness we came along, Alex.”
“Thank goodness,” Alex echoed, but the fleeting glance he shot at Harly made it clear he didn’t mean it. He returned his gaze to her father.
“So.” Mrs Bentley pushed the plastic bags into the bag holder behind the pantry door while she looked closely at Alex. “How long are you here for?”
“A couple of weeks.”
“Then back home?”
“For a short visit before I go back to work.”
“Overseas?”
“Possibly.”
“So not staying long.”
“Not long enough.”
“I hear you’re helping Paul while you’re here.”
“That was the plan.” His gaze flickered briefly at Harly. “Amongst others.”
“I see.” Mrs Bentley took two dainty cups and saucers from the sideboard and poured hot tea into them, adding a dash of milk and sugar before bringing it to the table and placing one before her husband and one in front of the chair in which she sat. “And what are the other plans?”
“Mum,” Harly admonished.
“Sorry, sweetie.” Mrs Bentley smiled at her, but it wasn’t totally sincere. “Alex, I’m afraid living in a small town like this means things happen and we all know about it. It makes someone new intriguing.”
“That’s a polite way to say some of us are sticky beaks.” Mr Bentley cut a big chunk of cake and took a mouthful.
Getting up, Harly took several small plates off the sideboard and placed them on the table, along with little cake forks. “Here, Dad.”
Mrs Bentley sighed as she cut a much smaller slice and put it on a little plate. “Never mind your father, dear, I’ve tried for years to make him more genteel but it doesn’t work.”
“I’m one of a kind.” Mr Bentley informed her before turning to Alex. “So, I hear your family is into businesses.”
“They are.” He shook his head politely when Harly gestured to the cake.
“Have you seen the clothes our daughter makes?”
Knowing where this conversation was going to lead, Harly interrupted. “Dad, I’m not going into big business, and Alex is certainly not going to recommend me to his family.”
“I’ve seen Harly’s work,” Alex said. “And I’ve already offered help, which she’s declined.”
“And what do you think of that?” Mrs Bentley studied him closely.
“I respect her decision.” When Alex looked seriously at Harly, she felt warmth go through her. “I have absolute trust that she makes the correct ones.”
Boy, was that a loaded answer or what?
“I think she’s wasting her talents,” Mrs Bentley stated.
“Mum, I’m happy doing what I do,” Harly said. “Leave it.”
“Honey, you could be making big money.”
“I’m happy. I work at the café, I sew for those I wish to, and I’m happy.”
Mrs Bentley sighed. “If you say so, dear.”
Harly rolled her eyes.
“I saw that, young lady.”
“It’s an old argument.” Mr Bentley licked the tip of his finger and used it to gather the crumbs from his plate. “Both are stubborn.”
Alex smiled.
Mrs Bentley was still studying him closely with her lips pressed together, and it was clear to Harly that her mother wasn’t entirely happy with his presence.
After a couple of minutes of Mr Bentley discussing Alex’s Jeep outside and the performance of it, which had Harly inwardly rolling her eyes, Alex stood up. “I must go and give Paul a hand. Nice to meet you again, Mr and Mrs Bentley. Harly, thank you for breakfast.”
Good manners had her getting to her feet. “No problems. I’ll see you to the door.”
Alex followed her out and she was more than conscious of him behind her as they walked to the door. Before she could reach for the handle, his arm came around her, his chest pressing against her back as he breathed into her ear, “Allow me.”
The man would be the death of her. The door swung open and she almost scurried out, stepping to the side to allow him to pass her.
The door shut again and Alex turned to face her. They looked at each other in silence, she wondering if she should say something, and then wondering what the heck she should say, because she hadn’t yet had time to calmly - calm being the operative word - digest what had transpired between them, and more importantly, what Alex had revealed.
That charmingly crooked grin curved his lips again and he bent down to place his mouth close to her ear.
Heart hammering, Harly could only stand still, unable to bring herself to move back, not wanting to, in fact, as she inhaled deeply of his scent. His breath
tickled her ear as he said softly, “I’ll see you tonight.” He straightened.
“Tonight?” What the heck did that mean? Sex? Her knees went weak.
That twinkle appeared in his eyes. “Dinner.”
“Dinner?” She didn’t know whether to feel relief or disappointment. “Oh, right. Dinner.” Dinner was okay. Dinner was safe. Did she want safe? Hell, she didn’t know what she wanted. “Um…is that a good idea?” Good grief, she sounded like an idiot.
“It’s not a bad one.” Amusement made the crinkles appear appealingly at the corners of his eyes.
She had to admit, gone was the soldier with a weight on his shoulders and in his place was the mature version of the teenage boy she remembered, the one with the light laugh, teasing words, charm and love of life.
What did it say of her that both versions appealed?
“Harly?” His expression turned quizzical.
She blinked. “Oh, right. Dinner. Sure. I guess so.”
“Don’t sound so worried.”
“Do I?” She attempted a reassuring smile.
It obviously didn’t work because he chucked her gently beneath the chin. “Yes.”
“I’m not.”
“It’s going to be okay, Harly.” Turning, he walked down the steps and over to the Jeep. Opening the door, he looked across at her and smiled. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Right.” Chewing her bottom lip, she watched as he started the Jeep and pulled out of the drive, giving him an answering wave as he went through the gate her parents had left open. She watched until the Jeep drove from sight.
Dinner. She’d actually agreed to have dinner with Alex Lawson, the man who’d made love to her so shatteringly in the depths of the night. Whoo boy. Running her hand through her hair, she stared out at the yard drying beneath the sun. She had a lot to think about and she wished she knew who to talk to, but this was something she could only tell someone she absolutely trusted.
“Harly?” Her mother called from the kitchen.
“Definitely not telling Mum,” she muttered. “Or Dad.” Maybe she should just discuss it with Buffy, Pepper, Chuckie and Sunny. She wouldn’t get any answers from the furries and they’d probably just go to sleep while she was talking.
The Lawson Boys: Alex Page 14