“You don’t need to get it. Even I don’t get it. But my heart feels heavy because I have to put her on a plane in the morning.” I run my hands through my short hair. “She’s only been in my apartment a short time, but I can’t imagine not being with her. We’ve waited for years to be together and now that we are, I don’t want to spend a night away from her.”
I get up and moving out from behind my desk, I pace. “I know I’m a grown man, but … but, I need her to breathe, Olivia.”
Olivia jumps up and grabs my hands. She wraps her fingers around mine and holds tight. “You have to stop getting so worked up. Rachel is going to be fine for a week, and so are you.” She smirks. “Just think about the fun you’ll have when you’re back together. Distance makes the heart grow fonder after all—” she trails off with a soft smile.
“Funny.” I shake my head and smile.
Kissing her on the forehead, I say, “Just wait until it’s your turn to fall in love. You’ll understand where I’m coming from.”
“I’m too young to fall in love, unlike my cousins … and brother.” She chuckles and drops back into the chair. I sit beside her, catching a sigh leave her lips.
“I visited Charlotte and Garrett earlier.” Grinning, she meets my eyes. “It was fun playing with Elias, and McKenna is such a sweet baby.”
“Getting baby fever, Sis?” I nudge her foot with mine.
Olivia becomes serious. “I’m twenty-four, so yeah I still agree that I’m too young—”
“But?”
“—but, sometimes I wish that I had everything Charlotte does. Garrett is so completely in love with her and their children. She’s so happy Alex. And I think that I want that.” She looks off into the distance. “I guess with everyone falling like leaves, I’m feeling a bit out of the loop. I keep telling myself I’m too young, but am I really?”
She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath. “I have a good job where I love doing what I do. I love my family, and I know everyone would be there for me if I ever needed them, but perhaps something really is missing from my life.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk like this before.” I watch her closely. “But, I will say, that if you are lucky enough to meet someone who turns your head, then don’t let the opportunity pass you by. You won’t know when it will arise again.”
I smile thinking about Rachel and her beautiful smile that she always gives me when she sees me. “There’s nothing like being with someone who you know loves you, who you know will be the one person you can always rely on.” I take one of her hands and intertwine our fingers. “It’s scary Olivia, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve waited a long time to have this chance with Rachel. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m not prepared to give her up for anything or anyone.”
Silence follows and then Olivia asks, “Does everyone in the family know about you both now?”
“I’m not sure.” I wince. “Jaxon does anyway.”
Olivia throws her head back and laughs. “I bet that went down well. What did he say?”
“He wasn’t happy to find out after Rachel had already left Boston to come to me. He said a lot of stuff made sense to him now though.” I shrug. “Rachel has been having trouble with Paige, which has interfered with everyone’s dynamic at college. He grumbled a bit, but finally said he’d see me when he was home.”
“Yeah, Mom said Jaxon wouldn’t be impressed he hadn’t known all along.”
“It is what it is.” I smile, and admit, “I really want to be on that plane with Rachel tomorrow.”
The chair squeaks as I lean against the back and follow the Lexington skyline with my eyes. I rapidly blink to get rid of the tears that have sprung up at the reminder of Rachel leaving.
I hear rustling and then my sister’s arms are wrapping around my chest from behind me. “I love you Alex, and if you want to fly over the ocean with Rachel then that’s what you have to do.” She kisses the side of my face, and continues, “I’ve heard that all you have to do is write up a few reports. You can do that on your laptop, right?”
My mouth opens to tell her no, except what comes out is, “Yes.”
22
Rachel
Alexander is so comfortable.
We’re in first class and even though I have my own seat, I’d climbed on top of Alexander when we’d decided to catch up on some sleep. The plane is in darkness as we fly over the ocean and the other passengers are sleeping best they can thousands of miles above sea level; the turbulence is slight, every now and again.
I’ve napped but I don’t think it was for long and Alexander still snores softly against my ear.
I watch him sleeping and under the cover of the blanket, I slowly slide my hand down his chest and under his T-shirt. Feeling warm skin, I run my fingers back and forth above the waistband of his jeans.
He softly mutters something but continues sleeping.
Temptation is too much, and I quickly shove my hand down the front of his jeans. The tips of my fingers find his rapidly swelling penis against his thigh so I straighten him out. I rub my thumb over the crown and offer him a wicked grin when his eyes pop open in surprise. He clamps his mouth closed while breathing heavily, his heated gaze piercing into mine.
My hand wraps around the solidness that I’ve created and Alexander hisses. The arm he has around my waist trembles before he clamps me hard against him.
“What are you doing?” he pants.
Finding his ear, I whisper, “I want you to come.”
I curl my leg around him and make quick work of the zipper and button. He arches against me as I start working him up. I continue to whisper to him while precum trickles from his cock. “If we really were alone right now,” I bite his earlobe and he jerks in my hand, “I’d dip my head and lick around the bulging head. I’d spread your excitement around before pulling you into my mouth.”
So quickly he has his hand inside my leggings and his fingers slipping through my arousal. A finger enters me and I grip him tightly. He softly curses while he fingers me as rapidly as I’m jerking him off.
The hand around me suddenly grips my bottom and then I feel him coming. The splash of semen on my hand and wrist is warm and thick, and then I grip him so tightly that I’m surprised I don’t hurt him. My release rushes through me.
Alexander slams his mouth down onto mine and he captures the sound of my climax. I twitch against his fingers and bury my face against his neck until I can catch a breath.
“You can be as naughty as you want to be with me,” he whispers into my ear. “That was … amazing.”
“How are we going to get cleaned up?”
He softly chuckles. “Tissues on the shelf,” he mumbles and catches his breath when I move my hand between his legs. “I think we might be pushing our luck.”
“Mmm.” I nibble on his neck and move along his jaw.
A moan works it way up my throat when he removes his fingers, that I just about control. I’m tempted to put my mouth to his penis when he holds my gaze while sucking his fingers clean. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “You’re delicious.”
My eyes go hooded and I lick my lips. “I know where I’d like my mouth to be right now.”
He snaps his eyes closed. “I think you need to remove your hand.”
I giggle. “Pass me some tissues. I’m cleaning you.”
He curses but does as I request.
My hand and wrist is wiped clean firstly and then I see to him before zipping him back up.
We deposit the tissues into the small plastic bag we’ve been given for trash.
“I’m exhausted now,” he comments with a smirk.
I roll my eyes. “You’ve had more sleep than me.”
He tucks me close. “Then you sleep, and I’ll watch over you.”
“I’d rather stay awake than miss a single moment of this trip with you.”
His fingers slide into my hair and begin to massage. “This is the first trip of many Rache
l … and next time we’re going to take the company jet.”
I lift my gaze and find amusement in his eyes. “More privacy,” he says, his lips twitching.
Laughing into his chest, I moan, “I can’t believe I started that.”
“I’d already been trying to come up with a plan of getting us both into the restroom.”
“That wouldn’t work without us being caught.”
“I’m just glad we didn’t get caught.” He turns on to his side, holding me close. “I still have a lot of work to do in order to get these reports written, but I’ll do as much as I can while you’re in the language school.”
“I’m excited to visit Florence with you; the galleries, gardens, and the small cafés. There is so much to see.”
“I’m looking forward to that too, but I’m also looking forward to seeing your face when you catch your first glimpse of the beautiful apartment I’ve rented for us.”
“Hmm,” I mumble. “You were so sneaky cancelling the apartment I had rented belonging to the University, and paying the cancellation fees.”
“As though you mind.” He grins and pinches me on the bottom. “I want you away from the other students, so they don’t go getting any ideas about you.” Alexander brushes the hair back from my face. “I know I’m being possessive, Rachel. I can’t help how much I want the world to know you’re taken.”
My fingers slide along his hand and when he captures it we intertwine our fingers. “I honestly don’t mind that you’re possessive of me. I like it.” Resting my head on his chest, I add, “I’ve wanted to be with you like this for a long time, and if I’m honest with myself, I feel just as possessive over you. So it’s a two way street Mister.”
As silence settles around us once more my mind wanders to my sister. I so wanted to speak to her about this trip and about my plans to live with Alexander once I’m back in the states. But I couldn’t say any of that to her because of how she’s been with me. Something Ramon said is stuck in my mind. About whether or not something else is actually bothering Paige and she’s taking it out on me.
I should have made the time to find out if that was the case, and for that I feel guilty.
23
Alexander
I sit on the small balcony of the one-bedroom apartment I’ve hired for the month that we’re here. If I turn to my right, then I can enjoy the view of the ocean and of the cobbled stone street that leads down to it. The balcony from our bedroom has a direct view, and it’s Rachel’s favorite place to relax.
She should be relaxing now but as I watch her talk to her sister back in the states her shoulders are tense, and tears fall from her eyes. It’s difficult for me to sit here and wait it out, but I promised her I wouldn’t interfere with the call and I’m going to keep that promise.
Hearing Italian shouted rapidly three stories below, I glance down and watch a young couple dashing toward the ocean. There are a lot of arm motions while they seem to be shouting. I think they’re just enjoying themselves as opposed to arguing though.
My gaze follows them until they’re out of sight and then I turn and locate Rachel who is sitting on the sofa with her head and shoulders drooped.
She lifts her face and her eyes hold mine while she makes her way slowly toward me. I bring her onto my lap and hold her close allowing her the time she needs.
When she’s ready, she’ll talk to me and I’m just happy that I’m here to comfort her even if a small part of me realizes the problem here is me. It shouldn’t be. I love both of them. My heart belongs to Rachel, and Paige I’ve always considered a sister.
The situation is a mess and I want to be able to make it all go away because I hate seeing how upset Rachel is. Maybe when we get back I need to be the one to go and talk to Paige. Make her see how much I love and need Rachel.
“I don’t know what to say to her anymore,” Rachel says. “She was happy to hear my voice until I told her that you were here with me for the month. I asked her to talk to me instead of shouting and stating her opinion. I told her I really wanted to know what she had against us.”
Rachel sniffles into a tissue and sits up, her hands fisting in my shirt. “She told me she had nothing to say to me until I came crying to her … why would she think our relationship will fail? I know she loves you. Her attitude at the moment just doesn’t make any sense to me.”
I cradle Rachel in my arms and carry her into our apartment. It’s small and rustic, which is what I know Rachel was looking forward to. It’s probably more upscale than the average place in Florence, but I need some room to spread out my papers and pull the reports together.
We settle on the flowered sofa and enjoy the silence until I feel Rachel starting to relax in my arms. “Don’t let her ruin our trip to Italy okay? You’ve looked forward to this for so long.”
She nods. “I know. It just hurts.”
“I love you Rachel, and we’ll somehow get through to her when we get home.” I push her slightly away from me, which earns a frown. I grin. “I have an idea.” I quickly kiss her on the lips. “Why don’t we send her a postcard from here on a daily basis. We can just say ‘I love you’.”
“That’s a good idea,” she says excitedly, bouncing up from my lap. “I hope they all don’t arrive at the same time.”
“Some will probably arrive together, but not a month’s worth.” I grab her hand and tug her down and under me on the sofa.
She wiggles. “What are you after Mr. McKenzie?” Her grin is mischievous and then I feel her hands slip down the back of my gym shorts. Delicate fingers spread over the cheeks of my ass and squeeze.
I hiss. “You’re asking for the dirty kind of trouble,” I warn.
A dirty laugh bursts from between her lips as she rocks her pelvis against my hard on. “I’ve never done it in the ocean before.” A trail of heat follows her tongue along my neck and to my jaw. “I think it would be fun.”
I drop my forehead to her shoulder while moving my hips away from her. Trying to inhale when her hands are doing everything they can to encourage me to continue is killing me.
“Get your swimsuit on.” I hiss when her knee rubs my cock.
Quickly kneeling between her legs, I help her move from the sofa, hearing her chuckling as she heads towards the bedroom. I glance at my groin and groan, willing my erection down. As it is, I can’t go anywhere in public.
Seconds later Rachel rushes through the apartment to the front door. “I’m ready.”
“So am I.” Standing with my hands on my hips, I smirk when she looks me over, her eyes popping wide when they meet my shorts.
“Um, you can’t go anywhere with, um, that.” She points, which makes me grin all the more. “Do you want my mouth to suck you off before we go?”
“Fuck!” I stalk toward her and pin her against the door, rocking against her stomach. “You have to stop saying shit like that to me. We’re never going to leave this apartment unless you stop.”
She pushes back her fingers searching and finding my nipples. “I just thought it would be less painful for you if you come first.”
Cursing under my breath, I quickly shove her out the door. While I lock up, I rearrange my cock, only meeting Rachel’s gaze when I feel as though I’m back in control.
She smirks and raises a brow.
Intertwining our fingers together, we walk downstairs while I mumble, “I’m a grown ass man, I can control myself around the woman I love.”
“Good luck with that mate,” a British sounding guy replies running past us, his laughter lingers in his wake.
Walking along the cobbled street in the sun feels good. I’ve no idea where the British guy disappeared to, but my concentration is really on getting Rachel as quickly as possible to the ocean. If only she would cooperate.
Her eyes are full of mirth as she pulls me back. “Why the rush?”
My arms wrap around her and I nuzzle into her neck. “Someone promised me sex in the ocean. I’m having a hard time finding any patience.”
“I feel that.” She teases, “You always make me feel so good.”
My hands reach inside her cover up and that’s when I realize she isn’t wearing a swimsuit, but a bikini.
“Surprise.” She bites my earlobe and I find myself tempted to yank her into the alley and have my way with her. It would be over in two seconds flat with how primed to fuck her I am.
My skin tingles where she touches, and then she whispers, “I need to feel you sliding in and out of me.” My hands tremble as she continues, “The wet glide of your penis feels amazing and touches me in the right places.”
My breath catches in the back of my throat and my flesh jerks, leaking precum against my stomach at her words. I’m that sensitive that one touch and I’ll be coming. It won’t be pretty either with how worked up I am.
“Ocean,” is the only word I’m able to get out.
Her eyes glitter because she knows exactly how much she’s affecting me. “We’re here.”
Thank you God!
My prayer of thanks is short lived as Rachel tosses her cover up into my face, and I watch her saunter toward the water in a candy pink bikini. I’m not sure what I’m waiting for but the sight of her like this is one I won’t ever forget. She’s a mighty fine woman, and she’s all mine.
24
Rachel
I’m counting the seconds in my head until Alexander catches up to me. I get to fifteen when his arms wrap around my waist from behind and he carries me into deeper water. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“I don’t want you to.” Turning in his arms, I wrap myself around him and feel him throb.
Moaning into his mouth as he seals our lips together, I slip my hand between us and shove the front of his shorts over his erection. He tugs his mouth free and pants with my hand wrapped around him. “I’m going to come.”
“Inside me. Alexander now.” He moves my bikini panties to the side and thrusts up into me. The minute he’s inside he holds my hips down and I pulsate with an amazing release. Alexander groans and grunts as his penis twitches and empties in my warmth.
Kissing Cousins (McKenzie Cousins Book 4) Page 10