by Erin Bevan
Could he possibly be as nervous as her?
Slowly, she hesitated as he turned her around, her back now to the couch.
“What…what are you doing?”
He caressed the side of her face before he leaned down slowly, seeking her eyes for permission before he placed a gentle kiss to her lips.
Her breath lodged in her throat, and her heart pounded so loudly in her chest it was all she could hear. Each hard thump vibrated through her body like a mallet to a giant bass drum. It kept building and building until everything inside her felt unstable, as if she was going to erupt at any second.
And, Lord, help her, she wanted to.
And if he could do all of that from a kiss, what else could he do?
She had to find out. Wrapping her messy hand around his neck, she forced him to deepen their connection. His body pressing to hers, chocolate frosting squished on her chest.
Sensible Alex would tell herself to go clean up.
Excited Alex wanted to kiss him again and again.
This was bad. So very bad.
In a quick heap, she found herself lying backwards on her couch, Max pressed on top of her, trailing his hand up her shirt and cupping her breast.
Her vagina did a happy dance as she threw all caution to the wind, and arched into his hand, needing more. And, God bless it, when he squeezed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger bursts of glorious light shot through her body like a drunken kaleidoscope. She moaned as he pressed himself harder against her, and whatever it was they were doing was way past the friend zone. Way past the fake fiancé zone, and on the verge of breaking her Number One Rule all over again. This was a new kind of zone, and against her better judgment, she needed to push it to the limit.
Max pulled back. Chocolate frosting smeared his cheek. Must have come off her fingers. “Alex, if you don’t stop me now, I’m going to make you moan for a better reason than just kissing you.”
This was her chance. Back out before it got too serious.
Her brain screamed, Stop! While her insides screamed, Yes! Please!
Silly brain.
His spring clean scent swirled around in her head, making it harder to think. Everything was fuzzy with lust as she yanked at his shirt, pulling it out of his pants. “Does this answer your question?”
In one fast motion, he took his shirt off and tossed it to the ground before he sat her up and did the same with hers. Icing smeared her chest, and he ran his tongue between the dip in her breasts, licking up the chocolate mess before he drove his tongue back in her mouth. The taste of him mixed with chocolate was enough to make her lose her senses right there.
He reached behind her back, and in one easy snap, flicked her bra to the floor. She wouldn’t allow herself to think about how much practice he’d had doing that. He cupped her breast, kneading her as he moved his mouth back down her neck. His rhythm remained slow and steady as he caressed her skin with his lips.
She squirmed against him, needing to find release soon. Very, very soon.
“Max. I’m dying here. We have to go faster.”
“Patience is a virtue, Alex,” he whispered against the fold of her neck, sending cool tingles shooting all the way to her scalp.
“Max.” The throaty voice didn’t sound like hers, but her body didn’t feel like her own. Her skin still prickled from where his lips touched, and her blood pounded, like she would explode and kill everyone in a ten-mile radius if he didn’t make her insides erupt soon.
Moving his mouth to her belly, he flicked the button of her jeans with his fingers, then slowly pulled the zipper down. “You don’t need these.” He gave her a sinister grin before he grabbed her waist and shucked her of her pants, the cool air hitting her skin everywhere.
Her insides ached for his touch, and as if he could read her mind, or at least her body, he caressed her, proving her body was much more ready for the excitement than her mind, killing her softly. His touch so skillful, so sweet, he had her seeing stars. Not just stars, but a whole galaxy exploded in front of her eyes as she edged the tip of ecstasy.
“Max, not like this.” She reached down to stop him.
“I don’t have anything with me, Alex.”
His statement pulled her off the edge as she looked into his eyes. The eyes of her best friend. The person she trusted more than anyone else in the world, and who didn’t want to do anything without her permission first.
Warmth spread over her as she studied him, her heart hammering with a need of possession.
“I’m already pregnant, and I trust you to be honest with me. Are you clean?”
“I’d never lie to you. Of course I am.”
“Then, what are you waiting for?”
He shot up and unzipped his own pants, yanking them to the floor, as she lay on her couch, naked. Vulnerable. Except in that instant she didn’t feel vulnerable. Max looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman on earth. His eyes full of desire and lust, mirroring her own thoughts.
“You sure?” he asked, reaching for the band of his briefs, his unit pushing against the cotton restraint.
No. She wasn’t sure. Because once they did this, there would be no going back for her. Her heart would be on the line again, and he’d have the ability to crush her…if she let him. But she wanted to try. Had to try.
“Yes.”
He freed himself and held his hand out to her. “Come here.”
Guiding her up, he sat down then guided her back down atop him. She slipped one leg beside him then the other, taking her time to adjust to the feel of him. She ran her hands down his toned biceps as she circled her hips, feeling him everywhere. Their connection encompassing, not just this moment, but years of friendship, and years of trust and love.
She held on to him as if her life depended on it. As if both of their lives were defined in this one moment. Together. Chasing that euphoria she’d nearly felt a few minutes ago, clinging to the goodness they created together, her insides tightened and her moans turned to pants as his breathing matched hers, stroke for stroke, and breath for breath.
He was in this with her, moving as one. Could it always be this way?
When she felt him stop writhing beneath her, she collapsed on top of him, no longer able to support herself as she breathed heavily against him. Their chests matched rise for fall, and she could hear his heart beating erratically, and she hoped happily, in his chest.
“Why have we waited so long to do that?” Max took his hand and stroked the back of her head, slowly, gently.
There was a sweet care in his touch, digging a well of hope in her chest.
She leaned up and stared into his green eyes. Now, they weren’t wild and crazy, but half-closed, with a soft smile framing his lips. “I don’t know, but was it smart we let that happen?”
Could her heart survive?
“Depends. Are you just using me for a sex toy?” Max smirked.
What?
“A sex toy?” Alex leaned up and smacked him on the chest. “Of course not. You know I’m not like that. At least not usually.”
However, Breath Boy proved her wrong.
“I’m teasing, Alex.” He took both of her wrists in his hands, caressing his thumb across the veins in her wrists. “I think we both know what we want.”
But did they? What she wanted was for him to love her forever. What did he want?
“What is it that you want Max?” she asked, her heart pounding so hard it might explode.
“Honestly?” He stared at her with his deep green eyes, his emotions so raw and real they scared her.
“Really.”
“I want you, Alex. I want you to get excited about marrying me, and I want us to stay married.”
Alex’s hands clammed, her heart beating so fast the only thing she could hear was the whooshing of her blood in her ears. What…what was he saying? Tears prickled her eyes. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel even more obligated to her because they’d made love.
; “But…but this started as a mutual agreement. We said no kissing and no sex.” She placed her palms to his chest, his hands still wrapped around her wrists as a tear dropped down her cheek. “We’ve broken every rule, and now you’re saying you want to be with me. Are you just saying that because of what we’ve just done? Because if so…please don’t. I couldn’t handle—”
Max held a finger to her lips. “Alex.” He whispered her name and then wiped her tear away. “I know exactly what I’m saying. You’re the one who said no kissing and no sex. I just agreed with you. I’ll take this as fast or as slow as you want, but I want you, Alex. I’ve always wanted you.”
“You have?” She sucked in a deep breath, as more tears filled her eyes. The act of him holding her, caressing her wrists and moving his touch down her arm felt just as intimate as their lovemaking.
“You believe me don’t you?” He rubbed her cheek.
She’d always wished for it, but he’d dated so many women in the past. How could he have been thinking of her the whole time.
“I want to believe you, Max. I do.” She nodded and slumped her shoulders. “I just don’t want to be like all the other girls. I can’t be like all the other girls.”
“You’re not. You never have been. I’ve had time to think about this, Alex. A few years actually. I sat back and waited for you to get done with Chris, and then decided to wait until you were over him. But I know what I want. I know who I want, and I’ll work hard every day proving to you that I’m worth it.”
He said the words with such sincerity. Her heart never had a chance—and hadn’t since the third grade.
Max was the one for her.
Always had been.
“I love you, Alex.” He caressed her cheek. “I’m in love with you, and I want you to be my wife. My real wife. Not for this baby, not for your career or mine, but because I love you. Really marry me?”
“Oh, Max. Yes! Of course.” She dipped her head back to his, kissing him fervently. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Max’s phone rang in the pocket of his pants.
Talk about timing. Alex pulled back from his embrace. “Here, I’ll get it for you.”
“No!” He said a little too excited, and gripped her wrists a little tighter, letting her know he didn’t want her to get up.
“What? I don’t mind,” she said.
“I know.” He loosened his grip and continued caressing her wrists. “It’s just that it’s a sales rep, and I don’t want to talk to him right now. I’d rather spend the afternoon making love to my fiancé.”
She would, too. What could she say to that?
Max flipped her over on her back as his phone kept ringing.
“Max, seriously. Answer the phone.”
“No. But here, I’ll stop it.” He got up to end the call.
“Why are they calling you on a Saturday?”
“They are ruthless. What can I say?” He placed his phone back in his pants pocket and straddled her on the couch.
“I don’t want to keep you from doing your job, Max.”
He ran his hand along her hairline, caressing her cheek. “You’re not, but trust me. I’d much rather do this.”
They spent the entire afternoon wrapped in each other’s arms, Alex not believing her luck. This baby, this accident, is what pushed her into the arms of the man she’d always dreamed of. The man, who’d been dreaming of her, too.
How could she be so lucky?
He stroked her hair as they lay on her bed. “What are you thinking about?”
“How I’m so lucky to have you, and how lucky this baby’s going to be.”
“I can’t wait for this baby to have my last name.” He placed a hand to her stomach. “No child should be without the love of his parents.”
Alex’s heart swelled and melted a little at the same time. “You miss your mom don’t you, Max.”
“Everyday.” He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling. “If it weren’t for her, and you, I have no idea where I would be.”
“I feel the same way. Without you, in the next few months, I would have been jobless and possibly homeless.”
Without a job, how could she have paid her bills?
“I’d never allow you to be homeless.”
Alex stared at her fiancé. “I know Max, and I know you are excited about this baby. I am, too, but a part of me wishes…” How could she say this without hurting him?
“That you knew who the father was?” Max said for her.
“Yeah?” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I no less want you in this child’s life, but I’m afraid. What if there’s a medical issue we need to know or what happens when this baby grows up, and he looks nothing like you, then what?”
“I say we worry about those things when it happens.”
“Are you upset?” Alex asked.
“Of course not.”
“Did you ever want to know who your parents were? Or where your adopted dad went?”
She’d never felt comfortable asking him that question before. Anytime talk of father’s came up, she’d see a slight shift in his features where his guard would fall, for just a split second, before the tough Max would resurface…like now.
“Honestly, no. Because if someone doesn’t want me in their life, I don’t want them in mine.”
The man she loved more than anything in this world had suffered so much, but as bad as she wanted the closure for her own baby, she could only imagine how much he really wanted it for himself even though he wouldn’t admit it, and how she wished she could give that to him.
“I want you.” She rolled to her side and ran her hand over his cheek, his five o’clock shadow rough against her palm.
“I want you too, and before I forget, is this a good time to tell you I have a political dinner and I want you there with me?” Max, too, rolled to his side and wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her closer, like they’d laid like that—naked in her bed—a hundred times before.
Never. But they can now!
“When? Where?”
“Country club. Thursday night at seven. I’ll pick you up around six-thirty.”
“So, I’ll be with a bunch of stuffy, uptight politicians.”
He pulled her closer, pinching her stomach a little. “Your fiancé and best friend happens to be one of those stuffy, uptight politicians now. Besides, it’ll be the perfect place to introduce you as my fiancée.”
His fiancée.
She snuggled into him closer, nuzzling her nose into his neck. She could stay like this forever.
“Max, do we have to invite any of those people to the wedding?” she asked, her mouth muffled by his skin. She pulled her head away from him, her eyes even with his jaw. She traced her fingers along his scruffy beard. “I hadn’t thought about that today when we were making a guest list. I don’t think my parents can afford that many people to come.”
Max gave her hip a squeeze. “I told you not to worry about the money, but no. We don’t have to invite any of them if you don’t want to.”
“Good, because I know you keep offering, but my parents want to pay for the wedding, and I really want a small wedding. I’ve never dreamed of anything big.”
“Then a small wedding you shall have.” He kissed her lips, softly, innocently. Not a kiss of passion or lust, but of sweet, gentle love.
Life couldn’t get any better.
14
Max cleared the phone call.
Tawana.
Again.
She hadn’t stopped calling him since the night they’d spent together, but when he informed her what they’d shared meant nothing to him at the restaurant, she’d really kicked the calls up. He’d dealt with a few ladies before who were persistent, but none had been as persistent as Tawana.
And then there was Alex. How could he have not known Chris had slept with Ms. Persistent?
Of all people, why did she have to be the same woman?
And Alex.
He had t
o tell her.
He’d never meant to lie to her, but when she looked at him like he’d kicked her puppy when she’d mentioned the possibility of him having slept with Chris’s mistress, how was he supposed to be honest? And now. Now that the lie was out, how could he tell her the truth? She’d said so herself she’d never marry him if he’d ever slept with Tawana, and not marrying Alex wasn’t an option.
He played with the ring box on his desk. Five miserable days had gone by since they’d last made love, and he’d been almost out of his mind to have her again. But she’d said something the first time they were together that cut him deep.
I just don’t want to be like the other girls, Max.
She’d never been like the others. He was in love with her. A feeling he’d never come close to with any other woman in his life and that’s why he hadn’t tried to put the moves on her again. As much as he wanted to, and God how he’d wanted to, Alex needed to know she meant more to him than what he’d had with all the other women in his life. So, he’d grape juiced her because he couldn’t wine her, and he’d dined her. He picked wedding colors, and helped stuff and mail invitations, he’d called a photographer to take their photos for their wedding website she’d asked him to set up, all the while keeping up his duties at Hot Sauce King and for his mayoral election. Granted, it had only been five days, but a busy five days. She deserved the best, and he was going to do whatever he could to give it to her.
The phone to Max’s office buzzed, startling him. His secretary.
“Yeah?”
“Sir, Mr. Thurgood is here to see you again.”
He’d been expecting a phone call from the man. Not a personal visit.
“Send him in.” Max stood and straightened his shirt and tie. For the man to come all this way had to be good.
Thurgood knocked before entering.
“Mr. Thurgood.” Max held out his hand. “Pleasure.”
“Mr. Buchanan.”
“Please. Have a seat.” Max pointed to the chair across from his desk before he circled back to his own chair. “In light of the new information I shared with you about my family with our last phone call, have you decided to change your mind?” he asked in a half-teasing, half-serious tone.