“We won’t kick you out.” Charlie shook her head. “We’re not like that.” She smiled. “We’re usually really nice.”
Jeffrey’s head fell back as he laughed. “I love it.” He wiped at one eye as he dug through a drawer. “I’m usually nice too.” He pulled out a knife and went to work slicing the sausage into circles. “But I get mean as hell when someone messes with my family.”
Charlie sat a little straighter. “Us too.”
“That’s the way it should be.” Jeffrey glanced at where she and Charlie sat. “Family is the most important thing.”
It was a bittersweet moment. Seeing all Edward grew up with made her happy for him.
But it drove home how different they were. Fundamentally. From the ground up, their lives were built on completely different foundations.
Alex glanced over to find Edward watching her, his dark eyes resting on her face.
“Do you like sauerkraut, Alex?” Jeffrey’s question caught her attention, pulling it from the man still studying her with an intense gaze. “I like everything.”
Jeffrey’s brows lifted. “Everything?”
“I can eat it all.” Liking what you eat is a luxury most people don’t realize they have. Sometimes you have to eat what’s there because you’re starving and that’s all there is.
Jeffrey’s smile slipped, rebounding almost instantly. “That certainly makes life easier.” He pointed to Edward. “That one made my life difficult as hell when he was young. Wouldn’t eat anything that touched. Wouldn’t eat a hot food and a cold one at the same time. And you can forget about vegetables. Wasn’t happening.” He looked straight at Edward. “I can’t wait to watch him go through it with his own kids.”
“Maybe his kids won’t be picky.” Charlie drank down the rest of her tea.
Jeffrey’s eyes skimmed to Alex. “Maybe they won’t.”
“Coming on too strong again.” Edward stood up from where he sat in the second recliner next to Kenneth.
“Well, what do you expect?” Jeffrey pointed at Alex. “Look at her. She’s beautiful. Why wouldn’t I want my grandkids to look like her?”
Edward came to wrap one arm around his father. “I need you to pace yourself. You’re going to be here for a while. Try just terrifying her once a day. See how that goes.”
Jeffrey’s brows came together. “Alex is not the kind of girl who gets terrified, Edward. I can tell by looking at her.” He turned to face Alex. “Right?”
The thought of leaving Jeffrey hanging made her belly ache a little. He might be a little much, but it was clear his intentions were good.
And it was clear he adored his son.
“Right.”
Jeffrey turned back to Edward. “See?” He faced the small stove where the sausage was sizzling away in a pan. “She’s rough and tough and full of stuff.”
Charlie smiled a little as she peeked Alex’s way. “I like him.”
It was difficult not to like Jeffrey. He was warm and open and real. And for some reason he was easier to navigate than Gail.
Which was strange because they were pretty similar.
The rest of the evening was spent listening to Jeffrey talk about all the exciting things they’d seen on their trip to Shadow Pine, and stuffing themselves on smoked sausage, sauerkraut, and the no-bake cookies Jeffrey made.
“I wish this thing had a better oven.” He curled his lip at the small gas oven. “It burns everything.”
“I have an oven in my house you can use.” Alex finished off the second cookie Jeffrey managed to talk her into eating. “Or you could go see if my sister has any extra space at the bakery.”
Jeffrey smiled wide. “Gail told me to stop by tomorrow. I hope she puts me to work.”
“I would fully plan for Gail to put you to work.” Alex laughed a little. “I think she’s a professional designator.”
Jeffrey let out a long sigh. “I used to bake so much when Edward was growing up.” He leaned to look in Kenneth’s direction. “But that one refuses to eat that kind of stuff.”
“We’re not twenty years old anymore. We’ve got to watch our sugar intake.” Kenneth didn’t look up from the crossword puzzle he was working in his recliner.
Edward stood from his spot on at the edge of the dinette. “We should probably get going. Alex and I have to get up early tomorrow.”
Charlie scooted out of the bench ahead of Alex. “I should go too. I have a new movie I want to watch.”
Jeffrey’s eyes lit up. “What movie is it?”
“Dust Biter. It just came out.”
“I wanted to see that when it was in the theater but we never made it.”
Charlie glanced at Alex, chewing her lower lip as she worked her hands down the end of a chunk of her shaggy blonde hair, moving one hand right after the next along the strand. “If you wanted to watch it with me that would be okay.”
“I’m going to watch a movie with Charlie.” Jeffrey grabbed the container holding the last of the cookies. “I’ll be back later.”
“I have cats. Is that okay?”
“I love cats.” He thumbed over one shoulder at Kenneth. “That one’s allergic so we can’t have one.”
“Now you can just go play with Charlie’s cats.” Kenneth looked up at Jeffrey. “Problem solved.” He gave Jeffrey a wink. “Have fun.”
Jeffrey smiled. “Enjoy your silence.”
Jeffrey led the group out of the camper before hooking his arm through Charlie’s. “Thank you for this. I need some human interaction.” He glanced back toward the camper. “And I think I’m making him a little crazy.”
“I usually watch my movies alone, so it will be nice to have some company.” Charlie seemed to relax a little as she and Jeffrey headed to her house.
“I think she’s been adopted.” Edward wrapped one arm around Alex’s waist, pulling her close as they watched Jeffrey and Charlie skip up her steps and disappear. “I told you it would happen fast.”
“I didn’t believe you.” Alex tipped her head to look up at the sky. “I didn’t realize there were people like Gail and your dads.” She tilted her gaze his way, taking a deep breath. “And now they’re all in Shadow Pine.”
EIGHTEEN
“I KNOW IT’S a lot.”
Alex’s brows lifted. “It’s more than a lot.” She glanced toward the camper where Kenneth was no doubt enjoying the first peace and quiet he’d had in days. “I completely understand where Kenneth is coming from.”
“Don’t let him fool you. Without Jeffrey he’d spend every waking minute either working or sitting in silence.” Edward backed away, headed toward the porch leading to Alex’s house. “And without Kenneth, Jeffrey would walk in circles talking to himself all day.” He smiled as she started to follow him. “They bring out the best in each other.”
“I feel like you’re trying to trick me into thinking we’re like that.” Alex followed along as he continued walking backwards down the sidewalk.
“We’re not like that.” Edward shook his head at her. “Not even a little.”
“You’re not really helping your cause then.” Her smirk held as she walked up the steps, her ankle showing no signs of the injury she sustained barely a week ago.
“Everyone wants something different, Al.” Edward stopped just in front of the door. “You challenge me. That’s how you bring out the best in me.”
One blonde brow lifted. “I’m interested to hear how you believe you bring out the best in me.”
“I push you.” Edward rested his hands on her hips.
“You push me?” Alex was clearly skeptical. “I worked sixteen hours a day before you came. There isn’t anywhere to push me.”
“I’m not talking about work, Al.” He pulled her close. “I’m talking about this. Us.” He tipped his head in the direction of his parents’ camper. “I’m talking about you giving Gail and my dads a chance to get close.”
Her eyes dropped to his chest. She was silent for a long time.
�
��I like your dads.”
“I know.” He smiled. “I knew you would if you let yourself.”
“I let myself do things.” She scowled up at him. “I like people.”
“Who. Who do you like?” He lifted one finger. “Besides your sisters and Jude.”
Her smirk was back and bigger than ever. “I like Craig.”
“Well, shit.”
“Told you.”
“I’ll just have to rely on my other skills then.”
“You’re decent at math, I guess.” She laughed as he scoffed, backing away to unlock the door. “But that’s about it.”
She loved to taunt him.
And he loved when she did it.
He grabbed Alex from behind as she walked inside, pulling her body back against his and kicking the door closed. “That’s it? That’s all I bring to the table, Al?” He leaned into her ear, one hand pressed against her belly. “There’s nothing else you can think of that I might have to offer?”
Her head tipped back to rest against his shoulder. “What do you want me to say? That I can’t possibly live without you?”
She didn’t get it. Didn’t realize he was happy to take the baby steps she needed if it got him where he wanted to go. “I would hope you are always capable of living without me.”
“I will be.” Her body rocked back against his, the curve of her ass pressing into his already straining dick.
“What I would like is for you to someday decide you prefer to live with me.” He slid his hand lower, using it to brace under her belly button as he pressed against her, the pressure against his cock making him groan a little.
“You say that like it’s not asking much.” Alex reached both hands up and back, wrapping her hands to the back of his head as his lips moved over the skin of her neck.
Edward found the hem of her shirt and tucked his hand under it, skimming his fingers up the soft skin of her belly. “Wanting you to enjoy my company is asking too much?”
“Maybe.” Alex whimpered a little as his touch moved higher, thumb stroking across one nipple through the fabric of her bra.
“It’s what I want, Al. What I need. I want to be with someone who wants to be with me the way I want to be with them.” Edward worked the nipple between his finger and his thumb, plucking and twisting it until he could feel the hardened tip through the satiny cup. “I’m happy to give you everything you want and need, Al.” He reached down to work the button of her pants open. “But there’s a nonnegotiable for me. I need you to want me back.” He pushed his hand into the opening of her pants, under her panties to press between her thighs. Her grip on his neck tightened as he stroked her clit, rubbing over the spot a few times before pushing deeper, sliding his fingers into the wet heat of her body. “Can you want me back, Al?”
Alex grabbed his arm, pulling it away from her body as she twisted out of his grip. “That’s not fair.”
He stood staring at her, a little dumbfounded. “What’s wrong now?”
She pointed at the hand he just had pressed into her most intimate place. “That.” The finger moved to his face. “You’re trying to get me to say what you want.”
He held his hands out at his sides. “So now touching you is me being manipulative?” He snorted out a laugh that felt as bitter as it sounded. “I want to be with you, Alex. I want to take care of you and make you happy and yes, I sure as hell want to fucking touch you.” He stepped closer, frustration pushing him forward. “But the only reason I will ever touch you is because I want to. Because I want to show you my fucking appreciation.” He backed away, forcing himself to put a little distance between them. “I’m so damn sorry for thinking you would finally see what this is.” He turned.
“I’m sorry.” She rubbed her lips together. “You can touch me.”
“I’m not feeling very appreciative right now, Al.” Edward went down the hall, leaving Alex standing in the living room as he went to grab the items he needed to sleep in the camper.
Even without electric, it would still be better than laying next to her.
Knowing she still thought he was a son of a bitch.
He turned to find her standing in the doorway, her blue eyes watching him closely.
“Move, Al.” He tried to step around her.
She stepped along with him. “No.” The word was soft.
Soft enough it could dig into the wall he needed between them right now.
“Please move.”
“No.” This time it was stronger. Louder.
“Al, I swear to Go—”
“You shouldn’t swear to God, Edward. He doesn’t like it.” Alex stepped with him again, this time putting her arms out, hands gripping the door frame. “And I’m not done talking about this.”
“I am.”
“But you said that’s what made this different.” Her eyes seemed bluer. Brighter. “We talk through things. Even when we’re mad.” Her head tipped. “Or does that only apply when I’m the one who’s mad?”
He pressed his lips together. It would figure she’d take his words and turn them back against him. “So you do listen to what I say.” He leaned down, eyes on hers. “Were you also listening when I said I don’t want to talk about this right now?”
One brow lifted. “I’m not deaf, Edward.”
“Good. Then move.”
Her lips lifted in a smile. “No.”
“Damn it, Al.” He decided to try to get past her, bump her out of the way just enough that he could escape. Just for a night. He tried to push his way through the door.
“Really?” She leaned her head to one side as she watched him struggle. “I think I know why you and Alicia didn’t communicate.”
His head snapped her way. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.” One of her hands left the door jam to plant in the center of his chest. “I’m going to guess that whenever your feelings got hurt you shoved it down and then came back pretending everything was fine.” She shoved him a little, knocking him back a few steps. “Didn’t you?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“And that’s what you were going to do with me, isn’t it?” She shoved him again, walking along as she knocked him back a few more steps. “You were going to come back tomorrow morning and pretend everything was fine.” Another push. “That this never happened.”
“I want some space to think.” He just wanted to get away from this, from her.
“No.” She knocked him back one more time, this one sending him toppling back to the mattress. His deodorant and cologne dropped from his hands, falling somewhere. He didn’t get the chance to look for it because before he could blink Alex was on him, crawling over him, her eyes narrow as they moved across his body. “You didn’t give me a chance to talk.”
“I don’t want to talk.” His jaw was clenched tight, his frustration turning to anger. Edward tried to get upright, struggling to get his hands under him.
Alex’s hand snapped up, grabbing his face, pinning him in place with a hold that seemed more forceful than she should be capable of. “I don’t want you to talk.” Her lips moved slowly as she enunciated each word. “I want you to listen.” Her eyes moved over his face. “I like how you smell.” She took a deep breath, something akin to a growl coming out as she exhaled. “You’re so much different than I expected you to be, Edward.” She held his face tight, keeping him from turning it as she leaned into his neck, breathing deep again. “You’ve been such a pain in my ass.”
“I –“
Her hand came up to press across his lips, pinning them together as she leaned up, her bright blue eyes locking onto his. “Shut. Up.”
Alex pressed up, using her hand on his face for leverage as she raised to her knees, one pressed to the mattress at each side of his hips. “You push and you push and you push and then you get mad when I need a minute to breathe.”
The push of her hand on his face eased. “Are you going to be quiet?”
He glared
at her.
“Wrong answer.” Her hand stayed where it was as the other moved up the center of his chest. “You really are too handsome.” She grabbed the center of his shirt and yanked. His hand snapped up to grab her wrist. Her lips lifted in a smile. “Don’t want me ripping up all your nice shirts?” She leaned down, her lips hovering just over his. “Then maybe you should take it off for me.”
His hand held hers for a second longer. He squeezed it tight as he rolled, catching her other wrist and pinning both hands high over her head. “Do you think this is fun, Al?”
“It would be if you would untwist your panties.”
“This isn’t a fucking game.’
“I’m sorry. What about the past five minutes has made you think I believe this is a game?” Her legs came to lock around his waist, pinning him in place as much as he pinned her. “I came in here to tell you I liked you. That I appreciate what you do for me.” Her thighs pressed tighter into his sides. “And you just can’t get over yourself long enough to listen to me.”
She was the single most frustrating person he’d ever met. Stubborn and defiant and independent to a fault.
“So now I’m just supposed to get over it?”
“Uh. Yeah. Because there’s nothing to get over. I felt manipulated. I told you I felt manipulated. You explained the situation and I should have had the opportunity to react to that explanation.” Her eyes narrowed on his, the blue seeming to glow. “But instead you put words in my mouth and then tried to run away.” In a sudden move she rolled, her whole body twisting hard as she knocked him to his back.
He still held her hands. She pulled against his hold, trying to fight her way free. “Let me go.”
“No.” He held tighter, pulling her down more, closing his eyes as she fell against him. He tucked his face against her neck. “I’m sorry, Al.”
“”You should be.” She kept wiggling. “You’re making me regret liking you.”
He laughed a little. “It’s too late to take it back now. You said it.”
Alex (BIG Northwest Book 2) Page 17