Page 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

As we walk through Morrison’s house, she stays ahead of me the entire time—not by my side. It might seem insignificant, but to me, it feels like a message. Alexis is telling me that no matter how vulnerable she feels to the attraction between us, she hasn’t fully surrendered.

I wouldn’t be surprised if, despite the burning desire between us, she asked to leave—just to prove to herself that she’s in control of her own will. But I doubt it.

We finally return to the first floor, but there’s still one room left.

"My cousin has a secret room in the basement, where he hides bodies. It’s never been used, though. We were waiting for a podcaster to break it in."

For a split second, her eyes widen—but then she smiles. "I can’t resist bodies. Take me there, and I’ll see if I find one that interests me."

I can’t keep my distance any longer. I’ve never had a problem with self-control, but Alexis is becoming my addiction. The more I deny myself the urge to take her without restraint, the stronger that desire grows.

I lace our fingers together and lead her down the stairs, which actually take us to a nightclub. Morrison loves parties and women—not necessarily in that order—and every property he owns has a private club.

"A nightclub!" she exclaims, surprised, slipping her hand from mine.

As she explores the room, I sit in an armchair. I’ve only turned on the lights on the dance floor, so Alexis is completely visible to me, but she can’t see me watching her like a pervert.

"Can I play some music?"

"What fun would a nightclub be without it?"

I see her smile and a slight sway of her head from side to side. Alexis may be young, but she knows what we’re doing. From the moment we stood face-to-face today, the seduction began.

I watch her move toward the DJ booth, as my cousin always hires them to play at his parties. I’m curious what kind of music she’ll choose.

When it comes to music, I’m probably like most people.

I enjoy various, contrasting genres. I don’t have a deep connection with art.

I admire sculptors and painters because I respect anyone who achieves excellence in their craft, but art doesn’t move me.

Music is different. I have a deep connection to sound and melody.

But as the first notes fill the air, I wouldn’t be able to tell you if it’s classical or rock. All I can focus on is the sexy body of the blonde in front of me.

I can’t sit still anymore. I get up and walk toward her.

I’m certain she has no idea how stunning she is or how watching her dance, her hips swaying slowly and sensually to the beat, is driving me insane.

"You don’t dance?" she teases, laughing, arms raised above her head.

Alexis steals my oxygen. She looks so perfect and free! So different from the tense, cautious young woman she usually is.

Thank God I know she hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol—otherwise I’d worry she’s only let go because of the booze. But I know better. Maybe this is her true nature, once free from all the worries.

Instead of answering her challenge, I walk straight to her and reach out my hand. I don’t allow any distance between us, pulling her into me, satisfying the craving to feel her.

Like she’s done it her whole life, Alexis wraps her arms around my shoulders, face tilted up toward mine.

I kiss her ear, and her nails dig into my skin. I nibble, and she moans loud enough to be heard over the music.

I grip her jaw and run my other hand down her back, not stopping when I reach her ass, grabbing the firm flesh with the same urgency that drives my mouth to hers.

Alexis bites my bottom lip, and the heat that explodes in my veins is pure, unfiltered hunger. The uncontrollable need to have her drowns out any rational thought.

I lift one of her thighs to my hip and slide my hand to the inside, my fingers grazing her panties. Not silk or lace but cotton—and that just turns me on more.

I’ve been to bed with princesses and socialites around the world, and here I am, on the brink of madness for the blonde wearing cotton underwear.

The music continues to fill the space, and to my surprise, Alexis—despite our kiss and my hands all over her—moves to the rhythm, making the experience even more unique and provocative.

Her full breasts press against my torso, creating delicious friction, our bodies syncing perfectly.

My kiss isn’t just lips meeting. It’s passionate and punishing—a kind of penalty for her being this damn irresistible.

Our tongues tangle, fighting for dominance, each trying to tame the other in a sensual battle. I feel her giving in. She knows she’s surrendering—but she still hasn’t completely submitted. That only drives me wilder.

I devour her mouth until I have her full surrender, and when Alexis melts in my arms and moans a soft "please," my blood boils.

It would be easy to scoop her up and carry her to bed. My whole body demands it. But in some twisted mix of masochism and decency, I decide I won’t seduce her unless I’m sure it’s what she wants.

"I propose a game," I say, pulling our mouths apart and stepping back.

"A game?" Even in the dim light, I can see her eyes dark with lust.

I nod. "A game of questions. I want to know more about you, and you don’t seem willing to give that up easily. So, for every question you refuse to answer, you remove a piece of clothing."

Her beautiful eyes widen—but then one corner of her mouth lifts. "Does it go both ways?"

I shrug in response. "Fine. I accept—as long as I get to be questioned first." I lean against the DJ table, arms crossed over my chest. "I’m waiting."

She twirls on the dance floor but then walks to the sound system and turns the music way down. "Tell me about your family."

"That’s not a question. That’s several."

"Okay. Do you have siblings?"

"I have two younger siblings. A brother and a sister. My turn. Where’s your mother? You mention her but always in a distant way."

Her face tightens; she reaches up and removes her earrings.

"That’s a cheap shot," I say.

"I am wearing earrings," she says, smiling again. "Technically, anything on my body counts as clothing. My turn. Have you ever been married?"

"Never."

"Do you plan to be?"

"That’s two questions."

"Then the second one is next."

"Wait for your turn. Now tell me—where’s your mother?"

She slips off her sandals and tosses them aside, a little nervous.

A more sensitive man might feel moved. The subject clearly unsettles her. Too bad sensitivity isn’t my strong suit.

"Do you plan to get married?" she presses.

"Yes."

"But you said you don’t do long-term relationships."

"That’s true. However, I have plans."

I see the confusion flash across her face, but she says nothing.

"Where’s your mother?" I repeat.

Her hands reach behind her back to unzip the dress, and it falls to her feet.

She’s even more beautiful in her simple lingerie than I imagined—but right now, it’s not her breathtaking body that holds my attention. It’s the fact that all her playful confidence has vanished. The fire is back in her eyes, chin raised as if preparing for battle.

At the same time, she wraps her arms around herself.

"Alexis."

"I won’t talk about it. I can promise you my mother is the best person in the world—but I’m not going to discuss her with you."

Alexis

I know he could easily find out everything about me. It’s not shame that makes me keep it from him—it’s the need to protect her from any judgment.

Who is LJ to me, really, but a stranger? Maybe next week he won’t even remember my name when he’s back in his world of luxury and sophistication in New York.

Suddenly, insecurity hits me like a hurricane, and I bend to pick up my dress.

"No."

I freeze at his voice and slowly stand again. "This thing between us is a mistake. I don’t belong in your world, and you don’t belong in mine. Let me go."

"I can’t. You haunted me all week, and I have no doubt that if I don’t have you, it’ll be like that for the rest of my life. I’ll never stop thinking about what could’ve been."

"That’s just lust," I say—but even as the words leave my mouth, I know they strike something deep inside me. It feels like our emotions are in sync.

"It’s beyond lust. It’s madness and fever. Nothing like I’ve ever felt. I’ll never force you—but I don’t want you to leave."

"You have enough experience to seduce me."

"I do. But I want you to give yourself to me willingly."

I look at him and see the abyss, the unknown, the uncertainty. None of those things have ever appealed to me before.

But I also see passion. A deep connection. Home. Something I now realize I’ve been looking for and never even came close to finding.

I’m terrified of the intensity of my feelings in such a short time—but thrilled that I’ve finally met someone who’s made me feel alive.

"Yes to everything, LJ. Yes to us."

Lazarus

Her eyes, right now, are a perfect storm of desire and uncertainty—but they’re not afraid. If anything, they reflect the invisible thread between us.

I move toward her again, but I don’t pull her into an embrace. I lift her into my arms, and she wraps her legs around my waist. I start climbing the stairs back to the bedroom floor.

I don’t take her to the room I’ve been using—my cousin’s master suite. Like some fucking caveman, I don’t want to share her, not even with a room someone else sleeps in. I head straight for one of the guest rooms.

As I walk, I kiss her chin, her jawline. My mouth glides across her soft skin—biting, licking.

There’s a need in me to claim every inch of her, to taste every patch of flesh she gives me. "I’m starving for you, Alexis."

She shivers, her breath hot against my lips, and pulls my head closer when I suck on her neck. Her satin skin is burning up.

I don’t bother closing the door. I head straight to the bed but don’t lay her down yet. I set her on her feet, and once I’m sure she’s steady, I cup her face. "Tell me you want this."

"I want you, but . . ."

"But what?"

"I’ve never had sex before."

I don’t know if I manage to mask the shock. "You’re a virgin?"

Her face hardens. "That’s not a crime, you know."

Fuck. I really am a cold bastard.

"That’s not what I meant. But I won’t pretend I’m not fucking shocked."

"I get it," she says, stepping back—but I don’t let her go.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

"I already told you. I get it. You don’t want someone who has no experience, and?—"

She doesn’t finish. I take her mouth in a kiss so deep and intensely sexual that even someone innocent would understand exactly what it means.

"Tell me if I’m going too fast. You’re my first virgin, Alexis."

Without waiting for an answer, I reach behind her and unclasp her bra. She doesn’t stop me, and when I feel her hardened nipples against my chest, a low growl rips from my throat.

"You’re fucking delicious." I grab her breasts in both hands, circling her nipples with my thumbs until she moans. I lower my head and take one nipple between my lips. I suck hard, alternating with a teasing bite.

She squirms, gripping my face with both hands, her lust bursting with a rawness I never expected from someone untouched.

Out of my fucking mind with desire, I carry her to the wall and lift her by her ass.

The feel of her soft thighs wrapped around me is better than any foreplay I’ve ever experienced. My cock is straining against my jeans, grinding into her pussy, still covered by a scrap of cotton.

It’s rough, intense friction—and it might leave marks—but instead of backing off, it just fuels me more.

"I’m dying to taste your pussy. I need your taste on my tongue, Alexis."