Page 85 of Rivals Next Door

I scowled. “I really just want to talk.”

“Uh-huh.” She sauntered up to me and wound her arms around my shoulders. “It’s okay to admit what you brought me here for, Alex. As you would say, let’s do what we do best and fuck.”

I stared at her with horror. My God, had I really said that to her? Knowing me, I probably had. I felt awful now that I realized I didn’t want to just fuck.

“Liv…” I caught her wrist as she slid her hand over my abdomen and aimed downward. “Come on, I’m serious, let’s talk. How about I get us something to drink?—?”

“I don’t want to talk.” She sighed. “Just make love to me, Alex. I need the distraction.”

“From what?”

“I said I don’t want to talk. Not right now.”

Her eyes were pools of turmoil, which had me concerned. However, I was having trouble verbalizing what I wanted to anyway. Maybe I needed a distraction as well and a dose of her would help me relax before a hard conversation.

31

ALEX

Without another word, I cupped her face and leaned in to press my lips firmly against hers. She responded eagerly, tipping on her toes to better align our bodies as her fingers threaded through my hair. I deepened the kiss, my hands roaming over her curves and pulling her as close to me as possible.

She hiked a leg over my waist and undulated her hips to rub her heat against my cock, which was already straining against my pants zipper. I groaned in response, my lips still locked with hers. As her hand slid between us to frantically tear at my buttons, I caught it and held it over my chest... over my heart. When she tried to speed up our kiss, I cupped her nape with my other hand to hold her still so I could slow it back down and continue my leisurely exploration of her mouth.

I pulled away to find her gazing at me, confusion and uncertainty clouding her eyes. That made me feel awful because I knew she was wondering why I wasn’t going at her like a wild animal by now. Our lovemaking was typically frenzied... as if we were trying to run from our past with the help of the wild passion that tended to flare between us. It hit me that that’s what I’d been doing the entire time.

Not tonight… Tonight, I’d take my time and face the frightening emotions of love, that I realized never went anywhere, and uncertainty about trying with her again.

“How about we slow things down this time?” I asked, cupping her face and showing more affection than I'd been willing to show until now.

Olivia gulped and nodded. “Okay…”

Taking her hand, I led her to my bedroom.

As we stood in the middle of my bedroom with our eyes locked in a heated gaze, that fierce need built between us. Still, I kept things slow. I reached up to brush a loose strand of hair from her face, my fingers grazing her soft skin. She let out a soft sigh as her eyes fluttered closed.

I took the chance to study her intently... maybe to somehow see if she’d be willing to do what I was thinking about doing. Give us another chance. Of course, my logical self reminded me that it was something I’d have to ask her... not wait to see.

Her eyes opened and I returned my attention to the task at hand. I found the zipper of her dress and tugged it down. As she stood before me in just her panties, my gaze roamed appreciatively over her, taking in every dip and curve.

Eyes connected with mine, Olivia reached for the buttons of my shirt. She didn’t tear at them this time. Instead, she undid each one slowly, making me burn with anticipation.

When we were both in our underwear, I stepped out of mine and knelt at her feet to help her out of the heels she still had on. Wearing a tiny smile, she rested a hand on my shoulder for support while I took the shoes off as if she were a goddess and I were her loyal worshiper. Princess Olivia always had a way of bringing me to my knees, didn’t she?

Gazing up at her, my fingers traced the edge of her lace panties, slowly teasing her. I smiled when her breath hitched and she arched her hips closer to my touch. I loved how responsive she was to my slightest touch. My fingers slid under the lace and slowly pulled it down her legs, exposing her to my hungry gaze.

Her breathing sped up as she watched me stare at the tempting flesh between her thighs while still on my knees.

“Alex…” Her voice was husky with need.

“Tell me what you need, Liv,” I purred. Hearing her say it would send my arousal skyrocketing for sure.

“I need... you…” she breathed.

There was something like desperation underlying her words but not the sensual kind. It sounded more like... anguish. Or maybe I heard wrong… Just as I glanced up at her in askance, she threaded her fingers in my hair and said, “I mean, I need you inside me.”

Since I burned with need too, I stood up and without a word, picked her up and carried her to bed. The way her body wrapped around mine… we fitted perfectly as if we completed each other. I lay her down gently and fitted myself between her legs to kiss her with the love that had been rekindled during the last few weeks.

Breaking away, I trailed my lips down her body and she writhed and moaned as her hands moved over my skin. However, when I reached her stomach, she stiffened. Noting the change in her, I paused and looked up to find her staring at me with eyes full of panic.

---