Page 36 of Mountain Security

Alex picked her up in his arms and headed towards the stairs, moving as if she didn’t weigh anything. Her arms went automatically around his broad shoulders, more because she wanted to feel him than because she was worried he would drop her.

The top of the staircase opened up directly into the bedroom area, from which they could see the living room below.

He set her down on the ground and looked around. She saw the area as someone who was just seeing it for the first time.

The walls were solid, warm wood, broken only by two large black and white paintings. One entire wall was made up of floor-to-ceiling windows. There was nothing to see right now, but in the morning, the view opened up directly into the mountains beyond.

If he stays until morning.

She didn’t want to make assumptions.

“I love your bedroom,” he said. “It’s elegant and bold. Just like you.”

She loved it, too. This space was the reason she’d bought this apartment, and the reason she was willing to drive half an hour every morning to get to work.

“It even smells like you,” he said. “Fresh and floral.”

Yvette looked at the slim pyramidal bottle on a table in the corner. She’d used Issey Miyake’s fragrance for years now.

Alex followed her gaze. “No. It’s not that. It’syou.”

He ran his hands up and down her arms, drawing shivers from her. His hands moved slowly towards her middle, wrapping around her waist. She was surprised at how much of her waist his hands spanned, and how delicate he made her feel.

She raised her head, closing her eyes as their lips met.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Alex breathed.

So hot.

She loved his accent.

They explored each other’s mouth, their tongues taking turns asking and taking, and she couldn’t for the life of her remember a kiss that had ever felt as urgent, and at the same time as leisurely.

Eventually, he broke the kiss. His lips headed south, kissing the side of her mouth, her chin, pausing at the side of her neck for an instant before heading lower. He stopped for a rest at a spot around her collarbone that made her gasp.

Goose bumps flew all over her skin.

She pushed back at him with her pelvis.

“The bed,” she whispered, pushing him in the right direction. It was like pushing an immovable rock.

“Don’t rush me, Yvette. I’ve dreamed about this ever since I first saw you.” He looked down at her bare feet. “You were wearing those high heels that made your legs look about a mile long.”

“Liar,” she said. “You looked at me like I was an alien.”

“Those ridiculous heels. Where are they?” he whispered. “Will you wear them for me tonight?”

“You want me to put them on now?”

He shook his head. “Not now. Later. When you’re naked.”

He pulled at her cashmere sweater, pulling it off her head gently. Yvette was glad—though she had to admit it was no coincidence—that she was wearing one of her best bras, a black lace balcony bra with fuchsia flowers on it.

“Tell me your panties match,” he said, staring at her breasts reverently.

“I’ll tell you,” she promised, “if you take something off.”

In one smooth move, he ripped the T-shirt off.

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