Page 40 of Snowed In with the Bosses

Alexander stroked deep, then rocked his hips in those tiny, infuriating pulses. “Are you sure you’re ready? Because once I let go, there’s no going back.”

Damn him for putting this on me. I locked eyes with Liam and nodded. “Do it. Give me everything.”

He withdrew completely, then slammed home.

Damn, I loved that feeling. It was an undoing in my body and soul, a ripping apart of control to accept that I could not accomplish this on my own. I needed him, all of them, in a way that made no sense but that I was prepared to accept.

His pace increased, the swelling of his cock a precursor to his explosion. I tightened my grip on him, using the control of every muscle I possessed to bring him over the edge with me as I took the leap. “Alexander, please.”

He broke with a roar that mixed my name into a sound so beautiful I came again from the bliss of hearing his need.

Unceasing waves of pleasure rolled through me. I lay limp on the counter, my body exhausted and my mind scrambling to pluck a coherent thought from the melee.

Alexander withdrew and turned me around, bundling me into his arms and carrying me into the living room. He lowered us onto the couch and flung a blanket over my back and shoulders. Liam joined us, his steps quick and quiet.

“Ethan missed out.” I yawned. “Next time.” I blinked the grogginess away. “He has to be here next time.”

“Okay.” They agreed with matching nods and eyes gone soft.

18

CLARA

It took a few minutes for Alexander’s words to register later that night when he claimed the roads were clear enough for me to go home. I hadn’t believed him until now, with the streetlights speeding past and the snow pushed away from the roads, leaving behind glittering patches of white that twinkled like falling stars.

He pulled down a familiar road, one with houses nearing a state of disrepair, and pulled into Mom’s driveway. “I thought you’d like to see her before I take you home,” was all he said as he turned off the car.

I was already halfway in love with this man, but his consideration begged for me to go ahead and fall all the way. “Thank you.” It was nothing more than a breathless whisper, but he leaned toward me and brushed a kiss over my lips.

Cold air nipped my cheeks when I opened the door. I tugged my coat tighter around my neck and hurried up the walk. Someone had shoveled it clean, leaving me wondering what else Alexander had been up to this afternoon during his and Ethan’s “errands.” Could he have done this? Yes. He was the kind of man who would learn where Mom lived and have her walk shoveled.

I opened the side door and slipped into the kitchen. “Mom, it’s me.”

“I can see that.” She looked up from her seat at the table, the crossword in front of her almost complete. “You shouldn’t be driving.”

“I didn’t.” I removed my scarf. “Alexander brought me.”

“That nice man who came by earlier?” Mom stood and toddled toward the door. “Is he outside?” She wagged a finger at me when I nodded. “Tell him to come inside. He’s not sitting out there in the cold. Blasted man took off before I could thank him for clearing the sidewalks.”

“Sidewalks?” I’d started to unbutton my coat but stopped when she opened the door. Every house on Mom’s block had a clean sidewalk.

Mom’s weary expression smoothed. “Him and a few others showed up. Cleaned every sidewalk from here to Baker Street. Now, you tell him to get in here.” She all but pushed me out the door.

Alexander rolled his window down when I approached. “Everything okay?”

“She wants to see you.” I motioned for him to get out and follow me.

He hesitated but opened the door and stepped up behind me. Flakes of snow fell from the bare tree branches, peppering his hair with white.

I curled my hands into my pockets to keep from brushing them away. Mom would read too much into the touch, and I felt her watching us from the window.

Alexander set his hand at the small of my back on our way up the walk. The touch startled me enough to shoot a look at his face. His smile eased the jolt of uncertainty.

Mom held the door wide open, her thin frame no match for the wind. “Now then.” She pointed a shaky finger at Alexander.“Get in here and have a cup of tea. It’s not much thanks, but it’ll have to do.”

“It’s more than enough.” He settled into the chair across from Mom’s crossword puzzle. He should look out of place amid her old books and peeling wallpaper. His coat probably cost more than Mom’s monthly rent, and yet he fit in this space as easily as he did his mansion. Better yet, he didn’t patronize Mom by saying that her thanks—and her tea—were unnecessary. He just took the cup and sipped. “Excellent blend. Where do you get it?”

“Local market.” Mom fluttered a hand and returned to her seat. “Clara can give you the shop name and address if you’d like to purchase some.”

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