Page 10 of Allison

Allison, too shocked at his defense of her to argue, follows. She’s used to Aunt Jenny’s criticism and is far too exhausted to debate the woman about proper attire.

Russell stops in front of her room, sliding her room key into the slot. Allison turns to him. “Thanks, Russell,” she says softly. “Aunt Jenny doesn’t mean to be a bitch. She just has old fashioned ideas about women and marriage. She thinks I’m an old maid that’ll die alone.”

“She might be old fashioned, but there’s no excuse for what she said,” Russell grouses, unhappily, jerking the card from the slot. “You’re a beautiful woman. I’m surprised that you haven’t been snatched up yet, but I’m glad you haven’t.”

“Wh-what? Why would you be glad?” Allison frowns up at him, confused by his words. Russell pushes the door open, urging her inside. He slams the door shut behind them, even though Emma and Curtis are right behind them. Russell didn’t seem to notice or perhaps he just doesn’t care.

Once inside, Russell turns to her, cupping one side of her face in his large hand. Allison’s body lights up at the intimate contact. “It means I can do this,” Russell whispers, capturing her lips with his.

Allison is caught off guard, her lips parting in surprise. Russell wastes no time delving his tongue into her mouth in the most passionate first kiss she’s ever had. Allison melts into him, her shock wearing off. Her hands move up strong muscular arms, across broad shoulders, to circle his neck.

The hand cupping her face moves to the back of her neck while his other arm wraps around her waist pulling her body flush with his. He tilts her head to the left, deepening the kiss. Allison moans when he sucks on her tongue. She can imagine him sucking on other more sensitive places.

The hand around her waist drops lower, cupping her ass and pressing their bodies closer together. His growing reaction to their activities presses against her abdomen. An image of their naked bodies coming together flashes in her mind just as there is a knock on her door.

Russell growls against her mouth. Allison pulls back from the kiss, giggling at his animalistic sound. “Just one more?” he asks, leaning down for another quick kiss.

“Caveman,” she coos, untangling herself from his embrace. A half-laugh, half-growl erupts from him, but he lets her go. Allison opens the door to see a concerned looking Emma and a pissed off Curtis standing outside the door, along with the others who’d ridden up in the elevator. Thankfully, no Aunt Jenny or Gloria.

“Hey, Allison. Want me to help you unpack?” Emma asks, uncertainly, stepping to enter the room. Her eyes focus on Allison’s damp, swollen lips, then on Russell. Emma stops abruptly, realization on her face. Curtis bumps into her back. “I’m sorry, are we interrupting something?”

“No.” “Yes.” Allison and Worm answer at the same time.

Emma giggles, turning to leave, but Curtis’s hand stops her. “Cool it, Worm!” he demands. The two men stare at one another. The women look back and forth between them but are too afraid to say anything while the men have a silent conversation.

Finally, Russell nods before turning to Allison. “I’m just next door if you need anything.” He picks up her suitcase and places it on a stand in the closet. Then he pushes past Curtis and out the door, turning left.

“What is that all about?” Emma asks, turning toward Curtis. A door slams nearby with enough force to jar the floor. Allison jumps. The loud sound echoes in the hall. Curtis is gritting his teeth so hard Allison is astonished he hasn’t broken a tooth.

“I’m not sure,” Allison says, thoughtfully, before Curtis can reply. “He seemed to get his panties in a wad over Aunt Jenny’s appraisal of me.”

“Aunt Jenny is rude that’s for sure,” Emma surmises but changes the subject. “You remember Curtis and his teammates Tank and Hack from when you met them in San Diego?” Allison nods. “This is Ruby, Tank’s wife, and you remember, Lisa, Charlotte’s best friend? You met Charlotte and Hawk on that trip, too.”

“Yes, I remember,” Allison shakes hands with each of them as Emma reintroduces her to them. “It’s good to see you all again.”

“I’m glad you could join us,” Curtis says to her. “Emma has been looking forward to spending time with you this week before the ceremony. She’s so happy you’re here.” His arm wrapping around Emma’s waist. Allison smiles at his words and the affection he clearly shows for Emma.

Allison has a sudden desire to have a man look at her with such adoration. She gives herself a mental shake. She doesn’t have time for such things. Relationships take work. Allison is too busy chasing stories to be in a relationship like Emma. She’d learned that lesson the hard way.

“I apologize for Worm’s behavior. I’m not sure what has gotten into him,” Curtis says with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Oh, it’s fine, really!” Allison hurries to assure him, not wanting Curtis to be angry with Russell. “I’m more than capable of handling a caveman.” She smiles big, letting Curtis know she’s not upset over anything Russell has done.

Curtis nods. “I’ll leave you girls to catch up then.” He gives Emma a kiss on the cheek before exiting the room with Tank and Hack tagging along behind him. The door closes with a gentle click, leaving the women alone.

“Okay, spill!” Emma demands, the second the door is closed. Allison gives her cousin an annoyed frown. “It’s obvious we interrupted something between you and Worm,” Emma declares. “So, spill it!” Allison rolls her eyes.

“It isn’t that big of a deal,” Allison denies. “It was just a little harmless flirting and a kiss.” Ruby, Lisa, and Emma, all give each other a meaningful look. Allison is confused by their behavior.

“I think it was more than just a kiss,” Emma argues. “He seemed pretty upset that we interrupted you.”

“Oh, he’ll be fine,” Allison disagrees. “He’s part caveman. Grunting and posturing is in his nature. It doesn’t mean anything.” The other women laugh, like she’s a toddler trying to be an adult. “Seriously! We just met. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“If you say so,” Emma concurs, but her tone says she doesn’t really agree. “So? You want help unpacking?” Allison is suddenly very tired. She has missed her cousin, but she hasn’t had nearly enough sleep in the last week to deal with all this right now.

“Actually, I’d love to take a nap if you don’t mind,” Allison replies. “I was up all night packing, then this kid kept kicking my seat on the plane. I did take a short nap on the drive here, but I’m beat.”

“Why did you wait until the last minute to pack?” Emma asks. “You used to be the first one ready when we were going on a trip.”

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