Page 53 of Wedding Season
“Fine. She’s fine. I don’t want to talk about her right now, Mariella.” He reached back and flipped the lock on the door. “I don’t want to talk at all.”
“That works for me.” Her body immediately revved into overdrive. With one sexy look, Alex could dazzle her.
She linked their fingers and led him through the store and into the back office, kicking the door shut when they were both through. They kissed until she felt drunk with desire, then she pushed him toward the old leather sofa that sat against one wall. He shucked off his shirt and boots and pulled his jeans down as he stood in front of her.
Mariella stripped down just as quickly and watched as he lowered himself onto the sofa and then sheathed himself. Need making every inch of her pliant with need, she straddled his strong tights. He kissed her as she sank onto him, filling herself until she was momentarily sated.
She’d be a fool to think this meant more than it did, but there was no denying that when she was joined with Alex, it felt as though the lonely places inside her weren’t so hollow.
He let her set the pace and held her as she did—like she was precious to him. He made her feel cared for. She could get used to that. She could become as addicted to this man as she’d been to the wine and the pills.
And she knew going cold turkey from him would be the hardest detox she would ever experience. She put aside those fears and the reality of what could be as they moved together. This moment was enough. It had to be.
And she would enjoy every moment of it. Every moment of him. He covered her breast with his mouth, both gentle and demanding as he licked and sucked.
She sighed and moaned as the pressure built and when she couldn’t control it any longer, she let the release wash over her as he quickly followed. She reveled in the mindless pleasure and the soul-deep knowing that at least for a few minutes she had found a connection.
It didn’t matter how long it lasted or what would happen on the other end. All she cared about was the moment. Even as she told herself the lie, her heart silently protested. It wanted more. Despite years of trying to convince herself she could ignore her feelings, the damned organ would not be silenced.
She separated from him and quickly got dressed while he took his clothes to the bathroom connected to the office.
She was ready to make a joke about a quickie or a booty call when he returned, but his gaze was so open and vulnerable that she didn’t have the heart to ruin this.
Not when it seemed to mean so much to both of them.
He took her in his arms again and just held her until she finally let go and relaxed against him. It felt good to give herself over to the comfort he offered. She felt safe enough to ask, “Do you think Heather will come back? What if her parents demand she not return to Magnolia because of me?”
“She’s an adult and can make that decision for herself.”
Mariella sniffed. “Come on. You know how family pressure can be.”
His whole body went rigid and he pulled away. “I do.”
“What happened in New York, Alex?”
“I visited my mom.”
“Things were okay with her?”
He nodded, but his gaze became guarded when moments earlier it had been completely open.
“They want you to come back?” She wasn’t sure why she felt so certain with that guess, but she did.
“My stepfather offered me a position on the hotel group’s executive management team. Basically, the role I thought was my dream job.”
“You aren’t considering it, are you?”
He grabbed his shoe from the doorway and bent over to put it on without answering her.
“Tell me you aren’t considering this,” she said, giving him a not-so-gentle shove. He stumbled a step.
“Hey, that was unnecessary.”
“Was it? Not nearly as unnecessary as you thinking about leaving your company and this town behind. How’s that going to work, Alex? You get everything going here and then just desert them?”
“You left your company,” he pointed out.
“I had to,” she reminded him. “For a justifiable reason. They’ve done fine without me.”
