Page 73 of Free to Run
“I got called into her office the other day too. Don’t worry, you’re not alone anymore,” Corinna says to me, right before yelling, “Keene, you’d better be worth it in bed!”
I roar with laughter.
“Bitch,” Alison mumbles.
“Slut,” Corinna says back cheerfully.
“Not yet,” Alison rejoins.
“Damn, that sucks,” Holly says. “Who’s holding out? You or him?”
“You three realize there are doors open and I can hear everything you’re saying, right?” I offer. “Even without the yelling?”
I hear a loud thump. I turn and spy Alison’s head down on the countertop. I can’t help but laugh.
“And to answer your question, Holly, Alison put me on a five-date rule that was recently rescinded. Consequently, eat and get out,” I call out before turning back to my phone.
An incoming text arrives from an unknown number. Fuck. Not tonight.
There’s silence. Then, “Was he like this the first night at the Plaza?” Corinna whispers.
“Yes,” Alison hisses.
“Shit, no wonder you fell into bed with him,” Holly mutters.
* * *
With dessert finishedand all the dishes put away, we’ve walked Corinna and Holly to the door.
I chuckle as I’m locking up. “Tonight’s the first time I’ve spent much time with them. Are they always that funny?”
“Yes. Holly does better with smaller groups. Otherwise, she’ll have a camera in her hands. Corinna does well with people she’s comfortable with, or you get the fake version of her, which is all dramatic bombshell.” Alison flings her hair and strikes a pose.
I crack up.
“I know, right? I do bombshell so well.” I’m still laughing as she walks to the kitchen to toss a dish towel on the counter. Within seconds, I’ve scooped her up and her ass lands on the counter.
“You do bombshell by breathing, baby. You don’t need to strike a pose to do it.” I drop my head to nuzzle at the space between her neck and shoulder.
A low moan is all she can manage. Her fingers come up to thread through my hair.
“While I have very fond memories of this kitchen counter, Alison, tonight I want you spread out across your bed.” My lips travel up her neck, making her arch her back. “Tell me that’s what you want too.”
“More than that. I need it, Keene. I need you,” she rasps.
I reach over and flick out the lights. Then, quick as lightning, she’s in my arms and I head toward the stairs.
30
Alison
Keene carries me across the threshold to my bedroom, looking at me the entire time. Somehow, I know deep within me that when we touch this time, it’s going to be more than sex.
It’s going to be us laying claim to one another’s souls.
I tremble with the force of it as he lowers me to the floor beside my unmade bed.
He brushes my hair away from my ear. “I didn’t expect nerves, baby.” His head dips and he nibbles on my ear, sending shockwaves down my skin. I sway in his arms, unnerved, even as I reach up to grab on to the only steady thing in my world.
