Page 43 of Burning for Alexander
Never in a million years did I think it would be a mouthy virgin who would tempt me the most. But this wasn’t my first trip to Costco, and I knew better.
“Fine. See what Monroe can teach you,” I said, retaining my patience by the thinnest filament. “He seems like a nice guy.”
Alex tried hard to hide his annoyance, but the tips of his ears stayed hot. “Sounds like a plan. If that doesn’t work, I’ll head backhere to the Palomino and give it another shot. Maybe I just wasn’t drunk enough.”
Even though I knew he was only talking like that to provoke me, it worked.
I was provoked.
Hardcore provoked.
“Maybe,” I said, trying to keep hold of my temper.
“Anyway, I’m going to stock up on condoms and lube just in case Monroe is into it. Or maybe the guy Ella works with.” He shrugged. “I’ll have to ask her if she has pics of the work guy.”
Instead of responding, I focused on throwing a giant bottle of bodywash into the cart for the station house shower and grabbing a bulk pack of toothbrushes and mini toothpastes. For the amount of attention I was paying, I was lucky I didn’t accidentally wind up with hearing aids and diapers by mistake.
Alex Marian was a grown man. He was plenty old enough to be fucking around with whoever he wanted. I had done some risky shit myself in the past, so I sure as shit wasn’t in a position to judge.
Even if it was massively stupid.
We made our way toward the checkout counters, only slowing down enough for Alex to make a big production about whether or not he needed the multipack of smoke detectors on special near the front.
“Can never have too many when you’re prone to setting shit on fire,” I stated.
His playful grin turned into a glare. I separated my things from his and checked out, finding a giant box to put everything in. When he was done, we moved out of the store toward our vehicles.
“Guess I’ll see you back in Legacy,” he said after loading his things in the back of the car.
I closed the tailgate on the truck and turned to him. Theteasing bravado had disappeared, leaving him looking a little sullen.
Even though I knew better, I stepped forward. Call it Costco-induced insanity, but I didn’t want this man to go home without getting the kiss he both wanted and deserved.
So I reached behind his head and pulled him in.
It was supposed to be quick—enough of a kiss to check the box on his wish list but not enough to get our picture on the internet for Montanans Behaving Badly. But within seconds of having his mouth under mine, I forgot all about any of that. The only thing in my head was the need for more.
The little noise of surprise he’d made when I grabbed him. The whimper of surrender when I deepened the kiss. The tight clench of his hand in the front of my shirt.
Alex was the spark, and I was tinder doused in kerosene.
Unfortunately, I saw our cart start rolling away out of the corner of my eye, and I had to lunge after it to keep it from careening into an older couple.
“Sir, ma’am,” I said with a nod. “Sorry ’bout that.”
The woman’s eyes lit up. “Hank once accidentally fell into the Yellowstone River while kissing me, didn’t you, dear?”
His grumble was unintelligible, but his hand tightened in his wife’s grip, and the hint of a smile appeared as they continued into the store.
When I turned back, Alex was still standing where I’d left him, staring at me.
I tilted my head at him and grinned. “Close your mouth, Firebug. It’s still yellow jacket season.”
“You… kissed me.” He blinked, and damn if he didn’t look fucking edible. “After all your bullshit about Monroe.”
I stepped back into his personal space. “Seemed a little unfairfor you to come all this way for a…Costco run… and go home empty-handed.”
Alex’s breathing quickened. “You do know Costco is known for selling things in bulk, right? You can’t get just one of anything.”
