Chapter 14 #2
My smirk only intensifies with perhaps a sense of pride because I don’t think I’m afraid about people figuring out that I have a claim on Lexi.
Shaking my head from my apparent new philosophy, I join her back on the bed where she seems to be searching for clothes.
“No, you don’t.” I shackle her wrist with my hand and drag her back to lying down. “I’ve literally added another notch to my bedpost.”
Lexi snorts a laugh. “Fair enough, that joke was waiting to be said.”
I bring my hands behind my head and stare up at the ceiling. “Comfy bed.”
“Only the best.”
My arm shapes around Lexi, and she inches close to me on her side.
“Give me a few minutes then I need to lick that pussy of yours.”
“Seriously, we had our quickie, and now we need to get out of here because this room needs new linens, even though there are no guest reservations.”
I roll to my side with mischief on my face. “When you say it like that, then it makes me want to do it even more.”
Her grin stays fixed. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Probably, but I would much prefer having an afternoon of sliding into you.” Not even that. I could spend an afternoon just staring at her while she’s tucked into my body.
“I need a nap,” she deadpans.
I laugh to myself. “Not a bad idea either.”
Lexi places her hand over mine and guides it along her curves. “Maybe sliding into me before a nap would be a perfect compromise?”
With that I drag her on top of me with full intention to give us this.
Blinking my eyes open, I’m drowsy. My blurry vision fades when I see Lexi sitting on the side of the bed throwing on a shirt.
“Running away?” I sit up and search for my watch which is lying next to an old rotary phone where you need to spin the dial, an extra touch, I guess.
She throws me a glare. “We’ve been in here for three hours because we really did fall asleep.”
“I guess the bed passes all the tests then.”
“Except if it can handle the weight of three.” She flashes her eyes at me,
I leach forward and tackle her back to her position on the pillow next to mine. “That doesn’t need to be tested,” I affirm.
“Anyhow, I’m going to run and grab a cookie on my way through the lobby on my walk of shame when I tell the front desk that they need to send housekeeping here.”
I grin. “Let me handle that. I’m sure your excuse would be creative, though.”
“As opposed to yours?”
“Stuart won’t ask questions. He’s a pro. Discretion is key for my staff.”
She sputters a laugh. “I’m sure there is a fine line crossed when you have to clean up your boss’s afternoon activities that involves sheets.”
I ruefully drop my head.
The sheet still hangs around my waist which draws Lexi’s attention low, or rather she’s unable to move out of this bed,
“Well, this has been a fun afternoon,” she says. I nod in agreement with her. “Don’t forget that Harry wanted you to check his tablet. It was malfunctioning during his stock update.”
I can tell that she thinks we’re all crazy.
“Ah, the economy is malfunctioning, so it might not be his piece of technology at all.”
“He really is a smart kid.”
Pride and fondness come over me. “The math club is starting up again, so he will be in his element.”
Appreciation floods me too. Lexi asks about my kids because she’s generally interested. They are not a deterrent to her.
“That’s good because he will need to count how many pieces of cheesecake have been stolen because peanut butter and jelly cheesecake is hands down the best thing in my life in the last few weeks.”
I feign a scowl. “Sorry for not making you come on a regular basis.”
Her smile stretches. “Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder.”
We both seem to settle back to sinking into the mattress and take in the air around us that’s filled with lust.
“But seriously, the last few weeks have been fun.” Fun, huh. I’m beginning to hate that word. “I guess I’ve been so busy in a life of wanderlust and then the spontaneity of every project that it’s refreshing to just be steady and having a chance to really observe life floating by.”
“Doesn’t sound half bad.”
Lexi presses her lips together and ponders for a second. “I guess so. Nearly makes me want to put down roots and settle. My parents would be thrilled with that.”
Holding her closer, it dawns on me that I haven’t really asked. “I keep forgetting who your father is.” I smirk to myself.
She points at me. “Good. Most men try to get into my bed because of my sports connection. You’re way past your prime game days, so I don’t need to worry.”
I shake my head. “Great way of explaining that. Love being reminded of my expiration date.”
“Oops, sorry. It just makes you hotter.” She soothes my chest with the print of her fingers.
We both begin to shuffle. “I’ll take that.” I spot my clothes on the floor and yawn as I leave the bed.
“Really need to talk to the owner. There are no snacks in this room,” I comment.
“The owner was busy today.” She smirks.
“That he was.” I grin proudly.
Lexi and I acknowledge this moment while she ties up her hair. “I was going to run to the grocery store. Now that I’m comfortable with your kids not poisoning me at breakfast, I can finally buy yogurt and not live in fear. Need anything?”
“You’re not scared of them,” I state.
She shrugs. “Why would I be? They’re kids and great kids. If I run into the PTA mom at the store, I will even run my cart into her for them.”
Lexi makes everything sound so simple. It’s comforting, it’s new, it’s… hopeful?
Don’t do it. No, Holden, don’t go down this road.
DO. NOT. DO. IT
“Hey, Lexi, uhm, Lori and Harry are going to stay at my parents’ up north. Forgot to mention.” They live just far and close enough all the same.
That hint doesn’t count, does it? I can still back out.
Lexi holds onto the post as she slips on a shoe, pausing for a quick second. “That’s… an interesting piece of information.”
I scratch the back of my head. “Yeah, so we’ll have the house all to ourselves.”
Damn it, man, don’t suddenly have nerves when I’m perceived as the man with a heart of steel.
“Wait… so, we’re alone… the whole weekend… together.” It dawns on her, and she even gulps in this adorable way.
I work the buckle of my jeans. “Something like that. Maybe we can find an antique store or farmers’ market, hiking maybe.” Okay, ready to spit it out. “Maybe do adult things like dinner or wine, in case we need to leave the bed.”
Lexi has an odd look as she stands then brings one hand to her waist as she tips out her hip. “I hate hiking,” she flatly informs me. “But, uhm… the other things are appealing.”
We both walk to one another to meet in the middle of the room, as if we are walking on a balance beam.
Once we’re close enough, our eyes meet to be certain, and her face softens.
From an automatic response that’s formed recently around her, the back of my knuckles caress her cheek and her fingers play with my shirt.
“Other things it is,” I whisper.
“Yeah… just to be sure I’m not confusing things. You mean, like, kind of spending the weekend together as more than friends with benefits?” She isn’t nervous, she is well aware what I said, but she wants to hear it.
“Exactly.”
We smile at one another, both blushing. Something new floats between us because we have a fresh horizon.
Because I completely did what I said I wouldn’t.
I’m asking for more.