Long Way Home (24 page)

At the mention of the word ‘dirty,’ Alexis summoned up an image of his dingy office. “Does the lease allow the tenant to redecorate?”

“Well, I own the building so I guess I’m equipped to answer that.” He pretended to think for a moment. “I’ll say sure thing. Pretty it up as much as you like. I’ll even kick in for the fixtures and fittings.”

He threw a twenty-dollar bill onto the table and pushed his chair back with more strength than he had when he arrived. “I’m looking forward to my retirement, so you let me know as soon as possible, alright?”

“I will. Thank you for thinking of me, Morris.”

“You finish your iced tea. Don’t rush on my account. I can see myself out.”

With a wave, he ambled out of the café with Peter rushing to hold the door open for him.

Alexis lingered over her iced tea, her brain overloaded. Her first thought wasn’t about money or even her mother; it was about Tyler. She could live here and be with Tyler. She could have a different type of legal career, just as he had suggested. No more hoop-jumping, no more faceless clients. She’d be using her skills to help people right here on Mangrove Island. Her heart thumped so loudly that she was afraid the entire café could hear it.

On the way back to Rumrunner Road, Alexis stopped by her sister’s to collect the salon data she’d requested. The boys were at the park with Joe so she and Betsy had the place to themselves. Betsy was in the process of cleaning up the kitchen after a baking marathon. Several cooling trays sat on the counter with various types of muffins while two loaves of pumpkin bread baked in the oven.

“I had coffee with Sandy Ventura yesterday,” Betsy revealed. “Just wanted to test the waters.”

“And?” Alexis leaned on the counter expectantly.

Betsy broke into a smile. “She’s totally into the idea.”

“That’s great, Betsy. Any thoughts on location for the bakery?”

“A few places are available in Flamingo Key. I thought I’d give Sara Michaelson a call once everything’s finalized on the salon end.” Sara Michaelson was a realtor who grew up near them in Castaway Cove.

“I’ll ask Tyler, too. He seems to know everyone and everything on the island.”

“I’ve been coming up with potential names,” Betsy said excitedly. “Bun in the Oven. Cake-tastic. Owen suggested Sweet Treats.” Betsy reached across the counter and handed Alexis an envelope. “Speaking of Owen, he drew you some pictures.”

“For me?” Alexis was touched. “I have some exciting news for you, too.” When she told Betsy about her meeting with Morris, her sister whooped with delight.

“You’re going to say yes, right?” Betsy prodded as the oven timer bleeped. As she pulled the two loaves of pumpkin bread from the oven, the delicious scent filled Alexis’s nostrils.

Alexis covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know. I want to.”

“Then what’s stopping you? You don’t want to go back to London. I can tell.”

“No, I don’t,” Alexis admitted. “I don’t have a life there anymore.”

“Well, you have one here, ready and waiting for you. If you say yes, I’ll even let you have the first slice of bread.”

Alexis threw up her hands in acquiescence. “If that bread tastes as good as it smells, you just might convince me.”

When she left Betsy’s, she bypassed Rumrunner Road and decided to go to Tyler’s instead. Although he needed to be at work soon, she hoped to squeeze in a brief visit. If she was lucky, maybe he hadn’t showered. Then she could join him. Her body grew flush with excitement, imagining the water splashing off his washboard abs.

“A special delivery?” he joked when he opened the door and saw her standing there. He held the door open for her and sneaked a kiss as she passed under his arm.

“I couldn’t stay away,” she said, making her way to the dining table. Even though she was bursting to mention her meeting with Morris, she knew it was best to make her decision first.

“Now you’re speaking my language,” he said with a sexy grin. “What’s in the envelope?”

Alexis opened it to reveal one of Owen’s pictures. The word ‘family’ was written at the top in different colors and he’d drawn his parents, his brothers, his grandparents, and Alexis. No one had a nose except Joe, probably because his real nose was on the larger size. Alexis towered over everyone else in the picture, larger than life. She also sported wings and breathed fire.

“That’s a budding artist you’ve got there,” Tyler said, peering over her shoulder.

“Yes, he is.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled the back of her neck. “I hope our kids have a sliver of that talent.”

Alexis froze. “Our kids?”

“A guy can dream, right?”

“I thought your dreams were all about hot, sweaty sex with me?”

He slipped a hand under her top and cupped her breast. “Oh, they are. But now that I have the reality of hot, sweaty sex with you, I need new dreams.”

“Mr. Barnes, are you propositioning me to bear your children? Because you know I’m not in a position to make promises.”

Still clutching her breast from behind, he tightened his hold on her and drew her body firmly against his. “Then let’s change your position and see what happens.”

“Tyler, I want to give you everything you want,” she breathed as the ache between her legs grew stronger.

He felt her nipple harden as he swept his finger over it. “I know you can’t promise me children,” he whispered, “but can I proposition you to try as often as possible?”

She pressed her rear into his erection. “That might be a workable compromise. I’ll need to speak to my client first.”

He squeezed the flesh of her breast and she sucked in a breath. “I have a message for your client.”

“Give it to me,” she dared him, wriggling her bottom against his erection. “I’ll be sure to pass it along.” A wicked grin broke across her face when she heard him groan.

His mouth worked her ear to her collarbone, while his hands worked on her front. One hand toyed with her breasts and the other hand deftly unbuttoned her jeans, pulled down the zip, and reached inside her panties. She arched her back as he slid two fingers inside her and stroked her warm center. He couldn’t believe how ready for him she was. Her evident desire for him made him even harder.

“Message received,” she murmured.

When she attempted to turn around to kiss him, he held her firmly in place. He yanked down her jeans and panties and bent her over the table, keeping her wet with his agile fingers.

“Tyler, please,” she begged, burning with lust. She wanted him like she’d never wanted anyone before. As she cried out for him to enter her, an orgasm ripped through her.

She barely had time to recover when he unfastened his trousers. She heard the tear of the condom wrapper just before he plunged inside her. She gripped the edge of the table, unaware of her strained knuckles. Her head was swimming with desire and pleasure and all the incredible emotions he produced in her. She craved his nearness, longed to feel him as deeply as her body allowed.

“Harder,” she insisted. “You won’t break me, Tyler. I’m strong.” She felt his hands grasp her bottom and she moved her hips rapidly to keep up with his fierce pumping.

As Tyler was about to explode, he felt her body shudder as another orgasm jolted her. This time she yelled his name, unable to contain the eruption. Only when she’d finished did he let the shockwaves tear through his own body.

“Alexis,” he gasped, before slumping over her back. He eased out of her and peppered her back with kisses before standing up.

She pulled up her clothes and turned to kiss him. “You’re so amazing,” she said. “It isn’t fair to all the other guys.”

“So did my message get through to your client?”

She tilted her head and gazed up at him with her bright, hazel eyes and Tyler thought if he died right then and there, he’d die the happiest man on the planet.

“Busy signal,” she said. “Why don’t you try again in a few minutes?”

“You saucy minx,” he said teasingly, lifting her off the floor. He still hadn’t pulled up his trousers, but that didn’t stop her from wrapping her legs around him.

“I’m only a saucy minx for you,” she said, offering him a soulful kiss. “No one else.” His tongue met hers as they enjoyed the taste of one another.

Tyler knew he could never get enough of her, would never tire of feeling her body entangled with his. He finally had the woman of his dreams and there was no way he was going to let her walk out of his life. Not again. Whatever he had to do to convince her that they belonged together, he would do it with bells on.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Morris called,” Alexis’s mother announced during dinner.

“Oh?” Alexis said without making eye contact. She knew her mother would be his first call. She just wasn’t sure how much information he’d divulged.

“He told me that he’s retiring.”

Her father’s head jerked up from his plate. “Morris is retiring?”

“That’s what he said.” Tilly looked at her daughter expectantly, but Alexis stayed mute. “Well, it’s probably high time I retire, too. After all, I have grandchildren to enjoy and your father and I have enough to be comfortable.”

“Is that your idea of a hint?” Greg asked his wife.

“Don’t you think you’ve earned a break?” she replied. “A permanent one. We live on a beautiful island. We don’t have a mortgage. We don’t need much.” She eyed him anxiously. “Don’t you think it’s time to enjoy our lives a bit more?”

Greg stared into his stew, as though all the answers could be found there.

“There’s plenty to do here if you don’t want to travel,” Alexis pointed out. “Groups to join. Year-round activities.”

“Since when are you the poster child for Mangrove Island?” her father asked with great amusement. “Last time I checked, you hate it here.”

“I don’t really, Dad.” She glanced at her mother. “So what do you think of me taking over Morris’s practice?”

“What?” asked Greg with a start.

“I want you to do what’s best for you,” Tilly said.

“Well, as it happens, I think it would be best for me. That’s why I’ve accepted his kind offer.”

Her mother clapped her hands together. “I hoped that was it. He didn’t tell me specifically, you know, but I’ve known him long enough to read between the lines.”

“You’re going to be the new Morris.” Her dad let loose a low whistle.

“We’re thrilled, Alexis.” Tilly placed a delicate hand on her chest. “My girls are so impressive. Betsy said you’re helping her branch out with her own bakery.”

“She’ll be my first client.”

“A salon, a bakery, a law practice,” her father mused. “The MacAdams family might actually gain some political clout on this island.”

“That is our secret agenda,” Alexis said wryly. “I’d get my own place, of course. I wouldn’t want to be underfoot, especially now that you’ll have more time at home. I saw a place on Juniper for sale that’s a good size.”

As she mentioned the house on Juniper, a vision of her London flat flashed through her mind. The home she’d shared with Mark. Another family lived there now, filling the flat with their own happy memories while all of her belongings sat in storage, in a holding pattern like her life had been these past eighteen months. Well, no more. Alexis was ready to do more than simply exist; she wanted to live.

Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Alexis took a golf cart down to The Blue Heron after dinner. She was desperate to share her news with Tyler in person and couldn’t bear to wait until he finished work. Her stomach was in knots as she parked out front and made her way inside.

The bar area was relatively quiet and she spied Tyler on a stool with a guitar on his lap, a pen in his mouth, and paper in front of him. Immersed in his songwriting, she watched as he played a few chords and jotted them down.

Alexis slid a hand across his shoulders. “Play a song for me.”

Tyler moved the guitar and pulled Alexis onto his lap. “You are my muse. Maybe I’ll rely on osmosis for my creativity.”

He kissed her passionately and she felt the rise of his excitement beneath her.

“So I have a serious question. What would you think if I stayed here and ran my own practice?”

He stopped kissing her and gripped her shoulders. “Stay, as in live here?”

She nodded happily.

“Isn’t that what I’ve been begging for?” he asked, engulfing her in his arms. “You don’t need to ask what I think, Alexis. It’d be the smartest move you ever made.”

“Morris asked me to take over his practice and I’ve accepted. It’s a chance to shift gears and be the kind of lawyer I’d like to be.”

“You’ll be amazing.” He nuzzled her neck. “You are amazing.”

“There’s a cottage over on Juniper that’s for sale,” she told him.

“Oh, Mrs. Kirby’s house. She’s moving to Tampa to be closer to her sister.”

Alexis leaned back to study him. “You really do know everyone, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “Local bartender, what can I say?” His brow wrinkled. “You’re not thinking about buying it, are you?”

“Why?” she asked in alarm. “Does it have defects I should know about?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Alexis MacAdams, if you’re going to live on Mangrove Island, you’re going to live with me. I want to wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life and I want the rest of my life to start right now.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. “I’m so happy to hear you say that.”

“Guess I’ll need to have a talk with old Greg MacAdams, too.”

Alexis’s head snapped to attention. “Why?”

“If we’re going to live together, then I need to do things properly.”

Alexis clutched his shirt and peered up at him with indignation. “If you think you’re going to ask my father’s permission like I’m a piece of chattel, you don’t know me as well as you think.”

Tyler gave her a mischievous grin. “I wouldn’t dream of asking permission. I was going to ask to borrow his tools to do some work on the house.”

She swatted at him playfully and he took the opportunity to grab her wrist and steal another kiss.

“I knew you were never going to leave.” He placed a hand over his beating heart. “I felt it the moment you walked into this place that first night.”