Running (27 page)

He cupped her ass. Closer
sounded like a damned good idea. “Which way? Dammit, babe, I’ve
missed you.”

He carried her off the
stage, past his brother.

The dressing room was a
small closet space barely big enough for a mirror and a chair. But
it was private. It wasn’t how he’d pictured this, but it would do.
He lowered his girl to her feet and then yanked her against his
chest. He kissed her, hard, with all the heat that he’d penned up
for the past three weeks.

Alessandra made that
humming sound he loved so much. The one that meant she was happy.
He tightened his arms around her. Damn, he’d missed her. More than
he’d ever thought possible.

He buried his hand in her
blonde hair, using the curls to hold her head still while he
deepened the kiss.

Finally after what seemed
like forever she pulled away. “Why didn’t you call?”

So they were going to go
right into the hard stuff then. He’d far prefer she let him kiss
the hell out of her for a bit longer. “Was afraid to.”

“
Why?” She stepped away
from him and crossed her arms over that too perfect to be real
chest.

Total honesty. This woman
would always demand it. But at least she’d keep him on the straight
and narrow. “Because I didn’t know if you’d want me to. Things
between us weren’t exactly normal.”

His uncertainty was echoed
on her face. “Do you think we
could
be?”

“
Blondie, I’m not sure we
want to be.”

“
What do you mean by
that?”

“
Woman like you, man like
me? Normal isn’t exactly our thing. But…I can’t even imagine trying
with anyone else. I kind of grew fond of you. Was hoping you felt
the same.”

Chapter
Sixty-Three

***

Was she crazy? He’d cut his
hair shorter since she’d seen him last; now it wasn’t much longer
than Sebastian’s. But she’d never be confusing Seth with his
brother again. There was a new scar over his forehead, and she
remembered how he got it. It made him look even more rakish. He had
an earring in. She’d noticed the piercing before, but he’d worn no
adornment when they’d been together.

He looked perfect,
wonderful. “Three weeks.”

“
I
figured you’d need a few weeks to make sure there
wasn’t any Stockholm syndrome going on.”

“
Really? You think I’d be
that stupid?” She had considered it, early on. But she knew her own
mind, and had for a long time.

“
No. But you know how fear
is. It can build. So what do you say?”

“
Say to what? You’ve not
asked me any questions. Other than cryptic.” What did he want? Was
he just in town to see his brother? Was this just a farewell send
off? If so why had he kissed her?

What did he
want
?

He was right—she couldn’t
see him doing
normal.
Not Seth. It wasn’t in his make-up. So what did that mean for
her?

“
Why are you here, Seth?
What do you want from me? I’m not made for an affair. I can’t do
that.” She’d stick to her guns on that. Affairs were not her thing;
she knew that, no matter what. Especially short-term. She needed
more than that. “So what is it?”

“
Going to
be that way, huh?” He stepped up to her until they were facing one
another completely. He wrapped his hands around her arms. He shook
her a bit, like he had a few times before. Then he lowered his
forehead until it rested on hers. “Here’s the deal, Blondie. You
got under my skin. More than I ever thought possible. I can’t stand
the thought of you
not
being there, either. So…you want me or
not?”

‘
Depends.”

“
On?”

“
How long are you in the
game? You plan on sticking for the long haul or are you pinch
hitting?”

“
I’m here as long as you’ll
keep me. Even if that means extra innings.”

He meant it. And now it was
up to her. “Seth…are you serious?”

“
More now than I ever have
been. Baby…I can’t explain it. How it happened so quick. Or even
what it means. But…I’m willing to try. I know it was only a few
days that we were together. But they were some pretty intense days.
So I was thinking we could go for it. To try for something like
what my brother and Red have, if you’re willing to give it a shot.
So what do you say?”

She couldn’t say anything.
Was almost afraid to. Afraid it wasn’t real. “You mean it? You’re
not going to just take off in a few weeks, and I never see you
again?”

“
I can’t guarantee that I
won’t be gone for weeks. Nature of the job. But I can promise I’ll
always come back to you. If you promise the same.”

“
What are you going to do
about your job?”

“
Talked to Dennis. He’s
interested in moving my new team—headed by me and Bertram—to St.
Louis. Figured that would work for you, too. What do you
say?”

What could she say? It was
more than she’d hoped for. Who knew where it would end up, but at
least he was there, and they had a chance to try. “So why didn’t
you call?”

“
You still stuck on that,
Blondie?”

“
You left
me wondering if you even cared. Don’t
ever
do that again. I can deal with
the job. It’s my job, too, remember? I can’t deal with the not
knowing how you feel about things. Understand? If we’re going to do
this,
no
secrets
between us. At all. And you need to understand—I’m close to my
family and friends. And that
includes
Sebastian and Carrie. You ok
with that?”

“
Sebastian and I have
talked about a few things. He’s no longer threatening to rip off my
arms and shove them down my throat for scaring Red. So I consider
that progress. As for your brothers—I think the big one still wants
to flame broil my ass. But he’ll get over it in time. You might
need to find him a woman, though. Might help with a bit of his
attitude if he got laid occasionally.”

She laughed. “You think it
will help yours?”

“
Depends on how often the
getting laid happens. So…tell me, Blondie…where do you live? I’m
kinda in need of a place to stay. Hoping Red will let me rent off
of her, but I haven’t asked her yet. I do need a place to stay for
tonight, though. You know of any good ones around here?”

“
Somehow I don’t think that
would be a problem.” Al grinned, knowing what she was about to say
would crimp any plans he might be making. “But Seth…”

He nipped her ear. “Yes,
babe?”

“
Something I forgot to
mention before…”

“
What?
You
have a big burly husband? If so, I got news for him. I’m not
giving you back.”

“
No…no husband.”

“
Then spit it out, toots. I
think we have some things to catch up on. Like this…” He kissed her
hard and quick.

“
Seth…you know my
brothers?”

“
I think we’ve met.” He
rubbed a hand over the corner of his mouth—the same spot Mick’s
fist had plowed into his face three weeks ago. “What about
them?”

“
I
live
with them. Both.
Something I think you should probably know.”

His eyes widened and she
laughed. “Didn’t expect that?”

“
Now is
this a
temporary
thing? Can we kick
them
out?”

“
Hardly. We’re all three on
the deed. Plus Jules. And my niece.”

“
Damn. There goes my
plans.” He lifted her up. Al lifted her legs around his waist.
“So…how about that motel I mentioned?”

“
I think we’ll work
something out. If nothing else, I’ll sneak you past Mick and up to
my room. At least for a little while. Then we’ll figure something
out.”

“
Yes, we will. But
first…how do I get this zipper undone?” He toyed with the tab on
the front of her blouse. “I heard someone mention that you have to
be out of here by eight. We have just enough time to—”

“
No!” Al grabbed his hands.
“This door doesn’t lock. And I’m sharing this dressing room with
Cody and Carrie.”

“
I’m sure they won’t mind.
And I can make this door lock here.” He shoved the chair under the
knob. “See, improvisation. I’m good at that. Come here,
you.”

Al went.

Watch for more PAVAD books
in 2014!