Second Time Around (Yvonne's Naughty Story Collection) (10 page)

Jonathan chuckled, nodding. “That seems to fit what I had in mind when Rob told me that his sister was a former investment banker who wrote financial planning books.”

“Well, then you're not the only one who's surprised. I had no idea that Rob's friend, J.D., was his boss.” Alexandra took a drink of her beer, "Nor that you and J.D. were one in the same."

She felt his eyes on her throat. “You keep staring at me like that and there's no way we can hide the fact that we know each other.” Alex rasped, her own pulse quickened by the need she recognized in the now golden brown eyes. The same need she had seen on his face only a week ago.

Jonathan set his beer on the bar, “I’m not sure we can ignore it. I was just thinking about how sweet your skin tastes.”

Heat pooled between her legs. “Stop it.The last thing we need to do is share our arrangement with Rob and Lisa.” Alex looked around for the aforementioned pair.

Jonathan opene
d his mouth to speak.

“J.D.!” squealed a feminine voice. “The boys told me you were in town.” A young woman with straight, brown hair that brushed the top of her blue jean cutoffs bounced over to the bar. Placing herself between Jonathan and Alex, the woman fluttered her lashes at Jonathan. “Aren't you going to dance with me? You know how much I like to dance, J.D.”

Alexandra couldn't see the annoyed look on Jonathan's face. “Tramp,” she muttered under her breath. The uncharacteristic urge to stake her claim on Jonathan startled her.

The woman turned to look at Alex, “I'm sorry.” she said haughtily, “Did you say something?”

Alexandra smiled up at the woman nearly half her age. From the look on the girl's face she knew exactly what Alex had said.
He’s not really mine
. “I merely suggested that J.D. dance with you. He's not responsible for entertaining me.”

The girl nodded smugly. “See. You're free to dance with whoever you choose.”

Jonathan glanced at Alexandra warily. “Are you sure?”

“Go. I'm a grown-up,” Alex looked pointedly at the woman tugging on Jonathan's arm,     “I don't need supervision. Besides, it’s only a dance.”

The girl glared back in response to the subtle insult. Jonathan allowed himself to be pulled onto the dance floor.

Alexandra sat drinking her beer and watching the brunette grind her pelvis against Jonathan as a slow love song played. She shook her head in disgust.
Get a room
. Immediately thoughts of Jonathan and the other woman rolling around on the floor in a passionate embrace jumped into her mind. A sudden wave of jealousy made her stomach churn.
What is wrong with me? It's not like we're a couple. He can dance with whomever he wants.  S
he ignored the woman-child and gazed appreciatively at the broad shoulders that stretched the fabric of Jonathan's black t-shirt. She couldn't actually see the muscles that lay beneath the thin fabric, but she knew every hill and valley of his body. Alex caught her breath as her gaze travelled over his slim hips. She loved watching him walk naked across the room. He was in great shape for his age, which she estimated to be late 30s or early 40s. Alexandra watched as the other woman's hands crept over his butt. The song ended and a seductive voice joined the new music. The evil, green spirit of jealousy hooked its claws into her skin as she saw the woman press her small breasts against Jonathan's chest. Shaking her head, Alex downed the rest of her beer and pressed her way through the crowd of sweaty, intertwined bodies. She tapped the brunette on the shoulder. “Can I cut in?”

“Sure.” Jonathan said, “Thank you for the dance, Rose.”

Rose glared at Alexandra before turning a seductive smile to Jonathan, “I'll see you later.”

Every inch of her body screamed at her to grab Jonathan and kiss him until Rose understood that he belonged to her. But she had spent over a decade perfecting the ability to not divulge her real feelings. One little plaything was hardly enough to cause her to lose her composure.

Jonathan turned and took Alex in his arms.
This was a bad idea,
she thought as her breasts brushed against his hard chest. Her nipples strained against her lace bra. Heat flooded her face. Rough patches on his hand scraped against her soft palm. Alex remembered those rough hands exploring her soft curves.
Snap out of it, Alex!

“So you're the hands on kind of boss?”

Jonathan smiled at her quizzically, “What makes you say that?”

“Your hands. They're rough from working outside. If you sat in the office all day your hands would be smooth.”

“I would ask if they're too rough but you haven't complained yet.”

“Shhh.”  Looking up, Alex couldn't help but smile. A dampness between her legs made her think she was growing too attached to him. Better to change the topic. “So what's the story with you and Rose? Are you two bed buddies are what?”

Jonathan chuckled, “You are anything but subtle. She's the bartender's niece. She's here every weekend and always on the dance floor. She latches onto whatever man is available.”

“Is she old enough to be drinking?”

Jonathan laughed. “Yes. She's actually 24. I think it's her attitude that makes her seem younger.”

“You two have never . . .?”

“God, no. She's young enough to be my daughter.”

The relief she felt was more than a bit uncomfortable. Alex tried to make her voice sound nonchalant. “Well, you know, some men aren't very discriminant in who they sleep with.”

“And what about single women? You seem to be very in tune with your sexual desires. Are you simply biding time until you find Mr.Right?” he whispered in her ear.

Alex breathed in his musky scent. Allowing herself to relax against him, she muttered, “I don’t care anything about finding Mr.Right, but I don’t plan on jumping into bed with every man I meet.”

“Just me?”

“Mmmmm, I haven't danced like this in a long time.” They both knew she was avoiding the question.

Jonathan pulled her closer and whispered. “You don't seem out of practice.”

His moist, hot breath against her ear sent shivers down her back. Alex turned her head towards his, their lips only inches apart, “I’m sure Rose is fuming.” she whispered.

“Who cares?” his lips brushed her jawline and her cheek.

Alex tilted her head back. His lips brushed hers. It was light at first, testing, tasting. The tenderness broke away at the barrier around her heart. He playfully bit and sucked her bottom lip. Alex closed her eyes as he once again softly pressed his lips to hers. Alexandra snaked her arms around his neck. His tongue brushed her lips, softly probing, tenatively asking for entrance. Alexandra felt her mouth open of its own accord, allowing his tongue access to the recesses of her mouth. Her body vibrated with the fire streaming through every pore. The center of her attention was solely on the sensations of his tongue teasing hers. His gentle probing, inviting her to let go. Alex silenced a groan as his hand caressed her cheek. Tiny flames licked at her face, travelling down her neck, to her breasts. She felt a familiar dampness in her panties. Her mind screamed at her to stop. He had never kissed her. That was something they didn't do.

“Would you two like to be alone?” Lisa's voice had the effect of a bucket of ice water on the pair. They had forgotten the dance floor full of people. Alexandra pushed him away, stumbling backwards from the force. Jonathan grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

Alex felt a knot in her stomach, “Wow, that . . . Excuse me,” she pulled out of Jonathan's embrace and made her way towards the neon Restroom sign beside the bar.
How could I let this happen?
Her throat constricted. The smoke swirled around her, choking off what little air she was able to breathe in. Glancing at the front door, Alex turned on her heel.
Fresh air
, she pushed and nearly ran through the crowd,
nice cool air.

Opening the heavy door, a warm breeze rushed over her already heated body.  Alex sat down on a nearby bench, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, relaxing in the quiet. “What am I thinking? I can't do this. ” Seeing Jonathan outside of their safe haven brought too many emotions to the surface. Being emotional was dangerous and she knew it.

Fear and anger threatened to overwhelm her.
I enjoyed that way too much.
Tears threatened to fall and the ache in her heart grew.
Oh God I can't do this. I'm not ready for it to be more.
Alexandra knew kissing was too much. It was too personal.

Rubbing her temples with her fingertips she closed her eyes. The torment continued as those dark, golden brown eyes danced before her. Her lips parted as she remembered his soft mouth and the tenderness in which he kissed her.

“Ahem”

Alex snapped her eyes open.
Rose
. All of the passion and fear fled.  “Yes?” she looked at Rose coldly.

“You're way out of your league.”

Alex shook her head, “I'm sorry.  I must have come in during the middle of this movie. I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Rose crossed her arms under her breasts. “J.D. belongs to me.”

Alex raked a glance over the younger woman. She took in the silky, brown hair, blue eyes and red full lips. She noticed that Rose was thin with curves in all the right places. The red tank top and cutoff blue jean shorts accentuated her long legs and flat stomach. If she was the least bit insecure she would have caved. Alex stood up and realized that she met Rose eye to eye. “I don't see a ring on your finger.
Jonathan
can see anyone he wants and most men want a woman in place of a girl.”

“You bitch,” Rose hissed, raising her arm to strike.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you. What would Jonathan think of such unladylike behavior?” sarcasm dripped from her voice.

Rose screeched, spun around and stormed into the bar. Alex shook her head.
Just like a child to throw a tantrum.

The large, wooden door swung open once more. Lisa strode outside. “Hey girl. I didn't mean to embarrass you in there. It just sort of came out. I'm sorry.”

Alex took a deep breath, “I understand. I can't believe I let it happen.”

“You're allowed some fun. And Jonathan's a nice guy. Although, he's not much of a one night stand kinda guy.”

“Great, lucky me.”

“It was just a kiss. It's not like I caught you two in bed together.” Lisa laughed.

Alex chuckled.
If you only knew
.

Lisa rolled her eyes, “A kiss is hardly anything to worry about.”

Alex caught her gaze, “You weren't in that kiss. The man could make you lose your soul.”

“Oh.” Lisa’s eyes grew owl-like.

“If you don't mind, I'd like to go back to the house. I really don't want to see him right now.”

“Alex, I should tell you . . .”

“Lisa, please. I know Rob will want to stay but I can't go back in there after that,” Alex pleaded.

“Well it looks like you won't have to.”

“What?”

“Here comes J.D.”

“Hey, give us a few minutes okay Lisa?” she whispered.

“Sure. Look here's the keys to the Jeep. You can head home and I'll ride home with Rob.”

“Thanks.”

Jonathan stared at her silently until Lisa disappeared inside.

“What the hell were you thinking?” she demanded ignoring the concerned look in his eyes.

“That you were . . .”

“That it was okay to kiss me because we were in public?” She nearly screamed. “Let me guess, it's okay to break the rules because now you realize we have some sort of personal connection. It's okay to broadcast that we've been sleeping together for the last seven months by kissing me in front of a room full of people.”

Jonathan took a deep breath, “Can I speak now?” the irritation in his voice was obvious.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“First of all, it was just a kiss. Secondly, you found it perfectly acceptable to quiz me as to if I had ever slept with Rose but you want to create some big deal over my kissing you.”

“I don't kiss.” her voice barely controlled.

“Could have fooled me.” he grinned.

She rolled her eyes and started past him. “Tell Rob and Lisa I'll see them at home.”

He grabbed her arm firmly. “Hey,” his voice was rough, “It won't happen again.”

“Let go.” the ice in her voice appeared to have the required effect as he dropped his hand.

He ran a hand through his already ruffled salt and pepper hair.

“Let's just get through the next ten days with as little contact as possible and everything will be fine. We can go back to normal once we're both back in Atlanta.”

“That's going to be a little harder than you think.”

“Why?” she eyed him suspiciously.

“Because Rob and Lisa invited me to stay with them while I'm in town. I had already accepted before you showed up tonight. It's going to be fairly hard to back out without an explanation.”