Wrong Room (Accidental Pleasures) (7 page)

She paddled over to him, and he swung her up behind him. To make sure she was okay, he turned to check on her before heading back to the lake house. “Did you get hurt?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t know what happened. I just landed in the water.”

“Several waves sent out by a boat caused us to have a little turbulence.” He pushed back her wet hair. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I just swallowed a gallon of lake water.”

He headed back to the shore and stopped for her to get off. “It’s getting a little hot out. Let’s go in and have lunch.”

She removed her vest and laid it across the backseat then treaded water to the shore. The bottom of her blue suit clung to her ass, turning his tongue to dust.

Damn, she was so hot.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lexi couldn’t imagine what had come over her. She was so klutzy around him. Her normal façade did a good job of keeping her from making a fool of herself, but lately, around Jack, she’d become an accident waiting to happen.

She removed her swimsuit, took a quick rinse in the shower, and dressed. She put her hair into a ponytail and stepped out of the bedroom only to find him already in the kitchen, fixing sandwiches.

He looked up at her. “You okay?”

“I think I’ve been wearing my stupid cap lately.”

He chuckled. “I think you’re nervous around me.”

She spread mayo on two slices of bread and glanced over as he sliced tomatoes. “I don’t know why you say that.”

He put the knife down and slowly turned. Before she could react, he wrapped her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers with a kiss that would be remembered for years to come.

Lips touching, he didn’t demand anything. The coming together of their mouths was soft, inviting, delicious, and stoked with crazy intent.

She dropped the bread, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her body against his. She had arrived home, complete, safe, and welcome. The embrace tightened. Her breathing increased, her stomach pitched, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think she was about to swoon.

The heady feel of his mouth against her lips went straight between her legs in record time, sending out an alarm that she was embarking on a wild adventure and she’d better hold on tight.

He kissed, stroked, sucked, and completely took control of her senses. Wetness dampened her panties as her body made ready for him. His hands slipped to her rear, and he pulled her tight against his swollen crotch.

Leaving no doubt he wanted her.

A soft moan filled the air, but she wasn’t certain who it came from. Perhaps both of them.

He broke the kiss, leaving her empty, cold, and confused. She blinked and he stepped back with a weary smile. “No sex, remember?”

She closed her eyes and forced her heart to return to its normal pace. She’d forgotten their agreement that quickly. One kiss and all bets were off.

Clearing her throat, she stepped back and finished making her sandwich. He took two drinks out of the fridge and placed them on the small kitchen table. She joined him with a bag of chips.

This was a testing ground to see if there was more between them than a wild night of sex in a strange hotel room. She respected that, but right now, she wanted him so much she was willing to forget the agreement and head to the bedroom.

Sexy thoughts of a whole weekend in bed with Jack danced through her head, and she fought the urge to call it quits and just give into her natural instincts.

He looked across the table at her with a questioning glance. “We agreed on no sex, but we didn’t say no kissing.”

“I know.” The words practically choked her on the way out of her mouth. “I’m good.” She stuck her hand in the bag of chips. “What do you have planned?”

“Besides, no sex?”

That brought a smile to her face. “Yes.”

“I thought we’d lounge around this afternoon. Maybe take a nap. There is a great restaurant in town, where we can have dinner. And then we just have to make it through tomorrow.”

“So, I’m not the only one who’s thinking of the bedroom?”

“Hell, no,” he said, quickly. “That’s all that’s been on my mind. But we made an agreement.”

She propped her chin on her hand. “I’m almost regretting that.”

He laughed. “I haven’t liked it since the words came out of my mouth. But a deal is a deal.”

“Even though I’m not running for reelection?”

“I think this weekend proves we either care for each other out of bed, or we’re just sex partners.” He took a bite of his sandwich and chewed slowly.

After swallowing, he continued. “I know we’re great together in bed.” A wicked smile tilted his lips. “I think Las Vegas proved that. But, for the first time in my life, I’m looking for a little more.”

More?

Did he mean what she thought he meant? Could he… Dare she… Did they…?

How could she say “no” to this handsome man who’d wedged his way into her heart without her even knowing? How could she put herself out there again…and again? Only to be shattered every time she stepped into a relationship.

Not again.

She put her sandwich down and pushed back her chair. “I’m ready to go home.” She walked toward the bedroom.

The ashes of Howard’s belongings were still in her grill. How could she jump into another relationship only to be battered and bruised in no time? She couldn’t take that chance.

She wouldn’t.

He stood in the doorway of the bedroom. “What did I say, Lexi?”

She pushed past him. “Nothing, I just don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I’m very uncomfortable.”

“Because I kissed you. Damn, woman. We did a lot more in that hotel room.” He was angry.

She picked up her bag and started for the door. “Either drive me or I’ll walk.”

Jack made it to the door before she did, blocking her exit. “Listen. Sit down and let’s talk.”

She stared into his dark eyes, and a seam ripped open in her heart like a cheap dress. “I don’t want to talk. I just want to leave.”

“I’ll take you home.” He stepped back. “Maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea. Could be the only thing we have in common is sex. In the dark, in an unfamiliar place, as strangers.”

“It’s not about that.”

He jammed his hands on his hips. “Oh, I get it. I said something about more.” He pointed at her. “You don’t want more. Do you, Lexi?”

She couldn’t answer him and looked away. No one was allowed in her head, around her thoughts, unlimited access to her feelings.

“I don’t know you well, but I never took you for a coward.”

Anger boiled in her veins as hot as lava. “You don’t know me at all.”

“I don’t think anyone does. Am I right?”

To have known her for such a short time, he had her all figured out. Her vulnerability stood out like white lint on a navy blue jacket. She put her bag down and forced herself to remain calm when she felt stripped naked and alone.

She fought back tears. Her ruse was useless and ineffective. She looked at him. Intelligent eyes returned her stare. His black hair slicked back from his face. A face of stark angles, smooth yet stoic, calm but in those dark eyes a wild storm brewed. A dangerous and foreboding tempest. A mouth soft in a landscape of male roughness.

“I just got out of a relationship. I’m not ready for another failure.”

He stood silent for so long, she dropped her gaze to the floor. Bare and unsheltered, tears dripped from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jack. We both know I’m not the person for you.”

“Care to tell me how we know so much.” He put his finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to his. Eyes closed, he leaned closer and kissed her gently and quickly on the mouth. “You speaking for both us now?”

“I don’t do well in relationships.”

He pulled her against his chest, and she took comfort in the steady beat of his heart. “Maybe you’ve been in the wrong relationships.” With his chin on the top of her head, he continued, “Maybe you haven’t found the right guy yet.”

“Are you the right guy, Jack?”

He took her by the shoulders and leaned back, his eyes intense and meaningful. “I want to be that guy, Lexi. I want more from you. But only you can decide if I’m the man you want.”

Fresh tears crept from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. “I don’t want to be hurt anymore.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’d never hurt you. But I think you need to decide if you’re going to be completely open or continue to play the imposter. Are you a woman who can love or a State Representative who knows how to behave and follow the rules?”

He released her, picked up her bag, and took her hand. They walked to the car, and he opened the door for her. After putting her bag in the backseat, he glided behind the wheel and started the engine.

Lexi felt she’d just abandoned her only hope.

* * *

Jack walked Lexi to her door and kissed her good-bye. “Call me anytime.”

He got back in his Audi and drove toward home, disappointed and saddened. He’d hoped he and Lexi would prove they had more going on between them than sex. Instead, the whole thing blew up in his face like a poorly timed bomb.

He hadn’t meant to lay out his soul and confess he felt more for her than sex. Not his intention, his plan, or his only option. He should have kept his mouth shut and given her more time.

Now, after listening to her soft sniffles all the way to her house, he wanted to pull out his own hair. Crying women frightened him and made his stomach ache, and every woman in his family knew that. Often, they used tears as their first line of defense.

But Lexi’s tears had been different. They were hurtful and raw. And of course, like all men, he felt completely helpless. She’d stripped him of every weapon he owned and had used on many occasions.

Just as he unlocked his door, the cell phone in his pocket went off. He answered and Lexi’s voice came from the speaker. “Hello, Jack.”

“Lexi?”

“I feel like a fool.”

“I know that feeling.”

“I want to see you.”

“You saw me twenty minutes ago.”

“I know, but I feel like you feel. I want there to be more between us.”

“Lexi, I can’t play little games. I want you, I don’t want you, I cry, I feel bad, I’m afraid to love someone. That’s all too much for me.”

Silence.

He’d been too blunt, and he regretted it immediately.

“I won’t waste any of your time,” she said.

Jack tossed his keys on the table by the door. “Hold on. Don’t hang up.”

More silence.

“You still there?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, let’s talk, but not on the phone. If you don’t feel up to it today, let’s meet tomorrow.”

“I feel up to it today, and I want to see you.” Her voice sounded weak, her words shaky.

His heart sped up and hope blossomed inside his chest. But, she was a complicated lady. Talking didn’t mean crap. She might just want to explain things, and he wasn’t up to that.

“Are you going to cry?”

“Probably.”

Aw, shit. He hated that, but he wanted to see her so bad he’d gladly take what he could. “Okay, where?”

“I’ll meet you back at the lake house.”

“Okay, I’ll turn around and see you there in about fifteen minutes.”

He arrived to find her at the door, waiting for him. He got out of the car and walked over and pulled her against him
in a strong hug. “If you’re here to let me know it’ll never work, let’s not even go inside.”

She kept a tight hold on him, which gave him hope. When she released him, he looked at her swollen and red eyes. That touched a place in his heart no one had ever been near.

He unlocked the door, and they walked inside. She sat on the couch and patted the spot beside her. The smile on her face encouraged him to be optimistic.

She took his hand, and he put his arm around her. “I admit I’m not a good candidate for love. And I’ve always stayed on the safe side.” Her gaze traced his face. “I know loving you might not be safe.”

He chuckled and squeezed her tighter. “Live a little for crying out loud.”

After kicking off her sandals, she put her feet on the couch and leaned her legs toward his lap. Jack couldn’t help himself. Before he realized his actions, his hand gently stroked her warm thigh, his heart left out to dry. He wanted her so badly, the thought of being alone forever flashed through his mind.

Not a happy image at all, but just how much had he come to care about Lexi? Did he love her? Unable to answer the question, he looked at her and wondered about their future together.

“I’m not asking you to marry me. Not just yet,” he teased. Or was he? Marriage to Lexi didn’t sound so far off. Not like one would think, if they considered the two had barely met.

“I’m glad you said, yet.” She kissed his mouth. “I’m also glad you’re thinking about marriage.”

He rubbed her arm then cupped her chin. “Let’s go enjoy our weekend. We have time.”

She smiled and nodded. Jack picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, lavishing her face with kisses every step.

When he joined her on the bed, he quickly removed his clothing and slid beside her. He peeled off her top and shorts with the ease and finesse of a desperate man. She was naked in no time. “The sun’s out, and we’re not wearing clothes.”

She smiled up at him and brushed back his hair. “I know. Isn’t it surprising how quickly we returned to our natural state?”

She stroked his hard dick in perfect rhythm. Jack knew this wasn’t going to last long. But they had the weekend. He kissed her, and his tongue entered her velvetiness and coaxed hers to join him.