Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [120]
"I know you're probably mad as hell at her, Julia, but I have to say, who knows what would have happened to you if Sarah had left you in foster care as she was supposed to? It's highly likely that you ended up having a much better life with her. It wasn't as if she stole you from your parents. They were already gone."
Alex was right. Her parents had been killed before Sarah decided to keep her. "I hadn't thought of it like that."
"That's because you haven't had time to think."
She smiled at him. "Thanks for sticking by me. I appreciate it."
"We made a deal to see this through."
"And I couldn't do it without you. You're a rock."
"A rock, huh? I think you can do better than that," he said, moving his hand down to her knee, where he let his fingers stray up her thigh.
She grinned as she put her hand over his, stopping his exploration. "Are you looking for compliments?"
"I'm looking for something," he said with a laugh.
"Behave yourself."
"I'm tired of behaving. I've been good all day." He leaned forward and stole a quick kiss.
That's all it took to send a wave of heat through her body. She was really in over her head, she thought. Far too involved, far too attracted, far too tempted.
Alex leaned in and pressed his mouth against hers, lingering a little longer this time, making her remember the way he'd kissed a path down her body the 302 night before. She tried to get closer to him, but she ran into the gearshift, reminding her that she was making out in a public parking lot.
She pushed Alex away with an embarrassed laugh. "Not like this," she said.
"Good point. There's a hotel room just a few feet away." There was a question in his eyes as he finished his sentence, a question she could easily answer.
"Let's get a king-size bed," she said.
His eyes darkened. "Now you're talking."
"Actually, I don't feel like talking. That's all we've done today. I don't want to think anymore," she replied.
"Neither do I."
"Aren't you worried that I might be using you?" she teased.
"Use away," he said with a crooked grin. "I'm all yours. Come on."
She laughed as he jumped out of the car. She had to jog to keep up with him. She tried to act nonchalant as Alex asked for a room, not that it mattered. The desk clerk wasn't even remotely interested in who they were or whether or not they had any luggage.
They kissed all the way to their room on the fourth floor, laughing like reckless teenagers when Alex fumbled with the key card and couldn't get the door open. She took it out of his hand and did the honors. Finally, they were inside.
Julia didn't have time to see the room, because Alex pressed her back against the door, his lips on her mouth, his hands on her breasts. He was hot and hard, and she was on fire. All the tension of the day blew up in one explosive kiss. They made short work of their clothes, falling on the bed, naked and eager to get as close as possible.
"We should slow down," Alex said with a groan as his hands roamed restlessly on her body.
"Next time," she said, pulling him into the cradle of her hips. She wanted him inside of her, on top of her, surrounding her with his body, his heart, and his soul. She needed to hold on to something real, and he was beautifully real. She trusted him more than she trusted herself, so she stopped thinking and directed all of her crazy, mixed-up emotions toward him until they both found a blessed release.
It was a while later before either one of them moved; then Alex rolled off her onto his side. He pulled her into his body, spoon fashion, putting his arm across her waist. She blew out a breath and closed her eyes. Maybe she'd just take a little nap. There would be plenty of time to think and worry and analyze when she woke up.
Alex fell asleep before she did. his deep, contented breathing providing a comforting rhythm. Julia let her mind drift, trying to think of something nice, pretty, uncomplicated-a field of wildflowers or a running stream… Instead,