Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [91]
For a moment there was silence between them. Julia's mind drifted from the problems of the day to Alex. He was sitting so close, their thighs were practically touching. She could hear him breathing, and the scent of his aftershave washed over her like a warm, inviting breeze-like a call to move closer, to run her lips across his jaw, the corner of his mouth…
Her nerves began to tingle in anticipation. She licked her lips as her pulse quickened.
Should she do it? Should she cross the few inches that separated them, run her hand through his hair, trap his handsome face with her suddenly impatient hands?
Alex cleared his throat. He shot her a hard look, then said, "You should go to bed. I'll take the couch."
Disappointment hit her like a cold shower. He obviously wasn't feeling what she was feeling. "I don't want to put you out of your bed. Besides, this sofa is pretty short, and you're a lot taller than I am." Taller, stronger, sexier… God, why was she so charged up? It must be the extra adrenaline in her body that was making her feel like she wanted to jump on him and not let him up for a long, long time.
'Just take the bed and don't argue. I can sleep anywhere." He quickly got to his feet.
She stared at him, surprised by the harsh tone of his voice. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's been a hell of a day."
"That's it?"
"That's it. Let's call it a night. I'll get the bed made up."
"You don't have to do it. I'll take care of it."
"It's my bed. I'll do it," he snapped.
"Okay." She followed him into the bedroom, watching his sharp, impatient movements as he stripped the tumbled covers and began to remake the bed. "I'll help," she said. "Toss me a corner of the sheet."
"I can do it."
"It will go faster if I help you," she repeated as she moved to the other side of the bed.
"And I said I'd do it."
"Don't be ridiculous." She didn't know why he was being so stubborn. Leaning over, she grabbed the sheet. Alex yanked his end back so quickly that she fell halfway across the bed. Pushing her hair out of her face and feeling extremely irritated now, she tugged on her end of the sheet.
Alex had more strength, but she had a lot of determination. She pulled again, refusing to give up until she'd taken the sheet completely out of his hands. He dove for it. She tried to scramble out of the way, but he landed on top of her, pinning her hands over her head.
She pushed against his chest. He didn't budge. Nor did he appear to have any intention of moving. In fact, his dark eyes glittered with desire as he gazed down on her, and her breath caught in her chest. She was completely at his mercy.
"What is your problem?" she demanded, trying to focus on anger and not desire.
"You. You're my problem. I don't want you in my bed."
"You just said you did. In fact, you insisted."
"I don't want you alone in my bed," he corrected. "You're driving me crazy."
"I am?" she asked, somewhat bemused by that fact. 230 "I want to make love to you, Julia."
Hearing his intention stated so firmly and clearly made her tremble with anticipation. When he reached out and stroked her cheek with his hand, her whole body tingled. She swallowed hard, trying to think. She'd just broken up with Michael. She couldn't do this.
"You're an amazing woman," Alex murmured, his fingers now tracing her mouth. "So soft, yet so strong when you need to be." She held her breath as he leaned over and replaced his fingers with the tip of his tongue, which he ran lightly across her lips. "Hmm, I want more," he murmured.
So did she, but she couldn't ask, couldn't speak. She could only wait for his mouth to cover hers completely. Despite his words, he didn't immediately deepen the kiss. His mouth hovered just an inch above hers, teasing, taunting, until her nerves began to scream.
Finally, he moved. Or maybe she did.
Their mouths met in a deep, passionate kiss that went on and on. He released her hands, and she immediately flung them around his neck, pulling him closer, running her