CHAPTER 18
The sun was dipping over the horizon when Lex arrived home.His feet were light as he took two steps at a time.Jillian was in his house.Not for the night.Not forever as he would like, but it was a start.It didn’t matter that her reasons had to do with her safety.
He opened the back door and followed the sounds to the kitchen, expecting to find Douglas preparing dinner.His culinary skills were nowhere near his other skills, but that was okay for tonight.
Lex stopped in the doorway connecting the kitchen and the living room, his heart swelling with emotions he didn’t bother to analyze.Jillian stood by the stove, stirring something and humming.She’d changed into jeggings and a baggy sweater that hinted at her lush curves.She sounded happy, which was amazing considering what had happened this evening.Everything about her pleased him.Her scent.Her smile.The way she tilted her head to the side and stared into his eyes as though every word he spoke was important.
He closed the gap between them, slipped his arms around her waist, and pulled her against him.She turned her head sideways and smiled.“Back already?”
He rubbed his cheek against hers.“I couldn’t keep away.What are you cooking?”
“Beef stew.I promised Douglas I’d keep an eye on it while he went to the store to pick up a few things.I didn’t know you could fly the helicopter.”
“Only when I visit Sloan’s island.It can only be accessed by plane or boat.”He nuzzled her neck and inhaled.
“Sloan owns an island?”
He didn’t want to talk.He pressed against her, knowing she could probably feel his erection.“He’s a recluse.”
She lowered the heat, covered the stew, took his hand, and led him to the dining room table.“We can’t leave the kitchen until Douglas returns,” she said.She nudged him onto a chair, sat on his lap, and interlaced their hands.“Tell me about your friends.What do they do?Are they all like you?”
He kissed her knuckles.“No one is like me, sweetheart.”
She chuckled.“True.You are exceptionally gifted.”She wiggled to prove her point, or torture him, and laughed when he groaned.“Start with Dom.He has the you-mess-with-me-and-I’ll-hurt-you attitude, but he has a gentle soul.”
Lex laughed.“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone describe him like that.”
“It’s in his eyes.How long have you known him?”
“Since freshman year when he passed out on the floor of our dorm room.Sloan’s family has known him since high school.He was their pool boy.”
“That might explain the tension between him and Deidre,” Jillian said.
She caressed his chin.He’d noticed she liked to run her finger along his chin.“Why would their past explain Deidre and Dom’s relationship?”
“The boy became a man.Not just any man.A gorgeous, virile man.Deidre must be having a hard time with that.”
“Is he?”he asked, not liking the way she’d described Dom.
“Is he what?”
He felt foolish, but he couldn’t help himself.“Dom.Do you find him gorgeous and virile?”
Jillian chuckled and cupped his face.“Silly man.No man is like you.You said so yourself.”She kissed him.
He took over, crushing her to him.He angled his head for deeper contact, one hand sliding under her shirt to caress her stomach.A tremor shook her body.She pulled him closer.Her uninhibited response never failed to please him.His hands inched higher and found her breast.Her nipples had tightened, and she gasped when he grazed one, the lace material covering them offering no barrier.
He trailed kisses to her neck, needing her so badly it hurt.He undid the first few buttons, giving himself access to her chest and her perfect breasts.She murmured something, but didn’t pull away as he took one nipple into his mouth, lace and all.She moaned and cradled his head.His hand moved lower and slipped under her waistband.
She tore her lips from his.“Crap.The stew.”
Lex groaned when she jumped up and left his lap.Damn it.Her duties didn’t include cooking.He might like the domestic picture she made, but he didn’t want her slaving over the stove.They could hire a decent cook.He got up and followed her.
“No, stay back, Alexander.You can’t be in the kitchen when I’m cooking.”
“You’re not supposed to be cooking.”
“I’m helping Douglas, and you are hereby kicked out of the kitchen.”
