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  I stepped in behind her, surprising her, and she squealed as I turned her around and put her up against the wall. My lips crashed down on hers, and it took only a moment before she began to respond to me, one hand curling around the back of my head, holding me closer, and the other gripped my bicep and squeezed.

  I devoured her mouth, tasting the whiskey she consumed along with the tang of tomatoes from the Italian sauce she must have had for dinner. I didn’t let up, didn’t pause as my hands traced her sides, my thumbs brushing up against her breasts, and she whimpered slightly into my mouth.

  I began to slow down, pulling back breathlessly and resting my forehead against hers. If I had wanted to push it, I probably could have taken her to her room and made love to her, but I wasn’t ready to do that. Not yet, but soon.

  I stepped back, looking at her bewildered eyes, her flushed face, and swollen lips.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked softly.

  I cupped her cheek, running my thumb over her bottom lip, so fucking tempted to go in for another kiss, but I didn’t. Instead, I cleared my throat. “I wanted you to think about that kiss. The difference between the way you kissed him outside, and the way you kissed me. It’s me that I want you to think about tonight when you close your eyes, not him.”

  As she continued to stare at me, I turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind me. Fuck her boss, and mine, too. I wanted Lexi, and I was going to do anything I could to have her.

  Chapter Seven

  Lexi

  After I’d left the conference room, I’d had a hell of a time concentrating on anything. Alex hadn’t looked very happy about my meeting with Ralph tonight, but he had no right to be upset. I’d never given him any indication that I was interested in anything with him.

  In fact, even while my body had screamed for his last night, my pickled mind had held fast, and I’d told him no. I never had been one to jump into a one-night stand, and I was pretty sure that’s what Alex would be. So as much as my body might desire his, there was no way I was going to take that step.

  Instead, I would have a drink with Ralph. If I was enjoying myself, maybe that would continue to dinner. Perhaps one dinner would become two, and we could build a relationship. He was an intelligent and handsome man, and I did enjoy conversing with him. From the time that I took this job four years ago, we had been friendly. It was only recently that I realized he was trying to get my attention on a different level, and maybe it was time for me to get back out there.

  I had taken this job after Will and my brother, Chad, was killed, having moved away from our hometown. I couldn’t stand the memories or the constant attention from people who wanted to tell me how sorry they were and how they had died heroes.

  When I came here, I sure wasn’t in the right headspace to date anyone, and at that time, Ralph had been married. Friendship was all either of us were interested in, but now Ralph had been divorced for over a year, and well, I’d been alone for too long. I was ready to get back out there.

  As I touched up my makeup, I thought briefly of Alex. He was an attractive man, and probably very intelligent also, but he had military written all over him. I wasn’t sure I could be around that, or if I even wanted to be. God knew I’d never date a man who was still active duty, no way in hell.

  I pushed the thoughts of Alex out of my head and went to meet Ralph. It took about fifteen minutes for the awkwardness to vanish, and the two of us laughed and talked about a lot of things. From growing up, to work, to his kids, we talked about it.

  “Are you interested in having more kids?” I asked him after he shared a story about his youngest, who was about to turn thirteen.

  He shook his head. “No, three was enough for me. I’m not sure I have enough energy to deal with that baby and toddler stage again. Not with how busy the company is. I’m going to be doing some traveling over the next few years to get these projects off the ground, and that’s not going to lend very well to family time. Besides, I’m already forty-four, I’d be sixty-something by the time another child would be an adult.”

  I smiled at him, but deep inside, I sighed a long sad sigh. “I didn’t realize you were forty-four. I would have thought you were closer to thirty-eight or nine.”

  He chuckled. “No, and you are what, thirty-seven, thirty-eight yourself?”

  Wow, did he really think I looked almost forty? “I’m about to turn thirty-three,” I told him with a forced smile.

  He leaned back. “I always thought you were older.” He paused and seemed to contemplate his next question. “Does that bother you that I’m eleven years older?”

  “No.” The age difference didn’t bother me, but the fact that he’d said he didn’t want more kids, well, that kind of did. “Age is just a number.”

  He chuckled softly, and then we went back to discussing safer subjects. Because we’d taken our drinks on to dinner, it was getting late, and the temperatures were dropping quickly. His offer to take me home was welcomed so that I didn’t have to find an uber or walk the five blocks in the cold.

  I hadn’t expected him to get out and walk me to the door, and I never expected him to kiss me good night. Okay, maybe I wondered if he would, but I hadn’t really expected it.

  The kiss was gentle, tentative as if he were testing the waters. It was a sweet kiss, but not anything that got my blood boiling. Could he cause my blood to boil? Maybe, but the circumstances would have to be just right.

  The minute I walked in the door, thoughts of Ralph were gone, and Alex invaded them again. What was it about him that appealed to me so much? What would kissing him be like?

  I barely had my door open, when I felt someone behind me, and I turned in fear to find Alex closing in on me. The minute his lips hit mine, I opened to him. My hand brushed the back of his head, enjoying the feel of his hair feathering over my fingers. The locks were damp as if he’d been working out, and as I clung to him, his body heat raged toward me.

  Just as quickly as he appeared, he left. The door closed, and for a long moment I stared at it, waiting for it to open again. I touched my swollen lips and sagged against the wall. Now that kiss had made my blood boil, no doubt about it.

  Alex wanted me to think about the difference between kisses, and holy crap was there one! It was like comparing a single Pluma tomato with a whole pot of home-cooked sauce! Ralph’s kiss had been refreshing, a bit sweet, but it was also kind of bland. The one Alex had laid on me was a mixture of spices and sauce, boiled to perfection, and heaped onto my favorite pasta.

  I shook my head and pushed off the wall; I had Italian on the brain. I bolted the door and headed into my bedroom. I had a lot to get done at work tomorrow, and it was time to get ready for bed.

  The next morning, I was neck-deep in financials, and luckily, I’d been able to put thoughts of Alex out of my head after I’d gotten to work.

  When I’d left the building this morning, I’d wondered if I would see Alex running again. If I did, I was determined not to hide from him. Last night, I’d lain in bed for a long time thinking over his kiss. It had consumed my body, almost reaching right into my soul. I had little doubt that if it had continued, he would have achieved even that.

  The problem was that I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted. I mean, I did want a man that I was attracted to, one that could make my heart beat a little faster with only a look, but was Alex the one? By the time I’d gotten to the office, I still didn’t have an answer, and I’d forced all thoughts of men out of my head.

  It was almost lunch when Ralph knocked on my doorjamb, and I asked, “Hi, how did your meeting this morning go?” For a moment I felt a little embarrassed that I hadn’t thought much about him since he left me on the doorstep with a sweet and tender kiss.

  He came in and sat down in the chair in front of me. “It went well. Things are really taking off on this new venture. I think that once we have everything in place overseas, I’ll be able to really get our name out there. I see big things happening for
us.”

  I smiled, genuinely happy for him. “I’m glad it’s working out. You’ve worked hard these last few years to get it here.”

  “Yes, and once we get the teams working in-country, they can really help the businesses get back on their feet.”

  “Well, God knows they need to get there,” I commented and glanced at my computer as a new email pinged on my computer notifications.

  He was quiet for a moment as I pulled up the email. “I had a nice time last night.”

  I shifted my gaze away from my computer and smiled. “I did too.”

  “Any chance you might be available tonight for a second date?”

  I laughed slightly. “Oh, was last night our first one?”

  He cocked his head. “I’d like to think it’s the first of many, Alexandra.”

  “As nice as that would be, I’m afraid I have plans tonight,” I replied.

  “Ah, well, okay, maybe next week. I have to go away Friday night and won’t be back until Sunday evening.”

  “That’s right, you’re heading to New York, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” he paused, “you know, you could come. You’ve been working on that financial plan, too. I’m sure I could use the help during the meetings, and there is a nice dinner planned Saturday night. We could use the weekend to get to know one another.”

  Well, as exciting as that might sound to visit New York City, I wasn’t sure I was ready to go away for a weekend with Ralph. I had too many mixed feelings right now.

  “Thank you, but I already have several things happening this weekend.”

  He smiled and shrugged before he got up. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” I chuckled as he turned for the door. “Maybe you can make it on the next trip.”

  “Yes, maybe,” I replied noncommittally.

  Ralph left my office a few minutes later, and I stared unseeingly at my computer. I didn’t have any plans for tonight, or for this weekend, but until I figured out this thing with Alex, I wasn’t sure it was right to lead Ralph on.

  After work, I headed home, and at the bottom of the stairs, I paused. Should I go knock on his door? If I did, what would I say? Excuse me, Alex, but can you kiss me again? I need to know if I imagined the fireworks or not.

  I shook my head at myself and hustled up the stairs. I spent the evening watching television and cleaning my apartment, and when I got to work on Friday, I was disappointed that I hadn’t seen Alex again.

  I was getting the mail out of my box that evening when I heard a young girl laughing and turned toward the outside door to see Alex coming in. In front of him was a young lady who was grinning up at him like he was everything to her. My heart melted a bit as I saw him put his hand on her shoulder and smile down at her.

  I shut the mailbox door, and he lifted his head. “Lexi,” He seemed surprised and shot a quick glance at the girl with him. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine, Alex. Who is this beautiful young lady?”

  “Hi! I’m his daughter, Veronica, but everyone calls me Nica.” She put her hand out to me, and I took it with surprise. Not because he had a daughter, I’d already figured that out, but because she had incredible manners.

  “Well, hello, Nica. I’m Lexi, a neighbor of your father’s.”

  Alex had his arm around her shoulders, his eyes filled with pride. “Nica is staying with me this weekend while her mother is out of town.”

  “That sounds like fun.” For a moment, we stared at one another. Was he thinking about the kiss? Did he regret it? Want to do it again?

  His daughter snapped us back to attention. “Dad’s taking me to the aquarium tomorrow.”

  “Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun. I love the aquarium,” I replied to her. “I hope you both have a great time.”

  “Thanks,” Nica said with a smile.

  My gaze locked on Alex’s again for a moment, and then I forced myself to look away. “Well, you two have a great weekend.” I gave a small wave and turned to head up the stairs.

  I was just turning to the next staircase when I heard Nica speak. “I thought you said you didn’t have a girlfriend?”

  “What? She’s not my girlfriend, Nica. She’s just a neighbor.”

  I knew she said something else, but her voice faded as I reached the top of the second staircase. Did he really think I was just a neighbor? I knew we weren’t dating, and I sure wasn’t his girlfriend, but was I just a neighbor?

  As I let myself into my apartment, I frowned. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be just a neighbor, but then again, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be more.

  It was an hour later when there was a knock at the door, and I set down the sponge I was using to wipe the kitchen counter after cooking. I pulled the door open and was surprised to see Alex.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey.” He smiled softly. “Can I come in for a moment?”

  I hesitated for only a fraction of a second before I pulled the door open and stepped aside. “Did you need something? A cup of sugar, maybe a carrot?”

  He laughed as I closed the door. I turned to find him about two feet away. The minute our eyes locked, he stepped toward me, the fingers of his hand brushing over my cheek. “Carrots are not what I need.”

  I could barely breathe as I stared into his gray eyes. “What do you need then?”

  He leaned forward, his lips almost touching me. “I need to do this.” He pressed his mouth to mine.

  Chapter Eight

  Alex

  After I’d left Lexi staring after me, I’d returned to my apartment and taken a shower. I’d fallen asleep wondering if she was thinking about me, or was Ralph on her mind? I sure hoped it was the memory of my kiss that she dwelled on.

  Thursday had been a busy day, and I’d been down at the office helping with the last of the training materials for the upcoming class. I ended up meeting up with Jump again for dinner and got home around ten that night.

  Friday arrived and I was once again at the main office and then left from there to get Veronica. Annie opened the door when I arrived, and even though my chest ached a little as I took in the sight of her beautiful face, it didn’t hurt as much as it usually did. Maybe I was finally getting over her after ten years of being divorced.

  “Hey, Dad!” Nica threw herself into my arms.

  I kissed her head, inhaling the scent of her fresh shampoo. “Hey, kiddo. You ready for a fun weekend?”

  “I am,” she said as she stepped back, grinning. “Are we still going to the aquarium tomorrow?”

  “Yep, it looks like the snow is going to hold off until Saturday evening. Did you pack boots? If we get as much snow as they call for Saturday night, we might have enough to build a snowman on Sunday.” I paused, my forehead lining. “Or are you too old to make snowmen?”

  Nica laughed, her gray eyes twinkling. “I’ll never be too old to build a snowman, Dad. Let me go grab them.” Nica took off, and Annie and I stared at one another.

  “Thanks for watching her this weekend,” Annie said softly.

  “Annie, I told you I’d take her anytime. She’s my daughter. I’d like to start seeing her more often.”

  “It’s not as easy as you think, Alex. You live forty-five minutes away, and she has tumbling and cheerleading practice every night.”

  “But she’s missing it this weekend.”

  “Yes, because we are going away. This is competition season, and she can’t miss any more practices for a couple of months. As it is, her coach gave me all kinds of grief for missing this weekend, but Patrick and I have had this wedding on our calendar for months.”

  “I can’t believe her coach gave you a hard time. That seems a little overbearing, Annie. Are you sure this is good for her, and it’s not causing too much stress on her?”

  “Trust me, Alex, she thrives on the busy schedule. She reminds me a lot of you. She hates to sit around and not do anything. She’s much happier running from one thing to the next. And she loves to compete.”

  “When does she
compete next?”

  “Why?” she asked leerily.

  “Because I’d like to watch her. Or is that so hard for you to believe?”

  She shook her head. “No, I just didn’t think you’d be interested.”

  “Annie, I know I wasn’t around before, but I’m here now, and other than traveling once in a while for a couple weeks at a time, I’m going to be here. I’d like to know what’s going on in her life so I can be a part of that.”

  “Alright, then I’ll send you her schedule.”

  Nica returned, boots and snow pants in hand. “I’m ready.” She kissed her mom goodbye, and I nodded to Annie as we walked out the door.

  “I’m so excited to go to the aquarium,” she said as she climbed in the front seat and got belted. “I’ve been wanting to see the new shark tunnel.”

  “I heard it’s pretty nice.”

  For most of the ride, I listened to Nica talk about the aquarium. We were getting closer to my apartment when she turned the conversation around to me. “Do you like your new job?”

  “I do. It’s a lot of work, but it’s doing stuff I enjoy.”

  “Yeah, and not in a war zone.”

  “True.”

  “What else are you doing?”

  I glanced her way; she looked so much more grown-up than the last time I saw her. God, had it really been two months since I’d spent time with my daughter? I had to fix that.

  “Not much, just working. I’m getting ready to start training classes on Monday.”

  “Cool,” she said and then changed the subject. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  “What?” My face snapped toward her, and then I laughed. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  “I have a boyfriend,” she stated with a grin.

  “Wait, you’re not old enough to have a boyfriend.”

  “Dad, I’m thirteen. I am old enough to have a boyfriend.”

  “Yeah, says who?”

  “Mom,” she replied with a giggle.