Alexis (The Love Family Series Book 6)
Read Alexis (The Love Family Series Book 6) Online
Authors: Kate Allenton
ALEXIS
Kate Allenton
Copyright © 2016 Kate Allenton
All rights reserved.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or use fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Published by Coastal Escape Publishing
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
“I need a quarter.” Lifelong resident, Alexis Love, held out her hand to her cousin, Skylar Love.
Skylar was holding her son, six month old Brody, in her arms feeding him with a baby bottle.
“Why do you need a quarter?” she asked while gazing lovingly down into her son’s eyes.
“I want to test a theory and see if any of them will let me try to bounce it off their abs.”
Skylar glanced up and grinned. “I know, great view, right? That’s why Olivia and I picked this park. It’s right across from the fire station. Besides, it keeps our husbands in line if they think we’re still looking.”
Alexis tossed her head back and laughed. There was never a dull moment on Love Island, or with the Love clan she was part of. Alexis and her two brothers weren’t nearly as entertaining as her cousins, but things were about to change.
“Don’t you just love it when they wash the fire truck right before a shift change?” Sky teased and jabbed Alexis with her elbow.
“They are so much better than the male dance revue on Thursday nights over at the Double D. I wonder if any of them can dance.”
“Three of them are married, but the other five are yours for the choosing. Which one is it going to be tonight? Mr. Sex on top of the rig or Tall, Dark, and Delicious who’s taking his shirt off.”
“Mr. Sex. Definitely Mr. Sex.”
“Which one have we nicknamed Mr. Sex?” Olivia, Declan’s wife, asked as she pushed the stroller toward the bench.
“Cole Buchanan washing the top.”
“Wait, isn’t he the young, hot, new fire chief who worked our fire at the store?” Olivia asked.
“You know him?” Alexis asked, unable to take her eyes off Buchanan as he stepped down the ladder, giving them a full view of his ass.
“Yeah, we know him.” Skylar was the one to answer as Olivia pulled Cami out of her stroller and held her in her arms. The babies had been born a week apart, and they’d grow up just as close as Skylar and Olivia, if Alexis had to guess. It didn’t matter one was a boy and the other a girl. They’d be best friends just the same. “He’s not your type. Pick another one.”
“Wait, he’s got abs, and he’s good looking. I wonder how his stamina is. He’s definitely my type.”
Alexis watched as Cole grabbed a towel and ran it over his face and down his abs. Tall, Dark, and Delicious tossed him another towel, and they both laughed out loud. Cole continued to smile as he turned his gaze their way, letting on that he knew they liked what they saw. Was he cocky? Was that why they didn’t think he was her type?
“Cole Buchanan doesn’t date,” Olivia announced, settling the bottle into little Cami’s mouth. “He doesn’t flirt, and as far as I know, he doesn’t do casual. That’s what Sky meant by saying he’s not your type.”
“Don’t tell me he bats for the other team.” Alexis finally let her gaze turn to Olivia. “You’ll crush me.”
“Quite the opposite.” Skylar set the bottle down and adjusted Brody on the burp cloth spread over her shoulder. She gently patted his back. “He’s an all-in type of guy. His wife died three years ago, before he moved to the island. I don’t think he’s ever gotten over losing her. Maybe you should concentrate on Tall, Dark, and Delicious. He’s more your speed.”
Alexis rose from her spot on the bench and took another swig of her water bottle before discarding it in the trash can. “Mr. Sex is my type. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
She shoved the earbuds in her ears and wiggled her fingers as she started on another lap around the park.
“You did that on purpose.” Olivia grinned, sliding closer to Skylar.
“They’d be perfect for each other.” Skylar grinned. “They just needed a push in the right direction. You know Alexis won’t back down from a challenge.” Skylar high-fived Olivia and they both watched the firemen finish their weekly cleaning.
“You’re playing matchmaker.” Olivia tsked. “You’re playing with fire with those two. You’ve got Alexis, who can start fires just by concentrating, thanks to the unusual Love DNA, and Cole, who makes a living putting them out. They’re going to clash. I think you might have bitten off more than you can chew this time.”
“I’ll bet you the silver slingbacks on display in Fuller’s window that they’re married in six months.”
“Oh, you are so on.” Olivia shook Sky’s hand before rising to put Cami back in her stroller. “I’m starving, and we’re going to be late to your mom’s house. We need to go.”
Chapter 2
Alexis veered from the park heading toward the secluded street that ran along the shoreline. Only locals knew the beauty hidden down that road. She spotted Landon and his new bride headed down the incline. She grinned. She knew why they’d come. When Landon had figured out that she was responsible for the raining flowers, he’d made it a point to determine her running schedule. She wouldn’t disappoint.
She slowed her pace, giving them a few minutes to get settled near the shoreline. As she passed, she blew out a long breath and watched as the flower petals around her danced on the breeze and rained down on them from above. She could hear Alice’s laughter as she passed.
Always on her way back through, Alexis would stop and make sure they grew back. That was her gift from the Love DNA. She had a touch of Mother Nature in her blood. The weather and the earth were her playgrounds, and she wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Alexis lost herself in her thoughts as her feet pounded the pavement toward the campgrounds where the secluded caves and hot water springs were located. Like Landon had his favorite spot, the caves and springs were hers, giving her a sense of belonging and home. The whole island was a treasure trove and her playground, and today was the day she’d decided to play.
Her breath came out in hard pants, and her lungs burned as she reached the turnoff to the secluded springs. She slowed and turned down the path, stepping over stumps, crunching leaves beneath her feet.
Breaking through the remaining shrubs, she spotted her prize. Steam drifted above the warm water, calling to her aching bones and muscles. The shrubbery around the pond was just as green as she’d left it the last time. It would be even more so when she left today.
Alexis pulled the earbuds out of her ears and placed them and her phone on a nearby stump. She kicked her shoes and socks off and dipped her feet into the warm water. The temperature would surely ease her muscles. Alexis gave one quick glance behind her and around the woods to check if she was alone before she dropped the rest of her clothing and eased down into the warm water, wearing nothing more than her birthday suit.
She twisted her ponytail into a messy bun and sank down to her shoulders, where most of her stress resided. The grass around the pond grew an inch as she stayed submerged in the water. The trees around her shielded her from the sun shining high in the sky. She closed her eyes and let the water soak into her skin. She’d been enjoying the relaxing water for twenty minutes when she murmured, “This is the life.”
“From the looks of it, I’d say you're right.” A male spoke from behind her, and she spun around, splashing water as her hands flew up to cover her breasts.
“Cole Buchanan? What are you doing here?” she asked, moving closer to the shoreline to shield her body from his view overhead. “Please tell me this isn’t a training exercise and the rest of the guys aren’t with you.”
“You know my name?” He lifted his chin. “Huh.”
“Sky and Olivia told me.” She shook the confusion from her head. “You still haven’t answered my question. What are you doing here?”
“You aren’t the only one who likes to run that road. I found this sweet little spot about a week ago,” he explained while kicking off his shoes and pulling the shirt over his head.
“Find another hot spring. This one is occupied,” she exclaimed and watched as he reached for his jogging shorts.
She wasn’t bashful, and she’d be damned if she would look away. He stripped the shorts, and his cock jutted forward at attention. He was big, and he was mouthwatering.
I’m in serious trouble.
Her hands itched to take hold, and her mouth watered for a taste. The sight of him was breathtaking, and it had been almost a year since she’d had sex. The problem wasn’t the lack of men asking for dates, or willing participants, her desire just seemed to diminish during the getting-to-know-you phase. She was long overdue for a one-night stand. Seriously overdue.
“This one is plenty big for both of us. Don’t worry, Alexis, I won’t accost you unless you beg me.”
He slipped down into the warm water, and Alexis moved near the other side of the opening. “You know my name. I’m impressed.”
“You should be.” He winked. “That little show I put on back there wasn’t for Sky or Olivia. Did you get enough eye candy, or do you need more?”
Alexis’ mouth parted in surprise. “Oh, they were so wrong about you.”
“Who? Skylar and Olivia?”
“Oh yeah.” Alexis wiggled her finger in his direction. “They made you sound like a hermit crab that needed to be coaxed out of his shell. Clearly, judging by your lack of clothing, they were wrong.”
Cole tossed his head back and laughed. “I think you got played.” He tread water, coming closer to her, his body within reaching distance. She had only to grab and pull him closer and she could have hot springs monkey sex with just one touch.
“But good to know you’ve been asking about me.” He leaned his upper body in closer, his junk out of reach. Pity. “I’ve been asking about you too,” he whispered into her ear, his breath hot on her cheek.
“Why?” she asked, placing her palms on his chest, feeling the bunch of his muscles beneath her fingers. Bad move. Now she was hot and horny, but she wasn’t having sex with this Neanderthal. No way. She gave him a shove and moved back to the other side.
“I told you I wouldn’t accost you. Why are you acting skittish?”
“I’m not. I just like my men with more class.” She lifted her brow.
“Ouch,” he said, clutching an imaginary knife in his chest.
“What? Did you hear I was easy? Because I don’t make it a habit of having sex with strangers.”
“I’m not a stranger, and I would never dream of calling
you
easy.” Cole grinned as he tread water back over to where she floated. His fingers rested on her waist, and every nerve in her body flooded with life, with lust, and need. One touch all right, although it wasn’t her touching him. It was the other way around.
“You think you can scare me. Is that what this is?” she asked, her lips twisted in a grin. “Did the girls put you up to it?”
“Every day I see you running the same path, and every day I fantasize what it would be like to be inside of you, hearing my name screamed from your lips as I give you the longest…hardest…orgasm you have ever had.”
His eyes darkened, and the lust there was real, as was hers. He may have seen her running, but she’d watched him right back. Every time she’d passed the fire station and caught a glimpse of him, she’d noticed him watching her like a hawk. Grinning like a mountain lion waiting for his next meal. Maybe it was time she played a little game of her own.
“You want to sleep with me? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Baby, there won’t be any sleep,” he said in a seductive voice.
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.”
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. She was out of her mind for even entertaining the idea of having sex with this man. The steam from the hot springs was clouding her brain. She was absolutely out of her mind. Screw it. It was time to throw caution to the wind, and maybe if she made him just as uncomfortable, then he’d come to his senses. She wrapped her fingers around his erection and stroked.
“Remember, you started this,” he whispered.
The fingers holding steady at her waist stayed, even when they both wanted so much more. One little fling, in a hot spring, with no one the wiser. What did she have to lose? She’d play this game and prove that he’d be the first one to chicken out.
“Why me?” she asked, reaching for his hips and pulling him closer, eliciting a growl from deep in his throat. “You’re a good-looking guy. Is it because no one else would put up with your bedside manner?” She rose a little out of the water, putting her breasts in full view.
Cole licked his lips before a smile formed. “You like to play games?”
“Does this feel like a game?” She ran the pad of her thumb over his soft, slick head. She couldn’t stop her taunting now that she had him in her grasp. He was hot and thick, and her heart raced with excitement. She was being naughty, and damned if she didn’t enjoy it.
He gyrated deeper into her palm, his fingers moved between her thighs, cupping her sex. His finger slid over her folds, but he didn’t penetrate.
“This isn’t how this meeting was supposed to go.”
“Really? How did you see it played out in your head?”
“I wanted a date,” he answered and sounded honest as his fingers moved again.
“I don’t date,” she answered. “And if I did, I wouldn’t date you.”
“So what is this?” he asked, his lips turned up at the corners.
“A tension reliever,” she said in a silky voice. “A
quid pro quo
.”
He slipped his finger inside her, and she suppressed her moan and held his gaze.
“Kiss me,” he demanded.
She shook her head, and his grin grew bigger as he worked a second finger into her slick folds.
“Kiss me,” he demanded again.
It took every bit of effort not to toss her head back, to take the ecstasy he was giving her and then beg for more. Her toes curled, thankfully below the surface. She’d never tell him that. Instead, she did the opposite. She increased her strokes. “No.”
His jaw hardened as he fought what she was doing to him. She could see the pleasure written on his face and wondered how well she was hiding her own. His fingers moved faster, and his thumb circled her bud. He needed only to apply pressure and it would send her flying over the edge.
“Kiss me and I’ll give you what you want. Tell me no again and I’ll stop.”
Her heart raced in her chest as he slowed his strokes. She could walk away from this. Hell, she could finish off herself if the pressure was too much. What she couldn’t do was give in to his demands…ever.
Alexis pressed her lips together, even as her channel tightened around his finger. She would not kiss him. Now or ever.
“I’m not like the other men you’ve dated, Alexis. Nowhere close. I’ll taste and touch every inch of this delectable body.”
“I don’t even know you,” she whispered and suddenly realized that her words were true. Oh Lord. What had she come to? She wasn’t an easy lay. She was skinny-dipping with a local. One she’d see again. She should be blushing, smacking him, or something other than what she was letting him do to her body.
“You’ll get to know every inch of my body too. Get out of your head, Alexis, and just feel. Let me do this for you.”
Alexis couldn’t stop the rush of moisture between her legs. The thought of his hands on her body excited her, and pissed her off at the same time.
His lips twitched. “You like that thought, don’t you? I can see it in the fire in your eyes. I can feel it in the pulse against my finger. All you have to do is kiss me and you can have it. All of it.”
She shook her head.
“No?” he asked, disappointment thick in his voice.
He leaned in closer and pressed his lips to her neck, while applying the pressure she so desperately longed for. She let go of his cock and grabbed his shoulders, running her nails over his back as she held back her moan. He quickened his pace and kissed a trail up her neck to nibble on her ear.
“You’re so close, aren’t you, Alexis? I can feel it. So damn close and all I have to do is make one little move to send you where you want to be. Would you like that?”
Alexis did the unimaginable and pressed her greedy and hungry lips to his. Their tongues dueled for purchase, each demanding more from the other.
“That’s my girl,” he said when he broke the kiss.
He twisted his fingers and hit her G-spot, and she came instantly. Her body quivered around his fingers as he continued to work them inside of her, bringing her down from her high.
When her senses returned, she held his gaze as he slipped his fingers free.
“I’m not your girl.”
His lips twitched. “You will be.” He leaned in and kissed her neck once more. “Be ready by eight for our date.”
He winked and cupped her neck, leaving her with an even hotter kiss than the one she’d just given.
“I’m not dating you. I thought I made that clear,” she mumbled against his lips before he released her and climbed out.
“You also said you weren’t kissing me.” He winked and got dressed. He glanced around the woods one last time. “No more skinny-dipping. Next time you get in this water, you better be wearing a swimsuit.”
Alexis’ mouth had parted before she snapped it close. Fire licked her veins as she rose out of the water, her boobs in full view. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“This was a one and done, big boy. I’m not going out with you.”
He finished dressing, picked up her phone and typed something into it before he set it back down. “Be ready at eight.”
