The Wedding Trap (Second Service #1)(27)
Author: Adrienne Bell

Alex’s breath against her ear became ragged. His c**k nudged against her. He waited a second. Two seconds. Just long enough for Beth to fear that he had changed his mind.

With a long exhale, he pressed forward, slowly sinking inside her body. She grabbed on to him, desperate to keep her hold on him as he slowly pulled out. With each stroke he filled her deeper, until their bodies met.

Her body swam with pleasure. She couldn’t be closer to him if she tried.

He pivoted and sat up, pulling her with him, until she was nestled on his lap. She wrapped her legs around his back and ground against him. Each stroke drove her closer to the edge.

He wrapped his arms around her back, cradling her, holding her steady. His mouth bathed her neck in kisses. She found a rhythm and stayed there. One step away from wild, she took her pleasure from him. Her heart pounded so hard she thought she could hear it. It was reminder that she had survived. That she was alive. And for the first time since she could remember, she was taking what she wanted. What she really wanted.

He felt it too. She saw it in his eyes. Tasted it in the swipe of his tongue against hers. This was passion. This was life.

Tension built inside of her. A fire that refused to be tamed. And for the first time she could remember, Beth didn’t care about anything else. She wanted to know what it was like to throw herself over the edge with abandon.

She didn’t have to wait long. His body just felt too good. All the tension inside her broke. She shuddered around him. Her back arched as blinding pleasure swept through her.

He was close behind. He guided her down on her back, so he was above her. He took her hard and fast. His body tensed as he came. He buried his face in her neck and pressed his body against hers. She felt every second of his release, felt it run through every muscle in his body. Only then did he relax against her.

A long moment passed before Alex rolled onto his side. His face was still nestled against her neck. She felt his breath slow, until long exhales caressed her skin.

After another minute had ticked by, he pulled her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and draped her arm over him.

Beth traced her fingertips over his chest and belly. He caressed the back of her neck with his palm. She breathed in the scent of him, and burrowed deeper into his chest. Her legs wrapped around his.

She tried to fight off the decadent feeling that threatened to carry her off to sleep. She didn’t want to go there, not just yet. Even with all the danger that surrounded her, she felt safe in Alex’s arms. She knew it was unfair to put such a burden on him, but just for a few minutes she decided to enjoy the sensation. After all, she wasn’t sure when she’d get another chance.

Chapter 9

Beth woke up to the sound of harsh ringing. She shot straight up in the bed. Or rather, she tried. She would have been successful if it weren’t for the two big arms curled around her, holding her tight.

"It’s just your phone," Alex said, his words rumbled through his chest against her ear. He pressed his lips to the top of her head before releasing her from his embrace.

Her phone was always interrupting her. Now it had roused her from the warm cocoon of Alex’s arms. If she had half a brain, she’d turn the damned thing off or chuck it out the window. Instead, she snatched it from the bedside table.

At least it wasn’t her mother this time.

"Hey, Isobel" Beth said, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Hey yourself. Where did you get off to last night in such a hurry?”

Beth sat up, willing her sleepy mind to catch up with her body. "Um…" Alex’s hand slid up her back, tempting her to lie back down.

"That’s what I thought," Isobel said with a laugh. No doubt it was what everyone thought. "Some people wanted to wait to see if you’d be coming down, but I said you could probably use the sleep."

Beth blinked and looked at the clock on the side table. “Did I miss breakfast?”

“Well, yeah. But that was an hour ago. We were all just about take off for the museum.”

“Oh, God, the MOMA,” Beth said. “I forgot all about it. I’m so sorry, Isobel."

"Don’t be. I don’t care if you skip it. I mean, I’ll miss you, but Spencer will be there and from the sound of it, things didn’t go so well between you two last night.” There was a note of apology in her voice.

“Are you sure you’re cool with me not going with you?”

“It’s fine. I swear. God knows I’d still be lounging around in bed if I could. All you have to do is make it to the rehearsal tonight."

"Of course, I promise."

More laughter. "Until then, stay in bed all day. Doctor’s orders."

“Are my parents there?”

“Of course,” Isobel said. “But don’t worry. I already covered for you.”

Alex’s fingers curled around her shoulder. He slowly pulled her back down to the pillows. Beth only half resisted.

"How in the world did you do that?" Beth asked.

"I told them that I sent you out on another errand for me,” she said. “This one was out on the peninsula."

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Alex’s lips pressed against her neck, tracing a path up to her ear. Her toes began to curl. She gripped the phone tighter so it wouldn’t slip through her fingers and clatter down to the floor.

"Um…Isobel, I have to go," she said.

Another laugh. There wasn’t any attempt to mask it this time.

"Of course you do. Have fun, but don’t forget—six o’clock tonight."

"Six o’clock. I’ll be there. Promise."

Beth hit the end button and tossed the phone to the other side of the king-sized bed. She curled her body up against Alex and pressed her lips to the base of his throat. Just for good measure, she flicked her tongue out to taste the little hollow at the base. He made a little sound of appreciation.

“What did Isobel want?" he asked.

"To tell me that I’d missed breakfast. And to remind me that the rehearsal is tonight." Beth pulled her face up far enough to nuzzle her nose against his cheek. She bobbed down to kiss the corner of his mouth.

"That’s it?" His voice was wary.

"Pretty much."

"You were talking with her for longer than that."

Beth pulled back far enough away to see his expression. It didn’t give anything away. “You still think Isobel has something to do with this, don’t you?”

"I can’t rule anyone out. I won’t allow you to get hurt because you’re blinded by your affections."