Alex's Destiny (Racing To Love) (23 page)

“
It
?”

“Shit! I said that out loud? Crap.” She was messing this up in monumental proportions, “I…um.”

“Lex, it’s okay. Call
it
whatever you want. My penis, my dick…whatever you are comfortable with. Just not Henry. For some reason, that just would be weird.”

He knew she had panicked and frozen—literally. And he’d given her a twinge of humor, freeing her. Warmth flooded her.
Dallas knew her inside and out. He knew exactly what she needed and when she needed it, and always gave it to her.

Looking at his, okay, he called it a dick, she could too. Still in her hand, she quickly bent down and kissed him again.

“Baby, let’s wait for that.”

“But?”

“Not yet.”

“But, I wanted to. Guys are supposed to like that.”

“Well, we do, but come here.”

Without giving her time to adjust his trunks back over his family jewels, he had her under her arms and was pulling her back up to blanket his body before she could argue. For the first time, she felt him between her legs with very little between them. The scrap she called a bikini was it. Running his palm across her cheek,
Dallas pulled her mouth to his. Her lips were already parted, the tingling that she’d felt before, returned with a vengeance. Fire dusted her skin the instant his tongue touched hers.

Breaking free, she scrambled back down his body and had her lips wrapped around him in less than a breath. She gave him no say in the matter. Using her hand, her tongue, her lips, Alex let go. There was no thinking, no game plan this time. She just did what felt natural, but it was his deep-throated growl that spurred her on.

She kept up her motions, and what she was doing must have felt okay. He gripped one of her shoulders with his fingertips, and hissed through a jaw she could tell was clenched. A string of words alternated between ‘oh my God’, ‘shit’, and ‘you’re killing me’ before he stilled and issued directions one more time. “Alex, move, I’m going to cum. Now.”

But she didn’t listen then either.

He shuddered with a guttural moan. Dallas’s arm fell away, brushing her knee as it landed on the blanket below, but that was it. She continued to swipe her tongue around him and over the tip until she thought he was clean. He’d let out one huge gush of air and now Alex wasn’t sure he was still breathing anymore. Waiting with him still in her hold, she didn’t dare move. Finally his eyebrows went up, even though his eyes didn’t seem to want to follow. “Damn.” One word. After several more breaths, he opened his eyes. “Geez, Alex. Maybe I shouldn’t be treating you with kid gloves.”

With her brow furrowed, she bit her lip. “So?”

“So, it was—amazing!”

“Kid gloves?”

“I don’t want to rush you in anyway, honey.”

“You won’t even undress in front of me, Dallas.” Alex grinned.

With blinding speed, she found herself on her back, lying in his warm spot on the blanket, their positions reversed. Dallas kissed her stomach and sat up to adjust his waistband. “I thought I was being respectful. I still don’t want to do anything while we’re in your parent‘s home, but you’ve made it awfully hard to keep my manners in check when we’re alone.”

“I did make you hard, huh?” Alex smarted back, then shut her mouth quickly, seeing the flare of hunger dash through his eyes again.

“Turnabout is fair play my little blue-eyed angel. I’ll show you exactly what you did to me.”

With his arms bracketing her head, he leaned forward. Her tongue darted out to touch her lips, but he bypassed her mouth and headed for her neck. He sat back up. Alex opened her eyes to see he had the string of her bikini top in his teeth, one tug and the bow was gone. His palm swept under her, his heat searing a path across her skin. A rush of tingles followed as the thoughts and desires bounced around inside her head. Using only his tongue and teeth, he worked to remove her bikini top, then tossed it aside with the most sinful grin pulling at his mouth the entire time.
It was then she figured out what the hand at her back had done.

“Are you proud of yourself, Mr. Hunter?”

His gray eyes darkened. The palm still at her back pushed against her, forcing her to arch up meet him.

Lowering, he silenced her teasing with his kiss. “Yes. I am,” he whispered against her skin before licking a slow trail over her breasts and finishing by taking one nipple into his mouth.

Pulling in a deep breath through her nose, Alex arched her back even higher, instinctively asking for more.

“I will wait until our wedding night to make you mine,”
Dallas said, then kissed her stomach. “But,” he kissed again. “I will.” He began alternating each word with a kiss, each one easing lower on her body than the last. “Show. You. How. I. Feel.” Reaching the line of her barely-there bikini bottoms, he eased up, pulling one string on each side until each scrap fell away. “You opened Pandora’s box, Lex. This is what you do to me.”

He lowered to kiss her before she’d even been able to catch her breath. Alex knew she needed more, and he’d left her feeling frustrated when he held her or kissed her. She walked around so turned on, she couldn’t concentrate on simple mundane tasks. She had a certain amount of sympathy for him, and was fairly positive he felt the same way. Especially since there were times she would brush up against the front of him and feel how hard he was, and it was happening more and more often. However, he’d had sex, she hadn’t. Alex understood his need to protect her with all they’d been through, but her
needs
were starting to rage out of control. She wasn’t that young anymore, and if anything she was a tad embarrassed to still be a virgin. That she would blame on him for the rest of their lives.

“If you hadn’t been so dense all these years, we’d be married by now, and I wouldn’t still be,” he inserted two fingers as he swept his tongue over her, “a virgin!” She squeaked out, her voice several octaves higher as she rode the waves of the first orgasm she’d ever had.
“Oh my God…oh my God…oh my God,” she squealed out on a single breath. Her eyes were shut so tight bits of color danced before her as he continued ringing every last bit of pleasure from her. Then her body went limp. Dallas kissed his way back up her body, but she was so spent she wasn’t even ticklish at the moment. “So that’s what I’ve been missing all this time. I get it now.”

“And I’m dense, huh?”

Alex’s eyes flew open. Dallas was once again blanketing her body, but she was naked now and his swimsuit was the only piece of material between them. His boyish smile replaced the hunger she’d seen in him before, and he teased her as he kissed her neck.

“What?” She breathed out.

Resting with his forearms on either side of her head, a devilish smirk tipped his mouth. “You said you wouldn’t still be a virgin if I weren’t so slow. Actually, ‘dense’ was the word you used.” He winked.

Her shock fell away and she just closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.”

“What? That when you’re really worked up and horny, you forget what you’re doing, and you start speaking your mind?”

With her tongue in her cheek, Alex left her eyes closed. Knowing exactly the type of roguish charm she’d see if she dared to open them.

“Huh? Is that it? Come on, it’s cute.” She shook her head. “You have to open your eyes at some point, Lex.”

Dallas
lowered to take control of her mouth once more. The teasing faded into the background once more as she quickly heated again.

Dragging himself away,
Dallas’s lips finally lost the connection he had with hers. “Thank you, Alex.”

“For what?”

“For waiting all those years for me…to be mine and only mine. Thank you.”

“I love you, Dallas.”

“I love you too, Lex.”

Propping herself up to study him, she shook her head. “Oh holy hell. I just thought of something. God. I can’t believe I never…good grief.”

“What is it?”

“I just hadn’t thought about putting two and two together, but with the wedding coming up, I need to…well…I need to go on birth control.”

“Or.”

The tiny word fell off his tongue instantly, and she was puzzled as she saw his smile grow, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Or what?”

Dallas winked. “Or, maybe you don’t?”

Reaching forward, she brushed a quick kiss against his mouth before falling against the blanket, staring at the man smiling back at her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Tell your mama to hurry up, Ruby,”
Dallas said patting the pile of fur trying to sleep on their bed. “She’s going to be late for her own birthday.” As usual, all he got was one raised doggie eyebrow. “Some help you are, girl.”

“Us women gotta stick together, huh, Rube?”

The dog barked at the voice coming from the walk-in closet.

“I see how you are. You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to get a boy dog. Just to even things out a bit around here.” Ruby barked a second time. “Ah-ha! You really are just like your mama—horny girls. I swear,”
Dallas said with a wink as his woman walked out fully dressed. Starting at her eyes, he made a slow pass over the black lace dress molded to her curves. It was on the short side of the law, and hotter than hell itself. Continuing on down the legs that went for miles to the fuck-me heels he’d never seen before. “Oh. My. God.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment?”

“Stealing my line? It’s illegal in fifty states to look that hot. Come here, babe.”

Running his hands over the dress, even with the solid black underpinning,
Dallas was very easily able to tell just exactly what she had on underneath this little number. Nothing. “Damn it to hell. We have to get that freaking house done, get hitched, and get this party started. I’m going crazy.” Alex batted her big blue eyes at him. Dallas leaned in for a kiss just as she reached her palm out to run it over his crotch. “Whoa.”

She grinned the biggest shit-eating grin he’d ever seen. “Oh holy hell. I’ve created a monster.” Again she didn’t answer. Instead she played the new sex-kitten role she was so well suited for. “No. Do not bite your lip and wiggle your little eyebrows at me, missy. You be a good girl or I’m going to—”

“Is she being a brat?”

“Jack. Oh thank God. Save me from your sister.”

“What? This beautiful angel? She couldn’t possibly do anything wrong, now could you, Lex?” Jack walked in and high-fived his twin.

“Dude. What happened to uniting with your bros?”

“She buys better Christmas presents than your lazy ass does. I’m not stupid,” he smarted back, kissing his sister on the cheek.

“You’re shameless, Jack. Shameless.”

“Part of my charm. I have to go pick up someone, I’ll meet you guys at the restaurant, okay?” Jack said as he tapped the door frame and was gone.

Dallas
walked to the closet. His jacket was hanging on a hook just inside the door. Digging in the pocket, he fished out a small box. “Speaking of presents. Happy birthday, baby.”

Her jaw fell open, “
Dallas. You didn’t need to do that.”

“It’s your birthday. Yes, I did.”

“You’re giving me a house, remember?”

“And you’re agreeing to make an honest man out of me. Remember? I want to give you things. You’re special to me. It means a lot to me to see the smile on your face when I make you happy.”

“You make me happy just by lying down with me at night and waking with me in the morning. You make me happy by walking out to see the house with me and Ruby. You make me happy working at the track with me during the day and eating dinner with me afterward. It’s just you. That’s all I need. Well, and my girl.”

Dallas
reached for her hand. With her palm flat, he laid the small blue box in the middle and waited. “Please?”

“You’re too much. Thank you. I know I’ll love it.”

Watching her take her good old sweet time untying the bow was almost painful. He opened the box for her, and her tears welled instantly. “Ruby?” She whispered, then glanced at the dog that lifted her head at her name.

Nodding he took the box from her, and gently removed the two and one-quarter carat princess-cut ruby and platinum pendant. Lifting her long blond waves, Alex turned, and waited for him to clasp the short necklace around her perfect neck. There was no way she’d have known ahead of time, but the all black dress made the red stone pop like a flash of brilliance at her throat.

“It is beautiful, Dallas. Thank you. I love it…almost as much as I love her.”

“You are more than welcome, Lex. I love you, happy birthday.” Taking her in his arms, he kissed his fiancé as if no one else was in the house. He continued to stand, her in his arms, taking an extra minute to soak in the feeling.  Loving that he was the man lucky enough to be the one who would gather those kinds of memories with her over the years.

~~~

Walking in the restaurant on the arm of the most handsome man in the world was thrilling enough. The double-date he’d planned with her brother for their shared birthday was their first night out since she’d thrown herself back into work.

Even with Dallas by her side, they worked all day, and then played catch-up on paperwork until the late night hours. The one difference—they did it in bed. No more after-hours for her. Not away from home at least.

The drive was a peaceful one as they talked and sang along to the radio, but it was further than she’d planned. Jack and his date weren’t waiting in the entry area yet, so she excused herself to run to the restroom. Seeing her reflection, her eyes were drawn to the beautiful ruby stone at her neck. It was gorgeous in its own right, but the meaning that was attached to it was more powerful than any other present he could have chosen. Dabbing at another round of tears, she blinked to get herself under control.
With a quick sweep of lip gloss, she left before she got emotional again.

“Um…do you know where the gentleman who standing right here went?” She asked the hostess as she looked around.

“Oh. Yes. I believe he was seated. I’ll take you to him.”

With her brow furrowed, her gaze swept the restaurant. They’d never been there before, but it was very odd for them to have sat him, instead of just waiting. So far, their service was not impressing her.

“There she is.”

Alex came to a sudden stop, her eyes wide as silver dollars. Scanning the room, there were several small tables and a stage. It wasn’t private, but their family took up almost a full corner. No one was saying anything, they were all just staring at her. And glancing at the stage, it was Dallas who had spoken. Tilting her head, she gazed at him, quite confused about what in the hell he was doing.

“So I know everyone here has an idea of what’s going on, except my beautiful fiancé standing there. She’s been left entirely out of the loop. See, not only is today her and her twin brother Jack’s birthday, our good friend Levi has an additional surprise for her. Come sit down, hon. Levi, you want to take it from here, man?”

‘Entirely out of the loop’ couldn’t begin to describe where she was in this plot. “What the hell is going on,
Dallas?” she whispered as he came closer and whisked her away to a table and chairs in the middle of everyone. Her mother leaned over and kissed her cheek, then ran her finger under the necklace.

“Oh,
Dallas, it’s beautiful. I love it, honey. Were you surprised?” her mother asked with a smile.

“Oh, yes. Completely. But? What is going on? I thought we were just going for a quiet dinner.” She turned to
Dallas, not expecting to see anyone other than Jack and a date, let alone her man announcing her entrance through a mic. “Where are we? I thought we were just eating dinner, then going back to Grandma and Grandpa’s for cake?”

“Well, we’re still doing the last part. But Levi and I have been talking.”

“Okay, well, at least there are witnesses here if she decides to kill me.” Levi joked to the growing crowd as a band stood behind him. “There are actually two parts to this secret only Dallas knows about. That’s why we invited all of you guys here tonight. I felt like this needed to be shared. Alex, just remember you love me as you’re wrapping your little hands around my neck.”

She furrowed her brow at the man on stage, then glanced at her family. Her Uncle Jesse tipped his head at her. Alex jerked her shoulders. In truth, she had no idea what was about to happen.

“What you guys don’t know is this band is mine. And although, she didn’t take me seriously, and probably doesn’t remember even giving me permission, we’re about to play some new stuff for you. Written by Alex.”

Her jaw dropped. Staring at Levi’s proud grin, she sat still. Her face heated, and though she didn’t bother to turn, Alex knew all eyes had fallen on her. Forcing herself to blink, then breathe, she was shell-shocked. It wasn’t a secret she meant to keep, but it wasn’t something she ever planned on announcing. Questions from her family buzzed around her regarding
what, why, where,
and
when
. But their whispers to her were drowned out as the music started to float through the speakers. She had no answers. Still too stunned to do anything but stare, she shook her head at Levi’s boyish grin. He winked back, and Alex felt Dallas take her hand from her lap.

“Don’t be mad, baby. They’re really beautiful. You two did an amazing job. I was blown out of the water. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Her fingertips went to the stone at her neck. She would have given almost anything to be in a pair of cozy sweats with her other Ruby curled up beside her—at home.

Levi’s soft voice drifted through the air. His music, his voice, her words.

Alex was immediately taken back to the day when she had sat scribbling her heartbreak onto a piece of lined paper. Meant for no one’s eyes but her own. It was the one page in her notebook that she’d meant to tear out. The day that sent her walking toward hell as another woman walked toward Dallas. She could still feel the cool breeze as she drove down the driveway away from him. She could still picture seeing his missed calls on her cell. It was still so real with those words coming through the speakers.

Dallas
nuzzled her neck, speaking quietly as Levi told her story. “It all worked out, Lex, but I will never forgive myself for causing you that much pain.”

She turned to him, the tears in her eyes were ready to fall, and kissed his mouth that was already inches from hers. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. And even though it was born of pain, that’s a beautiful song.” Dallas gathered her close, and laying her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes, listening to the words.

Why is it that I stand planted

Watching you walk away

How is my love

Not enough to make you stay

I am not whole without you

I have no dreams that you’re not in

My fate was sealed the day I met you

For you alone are my destiny.

“Now, just so you know you’re not the only one I’m picking on tonight, Alex, this my dear is for you, Tasia.”

Alex peeked over at her lifelong friend, cousin, soon to be sister-in-law.

Tasia sat on the edge of her seat, wide-eyed and smiling brightly. Unlike Alex, she was used to being center stage, and although it wasn’t as if she craved attention like a high-maintenance girlfriend, she certainly hadn’t turned near the shade of red Alex had. Glancing at Levi, he was singing directly to the girl watching his every move.

“I think there is really something there,
Dallas,” she whispered.

Letting out a defeated breath, a smile tugged at his mouth, and she knew all he cared about was that his sister was happy. They’d all been through too much over the course of two generations and had learned by the hellish trials, in life all that mattered was family, friends and happiness.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.”

They continued listening to Levi’s band play their entire set list, including three more of the songs she’d written. Once he was seated in the crowd close to Tasia and the room was quieter, Jesse stood, announcing he was going to buy a round of drinks.

“A Shirley Temple for you, Tay and Roy Rogers for you, Marc. Coming right up.” Jesse grinned patting Dallas’s younger brother on the shoulder.

“Dude, that’s embarrassing, Uncle Jesse,” Marc pleaded to his back. Jesse only waved, not even turning around as the laughter rose around them.

“Sweetheart, I had no idea. I am just so impressed.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Alex almost smiled. She was twisted inside, feeling half guilty for keeping something from her family, especially her parents. “It really was just nothing, until Nosy got involved.”

“I’m glad he did.” Dallas kissed her temple.

“Okay…okay. Here we go. In honor of two very important birthdays in this family, and the debut launching of a second career for my very beautiful, and very talented niece, to her musical sidekick who is the newest member of the family, and to the upcoming wedding of the best couple in the world…I raise a toast to being a Noland, each in our own way.”

“Honey, you got tequila
shots
? What kind of drink is that to toast with…and especially for Honor and Molly. They can’t handle liquor.” Emery chuckled. “What were you thinking, Jess?”

He started to sit down, but Alex had seen that look in his eyes many times over the years, and she knew they were in for something off-the-wall. Forgetting her embarrassment, she peered around
Dallas to watch Jesse and Emery with a raised eyebrow.