Harrier's Healer (5 page)

him as much as he wanted her, before unfolding his muscled body to

follow her.

He bypassed the room he’d slept in the night before and paused

at a second. It was wall-to-wall with books: medical textbooks, medical

thrillers, Shakespeare, and more. There was a laptop computer on the

desk that had a caduceus screensaver floating back and forth on it,

changing colors as it went.

There were a few pictures of her naval career on the spaces of

the wall not covered by bookshelves. He noticed only one of her family,

which was on the top of a bookshelf not in the main line of sight. She

had an overstuffed chair beside the window with a stuffed unicorn

propped up against the pillow. Leaving the room as silently as he

entered, he was left with one other doorway.

Her bedroom
. He knocked with one knuckle. “Alexis,” he called

to her through the door.

Her naturally husky voice reached him. “Come in, Command-

er…Scott. I am just getting some things together.”

Pushing open the door, he stopped and took in Alexis’s sanctu-

ary. She had a medium-sized room with two large windows that

allowed in the light. A queen-sized bed was against one wall. Every-

thing was neat and orderly.

The colors were subtle and warm of pale purples and soft golds,

although her bed was accented by a rainbow of multihued pillows. Her

furniture was all dark wood but the somber tone didn’t detract from the

serenity of the room.

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25

“What did you need, Commander? I can drop you back off at

your hotel since I am on my way out. I have to get some more things for

tonight’s dinner.” She was standing in front of the mirror and examin-

ing how her shirt looked, totally oblivious to the reaction of the man in

the room with her.

Coming closer, Scott looked at her in the mirror. “I’m not a

dream, Alexis. I won’t disappear if you touch me.”

With a swallow she said, “I know you aren’t a dream. But I have

things to do and I am sure you do as well.”

“I want to spend time with you. Get to know you.
All of you.
” He

moved even closer to her until his large body stood directly behind her,

allowing her to see them together.

She opened her mouth but he reached around her and placed his

fingers over her lips. “Don’t give me that same speech. I want to spend

time with you. Come away with me.” His eyes held hers prisoner in the

mirror and were full of promise.

“Okay,” she said as if a daze. “I can’t leave until tomorrow, since

I have the dinner tonight.” But then panic and shock came across her

face.

Oh, no. I’m not letting you out of my sight and giving you the chance

to change your mind. I have you now, Alexis. You are mine!
“I’ll hold you to

that,” he vowed. The back of his hand ran down the side of her face and

she instinctively pressed into it.

“Lex! Lex? Where are you, girl?” The screech reached them all

the way back in the bedroom. Immediately, Alexis slipped out of the

room, glad for a reprieve from Scott’s intensity.

In the middle of the living room stood her neighbor from a few

houses up, Shirley Allen, a very happy, very loud, very beautiful black

woman. “Hey, Shirl. What’s up?” Alexis asked as she approached.
Stay

back there, Commander. Please stay back there until she is gone.

“Well, two things. First off, I hear we are making ribs tonight. Is

it going to be a block party?” She waggled her eyebrows at her friend.

“You know it’s gonna end up as one, so it’ll be smart to plan for it from

the jump.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Sure, why not? Spread the word, tell people

we eat at six-thirty and the fun begins whenever they arrive.” Alexis

shook her head as she imagined her night. No quiet evening at home for

her!

26

Aliyah Burke

“Now, Lex, tell me what’s this I’m hearin’ about some fly-

lookin’ white Navy officer being here in your house?” Shirley asked in

her sly tone.

Alexis felt her whole body blush. “Who told you that?” she

hedged.

Shirley ignored that question and pushed for her own answer.

“Come on, now, you know damn well I know just about everything that

goes on here on this street. Now give!” Arms crossed and one finely

plucked eyebrow rose as Shirley waited for the answer.

“There is a guy here I know from the ship. I’ve seen him around

a few times. That’s all.” She held up her hands and crossed her heart.

“
Umm-hmmm
. And since when you let white men you’ve seen

just a few times stay here? I ain’t never seen you let any man stay here.

Hell, I ain’t ever seen a white man visit you!” Her foot began to tap.

“What’s going on with you two?”

“Nothing!” she spit out. As Shirley tilted her head, Alexis re-

peated it in a calmer voice, “Nothing.”

That “nothing” went right out the window as her body trem-

bled, telling her that against her most fervent prayers, Scott had re-

turned to the living room. Alexis watched as Shirley’s eyes grew wide

and moved slowly up and down the large man who stood behind her.

Raw appreciation turned to lust and Alexis found herself not really

liking the predatory gaze Shirley suddenly wore.

“Alexis.” His deep voice moved over her. “I’m ready when you

are. Oh, excuse me.” His voice turned almost professional. “I don’t

believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Stunning blue eyes settled on the woman

who stood across from him, moving her eyes over him as if he were a

tall glass of water and she were in the desert hankering for a long sip of

him.

Alexis took over. “Shirley, this is Scott Leighton. Scott Leighton,

meet my friend, Shirley Allen.”

A low whistle left Shirley’s full, dusky lips. “Damn, you are one

fine man. And a whole lotta one. Look at all them muscles you got.

What do you do?”

His large body moved up beside Alexis, almost touching her but

leaving enough space between them so not to cause suspicion. Yet it

was still less than the amount he would leave between them on the

ship. “It’s nice to meet you, Shirley. I do a little bit of everything.” He

nodded his short-cropped head at her before putting those beautiful

eyes back on Alexis.

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27

“What does that mean?” Shirley moved closer with a noticeable

sway to her hips.

“I do things all over,” his rich voice said, even as his eyes briefly

met Shirley’s before migrating back to Alexis.

“I bet you do,” she replied as her tongue snaked out and over

her lower lip. “Are you staying for the party tonight?”

“Yes, and I am looking forward to it.” Again his eyes moved to

Alexis.

“So am I, now.” Shirley blinked and looked back at Alexis.

“Okay, Lex, I will spread the word. I am going to go home and find

something to wear that will make the rest of you women look…well,

look like men. See you later, Navy man.” With a brief wave to Alexis

she turned around and sashayed her shapely behind right out the door.

“Well, now, she was right friendly.” His voice was right beside

her ear.

She was acting like a damn ho!
“Yes, that’s Shirley for you,” she

ground out.

Moving behind her so their bodies were touching, Scott slid his

hands down her arms, over her hips, and back up to lace his fingers by

the button on her pants. “Come now, Alexis,” he purred. “Don’t be

jealous. Ever since I met you two years ago there hasn’t been another

woman who could pull my attention from your beauty.”

His touch totally turning her to mush, Alexis found her body

leaning back and settling comfortably into his hard one. Closing her

eyes and allowing herself to enjoy the moment, she asked skeptically,

“And you expect me to believe that for the past two years no woman—

not a single long-legged, busty blonde, brunette, or redhead—charmed

her way into garnering your attentions?”

He chuckled. “Two years. Two long years with
nothing
but

dreams and visions of you. You aren’t the only one who has explicit

sexual dreams.” His tongue swiped along the back of her ear. “If you

tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine,” he offered in a voice that would make

the devil give up his kingdom.

“I…I…I don’t know what you are talking about,” she stuttered.

“You weren’t having a dream when you so delightfully told me

all about your dreams. At least I am the man you are dreaming about!”

He sucked on the sensitive spot behind her ear. “All you have to do is

say the word and we both can turn our dreams into reality. Just say my

name,” he coaxed.

28

Aliyah Burke

Alexis swallowed, her knees shaking so badly that she was sur-

prised her butt wasn’t on the floor. Her mouth was dry from images of

her being able to act out her fantasies with the man behind her, who

was nibbling on her neck as if it were a sumptuous pastry. “I…I have to

get to the store.”

One of his hands splayed across her flat abdomen while his oth-

er moved to her mouth. His thick index finger slid over the velvet feel

of her lips before he separated those lips to slip his digit into her warm,

wet mouth.

Instinctively, Alexis drew it in farther, her tongue moving along

it as she sucked on it harder. She could feel his erection twitching

against her back, telling her insistently what he wanted.

He moaned softly into her ear as another finger slipped into her

mouth. The hand across her belly moved down to cup her between the

legs. He stimulated her nether region with his constant rubbing motion.

“God, I want you, Alexis,” he panted into her ear as his own hips flexed

against hers.

She didn’t respond. Her tongue slid between the two fingers in

her mouth before running around the both of them. Lick, suck, lick,

suck. Over and over she worked his fingers like they were something

much bigger, much firmer in her mouth. Something she wanted to taste

so badly.

His hand moved faster between her legs and her hips began to

buck, her legs tightening around his wrist, allowing her to ride him

firmly. Her tiny moans became audible as she sucked on his fingers

harder. Her strong fingers dug into his thighs as she tried not to crum-

ble to the floor.

“Alexis,” he groaned. Her body moved faster, telling him she

didn’t want to stop. He nipped her quickly on the neck before trying

again. “Alexis, we have to stop. Someone is walking towards the door.”

He pulled his hand away from her legs and her mouth, twisting his

head to kiss her hard and fast on the lips before moving away from her

to sit on the couch.

Flushed, hot, and extremely aroused, Alexis fought for breath as

she saw another neighbor walk up to the door and begin to knock.

Swallowing hard and pulling on her shirt, she automatically patted her

hair into place and walked over to the door, swinging it open.

“Hey, Richie,” she said as she licked her lips. “What’s up?”

“Lex,” he returned. “Wanted to double-check with you about

tonight. Make sure Shirley wasn’t lying.”

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29

She grinned and waved in the handsome black man. “Come on

in. Want some tea or something?” Shirley was known to herald a party

when there hadn’t been one previously.

“Sure that would be—” His words died and she knew what he

had seen. Or rather whom.

“Oh, sorry, this is Scott Leighton. Scott, my friend, Richie

Grant.”

Six plus feet of mouthwatering masculine physique rose

smoothly and walked over to them. Scott stuck out his hand and shook

Richie’s when it was finally offered. “Nice to meet you.” His eyes still

burned with a passion that only Alexis would be able to extinguish.

“Sure man.” Richie looked back at Alexis. “Well, Shirley wasn’t

lying about there being a white man in your place.”

Alexis just headed for the kitchen and poured three glasses of

sweet tea. The men walked in the room in silence. Richie thanked her

for the drink and all Scott did was wink at her, causing her body to

grow damp again.

Propping a hip against the countertop, Alexis looked at the two

men in her kitchen. One was about six foot with dark-chocolaty skin, a

winning smile, and kind eyes. He kept his head shaven and had no

facial hair. His muscular build showed underneath his light-gray

muscle shirt and tight pants. Dating a man like him would make it

easier on her life; he was a hard worker and one of the
gentlest
men

she’d ever met. But she’d never been attracted to him in that way,

unlike the other man in her house.

That one was six-five with golden blond hair that he kept in a

crew cut. He had almost no body fat on him at all, nothing but rippling

muscles. He, too, was clean shaven, and she wasn’t sure how that

happened since he didn’t have access to a razor this morning. His eyes

could make her heart skip a beat with their gentian violet-blue color.

Scott was poetry in motion when he moved. His chest didn’t