Looking Out for Lexy (9 page)

             
Wine always made Lexy giddy, and it didn’t take much.  She wasn’t much of a drinker.  Jack, on the other hand, could handle a lot more, although he usually didn’t have more than one or two drinks.  She had a couple of glasses of wine while Jack had his scotch.    Lexy hadn’t been this happy in years.

             
Jack couldn’t remember when he’d had such a good time with another person.  Except her.  Long ago, in another time, another world.  She made him feel good about himself.  That was something he hadn’t felt in a while.  She was pulling his psyche in two different directions.  She was so genuine, so honestly real. 

             
That would make it all the more difficult to say it was over after this weekend.  He intended to end it after the weekend.  He told himself it didn’t matter how good she made him feel.  He had his plans, and no one, not even Lexy Kane was going to make him change those.

             
Lexy knew she wanted him to keep seeing her.  She felt intuitively that he at least still liked her. The next two days would be very important if they were to continue any kind of relationship. 

             
And there was the matter of Ryan.  Ryan, dark-eyed and rebellious.  Like Jack.....his father.  She would have to tell him sometime soon, but not yet.  Not until he needed her for herself, loved her for herself. 

             
A man like Jack Wyatt needed someone, desperately.  Only he didn’t know it, yet.  Lexy knew she wouldn’t be able to resist that need.  It was the way she was.  If someone needed her, she gave all of herself.  She knew it wouldn’t be any different with Jack.  The only difference was in the way she would be giving herself. 

             
Now that was the crux of the matter, wasn’t it?  Could she hold him if she gave him her body and soul? 
Could
she give her body and soul?  She'd given him everything once before.  Much more than he realized.  Lexy knew it would only be a matter of time.  She prayed that she would be up to the emotional task before her. 

             
Would she be able to let anyone in after what Tom had done.....And love.  What about love?  Lexy wasn’t even sure she knew about that kind of love anymore.  She needed that much more than even she could admit. 

    
              Lexy's voice filled with emotion as she spoke to him.  “This evening has been so marvelous, Jack.  It was just so great of you to invite me.  New York is so exciting.  You must lead such a thrilling life.” 

             
Her eyes were shining with wine and fire.  Her face was tipped up a few inches from his as they were swaying back and forth to the music.  Her strawberry hair tumbled carelessly down her back in waves of flaming gold, begging to be caressed by his big strong hands.  This wasn’t lost on Jack. 

             
His hands found their way into her hair, caressing the back of her neck with feather-like strokes.  Lexy thought she might faint from the sensuous contact of his finger tips.

             
Her dress had been playing havoc with his libido all night. She filled it out in all the right places.
Yet, there was something about her that was genuine.  It made him desire her even more.

    
              “I go with the flow, baby.  A thrill a minute, that’s me.  If I see something I like or want to do, I go for it.  Like you for instance.  I really go for you, Lexy.  You know I do, baby.”   Jack looked away.  Why was he talking this way to her?  She wasn’t just another  bimbo!
 

             
The thrills had gone out of his life a long time ago.  He knew it had been time to quit when the places they'd perform at all started to look the same.  Everything looked the same.  The crowds, the groupies, the hotel rooms.  Everything looked the same except him.  He and his manager, Chris Brandt, were the only two original members of
Rebel Canyon
left.  Only stage make-up covered the fact that he wasn't as young as the rest of the group.  That and the fact that he was feeling old too.  Until Lexy Kane had walked back into his life.  Suddenly the thrills were back and he felt ten years younger.

             
He sighed, pulling her closer to him.  He could feel every part of her sensuous body.  He wanted to explore every inch of it.  But did she want him the same way?  Her response seemed to indicate she did.  She was nearly limp in his arms now.  He decided he had to find out-soon.

             
The closeness of his body next to hers excited her. His lips brushed the top of her head.

             
"I'm going to kiss you now, Lexy.  Do you mind?"

             
She lifted her face, expectantly.  He bent his head slowly to kiss her gently on her neck, slowly moving his lips to meet hers.  Lexy's eyes fluttered shut.  With an
Ohhhh,
she surrendered her mouth.  His hands slid up and down her back, burrowing into her luxurious silky hair and cupping her bottom.  He pulled her close to him. She slipped her arms around his neck. 

             
Her hands seem to have a mind of their own, caressing the hair on the back of his neck.  The hair she'd longed to touch again, each time she'd watched one of his videos.  Lexy couldn’t help herself.  She knew it was dangerous, but she couldn’t stop.  Her lips begged for his kiss and he was obliging her.  Her body fit nicely into his as they swayed back and forth, not moving from that spot on the dance floor.  She was on fire.  A moth to his flame.

             
His lips moved to whisper in her ear. 

             
“Mmmmmm.  So little, so nice.  Let’s go back to the hotel.  Let’s get serious.  Please, Lexy?”

             
"No.  Yes.  I mean-”  A quick kiss cut her off.  Disengaging his arms from her waist, he inclined his head towards the door.

             
Murmuring, Lexy nodded her head in assent, nebulous blue eyes still lowered so as not to let him see the unbridled passion in them.  He angled his head slightly, kissing her again, in a leisurely  and non-threatening way. 

             
Lexy couldn’t look at him as he put her coat on, wrapping his arm around her as they left the bar.  She wanted to take care of this haunted man, feeling his bravado was a cover up of a much deeper pain.  She was good at that.  Helping other people deal with their pain.  That made it easier to forget about her own.

             
Hailing a taxi, Jack helped her in.  Lexy had a chance to catch her breath.  She had to put a stop to this now.  Her mind was saying no but every fiber in her body was screaming for him to touch her, caress her.  Jack slipped his hand under her chin, pulling her face around to his.  He lowered his mouth to hers.  As before, the kiss was tender, caring.  His tongue cautiously probed the tip of hers. 

             
Hot.  Flaming.  No air.  She needed air.  She needed to get away from his burning kisses before they consumed her soul.  She would be lost forever.  Suddenly, the fierce heat departed.  Her eyelashes fluttered open.  He was gazing at her intently.

             
“Jack.  I’m...I'm not sure I'm ready for this.”  Lexy heaved a tremulous sigh.

             
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to, Lexy.  Just tell me no and I'll stop.”  Jack's voice was low and comforting as his hands caressed the back of her neck, fondling her hair at the same time.  It was the most sensual experience she’d ever had. 

             
Lexy sighed again as he proceeded to nuzzle her neck and murmur amatory words in her ear, knowing almost for certain then, she wouldn’t be able to tell him no.  But she had to.  And she had to be strong.  It would take all the strength that Lexy Kane had, to tell the man she loved, no.

Eight

             
It hadn’t taken long for Lexy and Jack’s little escapade to the levee to get around school that next week.  Lexy had told Julie, one of her supposedly best friends and fellow cheerleader.  Unable to contain her excitement over her feelings for the good looking New York boy, and the fact that she, the good girl had done something none of the others would dare do, Lexy confided all.  Secrets, especially the juicy ones, never remain secrets for very long.  Every time Jack strolled by her locker, or stopped to say hello, all heads turned in their direction.  Lexy couldn’t really be mad at Julie.  In her heart of hearts she wanted others to know that it was she who had captured the heart of the handsome rebel that all the girls furtively coveted.  Bombarded with questions
, did he kiss you, was he good, anything else go on
. Giggly teenage girls crowded around her locker.  Lexy would just blush and shake her head.

             
Tom Kane had heard all about it too.  Jealousy boiled over as Julie had run up and whispered in his ear during gym class that he had some competition now.  The tanned young athlete had heard all about it.  He would have to have a talk with Wyatt.  Lexy was his girl as far as he was concerned.  They were just taking a break to give each other some breathing space.  At least that is what she had told him a few weeks back. 

             
Tom hadn’t expected his girl to start fooling around with a low life like Jack Wyatt.  What did anyone know about him anyway?  The rumor was that he left New York City in a big hurry and was living in a run down section of town with an aunt.  Only bad things could come from that part of the city.  His old man constantly reminded him of that after he had tried to date a girl from that “side of the tracks.”  She had been pretty easy.   His father had paid for her to leave town soon after.  Point taken.  Tom would make damn sure that Lexy wouldn’t make the same mistake. 

             
“Hey Wyatt.”  Jack pulled his head out of his locker, turning around at the sound of his name.  Not many of the guys talked to him.  He did get a lot of strange looks though.   The big football hero, Kane was strolling up to him, followed by a couple of his cronies.

             
“What’s this I hear about you liking my girl?”  Ice blue eyes stared coolly into his.

             
Jack stood up straight without flinching and stared back.

             
“Do I know you?  Don’t remember being introduced.  So, how could I like your girl if I don’t even know who the hell you are?”  An ever so slight, cocky smile danced on his lips.

             
“You know who I’m talking about, jerk.  I’m warning you to stay away from her.”  Tom took a menacing step toward Jack.

             
“Back off you big, dumb jock.  I’m not afraid of you or your goons.  I mind my own business yet you make it yours to butt into my life.”

             
The boys started to crowd around Wyatt, forcing him against his locker.  Defiantly, he stood there, not making a move.  He knew this was not the place or the time.

             
“Is there a problem, boys?”  A strong, male voice behind them came through loud and clear.  Everyone quickly pulled back.  Mr. Zenz the math teacher and football coach was standing behind them, hands folded across his chest.

             
“No, Coach.  We were just asking Mr. Wyatt here if he is gonna come out for basketball this year.  Being from New York and all, we figured he’s played a lot of ball.”  Tom Kane turned back to Jack with a wicked grin on his face.

             
The coach glanced at his watch.  “By my calculations, you all have about 30 seconds to get to class.  Anyone here want to spend time with me after school?”

             
The crowd scattered as if a tornado had just rushed through the hall and cleared out everyone except Jack and Mr. Zenz.

             
“Get to class boy, and don’t let me catch you bothering my players again.  Remember where you are and what your place is.  We don’t like New Yorkers too much around this part of the country.”  The coach turned and walked away leaving a stunned young man staring after him.

             
Jack hadn’t spoken or looked at Lexy for a couple of days.  The girl wondered why he was avoiding her.  Deciding it was time to find out what was going on, she stopped behind him at his locker.  Lexy noticed he had magazine pictures of bikes plastered on the inside door.

             
“Jack. Hi.”  Lexy stood waiting for him to acknowledge her.  He didn’t disappoint her.

             
“Hey.”  His heart had melted from the sound of her voice behind him.

             
“I haven’t seen you around the last couple of days, so I thought I’d find you.” Lexy’s legs were shaking.  Would he just tell her to get lost?

             
“And here I am.”  Turning around, his eyes met hers.  There seemed to be a sadness in her eyes that completely threw all thoughts of not seeing her again out the window.  What the hell did he have to lose. Maybe the girl of his dreams?  Jack decided to get right to the heart of the matter.  “Are you Tom Kane’s girl or not?  Because he sure thinks you are.”