Stolen Hearts (10 page)

Looking so deliciously gorgeous, he wanted to drop to his knees and worship at her feet.

“Spying on me again?”

Her saucy tone took him aback and he could only stand there, his mouth slightly hanging open, most likely looking like a damn fool. His tongue felt stuck to the top of his mouth and he could only nod.

“Where have you been? To be honest, I thought you’d come sooner.”

“I just left the police station,” he said, finally finding his voice. She’d thought he’d come sooner? What did that mean?

It was her turn to let her mouth drop open. “You’re kidding me? How did they find you? Why did they keep you so long when you’re the one who told on Vinnie in the first place?”

Alex shrugged. “Johnny caught me on my way out of town. They wanted to know how I knew what was going on. Thought I might be working with Vinnie, especially considering my record, which Johnny ran when I told him my full name. But Vinnie actually told the truth and after a lot of questioning and waiting around, they finally let me go.”

“How awful for you.
You were trying to leave town, though?
Oh my.”
She paused, her gaze softening, and she pressed her lips together. “Can I confess I’m glad they caught you? I wanted to thank you for making that call, Alex. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes I did. And I was leaving because I didn’t think you wanted to ever see me again.” He was humbled by her statement, was desperate to tell her he’d missed her.

“Well, I’m very thankful that you did call. It was a scary moment and when Johnny told me you were the one who’d informed the police, I was shocked.
And pleasantly surprised.”

“Yeah.”
Alex shuffled his feet, feeling like a teenage kid. “I’m glad I could help you, Celeste. After getting to know you, that’s all I wanted to do. I tried to tell you that.”

“I know.” She said the words so quietly he wasn’t even sure he heard them. When she left the doorway, though, stepping closer to him, he knew he’d heard her right.

“I’ve known…but I guess I just didn’t want to admit it.”

She rushed toward him then and he caught her in his arms, a bundle of soft curves and warm skin. He held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, face pressed against her silky hair. Nothing had ever felt so good, so right.

“Ah Celeste, I’ve missed you. I know this is ridiculous since we barely know each other but it’s true.” He closed his eyes, breathed deep and her flowery, clean fragrance filled his senses.

Tilting away so she could smile at him, she reached up and touched his cheek. “What you admitted scared me and I didn’t know how to react. I wanted to trust you but it was so hard. I hate to say this but…I couldn’t.”

“I’m not worthy of you.” He turned his head, pressing his lips against her warm palm.

“No.” Celeste shook her
head,
both her hands cupping his face, making him look her in the eyes. “That’s not true. You’re a man who’s made some mistakes but we all have—and we all deserve another chance.”

“You’re amazing!” Dipping his head, he kissed her, her lush lips clinging to his as if never wanting to let go. He pulled her closer, his burgeoning cock pressing against her lower body and she smiled against his lips.

“You’re rather amazing yourself.”

No other woman aroused him as easily as Celeste did. Just having her in his arms had his brain turning to mush, his cock more than raring to go.

“Let’s go inside so we can reconcile properly.” He grinned, nudging her with his pelvis and her eyes widened with shock, though also cloudy with desire.

“Alex, we can’t do
that
in the store.”

“It’s early, you still have time. Just a quickie, come on. I can’t wait to be inside you.” Grabbing her hand, he led her into the store, heading straight for the back office.

“Alex.” Her voice protested but her body clung to his when he turned and gathered her in his arms, setting her on top of the old desk. “Please.”

“Please what? Please stop?” He kissed her, his tongue diving between her lips, sweeping within her mouth, tasting her sweetness. “Or please fuck me?”

She moaned at his words, her mouth opening wider, hands immediately going for the hem of his T-shirt. She tugged at it impatiently, her hands resting against his bare stomach, searching the muscles there with wispy strokes.

His cock hardened even more at her wandering touch and he slipped his hands under her skirt, finding her bare legs, smoothing the fabric upward. Silky panties covered her hot cunt and he pressed his fingers there, making her arch against him.

“I’m going to fuck you hard and fast, I want you so bad.” His breathing was ragged and his fingers clumsy as they pushed the silky fabric down her legs, pausing just long enough to let her kick the panties aside. He touched her hot, wet folds, groaning at the intimate contact. She was more than ready for him, her pussy creamy with her desire.

“Yes,” Celeste breathed, leaning back on her hands, thrusting her upper body toward him. “Fast, Alex. I need you!”

He smiled, thrilled she was just as consumed with him as he was with her and he reluctantly pulled away from her. Fumbling for his wallet in his back pocket, he whipped out a fresh condom and she smiled, licking her lips eagerly. Undoing his jeans, he pushed them and his underwear down his hips and sheathed himself quickly.

“You came prepared.” Her legs widened even more, offering him a flash of dark pink glistening skin and his entire body tingled, already so close. He was afraid he’d come within seconds upon entering her.

“I was optimistic.” Moving between her legs, he plunged within her without hesitation, sinking into her hot, damp heat. Her inner walls clenched around him, holding him tight and he realized it felt as if he belonged there. A perfect fit.

“Faster,” she whispered, her legs sliding around his hips, clutching him tightly and causing him to sink deeper.

Alex rammed within her deep and fast, making her butt slide across the desk with his every thrust. She took it all, moving with him, her breath hot and harsh against his ear and he kissed her, drowning in her. He pulled away slightly to watch his cock slide into her, the both of them otherwise fully clothed, and the sight aroused him beyond reason. The familiar tingling started at the base of his spine and he knew he was close. Too close.

“I’m not
gonna
last, baby,” he panted, thrusting harder, his balls slapping against her lush ass. “I can’t.”

“Me either, Alex…
please
. Harder!”

He did as she bade, fucking her with abandon until both of them came with a shout, clinging to each other,
their
bodies racked with mutual pleasure as their orgasms took over, rendering them helpless.

Pulling away from her but not withdrawing from her body, he smoothed his hand over her hair, fingers trailing down her soft cheek. “Thank you for giving me another chance. I don’t want you to regret your choice.”

Celeste pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand. “What now, Alex? What are you going to do? Are you going back to L.A.?”

He shook his head, his mouth grim. “I can’t. My father has probably disowned me and I don’t blame him. I can’t go back there. I don’t want to anyway.”

“So where will you go?”

“I don’t know.” His heart lurched in his chest. He wanted to stay in this tiny tourist town.
With Celeste.

“Maybe you can stay here in Santa
Augustina
.” She visibly swallowed, her head moving closer to his. “I would love it if you’d help me with the store. I figure with your experience in, uh…
jewelry
, that maybe you could be of value here on the buying end—
and
the security end,” she said, smiling.

His eyes widened, his entire body growing tense. It was as if she’d read his mind but did she even realize what she was saying? “You’re serious?”

“Yes, I am.” She cleared her throat. “I want to make the business grow and I think you would be an incredible asset.”

“To just the business?”
He cocked a brow at her.

“No.” She laughed, the soft sound washing over him, making his body warm, his cock harden all over again. “I want to be with you, Alex. See what happens next. Everyone is going to think I’ve lost my mind! I know this is quick but—”

Alex didn’t let her finish her sentence, swallowing her words with a kiss, his tongue teasing her lips. “It feels right, Celeste,” he murmured when their lips parted.

“It does.” She sighed, her mouth moving over his, her body snuggling closer against him. “It really, really does.”

Also by Karen Erickson

Virgin Jewels

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