Chapter 25

Alex rolled over, her mind still half asleep, the heat behind her more interesting than the chilliness of the air conditioned room. A gentle murmur left her as she snuggled in closer to the warmth, her eyes slowly cracking open to welcome the dawn, only to find a wall of decidedly masculine flesh. Oh shit.

Opening one eye fully she froze solid. She’d done it? She’d actually done it? Her thoughts stalled as the memories of the night before began to circle her brain. Hour after hour of mind altering and body exhausting sex with; she shook her head and dared to glance upwards, half in dread and half in anticipation. Please not him, maybe I got drunk at the bowling alley, maybe I’m dreaming.

Her heart bottomed out as his face came into view, his less care worn in sleep face. The urge to touch him, to brush her fingers over his lips rose with a ruthlessness that she didn’t want to resist. Her hand lifted, inching its way towards the silken heat of his lips then dropped to her side as she shifted away from his body. She couldn’t indulge in more fun, it had to stop before it really started. Hooky day was over, it was time to go back to reality.

Her body shifted to the edge of the bed as she gently and carefully sat up. Standing quickly, she eased towards the door, picking up clothing as she went. How could she have done this? She’d broken every rule she’d set for herself in the business. Jesus, she’d slept with a client, a rather prominent and important client. She glanced over at his sleeping form and the desire to just go join him in that huge bed of his had her taking a quick step forward. She had to move before her want over rode her common sense. Whirling back around, she scurried to the door and out.

It was just a one time thing, hormones on a hooky day. She’d done it once or twice before, just to appease needs, but she couldn’t afford to do that now. So what if the taste of him, thought of him had her knees going weak? She couldn’t do anymore. He’d find out about her if it went any deeper, find out how useless she was in a relationship. It was time to put the brakes on his ideas of how to play hooky, it was time to go back to being just his graphics artist, no matter how the need for him screamed inside of her.

As she stepped through his bedroom door, closing it behind her with a quiet snick, she sighed. It was a shame, he was an awesome lover, but she couldn’t afford the risks, not now. Not ever.

Richie rolled over, his foot sliding across the bed, fingers splayed over the middle of the bed. He smiled, stretching his hand out until he reached the edge of the mattress.

"What the--" he opened his eyes. A tangled sheet dripped off the edge of the bed but no Lex. "Dammit," he growled, jamming his nose into the mattress. He could smell her there. All that fresh citrus and the heat of their night together was still there in the sheets, but no Alex. Grabbing her pillow, he threw it across the room and rolled onto his back. Of course she'd disappeared.

A case of whiskey she wasn't making breakfast either. "Shit." Lifting his pillow he dropped it over his face. Alex's scent shrouded his face making his dick wake up just as rudely.

Part of him had known the night before was one of those moments in time, but he'd been hoping he was wrong. He liked having those long--exceedingly limber--legs around his hips. He liked the soft sounds of her straining beneath him. And he especially liked the fingernail marks she'd left behind.

Shoving the pillow off his face he rolled off the bed and walked naked into his shower stall. Twisting the taps to lukewarm, he tipped his face up to the spray. Flashes of her blonde hair, those gold eyes wide with pleasure and the way she arched from him hardened him even more. One night wasn't nearly enough to get her out of his system. Maybe even two wouldn't do.

Ignoring the hard on, he finished his shower and stood before the mirror. A few lines had snuck up on him in the last few weeks, but for the most part he was an okay guy. Did she see him as old? Just a one night stand? An abberation, never to be repeated?

Stepping from the blue tile, he swiped a towel over his chest and stood in front of the closet to drip dry. Blotting out the water in his hair, he snapped on a pair of cargos and t-shirt. Toes silent on the hardwood as he manuevered around the squeaky stair at the bottom.

Sure enough she was on the couch, head bent. Hair ruthlessly pulled back into a twist that made him want to muss her up instantly.

Gone, were her soft play clothes, in their stead was her own dress slacks and top--shoulders back and spine ramrod straight. Her fingers were poised as they flew over the keys.

"Lex?" he asked carefully.

His voice washed over her, calling up grumbles and growls from the night before. With a sharp inhale she tilted her head to look up, her fingers pushing her glasses securely back up along the bridge of her nose. She could do this, she could pretend last night was a dream, if she didn't melt to his voice and ruin the facade.

"Morning, Mr. Sambora. Sleep well?" She turned back to the computer, fingers restlessly punching keys. "Brewed a pot of coffee if you’re interested."

"Right," he muttered and walked by her. So--definitely of the never to be repeated realm. "Shit." He dragged down a mug, filling it to the top with the heavy European beans that were brewed strong enough to singe off what little chest hair he had. Taking a fortifying sip, he carried the mug back into the room. Hammering away at her keys he watched her for a minute

Finally she turned those golden eyes his way. The slightest hint of a blush tinted her cheeks and the rest of her tensed. She expected him to bring it up. She was going to be sorely disappointed.

He dropped onto the couch beside her, propping his feet on the coffee table. "I thought we'd go out to the cove today. I like the acoustics there."

Her brow lifted as she aimed a quizzical glance his way. He's acting like nothing happened? Well I guess sex doesn't mean much to him considering. She halted the thought before it grew any stronger, hell wasn't that what she was doing? Acting like it was nothing? She cleared her throat and nodded, "The Cove? Is that a club or something similar in town?"

"Nope." He scrunched down, until he was sprawled out comfortably, his mug on his belly. "An actual cove. We'll have to take my boat out to it. It's supposed to be about sixty today, so you'll need to dress for the water."

He rolled his head to look into her eyes. Confusion burned there as well as uncertainty. Well, maybe not so indifferent. Hmm...

A boat? He wanted her to get her on a boat? Alone? Dear God she couldn't do alone with him. At least here there were workmen around, but then she couldn't refuse him either, the nature of the job being what it was.

She nodded, "Right, so what time do you want me to be ready Mr. Sambora?" She winced inwardly at the cool professional tone of her voice, at how uninterested in a day of boating it sounded, when all she wanted was...stop thinking like that Alex, those thoughts are dangerous.

He dropped his feet, trying not to let the pissiness show. "I'm ready, so just go get dressed and I'll make sure it's gassed up." He stood. "No laptop today, darlin'. Sketchpad or camera day on the water." He walked toward the studio. "Good shoes for climbing too."

When she slowly lowered the cover down on her laptop, he turned back to her. "Oh and, Lex?"

She glanced up at him, the tone of his voice setting her on edge. He sounded almost angry or disappointed. She wasn't sure which. Forcing a chilliness to her tone, she managed a soft, "yes?"

"We've been naked. You only get to call me Mr. Sambora if we're playing naughty secretary," he threw over his shoulder heading to the studio.

She settled the laptop on the coffee table, then stood and moved towards her bedroom. Naughty secretary? He'd be so lucky, not that he was going to get lucky. Hooky day was gone, she wouldn't be so lax again.

She couldn't restrain the shiver that threatened at the thought however, as mental movies rose to accompany her while she got ready for an afternoon on the water. Sad thing about it all was her vivid imagination now had help, all thanks to the night before. She was insane to even consider going anywhere alone with him.

Peering into her closet she quickly settled on the clothing she'd wear and dressed. Moving past her dresser she snagged her sketchpad, camera and a pair of sunglasses. No matter what she'd keep her eyes covered, they tended to talk too much when not hidden.

He stood outside the studio. Today, the majority of the large items were being installed. Sounding board and the tech that set that up for him, the soundproofing was being finalized, and they would probably be done by noon tomorrow.

It was the perfect day to be out of the house.

He dragged his hands through his hair and went to the kitchen, packing a quick lunch and a thermos of iced tea. Just before he flipped the top for the cooler, he snagged a bottle of wine and tucked it on top of the crusty bread. He unhooked his keys, stepping into his Teva's as he opened the back door off the kitchen. "Let's go!" He yelled over his shoulder.

She stepped off of the stairs her head shaking, "Don't have to yell, Mr....." her voice trailed off remembering the only time he wanted to be greeted that way, "Ahh I mean I have decent hearing you know."

With a long legged stride, he skidded down the beach to the dock and dropped his bags. "I don't," he said with a grin. "No bag?" he asked looking at her white capris and decidedly grey shirt. The scoop neck made him glad he had his shades on.

He remembered coasting the entire surface of those pretty breasts with his tongue, especially the tips. Fuck.

She shook her head, "No need for a bag, I have my pad, my charcoals and a camera." She didn't plan to swim, hell she swam like a rock as it was, and she surely didn't plan on any activities that involved removal of clothing. "So I'm ready if you are."

He jumped into the boat, holding his hand out to help her. "Welcome aboard The Princess."

She placed the pad and camera into his hand and scrambled up the gangplank carefully. She couldn't hold back the smile that flickered onto her lips at his astounded look. He'd expected her to want help, but she'd been doing for herself for too long now. Straightening as she hit the deck she turned and took her pad and camera back. "Thanks."

He untied the boat and dropped into his seat, pulling back the throttle until he could make a nice wake of bubbles and froth. "Well hang on Darlin'. It's going to be a nice long drive."