Page 47 of Better Together

“I want that too.”

Their mouths came together in a cascade of emotions. He hit the button to lower the garage door, scooped her legs out from under her, and carried her inside.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Alexis reached out to stop the shrilling alarm. Zeke rolled over and pulled her close after she shut off the offending noise.

“Good morning,” Zeke said, his voice husky with sleep.

Last night he’d exceeded all her expectations. Making love to Zeke stole her breath away, more than once. Three times . . . if she was counting. Aroused by his strong arms wrapped around her, Alexis scooted closer, nuzzling his neck. Her tongue skimmed his jawline and traced his ear. He shivered as she licked and nibbled.

“Good morning,” she whispered. She straightened, straddled him, and pulled her T-shirt over her head. She hadn’t been with anyone for longer than she cared to admit, and couldn’t help herself. She needed him again. Now.

Fully sated, she smiled. Morning sex she could get used to, with this hotter-than-holy-hell specimen who’d claimed her last night . . . repeatedly.

Zeke kissed her slowly and then gathered his clothes. “I’ll start the coffee on my way out.”

She sat up after snuggling her pillow close. “Thanks. I’ll meet you at the Elmhurst house.”

“Sounds good.” He bent down to kiss her, and she tried to tug him back into bed. “As much as I’d love to go another round with you, we have plumbers at the house today.”

She glanced at the clock and fell back onto her pillow. “What time should I be ready for the party tonight?”

He sat on the edge of the bed. “The girls will be over to trick or treat at dusk, and then we’ll leave.”

“Did you buy them some candy?”

“I’ve got it covered. Now . . . get ready before I un-cover you.” He placed a brief kiss on her lips. “I hope you have a costume for tonight.”

Alexis bit her lower lip. “Maybe,” she teased.

Zeke shook his head and walked out the door, mumbling something.

Alexis crawled out of bed when she heard the back door close and turned on the shower. The words “I love you” had been on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t say them. Not yet. The only other time she professed her love, the relationship had ended. She needed to take another chance at love, because she knew what she wanted, and she wanted Zeke. But it was scary as hell.

She dressed and sent a text to Maggie: Is it all set?

Yes. Where r u?

Running late, Alexis typed. Be there soon. Keep him occupied. She hadn’t thought about a costume, but she knew Maggie could hook her up. She quickly added: I need a costume.

K. Three dots appeared again. You never dress for Halloween.

She replied with a smiley face and grinned. She was so busted. The permanent smile on her face would give away the delicious, steamy, out-of-this-world night she’d shared with Zeke the minute she appeared on-site.

* * *

Alexis pulled to the curb behind Zeke’s truck, a smile forming on her lips. She stepped out and pulled her tool belt from the back seat. There was a fresh scent in the air. It would snow tonight; she could feel it. The flurries last night hadn’t stuck around, and the ground was barren and crisp. Alexis pulled her canvas coat closed as a gust of north wind sent the remaining brown leaves of an oak tree flittering to the ground.

Thoughts of the cozy flannel sheets on her bed, and notably the man who shared them, warmed her insides.

Zeke waved from the front porch and greeted her when she stepped next to him. The warmth of his lips was brief when he kissed her.

“I’m not sure how we go about this . . . do we tell people?” Zeke asked.

“I think we act normally and let them figure it out on their own. I need to stay professional in front of my crew.”

“Understood. Why do you think I snuck out here to wait for you?”