Between Friends (43 page)

She didn’t hesitate an instant in pushing the release button for the entrance into the building. Then she turned to the kitchen floor. She had to distract herself. She got paper towels and began to sop up the debris, as if it weren’t the middle of the night and someone had not just rung her apartment for admission. As if she weren’t nervous as a cat … and filled with a perverse excitement. She had most of the floor cleaned up when her doorbell rang. But again she jumped. A small piece of glass bit into her finger as she dumped the bundle of wet towels in the garbage. She still hadn’t turned on the lights.

Dallas sucked on the finger when the spot of blood squeezed through the tiny puncture. She opened the door.

It seemed silly for her and Alex to just stand and stare at one another across the threshold, but that’s what they did. Dallas saw no hesitation in Alex’s eyes. They were alert and focused. He saw her blinking at him in the sudden bright light of the hallway, her expression nonetheless open.

She shook her head. First things first. “It’s not Lillian, is it? Vin?”

Alex stepped right into the apartment, closed the door, and stood looking down on her.

“No,” he murmured, reaching for her in the same breath. “It’s me …”

She made it easy for him to put his arms around her. She reached out to him. She made it easy for him to kiss her. Her lips were already parted and waiting. And she made it easy for Alex to know that this was unimaginably satisfying. She let their tongues dance together in gentle union that clearly was the foreplay for something much grander and more stimulating.

Dallas was so ready she felt wanton.

She didn’t think about what was going on with Valerie and Alex. She believed and trusted that he would not have shown up at her door in the middle of the night unless he was free to do so. She didn’t question this moment at all.

She loved the way he kissed her. It was so deep and slow and thorough, as if he had no intentions of rushing, as if he wanted it to last a lifetime. But Dallas could feel his hardened penis pressed against her loins. She could sense the control of Alex’s desire in the taut sinew of his arms and shoulders. The feel of him was not a surprise. She had always felt perfectly safe and at home in his arms.

Alex pulled his mouth free, but only to make one statement before reclaiming hers again.

“I don’t need to think about this anymore, Dallas.”

“I know,” she whispered. She’d needed him to make the first move.

Alex hugged her, his hands gliding over her to find ways to bring her closer. There was an urgency that already made his breathing short and hurried. When his hands discovered that she had nothing on beneath the short gown he groaned.

“Oh, man …” he said hoarsely.

Dallas grinned dreamily. “Come on,” she whispered, turning out of his arms and leading him by the hand down the hallway and into her room.

She still had not turned on a single light, and by mutual agreement there didn’t seem to be a need to see what was happening. The feelings vibrating between them in the dark were much more enticing.

Alex began to undress. Dallas imagined she could see him smiling at her.

“Are you going to watch me this time?” he asked, referring to that time in his apartment when she’d come to him.

Dallas blushed.

Alex chuckled and caught her chin. “I was only teasing. I’m sorry. I know this is crazy. It’s after two, but …”

“I was awake.”

He stopped at her reply. He reached to put his hand to the back of her head. His fingers combed into her curls and held her still for a slow, lingering kiss. Their tongues teased, but it wasn’t passionate. Just kind of sweet and gentle.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Dallas shook her head. “I thought for sure you’d tell me to go home.”

“What if I had?”

“I don’t know. I guess I was counting on you not doing that.”

Alex dropped to the side of her bed and pulled off the cowboy boots, then his jeans. He stood up again with only gray briefs hugging his hips and restraining his erection. Slowly he bent to peel them off and then stood waiting for Dallas to make the next move.

She started by taking off the cotton nightdress and climbing onto the bed. He moved next to her. He reached to take her into his arms as he slid down on the mattress. And then all they did for a while was hug. Perhaps it was an odd way to begin to make love, but now that they were together, the urgency from that fateful morning a few weeks ago disappeared. Instead there was only a sense of relief because the anticipation was over. It had been worth the wait.

After a while Alex finally turned to Dallas and began to kiss her again. For a long time it seemed to be enough. She was grateful for the time to adjust to him. Simply because the first time they’d been together in bed she didn’t know what the hell she was doing.

His stiff member surged against her and signaled the level of his arousal. She tentatively touched him to indicate her own willingness. Alex sighed and moaned.

“Alex? Do you … have anything with you?” she asked, staring at him.

He stroked her stomach. “Plenty.”

He leaned away over the edge of the bed for his jeans and took the packets from his pocket. When he was sheathed and protected, Alex leaned over to whisper in her ear.

“I messed it up for you, didn’t I? I wasn’t any good the first time we were together,” he whispered with regret.

“It wasn’t you.”

“I always wanted a chance to show you what it’s really like.”

“I know what it’s like. I’m more experienced now.”

He carefully lifted his body to rest on top of her. Dallas automatically raised her knees, and his weight spread her legs. “Yeah … but not with me,” Alex said as he directed his penis into her body.

Alex didn’t need to worry, Dallas thought as they settled into a smooth and rhythmic thrusting. She could tell from his control, his timing, that Alex was much more experienced, too. The thing that was different was that it didn’t hurt and she wasn’t scared, and it felt so wonderful to be together again like this. Dallas couldn’t think of a thing they didn’t know about each other.

It had been such a long time. But it couldn’t have taken less time than it had for them to realize they wanted each other. Alex kept the pace steady and gentle. The sensual tension built slowly in their kisses and touch, where their bodies connected. It was so different because they were part of each other. Simpatico. Soul mates.

The silky friction finally culminated in a release for both of them that was not so much explosive as it was breathless and intense. They lay languishing with their bodies still joined and a sense of peace softening their limbs.

But this had only taken off the edge. They soon started again. The second climax built upon the first, and when the last tremors were wrung out of her, Dallas realized that her toes had curled.

They were together for the next two days.

Dallas thought that the most wonderful thing about it was that they didn’t spend it all in bed. There had been a lot of catching up to do. Mostly they just enjoyed being together. They walked about her neighborhood, strolled Broadway and Riverside Park. They sat in noisy sidewalk bistros with flavored designer coffee and shared muffins or brownies. Doing a lot of normal couple things. They fell into an easy and smooth compatibility, so that when they returned to her apartment, there was heightened excitement and energy to get back together naked in bed.

Dallas had grown into her body and her sexuality. She had learned the things that made her feel good. Hayden had been a selfish lover. Burke had been a great improvement. Alex was totally intuitive about her needs. But it had been him, after all, who had initiated her. And set the standards. He knew instinctively how to search out each and every pleasure point, to press those buttons … ring them bells.

She loved that Alex liked to sleep spooned around her back, that he liked talking in the dark before they made love; before they fell to sleep. She liked that he got up and would begin breakfast—or lunch, whatever the hour called for—without being asked. And he didn’t leave the toilet seat up. Dallas liked that when she really needed a few hours to finish her next article and the proposal for her book offer, Alex disappeared to entertain himself. He returned later with a bottle of wine. And a rented video.

It just seemed so easy. So natural. But Dallas was still careful. Not about Alex, but about being with him that often erupted into hope. It was too early for plans or commitments, and she didn’t need any of that. But it had also been so long since she was this sure about anything.

On Saturday morning she left him sleeping to run to the post office to mail off a freelance review. Dallas took her time getting back, stopping by a florist to buy two bouquets of flowers. She bought a tub of cream cheese with lox to go with three fresh bagels. And then smiled happily to herself all the way back to the apartment.

But the telephone ringing had awakened Alex from a sound sleep. He groggily answered.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat to talk. Almost immediately he realized his mistake. He wasn’t home. This wasn’t a call for him.

“Hey … sorry. I guess I have the wrong …”

“You want Dallas.”

There was a pause. “Yeah. This is Dean. Her brother.”

Alex sighed and sat up. He was not completely awake. “I’m Alex. We met a few months ago when I drove Dallas to her parents …”

“Oh, yeah …” Dean said as the connection was made. Then he cackled wickedly. “Dilly-Dally has some explaining to do.”

Alex frowned. “About me? Why should she?”

“It’s a family thing. I’m not saying it’s because of you, man, but …”

“You don’t approve.”

“Hey, it’s none of my business. Dallas can take care of herself.”

“Good. Then I guess we’re cool.”

“Yeah. Just don’t mess with my sister if you don’t mean it.”

Alex grinned lopsidedly at the protective threat in Dean’s tone. “I thought you said it was none of your business.”

“That’s right. That don’t mean I don’t care about what happens to her. Tell her I called.” He hung up.

Alex was more amused than anything. But it did alert him to one thing. What he was doing. What he and Dallas were doing. He didn’t want to hurt her. But it could happen. There was a lot they hadn’t talked about, yet. Like what happens next week.

When he got out of bed Alex became suddenly anxious. Not because Dallas had left him alone, but more because she wasn’t there. When Alex heard the key in the door twenty minutes later, he was waiting for her in the living room. He had pulled on his jeans. She walked into the apartment with an armful of flowers, a bright smile, and enough warmth to melt the doubt created by her brother’s phone call.

“You’re up. Did you miss me?” she teased.

“Yes,” Alex answered without hesitation. He met her at the entrance of the kitchen and kissed her briefly as she walked past him. Alex stood and watched as Dallas deftly arranged the flowers in two separate vases, and then refrigerated the cream cheese.

“Good. Then you haven’t gotten bored with me yet.”

“Your brother called.”

The smile faded slowly. “He did? What did he want?”

Alex thought about making a joke out of it. He thought about lying. “He warned me not to play games with you.”

Dallas’s mouth dropped open. “He … he said that to you?”

Alex nodded. He approached her and kissed her mouth again, her automatic response forcing it closed. He took Dallas by the hand and led her out of the kitchen, down the hallway, and back into the bedroom. He began to undress her.

“Alex … Alex, I’m sorry. Dean had no right …”

“You’re wrong. He had every right. He cares about you. He was feeling protective toward you.” He got the oversized sweater off. The leggings proved more of a problem. “The thing is … that’s how I feel, too.”

“Alex, I …”

He quickly discarded his jeans and, kneeling on the bed, put his arms around her and lowered her onto her back. He began to kiss her, to rub his fingertips over the peaks of her breasts slowly until she moaned and arched her back.

“Oh, my God … Alex …”

He slipped his hand between her legs and gently caressed the sensitive opening until he felt the wetness. He slowly pushed a finger inside. All the while Alex watched her face, felt her body undulate against him, heard her moan and shudder. She breathed heavily and then gasped when the pulsating release throbbed through her body. Then he carefully lay atop her. He’d already made love to her. He didn’t need to be inside. He just needed to know that Dallas trusted him with her body … her soul.

Alex couldn’t find anything he didn’t like about her. And Dean’s inference did not go unnoticed. It was too soon to know if he loved Dallas Oliver, but Alex did know for sure that what he felt for her was more complete, and the closest he’d ever come to it with anyone.

It was almost one in the afternoon when the phone rang again. Alex sighed and pressed a kiss onto Dallas’s neck.

“I think you’d better get that,” he said.

Dallas smiled and blindly reached for the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Dallas, this is Valerie.”

Her eyes fluttered open. She glanced at Alex, but he was sprawled on his stomach, his face now hidden by a pillow. “Hi.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Valerie said stiffly.

Dallas felt discouraged. It was still the same with her. “That’s all right. Can I help you with something?”

“Is Megan there?” Valerie asked bluntly.

The very question made Dallas’s insides curl with alarm. Why didn’t Valerie know where her daughter was? Then Dallas realized that Valerie’s stiff tone was not directed at her. It was controlled fear and suppressed panic.

“No, she’s not. Why?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll call one of her other friends. Bye …”

Dallas clutched the phone. “Valerie, wait!” The imperative in her voice brought Alex instantly awake. He turned startled eyes toward her. “Don’t hang up. You don’t know where she is?” There was no response. “Valerie, please. Talk to me. What’s going on?”

Valerie bit her lip to keep her voice from shaking. “I … I haven’t seen her since early last night. Neither has anyone else.”