If Tomorrow Never Comes (Harper Falls Book 2) (15 page)

Dani got it. In other words, was she a bluffer or the real deal. Looking out for big brother, points for Lila.

"Now that we've sized each other up," Dani started, then momentarily detoured. "Oh and by the way? I like you."

"I like you, too."

"Good, then as girls just shooting the breeze, I'll tell you this. I want Alex to stay, but I can't make him."

"But—," Lila started to protest.

"Have you ever been I love?"

"No."

"What does love have to do with anything, right?" Dani could almost hear the words screaming to get out of Lila's head.

"It isn't a magic get what you want free pass. Alex will do what he wants, no matter what I say. But we can try to make Harper Falls so appealing that he forgets about leaving."

"And how do we do that?"

"You just be his sister. He loves you and wants to be near, so your job is pretty much a no-brainer."

"What about you?"

"Me?" Dani took another bite of her lunch. "I turn up the heat."

NEVER GET IN the ring with an over anxious, three hundred pound teddy bear. Or something like that. Over the years, Alex had acquired little pearls of wisdom from men much smarter than he. If they could see him now, every last one of them would be shaking his head in amazement at his greenhorn mistake, and probably be laughing their asses off for good measure.

"I really am sorry, Mister," seeing Alex's frown, he backtracked. "I mean, Alex."

"My fault, Harry. First rule, never turn your back on your opponent." Even when you've called time and are speaking to the rest of the crew.

"Should I get my gear and clear out?"

Alex sighed. How many times had he heard that defeated tone? Some new recruit certain he couldn't cut it in the Army, asking him, in so many words, if he were a fuck up in this, just like every other thing he'd ever tried. Now, like then, Alex refused to give up. It didn't always work out, but he would try his best to pull this kid up, not push him out.

"How long have you been here, Harry?"

The twenty-two-year-old looked at Alex as though it was a trick question then slowly answered, "Six hours, sir—I mean, Alex."

"Give it the full week, then we'll talk." Seeing that the younger man was still distressed, Alex slung an arm over the kids shoulder. He managed not to wince when he felt a pull around his rib area, but it was a close thing.

"The point is to learn. No one is asking you to get it all the first day. I'll be evaluating everyone, not just you. Now relax, I've had worse beat downs. Go join the other guys and get something to eat. The chow here is top notch."

Alex waited until he was alone to raise a hand to his jaw, moving it from side to side. Nothing was broken, but like his ribs, it was sore—really, really sore.

"You were good with him."

Alex shook his head. Not alone after all. He was losing his edge.

"Sometimes the only thing someone like that needs is a little encouragement. He's strong as an ox, but awkward with it. No one's ever taken the time to show him how to handle all that raw energy."

Jack nimbly jumped into the boxing ring, careful to skirt around the splatters of blood on the canvas.

"And you think you're the man for the job?"

"I'll tell you on Saturday. How do you pick these guys, the new recruits?"

"Oh, it's very scientific," Jack laughed. "We get applications by the boat load, Pam gives them an initial go over, weeding out the obvious absolutely nots. Then, when we find the time, either Drew or I throw them in the air and pick the ten that land on top of the pile."

Alex stared at Jack for a moment, pretty sure he was kidding.

"Right, well, if you don't mind, I think I'll find a new method. Nothing wrong with this group, per se, but I doubt that more than one or two will move on to next phase of training."

"That's why you're here, my friend." Jack slapped Alex on the back, giving a sympathetic grimace at the other man's pained expression.

"Sorry, maybe you should stop by the hospital and get some x-rays. Overeager boy may have cracked a few of your ribs."

"In which case they would wrap me like a mummy and tell me to take it easy. I can do that for myself." He grabbed a rag and a spray bottle filled with bleach and water. "But Harry didn’t break anything, just gave me a few bruises. Big, painful bruises."

"Been there, and I know you won't have a problem cutting him lose if he's not the right fit. But remember, your job description doesn't include having to hand hold a three hundred pound man-child, or," Jack gestured to where Alex was kneeling, "cleaning up. We pay a company very well to take care of any and all bodily fluids that might get thrown around H&W."

Alex made a final swipe before standing.

"My blood, my responsibility. And do I want to know what other fluids you're taking about?"

"Mostly big men, bad aims, nasty urinals. Unless you're asking about the monthly orgies we hold down in the swimming pool?"

"
In
the pool?" Alex joined Jack and they headed out of the gym. "I hope that cleaning includes draining and replacing the water because I like to swim and chlorine only kills so much."

"Not to worry, my friend." Jack held the door to the cafeteria open, the spicy smell of tomato sauce making Alex's mouth water. "My orgy days are over. Rose is strictly a one-on-one kind of woman."

"And Drew?"

"Lately, he's one-on-one, too. But since he won't take Tyler up on her offer, one is his dick and the other one is his hand."

Alex thought of that last exchange with Jack as he pulled his motorcycle to a stop in Dani's driveway. He took off his helmet, wryly laughing at Drew's situation—and his own. Two women, best friends, strong, independent and confident enough to ask for what they wanted. Two men, basically idiots, turning them down for reasons that seemed logical, but that any sane man would ignore in a heartbeat. The solution? Drew was on his own, but Alex knew what he wanted.

"Good timing."

And there she was. Dani Wilde was the complete package, top to bottom gorgeous and smart—damn smart. Keeping up with her nimble mind would be a challenge, one Alex knew would be a daily joy. No, he was the problem. Did he have the right to weigh such a light soul down with his baggage?

"I don't know what's put that cloud of doom over your head, but let me help."

Dani reached over his head and flapped her arms.

"There, I chased the shadows away, only good thoughts for tonight."

Alex knew she was kidding, but the truth was, having her near did light the dark corners. He swung his leg off his bike and stood, taking her into his arms. No words. He just held her near, breathing in—lemons and vanilla and Dani.

Happy where she was, Dani sunk in, but carefully.

"I want to squeeze, but Jack called and told me you haven't been taking proper care of yourself."

When she would have eased away, Alex pulled her back, tighter. There was a slight twinge, but having her close was worth any discomfort.

"Jack has a big mouth. There was no reason to make you worry."

"First, Jack was being a good friend, to both of us." Dani took his hand and led him up the driveway. She closed the door after them, engaging the locks.

"Second, I wasn't worried, he assured me you were fine and taking your injuries in a manly-man fashion."

"Well, that doesn't sound like Jack."

"His sentiment, my words. Now sit." She gently pushed him onto a pillow soft sofa. "I know our plans were to go out to a movie. But because you let an inexperienced boy get the best of you, I thought we'd stay in so you could lick your wounds in private."

"What exactly did Jack tell you?" Alex was considering dispensing a few bruises to his
good buddy
.

Dani came back and handed him an open bottle of beer. Alex glanced at the label and smiled. His favorite brand. Not only beautiful and smart, but able to remember something he mentioned in passing five years ago. Amazing. Alex took a long drink and sighed, his body relaxing. A little pampering, even accompanied by a good dose of teasing, was just what he needed.

"All right?"

"Damn near perfect."

Dani looked down, her smile reflecting his. To be honest, she
had
been worried when Jack called. He'd assured her that Alex's injuries were minor, mostly he'd be sore and stiff. She had felt better when she'd heard his motorcycle pull up. He was moving a little slow, and his bottom lip was split and swollen, but otherwise, he seemed hale and hearty.

"You have a choice. I can grill us a couple of steaks and throw together all the fixings, or we can order out. It's pot pie night
at Pansy's Diner
. Chicken, beef or vegan."

Alex thought for a moment.

"Good pie?"

"The best."

And so it was settled. Dani phoned in the order, got herself a glass of wine and joined him on the sofa. Normally he would have opted for steak, but relaxing with Dani's company while someone else did the cooking sounded better. They fell into an easy conversation while they waited for their dinner.

"I had lunch with your sister today."

"Oh?" Alex raised his bottle but stopped half way to his mouth. "
Oh
?"

Dani hid her smile. That second oh had concern written all over it. Two women discussing him, one his sister, the other his, well, whatever she was. Alex didn't seem too comfortable with the idea.

"It was just lunch, Alex. No secrets were divulged, on either of our parts."

"I'm not worried," he said, though he didn't sound as convinced as he would have liked.

"You have no reason to be. We ate some good food and got acquainted. You have a really cool sister, Alex. It's admirable how she picked up her life and started over in a town where the only person she knew was Jack—your old friend, not hers. It couldn't have been easy, but she's made a real success of
Peony
. It's become the go-to flower place in Harper Falls."

"Baltimore stopped feeling like home after our parents died," Jack explained. "Lila was alone and I didn't get to visit as often as I should have."

Dani let him talk, only interrupting to ask a question here and there. She could tell Alex felt guilty, leaving his sister alone, having a life so far away on another continent. She didn't know if this was the first time he'd talked about it, but she was glad he wanted to share it with her. One more step closer, she thought, a warm glow starting near her heart.

"She's only twenty-four. I know, she's been on own for awhile now, but she will always be my baby sister."

"Twenty-five."

"What?"

"Lila told me that she is twenty-five."

Alex did the math in his head—damn—she was twenty-five. He was glad he hadn't made that mistake in front of Lila. Even so, he had only been off by a few months.

"And yes, in case you're wondering, a few months does make a difference," Dani informed him, practically reading his mind. "Her birthday is in November, she'll be twenty-six. I'm a year older, you, a year more than that. She needs for you to stop thinking of her as a little girl, and remember she's a contemporary, sister or not."

"Wow, that must have been some lunch."

Dani shrugged. "She needed to vent a little. I'm a younger sister so I understand. Big brothers can be royal pains, but she loves you, Alex. She's thrilled that you're here and safe." And she and I both hope that you aren't going to disappear from our lives without any warning.

The food arrived and they dropped the advice section of the evening for flirty, bordering on downright sexy.

"I had a bit of a split personality day."

Alex took the bite of chicken Dani held out for him, savoring the tender, perfectly seasoned meat. Her eyes were twinkling, deeper green than usual.

"Sounds confusing."

"You'd think."

Happy to let him return the favor, Dani opened her mouth to accept a piece of beef from his pie. Only she milked the moment for everything it was worth. Her eyes locked on his, she reached up and held his fork, slowly removing it, her lips clinging ever so slightly to the tines. Then, making sure his gaze had lowered to her mouth, her tongue slipped out, carefully removing all traces gravy.

"I…," Alex cleared his throat. "What were you saying?"

Dani gave a silent cheer. Good to know she could still make his brain turn to mush.

"Personality, split."

"Right," Alex tore he eyes from her mouth. "Go on, I'm listening."

"So I started the day very zen, happy with taking things slow, getting to know you again."

"Very wise; mature even."

"I agree. But then I had this revelation while eating some very spicy food."

"The food made your brain split?"

"In a manner of speaking." Dani smiled, which brought his gaze back to her mouth, and then lower when she took a deep breath. Her dress was by no means low cut, but there was skin and the promise of cleavage.

"My big revelation was this." She waited a beat until he moved his eyes from her chest back to her face. "Slow doesn't mean there can't be some heat."

"True." He cleared his throat. Heat sounded good.

"I want you to kiss me, Alex."

"And then?" Alex had a few suggestions, all of which involved both of them losing their clothes.

"We're not kids."

"No."

"And as you pointed out the other day at the pond, I've seen it all before."

"As have I." It had just been a while; too long. And even though he had an excellent memory, the thought of real, live naked Dani was much more appealing.

"So here is my question. Can we take it slow, relationship wise, and speed things up in the sex department?"

Alex and his dick were already screaming a big fat, silent hell, yes.

"Or, will the sex get in the way—complicate things?"

Alex took a deep breath. His dick might still be at attention, but the rest of him was taking a step back.

"Sex is always complicated, even when those involved swear it isn't." He couldn't get up and leave Dani like he did a woman he paid. She expected, no deserved, more.