Alex’s continued to stare at her as if he were waiting for her to say more. When she didn’t, he pulled off his shirt one delectable arm after the other. Valerie sized up his strong arms, his shoulders and that beautiful chest. He wore just a white snug tank now that traced his muscled chest nicely.
She glanced back at his face. His hardened look hadn’t softened at all. She patted the cushion next to her on the sofa. “Come here.”
He didn’t move at first then he dropped the shirt on the arm of the sofa. He sat next to her exhaling as if he’d been holding something in.
“Baby, you need to relax.” She massaged the shoulder closest to her. He was even tenser than she’d expected. “Look at this. What’s the matter with you?”
He didn’t respond, instead he let his head fall back on the sofa and closed his eyes. Valerie leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I know what you need,” she whispered.
His eyes flew open making her giggle. She slid off the sofa and positioned herself between his legs. She massaged his hard thighs as she eyed him wickedly.
Alex was ready and she could see the push against his slacks. She loved how easily she could change his mood even if it was just for the evening. She undid the button on his slacks and slid the zipper down slowly.
He was immediately out, through the slit in his silk boxers. She touched the wet tip with her finger then brought the finger to her mouth and licked it, all the while, staring at Alex. His big Adam’s apple moved as he gulped, his eyes gleaming with eagerness.
She brought her hand back down and wrapped it around his length. Alex flinched at her touch. “Relax,” She ordered, smiling at him before bringing her head down.
She licked the rim slowly as she began to work him softly with her hand. Alex inhaled deeply just as she took him completely. She’d never told him, but he was the only man she’d ever done this to. Sure, she’d performed a few hand jobs back in high school and in her college days. But this, she couldn’t even imagine doing to anyone else.
There was no mistaking the quiver in Alex’s legs. He groaned, beginning to squirm in his seat, and the taste of salty sweetness becoming stronger in her mouth by the second. He sat up, takning her hand and making her look up.
“Let’s go,” he grunted through his teeth.
She pulled away and he helped her up, on his feet immediately, picking her up, cradling her in his arms. “I need you right now.”
The very thought moistened her panties and she kissed him profoundly. How she went an entire year without him was beyond any comprehension. They’d made love every day since they’d gotten back together, each time feeling more urgent than the last. Tonight was no exception.
CHAPTER 21
After working out for an hour, Alex headed back to his house to shower. The day before had been the first since he and Valerie had gotten back together without any drama or unsettling revelations. They’d spent their entire day doing one of Valerie’s “Lazy Sundays.” It was heaven.
It helped Alex rest his rigid nerves for at least a day. But he was back to reality now and with reality came stress. He’d checked and double checked his phone all morning to make sure he hadn’t missed a call from the guy watching Valerie.
Valerie still hadn’t mentioned anything more about her meeting with Luke. They held hands for a minute. Romero’s comment still gnawed at him. There was no way he could ask her about it. He’d just have to wait and see if she ever brought it up on her own.
He saw the note as soon as he walked in the door. It was on the dining table. He smiled the moment he was close enough to see what was on it. Valerie had drawn a picture of them. Two stick figures one with circles for muscles on the arms and the other half the size with curls and giant heels. Three hearts floated above them. Just beneath the stick figures she wrote.
I could never go even a day away from you now. I miss you already. Love you…madly.
~Z~
Alex felt like a grade school kid, reading it over several times. He’d die before admitting he’d actually felt flutters inside as he read it. He put the note down and picked up his phone. He text Valerie exactly what he was feeling that moment.
Just read your note. You never will. I promise. Miss you too and I love you more than you’ll ever know.
He did miss her. He hated to leave her that morning but Romero had called asking if he wanted to meet at the gym to work out. Alex thought that might be code for something if Isabel was anywhere near him, so he left in a hurry. Turned out Romero really wanted to just work out. He still didn’t know anything new.
Alex folded the note into a very small square and took out his wallet slipping it under his license, smiling.
After showering, he headed to the restaurant, again double-checking if he’d missed any calls. He hadn’t.
***
The painting turned out better than Valerie envisioned. There was just one small thing she wasn’t completely sure of. Though they both looked just as happy as they did in the picture, there was something so special in their eyes. She didn’t quite see it in the painting. Maybe she was just looking too hard. She gazed at it some more. She should’ve asked Isabel for her opinion. It was just so nerve-wracking, unveiling her work to anyone. She hadn’t even told Alex about it yet.
That morning she found the card to the framing place Luke told her about on her desk. She’d already called for a quote. The place was only minutes away from her apartment. Since she didn’t have any appointments that morning, she figured she may as Well, get this out of the way.