Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Alex closed the dishwasher, locked it and pressed 'on'. Releasing a loud sigh, she glanced around the kitchen. Spotless. Smiling softly, she closed her eyes. Warm golden eyes stared back at her. A tingle shot through her body. He would definitely be worth a try. What am I thinking? He's Rob's boss. That alone causes way too many problems.

Grabbing the red teapot, Alex filled it with water and placed it on the burner. The kitchen door opened. Looking up, she smiled. "I thought everyone had gone home."

"I'm all that's left." Johnathan assured her. "Rob invited me to stay the night." He tossed the empty beer bottles into the trash. "I think that's the last of it. I never realized how much beer my crew goes through. Of course, normally I've gone back to my hotel by now."
"You don't have to stick around. Every thing is pretty much done."
"Where's Rob and Lisa?"
"They were beat, so I told them to go to bed. Lisa put up a fight, but Rob finally convinced her to let me clean up."
"I'm sure Rob didn't have to try too hard." Johnathan smiled.
Alex's heart melted at the sight. He is so gorgeous.
"I know what you mean. They've been married almost five years. You would think the novelty would have worn off by now."
Johnathan laughed sending a warn feeling through her chest.
A loud whistle pierced the air, causing the pair to jump. Alex turned off the stove. Opening a nearby cupboard, she grabbed a dark purple mug. "I was just about to make some hot tea. Interested?"
Johnathan tore his gaze away from her nicely rounded backside. "In the tea? No. Thank you. I'm more of a scotch man myself."
Alex smiled "I've become addicted." She placed a tea bag in the mug and poured the steaming water. "Chamomile helps me sleep. I don't think Rob has any scotch. Can I offer you anything else? I'm sure there's plenty of food left."
"I'm fine. I'll just keep you company. It's still early for me."
"Wow. 1:30 AM is early. There's no way I could pull your kind of hours. You're welcome to stay. It's not often I get to spend the night with an attractive man." Alex poured milk and sweetener into her tea. Why did I say that? I don't normally encourage men.
"Shall we?" Johnathan motioned towards the small kitchen table.
Alex sat down, carefully blowing on her tea. Johnathan say beside her at the round table. He turned the chair to face her.
"You're just visiting, right?" Alex sipped her drink.
"Yes. I come out here twice a year to keep an eye on things. I stay two weeks at a time, unless there's a problem, then I stay as long as it takes."
"Where do you live the rest of the time?" she asked.
"The home office is in Atlanta."
Alex nearly choked on her tea, "Georgia?" she managed after several coughs.
"Yes. Why?" he smiled.
"I live close to Emory University."
"Rob told me you lived in New York."
"I did, but after my divorce I got an offer for a job in Atlanta and I just packed up and moved."
"Do you have any kids?" he asked.
A sad smile crossed her lips. "No. We tried for several years before we found out that I can't have children." Oh my God. What am I saying? I've never told anyone but Rob and Lisa about that.
Johnathan placed his hand over her's. "I'm sorry."
Alex marveled at the tenderness in his eyes. Such compassion from a total stranger. Her heart ached. "Thank you." her voice was rough, "But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If Edward and I had had a child together, we would have been in each other's lives forever. My life would have been a constant hell."
Johnathan nodded knowingly. He would give just about anything to have Vanessa out of his life for good.
A chirping noise broke the silence. Johnathan slipped his cell phone out of it's holster. Flipping it open he said, "It's about time. How long does it take?"
Alex tried not to listen, but he WAS sitting right across from her.
"So your all settled? Did you get the card I sent? I wanted to make sure. I know how she can be. Is there anything you need? Okay. Yeah. Okay. I know. I would have rather done it too, but it wasn't worth the fight. She did? I can't help you there. Texas. Until sometime next week, if nothing goes wrong. Just call my cell if you need to. Okay. Take care of yourself. I love you. Night." Johnathan flipped the phone closed and placed it on the table.
Alex looked up sharply. I love you? "Girlfriend?" she ground out.
Johnathan gave her a lopsided grin. "My son. His mother dropped him off at college. I told him to call when he got settled in and after his mother left. It's his first year there."
"Oh."
"Jealous?"
"Of course not. I have no claim on you. College. How old are you?"
"Forty-two. Do you have an issue with older men?" Johnathan took her empty mug and set it aside. Taking her had in his, Johnathan stroked her knuckles with his thumb.
"No," she said breathlessly, "I just wanted to make sure you're not old enough to be MY father."
"And?"
"You're only eight years older." she smiled.
He pushed a honey blond strand behind her ear. He caught himself wanting to nibble the edges of her earlobe, to kiss her jaw and suck on her full, bottom lip.
Alex swallowed hard, "About earlier. I'm not usually so forward. Okay, I'm not usually so forward with men I'm actually going to be alone with." She wet her lips with her tongue. "But what the hell." her voice was think with desire. She felt a familiar tingling between her legs. Suddenly his lips were crushing hers. Alex gasped at the intensity. Her mouth opened. Johnathan slid his tongue over her parted lips before plunging into the recesses of her mouth. His hands cupped her face gently as his tongue touched hers. Alex melted into the kiss. Her breasts ached to be touched. She had forgotten what it was like to really be kissed. A fire formed in her belly. Her panties grew wet. Johnathan pulled back and opened his eyes.
"I think I should turn in." he whispered.
"Now?"
"Before something happens that we might both regret." he stood up.
"Wait." Alex placed a hand on his chest. "Why would we regret it?" even though she knew this was a bad idea.
Johnathan searched her face. "Alex, I want you. But you said yourself that you haven't been with a man in years and I'm not into casual sex with my friends' sister. It complicates life way too much."
"Who says what it has to be? Why don't we just take it one step at a time and see what happens?"
"No strings?" Johnathan asked.
"One. That we're honest with each other. No secrets."
"I can do that."