when you called this morning that I invited him home with me. He spent most of the night.”
“You said he was gone when you woke up.”
She nodded. “I really thought he’d be there in the morning. I wanted him there. I’ve never . . .” She sighed. “We had a pretty amazing night. Really amazing, but I haven’t talked to him since we fell asleep. Shit, Alex, he was gone before that girl was murdered at Fort Mason. I realize I hardly know him, but I just can’t see Sebastian Xenakis committing rape and murder.”
Alex slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but you said it. You hardly know him.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think it’s Sebastian. I wish I knew, but I can’t be sure. I do, however, believe his father is somehow involved.” She kicked at some loose gravel with the toe of her boot. “I also have a really bad feeling that it’s too late, as far as my heart is concerned.”
“One night with the guy?” Alex’s laughter had an unfamiliar bite to it. “He must be damned good in bed.”
“Oh, Alex. That’s not it at all. It was the connection, the mental connection we fell into so naturally. As much as you and I love each other and as often as we’ve made love, that’s never happened. Not the way I felt it last night. I want that. I want it for you, too.”
Alex leaned close and kissed her, wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. Lily went with it, tasted his familiar flavors, and felt the same wonderful arousal that always built when she and Alex kissed.
But it wasn’t the same. Not even close.
He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you, Lily, but you’re right. We both deserve more. I just wish I could find the right woman.” He laughed. “One as smart and sexy as you who won’t beat the crap out of me.”
“Alex!”
“Teasing. Really!” He kissed her again. “I hope like hell you’ve found the right man. I don’t want you hurt.”
“Me either. But I wanted to tell you about him first, and I want you to let me know if you hear anything at all that can help me either exonerate him or prove he’s guilty. I need to know for sure if there’s a chance for us, or if he’s someone to stay far away from.”
“I promise.” He stood, held out his hand, and pulled her to her feet. “But for now, I need to get going. I’ve got a date in town and don’t want to be late.” He waggled his eyebrows. “She’s really hot, and she loves my body.”
Laughing, Lily covered her ears with both hands. Alex was never going to change. “I really don’t need to hear that, dear boy. And just because I can’t get pregnant by a human doesn’t mean you can’t impregnate a short-timer.”
Alex rolled his eyes in disgust. “Trust me. I’ve spent the last half hour hearing a detailed lesson in basic Chanku sex from both parents. Again. My head hurts.” He spun away, then glanced back. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Promise.”
He tipped her a quick salute. “Wish me luck. Maybe I’ll actually get laid tonight.”
“Alex, you are totally hopeless.”
“I know. And you love me for it.”
Lily watched him walk away. She did love him. She loved all kinds of things about Alex, from that sexy saunter in his walk to the way his jeans fit his perfectly shaped butt to the amazing man she knew him to be.
But she didn’t love Alex in the way of mates.
She never would.
The way she felt wasn’t even close.
And as that thought flitted through her mind, Sebastian’s dark features and teal blue eyes filled her thoughts.
Alex sauntered across the main street of old town Kalispell, thinking of Lily but checking out the girls. It was Friday night, and he knew just about every young woman in town. They were pretty interchangeable, as far as he was concerned, but tonight he was supposed to meet up with Jennifer Martin. She was hot, and she liked sex, but if it didn’t work out, he knew he could always go back and spend the night with Lily.
It really would make life so much simpler if he and Lily loved each other romantically, but it just wasn’t going to happen. Sex with Lily was always good, but it was more fun and laughs and the need to scratch the constant