British Black Sheep - Lauren Smith Page 0,43

climax came for her first, hitting her like an avalanche and softening into slow, echoing waves of pleasure. Alec came moments later, whispering her name in that husky voice of his. A flood of heat warmed her insides as he leaned over and kissed the back of her neck. He slowly pulled out of her and she immediately missed the feeling of him being connected to her.

“Stay,” he said before he walked to the bathroom. He ran the water and returned with a warm washcloth to clean her. She blushed as she straightened and shimmied out of her panties and shorts and stood completely naked before him. His eyes gleamed with appreciation at her full nakedness.

“You’re staying, right?” she asked hopefully, then regretted it because of the look on his face.

“Do you want me to?” The hesitation in his voice hurt her but she understood. He needed to keep his distance from her. It made sense. The longer he stayed here, the more of a chance they would be discovered together. Some part of her wanted to take that chance, as risky was it was.

“Please, it’s just nicer to…” God, she realized she must sound needy and pathetic right now. But it had been years since she’d really been with a man and after last night, she’d gotten addicted to the feeling of being safe in someone’s arms.

He removed his sweater and then his pants. “I’ll stay.” He wore only a pair of boxers underneath. “This okay?” he asked.

Brie nodded. She turned to her suitcase at the foot of the bed and hastily retrieved a fresh pair of panties and a T-shirt, then climbed in bed with him.

“It’s strange to be sleeping in a different bedroom,” he chuckled.

“I thought you didn’t come here often.” Brie said curiously. “You still have an assigned room?”

“Assigned? No, I’ve had the same bedroom since childhood. It just happens to have eighteenth century bedroom furniture and tapestries.”

“No racecar sheets for you, huh?” She snuggled up against him, unable to deny the urge to cuddle against him.

“Racecar sheets? I wish I’d been born in America if that’s what boys got to have growing up.” Alec slid a hand under the sheets to stroke her thigh. It wasn’t meant to be sexual, but rather a comforting stroke that felt intimate in a different way. It was like he’d done it to her thousand times before.

“I’m glad you were born here. I like you just the way you are. British and all.”

“British and all?” His voice warmed her inside as she heard the laughter in his tone.

“Trust me. American girls fantasize about men like you.”

He watched her curiously, a faint smile on his lips. “And why is that?”

“Partially the accent, of course. You can read a grocery list and it would make us swoon.”

“Groceries eh? Let’s see, bananas, eggs, butter, fish and chips, biscuits, marmalade”

“Stop!” Brie giggled, pretending to be aroused.

“Pears, apples, bread, milk…” Alec murmured as he lowered his head to hers to steal a soft kiss. It burned with a sweetness that made her heart ache. Could a kiss unlock one’s heart and soul? Right now, it felt like it.

She curled an arm around his neck, holding him to her as she kissed him back. It was so easy to get lost in him, yet she didn’t feel lost. She felt as if she was running toward something, something that would save her…or maybe break her.

“Hmm… You do indeed swoon. I shall have to remember that and recite groceries more often.” Alec nuzzled her nose with his before pulling away. “Are you tired?”

“A little. I just want to drift off to sleep while you’re here. You can still leave if you want, once I’m asleep.” She snuggled deeper against him, clutching him the way a child might their favorite stuffed animal, but she was deliciously exhausted and couldn’t find it in herself to care.

“It’s alright, I don’t mind staying. I grew up in this house and know how to get around with the least amount of chances of being seen.

“Do you mind if I keep the light on? I want to read for a bit.” He reached for the leather journal on the bedside table.

“Only if you read to me.”

“That I can do.” He opened the journal. “This was my grandfather’s. My father wanted me to read it.”

“Are you okay with that? I know his death was hard for you.”

Alec nodded. “It was, but the things in these pages… It’s like he’s here with me.”

“Then introduce