Crossing the Line (The Baltimore Banners Book 1) (11 page)

     "It's...I..."

     "Because you know, Alec, you've pretty much gone out of your way to ignore me since the other night, and you made it quite obvious that you think it was a huge mistake so I'm not sure what you think—"

     "What! I have not been ignoring—"

     "Good night Alec." AJ turned and began the climb up the stairs, leaving Alec standing there staring after her. He gritted his teeth as he caught himself staring at her tight ass, hugged in the soft denim of her jeans. It took him all of five seconds to take off up the stairs after her and jump in front of her before she could open the door to the guest bedroom.

     "I didn't mean to ignore you. I was, but I didn't mean to. I didn't know what to say to you or how to act and then you stopped talking to me and then I was afraid that anything I did say would only make things worse, only it turns out that it made it worse anyway."

     AJ frowned at him but didn't try to push past him into her room, which he figured was a good sign until she rolled her eyes at him. "I have no idea what you just said."

     Alec took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair again, trying to swallow his frustration. It was no surprise she didn't understand, not when he didn't quite know what he was trying to say himself. "I don't know what I'm trying to say, either. It's just...I like how we always joked around and now that's all changed and I wish it hadn't. Except every time I look at you, all I want to do is...never mind. Forget it."

     "No, tell me. What?" AJ looked up at him, her eyes curious, and he wondered if she really didn't know. How could she not know? He shook his head and let out a deep breath, figuring what the hell. It wasn't like he could make things any worse than they already were.

     He lifted his hand and cupped his palm against her cheek, encouraged when she didn't immediately pull away. So he took a chance and cupped his second hand against her face and stepped closer, running his thumb along her lower lip. Tension immediately gripped him, and he had to clear his throat before he could speak.

     "All I have wanted to do since you walked out of my room the other morning is chase after you and pull you back into bed." He still couldn't read the expression in her eyes so he leaned forward and gently touched his lips to hers. He increased the pressure, just a little, and inwardly rejoiced when she didn't pull away. Her hand reached up and closed around his bicep, squeezing, but she didn't push him away.

     He deepened the kiss, coaxing her mouth to open under his, exploring her mouth with his tongue, feeling her hand glide up his arm and across his shoulder, then slide down across his chest. She fisted her hand in his shirt and gently pulled away, resting her forehead against his shoulder, her breaths coming in short gasps that matched his own.

     "And this has nothing to do with the strip club?" Her voice was a hesitant whisper, and it took more control than Alec would have thought not to laugh at her uncertainty. He reached up for her hand and cradled it in his, then dragged it down his front, not stopping until her palm was cupping his hard-on. His breath hissed as she pressed her hand against him, rubbing, squeezing.

     "I have been walking around with this for the last two days, non-stop, so no, this has nothing to do with tonight."

     AJ's eyes were wide and uncertain as she stared up at him. Their blue depths swirled with a mix of hesitancy and desire, and Alec realized he should have done this two days ago, instead of letting her walk out of his room, out of his bed.

     He grabbed the can from her hand and tossed it to the floor, then guided both of her hands up around his neck. Alec grabbed her around the waist and lifted her, biting back a groan as she wrapped her legs around his hips. Each step he took toward his room was exquisite agony as she rubbed against him, their eyes still locked together. He braced her against his bedroom door, and tried to reach around her to turn the knob.

     AJ tilted her hips against his and he forgot about opening the door, just crushed his mouth against hers and wedged her between his body and the door. Her hands roamed over him, pulling at his shirt, yanking it up between them. His breath hitched as her hands raked against his bare chest, and he pulled at her own shirt, needing to feel her flushed skin against his.

     AJ broke the kiss, leaning her head back against the door as he ran his lips along her neck and along her collarbone. "Alec...Alec, we need to talk..."

     "No. No talking." He claimed her mouth again and turned the door knob, tightening his hold on her as the door swung open. He reached the bed in record time and gently lowered AJ to the mattress, following her down, her legs still wrapped tightly around him.

     Alec pushed up, breaking away from her just long enough to pull his shirt over his head, then leaned down and removed hers as well. His gaze roamed over her body, at the fullness of her breasts spilling over the lacy edges of her sheer yellow bra, at the smooth expanse of her flat belly. He trailed his hands along her skin, starting at her wrists and working his way up her arms, across her shoulders and down along her chest. He teased the taut peaks of her nipples with his thumb, then leaned over her, taking one nipple in his mouth, teasing it through the lace of her bra, groaning when she arched up into him, her hands digging into his shoulders.

     He pulled back, his hands still trailing downward until he reached the waistband of her jeans. With a quick motion, he unfastened them and skimmed them down over her hips and thighs, following his hands with his lips, dragging his mouth across the skimpy triangle of her matching lacy thong. Again AJ arched against him, her hands curling at her sides, clenching the comforter.

     He teased her clit through the lace, sliding his hand under her to cup her bottom, to hold her more tightly against his mouth. Her body arched into him as a soft moan escaped her, feeding his own excitement.

     Alec pulled away from her, dragging his mouth down the inside of her thigh, as he pulled her boots from her feet then dragged her jeans all the way off. He reached for the boots and put them back on her feet before dragging his mouth back up her legs, across the lacy thong, up her flat stomach until he was poised above her, bracing his weight on his arms as he looked down at her.

     "Do you have any idea how much those boots turn me on?"

     Her eyes fluttered open at his hoarse confession and slowly focused on him. Alec wasn't sure what she saw in his gaze, but her lips turned up in a slight smile, a gleam in her eye.

     "Hm, they do?" She ran her hands up his arms to his chest, wrapping her legs around him once more, pulling him closer against her before she tightened her hold and tried to roll. Alec grabbed her as he spun around, pulling her on top, feeling her settle against him as she pushed herself up, straddling him.

     He reached out and grabbed her hips, holding her steady as she ground against him, her head tilted back, her bottom lip held between her teeth. Alec grew even harder as she rubbed against him, straining against the confining denim that kept him from burying himself deep inside her hot sweetness.

     He let go of her hips to unfasten his jeans, pulling the zipper down and reaching in to free himself. AJ slid down his legs, leaning forward and grabbing the waist band of his jeans and tugging them down, allowing him to free himself even more. Her hand tightened over his, keeping it in place, then began stroking, up and down, long excruciating moves along his hard shaft.

     Alec clenched his jaw, his breath hissing between his teeth when AJ leaned forward and ran her tongue over him, up his stomach and chest, the soft tendrils of her hair teasing his bare flesh, her hand still guiding his in long strokes, faster, harder.

     "I want you now, AJ."

     She stretched against him, nipping at his chest before looking up at him, the heat in her eyes searing. "Then take me." She pushed herself up, straddling him again, rubbing against him even as he stretched across the bed, reaching for the nightstand, cursing under his breath until his fingers closed over the packet of condoms. He grabbed one and brought it to his mouth, tearing open the foil with his teeth.

     AJ rocked herself against him, liquid heat forging hot iron, and Alec damn near forgot about the condom, came close to reaching for her, to sliding her lacy thong out of the way and shoving his cock deep inside her. He sucked in his breath, wanting to do nothing more than just that.

     He reached between them and sheathed himself with the condom then slid his fingers along the edge of her thong, easing the damp material to the side, teasing her clit first with his thumb, then with the tip of his cock.

     AJ sucked in a deep breath, her head falling back as he continued to tease her, her hips surging forward, seeking him. Alec had thought to tease her, to drive her wild, and had succeeded in doing the same thing to himself. No longer wanting to hold back, no longer wanting to tease, he grabbed her hips and lifted her above him, whispering her name until she opened her eyes and looked down at him. He held her gaze, his hands tightening around her hips, guiding her onto him, driving himself into her with a quick thrust that took his breath away.

     Their bodies stilled, their gazes locked, then Alec began moving, pumping his hips, driving himself deep inside her, pulling out, driving again. AJ's eyes drifted shut and her head fell back, her breasts thrust forward, the hard peaks of her tightened nipples pushing at the lace of her bra. He reached up and tugged at the material, pulling downward until her breast spilled out, filling his hands. He massaged her, pulling at her nipples, tweaking the hard points with his fingers as he continued to drive into her.

     AJ's breathing became harsher, small gasps as her hips met his, rocking against him, thrusting, harder, faster. She leaned further back, resting her hands low on his thighs, twisting the denim of his jeans in her fists as she matched his rhythm.

     Alec felt her muscles tighten around him, felt the first spasm rock through her. She moaned, his name a whisper on her lips as her body closed around him. Alec grabbed her hips, holding her down against him, and drove into her harder, once, twice, and felt her shatter around him, her muscles tightening around him, squeezing him, milking him. He threw his head back, lost in the feel of her wet heat quivering around him, then thrust deeper inside her, his own explosion rocking through him, tearing her name from his lips in a guttural moan.

     Alec stood next to the bed, gazing down at AJ's sleeping form. She was curled in the middle of the bed, clinging to the pillow where he had been sleeping just a short while ago. Her tousled hair was fanned around her face. The comforter had fallen from her shoulders, exposing the curve of her bare arm and breast, the soft rise and fall of her chest.

     His groin tightened just at the sight of her sleeping so peacefully in his bed. He was tempted, so tempted, to climb back in with her, to wake her with soft kisses, to sink into her sleepy warmth and feel her come awake, alive, around him.

     Just as he had done barely more than an hour ago, for the third time that night.

     They had slept, tangled together, for a short time after their first frantic encounter. The second time had been just as wild, as if they couldn't get enough of each other.

     The last time...Alec breathed in deeply, the images still burning in his memory. AJ had been curled against him, her head tucked into his shoulder, her hand curled against his chest. He had run his hands over her warm skin, rained gentle kisses along her jaw and lips until she reached for him, welcoming him into her sleepy body.

     And he had made love to her, slowly, gently, drawing out their pleasure until it became exquisite torture, until they found release together. Sweet, warm release. As sweet as the feel of AJ curled against him, her body warm and soft and trusting in sleep.

     Alec took another deep breath then leaned over the bed, gently pulling the comforter up around her shoulders and placing a kiss on her temple. AJ stirred slightly, moving toward him, then settled deeper into the mattress with a soft sigh. He smiled then backed away toward the door, his eyes memorizing the sight of her in his bed.

     Alec grabbed his overnight bag from the floor and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click, already looking forward to returning home after tomorrow afternoon's game.

**

     AJ came awake slowly, cocooned in the warmth of the fluffy comforter. She stretched, a lazy lengthening of her body as she rolled from her side to her back. The room had a gray cast to the light, giving the impression of early morning, but when she turned her head to look out the balcony doors, she could see it was raining, the sky dark and overcast.

     She stretched again and looked at her watch, surprised to see that it was nearly noon. Knowing she should get up, she closed her eyes instead, wanting nothing more than to return to sleep.

     Alec was gone. She had known that even before coming fully awake. But she had a hazy memory—or maybe it was just wishful thinking—of him leaning over her and kissing her good bye, mere hours after he had so slowly, so expertly, so carefully made love to her.

     That last time had been her undoing. She knew it as certainly as she knew her own name. It had been easier to hold herself back, to keep a piece of herself safe, when the sexual encounters had been wild, frantic...

     Who was she kidding? She had been in trouble long before the sex had even entered the picture. Alec's tender love making had only pushed her over the edge enough for her to admit that...well, that she had been pushed over the edge.

     It was the last thing she should have allowed to happen. Absolutely no good could come from it. None.

     She curled onto her side and reached for Alec's pillow, scooping it closer to her, holding it against her much as she had held him in her sleep. His scent still clung to it, a faint woodsy smell mingled with the slightest spicy hint. AJ closed her eyes and nestled deeper into the mattress, allowing herself the luxury of replaying snippets of the night before in her mind. She would give herself another hour before getting up and getting dressed, another hour to pretend before going back into the guest room and pulling out her laptop to write.

     Another hour to talk herself out of the five-hour drive to Pittsburgh to talk to him.

     Another hour before gathering her things together, to prepare for when Alec returned home after the away game.

     Because there was no doubt in her mind that things would change again after he saw the article tomorrow. And he
would
see it. Either before or after the game, he would see it, and things would never be the same.

**

     Alec batted away the practice pucks being hit his way, warming up before the game. He had a good feeling about tonight, about the way the team was gelling together even better than usual. Games against Pittsburgh were always high energy, fueled by the fans' enthusiasm and even by their taunting barbs. It was an age-old classic rivalry, not quite taken in stride by the players from both sides. And it wasn't unusual to have an excessive amount of fights when the two teams met, regardless of whose home ice the game was being played on.

     The energy from the fans was already filling the arena, feeding the players' own energy levels. Alec fended off the last few practice shots then pushed his helmet up and grabbed the water bottle off the back of the net. He took a long swig then pushed away from the net, skating toward the players' bench.

     Alec had just walked into the box and was heading for the hallway when he heard his name called. He turned to see one of the opposing players leaning across the boards, a sly smile on his face.

     "Are you sure you're up to playing tonight, Kolchak?"

     Alec took a step closer, his brows raised in question as another player skated up to the bench. "Against you guys? Bring it on."

     The two laughed and nudged each other, smirking. "Well, considering how warm and sensitive you are, we thought you might sit tonight out. We wouldn't want to be hurting your feelings."

     They laughed again and skated away, leaving Alec staring after them in confusion. Ian Donovan pushed against the door and entered the player's bench, calling a few rude comments to the retreating duo.

     "What the hell was that all about?" Alec asked him as they walked back toward the visiting team's locker room. Ian shook his head and kept walking.

     "Nothing. Don't worry about it." Ian wouldn't look at him, so Alec grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop.

     "Out with it, Donovan. What's up?" Ian sighed and stepped away, suddenly looking everywhere but at Alec, who stepped even closer to him, a threatening look on his face. "What the hell is going on?"

     "Guess you haven't seen today's paper."

     "Paper?" A feeling of dread threatened to drop over Alec but he shoved it away. "What paper?"

     "The newspaper."

     The dread came back, and he was unable to push it away this time. Alec swallowed and tightened his hold on his stick, gripping it so hard he was surprised the graphite didn't shatter in his glove. He clenched his jaw, breathing in deeply, then let the breath out in a rush, staring at Ian with cool eyes.

     "I want to see it."

     "Alec, really, it's not bad—"

     "Now."

Ian sighed and turned away, motioning for Alec to follow. He swallowed again and loosened his grip on the stick then took off after Ian, dread increasing with each step.

**

     The house was quiet, eerily so. She hadn't bothered with any lights either upstairs or down, preferring to sit in the dark, with only the reflected harbor lights keeping her company.

     AJ sat in the corner of the leather sofa, dressed in a loose pair of sweat pants and one of Alec's t-shirts. Her legs were curled under her, and she stared across the room out the open French doors. Her gaze was locked on the blue neon waves that ringed the aquarium's dolphin pavilion across the harbor, and her mind randomly wandered from thought to thought.

     She glanced at her watch then leaned her head against the back of the sofa, holding the throw pillow in her arms, wondering how much longer before Alec got home.

     That was going to be an encounter she wasn't looking forward to, especially after seeing that afternoon's game. Any slim hope she might have held that he hadn't seen the article shattered before the first period was even half-way over. By the time the full-out brawl broke out at the start of the third period, AJ wanted to do nothing more than get in her car and drive as fast as possible for as far as she could.

     But that would have been running away, and it struck her as being entirely too cowardly.

     An hour later, the thought crossed her mind that being a coward might have been the smartest choice when she heard the door click open in the foyer...and slam shut loud enough to make her jump.

     AJ closed her eyes and told herself to stay still, to remain quiet. Nothing she said now would help anything. She repeated that to herself several times as Alec's footsteps came closer. He stopped several feet away, and she heard the heavy thud of his bag hitting the floor, followed by the sharp clatter of his keys as they hit the table hard enough to let her know that he did more than just casually toss them.

     The silence that had been almost peaceful earlier in the day was now heavy and oppressive, suffocating. AJ opened her eyes and turned her head just the tiniest bit, just enough to catch a glimpse of Alec behind her, standing off to the side. And even though there wasn't any light, she could see him staring down at her. That small look was enough to let her know that any chance of his ire being reduced during the long drive back from the game had never materialized.

     The silence stretched out, painful in its intensity, yet Alec still didn't move. She could feel him standing off to the side behind her, could feel his eyes focused on her, could feel the tension and anger radiating off of him. She shifted, turning on the sofa so she could get a better look at him, feeling vulnerable with him standing behind her the way he was.

     "Did you watch the game?" His voice was quiet, almost harsh, his eyes intense as he looked down at her.

     AJ pulled the pillow closer to her, like a shield, and nodded. "Yeah."

     "Yeah." Alec looked away from her, his hands fisted on his hips. Even with such little light, she could see the flare in his eyes, the muscle twitching in his clenched jaw. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, glanced down at her, looked away again. "And...nothing to say?"

     The question surprised AJ, her mouth opening silently then closing. She had no idea how to respond, no idea what Alec expected her to say. The game had disintegrated rapidly, not completely surprising considering the long-running rivalry between the two teams. But even she had been able to tell, just from watching on the television, that there had been something more going on. She didn't know what, and wasn't entirely sure she could guess—or that she wanted to.

     Then there had been the on-ice brawl...the one that had included both goalies. Yeah, it happened. Maybe once a decade. Alec had drawn two major penalties and a game misconduct, and been ejected from the game—a personal record for him.

     The damage, of course, had been done before all that even happened, with the Banners losing 10-2. Alec had asked if she had anything to say. What was she supposed to say? Did he expect her to apologize? Was he saying the whole afternoon's debacle was her fault?

     AJ shifted again on the sofa, uncurling her legs from beneath her and pulling them against her chest instead. She still held onto the pillow, feeling better with it in her hands, absently picking at the corner trim and shaking her head before answering. "I'm not sure what you expect me to say."

     Alec let out a deep breath then suddenly turned and walked toward the kitchen, the soles of his dress shoes clicking loudly against the hardwood floor. Light from the kitchen filtered into the living room, chasing away the corner shadows and making AJ feel somehow more vulnerable. Part of her was tempted to get up and follow him into the kitchen, another part was still tempted to just get up and run.

     She did neither, just waited until she heard the refrigerator door slam close, waited until Alec walked out of the kitchen, pausing in the doorway of the dining room. He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and took a long drink from the beer bottle in his hand before staring at her.

     AJ finally looked at him then sucked in her own breath and winced when she saw the marks on his face. There was a cut under his left eye, with a dark bruise under that on his cheekbone. His lip was slightly swollen, and she thought she could see a cut at the corner of his mouth as well. She almost jumped from the sofa and ran over to him, to see if he was okay, to tend his injuries, but something in the way he was standing there stopped her. Suppressed energy and tension radiated from him, filling the entire room, holding her in place.

     "Does it hurt?" It was barely more than a whisper. Alec remained quiet for so long she didn't think he heard her, and she was ready to repeat the question when he pushed away from the doorway, his stride long and angry, his footsteps heavy as he walked into the living room.

     "More than I would have thought." Anger vibrated in his voice as he passed her without a single look on his way to the stairs. AJ flinched when she heard his bedroom door slam shut a minute later, and she couldn't help but think that he hadn't been talking about his injuries.