Hold Me Tight: Heartbreakers (16 page)

“So do you.” He was gambling now, desperate to keep her with him, to protect her, but to nourish what could be between them. “I want to see you every day, not just when you have time to drop by for a quickie—”

“That sounds awful.”

“It sounds like a busy lady with a hunger. I’d appreciate the need—it’s a compliment any man would like—but I’m not go
ing to be your delivery boy. And you are not setting me up in business.”

Jessica breathed deeply and Alexi couldn’t resist looking down at the cleavage revealed by her gown. He forced his eyes to slowly rise to Jessica’s shadowed green ones. “Yes, I want you. But more of you than just your body, or emotional pieces of you. Stay. Trust me.”

“Or? Or could it be that you don’t trust me?” she asked, moving closer to stand in front of him, looking up at him. She leaned slightly forward, her breasts soft and distinct against him. “You don’t, do you, Alexi? You’re uncertain and it shows. You’re pushing for a commitment. It’s early for that, isn’t it?”

“No,” he stated flatly. “It isn’t. I think you’ll run from this—what we have. Maybe it’s too real for you, Mrs. Sterling.” He wanted her, of course. But more than that, he wanted Jessica where he could protect her—because he was certain that Howard wasn’t finished, that he couldn’t let Jessica go, especially to a “down-and-out cowboy.”

And maybe Howard would be right in one aspect of his thinking. Jessica was definitely a woman worth fighting for, even if it was fighting what ran uneasy within her.

Alexi wound a silky strand around his finger and tugged slightly. “You can’t take it. With an unfinished house, the temper you have will be crawling out. We’re not sweethearts, either one of us, and things could get tense. Because I am an experienced builder and I suspect you are not, I would be directing you—your boss, so to speak—telling you what to do, and you wouldn’t like that, would you? Why, you might actually yell, Mrs. Sterling.”

She lifted her fingertip and drew a nail down his shoulder. The gesture was feminine and taunting. “What are you after, Stepanov?”

“You,” he said simply, and swept her up in his arms. He carried her to his bed and dumped her upon it, enjoying the wild spread of her hair, the gown molding her body, a contrast to her pale skin. Lying on his side facing her, Alexi ran his hand along the smooth curve of her leg and trailed his fingertip
upward, across her lower belly and down her other thigh. He enjoyed the quickening heat beneath his touch, the slow hiss of her indrawn breath, a sign that she reacted instantly to him—as he did to her. “You’ll leave. You won’t be able to—”

Her hand reached out to grip his jeans’ waistband and she tugged slightly. “You’re in for a surprise, buddy. Come here.”

“Is it a surprise I’m going to like?” he teased against her lips.

“Just try to keep up, will you?”

“Y
ou just couldn’t wait for a report, could you, Willow?” Jessica asked as she turned off her laptop. Because she felt so incredibly light and happy, she couldn’t stop smiling. She rose from the makeshift desk, a door placed across two sawhorses, and walked to Willow.

Seated on the floor in Alexi’s house and warmed by the stove, Willow had been examining the seashells she’d collected from the beach. She grinned up at Jessica. “Less than one week—yes, I stayed away this long because I thought you’d get all worked up again about my little playacting…. You’re blooming, you know. All lit up. All that tension is gone from your expression, that tight, overworked look. You look like you could fly, if you wanted. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I am, too.” Jessica bent to hug Willow and to kiss her cheek. She’d learned that from Robert and her friend—that showing emotion, especially love, wasn’t something to hide for fear of it being used against her. She kissed Willow’s cheek again and playfully wiggled her fingers on top of her head, diving through that mass of curls to the scalp below. “I’m
happy. Really happy. It’s only temporary. I don’t think it can last, but Alexi is—I like him. I really do. He’ll move on to someone permanent, and they’ll be married and have the family all these Stepanovs love. I’ll be glad for him.”

“Dream on. And I don’t think that’s going to happen. Not if you give him a chance.”

Jessica smiled and studied the shell Willow had just handed her. “Pretty. What you’re saying is also very pretty, not reality. I know you have great hopes for Alexi and I. I just discovered the great deception a week ago—how you got me here, involved with Alexi. Yes, I’m staying here for a bit. But it’s an extended holiday—my first real vacation in years—maybe a month or two of living high on fresh air and less stress. One of Robert’s dear friends is taking over the bulk of my duties. I can do the rest from here.”

Jessica was terrified. She didn’t fit into this community, the warmth of the Stepanov family, and Alexi was definitely a family man.
What was she doing?

“His family is coming over this morning to have coffee. We’ve been at their houses, and I thought… I don’t know why I did, but I just invited them over to see what he’s done—the men have been here, but I thought—Oh, Willow. I’ve arranged conferences and board meetings for years, and now I’m scared that I won’t know how to make this wonderful family comfortable.” Jessica looked around the neat living quarters. “I couldn’t do much, but I did straighten up. Jarek and Alexi brought in that lovely big walnut hutch for some of his mother’s things. I put the sweet rolls from the bakery and bottles of juice on it, and I’ve made coffee on the stove, but—I want this to be nice. Is it? I mean, it’s just basic, but is it okay?”

“It’s perfect and so are you. Told you. You really do need this, Jessica, to get away for a bit. You’ve been on thin ice for the last year or so. You know, if I get into the candle-making business heavily, I could probably hire area kids to collect these. But then, that would leave me with all the work and not the fun.”

“So don’t get any big ideas about being a maid of honor at
my wedding. This is only temporary. Alexi doesn’t think I can manage life in a small town, or working for my keep—as if that’s not what I’ve been doing. I’m going to show Alexi that I can handle whatever he throws at me. And I—I rather like the thought of rebuilding this house into something for his father. If he’s anything like Fadey, he’s adorable.” Jessica took a long look at the makeshift desk, the heavy door spread over sawhorses, and mourned the work ahead of her. Had she really been working fourteen-hour days? Was it possible she’d handled this much work and hadn’t taken time to relax, even on weekends?

James Thomas, one of Robert’s friends and a stockholder in the company, welcomed the chance to give her a much-needed vacation. Aided by e-mail and overnight mail and the fax facility of her laptop, she could continue to work part-time on the empire Robert had loved so much.

“Delegate duty,” Robert had warned her. “Keep yourself intact and strong by taking time off and relaxing. I don’t want you to kill yourself over this, Jessica. You’re a young woman and I’m only enjoying the time we have together. I love you, Jess. Thank you for giving me so much. I would never have lived this long without you. Howard will want control. Do what is easiest for you, dear. Turn to James when you need help and support. He’s been my lifelong friend. I am leaving my shares to you, not my son who already has a fair amount.”

Jessica listened to Alexi’s and Jarek’s heavy work boots tromping across the roof. Their voices carried downstairs in a deep rumble that somehow comforted her. She should have already returned to her Seattle offices, but the tilt of Alexi’s head and the narrowing glint of his eyes had challenged her. Adept to doing business while traveling, Jessica had said, “I’ll need a couple days before I can start helping you full-time.”

He’d crossed his arms and his head went back, those ice-blue eyes glittering down at her. “Okay. You’re leaving for the office in Seattle.”

“No, I’m staying here. I’ve got most of what I need to start in my briefcase. My secretary can ship the rest. It’s a big business, Alexi. One of Robert’s friends is temporarily stepping in,
but I’ll have to continue working at times. Can you rig me a desk?”

She’d enjoyed his quick frown, that stunned look. Then Alexi had walked to a heavily varnished and restored old door. “Good enough?”

When she’d nodded, Alexi had added, “Tell Audrey to send pie and that I love her. She and her family are welcome here at any time. My family will make them comfortable until this place is better.”

He’d walked to her and gathered her close. “Good,” he whispered simply against her temple. “This is good.”

Jessica followed the heavy clomping of footsteps across the roof. Had she really missed so much of life? In one week with Alexi, she knew and understood more texture about life than she’d learned in a lifetime. “He wants me to yell, Willow. I’ve never done that in my life, but he’s pushing his luck.”

“Huh?” Willow asked, her eyes raised to the old ceiling tile stained with moisture. She traced the progression of men across the roof. “I’ve always thought you should yell. Just to relieve pressure. It’s good therapy.”

“Does it resolve the problem? Does it get this mountain of work done? Can you see tangible results?” Jessica asked, though her mind was on the stack of papers that had been faxed to her and a new one scrolling out on her tiny portable printer.

Willow grinned and said, “Oh, you’ll yell. I’d bet on it. Alexi isn’t the kind of man to let you bar him out of your life.”

“You know so much, do you? What’s the bet?”

“That you’ll take over my delivery and shuttle duties for the elderly here. I love them so much. But Mom is arranging a family get-together in Oregon. I want to go, but I can’t leave them stranded here needing their groceries and appointments.”

“I’d do that anyway—without the bet, Willow.” Jessica turned to the rough wood panel on the ceiling that was being pulled aside. A workman’s boot and then, in a flurry of sawdust, Alexi’s jeans-clad legs appeared at the wooden ladder as he came down into the main room.

“Nice butt,” Willow murmured with a grin. “Two nice
butts, tight and hard,” she corrected as Jarek made his way down. Intent upon a discussion of proper roofing trusses and supports, the men continued to talk.

“To get enough pitch for that overhang on the deck, we’ll have to raise the roof.” Alexi said to Jarek, and drew the carpenter’s pencil from over his ear. He began marking on a fresh board propped against the wall.

Jarek pointed to the drawing. “Raise it only on one side. Run a row of windows beneath the high side, down to the lower one.”

As if Alexi sensed where Jessica was standing, he turned to her and instantly the air between them started to vibrate and sizzle. She could feel him moving over her, in her. She could taste his skin, his mouth, feel his hair slide across her stomach. A week of long, sweet, exhausting nights had only increased their hunger. Jessica had thought that heat and hunger would be eased, but instead it had simmered through the days and ignited at one touch, one look. Yesterday, while having tea at Fadey and Mary Jo’s, Alexi had looked at her with that dark intimate passion, and she’d heated immediately. Embarrassed by her need, her hands had trembled on the ornate metal holder for the glass, until Alexi had taken it from her. “We’re going,” he’d said abruptly.

His excuse that they wanted to work on Viktor’s house was barely believable, and they’d arrived, breathless with hunger, tumbling into bed….

Now Alexi’s darkened gaze swept possessively down Jessica’s body and then back up to lock with her eyes. He was still nettled that she had talked to Barney, but they hadn’t discussed it again.

There was something else disturbing Alexi. He tensed every time a car went by, when one of their cell phones rang—and he was never far away, or if he was, one of his relatives always appeared.

The two men continued talking as they walked out of the door into the enclosed outer room. The door closed, a power saw buzzed and Jessica sighed. At times she had gone to stand outside the building to make business calls on her cell phone.
“Make a list of who needs what, Willow. I’ll see that everyone gets delivered and picked up.”

It wouldn’t—couldn’t—last, not that incredible passion, the quiet peace later lying close to Alexi….

Lost in her thoughts, Jessica frowned. She’d already given away too much of herself to Alexi, something she’d never given anyone else—including Robert. “What was that you were saying about Alexi?”

“I said, if you help Alexi, work part-time on the business and run a shuttle service, you’re going to be really tired.”

“I’ve been tired before. You do it, Willow, run a business and run errands. I run a corporation. That’s not easy, you know. Everything, business and life, can be scheduled.”

Willow smirked impishly. “Oh, really. Alexi can be scheduled? Does your schedule allow for extracurricular Alexi-activities?”

Then she frowned slightly and went to place her hand on Jessica’s arm. “Did you tell him that Howard has been threatening you?”

“Howard is just hot air. He’ll cool down. He has before.”

“If you say so, Jessica. I know how you feel about doing your best for him, about your promise to his father. But this is different—”

“Did Alexi say anything?”

Willow looked away, avoiding the question, and Jessica pressed, “Did Alexi say anything to you about Howard?”

Her friend shrugged. “Okay, we talked briefly outside this morning. I said you had handled Howard for seven years before you married Robert and after, and that you knew him well enough to protect yourself.”

“And?”

“And Alexi said things might be different this time. And this time, you wouldn’t be alone. I liked that. It’s a chick thing, maybe, but I know you’re safe with him. The Stepanov men are big on taking care of their own.”

Jessica stared at Willow. “I’m not helpless, you know. I take care of myself. I always have.”

“Uh-huh. Don’t get your nose out of joint. I’m not saying
you’re bad at taking care of yourself, but you’ve never had a relationship before. And Alexi is one heck of a starting package—a total package.” Willow glanced at the door that had opened again as Ellie, heavy with child, entered the room. Tanya, bundled against the cold, leaned shyly against her. Leigh, slightly rounded in pregnancy and balancing Katerina on her hip, followed. “Alexi said to come right in, that you were expecting us. Is that all right?”

From the sunroom, Mikhail ordered loudly, “My wife needs to sit down.”

A moment later he peeked inside the door to see that Ellie had followed his orders. Satisfied to find her seated in a chair, he nodded and closed the door.

“Mr. Mother Hen, and I love him. I hope we’re not intruding,” Ellie said softly, and rubbed the small of her back.

Jarek came in carrying a box and Leigh pointed to the hutch. “Put it there, Pops.”

He beamed at her and carefully placed the cardboard box on the hutch. He peered inside and Leigh said, “Oh, no, you don’t. Not yet. Go get the other box.”

Before he left, Jarek bowed deeply, gallantly. “I live to serve, milady.”

“Please make yourself comfortable. I’d love the visit,” Jessica said as panic rose to tighten her throat.
She’d never had any friends, except Robert and Willow! In her lifetime, she’d never hosted a comfortable informal friendly gathering!
“All I can offer is coffee and tea. There are rolls from the bakery on the hutch. I’m afraid—”

“Good. Food. I need some now.” On her way to the sweet rolls, Leigh handed Katerina to Jessica. The toddler’s chubby body was warm and cuddly, and instantly the unexpected ache for her own child bloomed inside Jessica. The thought terrified her; she’d come from a background where children weren’t prized and she hadn’t dreamed of a child since she was that innocent teenage bride.

She watched Leigh place a plastic cake carrier on the table, then take paper plates and plastic forks from a sack. Bottles of
juice followed. Then Jarek came in again carrying a bigger box to the table.

Ellie looked at Mikhail who had just carried in another box, framed in a wooden crate. “On the table, please, Mikie,” she purred and batted her eyelashes, evidently teasing him.

He slanted a mock-stern frown her way and hurried to open the door. Jarek and Alexi were muscling in a new apartment-size electric stove, and the three men set to installing it in one side of the large room. The women seemed comfortable amid the masculine discussion of electric codes and wiring and position.

“Open the boxes, Jessica,” Ellie said softly. “They were Alexi’s mother’s things. Viktor wanted you to be able to use them.”

In a daze, Jessica moved to the table and slowly opened the big box. Paper rattled as she withdrew a perfect china cup splashed with colorful flowers and trimmed in gold. She lifted another wrapping and a beautiful matching saucer appeared. The china was obviously old and precious to this family and Jessica felt her throat begin to close with emotion.