A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(27)

“I’d love to see Hannah and Noah.”

Alex lingered as he watched James release me. He slowly stretched out his body as he stood. A sliver of his toned abdomen was exposed under the hem of his well-worn tee, the same toned skin I had playfully licked this morning. Chris cleared her throat, no doubt to remind us that there was no time for shenanigans and we once again had an audience.

“I’ll uhem… let you guys say goodbye,” James chuckled and motioned for Chris to follow him to the door. James awkwardly attempted to give Alex and I some privacy as he closed the door behind them while he and Chris stepped outside.

“That wasn’t obvious at all,” Alex wrapped his arms around my waist, his eyes intensified as his lips brushed mine. “Not that I care about anything other than being alone with you right now.”

“Feeling playful Alex? I’m pretty busy, not sure I can fit you in.” I linked my arms around his neck allowing my body to press up against his.

“You didn’t seem to have any issues accommodating me last night, or this morning.” Alex nibbled at my ear, his hand suggestively roaming down my back.

“Don’t you have a rehearsal to get to? We wouldn’t want you going out on the road with your playing below par.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about anything being below par when you are around.”

“Are you being cocky or are you making fun of me?”

“Can you say the word cock again?” Alex punctuated by grabbing my ass and pushing me firm against his…well, cock. I had to hand it to the man; he knew how to capitalize on a statement.

“Ok, get out, I have work to do.” I pointed to the door but my smirk belied the faux annoyance of my tone. I loved playful Alex and it was so good to have him back.

“So bossy.” Alex’s lips covered mine, kissing me. His tongue invaded my mouth as his kiss intensified. Maybe meeting room sex wasn’t such a bad idea? We could be quick? I mentally tried to calculate the number of windows in the room.

Alex’s lips softened as he broke away, “Get what you need to do done, cause when I next see you tonight I’m going to need your full attention. We have some lost time to make up for.”

I nodded like an idiot, unable to make my mouth formulate words, because despite being married to the man he still had the ability to render me speechless.

Alex kissed my lips gently before turning and sauntering to the door. Damn he was so freaking fine, even the way he walked was hot.

“I can feel you staring at my ass Lexi.” Alex glanced over his shoulder, hesitating at the doorway.

“I thought the whole marriage thing meant I could stare at it any time I wanted? Wasn’t that what that fancy piece of paper was for?” I pouted, wondering how Alex even noticed where my eyes were. Surely so many girls had stared at his ass in the past he would now be immune?

“I’ll get Sol to go over our marriage license and see what legal entitlements you have to my ass. That should be a nice afternoon project for him.” Alex shot me a quick wink before opening the door and stepping outside to where James and Chris were patiently waiting.

Yep, I was never going to get used to this, to him. Not just because he was Alex Stone, ‘cause that shit is so far off the crazy chart that I can’t even comprehend it. I met, f*cked, fell in love and married Alex Stone - sexy, alluring, talented, incredibly good looking and smoking hot in bed Power Station guitarist. I lived it and I still can’t believe it happened! But the truly remarkable part was that I was with a man (no matter who he was publicly) that loved me, accepted me and I loved him right back.

~~~

“Lexi.” Chris reentered the room and closed the door behind her. She gave me a knowing smile (you didn’t need to be a psychic to know what Alex and I were doing when we were alone) but was polite enough not to say anything as she sat down in her leather chair.

I shook off the stupid grin that was still plastered across my face, and tried to reengage some semblance of professionalism. I knew I was wearing the usual post-Alex expression that made me look like a lovesick fool and it was harder to compose myself today than it had been in a long time.

“Chris, sorry for the disruption. I have some creative ideas for the announcement of the tour…” I eased myself into the chair beside her.

“Lexi, this isn’t about the tour.” She placed her well-manicured hand on my arm as she eyed me carefully.

“I know you are tired of people asking you how you are doing. I also know you are an incredibly resilient and brave woman who has achieved an amazing amount of success due to personal diligence. But….” Chris words deliberately trailed. It seemed there was always a “but” so I shouldn’t have been surprised, “but” I was concerned where this line of conversation was leading because I was 100% committed to being back at work and I was not going to fall apart.

“Chris, whatever it is you want to say to me, you can feel free to just say it. I know that the band is an investment for you. I know that because of that investment you may be concerned about my ability to perform. I can assure you that I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t confident in my level of proficiency. Yes, Alex is my husband but I don’t expect a free ride and I am not going to sabotage the band or my career for vanity.” Despite the words I wasn’t angry or defensive. I wasn’t delusional - this was business.