Free Unfinished Business by Brenda Jackson Page B

that. I prefer she not know what really happened.”
    She glanced around, not at all surprised at how well Alex had made himself at home in her kitchen. It was his way. While growing up he had spent just as much time over at her house as he did in his own, so making himself comfortable at any Madaris place probably came second nature. “Is there anything you need me to do?”
    “No. Everything is ready.”
    “You didn’t have to fix breakfast, but I’m glad you did. I’ve wanted to taste someone else’s food for a change.”
    Alex chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean. That’s why I’m glad I have a standing invitation over to Trask and Felicia’s place,” he said, carrying a covered platter over to the table.
    “And how are they?”
    Alex glanced back over his shoulder. “They’re doing fine. Austin is getting tall, and Madaris is simply beautiful. The last time I was over there she was trying to walk already.”
    Christy grinned. “How old is Madaris now?”
    Dimples appeared in Alex’s cheeks when he turned around and smiled. “Almost ten months, and we’re calling her Aris for short.”
    “I can’t wait to see her when I come home in a couple of weeks.”
    Alex glanced over at her. “You’re coming home?”
    “Yes, just for the weekend to attend Blade and Slade’s birthday party.” Her twin cousins would be celebrating their thirtieth birthday in a few weeks.
    Thinking that she could at least take the tray of hot rolls to the table, Christy tried making herself useful. “These smell good,” she said.
    “I’ll take that. The tray is warm,” Alex said, reaching out and taking the tray from her hand. Their fingers brushed in the exchange and their gazes immediately connected. They both went still.
    Christy swallowed. This wasn’t good. She was working hard to get over Alex and his presence, his closeness, his masculine scent. And the way he looked walking around in her kitchen barefoot wearing jeans and a shirt was enough to send all of her emotions into overdrive.
    “I guess we should sit down and eat now,” he said huskily, his voice low and breaking into her thoughts.
    “Yes, I guess we should.” He was holding her gaze way too long, she thought. But then, she was also holding his. It seemed like everything around them had gone quiet and they were cocooned into private, intimate space. A powerful sexual attraction existed between them. But this wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. When it came to Alex, there had always been more to her feelings than a mere sexual attraction. When he had taught her to ride her first bike when she was six, she had felt a bond between them.
    A bond that had meant more to her than to him .
    She took a step back and tried to think of something to say to break the heated moment. “Is there anything you need me to bring to the table?” she asked, glancing around.
    Alex stared at her for a while, knowing what she was trying to do and for the moment letting her do so. “No, that’s about it, unless you want me to bring you the pitcher of apple juice.”
    “No, I can get it. You pour your coffee.”
    “All right.”
    But neither made an attempt to move. Then Christy watched as he took a step forward, closing the distance she had placed between them. His gaze held hers and he lowered his head slowly, hesitated, then lowered his head still more.
    She studied his lips so close to hers, the bruise she had inflicted the night before. Then seemingly of its own accord, her tongue darted out and she ran it lightly, gently, over his lips, soothing the part she had bitten, and when she heard a deep groan emit from his throat seconds before his lips parted she slipped her tongue inside his mouth.
    Alex took over from there. He pulled Christy closer to him, needing to feel the length of her against him, needing her in his arms, needing her taste everywhere in his. Like an alcoholic who knew he was taking his last drink, he sipped her, then lapped her like she