Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Alexander

W hy was she taking that guy’s phone number? Had Rosie just said yes to a date? Annoyance flashed through me partnered with another emotion that I wasn’t used to feeling.

Jealousy.

And I was not a jealous person.

When my ex-wife had cheated on me, it hadn’t made me jealous. I’d never cared who her lovers were or what they’d looked like. I’d mainly just felt sad because I knew the relationship was over. I’d later learned that she liked it when men fought over her, as two of her flings had gone to blows over her at a pub. A story she’d told me in gratuitous detail, with a gleeful look in her eye. When I hadn’t taken the bait, instead just handed her the divorce papers to sign, she’d been infuriated. And we’d been married for five years.

So no, jealousy was not an emotion I was used to.

In fact the last time I think I’d been actually jealous was when BirdKing77 had passed my score on BirdFindr, having seen a critically threatened Bahama oriole when he’d been on holiday in the Caribbean. I’d been holding a silent war with this unknown internet birder for years now, and it had annoyed me that he’d gotten ahead with such a rare find.

But now, as I watched Rosie, in that silky skirt that was driving me more than a little crazy, smile up at some unknown man, I realized that I was, indeed, jealous. Rubbing at the ache in my chest, I looked away.

“Whatcha staring at?” Meredith asked at my side, and I blinked down at her. Tonight she wore a jumper that said she liked them real thick and sprucy with a drawing of Christmas trees.

“Nothing,” I said. “Just enjoying the party.”

“Really? It looked to me like you were watching Rosie get hit on by that cute lad from Boston.”

Boston? An American? Even more annoyed now, I grimaced.

“Nope, not at all,” I lied through my teeth. “Just happy the windows all came together. When will we know the scores?”

“The judges will post them tonight so we can start preparing for next week. I think Esther wants us to stay after when this wraps up in a bit so we can pick next week’s theme.”

“No problem.” It wasn’t like I had anything else to do tonight. Other than to go home and talk to Tattie who was becoming increasingly trusting of me. I’d been able to expand his pen a bit, but I was still working on securing his outdoor enclosure. I hoped he’d be happy with the home I was creating for him. If he could never fly again, at the very least I wanted to give him a good life.

“You could ask her out as well, you know,” Meredith said, following my gaze to where I was staring at Rosie again as she laughed with a customer. Damn it. I’d meant to look away.

“We’re just friends.”

“Uh-huh.”

“We are. We agreed on it and everything.” And then had the kiss to end all kisses, the taste of her searing a path through to my very soul.

“Och, lad. Why would you go and do that?”

“Because neither of us want to date. I’m happy in my simple life and she just left a relationship. It’s better this way.”

“Bloody eejit,” Meredith muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, nothing. Well, enjoy your lonely nights not chasing after a good thing. You know that friendships make the best basis for relationships, right?”

“Relationship? Who is in a relationship?” Esther skidded to a stop in front of us and I closed my eyes, wishing I was anywhere else. Except that would mean I wouldn’t get to see Rosie in her soft jumper and silky skirt.

“Alexander and Rosie agreed to just be friends, but he just looked like he wanted to belt the handsome lad who just asked her on a date.”

“Shite or get off the pot, mate,” Esther said, succinctly, giving me a sour look before breezing over to the drinks table.

“There is no pot,” I called after her, but she didn’t look back. “There’s no pot. There’s no shitting required.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Meredith clucked her tongue and wandered away, leaving me to try and put the image of shitting in a pot out of my head.

By the time the party wrapped up, I’d nursed two beers and had used up a month’s quota of social interactions—in one night. I was ready to go home to my quiet cottage by the sea and do my best to not think about Rosie and her potential date.

“Right, team, gather round. I just got a text that the scores were up.” Esther pulled reading glasses onto her nose and tapped wildly at her phone like people who aren’t comfortable with technology do. “Somewhere on here…”

“Would you like me to look?” Rosie reached out a hand, but Esther elbowed it away.

“I got it, I got it.”

Rosie shot me an amused look, sending warmth to my gut. She had a habit of doing that, looking to me, as though we shared our own little private jokes. I supposed it was because we were the youngest of the Winter Windows team, so it was easier to commiserate on some topics than others.

“We won!” Esther crowed, holding the phone up, and Rosie surprised me with an excited hug.

Her jumper was as soft as it looked, the fabric sliding beneath my hands and over her curves. Being this close to her took me back to the kiss from the other night, and how much I wanted another. I’d replayed the moment over and over in my mind, unsure what had made me lean into the kiss other than the desire that clawed for more. More of her . And now that I’d had a taste, I was like an addict. I wanted more. More smiles, more shoulder bumps, more kisses. Anything she was willing to give me, I’d take, her smiles like a twenty-pound bill in a beggar’s cup.

Realizing I was holding her a touch too long, I released her and caught Meredith’s knowing smile. Annoyed, frustrated, and uncertain of what to do next, I stepped back and cleared my throat.

“What was the point difference between St. Andrews?”

“They were only two points below us.” Shannon studied the numbers on the screen. “So we’ve got to step it up next round.”

“I found more boxes of decorations in the back storage area, but they are too high for me to reach,” Rosie said. She looked up at me. “Want to grab them? They may be of help this week. ”

“Of course.” I’d walk through fire for this woman. Right, okay. What the hell? Where had that thought come from? Maybe my three years of abstinence was making me be a bit dramatic.

“Wait, let’s decide on a theme first.” Esther pulled out the whiteboard from behind the table and propped it back up. “Seeing as how Under the Sea was such a success, I’ll make an attempt to be more flexible about some of these other hare-brained ideas.”

“I thought you said there were no bad ideas.”

“Exactly. I didn’t say there were no hare-brained ideas, did I?” Esther scowled and I bit back a grin.

“Don’t poke the bear,” Rosie whispered to me. “She’s running on a high right now, and I don’t get the impression she’s a benevolent dictator.”

“Ahem.” Esther smacked her hand on the whiteboard, drawing our attention back.

“My vote is Christmas in Space, since Under the Sea did so well. Though I think we missed a trick.” Rosie tapped a finger against those delicious red lips. “We could slip in some books related to the theme. Like if we did outer space, we could put in The Martian by Andy Weir.”

“ War of the Worlds .”

“ Contact . Carl Sagan.” Shannon nodded.

“So you want an alien Christmas?” Esther asked, hands on her hips, her scowl deepening.

“Seems to be the vote,” I said.

“Aliens it is. But I don’t want any talk about alien breasts and if they should be covered.”

“But alien smut is one of my favorite genres,” Meredith protested, and my eyes widened.

Grabbing Rosie, who was looking more than a little stunned, I tugged her toward the back. “Show me those boxes?”

“Yup. And we’ll take as much time as we need until I can erase the image of Meredith reading alien romance from my mind,” Rosie grumbled as she took me through a narrow hallway to a back storage room. Flipping the light on, she pointed to several boxes on the top of a bookshelf. The closet was small, with just enough space for two people to walk a few feet into, and dimly lit. I was instantly aware of our closeness as the door swung closed behind us on spring-loaded hinges.

“Maybe it’s the extra appendages?”

“The what?” Rosie whirled on me, her mouth dropping open. I grinned down at her.

“The alien stuff.” I waved a hand in the air. “You know. More…options.”

“Oh.” Rosie tilted her head, thinking it over, and when her cheeks flushed, my body responded. Desire lasered through me and I had to clench my hands together to stop myself from reaching for her. “Oh my. I’d never considered that. I suppose I could see the appeal. Apologies to Meredith for the judgment I suppose.”

I’d done this to myself. I had no one else to blame because I was now picturing Rosie in ways that I wasn’t supposed to be if we were meant to just be friends. Clearing my throat, I reached blindly up for the box above my head .

And caught it as it fell, spilling its contents everywhere.

“Och, I’m sorry about that.” I put the box aside and bent to start picking up the decorations at the same time Rosie did.

Her lips hit my shoulder.

“Oh no!” Rosie gasped, looking down at the red lipstick smudge on my jumper.

I was never washing this jumper again.

“Och, you may need to get help for this shoulder fetish of yours,” I said, as Rosie grabbed my arm and tried to rub the stain with her finger.

“Damn it.” Rosie stomped a foot, pouting. “I told you I don’t have a thing for shoulders.”

“There’s nothing wrong with admitting it, darling.” Please just keep touching me.

“I swear these are all just weird accidents. I’ve never been so clumsy in my life as I have been since I moved here.”

“That’s what they all say.” I laughed as she smacked my arm and then I held up what I’d picked up from the floor.

“What’s that?” Rosie’s lips rounded into a perfect O as she saw what I was holding.

“I think you know what it is.”

“I do.” Her eyes widened, and her throat moved as she swallowed.

“The rules of mistletoe are very clear.”

“This is probably a gray area, though, right? Since it was on the floor.”

“I’m fairly certain they’re ironclad. Do you really want to test the rules? What with our good luck in the competition tonight?” I held the mistletoe up and Rosie considered it for a moment.

“No, best not to tempt fate, is it? I succumb to the rules of long-standing traditions.”

Succumb to me, I said silently, as I tossed the mistletoe behind me and wound a hand behind her neck, pulling her face close. Instead of her lips though, I lingered at her ear, nuzzling against her hair, before I softly kissed her neck.

“Alexander,” Rosie breathed, and I kissed her soft skin again, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon enticing me.

“Yes?”

“That’s not my lips.”

“No, I don’t think the rules say where to kiss. I want to make sure I’m thorough.”

“Oh.” Rosie’s breath was shaky, and I grinned against her throat. Trailing my lips down her neck, I nibbled at her collarbone, licking lightly and then blowing a soft breath across her skin. When she shivered, my body heated.

I looked up at her under heavy-lidded eyes and saw a face ravaged by desire before she caught me looking and schooled her expression. But I’d seen it. It was all the confirmation I’d needed. Running my hands down her sides, I hitched her up and put her on top of the worktable.

“Eeek.” Rosie gaped at me .

“Did I hurt you?” I asked, running my hands lightly along the sides of her thighs in that slippery silky skirt. I eased forward until I stood between her legs.

“No, I just…” Rosie waved a hand in front of her face. “You lifted me so easily.”

“I’ll carry you all night long, lass, so long as you let me keep touching you.”

“Oh.” Rosie’s mouth formed that perfect O of shock again and I’d held off long enough. I needed a taste. I needed to know if the feelings from the other night were an anomaly, or if I really wanted her as much as I thought that I did. Cradling her face in my hands, I angled her mouth to mine.

And then I feasted.

My senses were on overload. In this moment, she was everything. The delicious heat of her kiss drew me in, and I dropped one hand to run it along her thigh, the silk of her skirt driving me crazy. Over and over I stroked her thigh until she moaned into my mouth, widening her legs, and arched her hips against me.

“Bloody hell,” I gasped against her lips. “I need to touch you.”

“Oh, please do,” Rosie begged, doing some touching of her own as she ran her hands beneath my jumper until she found skin. I shivered at the trace of her hands against my back, and dipping my head, I took her lips again. Licking inside her mouth, I mirrored her movements and slid my hand over that enticingly soft jumper of hers and underneath the hem. Her skin was warm beneath my touch, and I trailed my hands up her side until I found her breasts.

“Yes,” Rosie breathed against my lips.

“Are you sensitive here?” She wore silk here as well, and her breasts hung heavy and lush in my hands. I brushed my hands over them, cupping and kneading, my body begging to be buried deep inside her.

“So much. This is…” Rosie threw her head back as I tweaked her, thrusting her breasts farther into my hands. “Just like that.” Tracing circles, my eyes widened as she bucked against my hips, and I captured her lips once more. Rosie moved rhythmically against me, and I continued to caress her breasts until her movements picked up frequency. Pulling away, Rosie mewled in frustration when I stopped touching her.

“Shh, darling. Just a moment then.”

Finding the hem of her skirt, I lifted it slowly up her legs, and her eyes widened as my fingers danced across her inner thigh.

“Should we?” Rosie asked, her eyes heavy with lust, lipstick smeared around her swollen lips.

“Let me take care of you,” I said, tracing a finger across her pants. Silk here too. “You’re close.”

“But … what about you?”

“Shhh. The rules of mistletoe are very clear,” I said as I slipped a finger beneath the silk and found her ready and wanting.

“The rules address this situation?” Rosie arched her hips forward, giving me better access, her wet heat almost undoing me .

“Of course. The lady shall always have her pleasure.”

“Oh, I can get on board with those rules.” The last word trailed off in a moan as I curled my fingers inside of her, reaching that perfect spot that made her thighs tremble. I stroked leisurely, bending forward to lick my way across her neck, as Rosie bucked her hips against my hand.

“There’s a bonnie lass,” I breathed at her neck. “I’ve been wanting to touch you all night.”

“You have?” Rosie gasped, squirming as I increased my pace, my mind short-circuiting at how wet and tight she was.

“Aye, lass. This silk skirt and those red lips? I’ve barely been able to look at you for fear of embarrassing myself.” Her legs clenched, another soft moan slipping from her lips, and I kissed her. “Let go, lass.”

Rosie licked into my mouth as I took her over the edge, her soft body shaking as she rode the wave of pleasure, her lips hungry on mine. I waited until she’d relaxed against me, and then removed my hand and straightened, beaming down at her. Bringing my fingers up, I licked them, and she gasped. Her eyes fixated on where I lazily tasted her on my hand, and it took everything in my power not to ask her to give more of herself to me.

Never had I seen a sexier woman than Rosie—skin flushed, silky skirt pulled up to reveal soft thighs, lipstick smeared across her lips. Her eyes were sated, her expression loose and happy, and I wanted to pick her up and carry her to the bedroom and dive into all that softness and beauty. It had been over three years since I’d had sex, and before Rosie landed in Kingsbarns, there hadn’t been a woman who’d even tempted me to look twice. And it wasn’t only because of the demise of my marriage. I’d felt lost, hurt, angry…all the feelings associated with divorce. And yet, when Rosie arrived, it was as if my eyes had been finally opened again.

What is it about this woman that makes her impossible to resist? But she only wanted to be friends, so I might never find out what she felt like wrapped around me. And if I don’t stop going down that path mentally, we’ll never leave this room.

Shite. There were four crazy women outside that door…here to talk Christmas windows. Can’t get less sexy than that.

“We should get back out there.” I jerked my thumb toward the door.

“Shit, I totally forgot the Book Bitches. They’ll be knocking down this door soon if we don’t come out.” Fear crossed Rosie’s face.

“They absolutely will. You know they’re not above stealing a peek.”

“Oh, they totally would.” Rosie groaned, and then looked up at me, laughter on her face. “You’re covered in lipstick. They’ll know what we’ve been doing.”

“I think they’ll suspect it anyway.”

Rosie reached up and rubbed her thumb across my face. Our eyes caught and held, and I turned my face to kiss her hand.

“Oh Alexander, what am I going to do with you? We’re supposed to be just friends. ”

“We are,” I promised her. Anything to keep her happy.

“Friends who kiss?”

“That was more than a kiss,” I pointed out and her cheeks flushed.

“Friends with benefits?” Rosie asked.

“If that’s what you want.” I bit the inside of her palm and her mouth dropped open, her thighs clenching around me once more. Bloody hell, it would take all my power to walk out of here without asking for more. As it was, I’d need a few moments to cool down before I could go out in public.

“I think I might. I think I just might.”

“We can try it out. See how it goes.” I’d never considered suggesting friends with benefits, but maybe Rosie had the right of it. It might fulfill our needs without forcing us into an actual relationship that neither of us wanted to be in. An image of her on a date with the Boston lad brought a scowl to my face. “So long as you don’t have this arrangement with others.”

“I’ve been here a week. How many arrangements do you think I have?” Rosie demanded, easing back from me and sliding her skirt down her legs.

“Your friend did suggest you ride a train of men through town.”

“Jessica would have destroyed the men of this town by now. I am not her.”

“What about the Boston guy?” I couldn’t help but ask, but I knew it would drive me crazy if I didn’ t get an answer. I adjusted my kilt as Rosie slid off the table, a look of confusion on her face.

“Oh, him? I just met him. He’s only visiting.” Rosie waved it away as she bent to pick up more of the decorations from the floor.

“Things can escalate quickly,” I reminded her, picking up the mistletoe I’d tossed behind me.

Rosie glanced at me and rolled her eyes.

“I don’t juggle men. I don’t share. I don’t…that’s not…” She laughed. “I don’t even know how to operate like that.”

“Just checking.”

“Right, so exclusive friends with benefits?” Rosie arched a brow at me, gathering up the rest of the decorations in her arms.

“Correct.”

“Perfect. Thanks for the fun, mate .” Rosie left the room with a wink, and I took another moment to catch my breath before I pulled the other boxes down and carried them out to the main room.

“Been drinking cranberry juice?” Esther asked me, looking at my face.

“Red wine,” I corrected and put the boxes on the table.

“Funny, that red wine looks the same shade as Rosie’s lipstick.”

“They must have taken their inspiration from the wine then.” And that was fair given she tasted so bloody fantastic. Raising a hand in the air, I waved goodbye, breezing through the shop and leaving Rosie to the wolves. There was no way I was going to stand there and deal with an interrogation from the Book Bitches.

No, the only person I wanted to pick apart every second of that interaction was myself. Whistling, I turned my face to the cold winter rain with a smile. I could still smell Rosie’s scent on my skin, and I knew exactly what I’d be pleasuring myself to as soon as I got home.