15. Lexi

"Big plans?" Summer asks as she appears next to me. She was in town on errands and saw me.

I stare at Piper's lingerie boutique on Main Street. The owner designs her own creations and just so happens to be married to a football coach that everyone raves about. My head cocks gently to the side as I contemplate for what feels like twenty minutes but is probably only two.

"Not sure it's a great idea. Oh, what the hell. Why not? We have an entire weekend to shake things up, after all." I speak my subconscious thoughts more than directing my sentence to Summer.

She grabs my arm to break me from my daze. "Weekend?"

I wince. "Holden's kids are away which means we're alone. Avoiding one another could be an option, but he kind of suggested… maybe we can grab dinner or have wine together. Stepping up our game."

Her eyes blaze open. "Damn it, I knew I should have picked up popcorn at the grocery store," she teases. I give her an unimpressed look. "I warned you that this could get complicated, except sometimes complications unravel into perfect relationships. A chance you could run with."

I shake my head. "I think it's better that I just see this weekend as purely that. Two people who enjoy one another's company. Besides, he has kids and his hotel. I'm not sure a relationship is what he wants. Otherwise, wouldn't he have had one by now? He has options."

"Sometimes you have to wait for the right someone to drop from the sky."

My sight returns to the window. I do see a white number including garters. White is perfect; it reminds us that I'm an innocent soul who has no intention to complicate his life. Except the low plunging line of the lace bra leaves little to the imagination but an A+ for effort.

"Don't think."

I sigh. "What the hell. I've always been fearless." That thought instantly causes my heart to dip slightly. "He has great children who are excellent at causing trouble which makes them all the sweeter. I would never want to insert myself into his life where it affects him or them in a confusing way."

Summer's closed smile begins to stretch. "Lexi… the fact that you're even considering that is a sign that you can't help but imagine what the future might hold. You want to explore something and with care. So let him lead the way." I smirk to myself, and she notices. "Outside of the bedroom, Lexi. Outside," she clarifies with a tight smile.

My body relaxes and an ease hits me from her sound logic. "You're right. I'll just relax because there isn't really any pressure or anything. This is a big adventure."

"Great. You listen to me. Now, I think you're in luck. Piper has a sale this week." She winks before leaving me.

My feet take the lead and head over to the door to go on in.

* * *

I beginto smile to myself when my hand turns the knob of the front door, and I let go of any nerves. There is no reason to feel this way. If Holden can be calm, then so can I. We're always on the same level in everything we do, and right now is no different. That's the lucky thing about us; the ease. We keep one another on point.

The sound of someone shuffling around in the kitchen informs me that Holden is already home. He must have finished early with the staff meeting at the Dizzy Duck. It doesn't matter. It's officially the weekend now.

Slowing my pace, I observe him unloading the dishwasher. Who knew a man doing chores would be sexy as hell. I like that not many people have seen that, under his well-taken-care-of appearance and strong presence when he enters the room, he has a domesticated side. It makes me feel sort of special that I've had a front-row seat. Is that odd?

His eyes bolt open when he notices me. I stride to the island counter with a sly look on my face. My nails begin to tap the marble as we greet one another.

"So, this is the weekend it seems," I begin, maybe even challenging Holden.

"The clock does say that." He wants to laugh, I can see it.

My gaze swirls around the kitchen, wondering what our plan of action is. But then I know I'm being ridiculous. "Did Lori and Harry get to your parents' okay?"

He nods as he closes the dishwasher. "Yeah, they live up near Madison, so we meet halfway to make it easy. They normally see one another every six weeks or so."

"That's great. I assume you grew up there?"

Holden shakes his head before he takes a few steps to open the cupboard and grabs two wine glasses by the stems. "Not exactly. Actually, I grew up near St. Paul in Minnesota but by chance my parents wanted to move to Wisconsin to be closer to an aunt who lives there. They then formed a social circle and realized they would be close to their grandkids, and they set down roots."

I accept the wine goblet that he hands me. It's the size of a bowl, but I know we will have white wine which I don't mind at all. "We can start on wine, but probably by eight, I'll have you on shots."

He chuckles. "That's quite a party."

I shrug as I hold out my glass while he pops the cork. "Why not? You can let loose; the kids are away, and you can even be a devil by sleeping in for once."

"Why not." He grins.

My glass becomes full, and we clink our glasses before taking a sip. "Ooh, crisp and not sweet. Smooth," I note.

"It's the Blisswood brand. Midwest's finest."

"I've noticed their wine is on every menu in this town, not to mention the giant display in the supermarket. Right next to the Grizzly Dash maple syrup collection."

He tips his glass at me. "Lexi, you know they are all connected to Lake Spark, and a riot will start if any other brand attempts to take over." I giggle at his answer. "Besides, the Grizzly Dash syrup made special-label mini bottles for our hotel guests."

My hands come together. "I love that touch. Stuart also informed me that the Dizzy Duck has special ticketed seats for Spinners games, only for VIP guests. See? These things set the inn apart. Not only for people who want to leave Chicago for the weekend but also anyone who is looking for a getaway near or far."

Holden appears proud. "You can stop with the flattery and maybe park business to the side."

I nod a few times. "You're totally right." My lips tuck into my mouth, feeling the next part of our night is about to hit us.

Especially when he leans over the counter, not having a care that he must use his arms to slightly lift himself over to reach me. I do the same, and we meet halfway where our mouths gravitate, until our lips press together with a quick swipe of our tongues tracing one another's lips. It's a quick kiss, but it still scares me slightly. Fast kisses are the kind reserved for couples, or at least they are in my mind.

"I believe you promised me something else. Such as food, no hiking, maybe more food," I list.

"Thanks for the reminder, and I'm happy to report that I picked up some Italian dishes from the deli at the general store. We can just throw it into the oven."

"Solid choice for my calorie intake. Bonus points if dessert is included."

He throws me an enticing look. "Depends if having you on your knees with my dick down your throat counts?" His brow arches because he's playing with me, or not, but it's in jest. "Unlucky for me, you can have leftover peanut butter and jelly cheesecake that I hid in the freezer and am defrosting now so it will be ready."

I point my finger at him. "Perfect plan."

We take the next half-hour to prepare dinner and set some plates out on the dining table. Not taking any notice that we're speeding through our bottle of wine, and not because we need to for courage, it's more due to the fact that we seem to unwind with good wine and conversation.

Sitting down, we both take a few bites. I'm in love with the eggplant parmesan. "I wish I was a better cook. I'm just thankful takeout exists."

Holden looks at me peculiarly. "That's all you really eat?"

"Of course," I sputter, only to hold up one finger. "Wait, not entirely true. My mother is a great cook. She makes a mean brisket, which sounds like the last thing in the world that would be someone's favorite food, and it's not my number one on my dishes list, but when she makes it then I'm there."

His eyes flash. "Ah yes, your parents. I keep forgetting about your dad."

"Maybe because your career is miles behind you. He coached so many players over the years, and I'm not sure he has favorites."

"That I believe. You're not very close with him," he notes.

I cut another bite of my food. "Yes and no. When we're around one another, then yes. When he is away and especially during hockey season, then no. Yet, he still feels that he has a say in my future life as a wife and mother. I guess that's a dad thing."

"I don't even think that far ahead when it comes to my kids. I need to focus on now."

My hand finds his, and I plant it over the back of his hand resting on the table. "That's the perfect answer. Besides, you have to survive the next bake sale at Lake Spark Academy. I even got a flyer when I did drop-off the other day. They were handing them out."

His other hand pinches the bridge of his nose in agitation. "And here comes a financial donation. Not going to walk into that den of wildlife."

A loud laugh escapes me. "It's… refreshing, the whole settled feeling, yet little things bring aggravation for a moment or two. Sure beats the constant travel without much regard for the future, because who knows what the universe will throw at you."

Holden flips his hand with his palm now open to collect my hand. "The universe will throw something at you even if you are standing in the same place."

My head lolls to the side, and I tip my nose up as my lips quirk out. His philosophy makes sense and sends a clap of thunder to the center of my chest. He has a valid point.

"Never thought of it that way, yet it's logical."

He releases my hand to grab his wine. "I'm not even sure why I seem to have wisdom tonight."

I pick up my fork again. "Probably because you don't get many chances to talk about it with someone, I mean a woman, or maybe you have, and it just didn't work out." Yikes, I'm prying for info.

Holden has a gleam in his eyes as he leans back in his chair. "No woman who I actually talked with, admittedly. It's kind of been blank physical fulfillment, except I don't even think it was fulfillment. You have to have the whole package of bedroom and out-of-bedroom interaction, including conversation, to have fulfillment."

His words catch me in a moment. My suspicions are right, and it seems we are crossing paths. "Why am I sitting here having good conversation with you?" I'm serious.

He scoffs to himself before his mouth changes form to a pleasant look. "It seems you've drawn me into wanting it."

Now my pulse quickens. "Holden." I focus on the table but then decide there is no need to hide. "I-I feel it too. But this is my warning to you…" His eyes search mine with great interest. "Only sex is one thing. But I don't do well with crossing the line from sex to beyond. I go all-in once a line is crossed. My ability to separate it is nearly non-existent. The last few days, I can't help but remind myself that you have a different dynamic that is new to me. Your age, kids, and a commitment that I'm not sure you have interest in giving. Not to mention, I'm your houseguest which adds some extra complication to our cocktail of current life."

His lips quirk out, and the waiting for him to answer me is nearly overbearing. Even when his mouth begins to make a sound, I'm anticipating his words, even though I'm aware that I have to accept whatever he says.

"Lexi, I hear what you're saying. I do. And all I can say is I have some strange new inkling that I wanted to spend the weekend with you. Maybe it's selfish," he explains with a softness in his tone.

I take a deep breath and abruptly stand, pushing my chair behind me, then circle around the corner of the table to Holden. His tongue darts to the corner of his mouth, his eyes glued to me with a desire that mirrors my own. He's letting me lead the scene, but his demeanor is eager.

Between him and the table, I lift my leg to cross over his lap to square my body to his. I slowly lower myself until I'm straddling him, with his eyes peering down then back up to mine. I can feel his cock harden against my panties, with my skirt now bunched around my waist and my arms resting on the curve of his shoulders. The feeling of his hands firmly gripping my sides intensifies everything I want in this moment.

"Focus on now, Lexi, and we'll see where this weekend takes us." His voice is a simmering warning. It's also a key to open a door if it's locked.

"I agree."

I lower my mouth to trace his lips, ensuring they don't touch but skim to tease him. His hands work behind me at moving his plate.

"Don't tease, Lexi," he warns. Using his strength, he lifts us then sets me on the edge of the table, with his glass of wine spilling and neither of us caring. "Now lean back on your hands and take it like a good girl when I fuck you with my tongue before I flip you to fuck you from behind while I yank your hair."

My entire body flares, with arousal soaking my panties.

I nod once as our eyes hold. Then he kisses me as I fall back to my propped arms.

All thoughts of complexity float out of my mind, even when he nearly rips my panties as he drags them roughly down my legs, a growl escaping from deep in his throat. He parts my legs in one swift move and stares at my bare pussy, his entire face hungry.

"I need to fuck you so damn hard here before I take you upstairs to my room."

A strike to my center. I've never been to his room. We've only ever fucked on neutral ground, but now he is crossing us over a line.