“Yes, of course. Maybe I’ll even give you a raise. Keep me posted?”
“You bet. Talk soon.”
Calvin had stayed at her mother’s so Julia could do some Black Friday shopping. Getting deals on the things Calvin wanted didn’t seem so important anymore. She dressed quickly, brushed her teeth, slid a brush through her hair, and ran down the hall.
She knocked and then knocked again when Alex didn’t answer right away. When he finally opened the door, she froze, and her mouth dropped open. He wore only shorts, and his broad, naked chest caused her to forget what she’d come for.
His sleepy eyes popped open in alarm. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes.” She rushed in to hug him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank you. Thank you.”
He put his arms around her and hugged her back, closing the door with his foot. When she pulled back, he was smiling. “I’m not sure what you’re thanking me for, but you’re welcome.”
She kissed him and tasted minty toothpaste on his tongue. “How are you related to Sam MacDonald?”
“Oh, that,” he said with a smile. “He’s my brother.”
“Your brother? Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“It never came up. I don’t tell many people. What’d he do? Did it help?”
“He recommended my book and my show on his social media platforms. And, yes! It helped like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Well, good. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.”
The tears started again, and she swiped at them. “Alex, I don’t know how to thank you. It won’t be a permanent fix, but it will get me out of debt and secure some savings.”
“Does this mean you won’t have to move?”
“I’m not sure. But we’ll be set for a couple of months, at least.”
He wiped the tears with his thumbs, cupping her face with his hands. “Good.” He kissed her. “I don’t want to deal with new neighbors,” he whispered.
The kiss started tender but caught fire quickly. She tilted her head and snaked her arms around his waist. His back was smooth and hard, and she lowered her hands to his equally hard butt.
He pushed her against the door and ran his hands down her sides, around her back, and behind her legs, lifting her effortlessly.
Just like before, she knew it was a bad idea but couldn’t stop herself.
“Calvin?” he asked gruffly.
“At my mom’s.”
He hummed his pleasure and walked her to the living room. “Bedroom’s too far.”
“I don’t have a condom on me,” she said. “So, unless you do?”
“Bedroom it is,” he said, hoisting her over his shoulder in a fireman carry as she laughed.
Once there, he set her down next to his bed. “I didn’t talk to Sam just so you’d have sex with me,” he said seriously.
“Okay,” she said. “And I didn’t come to say thank you just so you’d have sex with me.”
“Glad we got that straight.” He slid her shirt off. When he knelt, he was eye level with her breasts. She latched onto his head as he suckled her through her bra before removing it and doing the job properly.
Normally, first-thing-in-the-morning, light-of-day sex wasn’t her preference, but the winter sun highlighting his chest had her rethinking that.
A plethora of reasons why this was a terrible idea ran through her mind. She should not do this. It was stupid. And pointless. And irresponsible. But the doubts faded fast as he undressed her and fled entirely when he slid out of his shorts. And just as her willpower had abandoned her before, it once again hightailed it out the door at his scorching hot kiss.
