Always My Baby. Martha Kennerson

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СКАЧАТЬ grinned. “Which one?”

      “The one where we said we’d always be there for each other, no matter what.”

      “Well, let’s see.” She tapped her temple twice before letting her index finger rest on the side of her head. “We’ve been best friends since law school. We have dinner together every month, which you insist on cooking. You drag me to every formal function you’re invited to in order to keep gold digging women away and I’ve worked for you and your family for the past seven years.” She dropped her hand. “I’d say we had that, ‘I’ll always have your back’ phase of our relationship covered.”

      Alexander smiled and scratched his beard with his left hand.

      “What’s going on, Alex?”

      Alexander’s sex throbbed at the sound of China using the shortened version of his name that only she was allowed to use. It was something special just between the two of them. “The government is coming for us.”

      China sighed and dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand. “Again...”

      “Yes, but this time they may have a case.”

      China sat up straight in her chair. “What do you mean?”

      “The Environmental Protection Agency claims to have proof that we disposed of our gas cylinders illegally and to the detriment of the environment. They’re opening an official investigation and announcing it Monday morning,” he explained.

      “That’s not possible,” she declared.

      “Apparently it is.” He tossed back the rest of his drink and moved over to the bar to pour himself more. He picked up the bottle and showed it to China. “Another?”

      “Sure.” She swiveled her chair around and reached for her glass, stretching across the chair, offering Alexander a nice view of her outstretched legs and round behind. “How did you find this out?” China offered him her glass.

      “My mother has some very expensive and well-placed sources,” he said, pouring the golden substance into her glass.

      “Don’t I know it? We can’t do anything about it until we know what they have, which could take a few weeks after I put in a request for discovery,” she reminded him.

      Alexander took a drink and said, “Actually—”

      “Actually what?” Her brows knit together.

      “We’ll have a copy of what they have Monday,” Alexander promised.

      “EPA investigations are secret, even the preliminary ones. What did you do?” China asked, her eyes narrowed.

      “Remember that promise,” he said, giving her a sheepish grin.

      “What...did...you...do?”

      “I didn’t do anything. My mother, on the other hand, made arrangements for us to get a sneak peek at everything the government has.”

      China shook her head slowly. “Why am I not surprised?” She tossed back her drink.

      “Because you know my mother.” Alexander folded his body onto his extra-wide and extra-long sectional. He stretched out his long legs and laid his head against the sofa’s high, round back. “The rain’s really coming down now,” Alexander observed.

      “Yes, it is. It looks like we’ll be here a minute. Just another late night at the office, thanks to you.”

      “Hey, we have alcohol and snacks,” Alexander offered.

      “There is that.” Her sarcasm came through loud and clear.

      China rose from the chair and went to join Alexander on the daybed portion of the sectional. She curled up, pulled down the decorative throw that was hanging across the back of the sofa and covered her legs. China laid her head against one of the large pillows.

      “You know we didn’t do anything wrong, right? Whatever this is about, we will handle it.” China raised her head slightly and said, “The right way.” She gave him a knowing look.

      Alexander laughed and turned toward China. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a new man?”

      “You don’t tell me about every woman you sleep with.” China laid her head back down.

      Alexander’s heart sank and his breath caught in his throat. He didn’t understand why. China had never been his, so why did he suddenly feel a sense of betrayal? “Oh, it’s like that?” His left eyebrow rose.

      China pushed out a breath. “No, it’s not. This was only our second date and it got cut short thanks to another one of your emergencies...nonemergency call,” she said, closing her eyes.

      Alexander had refused to explore why lately he found himself having emergencies that required China’s immediate attention whenever she was out on dates. “Oh...sorry.”

      “No, you’re not,” she said, keeping her eyes closed.

      No, I’m not. Alexander watched the rise and fall of China’s chest with each slow breath she took. He marveled at the curve between her neck and shoulder, and the delicate way her hands lay at her sides. Alexander had always been attracted to China, but for the sake of their friendship, he’d buried his attraction and complicated feelings for his best friend. He hadn’t always had the best track record when it came to his relationships with women. Alexander never wanted to do anything that would jeopardize their friendship; however, his overwhelming feelings now had him...questioning that wisdom.

      * * *

      “China,” Alexander whispered.

      It was a sound that sent a warm, familiar tingling throughout her body. “Yes...” China could feel the warmth of Alexander’s breath on her face and her body began to respond in ways that it shouldn’t.

      “You ’sleep?”

      “Maybe.” China slowly opened her eyes to Alexander’s face inches from hers.

      “Can I ask you something?” Alexander pushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear before running the back of his right index finger slowly down the side of her face, and China’s nipples instantly hardened.

      What the hell is wrong with you, girl? This is Alexander. “Of course.” But you really need to stop touching me.

      “Have you ever wondered what it would be like?” Alexander held her gaze as he imprisoned her chin with his thumb and index finger. “Between the two of us.”

      China blinked to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. After all, this was her best friend talking. The one person she trusted above all others. The only man whose friendship she cherished more than any sexual desire that she may have had for him. “Yes, but...”

      Alexander captured China’s mouth in a mind-melting kiss that she responded to with just as much fervor. “I want you,” he proclaimed, coming up for air. Alexander ran his tongue across her lips, removed her hair clip and buried his fingers in her hair. He slid his tongue across her jaw and down her СКАЧАТЬ