Chapter 17 – Pride and Passion

“Are you sure this is a good idea James? Hannah and Noah only got home from the hospital yesterday?” The phone call had pulled me away from the mindless staring competition I was having with my computer screen.

“Yes, it’s what she wants. I told her we can wait but you know Hannah. She feels bad our other welcome home dinner was cut short so she figured we’d do another, this time with our little man.” James’ smooth voice filled my ear.

“Ok, on the condition that she doesn’t cook. I’ll cook.”

There was no way I was going to let a recently discharged first time mother with a newborn feed a horde of people despite her best intentions.

“She’ll probably argue but I’m sure I can convince her.” James laughed knowing of the two of us, he’d have a better chance at changing Hannah’s mind than mine.

“Ok, we’ll be there in a couple of hours, Alex is still at the gym. I’ll pick up groceries on the way over. Give our love to Hannah and kisses to Noah.” I managed to say my goodbyes before I heard the front door slam.

I dashed into the lounge-room to find Alex standing in the doorway, saturated in sweat. His headphone buds were still in his ears as he walked over to the sofa, using it to assist in his stretches.

My eyes were glued to his perfectly sculptured body as it moved and flexed, his soaked t-shirt plastered against his finely chiselled chest showing every line of definition.

I stood there, mesmerized by him, unable to look away as my eyes followed the lines of his amazing body. Even after months of being with him, I still found him breathtaking. No one deserved to be that good looking, it just didn’t seem right.

“You know when you look at me like that, it makes me want to do bad, bad things.” Alex’s mouth twisted into his delicious half grin.

“Maybe that’s my intention!” I smirked back as I sauntered over to him. “I thought you were going to the gym?”

“Yeah, I decided to go for a run instead. Want to help me shower?” Alex’s lips twitched.

“Are we getting clean, or getting dirty?” I peeled Alex’s wet t-shirt from his torso.

Alex let out a big, throaty laugh, “God I love the way you think!”

“Well come on then, we have dinner plans. We are doing a welcome home dinner take two.” I pulled Alex through the lounge room in the direction of the bathroom.

“Really? Didn’t Hannah just get home?” Alex paused as he shoved his running shorts to the floor.

“Yes, I already went through this with James. She really wants to do this so I am going to cook. It was my one stipulation.” As I reached the bathroom Alex pressed his sweaty muscular body to mine pinning me against the cool wall tiles.

“Seems like both James and I have a thing for strong, spirited women.” Alex ran his nose along my jaw, causing me to draw a sharp breath.

“Is that your way of calling me stubborn?” I smiled sweetly as my hands followed the curves of Alex’s shoulders.

“Would that make you mad? You know I can’t resist you when you’re mad.” Alex’s hands found themselves at the hemline of my dress, lifting it over my head.

“Here I thought men wanted submissive, compliant women?” My fingers played with the waistband of this fitted, cotton trunks.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Alex raised his eyebrow as he hands travelled along my back, unhooking my bra with a single flick.

I pressed my half-naked body against his. His skin, still warm from his run, gave me goose bumps on contact. The thin cotton of his trucks did little to contain the evidence of his arousal. I pulled his mouth down on mine, wanting to taste him.

Alex reached behind me, turning on the water. I felt the gentle spray ricochet off the glass and tickle my back. He pulled away from me long enough to rid himself of his underwear, his erection sprang free from its constraint.

I ran my hands along his long, hard length, stroking him firmly and deliberately. I watched as his eyes rolled back into his head and pleasurable moans spilled from his lips. Seeing him so turned on and knowing I was the cause intensified my already heightened desire.

“Lexi,” his husky voice beaconed, “I want you now!” and in one swift movement he pushed down my panties. His hands cupped my ass, pulling me close, lust burning intently in his eyes.

His mouth devoured mine as we moved under the spray of cascading water, his lips hungry and urgent as they pressed firmly against mine. His fingers moved across my thigh until they came to rest in my moist, silky folds.

“Mmmmmm,” Alex groaned, “Does jerking me off turn you on baby?” His heated gazed seared me.

“Yes,” I murmured as my hands once again wrapped around his shaft, “But what really turns me on is having you in my mouth.”

I slithered down his body and placed his throbbing hardness in my mouth, my lips wrapping around him tightly as my tongue followed the firmness of his length.

“Aghhhhhh, fuck!” Alex moaned as I sucked and licked him, his hands twisting through the strands of my wet hair as he held my head.

I continued to pleasure him, using my hands, my tongue, my mouth. I drew him deep, pushing him as far into my throat as I could take him. I could feel his body shake as he struggled to maintain control.

“Oh. My. God. Lexi!” Alex growled, his hands gently pulling my head back as he yanked on my hair. “You are going to make me come and I am not ready for that.” his chest heaved as he freed himself from my lips.

“I don’t know baby, you feel kinda ready to me?” I smirked as I tired to push him back in.

“Not yet.” His hand covered my mouth as his voiced heated. “I love making love to you baby, I love taking it slow and feeling myself slide in and out of your tight little body. BUT. Right now, I need to fuck you. I need it fast and hard. I need to push you up against this wall and fuck you so hard that you come till you shake. So that you have no other thought than my cock inside you.” 

His eyes burned as he looked down on me, kneeling in front of him. His hand still covered my mouth. His words almost made me come on the spot as my eyes raked over his amazing body. I nodded as I stood, pushing my lips against his neck and running my tongue along his jaw.

“I’m driving tonight, Sweetheart” Alex smirked, “But if you still want me to come in your mouth, I can give you that pleasure later.”

He placed his hands around my waist as he turned me around so that my body was pushed flush against the tiled wall of the shower. It excited me further as my already firm nipples touched the wet, cold surface.

“Mmmmmm so wet and ready,” Alex groaned as his fingers moved between my thighs, “Do you know what that does to me Lexi? To feel you like this?”

“No,” I moaned, losing all focus as he ran his fingers up and down my centre, pleasure shouting through my body.

“It drives me… insane.” His hands quickened as they travelled over my entrance, the pleasure growing to an almost unbearable level. “You make me lose all self control. All I can think about is being in you, making you come, feeling you twitch and tighten around my cock and know that I was the cause.” Alex stopped rubbing and slid a finger inside me.

I closed my eyes as my body began to shake, my face pressed against the tiles, his hard, throbbing cock resting along my back.

Alex slid in another finger as he gently rubbed my clit with this thumb.

“Aghhhhhhhhh,” I moaned as I squeezed my eyes tighter.

“I love that sound. I love hearing you moan.” Alex whispered as he slid his fingers out of me, my body desperately needing release.

“Fuck me... please!” I begged as I pushed back against him.

He paused as he watched me writhe up against the wall, seeking to find any friction, desperately needing to come. “As you wish.” Alex pushed himself inside of me, in one movement, filling me completely.

“Aghhhhh,” I moaned again as he pulled out of me before re-entering with the same amount of force.

I couldn’t speak as he rocked my hips back and forth. Each time he thrust deeper and deeper into me, my body reaching its limit as he buried himself further into my core.

My body tightened around him as I got closer to my finish, pulsing around his rock hard cock.

“That’s it baby, Come for me. I need to feel you come.” His lips grazed against my ear as he continued to take me from behind.

I felt myself lose control as I pushed back against him. I pulsed and twitched as I came hard on his cock. He held himself inside of me, absorbing my monumental orgasm. I grasped onto the wall as my body shook, my legs feeling like they would give way at any moment.

“I’ve got you baby.” Alex moaned as he grabbed my waist, hoisting me back onto him, continuing with smaller, gentler thrusts as I rode out the rest of my orgasm.

“Mmmmmm, that’s it baby. That’s it.” Alex licked my neck as he continued to move inside of me, my body over-sensitive as every touch and movement was intensified by a hundred.

“Mmmmmmmm,” I heard the desperation in his voice as his pace quickened.

“Come in me!” I demanded, as I positioned myself to meet his every thrust.

“Not yet!” Alex growled as he steadied me, his hands traveling down to my swollen clit.

“Agghhhhh.” I moaned as I felt myself climbing again, my body already close due to my heightened sense of arousal. His agile fingers teased me as he continued to move, the sensation so pleasurable it was almost maddening.

“ALEX!” I cried out when I felt like I couldn’t stand it any longer, and with a strong, purposeful thrust he exploded into me, sending me spiralling out of control as we came together.

His strong arms held me as our bodies shook, I no longer had the ability to stand as I sagged into him, my body limp as he lowered us gently to the wet floor, cradling me in his lap. The shower spray above us was unrelenting as the water bit into our sensitive skin.

“God you are beautiful!” Alex whispered as he wiped the wet hair from my face.

“God you are amazing!” I smiled unable to open my eyes. “THAT was amazing. You can rest assured that every thought other than your cock was well and truly FUCKED out of me.”

I felt Alex’s body gently shake as a small laugh emanated from his throat. “Good, I’m glad to see my objective was met.”

“Are you kidding me? I don’t think I can move.” I smirked as I tried to straighten my stiff legs from underneath me.

Alex shifted beneath me. I watched curiously as he grabbed the bottle of shampoo and poured it into his palm. His fingers worked it into my scalp, through to the ends of my hair. It felt so good as his hands worked expertly over my head and neck, the seemingly simple act making me feel so loved and revered.

“Mmmmmm, that feels so good.” I closed my eyes as Alex applied the right amount of pressure as his fingers busily worked massaging my scalp.

“Stop that.” Alex grinned as he gently nipped my ear, “Or I won’t be held responsible for any actions that proceed it.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” A wicked grin spread across my lips.

“We are in so much trouble!” Alex laughed.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

The drive to James and Hannah’s had been uneventful. As promised, I stopped and picked up the bits and pieces to make dinner. I opted for Mexican, getting what I needed to make Tacos and Fajitas. I knew it would be a crowd pleaser and wouldn’t have me relegated to the kitchen all night so I could get lots of Noah cuddles.

We were the first to arrive and I busily set to task in what was the most monotonous part of Mexican - the prep work. Hannah and I chatted as I chopped and diced the various ingredients, putting them in small bowls for later.

James and Alex took Noah into the living room, where they discussed what his position would be when he would finally be old enough to play Gridiron. It was fun watching these two “wild” men so relaxed in the company of a baby.

“So, James tells me you and Alex are going to Australia. Are your family mad that you got married without telling them?” Hannah quizzed as she crunched on a corn chip.

“Don’t really care,” I shrugged. “We’re not close. I haven’t really spoken to them about it other than just letting them know I got married.”

“Lexi, I can’t believe your parents don’t care. Sometimes people just have a hard time showing their emotions. I think it’s great that you are going there and introducing Alex to them. They are going to see how happy you are and it’s going to be fantastic.” Hannah piped enthusiastically.

I didn’t have the heart to try and correct her. For most families this was probably true, but she didn’t know my family and the depth of indifference that accompanied them. Not many people understood. There was only a small selection of my closest friends who knew what my family were like, even fewer had witnessed it first hand. I just didn’t want anything good being tainted by them but I also knew if I was going to move forward with Alex and have a real marriage then I was going to have to show him all of me, even the ugly parts.

“You have an older brother?” Hannah pursued, I could tell the conversation wasn’t easily going to be put to rest.

“Yes, Lachlan. We haven’t spoken in years. He’s a successful lawyer, married, two kids etcetera, etcetera. Not much to say, he’s my Mother and Father’s pride and joy,” I mused sarcastically.

“I never knew you had any nieces or nephews!” Hannah exclaimed excitedly, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise.

“I haven’t seen Will or Ava since they were little.” I tried to volunteer as little as possible, not wanting to relive old painful memories. I had been cut out of their lives just after Ava was born. Will was two and while I had little time for my brother and sister in law, I had doted on my charming nephew. 

Lachlan Reed, the older brother I unfortunately shared DNA with, lived in the lofty suburb of Hawthorn. He wasn’t a particularly brilliant or smart man but incredibly driven and had gained his position in life with a lot of “right place, right time” luck. He met Melissa when they were both studying Law. Her family was influential and wealthy and he had seen their partnership as less of a relationship and more of a merger. Melissa’s family had seen Lachlan as a determined and promising  “up and comer” so had welcomed their union.

On their wedding day, Melissa stopped practicing Law and morphed into the perfect Stepford Wife. Her dear Daddy kicked in a sizable start up fund for them to build their future. He even gave them an inner city apartment as a wedding gift, which Lachlan later turned over for a considerable profit when the arrival of Will deemed it too small.  

Melissa was the perfect trophy wife. She knew her place and never challenged Lachlan and he in turn provided her with a lifestyle she was accustomed too. The fact that neither of them loved each other was a small and insignificant detail; what they had worked. When Lachlan made senior partner at the Law firm he was working in, he rewarded Melissa’s due diligence with a diamond tennis bracelet and hired a Nanny and housecleaner so that she would be free to attend his many required engagements. It also ensured she was able to have her “me-time” so she could take her tennis lessons and coffee catch-up with her debutant friends uninterrupted.  To be honest I didn’t really understand why they even had kids, other than to meet some old-school predetermined expectation and a way for my brother to guarantee his legacy.

Lachlan climbed the corporate ladder and Melissa graced the social pages. My lifestyle and lack of direction was seen as a poor influence and an embarrassment to my family. So in a bid to build a perfect life for himself, my brother gave me an ultimatum - stop whoring around, get a real job, shut up and settle down or I wouldn’t get to see my niece and nephew anymore.

As hard as the choice was to make, I walked away. I hoped that one day I would get to explain to Will and Ava that I loved them but no one, not even my over-bearing, perfectionist asshole brother was going to make me feel bad for who I was and the life I was leading.

Alex had learned about my estrangement with my brother shortly after we had reunited. Because he had such a close and loving relationship with his brother Christian, he had questioned me about my lack of family connection. He had looked at me solemnly as I told him of my brother’s fucked up ideas of perfection and how I hadn’t fit the mold. He struggled to grasp how a brother could reject a younger sibling - an idea so foreign for him it was almost unbelievable, but I couldn’t really explain what I didn’t understand. My life was the only one I had known, rejection and disappointment was something I had grown to expect from my family.

Sensing the change in my mood, Hannah let it go. I knew she wanted to push further but I really didn’t want to talk about it and she knew me well enough to know that I wasn’t going to volunteer any further information.

Hannah jumped as a loud thumping noise came from the front door, followed by laughter.

“If they make my baby cry I’m going to kill them!” She threatened as she raced out of the kitchen in the direction of the ruckus. I followed closely, curiosity getting the better of me.

Dan, Jason and Troy, were laughing hysterically as we rounded the corner. “THAT was fucking priceless!” laughed Troy.

“If only we could be there when he notices!” giggled Dan.

“What the Hell?” Hannah asked angrily, looking to the boys for an explanation.

Alex smirked,  “I’m not sure you want to hear this ladies, it will make you an accessory after the fact.”

“What have they done?” I hissed as my mind went wild with possible scenarios.

Noah stirred in James’ arms; his little whimpers growing louder as Hannah glared at Dan, Troy and Jason. Alex tired to stifle his smile as he saw Hannah’s anger growing.

She yanked on Dan’s arm. “What did you do? I need to know now!”

“Justice!” Dan laughed.

“Oh Dear God! Where is it?!” Even though Dan hadn’t said anything I knew exactly where this conversation was heading.

“Where’s what?” asked Troy innocently, shooting me a quick wink.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You realize what you did constitutes as petty larceny?!” I fired back.

“Easy Lex, there were no witnesses.” Jason smiled.

“What? What did they do??” Hannah flared wildly.

“You went and got that fucking Lawn Jockey! Didn’t you?” I glared at Dan. Alex wrapped his arms around my waist, amused I had pieced it all together.

“Ok, so we might have re-located it.” Troy volunteered.

“Listen, I couldn’t let that punk get away with that shit. It was a matter of honour. I couldn’t have the fucking Tipptons have the same lawn jockey as my Ma. Something had to be done!” Dan fired back defensively.

“So what did you do with it? Where is it now?” God help me, did I really want to know? How could grown men behave like freaking ten year olds?

“Ok...” Troy commenced, “So Dan has been going on and on about this for fucking days and Jase and I got sick of listening to his bitching so the three of us took a little road trip to Yonkers.”

Jason nodded proudly in agreement. “I was the wheelman, I borrowed my brother-in-law’s truck.”

“Troy and I hid in the back and we did a slow drive by just to make sure there was no one around,” Dan piped in.

“You cased their house?” Alex smirked, thoroughly enjoying the telling of the story.

“Well, we had to do this right. It was a very delicate operation.” Dan responded seriously.

“And, I only agreed to do this if we replaced it with a suitable substitute.” Troy cautioned.

“So when we were sure we were in the clear, we made a second pass. Troy and I jumped out of the back. He grabbed the lawn jockey while I put a massive pink flamingo its place.” Dan rubbed his hands together, showing his satisfaction.

“Ok, so where is it now?” I asked, looking around to see if they had it in tow.

“The Jersey Turnpike,” laughed Jason.

“You know you are massive Tools right?” I laughed, “You have number one albums, sell out stadium tours, have been on the cover of Rolling Stone three times and you just spent an evening kidnapping a fucking garden ornament and driving it to New Jersey.”

“Yep, living the dream!” grinned Dan as he high fived Troy.

I shook my head as they celebrated in their merriment. Alex’s smile flirted on his lips as he whispered in my ear, “And you probably though it was all sex and drugs.”

“Whatever my expectations of this band were, you have by far exceeded them, in every definition.” I laughed.

“Just so we’re on the same page Lex, if anyone asks... we’re saying no comment.” Dan nodded as he wrapped his arms around me in a massive hug.

“Dan, you really are something!” I smirked.

“Now you’re talking!” Dan winked.

“Unhand my wife, Dan!” Alex’s lips twisted into his amazing half grin.

“You’re lucky Lexi met you first, or you wouldn’t have stood a chance Stone!” Dan teased.

“Yeah, that’s the reason she married him and not you!” Troy laughed.

Alex pulled me into his arms, kissing me. “Whatever the reason, she’s mine now.”