Chapter 21 21
That kiss already told her she had him roped and ready for her. And his body was still aching for more.
"Maybe." Alana wasn't going to mention that because they'd had a child together, there was more between them already and it also, very importantly to her at least, masked true feelings.
That fact tormented her because Stefan was a good guy. She'd found very little to dislike about him. What woman wouldn't love a man who did the laundry and cooked, for pity's sake? Stefan watched the emotions skate across her face as he slid gingerly into a chair.
Alana frowned slightly at him. "What's the matter? Are you sore?"
He was shifting in the chair.
"Yes, I am."
"Want a heating pad, some ointment or something?"
He stabbed at a portion of meat, looking at her through a lock of dark hair. "I don't think that is the solution for this ache."
"Oh." His meaning sank into her like thick warm honey as she sank into her chair. "Oh."
And the part of her that said, Don't be so pleased, dearie, was lost to the sheer feminine joy of He's hot for me and still steaming, which was shouting in the back of her mind.
Alana glanced up, her lips twitching.
"Eat," he commanded. "Or I'll come over there and make you feel so good you won't be able to not smile at me like that."
A giddy spurt of heat shot out to her fingertips. "Yes, sir.”
Stefan laughed, tossing down his fork and rubbing his face. She laughed too and it bubbled up from her like champagne. It shattered the tension between them, and then they changed the subject and talked of everything but how they were sitting across from each other and wanting to share more than a meal.
An hour and a half later, Juliana was tucked in bed. Alana gathered up toys as she made her way down the hall to the living room. Stefan was on the sofa, the TV on and the volume turned low.
"I think I should get this on video," she said, and he looked up, a tiny T-shirt half-folded in his hands. "I doubt your partners would believe it."
"I know they wouldn't." Stefan continued to fold laundry. "These are interesting," he said, holding up a green silk thong.
Alana leaned forward and snatched it from him. "Just fold it. No inspections." She tossed the panties into the laundry basket.
"I'd like to see those modeled. Or maybe these," he added, winging another pair of panties on his fingertip.
She took those away from him and went to the kitchen. "Go to the store.
There are plastic females already dressed to model those."
He chuckled, then stacked the remaining clothes in the basket and pushed it aside. Alana returned with a beer, handing it to him. He smiled his thanks and popped the cap. "I'm beat."
"Me, too."
"It's tough doing it all. I don't think half the men in the world realize what's going on in their own houses while they're away."
"Yeah, they have dreams of cleaning fairies and a woman reclining on the sofa with a novel and bonbons."
Stefan made a face. "I don't think so."
"Haven't you ever heard of a man refer to his wife and say, 'I don't know what she does all day'?" Stefan nodded. "But then he doesn't consider who does the cleaning, the cooking, the raising of kids, school plays, teacher conferences and so on," Alana said, sitting beside him on the sofa.
"Your mom do all that?" Stefan asked.
"Yes, and very well, I might add. She's my hero."
Stefan grinned and leaned back, the beer on his stomach. Alana shifted her shoulders in the cushions, staring at the TV while Stefan sat up a little and sipped his beer. He didn't watch the screen. He watched Alana, the way she bit her lip, the furrow of her brow.
“You'll be leaving again soon?” she asked suddenly.
He groused, “Yeah. That's the plan.”
“Emily once told me your father would prefer it if you quit. She would prefer it too if I was being honest.”
Stefan nodded, “First thing he said to me when I saw him too. He is just worried about the danger,”
She glanced at him, “Are you not?”
"I'd be a fool if I didn't worry, but fear keeps you sharp."
He hoped she'd change the topic. He could see in her eyes that just like everyone else, she was worried too. He couldn't stop himself from saying, “You'd prefer it if I quit too,”
It was more of a statement than a question, and Alana knew that she truly would prefer it if he did. Not just because she'd miss him, but for Juliana's sake as well. She didn't want her daughter to be without a father.
She nodded, “Yes. I would,” she replied truthfully, “Juliana needs her father, and we all know how dangerous your job is,”
“Hmmmm,” he pushed further, registering the fact that she only gave their daughter as her reason. “And you don't mind that if I do as my father wishes, you'd technically be working for me? We'd be working together,”
She'd considered that, “I don't think that'd be a problem as long as we keep things….professional,”
Professional. Stefan thought, and found the idea slightly amusing for some reason. Neither of them said anything else and he relaxed in his chair.
Alana turned to say something again after a while, but when she looked at him, he was asleep. She shut off the TV and moved to the edge of the sofa. Stefan automatically stretched out his legs. He'd look like a little boy if it wasn't for the muscles in his shoulder and arms that didn't relax. She stood, pulling an afghan over him.
His eyes flashed open and he started to sit up. "Sorry. Guess the sun today did me in."
Alert and ready to move, she thought. "More like a six-month-old girl, I think. No, stay there," she said, pushing him down into the cushions.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. It's late. Stay. See you in the morning."
Alana locked up the house, smiling at him as she walked toward her bedroom and thinking she didn't have to worry about anyone breaking in, not when they had to get past him to do it.