Sugar Rush (8 page)

Lexi looked up into
Jeff’s blue eyes. He seemed sincere in his offer. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

Encouraged by Jeff’s
support, Lexi gathered up her hot fudge supplies, anxious to move forward with
her new venture. But first, she needed to go home and have some dinner.
Sampling fudge all afternoon had messed up her blood sugar levels, and she craved
protein to counteract the effects of all that sugar.

Jeff walked her to the
front door and outside. The moment they stepped onto the front porch, they
froze for a few seconds, awed by the spectacular sunset painting the sky over
Lake Havasu.

“Wow, that’s gorgeous,”
Lexi exclaimed, then added, “Angie needs to come outside and take a picture of
that.” Varying shades of orange and pink painted the western sky.

“That was a pretty
awesome sunset last night, too.”

“I know. On the way
here Angie was telling me about Havasu sunsets. She swears no place in the
world has better ones, and I’m starting to believe her. I don’t know why I
haven’t come to Havasu before now. So far, I really like it.”

“I’m enjoying this
weather. According to the reports, it’ll be up in the seventies this weekend
for the Balloon Festival.”

“Really? That’s almost
a thirty-degree jump in a week.”

“That’s what they say.
So, are you coming back later to sit in the spa with me?”

“Sure. What time?”

“How about eight?”

“Sounds good.”

“Is Angie coming?”

“Angie?”

“Sure. Tell her she’s
invited, too.”

Lexi knew how a balloon
felt when it was pricked. Deflated, she concealed her disappointment over the
invitation extended to her friend. It wasn’t that she begrudged Angie time in
the spa, but she thought Jeff was serious when inferring their time together
was more along the lines of a date than a casual get-together. Perhaps she’d
read too much into that encounter in the kitchen the night before.

With forced
cheerfulness, she made her way back to the house she shared with Angie,
carrying the plastic sack of hot fudge supplies.

* * *

Why did I invite Angie?
Jeff cursed himself as he watched Lexi walk back to her house. It was a foolish
question because he already knew the answer. Lexi Beaumont had been on his
radar for two years. He had been immediately attracted to the woman in the
portrait, although his interest had shifted when Ethan Beaumont discussed the
actual person and described her as spoiled, pretty, and not especially bright—someone
who would make a suitable trophy wife. That description was hardly in line with
Jeff’s ideal woman. Of course, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t want to have sex with
her. It just meant he wouldn’t be interested in pillow talk.

 How he now felt about Lexi
Beaumont was a bundle of contradictions. One moment, he wanted to protect her
from Ethan Beaumont, and the next, he just wanted to screw her and get the hell
out of Havasu and find a new job. When analyzing the situation, Jeff asked
himself why he was even staying in Havasu, playing this game. No matter how
much he argued with himself, he always came to the same conclusion. He was not
ready to walk away from her, nor did he understand what he wanted from her.

* * *

“Tell Jeff thanks for
the invitation, but I’m going to pass. I’ve been fighting a headache all
afternoon, and I think I’ll go to bed early.”

Lexi and Angie sat at
the kitchen table eating hamburgers Lexi had fried up for dinner.

“Anyway, I thought this
was a date thing?”

Lexi shrugged in reply.

“You kind of like this
guy, don’t you?” Angie studied her friend’s expression.

Lexi set the hamburger
on her plate and looked up at Angie. “It’s really strange. We just met
yesterday morning, and it’s like we’re old friends. I’ve never felt this
comfortable around a guy before.”

“More than just
friends?” Angie prodded.

“There’s definitely an
attraction. I thought it was mutual, but…” Lexi shrugged again.

“But what?”

“Don’t take this wrong,
but when he invited you… Well, it was like my stomach dropped. I was so
disappointed.”

Angie began to laugh.
When she stopped laughing she said, “I suppose I should be insulted, but I
totally get what you’re saying. I like him, too. Of course, not like you. There’s
definitely some chemistry between you two. I saw sparks fly when we first met
him at the grocery store. Who knows? Maybe it’s one of those terribly romantic,
love-at-first-sight things.”

“I don’t believe in
love at first sight.” Lexi picked up her hamburger and took another bite.

“Well, maybe not love.
Maybe lust at first sight.”

“Or perhaps he’s really
a psycho. Some serial killer stalker.”

“He doesn’t feel like
the serial killer type.” Angie said as she finished off her hamburger.

“And how many serial killers
do you know?”

“Only one or two. I
tell you what. I’ll leave my bedroom window open tonight, and if he goes psycho
on you, let out a good scream.”

“Then you’ll call the
police?”

“No. I’ll lock the door
and start looking for a new roommate.”

* * *

“I’m not sure what’s more
impressive, the sunsets or the stars,” Lexi murmured, enjoying the soothing hot
bath as well as the celestial view. Overhead, countless twinkling stars
peppered the dark night sky.  She’d never seen so many stars. While the spa’s
water felt wonderful, she imagined it would feel even better if she’d been bold
enough to strip off her bikini and skinny dip with her new friend. Considering
Jeff was wearing swimming trunks, she didn’t imagine she’d be so daring.

“They are pretty
amazing. Strange to consider they’ve been there all along, just blocked out by
city lights and smog.”

“Now I understand why
Angie doesn’t want street lights in Havasu.”

Before getting into the
spa, the two had lingered in the kitchen after Jeff poured Lexi a glass of
wine. When they each finished their second glass, Jeff suggested they go out to
the spa.

Lexi’s third glass of
wine sat on the rim of the tub, half-filled with cabernet. She picked it up and
took a sip before setting it back on the fiberglass rim. Sitting across from
Jeff in the spa, their legs stretched out under the warm water, Lexi resisted
the temptation to dip her hand under the water beside her right hip and tickle
his submerged foot.

 “Thanks again for the wine,”
she said before taking another sip. Lexi felt supremely light-headed and
relaxed. Silently, she considered shedding her annoying bikini top.

“You’re welcome.” Jeff leaned
his head back, closing his eyes for a brief moment. He hadn’t turned on the jets
and was enjoying the luxury of silence while submerged in the hot bath. Without
thought, he reached out with one hand and took hold of Lexi’s right foot,
giving it a gentle squeeze. The foot wiggled in response while Lexi drew up the
knee, making it easier for Jeff to reach her foot.

“You ticklish?” he
asked with a chuckle.

“A little.”

Instead of tickling,
Jeff gently massaged her still-submerged foot, his own eyes closed as he leaned
back, totally relaxed.

“Oh, I didn’t know a foot
massage came with the spa treatment,” Lexi cooed, clearly not offended by the
foot rub. “I’m a sucker for a foot massage.”

Jeff chuckled at her
comment, then moved his hand to give her other foot the same treatment. She
shifted her body slightly and bent her knees to give him better access.

It was dark on the back
patio. The only illumination came from the golden sliver of the crescent moon
and the star-filled night sky.

“You mentioned you were
looking for a new job. Why?” Lexi asked, still wondering what he actually did.

“I’ve a master’s in
business, and this was the first job I got after I finished college. I work for
a large manufacturing company. It’s been interesting. Lots of traveling abroad.
I’m the private assistant for one of the CEOs. I suppose, I’m more a glorified
gofer. But, the pay’s been good. I can’t complain there.”

“And you can
telecommute with that type of job?”

“To some extent.”

“Why do you want to
find another job? I would imagine there’d be advancement opportunities within
the company.”

“It’s complicated.”

“I’ve always heard it’s
easier to find something when you already have a job.” After Lexi made that
observation, she wondered why Jeff decided to come to Havasu alone. She also
wondered why he chose this time to take a vacation, if he was serious about
looking for a new employment. Before she asked the questions she remembered she
was unemployed, yet chose to escape for a time to Havasu.

“What are your plans
tomorrow?” Jeff asked, shifting the direction of the conversation.

“I was planning on
working on my to-do list for my hot fudge project.”

“A business plan?”

“I suppose; something
like that.”

“Do you and Angie have
anything planned for the afternoon?”

“I think she’s meeting
with that balloon guy she met, to take some pictures. That’s why I figured I’d
just stay home and work on my business plan, as you call it. I won’t have a
car.”

“Remember, I’ll be your
taxi.”

“You’re sweet.”

“Not really.”

“You aren’t sweet?”

“I have ulterior
motives.”

Lexi felt Jeff’s hand
move from her foot to her ankle. Gripping the ankle, he gave it a little jerk,
causing her to slide toward him through the hot water. Lexi let out a little
scream that quickly turned into a laugh. Jeff caught hold of her shoulders,
preventing her from falling backwards and hitting the edge of the spa.

To maintain her
balance, her hands attempted to grab hold of his shoulders, but he quickly
maneuvered her sideways, pulling her onto his lap, where he held her there with
a steely grip.

“If I scream, Angie
will hear. She has her window open,” Lexi warned with a giggle. Holding her
with a bear hug, Jeff didn’t seem overly concerned with the threat.

“You can’t scream if I
cover your mouth,” he whispered into her ear, pulling her tightly to him. Sitting
on his lap, she could feel the pressure of his erection straining his trunks,
against her bottom. Had she been so bold to remove her swimsuit prior to
entering the spa, this position would be far more interesting, she thought to
herself.

“And how do you imagine
that possible? You have your hands full,” she teased, her voice low and
seductive as she leaned into him. Without hesitation, Jeff’s lips found hers.

Lexi succumbed to the
kiss; not even for a moment did she hesitate or attempt to pull away. Releasing
his hold, Jeff repositioned her and she complied, as if instinctively knowing
what he wanted. Now straddling his lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and
held him tightly, returning his kisses with eager enthusiasm.

Greedily exploring her
mouth with his, Jeff slipped his hands to the center of her back and deftly
unfastened her bikini top, tugging it from her. The bra top slid between their
bodies, until her naked breasts pressed against his bare chest. Carelessly
tossing the bikini top aside, Jeff slid his hands up and down her body, his
thumbs rolling over the sides of her breasts, while she squirmed against his
erection.

Whatever plans he’d had
of seducing Lexi, Jeff had put aside that night. Or so he thought. Had she
simply been some casual hook-up from a bar, he’d have been more concerned with
moving her to a venue with easier access to a condom. There was nothing casual
about his feelings toward Lexi, yet he knew the chances of a relationship with
her were impossible, considering his situation.

The kiss was not
premeditated, and her response came as a complete surprise.  The rational side
of his brain was no longer in control of the situation; his body was on
autopilot.

Lexi could not get
close enough. She wanted more. Until he kissed her, she’d had no idea how much
she craved human contact and intimacy. Losing herself in the moment, she paid
little attention to the consequences that would follow when Jeff gently pulled
her hips upward and slipped one hand between their bodies so he could open the
fly to his trunks and release his penis. Nor did she object when he took hold
of her bikini pants and widened one leg opening, giving him the access to what
he sought.

Instead of pulling
away, she pressed into his hardness, welcoming him into her body without hesitation.
Jeff’s hands moved to her bottom and guided her movements as she rode up and
down on his hard shaft, frantically racing toward completion.

When they finally
reached the end of the path, they did so together with violent intensity. Jeff
wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her close as he buried his face
between her breasts. Leaning her forehead against the top of his head, Lexi
tried to steady her breathing. Their bodies were still locked together.

Closing her eyes
tightly, she asked herself what she had done. However, the question did not
inspire her to pull away. A part of her was embarrassed, while another, more primal
part wanted to relish the sensation of their bodies joined in such an intimate
fashion.

They sat together for a
few moments longer, neither of them speaking a word, when Jeff finally lifted
her gently at the waist. His spent penis slipped from her body and he casually
tucked it back into his trunks.

Now more embarrassed, Lexi
moved away from Jeff and fished for her bathing suit top in the water, until
she found it. Slipping the bikini top on, she finally spoke.

“Well, that was
surprising,” Lexi said somewhat dryly.

“It was a nice
surprise, if somewhat imprudent.” No longer thinking with his erection, Jeff
silently cursed himself. He tried to remember what he’d ever read about having
sex in a spa. Did the heat kill the little swimmers, or had he just knocked up
Ethan Beaumont’s granddaughter? The very least he could have done was pull out,
but no, it felt just too damn good being buried deep inside her. In spite of
the fact that he was pissed with himself, just the memory was making him hard
again.
Damn
, he thought.

  “Imprudent… Yes, I
have to agree. Unprotected sex isn’t something I typically engage in. Please
tell me you normally wear a raincoat?” Lexi felt a little odd speaking so
bluntly, but considering she’d just screwed a virtual stranger in his backyard,
she felt it was a little late for modesty.

“Even if we’re both
healthy, unprotected sex has other side effects.”

Lexi noted the way in
which Jeff rubbed his forehead with his right thumb. While she knew it was
insane to have unprotected sex with someone she had just met, she wasn’t
especially concerned about him giving her a disease. Lexi knew she should
worry, but for some reason, she felt safe with Jeff. As she studied him, she
realized he did not feel the same way.

“Don’t worry,” she
finally told him. “I’m on the pill. I’ve been on it since high school.”

Jeff glanced up at Lexi.
He couldn’t see her features clearly because of night’s darkness.

“Irregular periods,”
she explained. “Not because I have some active sex life. Now I will ask the
question again. Do you normally wear condoms? Do I need to go in and have blood
tests?”

“No. I had some pretty
extensive blood tests before I went to Europe last month, and it’s been all
work and no play for me since before the trip.”

“When you say no play,
are you talking celibate?” 

“Pretty much. And you?”

“I’m normally pretty
boring.”

“You could have fooled
me.” He reached out and took hold of her right arm and pulled her toward him,
until they were sitting side by side.

“So, what now?” Lexi
asked.

“I think we’ve become
closer friends,” Jeff said with a chuckle.

Lexi smiled, but she
didn’t respond for a few minutes. “This is all very strange.”

“How so, Lexi?”

“We just met
yesterday.”

“Do you regret what
just happened?”

“Can I be perfectly
honest with you?”

“Absolutely.”

“No. Not at all. I
suppose I should, but I don’t.”

Jeff smiled and pulled
her closer, wrapping his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head as she
leaned against him.

“I’m glad. But I’ll
confess, for a minute there, I was wondering if I was going to be handing out
cigars in nine months.”

Lexi didn’t respond,
yet she found that comment an interesting insight into his character. He could
have just as easily said,
I was wondering if I was going to be driving you
to the abortion clinic in a month
. While Lexi refused to imagine this was
some love-at-first-sight scenario, as Angie suggested, neither did she believe
it was a tawdry, one night stand.

 The air was chilly
when they stepped out of the water a few minutes later. Earlier, Jeff had
placed two large bath towels on a patio chair next to the spa. He wrapped one
towel around Lexi and took the second one for himself. They hastily dried off
and ran to the house, escaping the chilly night air.

Entering by the glass
slider leading into the dining room, Jeff turned on the light. Facing each
other, Jeff silently reached out and took the towel from Lexi and let it drop
to the floor with his.

“What are you doing?” Lexi
asked, as his gaze washed over her.

“I want to look at you,
please. I didn’t get to in the spa.”

Instead of answering,
she just stood there, watching him. She wore a wet pink bikini and the ends of
her dark hair were damp from the spa. Lexi said nothing, but looked up into his
eyes. Her skin was pale, having lost its tan months earlier.

“Some women,” Jeff
said, his voice silky and smooth as his gaze swept over her, “will never look
as good in clothes as they do out of them.” Without asking for her permission,
he unfastened the bathing suit top she’d just put back on minutes earlier.
Freeing her full breasts, he tossed the bra top on the tile floor with the
towels. Lexi blushed, but allowed him this inspection.

“You’re beautiful,”
Jeff said, his voice a whisper. Ever so gently, he moved the back of his hand
over the soft curve of her breasts.

“I need to go home,” Lexi
finally said.

“Spend the night with
me.”

“I have to go home.
Angie is expecting me.”

“Call her, tell her you’re
staying.”

“I can’t. She’s already
in bed. I don’t want to wake her up. Anyway, this is moving too fast.”

“Too fast?” Jeff
chuckled, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.

“I just want to do what
we’ve already done, but this time in a bed.”

“I need to think about
all this.”

“Women think too much.”
Jeff leaned toward her and brushed his lips over hers. Lexi allowed him the
kiss before placing the palms of her hands against his shoulders and gently
pushing him away.

“I need to go now,” she
told him.

“Okay. But how about I
take you to lunch tomorrow?”

“That would be nice.”

Jeff flashed a smile,
kissed her nose, then reached down and picked up her bathing suit top from the
tile floor and handed it to her. Ignoring the fact she was practically nude in
his dining room, Lexi slipped the top on like it was the most natural thing in
the world to do. She’d worn a swimsuit cover-up to his house and had left it on
one of the barstools before going outside to the spa. Grabbing the garment, she
pulled it on over her head, covering her body. Slipping on her flip-flops,
which she’d left on the floor by the slider, she grabbed her keys from the
counter.

“I wish you’d stay,”
Jeff said one more time.

Tempted, Lexi resisted
the invitation.

* * *

Lexi could feel Jeff
watching her from his front porch as she walked back to her house. It was dark
outside, but the starry night and crescent moon lit her way. Angie had left the
porch light on, but the rest of the house was dark. As Lexi suspected, Angie
had already gone to bed.

She showered quickly,
dried off and climbed in between the bed sheets and pulled up the comforter.
Angie was staying in the master bedroom on the other side of the house. The
glow from a nightlight along the baseboard near the door cast a yellow shadow
against the wall.  Staring blankly at the ceiling Lexi clutched the edge of the
comforter.

What have I done?
she asked herself. It seemed as if she had been in Havasu for weeks. How was it
possible she’d arrived less than 48 hours earlier?  Yesterday morning, she had
not even known who Jeff was. But already they’d shared a dinner, lunch, her
dreams and sex. She’d had sex with the man, whom she had met only
yesterday
.

Holy shit, I don’t even
know his last name!
Gripping the comforter tightly, she
pulled it up and over her head and groaned.