Page 26 of Renaissance Bear

Alis laughed. "Yeah, okay. Thanks, baby sister."

"You're welcome,old lady."

Alis wentpthththbbbtinto the phone, and hung up to Jasmine's laughter. Then she lay back on the picnic table, looking up at the stars. She couldn't quite decide if she wanted to go in or not. It was so peaceful out here, and so very, very loud in there. On the other hand, she hated missing whatever might be going on.

"Alis?" Jon's quiet, concerned voice came out of the darkness, from the direction of the beer garden. A thrill of happiness shot through her, warm and comfortable, and she lifted a hand to wave at him.

"Over here, lazing around in the extreme quiet."

Jon laughed as he made his way across the lawn. Alis sat up, and he leaned on the table beside her, smiling ruefully. "Overwhelmed you, did they?"

"Some," she admitted. His body heat was enough to remind her she'd gotten a little chilly. She scooted closer, and he put his arm around her shoulders. Alis thought she might melt. "I also wanted to call my sister and check in."

"That's nice, that you guys have a relationship where you do that. Is it just you two, or…?"

"Oh, no, our parents still live back in Maryland. Jasmine and I are just still in each other's pockets, I guess, even though we're adults now."

"I'm obviously not one to throw stones. Laurie and I are thick as thieves. Anyway, I didn't mean to lose track of you in there, so when Ashley said you'd come outside I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I liked Ashley, she's great. And of course I'm fine. But I don't think I'm much help in this situation. You all know the people to call and what to do, so I'm just a weirdo watching from the wings."

"Aaah, no way. You're the main event, as far as I'm concerned. Don't ever forget it."

Alis made a small, startled noise, though she shook her head as Jon glanced down at her. "Just the idea of being the main event. That's funny. My sister and I generally shared the spotlight."

Jon made a face and a reluctant sound. "I guess that's how it should be, right? Parents don't want you to think they've got favorites. My folks were good at that, especially since there were four of us. But with all due respect…" His smile flashed in the darkness. "I'm sure your sister's very nice and everything, but I think it'd be kind of gross if I wanted you to share the spotlight with her as far asI'mconcerned."

Alis laughed, startled again. "Yeah, it would be. All right. I'll be your main event." For the next seven days, she thought. Seven days wasn't that much time.

Seven dayswasn'tthat much time, and Alis suddenly felt like she was wasting it. She slipped off the picnic table and caught Jon's hand, gazing up into his eyes. "Do you have to go back in?"

His eyes widened a little. "I doubt it. It's the middle of the night. Nobody can get any real business done until morning, so they're all in there just shouting about what should be done. They won't miss me."

"Then I think we should get out of here."

Jon stood, all six foot two of him, and smiled down at her. "To anywhere in particular?"

Alis held her breath. "Your place?"

Hope and amusement sparked in his eyes. "You realize that means the high likelihood of facing my brother down in the morning?"

"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Alis promised. "He's got that bad knee. I bet I can take him in a fight, if necessary."

Jon laughed. "I have no doubt you could. C'mon, then, let me take you home."

Alis slipped her hand into his, and they ran for his truck like they were trying to get away with something. Apparently Jon felt that way too, because he actually giggled once they were in the truck. "I feel like I'm sixteen and sneaking out of the house to meet a girl."

"No, no, we're sneakinginto the house," Alis pointed out, and Jon laughed again.

"Except we don't have to sneak in. There's nobody home. This is definitely a sneaking-out kind of feeling." It was only about a two minute drive to his house, enough time to send Jasmine a text saying she wouldn't be home after all. She and Jon were still fighting off snickers and giggles when they scurried through the yard and down to Jon's room. He closed the door behind him, leaned on it, and looked down at Alis insudden concern. "This is okay? We can go up to the kitchen and get some snacks and just hang out, if you want."

She stepped up against him, flattening her palm against his chest. "Snacks later, maybe. Right now…" She looked him up and down, then smiled hungrily. "Right now I want ameal."

His hands slid into her hair and pulled her even closer so he could cover her mouth with his, a devouring kiss that left them both breathless before he murmured, "That was a good line and a great answer. Lights on? Lights off?" He fumbled toward a light switch and Alis caught his hand, smiling.

"I'm a moonlight and shadows kind of girl." Then she glanced toward a window and snickered. "Well, streetlights and shadows. No real moon tonight."

"Streetlights and shadows are good." Jon kissed her throat, sending heat spilling through Alis. His hands were big and certain, warmer than her skin everywhere that he touched her. She shivered under that warmth, feeling goosebumps rise and her nipples harden, and she whimpered, catching his hand again and sliding it over her breast. He ran his thumb over her nipple, then came back to pinch it with just enough strength, making her gasp and sending her building desire into overdrive.

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