Page 25 of Next Door Midlife Alpha
“No, that’s all right.” She’d been waiting for himto come back. Dylan imagined her peeking through the curtains, watching for his Jeep. The idea of her waiting for him made coming home sound much more appealing, even if it wasn’t for the reason he’d prefer. He was also relieved that she hadn’t confronted Will herself. Dylan hadn’t been sure how much he could trust him, and Will had already wasted the tiny sliver Dylan had granted him by letting him stay there. “You did the right thing. I’ll talk to him and take care of it.”
“Thank you.” She let out a weak laugh. “It’s kind of funny, really.”
“How’s that?” Dylan didn’t find a single thing funny about this situation. It alarmed him more than anything. She didn’t realize what Will’s behavior implicated.
“Well, you know, I used to run all these big meetings in boardrooms. I dealt with high-level executives from my own company as well as others. I never shied away from stating my opinion or standing up for myself. I didn’t think of myself as a meek woman amongst a bunch of men. I shouldn’t be the kind to back down from a situation like what happened with Will today. I guess the setting and the clothing make a big difference. There’s a lot about this new life I’ve created that I still have to get used to.”
“It just means you get to explore your softer side,” Dylan said, thinking aloud as he admired this beautiful woman. He hadn’t known her long, and he knew there was still much more to find out about her if he had the chance, but so far, he’d liked every aspect he’d seen. It could be the angry mother who’d just shown up on his doorstep, the fun-loving woman who’d been so excited for their drive on the beach, the devoted mother who put her kids above all else, or the sultry lover he’d joined with under the stars. “No one’s the same all the time.”
“I suppose not.” She was studying him just as intently as he was her. Those blue eyes were soft now, like water instead of hard sapphires, and they poured into him.
Dylan wondered if she’d spent as much time pondering their relationship—or current lack thereof—as he did. “Other than my obnoxious brother, has everything else been going okay for you? Are the kids getting adjusted?”
“Well enough, I think. We’re trying to just enjoy the summer, but in the back of my mind, I’ve got a big list of things to do. I’ll have to get them registered for school soon. Vivian is pretty nervous about it, but Elijah is young enough that he hasn’t thought about it much.” Her fingernail picked at the label on herbeer bottle. “I know that overall, this move was the right thing, but there are a lot of adjustments.”
“Lila went to Central, which is where Vivian and Elijah will be in the fall. She’d probably love to take them over there sometime. They can’t get into the school right now, but she could walk around outside and show them the playground. Maybe that would make them feel better.” Damn it. He’d just volunteered Lila to spend more time with Stacey’s kids right after he’d told her he couldn’t see her. He’d even used Lila as an excuse! He truly did want to spend any time he could with his daughter, and it wasn’t like he could’ve told Stacey about the clan issues at the heart of his decision. Still, he felt like such a hypocrite.
“Check with her and let me know. I think they’d love that, but I don’t want to impose on her summer.” Stacey rose from her chair. “I didn’t mean to impose on you, either.”
He was on his feet in an instant. “You’re not. As far as I can tell, this is a pretty normal conversation for neighbors to have.” Well, maybe about the kids and life, but not so much about his brother’s odd behavior. Was there any such thing as normal for someone like him?
“I’ll be sure to stop by next week and ask toborrow a cup of sugar, then,” she said with a laugh as she moved toward the front of the house.
He walked along with her, already dreading the distance that was about to open up between them. “I’ll be sure to give it to you as long as you agree to pay me back with interest.”
The lines around Stacey’s eyes deepened as she wrinkled her nose. “I’ll have to check the pantry and see if I can afford it.”
“We can make payment arrangements. Then I’ll have an excuse to see you every month.” He couldn’t control his mouth around her, but it was too late to take it back. The mirth quickly drained out of their conversation as he got so close to the truth. “I really do miss you, Stacey. I know I shouldn’t say that since I was the one who stopped things between us.”
“It’s all right,” she replied quickly before he could make more excuses. “I get it. I miss you, too. You’re fun to hang out with.”
“Don’t tell my family that if you happen to run into them. They’ll never believe you.” Dylan tried to joke, but his heart felt too heavy now. He truly was missing her, and in ways he couldn’t even begin to explain. A human could never understand just how deep a shifter’s feelings for his mate could be. She’d never comprehend that two sides of him wereequally crazy about her. It wasn’t just a desire to be with her but a need. Fate had taken its sweet time in finally pulling them together, yet it had also made anything between them feel impossible. “Maybe I’m only fun when I’m with you.”
“I doubt that.” Her mouth matched the softness of her eyes as she smiled at him.
His hands remembered the feeling of her skin, the curves of her body against his. Dylan’s bear cried out for her, acutely aware of just how much distance was between them even though they only stood a few feet apart. He lifted his hand to run his finger slowly from her elbow to her wrist. He hadn’t meant to touch her, but there was less and less of himself that he had any control over. Dylan had fought hard against his duty to keep Stacey at arm’s length, and he was failing quickly. He pulled back.
But she turned her wrist and caught his hand in her own. Stacey looked into his eyes as she squeezed his hand. It was a simple gesture, but it let him know that she was truly struggling with this just as much as he was. Her fingers pressed against his, and he couldn’t take any more.
Dylan pulled her close, his hands smoothing against her hips and around to her back as their mouths found each other. Dylan felt all resistance toStacey quickly melting away like an ice cube in the sun. This was where they were meant to be, right in each other’s arms. His bear roared to life, demanding that he claim her as his own. It wasn’t enough to have her breasts pressed against his chest. It wasn’t enough to feel her lips against his, exploring, feeling, enjoying. He held her tighter, wondering how he’d ever manage to get close enough.
Her head tipped back, and her lips parted as the tip of his tongue touched them. Dylan dove into her mouth, as hungry as ever for her. He roved over her tongue, and a moan escaped his throat as her hands ran up his arms and to his shoulders, holding herself just as tightly against him as he was trying to hold onto her. With her arms up, his finger caught a strip of bare skin between the hem of her shirt and the waistband of her shorts. It sent a new bolt of lightning through him. His bear knew it wouldn’t take much effort to scoop his arms under her backside, throw her over his shoulder, and carry her upstairs to his bedroom where they could while away the afternoon celebrating each other’s bodies.
With a quick inhale, Stacey pulled back. Her cheeks were flushed, and his stubble had abraded her lips, creating a darker shade of pink. She pressedher fingers to her mouth, her eyes alight. “I’m sorry about that. I already took up your time, and then…”
“No,” he breathed, feeling like he had to remaster the English language after the whirlwind that’d just gone through his head. It didn’t help that she was blaming herself for that kiss. That meant she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. It would make things even harder to deal with once she went home, but he reveled in it at the moment. “That was me just as much as you. Trust me.”
The heat in her eyes suggested she did, and she turned away before the temperature could rise any further. “I should be getting back to the kids. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.”
That kiss had pulled any thoughts of Will straight out of his head, but they came rushing back in with a slap of reality. “Of course. I’ll be sure to take care of it.”
“Thank you. I know Elijah’s young, and he probably overreacted. In fact, I know he did.” She shook her head, a small smile playing on her mouth.
“Why do you say that?” It was a small detail, but Dylan wanted to know even the tiniest thoughts that echoed through her mind.
She waved her hand dismissively in the air. “Right after it happened, Elijah insisted that Willhad fangs and yellow eyes. I know he was just scared, so I didn’t think much about it. I figured he’d forget about it completely once he calmed down, but he still swears up and down that it was real.”
His throat was dry and tight. Stacey might think that was something insignificant, nothing more than the silly fantasies of a scared child. She was so wrong. “I’m really sorry that Will scared him so badly.”
