The lunch rush had finally subsided. Alyssa yawned and pulled out her phone. She was exhausted after not sleeping much last night. Before she checked her messages, Alyssa grabbed a quick sandwich and a drink from the kitchen and sat in an empty booth.

She took a bite and scanned her text messages . . . and nearly choked on her lunch.

Yours Truly: I'm freaking out here.

Yours Truly: Babe, where are you?

Yours Truly: What do I do?? I need some help!

Alyssa's heart dropped into her stomach. She was instantly nauseous. Dear God. She should have never left him with Brooke. From now on she would keep her phone in her pocket in case of an emergency.

WHAT HAPPENED? IS BROOKE OKAY?.

Yours Truly: Yeah. Why? She's fine.

Then why are you freaking out?

Yours Truly: My mother won't leave!

That's why he was freaking out? She could kill him!

Are you serious right now? I thought something happened to her. You're a jerk!

Yours Truly: LOL If something happened to her, I would have called your work.

For future reference, never text a mother the way you did. I automatically thought something happened to her! :/ I feel sick now.

John didn't text back, instead, he called her. He wanted to put her worries at bay.

"Hello?"

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I sent you those texts. My mother wouldn't leave. She keeps calling herself grandma . . ." John shook his head.

Alyssa smiled to herself. "That's okay . . . at least your mother wants to be there."

John looked over to where his mom was sitting. She had Brooke cradled in her arms as she rocked her to sleep. Even though she was driving him crazy, Alyssa was right. He was lucky to have her. He couldn't imagine not having her around. Alyssa virtually had no one.

"She's still here. Brooke fell asleep in her arms. I have a feeling she'll stay past the nap too. Probably all day. Is that okay with you?"

Alyssa took a sip of her water. "Of course it is."

John chuckled. "You sound happy about it."

"That's because I am," she answered quietly.

"Good. She hasn't had it easy either this past year with her illness and the death . . ." John tampered off. "I think Brooke brought her joy today, said she missed her. I haven't seen her happy in a very long time. Thank you, Alyssa, for allowing me to stay with her today."

"You're welcome." Clearing her throat, she asked, "So Brooke is okay then?

"Yeah, she's perfect. Heated the bottle in the microwave, she wouldn't take it so I dumped the titty juice out. Then I gave her baby food straight from the fridge like you said and let her roll around in the grass for a little while . . . She's all good."

"Titty juice?" she said, appalled. "Johnny . . ."

"Is that growling I hear? Oh, and I can't find the diapers so I used an extra shirt of yours I found." he stifled a laugh.

"Tell me you're joking. That's not even a funny joke, John."

"Babe, of course I am. I knew what to do. Had I not, do you really think my mother would have allowed that to happen? No."

"I'm going to smack you when I see you," she said teasingly. "Listen, I need to get going. I'll see you later. Thanks for everything, Johnny."

"Later."

At that, Alyssa found herself smiling and her heart softening. Maybe she shouldn't be so hard on John after all.

Yours Truly: Are you almost done?

Yes. Just cleaning up. I should be home soon. Give Brooke a kiss goodnight for me.

That was over two hours ago. John was beginning to worry. How many nights did she come home like this on her own and so late? He didn't like it one bit.

John would definitely voice his concern about it to her. They lived in a safe town near his base, but he still worried. It was nearing one in the morning and she still wasn't home.

John checked on Brooke one last time then laid on the couch. It had been a long day for him. This kind of work was not something he had ever experienced. It was a different kind of tired, it was mental exhaustion. Thank goodness his mother was there to help him out.

How did Alyssa do it? How did any one person do it on their own? John's body was falling deeper into the couch, his muscles relaxing and allowing himself to rest. He closed his eyes and burrowed his head into the cushions. Just as he was about to doze off, he heard the front door.

Jumping up, he strolled to see Alyssa closing the door quietly. Her hair was messy, strands had fallen out of her ponytail, and she had stains all over her clothes. She smelled like a walking fast food restaurant, but when she turned around and spotted him, John wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tight.

"Welcome home. I was worried about you," he said against the top of her head.

Alyssa was caught off guard at John's unexpected welcome. Hugging him back, she drew his scent into her lungs and relaxed. He always smelled so good. Resting her head on his chest, she could hear the thumping of his heart.

"Why were you worried?" she asked.

"Because it's so late."

Alyssa laughed. "I always come home late on Friday and Saturday nights."

John pulled back. "Every week?"

Alyssa nodded.

"And Natalie is always here that late?"

"No, I let her leave once Brooke is asleep," she deadpanned. "Of course she is. What's the problem?"

John shrugged and looked at the wall still holding Alyssa. "Nothing . . . I just never realized how late you got home. I don't like you out so late."

"Sometimes I don't like it either, but I have to work, Johnny," she said against his chest. Alyssa's arm slid down John's back and settled on his hip. She leaned into him then gave John a little squeeze reassuring him that she was alright and thanking him for caring so much. "Come on. I want to check on Brooke then eat. I brought some food home for us. I'm starving."

Alyssa rubbed her eye with the heel of her hand as she walked into the kitchen and dropped the food on the counter. Spinning around, she asked, "Is it okay if I get cleaned up first? I want to rip these clothes off and take a quick shower."

John cocked his head to the side as he eyed the length of her body. The side of his mouth lifted into a smirk and his green eyes danced with wicked thoughts. Eyeing her up and down one last time, he asked, "Want help ripping those clothes off?" John wiggled his eyebrows and took a step toward Alyssa.

Alyssa brought her hands up to stop John. Giggling, she said, "No! I'm good. I'll be right back." Before she could get away, John came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. He tugged her to his front and dropped his face to her neck. Alyssa shrieked then moved her neck to the side granting him access as he pressed his lips to her skin.

"Johnny," she whispered, her hands coming to lie on top of his. "I'm all sweaty . . . What are you doing?"

"Just holding you for a minute."

"Why?"

"Why am I holding you?" he asked against her neck. She nodded and John shrugged. "Just wanted to, I guess."

Planting one last kiss to the side of her neck, John let Alyssa go. He loved the feel of her body against his.

"Go-get cleaned up. I'll be waiting . . ."

Just like I said I would wait, he wanted to add, but he didn't.

Nothing felt better than taking a hot shower after working for twelve hours straight. Alyssa scrubbed every inch of her tired body twice then got out. She slipped on a pair of plaid boxer shorts and a tank top. She didn't bother with a bra even though she probably should have, but the thought of putting a bra back on made her cringe. Aside from a steaming hot shower, going braless was the next best thing. Her boobs were heavy and full. The last thing she wanted was to keep them wrapped.

Walking into the kitchen, John said, "You smell like grapefruits."

Alyssa grinned as she opened the plastic takeout bag. "I do?"

John placed a hand on her hip, twirling her around and boxing her in. He leaned in and inhaled, his nose skimming the side of her shoulder and up the curve of her neck. His eyes traveled around her makeup free face, his lips inches from hers as their breaths mingled together, then down to her breasts. His cock twitched at the sight, she wasn't wearing a bra. Her breathing picked up and he watched her chest rise faster. John ground his jaw to push the need away, but he could feel the heat coming off of her skin. She was affected by him just as much as he was by her.

"Yup. Definitely grapefruit."

Alyssa chuckled quietly. "That's funny. It's my body wash, but I can never smell it."

"Trust me, I can. You smell delicious."

John's eyes swirled with desire as he stared at her. Alyssa could feel her nipples growing hard at the nearness of him. She wanted John, but she promised herself that she wouldn't have sex with him again. Letting John into her life was one thing, her body was another.

Dropping his head, John slipped his tongue out and ran a wet trail along her collarbone and up to her ear as he pressed her into the counter. Alyssa groaned, and instead of pushing him away, she dug her nails into his shoulders and pulled him closer. Her head rolled to the side and John pressed open-mouthed kisses all over her neck. He tugged her skin into his mouth and ran his tongue slowly around it causing her to shudder in his hold. She gripped him tighter as she slid her arms around his back and kneaded him. A groan reverberated in the back of his throat. He loved feeling her touch on his skin. Alyssa squeezed her thighs together as he grabbed her nape and pulled her back before slamming his mouth to hers. When she didn't push him away, he gripped her waist and kissed her harder. Alyssa was wild as she delved in and out of his mouth with a roughness he didn't know was in her. It was making him hard as hell, his dick straining against his pants. John ground his hips in circles, pushing his obvious erection into her and Alyssa moaned softly into his mouth. He couldn't stop. Fuck what he said earlier about being their last anything. He needed her . . . and she needed him.

Sliding his hands roughly down her soft body, Alyssa shivered in his hold. He grasped her hips hard, lifted her up and put her on the counter. They separated for a moment until she yanked him to her. Grabbing her face, he kissed her deeply, stroking every inch of her mouth. She said she didn't want anything with him, yet her body said otherwise.

Their kissing only intensified. As Alyssa ran her fingers up John's neck, she realized that as much as she missed his hair, his short buzz cut was pretty damn hot.

Pulling back she panted, "When I saw how short your hair was, I was kinda upset because I loved how long it was. But I gotta say," rubbing her hand all over his buzz, "I'm really digging this new cut, Johnny. It suits you."

Leaning into her, John dropped another kiss to her mouth, this time taking it slower. Alyssa pressed her breasts against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the feel of her. His hands shimmied up her thighs, kneading her skin as he went. His thumbs were coming dangerously close to her panties that were soaked with arousal.

Alyssa had to stop. As much as she wanted Johnny, she needed to put a stop to this. Sex could not happen again. Loosening her arms from his neck, she slid them down to his taunt chest and pushed away, breaking the kiss.

Panting, John's puzzled stare had Alyssa answering the questioning look in his eyes.

"I can't . . . we can't. I'm sorry." John said nothing, so she continued. "You said we weren't going to kiss anymore."

"I lied."

"John . . ."

Stepping back, John readjusted his throbbing cock as Alyssa watched. He was trying to keep his cool but it wasn't working. Her eyes widened and her tongue slipped out to lick her lips. He was going to have blue balls for sure after this.

"Fine. I need to leave anyway. It's late and it's been a long day."

"Where are you going?" Alyssa asked, following John out of the kitchen.

"Back to base."

"Oh," she responded, looking at the tile floor. "I thought you would stay the night since it was the weekend and all . . ."

John sighed loudly, running a hand down his tired face. Spinning around, he said, "I'd love to stay the night, but you just pushed me away, again, and truthfully, I don't know if I could lie next to you and not touch you. I fucking want you, Alyssa. And you don't seem to get that because you need some sort of motive behind it. Haven't you ever just wanted something for no reason other than a feeling inside of you? You're tempting me with your sexy-as-fuck body doing such simple, mundane things is hard on me. I know you told me to push, but you aren't the only one who's being pushed. This isn't easy on me either, sweetheart."

Incredulously, she asked. "How am I pushing you?"

"You're playing with my emotions. One minute you're all over meall hot and sexed up, nails digging into my back, your sweet body on mineand the next minute you're pushing me away. You're giving me whiplash. It's partially my fault, but it's hard for me to keep my hands off you. Especially now."

"Especially now? What does that mean?"

John glanced at Brooke's room. "I don't want to wake her up. Can we talk in your room?"

Alyssa nodded and he followed her to her room where she sat on the bed. Shutting the door, John said, "Especially now, meaning that last night was a mistake, it should've never happened. Just like our first kiss. You know, you were right about that."

John was letting it all out. There was only so much he could take until he snapped.

"About what?"

"That nothing good could come from a kiss. Those were your exact words. And you were right. Nothing good has come from it. It's been nothing but heartache." The anguish that cut through her blue eyes made John feel like shit. He wasn't purposely trying to hurt Alyssa, but he needed to tell her the truth. Just because he was a guy didn't mean he didn't have feelings either.

"One night with you will never be enough, especially after last night. That's all I mean." John lowered his voice and walked over to her, the side of his mouth tugged into a half grin. "I want you again and again and again. I love the way your body looks and seeing you come out of the shower in a tank top and old boxer shorts has my mind running wild. It took all of me not to tackle you to the floor. I see the way you are with Brooke, and after I spent all day with her, I have more respect for you than ever. I honestly couldn't wait for you to come home. So while I said I would keep my hands to myself, it's not easy like I thought it would be. You're beautiful, a goodhearted caring mother. Babe, that's sexy as fuck. So, yeah, last night was a mistake only because I want you more now and I can't have you. It was a night I'll never forget, and probably the best night of my life."

Alyssa was rendered speechless. All she could say was, "Oh."

"Oh?" he chuckled.

"Oh."

"This is what's going to happen. We're going to get in bed, put a movie on and go to sleep . . . together. I will try my best to keep my hands to myself, but I can't promise anything. And when Brooke wakes up in the middle of the night, I'll be the one to get up, not you."

"But you were with her all day. It's late, you must be tired . . ."

"Babe, I got this."