Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 25: Caught?

Joe's POV

"Hey, is everything okay? You've been gone a while and—"

We sprang apart. I quickly pretended to examine a family photo on the wall while Ally smoothed her hair.

Nick appeared, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"What are you two doing?"

"Oh, just reminiscing," Ally said quickly, gesturing to the photo, "Joe noticed this old picture and we got caught up talking about it."

Nick looked skeptical but decided to shrug it off.

"Well, come on back. Dani's getting worried."

--

As the evening wound down, the tension between us had reached a fever pitch. Our gazes kept meeting, loaded with unspoken desire and challenge.

"Well, this has been lovely," Ally said finally, standing up, "But I should get going."

"I'll walk you out," I offered immediately.

At the door, away from prying eyes, we faced each other. The air between us crackled with electricity.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" Ally said, her voice low.

I stepped closer, my eyes dark with desire.

"Just giving as good as I got," I murmured, "The question is, what are we going to do about it?"

Ally's gaze flickered to my lips, then back to my eyes.

"Come find out," she said softly, a challenge in her voice, "I'll be waiting for you at home."

As she turned to leave, with a smirk on my face, I called after her. "I'll be there soon."

I leaned against the doorframe, my heart racing. The memory of her challenge echoed in my mind.

I turned back to the house, trying to compose myself. The knowing looks, the subtle touches under the table, the loaded comments – it had all built up to this moment.

Now, I just needed to make a graceful exit.

But as I re-entered the living room, I was met with a chorus of protests.

"Joe, where do you think you're going?" Nick called out, waving a bottle of expensive whiskey, "I just opened this beauty!"

Dani emerged from the kitchen, a tray of clean glasses in her hands.

"You can't leave now. The night's still young!"

I hesitated, caught between my burning desire to rush to Ally's and the expectant faces of my family.

"I don't know, guys. It's getting late..."

"Oh come on, Joseph! One more drink won't kill you," chimed Kevin.

They were right, of course, and maybe staying a bit longer would make my eventual exit less suspicious.

"Alright, alright," I conceded, moving back to the couch, "One drink."

Nick grinned triumphantly, pouring a generous measure of amber liquid into a glass.

"That's the spirit!"

As the whiskey made its rounds, the conversation flowed freely. We reminisced about old family vacations, laughed at embarrassing stories.

An hour slipped by, then another. The whiskey bottle steadily emptied, and my resolve to leave weakened with each refill.

It was nice, I realized, to just be here, to be part of this without the constant tension of hiding my rekindled relationship with Ally.

But as the clock struck midnight, a fresh wave of urgency washed over me. Ally was waiting.

"Ok, folks," I said, standing up perhaps a bit too quickly, "This has been great, but I really should get going."

This time, the protests were milder, tempered by the late hour and the alcohol.

"You sure you don't want to crash on the couch?" Dani offered, "It's late, and you've had a few."

I shook my head, hoping I didn't look too eager. "Thanks, but I'm good."

"Drive safe, Joe," Dani said, giving me a hug, "It was good to have you here."

I finally made it to my car. As I drove the short distance to Ally's house, my pulse quickened.

I turned off my headlights as I approached, carefully maneuvering into the garage.

I got out quietly, scanning the area to ensure no one had seen me.

Satisfied, I made my way to the back door, my anticipation building with each step.

Before I could knock, the door opened. My breath caught in my throat.

There stood Ally, bathed in soft light, wearing nothing but a set of lace lingerie that left little to the imagination.

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show," she said, her voice husky with desire.

I stepped inside, pulling her close. "And miss this? Not a chance."

As our lips met in a passionate kiss, I kicked the door closed behind us. The warmth of family was wonderful, but this – this was intoxicating in a whole different way.

In the sanctuary of Ally's house, nothing else mattered but the two of us.

Ally pulled back slightly, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"So, Joseph Adam," she breathed, her fingers toying with the buttons of my shirt, "what are you going to do now that you're here?"

I grinned, my hands tracing the curves of her body.

"Oh, I have a few ideas," I murmured, before capturing her lips in another searing kiss.

As we stumbled towards the bedroom, all thoughts of family dinners and secret-keeping melted away.

Tonight was ours, and we intended to make the most of every moment.