“Why not?”
“You’ve known me less than a week!”
“So?”
“So? So! Luke…”
He quickly grabs my hands again and smiles lazily down into my panicked eyes. “It’s just some burgers on the grill, Nat. It’s no biggie. I want you to meet my family.”
“Aren’t we moving kind of fast?”
He scowls and looks down at our hands then back into my eyes. “You’re staying the weekend with me. Part of my weekend is spending an afternoon with my family. I want you to come.”
He wants me to meet his family! I just can’t quite wrap my head around this. But he looks so hopeful, and I must admit, part of me is very curious to meet his parents and see where he grew up.
“Okay, I’ll come.”
His eyes light up with boyish excitement. “You will?”
“Yes, I can’t seem to resist your charms,” I mutter sarcastically.
“Come on.” He slaps my ass and ushers me toward the stairs. “Let’s go get your stuff before I rip that dress off you again.”
***
I am sitting at Luke’s dining room table editing photos. We spent an hour or so gathering my clothes, necessities and my computer, camera and memory cards from my house, then spent another half hour cleaning up our breakfast.
Things would have progressed faster had we not been too busy touching, kissing and stealing glances at each other the whole time.
Suddenly, Katy Perry’s song Teenage Dream makes a whole lot of sense.
I gaze across the brightly lit living space to Luke’s couch, where he’s lounging casually, his bare feet crossed at the ankle, a stack of movie scripts on the ottoman. He’s got one of the scripts open on his lap, and he’s biting his thumbnail as he reads.
Visions of me straddling his lap and throwing the script over the back of the couch make me smile, but I turn back to the image on my computer screen.
I’m editing the photos I took while Luke and I were at the falls the other day. There are about twenty-five of them that are my favorites, and I’ll print and frame them, offering them for sale around town.
As I close the file containing the falls photos, I sense Luke get up and head for the kitchen.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Just some water, thanks.” I smile at him and open the next file of photos to edit. These will be much more fun.
The couple I photographed yesterday fills my screen. Luke steps behind me and sets my water on the table.
“Wow.”
I look up and grin. “They’re good-looking, aren’t they?”
“They are. They need to loosen up a bit.”
I laugh. “The first twenty images get tossed out of every shoot. It takes at least that long for the client to relax.”
I page through about twenty photos and stop.
“See? They don’t even know I’m there anymore.” The blond woman is in a black barely there teddy. The dark man is sitting on the bed, legs crossed, and she’s straddling his lap, arms around his neck and fingers in his hair, kissing him.
“Yeah, much better.” He starts to rub my shoulders as he watches me work. “When did you take these?” he asks.
“Yesterday.” I lean into his hands and moan. He’s amazing with his hands.
“After our fight.” It isn’t a question.
“Yeah. Oh God, don’t stop doing that.”
He kisses my head, and I feel him smile. “I prefer hearing those words come out of that sexy mouth of yours when you’re naked.”
I laugh and lean my head back, looking up at him upside down.
“Later. I have to finish these. The client’s already getting a refund, and I want them to have their pictures as soon as possible.”
“Why are they getting a refund? Nat, they’re fantastic.”
“Because it wasn’t my usual fun session. I feel bad.”
“I’m sorry.” He kisses my head again.
“Don’t be. They’ll be happy with the shots and with getting their money back. Give me an hour.”
“Okay, take your time, baby.” He goes back to reading his script, running his hands through his unruly hair, and I can’t help but grin, enjoying our easy camaraderie.
I put the finishing touches on the last sexy photo of my too-good-looking clients and grin in satisfaction. Despite my horrible mood yesterday, I rocked these pictures.
“Okay, come look.”
Luke rises gracefully from the couch and stands behind me again. I page through each finished image, proud of how they turned out.
“They are amazing.” He kisses my cheek gently, and I smile wide, glowing in his praise.
“Thank you. I hope they like them.”
“They’d be idiots not to. Are you finished for today?”
“Yep, that’s all of them. I’m all caught up until my session Monday.” I close my computer down and stand up, stretching.
“How is the reading coming?” I ask, gesturing to his stack of scripts.
“Tedious. It’s all been crap so far today.”
“No blockbusters in that pile?” I run my hand down his cheek, unable to keep myself from touching him.
“Definitely not.” He turns and places a kiss in my palm, and I feel my blood start to hum.
“I’m sorry I’ve been a boring companion this afternoon.” I smooth both of my hands up over his shoulders and around his neck, pulling him in close, and kiss his chin.
“There is nothing boring about you, baby.” He turns his head, giving me access to his throat, and I place chaste kisses down to his collarbone. “Although, now that we’re both done with work…”
“Yes?” My fingers are in his hair now, pulling his lips down to mine.
“We could do something a little more energetic.”
“What did you have in mind?” I love the way his hands feel against the small of my back as he pulls me closer to him.
“Are you still naked under this dress?”
“I don’t know,” I say innocently, and widen my eyes. “Maybe you should check.”
“It’s a tough job, baby.” He gathers the skirt with his fingers, hiking it up around my hips, and cups my bare bottom in his hands.
“I love your ass.” He’s nibbling my lips and kneading my butt rhythmically. Mmm…feels so good. He slides one hand down between my legs and slips a finger inside me from behind, and I arch against him.
“Oh, Luke…”
“You’re so ready for me, honey.”
“I kept picturing myself attacking you on the couch while you were reading.”
“You did?” His smile is delighted, and he continues to torture me with his finger.
“Yeah, it got me hot.”
“Fuck, Natalie, looking at you gets me hot.”
“Come here.” I lead him back to the couch and motion for him to sit. He complies and gazes up at me with bright blue, lustful eyes.
Instead of straddling him, I kneel between his knees and reach for the clasp on his jeans.
“You’re wearing too many clothes.” My voice is breathy.
I open his jeans, and he lifts his hips so I can pull them down and discard them. His erection springs free, hard and ready for me.
I lick my lips.
Even his cock is pretty, which is a thought I never thought I’d have. It’s large, and hard, nestled in a small patch of curly blond hair. No manscaping here, but he doesn’t need to.
I run my hands up his thighs and grip him in both hands. He sucks breath in through his teeth, his jaw clenched, and his eyes are on fire.
My hands start to move up and down, and I lean down and brush the very tip with my tongue, tasting the bead of liquid at the end.
“Shit, baby.”
He pulls my hair free from my ponytail and pushes his fingers through it, and I get bolder with my mouth, moving faster and pulling him in deeper, rubbing my tongue up and down the impressive length of him. My left hand moves lower and cups his b
alls, and he goes mad.
“Enough!” He grips me beneath my arms and pulls me on top of him so that I straddle his lap, and pushes into me swiftly, and I’m so thankful for my lack of panties beneath this dress.
“Ah!”
“I. Need. You.” Our eyes meet, his hands on my hips, moving me up and down in a punishing, sweet rhythm, pushing so far inside me that it’s just almost painful. I pull my dress over my head, and Luke’s lips find a nipple, pulling it relentlessly into his mouth, and suckling.
I am gripping the back of the couch above his head, and I lean back, giving him unfettered access to my breasts, and surrender to the tightening of my womb, the flexing of my thighs, and I explode around him, my body singing in sensation.
Luke pulls me down on him, hard, and empties himself into me. “Oh yes, baby!”
***
We are stretched out on the couch, lying side by side. Luke is tracing the letters up my ribs with his fingertip.
“It’s for my parents,” I whisper.
“Why this phrase?” he whispers in response.
“Because it’s important to remember to be in the moment. It can be over so fast.”
“And why on your left side?”
“Because it’s close to my heart.”
He kisses my forehead and runs his fingers up and down my back, soothing me.
“Can I ask a question about them?” God, when he whispers like that, he can ask me anything he wants!
“Of course.”
“What happened to them?”
I sigh and kiss his chin. “They were killed in a plane crash about three years ago. My dad used to fly, and he had a small plane that they would use for weekend trips.”
“That’s an expensive hobby.”
“Yeah, he could afford it.” I take a deep breath and look up into Luke’s relaxed eyes. “I think I mentioned the other day that he was a high-profile lawyer.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, he was good at it. He did very well, and when they died together, I was the only beneficiary.”
“Hey, I wasn’t asking you about your financial situation.” He grazes my cheek with the backs of his fingers.
“I know.” I shrug. “Anyway, they were going down to Mexico for the weekend. I was supposed to go with them.”
Luke’s arms tighten around me, and I run my fingers through his chest hair.
“I decided at the last minute to stay home because I had finals at school the following week.”
“I’m so sorry.” He’s resting his lips on my forehead now, and I’m curled into him, absorbing his strength, his heat. “They must have been amazing people.”
“Why do you say that?” I lean back and search his blue eyes.
“Because you’re amazing, baby.”
Geez, charming doesn’t even begin to describe this man.
“They were amazing,” I whisper. “I know that my dad always wanted me to be something grander than a photographer, like a doctor, or a lawyer, or go into finance, something that would make a lot of money. But you know what?”
“What?”
“Neither of them even batted an eye when I said I was going to take pictures for a living. They just loved me. They just wanted me to be happy.
“My dad’s job was ruthless and demanding, and he could be a complete asshole in the courtroom. I went and watched him once, and I didn’t even recognize him. He almost scared me.
“But when he was home, he was so gentle. He was a big man, tall, with big hands. And he always smelled like fabric softener and coffee. And even when I was grown, he would let me curl up in his lap and hold me.”
Luke swallows hard.
“What?” I ask.
“You don’t have anyone to take care of you anymore.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, honey. Even when my parents were still here.”
He briefly closes his eyes and clenches his jaw, as if he’s angry, or frustrated. What did I say?
He leans in and sweeps his lips across mine, slipping me beneath him, and gently, tenderly, makes love to me.
Chapter Thirteen
I wake alone on the couch. A light blanket covers me, and I’m still naked from Luke’s lovemaking. My skin feels sensitive and warm under the blanket. I could curl up and sleep here all night.
Wow. I’ve never had gentle, sweet, loving sex before, and I must admit, there’s a lot to be said for it.
I sit up and stretch, looking around the great room. It’s dark outside now, surprising me. How long was I asleep? Heavenly aromas are coming from the kitchen, but Luke’s not in it. I stand and wrap the blanket around me and go to find him.
As I stroll toward the kitchen, I can hear Luke talking and look out on the deck. He’s sitting on the love seat, talking on the phone. I turn to go upstairs and have a shower to give him privacy, but then I hear my name, and I can’t help but stop to hear what he’s saying.
“You’ll like her.”
Must be his family?
“No, Samantha, it’s not like that. She’s different. I wouldn’t be bringing her to Mom and Dad’s if that were the case. Look, I just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m bringing her with me tomorrow. I’ve already talked to Mom, and she’s excited to meet her. Do not play the overprotective big sister tomorrow. Please.”
I can’t help but smile.
“I’m serious, Sam. Be nice. I love you, too. See you tomorrow.”
He ends the call and runs his hands through his hair, standing to come inside and sees me inside the doorway. I give him a small smile, taking in his disheveled handsomeness in his faded jeans and white shirt.
“Overprotective sister, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“I can hold my own, Mr. Williams.” He joins me inside, and I open the blanket so he can slide his arms around my waist, and I wrap the blanket around his back.
“I know, but she can be ruthless. Sam and I have always been particularly close because we’re less than two years apart in age. She has a history of thinking she needs to protect me, so just don’t be surprised if she’s a little cool toward you tomorrow.”
“She’s never liked your girlfriends in the past?”
“She’s never met anyone from my past.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never introduced anyone to my family before.”
“Why me?”
He leans down and kisses me in that gentle way he has, and I sigh. “Because you didn’t know who I am. And you have gotten under my skin. I don’t think I’ll ever have enough of you.”
“I’d like to know you better,” I whisper, intentionally missing his point.
“Ditto, baby.”
“You know me better than anyone.”
“There’s still a lot to learn.” He brushes my hair off my face, and I grasp his wrist so I can kiss his palm.
“How long was I asleep?”
“Just about an hour.”
“It smells good in here.” He grins down at me.
“Stir-fry okay for dinner?”
“Mmm...sounds great. Do I have time to take a quick shower first?”
“Sure, baby. You go shower, and I’ll get dinner ready.” He pulls out of the blanket and releases me.
“I could get used to being spoiled like this,” I quip.
I turn from him and head for the stairway when I hear him mumble, “I’m counting on it.”
***
The drive to Luke’s parents’ house is fairly short. It’s a rainy Sunday afternoon, so we’re in Luke’s black Mercedes SUV. How many cars does he have? I look to my left and take a deep breath, trying to fight down the nerves. My stomach is in knots.
I’m flat-out terrified of meeting his parents.
This weekend has been wonderful. After dinner last night, we cuddled on the couch and watched old comedies from the eighties and laughed all night. Then he took me to bed and made sweet love to me like he had on the couch.
Wow, he can be so tender. I can’t help but remember when he slapped my ass the first time we made love, and I wonder when he’s going to do that again.
Variety is the spice of life, after all. Perhaps we’ll play when we get back to his place later.
He looks so beautiful, sitting here in his black T-shirt and another pair of faded blue jeans. His strong hands are on the wheel, and I shiver as I think of how they feel on me.
“Are you cold?” He reaches for the climate controls on the dash, but I stop his hand.
“No, I’m not cold.”
He glances at me, and then does a double take, raising an eyebrow.
“I love your hands,” I say as I twine my fingers with his. He raises them to his lips and kisses my wrist.
“They’re just hands.” He gives me a wicked smile, and my stomach clenches.
“They do crazy things to me,” I whisper.
“Behave, or I’ll pull this car over and fuck you.”
I gasp at his words. This is a completely different attitude from last night, and frankly, it’s hot. Desire pools in my groin, and I smile as I decide to play with him a little.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Oh, honey, trust me, that’s a promise I can definitely keep.”
I pick at an imaginary piece of lint on my red sundress. I’m wearing a soft blue denim jacket over it because of the weather and brown peep-toe sandals.
“Prove it.”
He whips his head toward me and narrows his eyes. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” I whisper and pull the hem of my dress up around the tops of my thighs, thrumming my fingers against my already sensitive flesh.
“You want to fuck in the car on the way to meet my parents?” His voice is incredulous, but his eyes are on fire, and his breathing is shallow.
“Yes, please.”
He takes the next exit off the freeway and parks behind a strip mall. It’s heavily lined with dense trees, and there is no traffic behind the long building. He parks at the far end and shuts the car off and pulls me over the console and into his lap. One hand dives into my hair and the other under my hemline and cups my ass.
“You are so fucking sexy. I want you all the time.”
“I want you, too.”
I’m panting and needy, and I want him in me now.