by Leah Rhoades
God, she was amazing! Luke had fond memories of his mother, handling his father with the same firmness and sense of respect. It was a rare quality in people these days, and Luke wanted to skip the courting process and live dangerously, eloping with Crystal now before some other guy managed to sucker her into a bad relationship.
He didn’t say any of that out loud, knowing how creepy and deranged it sounded, but he smirked at his father, who seemed a bit taken aback by her quick return. “I guess it’s been a while since we’ve had an educated woman in the house, hasn’t it, Dad?”
His father grunted and started to say something, but the timer for the fish sounded, and Luke got up to check it. The filets flaked beautifully, and the lemon pepper rice had already been cooked and was hot in the steamer.
A phone rang, and he turned to see Crystal digging into her purse with an apologetic smile. “Hello?” she answered, and Luke turned to pour some iced tea, something he’d started keeping around when he and his father had moved to the south. He tried to pretend he wasn’t listening as she said, “Let me call you later. I’m a little busy.”
He almost laughed. He knew a bail out call when he heard one, and Crystal had just shut it down. That pleased him greatly, and he served plates with a bit of a flourish.
“What the hell is this?” his father demanded, staring down at his plate in horror.
Luke glanced at Crystal, who stared at the older man with wide eyes, as if she couldn’t figure out why he had an aversion to the food. Rolling his eyes, Luke said, “Cut it out, Dad. You act like you’ve never eaten fish before.” Directing his words to Crystal, he added, “Dad is the true epitome of the meat and potatoes man. He pretends he doesn’t like anything but steak and beef hot dogs and hamburgers. But he secretly enjoys it, and fish especially makes him feel better because it’s healthy.”
Crystal laughed softly. “You know, the cultures that eat rice with every meal instead of corn and potatoes have the longest average lifespans.”
Again, Everett grunted and replied, “Don’t care about the damn fat and calories, and I don’t care about a long life. I just want to enjoy what time I have left, and that doesn’t involve eating some gluten free low cholesterol hippie pussy diet.”
Luke clenched his jaw, ready to lay into his father for the language and negativity, but Crystal laughed out loud. The sound washed over him with charm and infectiousness, and he found himself laughing with her, feeling his mood lighten more than it had in months. “You sound like my grandmother. She used to say that bad habits died hard, and people who gave them up died harder.”
“Damn straight!” Everett proclaimed, and though Luke knew Crystal would never win his father’s heart, she had managed to make the tension less awkward. He shook his head and sat down to his meal. If he’d been obsessed with Crystal Rose, the girl who’d lost everything, for most of his life, he was enraptured by the woman now.
***
After managing to find a way to bridge the gap between me and Everett Wesley, the evening went smoothly. As it turned out, Luke whipped up a stellar meal, and I ate every last bite on my plate, something I never did on a date. I felt a little sheepish when Luke went to clear the table, and I stood to help with the dishes.
“Girl’s got an appetite,” Everett smirked as he leaned back and patted his belly. I blushed and turned away from Luke.
But he caught my arm and turned me around. I looked up at him through my lashes to find a crooked grin on his face. “I hate when girls pick at their food. I would have thought something was wrong with it.” Speaking louder, he added, “Don’t worry about Dad. He’s just deflecting so no one notices he cleaned his plate, too.”
I laughed, having eyed the satisfaction in the older man’s face already. “You’re an excellent cook, Luke. I can’t imagine anyone not licking their plate.” I moved to the sink, rinsing dishes and handing them to Luke to fill the dishwasher. With Everett just sitting quietly at the table for the first time since he’d joined us, I could imagine we were alone, and it felt very intimate. Truly domestic, which was something I hadn’t experienced as an adult.
His hand brushed mine as he took the dishes from me, and I felt sparks travel up my arm with each touch. I’d been attracted to other men, but I’d never felt anything like this. I didn’t know if it was normal, but I certainly enjoyed it and truly wished we could get a little more time to ourselves. If we did, would Luke wrap his arms around me? Kiss me?
Inwardly, I cringed. How high school did that sound? Of course, with Mr. Wesley in the room, I certainly didn’t want to think of anything going further than that. I didn’t have a lot of practice hiding my feelings, and Everett seemed to pick up on any vulnerability.
“Are you alright?” Luke’s voice broke through my musings, and I glanced over to find him wearing a smirk.
“I’m fine. Why?” My words were short and clipped, and I chastised myself for acting like a kid caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
He reached up and crooked a finger under my chin, turning my head side to side. “You look a little flushed, and it feels like your heart’s racing.”
How could he tell what my heart was doing? And of course I was flushed; I was having all sorts of heady fantasies about him now, and his touching me did nothing to quell the aching low in my gut for something more. I decided to go for a version of the truth that wouldn’t give away too much, especially in front of Everett, who was definitely watching our every move. What were we, twelve?
“I’m just happy. I don’t usually enjoy company, except for my best friend, Cricket. I like that we get along so easily. It feels natural.” It sounded cheesy enough without adding the butterflies in my stomach to the description.
Luke didn’t move his hand away, but his smile grew radiant, his eyes glistening and holding me captive. Then, suddenly, he turned a hard look at Everett. He didn’t say anything before meeting my eyes again. “Why don’t we go for a walk? I could use some fresh air.”
Those words nearly stopped my heart. We would finally be alone again. “I’d like that,” I agreed quietly, trying not to sound overly eager. The last thing I wanted to do was offend Everett Wesley, or give him cause to insult me. But the truth was, we were adults and needed to explore our connection outside of his presence. He was an intruder, especially with his obvious judgment.
Releasing my chin, Luke wiped his hands while I washed mine. To my surprise, he threaded his fingers through mine and led me out of the kitchen. I caught a quick glimpse of Everett’s disapproval as we passed him, but I ignored it. If Luke didn’t care, why should I?
We stepped out on the patio, and I instantly seized. I hadn’t realized how late it was, but darkness shrouded the area. I shivered involuntarily, and Luke shot me a concerned expression. “Are you cold?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s actually a beautiful night.” It was; the moon was close to full, and it shone on the trees, turning the leaves silver the way I’d always liked. But it also infused the forest with a certain intangible power that brought too many memories to the forefront of my thoughts.
He sighed and took my wrists in his hands, stepping in close to me. So close I could smell him. He smelled like the musk of a forest after the rain, with some sort of citrus laden cologne. It intoxicated me, and I let him capture my gaze. “Crystal, calm down. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
His voice was soft and reassuring, and it swept over me with the power of conviction. I believed him, wholeheartedly, even if his words seemed to respond eerily to my unspoken thoughts.
Still, my eyes darted toward the woods, and I couldn’t seem to fully relax. “Luke, I…” I trailed off, frustrated with the weakness in my own voice. I’d spent years becoming strong enough to face any fear, and I hated that I could revert to a scared, childish reaction so readily.
He cupped my cheek in his palm, and my heartbeat accelerated, pumping wildly through my veins. It had nothing to do with fear. His gaze wasn’t pitying; it was sym
pathetic and something else…hungry? “I understand. I know who you are.”
I nodded and averted my eyes. “I thought you might.”
He chuckled, which made me curious what amused him. “Crystal, I’m not going to treat you like some charity case, or like you’re fragile. I don’t care. I mean, I hate that you suffered, but I’m interested in you, now. Not in the little girl who seems to have grown up into a beautiful, intriguing woman.”
Okay. He called me beautiful, and I whipped my eyes back to his. His other hand came up to cup my whole face, and he tilted my head back so I looked deep into his eyes. He was inches from me, and my breath came in ragged pants as I waited for him to kiss me. With his lips hovering just above mine, he whispered, “There’s nothing to be afraid of out there, Crystal. I’ll protect you.”
I didn’t respond as his lips closed over mine. Something in my chest ignited, and I thought I might melt as the kiss deepened. I opened my mouth at his prodding, and his tongue tasted like lemon and honey. I sighed and reached for him, my fingers finding his hips and clutching. His hands slid up into my hair, and I wanted to cry out in pleasure.
Crystal. You’re home.
The whisper pulled me from the daydream, and I pushed away from Luke, gasping for air and backing away. The forest couldn’t really call to me, I had to remember that. But the words were spoken clearly, with that familiar caress, and I stared at Luke, wondering if this was a sick joke.
But as reason returned, I realized he couldn’t know my secret. No one could. I had never even hinted about it to anyone. Thoroughly mortified, I turned my back to him and shook my head. “I’m sorry,” I managed.
I felt him behind me as his arms snaked around my waist. His delicious breath tickled in my hair. “Don’t be. I’m not.”
***
The feel of her body in Luke’s arms had him drunk with satisfaction. He wanted so much more, but it was a good start. The fact that she leaned back against him, showing him trust, sent chills up his spine and invigorated him. Tasting her sent his fantasies into overdrive, but it also caused a struggle within.
For now, he could push the battle down, deep inside. He just wanted to ease her pain, make her feel safe.
Protection. The instinct radiated through him with laser intensity.
Her hands closed over his as he pulled her back against him. “I feel safe with you,” she whispered. And as she did, Luke felt the tension in her muscles dissipate. He buried his nose deeper in her hair, basking in her scent. Sunshine and violets, with a hint of lavender.
Crystal tilted her face up to him, and he shifted her to the side so he could look at her. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Luke took a deep breath and offered her a small grin. “Would you have come to dinner with a guy you didn’t know who talked about your past like some sort of stalker?”
She laughed, and Luke let it wash over him, easing the heat building inside like a soothing spring rain. “Probably not.”
“I’m sure you’ve had enough people in your life hounding you about it. I want to be someone who comes into your life and gets you away from all of it.”
She inhaled sharply. “You say that like you plan to stick around for a while.”
Did she sound hopeful? Luke worked hard to keep his expectations low, knowing how dangerous and difficult this could be. “I would love to stick around, as long as you’ll let me.” Given the choice, she would belong to him, completely, and he would never let her go.
Chapter 7
I couldn’t have imagined a date this good, and as Luke kissed me goodnight beside the car, I was elated. He leaned into me as my back pressed against the door, thrills coursing through my body. He smiled seductively. “So, can I talk you into seeing me again?”
Again? I never wanted to walk away. I nodded. “I’d like that.” I couldn’t help glancing at the cabin, thinking about his father’s reaction to me and wondering how we would ever manage to develop a relationship facing that obstacle.
He must have noticed because he traced my lips with his thumb and said in a low rasp, “Maybe we should go out this time. I can’t guarantee my father will behave. And I can’t promise to control my own behavior around you, either.”
Heart palpitations and a searing heat between my thighs made me dizzy and weak at the knee at his insinuation. “I can’t say I’m counting on you controlling yourself,” I retorted in a husky voice. Who was I? I never flirted like this. And I certainly didn’t consider inviting first dates back to my apartment, much less my bed.
But something about Luke was raw and drew out the animal in me that wanted to test the boundaries I seemed to live within. He kissed me again, hard and pressing, and I moaned, wholeheartedly wishing we were at my apartment, where so many possibilities opened up to take things further.
“Call me when you get home and let me know you’re safe,” he said breathlessly as he pulled away. “And we’ll make arrangements for dinner.”
I nodded, unable to speak, and then I watched him disappear into the house as I sat in my car, trying to convince myself to turn the key and drive away. I don’t know if it was the overwhelming emotion that struck me when I thought about Luke or the nostalgia of being back in this place, the last true home I remembered. But something kept me here, stopped me from leaving.
I rolled down my window and let the dampness in the air fill my lungs as I stared first toward the cabin and then toward the woods. Welcome home, Crystal. I shivered as I heard the voice again, barely a whisper on the wind. This couldn’t be healthy. Fourteen years should have erased the manifestations that plagued me as a child. Back then, my imagination had been strong. Today, I considered myself far less creative.
But then there was another sound, just as familiar. A low growl, seeming to echo all around me. It didn’t sound like anything I’d heard in nature, just as it hadn’t before. Images of a ragged, matted beast with enormous paws and saliva dripping from its mouth filled my vision, and I squeezed my eyes shut to clear it.
There it was again, closer. I opened my eyes, but I couldn’t see anything, not even a shadow creeping around. Determined to get my act together, I turned on the car and left, glancing back at the cabin and seeing a silhouette in my old bedroom window. I smiled, knowing Luke watched me, and it gave me the peace of mind I needed to make the journey home in the dark without fear.
***
“You’re a fool.”
Luke pressed his lips together in a thin line as he stared at his father. “It’s none of your business.”
“When you bring her here, it sure as hell is. You’ll end up hurting her or getting us in trouble, Luke. Get your head out of your pants and think with your brain before the shit hits the fan. No more guests.”
Practically snarling, Luke leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I told you it’s none of your business. And for your information, I’m taking her out. She’s still terrified of this place, and you’re the most unwelcoming, unyielding son of a bitch I know. You used to be so much more accepting.” He hated what his father had become, and he wanted the old man to know it.
“Time and experience, boy. You’ll learn someday. Hopefully before you ruin your life.”
Luke was tired of hearing his father’s doomsday speeches. “I’ll tell you what, Dad. You let me make my mistakes, if you think that’s what they are. Let me live my life and learn from any errors I actually make rather than stifling me out of your own fears. And in return, I’ll keep you comfortable and promise not to bring any of the consequences back to you.”
Everett’s laugh was derisive. “You don’t get it, son. Everything you do falls back on me. That’s just the way it is. And your obsession with that girl is the reason we had to leave our home in the first place. Do you really want to repeat the past?”
“Nothing is going to hurt her,” Luke hissed, adamant in his protectiveness. “Nothing out there, not you, and not me. And it’s not an obsession.”
His father rolled his eyes. �
��Come on, Luke. Don’t start that damn soul mate talk. I’ve heard that bullshit all my life. It’s a myth. As much as I loved your mother, it was never an undeniable cosmic draw to her or something written in the stars that made me want to be with her. It was a conscious decision. So get that fairy glitter pansy crap out of your head.”
That was it. He simply couldn’t hear any more right now. “I’m going out.” Luke didn’t look back as he stormed through the cabin to the kitchen and out the back door. He stood, sniffing the air and appreciating the aroma of the woods and everything about being upstate. He’d missed this so much, and granted, it was part of the reason he’d wanted to come back.
Of course, there was also the hope that his father would recover, being back home. But seeing how surly he remained killed the last hope Luke had of repairing their relationship. Which meant he would be on his own soon.
The biggest reason he’d come back, though, was to find Crystal. He’d nearly flipped his lid when he’d found the cabin for rent, and he knew it was the best way to find her. He’d convinced his father that being so close to their old home would be good for him, and finally Everett had relented, though not without a plethora of warnings.
Now, he’d had the first amazing date with Crystal, had tasted her and nearly fallen under the spell she didn’t know she cast over him. He planned another with her, and perhaps they would find some solitude this time to explore each other and their chemistry a little further.
But he would be happy with her company, if that’s all he could manage. He could be patient, and he would do whatever it took to make her his. His father could balk at the idea of being drawn to someone and finding a soul mate all he wanted. Luke believed in the idea, had believed in it from the moment he’d laid eyes on Crystal the first time fourteen years ago. And he was going to chase the dream he’d had ever since until something other than his father’s nasty disposition stopped him.
