A Little Band of Red (The Red Series Book 1)

by Lily Freeman

  All of a sudden things got very tense between them, uncomfortably so, until he spoke again.

  “Do you honestly think I would leave you alone after what you’ve been through tonight? What if the clinic calls and it’s bad? Who will take care of you?”

  Before she could argue he opened his door, walking around the car to get hers.

  “Please trust me, just a little bit like you did before this whole fucking mess—I won’t hurt you.”

  Hurt her? What did that even mean to him? That he wouldn’t tie her to the bed and beat her with a cane or a strap, or that he wouldn’t break her heart by earning her trust only to shatter it when he got bored? Men like Luke weren’t good for women like PJ, she understood that now more than ever. Yet when he reached for her, for some reason she didn’t pull away like she ought to, instead she allowed him to help her out of the car, because he was right, more than anything, the thought of being alone tonight was far worse than any other.

  Without a word Luke walked beside her to the door, opening it for her. She glanced nervously at him one last time before she entered his home.

  “Come upstairs and I’ll run you a bath. You look exhausted.”

  She was, so much so that she barely noticed the ornate wooden staircase or the framed prints meticulously placed along the wall, but she did notice when he opened a door to reveal his bedroom.

  With a kiss to her hand he left her standing by the edge of a lavish bed. A large bay window took up most of the far wall with long silver grey curtains pooling on the polished floorboards around it. Beside that was a dark wooden dresser, which like its owner was overtly masculine. The massive flat screen TV mounted above it dominated the rest of the wall, but it was the bed she studied. She found no chains, no hooks, no evidence at all of his sadistic sexual preferences. Unless there was some sort of hidden control panel, there wasn’t much bondage going on in here. Surprisingly relieved by that thought, PJ relaxed, and took a more thorough look around the room. There were no photos or mementos of any sort, nothing out of place other than a bottle of expensive looking aftershave sitting on the dresser. As much as it was a beautiful space, it lacked something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  The soft scent of oranges and vanilla wafted out of the bathroom door a second before Luke reappeared.

  “Come.”

  Reluctantly she followed him into a bathroom that again was immaculately styled, but impersonal. The remarks she’d heard at the club about Luke never pursuing a relationship with his subs came back to her, and several other things he’d mentioned too. She could see him alone in his elegant house with his gorgeous suits, planning wicked deeds for his next trip to the club, but she couldn’t see him happy. That’s what was missing from his home; there was nothing personal, nothing that hinted at the real man and she had to wonder, if like her, he’d spent a lifetime running away from anything meaningful.

  After draping one of his shirts over the heated towel rail, Luke left her to it. He was absolutely fucking exhausted. What he’d felt in that office when he realised she would never accept him, had been soul destroying, even more so when she tried to walk away. Luke had no idea what he would have done if she’d left the club with no intention of ever coming back. She’d been so close, and yet—he smiled, he just couldn’t hold it back. She was in his home, allowing him to take care of her. She may not want to be, but she was. That was trust. Feeling a slight ease in his stress levels, he sat down and switched on his phone. He had fourteen texts, seven urgent emails and two missed calls. Most of them were from Thomas, but one wasn’t. One was from a reporter who he’d dealt with throughout his career. Hearing from him now could be nothing good so Luke called Gabe instead.

  “Luke, what happened?”

  “It’s a dog, Gabe, a little stray dog.”

  “Oh.”

  Gabriel’s stunned reaction was about the same as Luke’s had been.

  “Did you take her home?”

  “No, I brought her here, to mine.” Before Gabriel could comment on his decision, Luke bet him to it. “I didn’t force her, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just didn’t ask. She’s devastated, Gabe. I couldn’t leave her alone. The dog’s dying.”

  The silence stretched out far longer than Luke was comfortable with, but he didn’t break it. He’d done the right thing by her, whether Gabriel agreed or not.

  “Fuck, you’ve got it bad haven’t you? I’ve never known you to be so reckless.”

  “I’m not being reckless. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “Just don’t lie to her, don’t make promises you can’t keep. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  Luke did, and he was insulted that Gabriel would even go there. “I do and I wouldn’t. You should know me better than that.”

  “I thought I did.”

  Deciding to laugh that remark off rather than ramming it back down his friend’s throat, Luke let the moment pass. He had enough to be concerned about without adding an argument, especially one with Gabe. The man was as stubborn as Luke in many ways, in others he had a far better understanding of things, emotions for one and what drove them.

  “Just keep her safe.”

  “I will.”

  For the next hour Luke sorted through his emails, returned Thomas’s call then booked a flight for the following week.

  When he headed back upstairs he expected to find PJ in his bed, but she wasn’t. Knocking quietly on the bathroom door he waited and waited, his panic levels rising along with his blood pressure. Surely she hadn’t bolted again? Technically he’d abducted her, but he’d done it with a certain charm. He gave her one more chance, rapping his knuckles on the door before he opened it.

  Lying in the bath with her long hair draped over the edge, she appeared to be asleep. He didn’t want to startle her, but in her current state, he had no other choice. Bending down, Luke ran his hand along her forehead, sweeping the wet strands of hair back. Her eyes slowly opened, confusion filling them for several seconds before she focused on his face. She didn’t jump or try to move away, she just lay there as he continued to stroke her cheek.

  “I think it’s time to get you out, you appear to have fallen asleep in my bathtub.”

  No man should have a smile that beautiful, it was enough to make a woman swoon, even PJ as she stared up at him. He was right though, she’d been very close to falling asleep in the bath.

  When he moved away, she expected him to leave, instead he held up a large, fluffy towel. She was already naked and he’d seen everything there was to see so she stood up, waiting like she always did for the rush of blood that caused her head to spin. It was worse tonight.

  “Jesus, PJ.”

  Luke was across the room before she even realized he’d moved, his hands on her waist pulling her into his arms.

  “You’re as white as a fucking ghost.”

  She was about to reassure him that she was fine, that it happened all the time, when the towel was wrapped around her and the stroking started, his hands methodically patting her down. A moment later she was dressed in one of his shirts, which dwarfed her completely; her hands vanishing under the cuffs until he rolled up the sleeves then closed the first few buttons.

  “I’m fine, really, it’s just—” Him, this, Vader, building inspections, shitty emails from Sam. Everything hit her at once and it hurt, God it hurt.

  “I know, you just need some sleep. It’ll be better in the morning. I promise.”

  She followed him through to the bedroom where he waited while she climbed into his bed. It was all very civilised, weirdly so, but PJ was too drained to care.

  “I need my phone in case they ring.”

  “It’s okay, I’ll get it.”

  The way he moved was beautiful, graceful for a man, his thighs long and muscular under his pinstriped trousers, and his arms thick and corded with the finest dusting of hair. Luke Monroe was pure fantasy if she only looked at the packaging.

  He returned with her phon
e, placing it beside the bed before he kissed her.

  “If you need me, I won’t be far away.”

  “Thank you, Luke.” She meant it. Lying in his bed surrounded by the scent of him, it helped, as much as it pained her to admit it.

  “My pleasure.”

  He left with no come ons, no inappropriate touches, whatever the hell that was after what had already passed between them. It confused her; he confused her. Everything he did was done with the upmost respect and consideration as though she was important to him, yet he’d only known her for a couple of hours. His determination to win her affection seemed absurd. Perhaps tomorrow when she wasn’t so tired and emotional, she’d talk to him and make him understand that she just wasn’t the woman for him, no matter how much he thought he was the man for her.

  After a quick shower in the other bathroom Luke headed back upstairs. PJ hadn’t asked where he intended to sleep, so he hadn’t told her. She was however, in his bed.

  With the soft glow of the streetlights filtering in between the curtains he could see her clearly, all twisted up in the sheets and his shirt. Her stomach was bare; the fabric parted and hauled up around her breasts like she’d been in a fight and lost.

  Tentatively Luke slipped between the sheets, then as gently as he could, he attempted to untangle her, taking first one small hand and then the other, raising them above her head. She was so fucking gorgeous, so defenceless in her sleep. He desperately wanted to take her in his arms and hold her forever.

  Mumbled sleepy words broke into his little fantasy. She was fidgeting again, twisting where the shirt continued to pull against her breasts. Maybe she slept naked? He certainly did and would have if he wasn’t so worried about scaring her away. Still, she needed to sleep and the shirt was clearly bothering her. Very gently he blew across her cheek.

  “Baby, wake up.”

  She didn’t, not even close, but she did mumble something else. Catching a rebellious strand of hair, he tickled her chin. “You’re all tied in knots. Do you want me to help you?”

  “Ha … wanna … ake … his—off.”

  Swallowing back his laugh Luke sat up, leaning over her. “You wanna take it off?”

  “Hmmm … off.”

  She still wasn’t awake, not really, but one of her hands moved, finding the pocket and fumbling with it. Luke was tempted to just watch. At least then she couldn’t blame him in the morning when she woke up naked. His intentions were pure though and while he’d happily give his right hand to fuck her, he’d far rather do it when she was awake and willing.

  “Shh. You want some help?”

  “Yeah … elp.”

  Again he caught her wrist, raising it back above her head before he started with the buttons. Each one was a gift, revealing her breasts, her collarbones, her throat. Her pale skin shimmered in the light and under his finger as he drew a line slowly down her cheek and along her jaw. She turned to him, seeking more, just like she’d done at the club. Christ, he wished he could make her understand how perfect they were together. She was everything he wasn’t and he was everything she never knew she needed. He had to make her see, just had to.

  Lying down beside her he stretched out on his side. With one hand he held hers, not tight, just enough so she’d know who was in control. They were tiny kisses, the ones he brushed along her lips, gentle and teasing, and after the first few she sighed, then to his absolute delight she leaned into him.

  “PJ, do you want me to kiss you?”

  “Kiss, hmmm.”

  Was hmmm a yes? Luke thought so as he slowly lowered his mouth over hers. The overwhelming sense of rightness that filled him was instant, from having her naked in his arms and in his bed to kissing her like a lover would. There was no pain or tears, no trembling body flooded with endorphins, just a pure, simple joy. But even as he acknowledged that little gem of wisdom, Gabriel’s warning came back to him. Was he deluding himself? Trying to deny the sadistic needs that ran so strongly through his body and his life? Luke honestly didn’t know, but being with her, like this, he didn’t feel the need to examine his reasonings, all he felt was her.

  Gently with a sweep of his tongue he coaxed her lips apart, dipping between them in search of her taste. She was like heaven, sweet and warm, and he needed more so he did it again and again … and again.

  In PJ’s dream a phone rang, somewhere far away—No! Not far away and definitely not in her dreams. Stumbling out of bed with an urgency that she didn’t yet understand, she glanced around the unfamiliar room, the unfamiliar bed, at the familiar man, then she saw her phone sitting on the side table. Grabbing it, she swiped the screen, her bare arm moving to reveal her bare breasts and her—fuck, she was naked … and the call had connected, a male voice speaking excitedly in her ear.

  “PJ, it’s Christopher, and before you ask, Vader made it through the night. When Michelle, the other vet, got here this morning, she went to check on him and he was sitting up in his bed, gently wagging his tail. She’s never seen anything like it.” He paused, giving her a chance to process what he’d said. “PJ?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.” She heard the words, understood them perfectly yet she couldn’t put them together.

  Luke was staring, unashamedly devouring her so she spun around and headed for the bathroom, closing the door. There’d been a shirt, a warm shirt that smelled of him and a dream, a gorgeous erotic dream that tasted of him as well, all sweet and minty.

  Oh fuck! It all came back in a heady rush of arousal and embarrassment. She’d kissed him, opened her mouth and kissed him. She remembered it, not well, but enough to know she’d been right there with him, gasping and moaning, her hands in his hair, his fingers tugging—shit. Christopher was still talking about something so much more important.

  “Break this down for me, Christopher, is he going to die or not? I need to know.” Because clearly in her stressed out, angst ridden state, she was making some very bad decisions. And one of them was waiting for her, reclining in his big luxurious bed with a smile that was all kinds of wicked.

  “We’ve run a few tests and his vitals have picked up considerably. His heart rate is as close to normal as it’s been since he was placed in our care and he’s alert. We may have a winner here, PJ, and I wouldn’t get your hopes up if I didn’t think he was going to pull through.”

  “Oh my God, you don’t know how happy you’ve just made me. Can I come in and see him?”

  Christopher sounded as excited as she did when he answered. “Of course you can, but let’s make it a bit later. I want to get some more fluids into him and another dose of antibiotics to make sure his immune system’s strong.”

  “Great, that’s great. I’ll come later this afternoon and thank you so much for not giving up on him.”

  It felt like days since PJ had smiled and now she couldn’t stop. That was until she ended the call and went in search of a towel, her clothes; anything to cover herself, but there was nothing. She didn’t want to accuse Luke, not when she was standing in the middle of his beautiful bathroom after a surprisingly good night’s sleep, but there had been towels in here last night. Not now though. The only thing she could find was a solitary facecloth and while it was tempting, when she returned to the bedroom, she did so naked.

  Luke’s gaze roamed over her body, slowly and thoroughly. She had to fight the urge to cover herself, which was absolutely pointless. In the short time they’d shared together at Bond Street, he’d gotten to know her body more intimately than any of her previous partners.

  “Do you know where my clothes are, Luke?” With her hands hanging at her sides, PJ stood, very, very still.

  “I put them in the airing cupboard, they were damp.”

  It sounded plausible, just. “Thank you.”

  “Did you get some good news, Darling, about your dog?”

  The way he said it, calling her Darling made her feel like they’d been in a relationship for a year and she’d somehow missed the first eleven and a half months of it. She smiled
, ignoring her unease. “He was awake this morning when the vet went to check on him, sitting up and wagging his tail and his vitals have improved. I can go and see him tonight.”

  A giddy kind of excitement surged through her until Luke threw back the blankets and climbed out of bed. The man was a force of nature, unstoppable as he prowled across the room heading right for her. She panicked, trying to cover herself while he pulled her into his arms, his fingers trailing down her back to her ass … oh God.

  “I’m so pleased to hear that. Like you said, he was meant to be yours.”

  His hands shifted to her waist and reluctantly hers went to his. The fabric of his black pyjama bottoms was soft and warm. She glanced down to find him wearing the bottom to her non-existent top.

  “Would you like me to go and get your clothes?”

  Luke’s warm breath on her face, and his large hands on her body were having a very unnerving effect. Heat swept through her, her cheeks blushing, but it was the other place which had all of a sudden became uncomfortably hot and wet, that had her wriggling out of his arms and clambering back to the bed. “Yes, please.”

  As she moved among the sheets she could smell him, clean male and citrus. It was a potent combination and one she realised, was all over her.

  When he returned with her clothes all folded neatly in a pile, with her knickers on top, she was speechless, overwhelmed yet again by the cocky way he just did things for her, private things. She could almost imagine what it would be like to be loved by a man like him, to have the unwavering knowledge that someone was there to take care of her, and that that someone was so strong, she could lean on him when she needed to and he wouldn’t let her fall. But Luke’s strength was different, it was something she’d have to fight against every minute of every day if, heaven forbid, they came together, which was never going to happen.

  In a week’s time when the novelty of kissing had worn off, he’d want more from her and she just didn’t have it to give. She also wasn’t ready to trust again, not so soon after Sam, and not when everything in her life was so unstable.