The Difference

by Kaylee Ryan

  Her growling stomach has me pulling away. Again, she buries her face in my neck, trying to catch her breath. “Let’s get you fed, sweet Addy,” I whisper. She pulls away and offers me a small smile. Leaning in, I kiss the tip of her nose.

  Carefully, I lower her to her feet. Her legs are wobbly, so I keep a tight grip on her until I know she can stand on her own. “I’m okay,” she says, her voice husky.

  Releasing her, I back away. “I need a minute,” I tell her. “You can go on without me.”

  “What do I tell them?”

  “Tell them I gave you a tour. It’s believable.”

  “Are you—” She looks down at my dick and it twitches from the attention. “Are you gonna be okay?”

  “Yeah, as soon as you stop looking at me like that.”

  “Right.” She turns on her heel and starts to leave. She reaches out and places her hand on the wall to gain her balance. She stops walking and turns to look at me. “They’re soft,” she says, her eyes trailing from my dick slowly up my body until they’re locked on mine. “Your lips. They’re soft.” She gives me a shy smile, before turning and walking away from me.

  I close my eyes fighting against the urge to watch her go. That’s the last thing I need to do when I’m trying to get myself under control. Counting backward from one hundred, I make it to zero and have to start over again. By the time I hit twenty for the second time, I’m able to join everyone outside.

  No one asks me why it took me so long. Small favors and all that. I grab a plate and pile it up and sit next to Addyson.

  Chapter Eleven

  Addyson

  * * *

  Harper and Justin are already at the table making their plates when I join them on the deck. Neither one of them asks what took us so long, or where Lucas is. They’re smart. I’m sure they’ve figured it out.

  “Help yourself, Addyson,” Justin says kindly.

  “Is that your potato salad?” I ask Harper. “Your mom’s recipe?”

  “Yep.” She laughs.

  “You love me,” I say, piling a big spoonful on my plate.

  “Sounds legendary,” Justin comments.

  “Oh, you have no idea. Harper’s definitely got her mother’s skills in the kitchen. Go ahead,” I urge him. “Try it.”

  He takes a big fork full and moans. “Wow, this is delicious, babe.” Harper beams from his praise, or maybe it’s because he called her babe.

  “Told you.” I take a bite of my own. I hear the door open, but I ignore it and keep on eating. Lucas takes the seat next to me, his plate full.

  “Man, you have to try this,” Justin tells him, taking another huge bite of potato salad.

  “Looks good,” Lucas says. He takes a bite and nods his agreement before taking another.

  Justin finishes his food in record time, sitting back in his chair. “I have a surprise,” he says, and my heart stops. Surely he’s not going to propose? Would he?

  “Yeah?” Harper smiles over at him. She doesn’t seem concerned at all.

  “I might have scored four tickets to that Dan + Shay concert you were talking about.”

  “What?” Harper and I say at the same time.

  Justin nods. “Backstage passes, meet and greet, the whole shebang.” He grins like a schoolboy on picture day.

  “Holy shit.” Harper launches out of her chair and wraps her arms around his neck. “That’s amazing. I don’t even care how you did it. Wait, you didn’t have to sell a kidney or anything crazy, right?” she asks him.

  “No, babe. I told you, I had connections.”

  “EEEPP!” She crushes her mouth to his.

  Looking down at my plate, I continue to eat. I can feel Lucas’s eyes on me, but I refuse to look at him for fear he’ll see my truth. That he’ll see how much he affects me, and if I’m honest, how I’m a little jealous that I’m not kissing him right now.

  I’m a mess.

  I know that taking a break is the right thing to do. I need to breathe on my own, give myself time to get over the betrayal. But my body, well, it’s screaming for Luke.

  “You two are coming with us, right?” Harper asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  “Of course, they are,” Justin chimes in. “That’s why I got four tickets.” A look passes between him and Lucas, but it’s gone before I can decipher it.

  “Thank you, Justin,” I say.

  “You’re welcome. It’s a date,” he says, kissing Harper’s bare shoulder.

  Lucas coughs, and I turn to look at him. “It’s a date,” he mouths.

  I can’t resist rolling my eyes at him. If Lucas Prescott is anything, he’s determined, and that twinkle in his eye is hard to resist.

  A few hours later, we’re lounging by the pool. It’s been a relaxing day, and I must admit the kisses made it memorable. It’s been hours, yet I can still feel his lips on mine, can still feel his hands gripping my thighs, feel him pressed against me.

  “What do you ladies think about going out?” Justin asks. “I’ve been wanting to check out that new Escape Room downtown.”

  “I don’t know,” Harper says. “I’ve heard about it, but what is it exactly? They lock us in a small space, and we have to figure out how to get out?”

  “Yes and no,” Lucas answers. “It’s a room, and you are locked in it, but there’s a story to it. Kind of like a murder mystery. They give you clues that lead you to the next clue, and so on until you find the key that unlocks the door. You have an hour to escape.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad,” Harper admits.

  “So after an hour they let you out?” I ask.

  “Yeah, gameplay is one hour, and if you don’t escape, they unlock the door. Usually they ask to take your picture with signs saying you’ve been captured or something crazy. If you win, you hold up a sign saying we escaped or something similar.”

  I look over at Harper. “Sounds fun.”

  She nods her agreement. “I’d need to run home and get ready.”

  “Why? You look perfect as you are,” Justin says. He’s not blowing smoke up her ass. He looks completely confused as to why she would need to go home first.

  “That would be the same for me,” I tell him.

  “What time does it start?” Harper asks.

  “Let me look. I think you have to schedule a time to go.” He grabs his phone. “Looks like we can book a four-person room at eight.”

  “It’s just after five now, so that gives us time.” Harper stands and gathers her stuff. “Addy, are you ready to go?” She eyes me and then her gaze slides to Lucas.

  “Sure.” I stand too, gathering my towel and the rest of my belongings. I follow Harper into the house so we can change out of our suits. When I exit the room I’m using, Lucas is standing there against the wall.

  “We have to stop meeting like this,” I tell him, trying to hide my smile.

  “Well, that all depends on you,” he says, not bothering to move from where he’s leaning casually against the wall.

  “Oh, yeah? How’s that?”

  “You ready to go out with me?”

  “On a break, remember?”

  “I know that’s what you’re telling me, but earlier, that didn’t feel like a break.”

  “Call it an experiment.”

  “I call it lust. And, Addy, we have that in spades.”

  “I won’t deny it. We’re adults, Luke. We can control our hormones.”

  “I’m not so sure I can. My hands are still tingling from touching your soft skin, and my lips…” He taps his lips with his index finger. “I can still taste you.”

  He’s not alone. “I should go.” I walk past him down the hall. Harper and Justin are on the deck.

  “We’ll pick you all up,” Justin tells Harper. He looks over and sees me, and offers me a kind smile. “I’ll walk you out.”

  I follow behind them, beach bag in hand.

  “Hey, Addy,” Lucas says, stopping me in my tracks.

  I turn to look at him over
my shoulder. Those long legs of his close the distance between us. Reaching out, he tucks my crazy chlorine-smelling, air-dried hair behind my ear. “Drive safe,” he says huskily.

  I swallow hard. “You too, Luke.” I turn back around, and he falls into step beside me. Silently, we walk to my car.

  “Let me.” He reaches around me and pulls open my car door.

  “Thanks.” I toss my stuff into the passenger seat and climb behind the wheel. I reach for the door, but Lucas is standing there, holding it open.

  “I really want to kiss you,” he murmurs.

  “Luke.”

  “I know.” He gives me a slow nod. “When you’re ready, you’ll let me know?”

  “I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready, Lucas.”

  Another nod. “I’ll see you soon, Addy.”

  “Bye.” I wave like the fumbling mess I seem to be around him and his sexy abs and deep sex-laced voice. He shuts the door closing me in. Taking a deep breath, I make it a point not to look at him as I back out of the drive and pull away.

  I’m barely at the end of the street when my cell rings. I see Harper’s face flash on my screen. “I just left you.” I laugh.

  “Spill.”

  “What are you talking about?” I pretend I have no clue when I know exactly what she means.

  “Girl, he was looking at you like you were his last meal. What happened?”

  “He kissed me. Well, we kissed, I mean.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “How was it?”

  How was it? Hot as hell, soft yet demanding. All-consuming. “It was good,” I say instead.

  “Come on, Addyson. You have to give me more than that.”

  “It was hot. He knows what he’s doing.”

  “So what does it mean?”

  “Nothing. We kissed. It was a moment of weakness.”

  “Weakness my ass. That man is hot as hell, and I see the way you look at him.” She pauses. “Addyson, don’t give up. What if Lucas is the one, your prince, and you never find out because you let fear guide you?”

  “And what if he’s like the rest of them? Look, Harp, we’ve had this discussion already.”

  “Fine. I’ll just sit back and watch the story unfold. There are sure to be fireworks at the end,” she says matter-of-factly.

  “What’s the plan?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “The guys are picking us up. They’ll pick me up and then we’ll swing by your place. It’s on the way.”

  “Okay. Text me when you leave your house so I can be waiting.”

  “Sounds like a plan. See you soon.” I say goodbye and end the call.

  Ten minutes later, I’m pulling into my driveway. I don’t waste any time rushing inside to shower. I have a nondate date with a sexy man who makes me weak in the knees and our best friends, who are so obviously in love.

  Should be a fun night.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lucas

  * * *

  I’m up to my eyeballs in paperwork for my current build. I’ve been putting in crazy hours this week, working with the building to get everything finalized. I’m buried in work, but that doesn’t stop me from ignoring it all when my phone pings alerting me to a new text message. I texted Addyson first thing this morning telling her to have a good day. It’s now after ten, and I haven’t heard back, so I’m anxious. Grabbing my phone, I smile when I see her name.

  Addyson: You too. It’s been a busy one.

  I send her a picture of my desk.

  Me: I know the feeling.

  Addyson: Do I need to come and dig you out?

  Me: Possibly.

  Me: We could have dinner after.

  Addyson: I just sent Justin a text. He’ll be there to pull you out of the rubble.

  Addyson: Be mindful of papercuts. They’re a bitch.

  Me: LOL.

  I toss my phone back on my desk and get back to work. There’s a knock on my office door not a minute later. I don’t have to look up to know it’s Justin. “Did she really text you?” I chuckle.

  “Yep.” He steps in and takes a seat across from me. “Your desk looks just like mine,” he comments. “It’s been a rough week.”

  “Glad to know it’s not just me.”

  “You all set for this weekend?” he asks.

  “I am. I assume your girlfriend is your date?” He sent me a text late Saturday night after we all went to the Escape Room confirming their new relationship status. Thanks to the girls we escaped. They took charge and got us out of there in forty minutes.

  “That she is. You still bringing your mom?”

  “I am. She looks forward to this every year. Why stop a tradition? Besides, it’s not like I have a girlfriend to take her place.”

  “She’s going to be crushed when that does happen.”

  “Nah, she’ll be so happy to see me getting serious. She’ll have no problem stepping aside.” My phone rings and my mom’s face flashes on the screen. “Speak of the devil,” I say, holding my phone up for Justin to see before answering. “Hey, Mom.”

  “Luke,” she croaks.

  “You sound awful. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just this nasty cold. Your father and I keep passing it back and forth. I was hoping to be well by now. Honey, I don’t think I can make it to the charity event tomorrow night.” She coughs into the phone.

  “No worries. Do you guys need anything?”

  “No, dear. Better stay away so you don’t get this too. We’ve got what we need. I’m sorry, Luke. You know I love our annual date night.”

  “I know you do. There’s always next year,” I say as she hacks up a lung in my ear. “Mom, I’ll let you go. Get some rest. Call me if you guys need anything.”

  “Thank you. Love you,” she says, and ends the call.

  “She sick?” Justin asks.

  “Yeah, she sounds terrible. I guess she and Dad have been passing it back and forth. She canceled for tomorrow understandably.”

  “So you’re in need of a date?”

  I shrug. “I guess so. I have no problem going alone.”

  “Or…” Justin smirks. “You could call Addyson.”

  “It’s tomorrow. You think she can find a dress before then?”

  “She probably has something, and if not, make it happen.”

  “You say that like it’s so damn simple.”

  “That’s because it is. You call her and ask her. She says yes. You inquire if she has a dress, if not, you tell her you’ll cover it since she’s doing you a favor.”

  “We are talking about the same Addyson, right? Can you really see her letting me do that?”

  “No.” He laughs. “But that’s not the point. The point is that she knows you’re willing to do whatever it takes to have her on your arm at that event tomorrow night. Play the ‘Mom’s always my date, and she’s sick’ card. She’ll go.”

  “What would Harper think of you telling me how to manipulate her best friend?”

  “She’s all for it. She wants the two of you together.”

  “Yeah?” For some reason, hearing that her best friend approves gives me hope that one day she and I will figure this out.

  “Yes, and before you ask me what she’s said, I’m not telling you. I’ve opened my mouth and given you more than I should have. Just call her.” He rises from his chair and strolls out of my office.

  “What have you got to lose?” I mumble, picking up my phone. I pull up our last text.

  Me: Hey, call me when you get a break in your schedule. I have a favor.

  Before I can put my phone back on my desk, it’s ringing. It’s her. “Hey,” I answer.

  “Hi. You caught me at a good time. What’s up?”

  “Well, I’m sure Harper has told you about the charity event for our firm this weekend? The one for the American Cancer Society?”

  “Yeah, she’s been talking about it all week. We went dress shopping earlier this week.”

  “Well
, how would you like to be my date?”

  “It’s tomorrow, Lucas. Way to give a girl some notice.”

  “That I’m afraid was unavoidable—” I start, but she cuts me off before I can finish.

  “Nice. So your real date bailed on you so you thought you would call me, second choice. No thanks. I’m not interested. I’ve been second place to every single man in my life other than my father, and I refuse to be any longer,” she rants before the line goes quiet.

  “Addy?” I’m not sure if she’s still on the line.

  “I’m here. Is that all you needed? I really need to get back to work.”

  “Can I talk now? Please?”

  She exhales loudly. “What is it, Luke?”

  “I always take my mom to this event. It’s become a tradition for us. She just called to tell me that she’s sick. She and my dad both have bad colds, and she’s not able to go.” I pause, letting that sink in. “I agree with you. You should never be second best, and that’s not how I see you. I didn’t ask you because this is something my mom looks forward to every year, and honestly, so do I. However, if there is anyone else who I would want on my arm tomorrow night, it’s you, Addyson.”

  “Luke, I—”

  “Addyson, would you do me the honor of attending my firm’s charity banquet tomorrow night? I know it’s short notice, but my date, my mother, is ill, and you are the only other woman I want.”

  “Well, when you put it like that.” She pauses. “I’m sorry, Luke. I jumped to conclusions, and it wasn’t fair to you. I know I do it. It’s a kneejerk reaction after all of my past relationships. I don’t have much faith in men. Not anymore, unless it’s my father. Well, and maybe Justin. He’s turning out to be one of the good ones.”

  “And me?” I ask her.

  “I admit, I’ve been quick to judge. I’m broken, Luke.” I hear the defeat in her voice, and once again I’m angry at all of the fools who screwed her over. “I need some time to get myself together. I need to let the past stay in the past, but it’s hard when betrayal and lies are all you know.”

  “Let me be the man who puts you back together. Let me be the difference between your past and your future.” I don’t say anymore, waiting patiently for her to work through her thoughts.