by Kaylee Ryan
“I really like you,” I confess. My heart is beating so loud I’m sure he can hear it. To be honest, I more than really like him, but telling him makes me vulnerable. It opens me up for pain and heartache. It gives this… whatever it is we’re doing the ability to crush me if it doesn’t work out.
“Good.” He kisses my forehead, and I snuggle into his chest. “As long as we’re both heading in that direction. What are your plans for today?”
His change of subject shows he already knows me so well. It’s both scary and exhilarating. “Laundry, I’m so far behind. And I need to go to the grocery store. You?”
“I could go to the store, and I have some work to do.”
I sit up, taking that as my cue to go, but he pulls me back to the bed. “What are you doing?”
“Getting dressed, getting out of your hair.”
“Did I tell you that you were in my hair? That I wanted you to leave?”
“No.”
“Exactly. Now, I say we go make some breakfast together in my big-ass kitchen, then we go to the store for both of us. We can drop my stuff off then head to your place. I can work on what I need to, and you can get caught up on your laundry.”
I let his words sink in. “Really? You just want to… grocery shop and hang out while I do laundry?”
“I have work to do,” he reminds me.
“Yeah, but—” I stop collecting my thoughts. “I’ve never had that. Usually, it’s ‘have a good day.’ And, I’ve never cooked with a guy before.”
“Those other men were douchebags. I want all your minutes, all your hours, all your days. So, yes, Addy. I want to make breakfast with you. I want to go grocery shopping, and then I want to sit on your comfortable couch with my laptop, with you beside me in between loads of laundry.”
I can’t hide my smile. “Sounds like the perfect day.”
His lips brush the top of my head. “You want to take a shower?”
“Uh, I can wait, but do you maybe have some shorts or sweats that I can wear home? And we’re going to have to stop there before we go to the store.”
“That’s fine.” He shrugs. “That’s more time with you.” He lightly taps my ass with his big hands and climbs out of bed. I take in his chiseled abs, and… my eyes widen when I see his erection in his boxer briefs that leaves nothing to the imagination.
“Addy,” he growls.
My eyes snap up. “Huh?”
“I said…” He takes a deep breath. “If you keep looking at me like that, we won’t leave this room.”
Yes, please. “Oh, sorry, I just….” I nod to his obvious erection.
“That’s all for you, beautiful. You can’t expect me to sleep with you curled up in my arms and not be affected.”
“But… doesn’t it hurt?” I blurt.
“I’m fine,” he assures me. “As long as you stop looking at me like that.”
I close my eyes. “Okay. You should maybe just… um, get dressed and let me know when I can open.”
“You don’t have to close your eyes, Addyson.”
“No, really I do. I can’t stop looking, and I know we’re not there yet, but I mean, I’m not so sure it’s going to fit.” I bite my lip to keep more embarrassing word vomit from spewing out. I can hear him moving around the room. It’s not until I feel his hot breath against my neck that I know he’s close.
He places a soft kiss on my neck, just below my ear. “I’ll fit, baby,” he assures me. “When the time is right, when you trust me enough to make it good for you, for both of us. I promise you, I’ll fit.” One more sweet kiss, and I feel him pull away. “You can open your eyes, Addy.”
I hesitate, then slowly open my eyes to find him standing before me. He’s in gym shorts, a T-shirt, and a backward hat. “I left some sweats on the bed. You’ll have to roll them up. They’re going to swallow you, but they’ll work to get us to your place.”
“Thank you, Luke.”
He nods, turns, and walks out of his bedroom, softly closing the door behind him. I throw my head back on the mattress and let out a frustrated groan. He’s trying to kill me. I’m sure of it.
Two hours later, we’re pushing two carts around the grocery store. I suggested we split up and get what we each needed, but Lucas said we should stick together. I’m not used to being with a man who’s so attentive, so of course, I agreed.
“What do you eat for breakfast?” he asks as we turn down the cereal aisle.
“Usually a bagel or yogurt with some granola and fruit. I eat Instant Oatmeal a lot when it’s colder outside. All easy-for-one meals. You?”
“Eggs and toast mostly. Gotta get my protein in.” He rubs his flat stomach with one hand while pushing his cart with the other.
“Well, if eggs do that—” I nod toward his abs. “—I might need to change my routine.”
He chuckles, leans in, and kisses the corner of my mouth, just as a male voice calls out my name.
“Addyson.”
Looking over at Lucas, I roll my eyes.
“Addyson,” the voice says again, this time closer. I know who it is without turning around, which is why I’ve yet to turn around.
Pulling my cart in front of Lucas’s so we’re not blocking the aisle, and so my ex can get through, I finally turn to face him.
Blake.
The guy I dated for months, unaware that he was married.
“How have you been?” he asks. I have to give it to him, he looks genuinely excited to see me.
“Blake,” I say flatly. Lucas must recognize the name. He slides in close and places his hand on the small of my back—a silent vow that he stands behind me.
“Moved on already I see.” Blake’s eyes move to where Lucas has his arm around me.
“It’s been five months since we broke up and you’re one to talk. Where’s your wife, Blake?”
“Getting milk.”
He has no limits. I ignore him and look up at Lucas. “We better go. We have lots to do today.” I step out of his hold and start toward my cart that’s parked in front of his.
“That’s it?” Blake calls out. “That’s all you’ve got for me?”
Stopping, I look over my shoulder. “Go to hell, Blake.” He blanches as if I’ve smacked him. I see the hint of a smile on Lucas’s face as I turn back around. With my hands gripping my cart, I push forward. I want to turn to see if Blake is gone and if Lucas is following me, but I don’t. Instead, I keep my head held high and push on down the aisle.
“Addy.” I hear Luke call once I reach the end of the aisle. He slides up beside me with his cart too. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t him leaning in and kissing me softly. “In case I haven’t told you, you’re amazing.” He kisses me again, this time on the corner of my mouth before pulling away. “Next aisle?” he asks. I’m at a loss for words. He’s unlike any man I’ve ever met.
I nod and follow him into the next aisle. That’s how the rest of the shopping trip goes. We don’t run into Blake or his wife, and I’m happy about that. I’m also thrilled Luke didn’t step in all macho and go off on Blake. It’s not what I expected of him. He saw that I had it handled and he let me. I knew he was there standing strong beside me if I needed him. His silent support speaks volumes. After the groceries are loaded in the back of his truck and we’re on our way to his place, I ask him about it.
“You had it under control. I was there, and no way would I let anything happen to you. He didn’t get out of control, and you had it handled.” He pauses. “I wanted to punch him,” he confesses after a few minutes of silence. “I wanted to wail on him for how he treated you. I thought about it, but then I realized something.”
“What’s that?” I’m hanging on every word.
“If it were not for Blake being the asshole that he is, I may not have been standing there in that grocery store with you. I may not have been able to hold you in my arms last night. Hell, I may never have met you. So even though I want to hurt him for what he did to you, I want to hu
rt him for making you lose your trust in yourself and in men, I didn’t. His fuck-up gave me you, and for that I’m grateful.”
“I don’t know what to say to that,” I admit. That warmth in my chest is back. It always seems to appear when Lucas is around. Sometimes even when he’s not. It’s a welcome feeling compared to pain.
He reaches over and lays his hand over mine. “There’s nothing to say, Addyson. That’s how I feel. I know trust isn’t easy for you, so I’m going to show you. All I need you to do is come along for the ride.”
“I’m glad you were there that night, eavesdropping on our conversation. Justin has made my best friend happier than I’ve ever seen. And you, well you’re healing my heart.” My voice is shaky with my confession. I’m scared to open up, but at the same time, Lucas makes me want to.
“Good.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “Maybe once it’s healed, you’ll consider giving it to me.” His tone is soft, but the look in his eyes tells me he means every word. He’s not laughing or joking. He’s being genuine. He’s being Lucas.
I think I already have. “Stranger things have happened,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood. I’m not ready to confess my feelings. He chuckles at my comment. Luckily, we pull into his place and busy ourselves unloading his groceries. He packs up his laptop and what he needs to work at mine, and we’re off again.
The rest of the day is spent lounging around my condo. I get caught up on laundry, and while Lucas works, I make up a chicken noodle casserole. It’s a perfect domestic day, and I hate to see it end.
“What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?” I ask.
“Eight, although I’m usually early. You?”
“Same.”
“I guess I should get going.” We’re sitting side by side on my couch, our heads turned, resting against the back of the couch to look at each other.
“Thank you for this weekend, Luke. I had a great time at the rodeo, and last night….” I take a deep breath. Time to give a little. “It was perfect. So much so, I’m not looking forward to sleeping without you.”
“Come home with me. Or, if you’d rather be here, I can go grab what I need for work, and come back.”
“Are we there yet?” I ask him. This has been fast, but we’ve been dating for a while now and things are going well.
“I think we’re two grown adults who can make decisions based on what’s best for them.”
“What’s best for you?”
“You.” His answer is immediate and holds zero hesitation.
“I’m not ready—” His finger landing on my lips stops me.
“I know that. I’m not here to fuck you, Addyson.” My eyes widen at his candor, and he grins. “I want to, don’t get the two confused. I’m here for you. For us to continue to get to know each other to see where this goes.”
“It makes no sense for you to drive home and drive back.”
His face falls. He nods and sits up. “Thanks for today.” He leans in and kisses me. Just a quick peck on the lips before he stands.
“I like spending time with you,” I admit.
“That’s good, Addy, because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
Not giving myself time to think and worry, I go with my gut. “I’ll be right behind you. I just need to pack a few things.”
“Wait. What?” he asks, even though I know he heard me, at least if his smile is any indication.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“No.” Firm. Decisive. “I’ll wait. Then I’ll follow you to my place.”
“I’m a big girl, Lucas.”
“I know. Humor me, yeah?”
“Give me a few minutes.” I jump off the couch and race down the hall to my room. I grab an outfit for tomorrow, some shoes, underwear, bra, and fold them neatly into a small carry-on bag. In another small bag, because I don’t want it getting on my clothes, I pack up my shower supplies and makeup. I toss my hair dryer in my larger bag. I’m sure Luke doesn’t have one.
“That was fast,” he says when I join him in the living room. “Let me carry that.” He takes the bags from my hands. Together we leave my place and head toward his. I don’t let myself worry. I’m taking the risk slowly. One day at a time.
Chapter Eighteen
Lucas
* * *
When I pull into my driveway behind her, I open both garage doors. She must understand my meaning because she pulls her car into the extra bay. I have three attached bays, and I must admit I like the thought of the “extra” bay being hers. Once we’re both inside, I close the doors and grab her bags.
“Hungry?” I ask.
“Yeah, I could eat. What are you going to make me?”
“How does a couple of burgers on the grill sound?”
“Delicious actually.”
“Good. I’ll take these to the bedroom and be right back.” I drop a kiss on her cheek, because I can and because I can’t not when she’s here in my space with me. Rushing down the hall, I place her bags on the bed and grin. I like having her here, having her stuff here.
“What are you doing?” I ask when I see her standing in front of the pantry with the door open.
“Looking for sides. How about mac and cheese?” She holds up a box.
“Perfect.” I move in behind her, making sure that I run my hand along her back as I slowly pass. I pull the hamburger meat out of the refrigerator and begin preparing the patties while Addyson starts the mac and cheese.
“So how’s work? Last I heard the Covingtons were still causing a ruckus.”
I groan. “Unfortunately, yes. They have more money than they know what to do with, and regardless of how many fees we tack on for last-minute changes, she keeps making them. They’ve already lost one contractor because of it. He kept pushing off jobs thinking he was going to start their build, but the delay with the plans delayed the start date. That means no work for him. So they’re now using one of our firm’s employed contractors to build, which is a nightmare. I can see changes coming midbuild.”
“Yikes. I get wanting it to be perfect, but really, most people have a pretty good idea of what the perfect home looks like.”
“Exactly. Speaking of, what’s yours?” I ask her.
“Honestly, this place. I love this house and the land. I loved it before I knew who you were. I’d change a few things, but that’s paint color and what not. Liven it up a little, but I love it.”
“What?” My mouth drops open as if I’m shocked. “My house has life.” Her laughter fills the kitchen, and in this moment, my home has never felt more alive.
“It’s all… white. Well, except for the bedroom. Did you do that all on your own?”
“I did. My sister, Anna, complained saying it was too… bland and I needed to liven it up a bit. So I painted my bedroom, got some matching bedding, and voila.”
“Luke, you put your voila on a room only you see.”
“Not true.” I step to the sink to wash my hands, then turn to face her. “You see it.”
“I don’t count.”
“You count in every way that matters,” I say with conviction.
“Fine, you put your voila on a room only you and I see. I mean, look around you. You have nothing here that makes this place your own. A huge-ass sectional, a matching huge-ass TV, and that’s it. You don’t even have any family photos.”
“I have them… somewhere. Now, you sound like Mom and Anna.”
“Maybe you should listen to the women in your life.”
“Well, maybe I was waiting on the right woman to come along and help me make this place a home.”
“You could be waiting forever. You deserve a home to come home to,” she counters.
“I have a house, one I love and designed. I tried to think of everything. Plenty of bedrooms for future kids, and guests. Finished basement for the same thing. Big backyard. The huge-ass bathroom with the crazy big tub, this ginormous kitchen. I tried like hell to make it a place my fu
ture wife would want to stay forever.”
“You’ve done that,” she says gently. “I’m not denying that. I don’t know a single person, male or female, who wouldn’t be happy spending forever here. What I’m saying is you need to make it yours too.”
“I get what you’re saying. What I’m saying is that I want my wife and I to make this place a home together.” I watch as a slow smile graces her lips.
“You’re one of a kind, Lucas Prescott,” she says with admiration. I want to puff out my chest and beat against it with my fists. I made my woman proud. It’s caveman, but how I feel all the same.
“Yeah?” I step forward and wrap my arms around her. “What would you say if I told you I hope that woman is you?”
“I’d say you’re putting the cart before the horse, bud.” She chuckles, tapping my chest lightly.
“Oh, so you’re ready to get married? I can do that.” I step back, and bend to one knee.
“Luke! Get up.” She’s now rolling with laughter. “You’re crazy.”
“Maybe.” I grin up at her. I might be crazy because if I thought she’d say yes, I’d ask her. That alone is crazy. I haven’t known her long, but I know. And my mamma always said, when you know, you know. Rising to my feet, I place my shoulder at her belly, wrap my hands around her waist and lift her into the air. Stepping out of the way of the refrigerator, I spin her in a circle. This moment alone is worth the ginormous kitchen.
“L-L-Luke,” she stutters through her laughter. “Put me down.” She smacks my ass.
“Addy, that’s only going to make me want to put you down on my bed where I can ravish you.”
“Y-you’re a beast.” She coughs with laughter.
I spin her again, memorizing the sound of her laughter filling my house, making it feel more like a home. Carefully, I place her on the island.
“The stove.” She points to where the water for the macaroni noodles is starting to boil over.
