The Difference
Page 15
“Ready for the preshow festivities?” he asks Harper.
She squeals and lunges over the console to kiss him. “You know you’re the best boyfriend ever, right?” she asks him, pulling away.
“Hear that, Luke?” Justin laughs.
“I heard, Romeo. Let’s get moving so we can get this over with.”
“What? You’re not excited?” I tease.
“Excited to see my girl fawn all over other men? Yeah, not so much. However, I am excited to be here with you, so let’s get this show on the road.” He reaches for the door handle and climbs down out of the truck. He offers me his hand, so I slide across the seat, and instead of letting me take his hand, he grips my hips and lifts me from the truck. His lips connect with mine briefly before he sets me on the ground. Hand in hand, we follow Justin and Harper to the entrance gate. Justin flashes them our tickets, and we’re each given VIP lanyards that will give us access to backstage as well as the VIP section for drinks and bathrooms. A pretty sweet deal that I’m sure Harper and I would never have splurged on had it been us.
“Hey, Justin,” I call up to him. They stop and turn to look at me. “Please let me pay you something for the tickets.”
He grins. “They were free.” He shrugs.
“Come on, just tell me how much,” I counter.
“Addy,” Luke says beside me. “He’s telling the truth. Justin’s family is prominent in the business world. He didn’t have to pay anything.”
“Really?” Harper and I ask at the same time.
“Really,” he assures us, then turns to Harper. “I know I’ve told you my family is well off, but I didn’t exactly tell you how well off.”
“Just because your family has money doesn’t mean I can’t repay you for the tickets.”
“One, I didn’t pay a dime and two, I wouldn’t let you even if I did. Have you ever heard of Atwood Enterprises?” Her mouth drops open. “Yeah.” He smiles sheepishly. “My family, my grandfather to be exact, started the company. Now we’re the largest fast food supply chain in the country.”
“Wow,” she breathes. “I-I had no idea,” she says softly as she drops his hand and wraps her arms around her waist.
“Hey.” He steps close, but she takes another step back.
I feel like I should turn away to give them privacy, but I don’t. Instead, I watch her, gauging her reaction. If I need to get her out of here, I won’t hesitate. There will be other concerts.
“Harp,” Justin sighs. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she replies. “I just… didn’t expect you to drop that tidbit of info on me. Your parents seem too nice, normal even.” She laughs. “Are you sure they’re okay with us dating? I mean, I’m just this small-town girl.”
I watch as a slow smile that turns megawatt crosses his face. “I love you, Harper. That’s what matters. For the record, I don’t give a fuck what my parents say or think. I’m not in the family business, as you know. However, just because we have money does not mean that we’re stuck-up snobs. They love you, trust me, they would let me know if they felt otherwise. They just want me to be happy, and you make me happy. That’s all that matters.” He takes a step forward, and this time, she doesn’t move. That’s progress. “That you couldn’t care less about the fact that we have money makes you perfect for me.”
“Of course, I don’t care,” she says, offended. “I didn’t fall in love with your bank account. I fell in love with you for who you are, for how you respect me, how you treat me.” She drops her arms to her sides, and I know they’re going to be okay.
I turn my back to them, and Luke does the same. “They’re good together,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“They are.”
“So are we.”
I turn, needing to see his face. Reaching up, I run my fingers over his week-long beard. “We are,” I say, just before standing on my tiptoes and kissing him.
“You plan on making out all night or are we going to see a concert?” Harper calls out a few minutes later.
“Bring on the hotness!” I cheer, causing both Luke and Justin to grumble in defeat.
Harper grabs me by the hand and links her arm through mine. The guys fall in behind us as we lead the way to our backstage experience.
“Gah! I can’t believe we got hugs from both of them,” Harper gushes.
“Right? Justin, thank you so much,” I say, wrapping my arms around Luke’s waist.
“Sure, no problem. I’m the world’s biggest idiot,” he grumbles.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“I said, I’m the world’s biggest idiot.”
“Why would you say that?” Harper asks, concern lacing her voice.
“Because I made it possible for those men to put their hands on you.”
I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. He sounds so sad. “They’re married, Justin. Both of them. Not to mention, we’re kind of taken,” I remind him.
“You’re damn right you are,” Luke says, his lips next to my ear. “I don’t plan on letting you forget it.”
“I don’t want to,” I assure him.
“We better go find our seats,” Justin says, smiling down at Harper. She must have eased his fears while I was wrapped up in Luke. Worming our way through the crowd, we make it to our section. We’re in the bottom row of the midlevel.
“They offered me floor, but I just assumed you didn’t want to deal with being pushed around all night,” Justin says, pointing down to the pit.
“These are perfect. A great view of the stage, and…” Harper pulls out her phone and zooms in. “The pictures are going to be awesome,” she says excitedly.
The opening act, a band I’ve never heard of, takes the stage and we settle in our seats. Luke places his arm on the back of my seat, and I snuggle in close with a smile on my face. A smile that he put there. I never thought I would fall again, especially so quickly. But it is Luke, and well, everything with Luke is as natural as it is easy.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lucas
* * *
I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun at a concert. I’m not even drinking. None of us are. Justin and I made sure that he and I would be driving and told the girls to have at it, but they both declined, opting for bottles of water instead. The night’s flying by, and it’s been a blast. That has everything to do with the amazing woman shaking her ass to the beat.
My girlfriend.
My future.
At least I hope so. With each passing day, she breaks off another little piece of my heart and makes it her own. Not that I care. I’m handing it over on a silver platter. It’s hers for the taking. She does a little shimmy and her fine ass brushes against my cock. Snaking an arm around her waist, I pull her against me and sway my hips to the beat. “You have to stop this,” I say, nipping her earlobe. She’s turning me on with all these sexy little moves. Who am I kidding? If she’s breathing, I’m turned on. It’s not something I can control; it’s just Addyson and her effect on me.
My lips travel down to her neck, which she’s so conveniently exposed for me tonight with her hair pulled to one side. Her head falls back to rest against my chest, and her head tilts to the side. I take advantage and trace the long slender column with my tongue. I don’t give a fuck that we’re in public. Everyone around us is dancing and standing on their feet. Hell, most of them are so damn drunk they’re either being loud and obnoxious or practically fucking their date, so they’re not worried about what I’m doing. Not that I care. Not when it comes to Addyson and getting my mouth and hands on her.
She turns in my arms, wraps her arms around my neck and begins to sway, just as the song changes. “I love this one.” She smiles up at me as Dan + Shay begin to sing their hit “Speechless.”
Pulling her close, I whisper the words in her ear. Every damn line of this song is us. It’s me for her. It’s cliché as hell, but it is what it is. We’re standing still in a crowd of thousands, but
all I see is her. When the song ends, she lifts her head, and I can see it in her eyes. She feels it. The love that I have for her is impossible to miss. I can’t hide it nor do I want to. Resting my forehead against hers, I’m going to tell her. I know she might not say it back, but I can’t pass up this moment. My heart needs her to hear it. I open my mouth to speak, but she beats me to it.
“I love you.” Her voice is clear. Strong.
The breath expels from my lungs as I crush her to me, lifting her off her feet. She giggles, burying her face in my neck. “Say it again.”
Lifting her head, she places her hands on either side of my face. “I love you, Lucas Prescott.”
“I love you too, so fucking much. I love you.” I kiss her hard. Someone behind us yells for us to get a room, followed by laughter and catcalls. She breaks our kiss and smiles up at me, before turning back around and watching the rest of the show. She dances some more, driving me insane.
On the drive back to Justin’s, she sits close tucked into my side. My arm’s around her shoulders while the four of us talk about the show. It’s mostly Addy and Harper who are chatting, but Justin and I chime in when we can.
“You guys want to come in?” Justin offers.
“No, thanks.” I’m quick to decline. I chance a look at Addyson who’s standing beside me on the driveway. She doesn’t seem to be upset.
“I’m exhausted,” she says, stepping forward and hugging Justin, then Harper. The girls exchange whispered words, and when they pull away, both are all smiles.
“Stay put,” I say, driving into the garage at my place. I’m quick to climb out of the truck and rush to her door. Pulling it open, I lean in and kiss her.
“We gonna stay out here all night?” she asks against my lips.
“No. Definitely not.” Hands on her hips, I lift her from the truck and set her on her feet.
“You know, I can get myself in and out of your truck.”
“You’re tiny,” I counter.
Her hands go to her hips, and she gives me a “you did not just say that” look. “I’m built low for stability,” she says, barely able to contain her grin. Her lip is twitching as is mine.
“Stability, huh?” I ask her.
“Yes.” She stands a little taller.
“How’s this for stability?” Bending down, I put my shoulder in her belly and lift her off the ground.
“Luke!” She laughs. “Put me down.”
“Nope. I think I’ll keep you. In fact, you might just fit in my pocket,” I tease her. She smacks my ass. “That’s not going to convince me to put you down, babe.”
She grumbles then clears her throat. “Please, put me down.” Her voice is sugary sweet.
“Nope.”
“Luke,” she says.
“Addy?”
“I love you,” she says loud and clear, just as I enter my bedroom.
I toss her on the bed, and lean over her, caging her in with my hands on either side of her head. Brown eyes stare up at me. “I.” Kiss. “Love.” Kiss. “You.” Kiss. “Too.” Kiss. “You know what else?” I ask as I kiss down her neck.
“W-what?”
“I’m going to make love to you,” I whisper in her ear.
She sucks in a breath. “I like this plan.” She tilts her head to the side.
“Good.” Pushing back, I stand to my full height. “Strip.”
A wicked grin crosses her face as she lifts herself up onto her elbows. “That’s not very make love-ish.”
I chuckle. “Is love-ish a word?”
“It is now.”
“Strip, Addy.” I offer her my hand to help her off the bed. “I need you naked for what I plan to do to you.” That’s all the motivation she needs to hop off the bed and strip out of her clothes. I do the same, but I’m sure to keep my eyes on her as she peels back each layer. When she steps toward me, I watch her facial expression, trying to gauge what she’s thinking. That is until all thoughts leave my brain when she wraps her small hands around my cock.
“Luke?” she asks softly.
I swallow hard. “Addy.”
“What if I don’t want you to make love to me? What if I want something else?”
“Name it.” If it’s within my power, it’s hers.
“I want you,” she says, and my reply is immediate.
“You have me, baby.”
“I wasn’t finished.” She tsks with her tongue. “What I was going to say…” She strokes me lightly from root to tip. It’s simple, basic compared to being inside of her, but her hands are soft, and this is Addyson, so of course it turns me on. “That I want you in my mouth,” she finishes as she drops to her knees.
Her hot breath touches my shaft. “Addy, you don’t have to do this. Let me take care of you.” Even I can hear the desperation in my voice. I’m too amped up from our night, from the knowledge that this beautiful woman loves me back. I’ll lose control with her mouth on me.
She peers up at me under her lashes. I push her hair back from her face so I can see her clearly. “That’s what this is about, Lucas. Me and you taking care of each other.” Before I can reply, she has her mouth on me.
Sexy as fuck.
Her hands and mouth drive me out of my mind. Stroke after stroke. Lick after lick. She’s giving me the best blow job of my life, and I don’t even want to think about where she learned the skill or the fuckers who threw her away after. Pushing that out of my mind, I lock my knees, gather her hair in my hands, and enjoy the ride.
“Addy,” I say through gritted teeth. “S-stop.” I manage to push the words past my lips.
She doesn’t stop. She continues to bob her head, and that sight alone pushes me over the edge. With no more warning, I spill into her hot, wet mouth. Pulse after pulse. Her eyes are closed as she swallows down everything I’m giving her. It’s not until my cock falls from her mouth and she wipes the back of her hand across her reddened lips that I realize the iron grip I have on her hair. “I’m sorry.” I remove my hand from the silky strands.
“I loved it. It’s a heady feeling knowing I can drive a man like you to lose his mind.”
“Come here.” I hold out my hand. She stands, and I pull her naked body into mine. My voice is gravelly when I say, “I don’t know what you mean by a man like me, but I can tell you that you’re the only woman who’s ever made me lose my mind.”
“It’s a gift.” She chuckles.
Releasing her from my hold, I turn toward the bed and pull back the covers. “After you.”
“I wore you out, huh?” She smirks.
“I need a few minutes,” I tell her. “But I’m far from worn out. Get your fine ass in this bed.”
She shimmies said naked ass and then climbs into bed, burrowing under the covers. I follow her, pulling her into me. Her skin is soft like silk, and my hands roam over every inch they can reach.
“You’re so warm.” She snuggles in closer. “Your house is like an icebox.”
“Babe, it’s ninety degrees outside and you’re naked.”
“It’s like forty in here,” she counters, resting her head on my chest.
“I’ll go turn it up.” I reach for the cover, but she stops me.
“No. Stay. You’re warming me up,” she says huskily, running her foot up my leg.
“I can warm you up.” I roll over on top of her. Her legs open for me and I settle between them. Right where I’m meant to be. Resting my weight on my elbows, I smooth her hair out of her face. The glow of the moonlight streaming through the windows is enough for me to make out her features. “We had a big night tonight.”
“We did.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“I’ve known for a while now,” I confess. “I was too afraid to tell you. I didn’t want to scare you away.”
“I’ve known but was too afraid to tell you. Not because I didn’t think you felt it too. I could see it in the way you look at me. My past…” She exhales before continuing. “It’s not going to determine my future. I’m
trusting you with my heart, Luke.”
“It’s safe with me, and so are you.” She lifts her head, meeting me in a slow, sensual kiss as I slide inside of her. She exhales as if us being joined in the most intimate way brings her peace. Remaining still, I can feel her pulse around me. I take my time leisurely kissing her, showing her with my mouth how much I cherish her.
“Luke,” she mumbles against my lips.
“Yeah?” I ask, kissing her again.
“Move.”
“Not this time, Addy. This time we’re taking things nice and slow.” A man of my word, I pull back and then slowly push forward. Over and over, my pace is set. Slow and steady. Her hands are gripping my biceps, her nails digging into my skin. I kiss her, unhurried and deep, just like my thrusts.
“Lucas,” she huffs. “There. Please. Don’t. Stop,” she pants.
Bracing my arms on either side of her head, I focus on keeping my stride, holding off my own orgasm. With each thrust, I feel her spasm around me. I don’t need the scream of my name tumbling from her lips to know she’s there. I can feel it. Her grip grows tighter, nails dig deeper, and I unleash, thrusting hard and fast before spilling over inside of her.
Drenched in sweat, I pull back, and she whimpers. Falling onto the bed beside her, I gather her in my arms. Neither one of us says anything, because no words are needed. We’ve declared our love with our bodies and our hearts. The future, our future is in front of us, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. Sluggishly, I drift off to sleep thinking about what comes next.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Addyson
* * *
I’m sitting at my desk staring into space when I should be getting caught up on my charting from my last patient. Instead, I keep thinking about Luke. Last night, we made dinner together at his place. Nothing fancy, just some pasta and a salad, but it was the company that was spectacular. Every day with him I fall even more in love. I swore to myself it would never happen again. I thought if by chance, I were lucky enough to fall in love again, it would be in a few years. I was jaded, but then Luke wormed his way into my heart, and I’ve never been happier.