‘I can’t promise I won’t sometimes worry when I see you chatting to a women at the bar, or when Chloe or another of your exes wraps an arm around you.’
He huffed out a breath. ‘I was never with Chloe.’
‘Would you have been though, if I hadn’t turned up?’
He gave her a mild look. ‘Aside from the fact that I didn’t fancy her, Chloe only ever wanted me as a tool to help her forget her ex. Women go off with the barman at the end of the night because he listens and makes them feel good. Not necessarily because they like him.’
Her heart crumpled. Beneath the cocky smile, the blarney, this gorgeous, strapping hunk of a man really had very little sense of self-worth. ‘I’m here because you listen, even when it’s not what you want to hear. Because you make me feel better than good. You make me feel like I’m attractive, special.’ She reached for his hand and held it in hers. ‘And because I like you. A lot.’
Like a burst of sunshine, a smile shot across his face. ‘A lot, huh?’
‘A lot,’ she confirmed, her heart starting to beat faster now. She was taking a risk, trusting he was the man she thought she was discovering and not the one she’d believed him to be when they first met.
‘Enough to continue where we left off? Not that I’ll mind if we don’t,’ he added hastily, then shook his head. ‘That’s not true, I don’t know why I said that. I desperately want you to stay but I’m trying to be a good guy here, trying not to rush you.’ He laughed softly. ‘And I’m also freaking out right now because this has never meant so much, never felt so important.’
Her heart swelled, feeling too big for her chest. ‘It feels important to me, too.’
He reached to cup her face, eyes glittering. ‘Maybe we could freak out together?’
‘I’m not freaking.’ Feeling oddly powerful now she knew he was nervous, she rested back against the headboard. ‘In fact I’m going to sit here and enjoy watching you strip for me.’ At her words, she started to laugh. ‘Oh God, now I’m remembering what Stan calls you.’
Luke winced as he slid off the bed. ‘Do I want to know?’
‘Probably not.’ But the temptation was too much. ‘Chipmunk.’ His eyes snapped to hers, his expression so horrified it cracked Mia up. ‘It’s a long story, one we’ll save for when I’m not looking forward to seeing you take your clothes off.’
‘Okay.’ He seemed to mentally shake himself before lifting at the hem of his T-shirt. ‘Do you need some moves with this strip show?’
The brief flash of tan skin and rock-hard abs drained the saliva from her mouth. ‘No moves needed. Just…’ She swallowed.
His smile was teasing. ‘Slow?’
She nodded, eyes fixed on him as he removed his shirt again. This time she was able to savour the slide of muscle over muscle, the smooth expanse of golden skin, the dusting of dark hair that trailed from his belly button into the waistband of his jeans.
But rather than undo his jeans button, Luke reached for his piercing.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Removing it.’ His eyes, dark green now, hot and intense, stared back at her. ‘I don’t need it anymore.’
Oh God. Her stomach swooped, yet as much as she appreciated the sentiment, it felt wrong. ‘No, stop.’ She crawled over to him, placing a hand over his. ‘This is part of you, part of the journey you’ve taken. I don’t want to erase your past.’ Her fingers toyed with the simple silver ring and when he cursed under his breath, she smiled up at him. ‘Plus it’s freaking sexy.’
‘Christ, Mia, it is when you touch it.’ His big body shuddered again, and she felt dizzy with power. Bending her head she pressed a kiss his chest, her mouth running over the hot skin of his pecs, across the ridges of muscle.
‘Mia.’ Her name was a strangled moan. ‘You don’t know what you’re doing to me.’
She placed a hand on the hard bulge in his jeans and squeezed gently. ‘I’ve got an idea.’
He swore again, then grabbed at her wrist, moving her off him. ‘Right, that’s it, I’m too close to embarrassing myself. It’s your turn to take some clothes off.’ His eyes trailed up her body until they met hers. ‘And my turn to tease the hell out of you.’
‘Okay. I’m on board with the teasing.’ Her new-found confidence wasn’t quite as solid as she’d hoped it was though, and alongside desire, she felt a skitter of the nerves from earlier.
‘Stop it.’ His voice was gruff, his expression frustrated yet his eyes soft as he cupped her face. ‘I want you, Mia. Your short yet perfect legs captivated me when you wore that yellow dress. Your breasts have been the stuff of my fantasies ever since I was crushed against them at the Chill Factore. As for the rest of you, I’ve danced with you, felt the length of you against me, even moulded my hands across that pert bum before dragging them back to your waist and reminding myself we were only friends.’ He smiled. ‘I know your body already. Taking off your clothes, seeing you naked, is just the cherry on the top of the most delicious cake I’ve ever wrapped my big mitts around.’
Slipping her arms around his neck, she rested her head against his chest. ‘How do you always know the right thing to say?’
His hands shifted, sliding down her back, drawing her tight against him. ‘I don’t. I’m sure I’ll do more than my fair share of pissing you off.’ His eyes searched hers. ‘But I see you, Mia. I get you.’
Inside her chest, her heart shifted and Mia knew what had gone before had been nothing. Affairs she’d had with guys she’d liked, been attracted to, enjoyed for a while before they’d hurt her, bruised her ego, crushed her confidence. This, with Luke, felt huge. Life changing. Yet on the flip side, it also meant Luke didn’t just have the potential to hurt her. He could crush her.
Did she trust him to be careful? To be the person he claimed he wanted to be, and not the one he’d spent all his adult life being?
His eyes pressed hers, and she saw how deeply he felt this moment, how much he meant what he said. So she took a deep breath, and a huge leap of faith, and pressed her lips against his.
Luke had been on permanent arousal for what felt like the entire evening, ever since Mia had come into the bar.
Now he had her back in his arms for a second time, and he wasn’t going to let anything stop them. Not the doubts he felt she still had, nor the single doubt he still had – that she would ever really trust him. The only way he could earn her trust was over time, and he planned on having lots of time with Mia.
Maybe even a lifetime of it.
The thought made his insides clench. He’d thought of a forever once before, and been rejected. Was he seriously thinking he could go through all that again?
But then Mia’s lips found his, and his mind short-circuited. All he could focus on was the sweet taste of her, the scent of her, fresh as spring blossom.
Unerringly his hands worked their way under her top, lifting it over her head to reveal her simple white sports bra. He smiled, enjoying the cleavage it created, yet also the fact that this was Mia, true to herself, not trying to pretend to be anything other than who she was; sporty and unfancy.
‘Bet you’ve not seen many sports bras.’
For a split second he worried they were going backwards again, her thinking of his past, yet when he looked at her face, he saw only dry amusement. ‘I like it.’ He slid his fingers beneath the elastic, and at the feel of her full breast he hardened even further behind his fly. If he didn’t get his jeans off soon, he was going to burst through the damn things. ‘I think I’m going to like what’s beneath it even more.’ With that he eased the bra over her beautiful full breasts, lust raging through him as his eyes feasted on her now naked chest. ‘Bloody hell, I’ve died and gone to heaven.’
She laughed, which caused her breasts to jiggle, and his jeans to feel even more cramped. Yet as much as he wanted to get shot of them, to peel off hers and get them both naked, he wanted to worship her breasts even more. So he ignored the ache and took one of her proud pink nipples into hi
s mouth.
‘God, Luke.’ Her hands clasped his head as he licked and sucked, his fingers busy on her other breast where his mouth couldn’t reach. In the end it was she who pulled back, chest rosy red, breath coming out in pants. ‘You’re driving me crazy. Get your clothes off.’
Chuckling, he tucked his hands under the waist of her jeans and peeled them over her legs. ‘Not until I’ve got yours off first.’ The humour died the moment he slid off her underwear, leaving her flushed and naked before him, all rounded curves and soft lines.
Beautiful. Yet when he sought her gaze, he saw her vulnerability. And when she spoke, he heard it as her voice caught. ‘You now.’
‘You’re perfect, Mia.’ He ran his hands over her breasts, across the gentle curve of her stomach. ‘Absolutely bloody perfect.’
‘That’s bollocks and you know it.’ But when her eyes dipped to his crotch, the corners of her mouth curved upwards. ‘Though it’s clear you like me.’
‘I more than like you.’ Deciding he was done with the teasing, he reached for his jeans button and flicked it undone, carefully sliding the zipper over his swollen dick before yanking the jeans off his legs.
‘What happened to the strip show?’
‘Shelved for a day when we haven’t had what feels like a million hours of foreplay.’ He grabbed a condom from the bedside table and slid it on before climbing onto the bed next to her, running his hands across her breasts and over her stomach before sliding a finger inside her heat.
Her hips arched off the bed. ‘Yes, God yes.’
Easing over her, mindful of his size yet unbearably turned on by the feel of her beneath him, he gazed into her eyes. ‘If I don’t get inside you in the next few minutes, I think I’m going to explode.’
Her smile was half sensuous, half mischievous. ‘If you don’t get inside me in the next few seconds, I’m going to flip you onto your back and climb on top of you.’
‘Fuck, that’s sexy.’ Unconsciously his hips thrust against her thigh, the image burning through him. ‘You reckon you could do that?’
Before he knew what was happening, he was on his back, Mia straddling him, her breasts bouncing, eyes laughing at him. ‘I’m a black belt in judo.’
‘How did I not know that?’ She smiled back, holding his stare, and the longer they gazed at each other, the more his nerve endings began to prickle and burn as heat replaced the laughter. ‘Hell Mia, just when I think you can’t get any sexier, you blow me out of the water.’
Reaching for her face, he brought it down to his and kissed her again and again until he couldn’t bear it any longer. Then he positioned himself so she could slide down onto him.
There was a gasp as she seated herself fully – his, hers, he didn’t know. All sense of where he ended and she started fled as she began to move over him, finding a rhythm so they moved together as one, his hips punching up as she pushed down. Her eyes never left his, and he felt their connection, the pulse of something that went beyond sex, way beyond anything he’d ever experienced. In that moment she owned him, totally, completely.
Her rhythm picked up and he held onto her hips as he continued to thrust up into her, feeling a throb of satisfaction when her eyes glazed and she groaned out her pleasure. ‘More.’
He did it again, and again, and watched in awe as she threw back her head and cried out his name as she fell over the edge.
When her gaze fell back on his she gave him a slow, languorous smile. ‘Wow.’
He throbbed, aching for release, yet there was something about the way she looked at him, the flushed skin, the sensuous expression, the glory of her lush breasts that made him want to hold the moment. ‘Wow indeed.’ He needed to move, yet for the first time he could remember, the rush to the finish line seemed so much less important than this; the quiet words, the intense intimacy of their connection. ‘Being inside you…’ His words were thick with both arousal and emotion. ‘It’s incredible. I don’t want it to end.’
She shifted on him, and as he groaned at the sensation she darted him a wicked grin. ‘Are you sure?’
His control snapped. Cursing, he gave in to the lust, rolling them over before pushing back inside her. As he felt her heat wrap around him again, pleasure burst over him, snatching the breath from his lungs. This was more, so much more than he’d ever thought possible. A few thrusts later and he let himself go, collapsing on top of her as wave after wave of the most exquisite pleasure rushed through him.
With the last vestiges of his energy he flopped back onto the bed and wrapped her up in his arms. ‘Stay the night,’ he whispered. ‘Please.’
She laughed softly, her breath tickling his chest. ‘Umm, I think I’ll have to. Not sure I’ll be able to move for a while.’
He knew the feeling. She’d drained him of all his energy. And yet, the way her fingers trailed over his abs, the silky feel of her hair across his skin. Those breasts crushed against his side … he bent to kiss her, a strong feeling of contentment brushing happily against the stirrings of arousal. ‘Perhaps after a short power-nap we could try again? See if it was just a fluke?’
More light laughter, followed by a yawn. ‘Deal.’
Within seconds, she was asleep. Smiling to himself, he kissed the top of her head, and closed his eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Mia woke to the feeling of a being wrapped in a heavy blanket. A hot and heavy blanket with muscular legs that were entwined with hers. And a hand that was cupping her left breast.
Last night came crashing back to her. The first time, and the second time.
Sex with Luke – it was right there at the top of her all-time favourite things to do. But now she’d discovered it, she was going to want to keep doing it. How did that sit with her need to prove she could be happy on her own? That she was a strong woman who didn’t need family round the corner, or a man in her life. Especially one who might hurt her further down the line.
‘Mia?’ She felt a light kiss on the nape of her neck. ‘Is everything okay? You’ve gone all stiff on me.’
It was an amazing night. You are not going to freak out. She drew in a breath and let the words calm her. ‘Isn’t that supposed to be my line?’ For emphasis she pushed back against the very obvious erection pressing against her bum.
He chuckled, and mixed with the deep timbre of arousal, the sound actually gave her goosebumps. ‘What can I say? Moby enjoys waking up like this.’ He gave her nape another kiss. ‘I enjoy waking up like this.’
Pleasure hummed through her and she shoved at the dark thoughts that wanted to ruin this. Maybe she’d freak, but later. Now she was going to revel in waking up with a bloody gorgeous man, who was also a friend. ‘Well, hello Moby.’ Slipping out of Luke’s hold, she turned and reached to caress the hard heat of him, staring into the face she was fast becoming addicted to. Forest green eyes surrounded by laughter lines, a square jaw, straight nose, dimples that flashed when he grinned.
He groaned, pushing into her hold. ‘Please tell me you don’t have to rush off.’
She bit down on her lip, loving the heavy feel of him in her hand, the hopefulness of his expression. ‘It depends what you’re going to offer.’
Eyes darkening, he trailed a finger over the curve of her breast. ‘Pretty much anything you want.’
‘Umm, so coffee?’ She squeezed him, smiling as he grunted, his hips beginning to thrust.
‘If that’s what you want.’
‘Eggs?’ She gasped as his fingers trailed over her stomach, then dipped lower. Okay, so now he was playing at her own game.
‘Fried? Scrambled?’ His grin turned wicked as he found her core.
Using her other hand, she cupped him. ‘Maybe poached. On a muffin oozing with butter.’
He hissed as she fondled him. ‘You can have eggs flaming Benedict, as long as you promise to keep doing that.’
She laughed, then it was her turn to groan as he dipped his head and began to tease her nipples with his tongue. She lost the powe
r of speech altogether as he reached for a condom before sliding slowly, exquisitely, breathtakingly into her.
Again his eyes held hers, just as they had last night, and again she felt a tug deep within her chest as his body flowed into hers.
This wasn’t sex. It was so much more, and she was terrified she might be the only one thinking that.
‘Mia.’ He clasped his hands to her face even as he thrust deep inside her. ‘Come back to me.’
‘Sorry.’ She felt the emotion brewing, tears pricking her eyelids. Crap, she couldn’t cry. Not during sex, for God’s sake.
As if he could read her mind, his eyes filled with understanding. Understanding and something more, something that looked like it was hurting him. ‘I feel it, too,’ he said roughly, continuing his slow glide in and out of her. ‘Whatever it is you’re feeling, you’re not alone.’
Then he kissed her. It wasn’t the searing passion of last night; this was tender, gentle. A caress of lips, a soft touch of tongues. As if he was trying to say with actions what neither of them could put into words because it felt too raw, too new.
She didn’t get her eggs Benedict – he offered but she needed to get back to her desk. Instead she swigged at the coffee he’d made her while throwing last night’s clothes back on and generally trying not to look like she’d spent the night having wild sex. And the morning… Her heart squeezed and she took another swallow of coffee. This morning had felt an awful lot like making love.
In fact it had felt more like making love than all the times she’d believed she’d been doing exactly that, with men who’d turned out to be bitter disappointments.
‘That’s one of the ladies in my life sorted.’ Luke stood in the bedroom doorway, Pickles resting snug against his chest, the rabbit’s blissful expression surely that of every woman who’d ever had the fortune to be cuddled up against him. ‘How’s the one without floppy ears and a twitchy nose doing?’
One of the ladies … it’s a joke, get over yourself. If she really wanted to give this a go with Luke, she’d have to. She gave him a bright smile. ‘Dressed and ready. Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you soon?’
Mr Right Across the Street Page 22
