by Amie Nichols
“Hey baby,” I jump startled by the voice right by my ear.
“It’s just me,” Luke declares as he walks around the chair and sits on the ottoman. “You’re really studying that picture,” he says shocked at my reaction. He takes the picture from my hands and lays it in the book. Closing the book and setting it aside, he grabs my ankles and straightens out my legs. With his strong warm hands he starts to rub my bare feet and works up to my ankles caressing me gently.
“You, my sweet, need to relax and take your mind off of that stuff for now,” Luke murmurs. As his hands make it to my thighs, he leans in kissing my lips lightly. His hair is still damp from his shower. He smells amazing, and looks so cute in his loose fitting basketball shorts and tight black t-shirt that allows me to see his muscles.
“Oh yeah, and you’re going to help me, right?” I whisper back wrapping my arms around his neck bringing him in for another kiss.
“Yes, I am!” He whispers against my lips, as his tongue enters my mouth our kiss deepens.
“Get a room!” Emma interrupts our moment when she walks into the family room and plops on the couch.
Luke groans at the intrusion and slides off me landing on the floor in front of my chair. I bring my legs back under me and lean forward wrapping my arms around him and fold them together in front of his chest.
“He’s helping me relax,” I say sweetly in his ear before I nibble on his earlobe. He places his hands on my arms and turns his head toward me kissing my chin.
“Oh is that what you were doing?” Emma says rolling her eyes. “So I hear I missed the show, I would have loved to have seen that,” Emma says. I assume she means Adeline.
“How’d you hear about it?” I ask her curiously, not sure who would have told her.
“Jimmy called me to tell me he was back in town and that he was here. He mentioned it, was I not supposed to know?” She says offended by my question.
I turn my head and give her a don’t be stupid look, of course she can know. “I was just wondering how you found out about it. As far as I know, Adeline has it on the radio. Wait a minute, you said Jimmy called you? You know James Carmichael?” I ask shocked, another tidbit I didn’t know about my best friend.
“Yeah, I’ve known him for years. He’s been trying to get with me for as long as I can remember,” she says so matter of fact and surprised I didn’t know. “I told you that, I know I did,” she insists when she sees my astonished look.
“No, you haven’t ever told me that,” I squawk. “Did you know?” I ask Luke pushing on his shoulders letting him know that I am now addressing him.
“Ummmm, yeah,” he says quietly, ducking to the side like I’m going to smack him. “Jimmy has been in love with Emma since, well…. forever,” he adds softly and I feel very put out by this. So much I missed out on as a child.
“Hey beautiful,” Jimmy enters the room as if on cue and hops over the back of the couch and lands next to Emma making her bounce on her side. “Did you miss me?” He asks her coolly as he brushes his still wet hair aside. He is in basketball shorts and a t-shirt too. Luke and Jimmy are so much alike in many ways.
“Hardly,” Emma answers back with an annoyed look on her face. “You were gone? Oh that’s right, you ran away with that slut.” She blurts out miffed. Jimmy looks confused and taken aback by her statement.
“Someone looks wounded,” Luke pipes out, but shuts up fast when Emma throws him a death look.
“I need a drink. I’m hitting the liquor cabinet.” Emma gets up in a huff and walks through the kitchen disappearing into the dining room where the hard liquor is kept. Once she is out of sight, Luke and I stare at Jimmy for his reaction.
“What in the world was that about?” Jimmy says aghast. “Do you know how many times I have asked her out and she has turned me down?” He says flabbergasted by her reaction. He looks at me for help. What the heck would I know?
“I’ll go talk to her,” I tell them and crawl out of the chair to find Emma.
I find her in the dining room searching the liquor cabinet for what she wants to drink. Jane always kept a very well stocked liquor cabinet with only top shelf booze. Everything in there is still left from Jane. Emma is moving bottles, reading labels, and ignoring me as I stand next to her watching. I know nothing about hard drinks, not having the slightest idea of what mixes with what.
“What’s wrong?” I jump right in not knowing what to say.
“Nothing’s wrong. Do you have any diet coke?” She asks me as she pulls out a bottle of rum, closes the cabinet, and turns to head for the kitchen. I follow her and watch her get a glass filling it with ice. The boys come in from the family room when they hear us, sitting across from where we stand at the kitchen island. Emma pulls out a couple of cans of diet coke. “Anyone else want one?” Luke and Jimmy’s hands shoot up as soon as she asks. She grabs three more glasses and Jimmy looks to me for answers. All I can do is shrug with confusion. She hands us all tall glasses of rum and coke and leans her elbows on the counter after she takes a large drink of hers.
“So what are you going to do about Adeline?” She asks me out of the blue like everything is just normal. Jimmy looks at Emma then to Luke, who just shrugs and lifts his glass to Jimmy in a cheers motion and takes a drink. I sip mine, not really liking the taste at first.
“Nothing, I’m going to ignore her,” I answer Emma, taking another small sip. “She doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and my lawyer isn’t here so what can I do,” I say taking another sip. It’s starting to taste better. Miss Finnegan comes in and shoos us out so she can make supper. We escape to the back patio, but not before Emma refreshes all of our drinks.
We all sit in silence for a while, none of us sure of what to say after the awkwardness of Jimmy and Emma. The evening is warm, but with the sun setting it is cooling off. Jimmy pokes Emma in the side of her ribs and she smacks his hand away. He pokes her in the ribs again and she smacks his hand again only harder and madder.
“What gives, Emma, why are you mad at me?” Jimmy blurts out looking truly sad that she is so cold to him. The first serious look I’ve seen on his face.
“Nothing’s wrong, I’m not mad.” Emma says coolly taking another drink and crossing her legs trying to look calm. Jimmy’s mouth is agape as he looks at her then to us. He has a look of dread on his face like he has messed up.
“I think you are mad,” I address Emma who looks at me with no appreciation of my comment. “Are you mad because he’s back, or are you mad because he left?” I feel like it is the later of the two.
“You just up and left with that……that Sophie girl!” Emma yells at Jimmy waving her hand at him.
“How many times, Emma, how many times did I ask you out?” Jimmy says back in a very aggravated voice. “Don’t even tell me that I had even a little bit of a shot, all you ever did was turn me down.” He scoots his chair around to face her better and she starts twitching her crossed leg, her flip-flop hanging on the end of her big toe flaps up and down with every twitch.
“You didn’t know I liked you?” Emma says softer, but still shouting. Luke and I look at each other. I’m not sure if we should leave or stay, but neither one of us make to get up. I know I’m really interested in hearing how this goes.
“Well, I thought for a while you did. Why do you think I kept trying? But you broke my heart that night. I left to try and forget about you,” Jimmy says to her leaning in his chair so that he is closer to her. I have no idea what night he is talking about, and I want to ask but don’t. “Sophie was nothing to me. We broke up shortly after we got to California,” he admits and I hear Luke make a little sound as if this shocks him.
“I was mad that night. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I had just gotten in a big fight with my dad,” she explains now looking at him. “When I told you that I couldn’t be with you, it wasn’t because I didn’t want to be with you. It was because of my father,” she admits to him and Jimmy leans back in his chair to process this new information. “I
never got a chance to explain, you were gone,” Emma’s voice cracks and I can tell she is trying to fight back tears, but loses as I see one roll down her cheek. Jimmy leans forward again taking her hand with a look of sadness on his face that breaks my heart. “My father wouldn’t allow me to date you because of your mother. He hates her and always has,” she says looking down at their hands.
“Jesus, Emma! Why didn’t you tell me?” Jimmy shrieks at her. “If I had known that…dammit. I don’t give a shit if your dad hates my mom, my dad, or me. I would have waited for you forever,” he says sincerely, hurt that she didn’t tell him.
“I was only seventeen when you left, Jimmy! I didn’t know you were leaving or what to do,” she cries, tears streaming down her face. Jimmy gets out of his chair and is on his knees in front of her. He takes her face in his hands and wipes the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. I feel myself fighting back tears for my friend. Luke must sense it because he grabs my hand and pulls on me to get up guiding me to his lap where I sit and his strong arms cloak me.
“I am so sorry, Emma,” Jimmy chokes an apology. “Please, please forgive me,” he pleads to her with his forehead against hers. He loves her deeply and it is very apparent that she feels the same way. I can’t believe I never knew. She never talked about him or how she felt. When I was with Emma, it always seemed to be about me. Anytime I would ask her questions about guys, she would be short with answers and change the subject. Watching her, I realize this is the first time I have ever seen her cry. I want to run to her so I can comfort her the way she has always comforted me.
“Let’s give them some privacy,” Luke whispers and helps me off his lap. He takes my hand and we start to walk around the side of the house. I look back before they are out of sight and they are in the same position with Jimmy on his knees and their foreheads together. I can see them talking softly as they disappear out of sight.
Chapter 38
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Luke says as we return from our walk to find Emma and Jimmy no longer on the patio. Now past 8:00, Luke and I walked all over the grounds stopping for a couple make out sessions along the way. Luke had texted Jacob to let him know what we were doing. Sam kept an eye on us with the dogs, but kept his distance.
“What surprise?” I ask curiously, walking in the house. I see the door to the extra room off the family room is closed. It is an empty room that Miss Finnegan had set up an air mattress in as a temporary bed for Jimmy until the bed and furniture she ordered comes in. I wonder if Emma is in there with him or if she went home. I don’t remember seeing her car or not when we passed by the front of the house.
The house is quiet and Miss Finnegan has cleaned up with a note on the island saying food is in the fridge and directions for reheating. My stomach is growling and I’m ready to eat, but Luke takes my hand and goes right through the kitchen. I know he has to be starving, too, so I go without an argument hoping this surprise also involves food.
I hear talking coming from the office and I recognize Jacob and Lucy’s voices, but can’t make out what they are saying.
Luke guides me up the stairs with a silly grin on his face, which makes me giggle.
“We found something today,” he says as I start to go toward our room. He guides me to the right and walks to the master. I feel instant dread not wanting to go in there, but as soon as he opens the door I see it is completely torn apart and I start laughing at the sight. The walls are down to just the studs and the carpet is ripped up with a large pile of rubble in the middle. It looks nothing like Jane’s room anymore.
“Just wait till you see this. I guarantee Jane knew nothing of it,” Luke says giddy. We walk to the back of the room and I can’t imagine what he has to show me when I see an old wooden door that is between the studs. It would have been completely hidden by the wall. Luke opens the door and I see the night sky. I follow Luke out onto a very large hidden patio. The only outside you can see is the sky. Luke leads me to a little picnic he has set up for us. There’s a blanket and tons of pillows and candles that are already lit. I wonder who he had do this.
“Wow.” Is all I can say as I sit on the blanket looking around. It’s completely made of stone and it’s bigger than my room.
“So, I was thinking,” Luke can hardly contain his excitement as he tells me his plans. “We put in French doors here,” he waves his hand at the old wooden door. “Fill this space with flowers and some kind of waterfall,” he motions to the far corner. “And add some comfy outdoor furniture. It can be our own private hideaway,” he says and has a huge smile as he sits next to me watching my face for my reaction.
“I love it,” I tell him so happy to see him this excited. He grabs my waist and lays me down on an oversized pillow then lies right next to me.
“Did you know,” Luke says lightly kissing my forehead “that seven years ago this week,” he says as he kisses my nose, “I met the girl that I dream of every night?” His lips meet mine and I wrap my hand in his hair kissing him back. “The first time I saw that girl, I knew that I would marry her and be with her the rest of my life,” he says taking my lips with his again, his tongue sliding into my mouth. His kiss is so passionate it makes my belly tighten and I start moving my hips with want. I hear a low groan coming from the back of his throat as his hand runs down my back. He cups my bottom and pushes me into him. I feel him hard against me.
“I want you, Luke,” I breathe.
“You have me forever, my sweet Lilly flower,” Luke says.
I roll over so I am astride him and look down at him. He is so amazingly handsome. I run my hands up his shirt feeling his tight abs twitch under my touch. Reaching his chest I pull his shirt over his head and he helps me then throws it out of the way.
I pull my shirt off and throw it in the same direction. Luke sits up cupping my breasts in his hands, kissing the round mounds along the lacey hem. I reach behind me to unhook it as Luke grabs the straps and slides the lacey bra off my shoulders. It, too, gets thrown into the pile of discarded clothes.
“I love you so much,” Luke whispers, his voice muffled as his face is buried in my chest.
“Make love to me, Luke Hansen.”
Luke rolls me over so he is on top of me and we both slide our shorts off. Together we bring each other to climax, our bodies as one.
Lying naked next to each other, with my head resting on Luke’s arm, we stare up at the night sky propped up on soft oversized pillows.
“That is Cassiopeia there.” Luke points out some constellations using his finger as he tries to outline the stars to show me.
“Cassiopeia, wasn’t she an evil queen?”
“She was a vain queen,” he corrects me, kissing the top of my head.
“Oh.” My eyes are getting tired, but I am so comfortable and I feel myself nodding off. I still hear Luke talking about other constellations as I fall asleep.
I awake still wrapped in Luke’s arm. The sky is lighter and it’s apparent the sun is about to rise. I move to rub my eyes and stretch, which awakens Luke. I feel hot as the humidity has risen. I know that the day is supposed to be very warm. Thunderstorms are likely is what the forecast said and it feels like it in the air.
“Let’s go inside, I’m hot,” I tell Luke as I sit up fanning myself. Luke hops up and pulls on his shorts. I wrap the blanket around me and begin walking to the door when I am swept off my feet and into Luke’s arms. He picks me up with such ease, his strong arms cradling me.
“Allow me,” he says with a giant grin and walks through the door. I wrap my arms around his neck and enjoy the instant coolness of the air conditioning as we head to our room. As we pass Jacob’s room, I notice that his door is open and his bed is made as if he hasn’t been in it all night.
“That’s weird,” Luke also notices and has a look of confusion. Luke lays me on the bed lightly and gives me a gentle kiss on the lips. He has an obviously preoccupied look on his face, and I know he is thinking the same thing as me. I am wondering where
Jacob is also, it being 4:30 in the morning.
“I’m just going to check and make sure everything is all right?”
“I’ll come with you.” I untangle myself from the blanket. Luke whistles approvingly at my naked body. I grab a cami and some cotton shorts from my dresser. I follow Luke out of the room.
The house is quiet and dark. We see a dim light coming from the office. Standing in the doorway, we see Jacob and Lucy asleep on the leather couch. Fully clothed, Lucy is laying next to Jacob with her head resting on his chest and his arm wrapped around her. A steady beep is coming from the computer and it sounds like a tracking device.
“I thought he liked her,” Luke whispers as we walk into the kitchen and my stomach growls. I am famished and never got the chance to eat last night.
“Uh yeah, it is totally obvious.” I roll my eyes at Luke.
“Well, excuse me, miss know it all.”
“Toast?” I hold up some bread. Luke nods in agreement giving me a slap on the butt before he sits at the island watching my every move.
I bite off the corner of my toast as I lean against the island across from Luke staring at the beautiful face looking back at me.
“What are you thinking about? You look like you’re in deep thought, my love,” Luke finishes off his toast and pushes his plate aside. He reaches over the counter to touch my hand and the veins protrude from his muscular sculpted arm. His warm touch sends electricity through me.
“Thinking about you and how much I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweet Lilly.” He gets up from his chair and circles the island to come up behind me. Sliding his arm around my waist, he nestles his face in my hair and whispers, “Are you done eating?”
