by Olivia James
"How much do I owe you?"
Luke reached for his wallet in his back pocket, but the young man shook his head. "It's all paid for."
Pulling a few stray bills out, he handed the delivery guy a tip. "Then this is for you."
"Thanks, man. Have a good night."
Luke closed the door behind him and sniffed at the box. His stomach growled in anticipation. He wouldn't dig in without talking to Shaw, however. It was her pizza and she hadn't planned on him showing up tonight.
Dressed and ready to go, Shaw came out to the living room with a small bag in her hand.
"Did I hear the doorbell?"
Luke held up the box. "It was the pizza you ordered."
Her brows pinched together, Shaw frowned. "I didn't order a pizza. It must be a mistake."
"He said Parker. A large with sausage and extra cheese."
"That's my name and my usual pizza but I didn't order anything. Maybe their computer system had a glitch."
"Then they glitched with your credit card because the delivery guy said it was paid for. You might want to call them."
"I'll have to do that but at least we can enjoy the pizza. I wasn't hungry earlier, but I am now. I'll get us a couple of plates."
Luke followed Shaw into the kitchen and placed the cardboard box on the island. Shaw pulled down two plates from the cabinet and handed one to him before flipping open the box.
'"It smells delicious–" She broke off, her gaze riveted to the contents of the box. "Shit..."
One large pizza. In a heart shape.
This was no accident. No glitch. Luke was certain this was deliberate.
This was a gift from her stalker.
17
Shaw should be sleeping. The illuminated numbers on the clock on the nightstand said it was two in the morning. All sane people were fast asleep so they could start their day in a few hours, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Or at least not a complete wreck.
But she wasn't going to fall asleep. She'd realized that about thirty minutes ago so instead she huddled in Luke's guest room staring at the ceiling and imagining more and more outlandish scenarios in which she finally met the person stalking her. Some of them ended well, and some ended terribly. None were pleasant.
She couldn't fault Luke in all of this. After realizing that her stalker had ordered that pizza, he'd taken control immediately. He'd called the pizza parlor, but the order had been placed by computer on a guest-type account. He or she had used a credit card, but the system didn't save the card numbers unless a box was checked by the customer. It was a security feature which was great for the person putting in their credit card information but not so great for her.
Luke had stomped around her kitchen and muttered under his breath for a few minutes and then bundled her up along with her suitcase and taken her to his house. Not wanting to eat that pizza, they'd tossed it in the trash and then stopped at a drive thru on the way. Despite her earlier hunger, she'd barely touched her food. Her stomach simply wouldn't allow her to eat much.
I am thirsty though.
Slipping out of bed, she padded on bare feet into the kitchen, checking the cabinets for a glass or a mug.
They're right next to the sink. That's where I would have put them.
Filling the glass from the dispenser in the refrigerator door, she turned around to find two curious canines staring at her. Tails wagging, tongues lolling out.
"Oh...hey guys. I didn't know you were awake."
Shaw had never had a dog before. They'd seemed quite friendly when she and Luke had arrived, giving her kisses and wanting pets, but she hadn't realized that they might follow her around the house.
"Dogs have superhero hearing. They heard you get out of bed."
Luke's voice came from around the corner and then he was standing in the kitchen wearing a pair of blue and white striped pajama pants and nothing else.
He looked good, even in the dark. Considering everything that had happened she shouldn't be noticing how hot he was. But it was a nice distraction.
"They're staring at me."
He flipped on the light and she blinked for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the sudden glare.
"You're standing next to the treat jar. They want a treat."
She was? Was she supposed to give them one? Didn't they have to sit or roll over or something to get it?
"I'll let them out in the back yard real quick and then give them one."
She stepped aside so the dogs could scamper out of the back door. Luke watched them and then after a few minutes let out a whistle that had the two canines running inside. He made them sit politely for their treat which looked like a small, flat piece of hamburger. Dylan and Murphy wolfed it down as if it were chateaubriand.
"They really like those."
"They love them. They're both very food-motivated, especially Murphy. Because of that they were pretty easy to train."
It was two in the morning and they were both avoiding the real subject. She might as well bite the bullet and get it out in the open.
"I couldn't sleep so I got up to get a glass of water."
He leaned a hip against the counter. "I figured that. I wasn't sleeping so great either. We could watch a movie if you want."
Shaw didn't want to watch a movie. She didn't know what she wanted to do.
Wait...that wasn't true. She wanted to sleep. She was exhausted but every time she closed her eyes she saw that stupid birthday cake or that creepy pizza. She could hear in her head all of the messages she'd received.
She wanted to scream in anger and frustration.
"You don't want to watch a movie. I can tell from your expression."
Groaning, Shaw tossed back the last of her water. "I want to sleep, but I don't think that's going to happen. I feel like I could jump out of my skin."
Luke rubbed the back of his neck. "Listen, I'm going to throw out a suggestion. It's just an idea. I'm not trying anything, okay? I'm thinking that it might help, that's all, and if you think it's a terrible idea I'll drop the whole subject."
"Okay..."
Was he going to suggest that she take something pharmaceutical to help her fall asleep?
"You could sleep with me. I mean, in my bed. I wouldn't try anything. It's just that sometimes it helps if you're not alone. Jesus, this sounds bad. Forget I said anything."
His cheeks were stained pink and his gaze was on his bare toes. It was cute that he was so nervous about what was actually a decent suggestion. It would make her feel more secure to have him next to her. She certainly felt safe whenever he was close by.
"I don't want to forget your offer. I think I'll take you up on it, if it's still okay."
"It is," he agreed readily. "I just don't want you to feel pressured or anything."
She didn't feel pressured. She felt relieved.
"I'm not too proud to admit that I didn't like sleeping alone. Thank you for making the offer. Even if I don't sleep, I think I'll feel more secure with you."
Without another word, Luke rinsed out her glass and then turned off the light. They walked back down the hall side by side and then paused when they were standing next to his bed.
"Which side of the bed to you prefer?" he asked. "It doesn't matter to me."
It didn't really matter to her either. A quick glance at the bed told her that he slept on the right side. The pillow had a deep indent in it and the covers were slightly more messy.
"How about the left side? Is that okay?"
"That's fine," he assured her. "Do you need an extra blanket or anything?"
Their conversation was almost comical. They were both so nervous and stilted.
"I'm fine." Wanting to break the tension, she took a leap and landed in a heap on the bed. When she looked up, he was smiling. Thank goodness. She had a weird sense of humor, but it was okay with him. "Comfy. This is nice."
The bed was huge actually, which wasn't a surprise. A regular-sized mattress wouldn't be large enough for him and another
person.
"I bought it brand new about a year ago." He slid in next to her, pulling the covers up over her so she wouldn't get cold. "I've wanted a king-sized mattress my whole life."
"It's very nice."
Damn, that tension was still there, thicker than ever because now they were lying in bed together. Despite how wide the mattress was they were still touching. They couldn't help it. Luke wasn't a small man.
"Do you want me to leave the light on?"
"No, it's fine. You can turn it off."
She was too keyed up to sleep but she wasn't scared. Not with Luke and the dogs there.
Turning onto her side so her back was to him, she tucked the covers under her chin and closed her eyes. If she could simply relax a little, she was sure she could fall asleep now, all warm and cozy in Luke's bed. She could smell his scent on the sheets and she took in a lungful, citrus and spice.
But sleep didn't come.
She was hyper aware of him next to her. His breathing, every time he shifted, even the warmth from his body that had begun to seep to her side of the bed. It was maddening. Was he feeling it too? The sexual tension between them had been there from pretty much their first meeting, but tonight it was off the charts.
"Luke?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you awake?"
"Yes, I'm awake. Are you okay?"
"I'm okay."
That wasn't the truth.
"Actually, I...do you think you could hold me?"
She didn't think he'd turn her down. That wasn't the reason for her nervousness. It was that this was a big step forward.
They probably weren't going to just cuddle tonight.
"Of course, honey." He slid the few inches between them, spooning her from behind. It was amazing to be held so close and protectively. Her fingers wrapped around his arm, and she snuggled back against him. All of him. "Is this better?"
His voice sounded strangled. When she'd moved into him that meant she could feel every inch of him. There was a heck of a lot to feel too. He was hot and hard, his cock pressing against her bottom.
"Much better. How about you? Is this okay?"
"It's great. Awesome. Do you think you can sleep now?"
Could she? Possibly. Did she want to? No.
"I don't think I want to sleep at the moment."
"We can–"
"Luke," she interrupted, keeping her voice soft even though there was no one to hear them. Except the dogs, of course. "I think we should make love."
There. Out in the open. She'd stepped off the cliff and hoped that the landing wouldn't be too bad. He wanted her, he couldn't hide that, but did he want to want her? That was the question.
There was a long silence and then she felt a rumble in his chest pressed so closely to her back. He was laughing. "I like your style, Shaw. Straight and to the point. Put it all right out there. No games."
"Let's face it, Brewster. That tension-filled polite chitchat could have lasted for hours. I don't want to waste the time. Do you?"
"No, I do not."
Then his lips were on traveling across her cheek and down her neck while his hands were tracing her curves. He cupped her breasts over her t-shirt, his thumbs strumming the peaked nipples underneath. Squirming at the sensation, she ground her bottom against his cock, ripping a deep groan from his throat.
"You're evil, woman."
"I'm just getting started."
So was he, apparently. His hands slipped underneath her t-shirt to stroke the sensitive skin underneath. She shivered and sighed, flames licking at her quivering flesh. He was far too good at this. His hand slipped between her thighs and under the edge of her panties, his fingers tracing the folds before coming to rest on her clit.
She moved restlessly against him, trying to find the perfect amount of friction as he rubbed circles around the swollen pearl. The temperature of the bedroom had risen into the tropical zone and she kicked off the covers, wanting to be rid of the clothes that separated them. She wanted to feel him against her, skin to skin. Tugging at her shirt, she pulled it over her head and tossed it away. Her panties followed quickly after. Now all that was left was his pajama pants. Her fingers went to the tie in the front but then she paused, a thought occurring to her.
"Do you normally wear pajamas or did you do this for me?"
"For you," he snorted with a laugh. "I usually sleep naked, but if you had a nightmare or something and I had to come running I didn't want to scare you."
"Don't ever wear these again."
It really was a crime to cover up his beautiful male body. He helped her strip him out of the pants and leaned down to capture her lips with his in a soul-searing kiss. She could hear her blood pumping in her veins and the heat rising all around her. When they broke apart, he nudged her back onto the mattress, his mouth and tongue teasing a rose-tipped breast. Her fingers curled into his hair and then she ran her hand down his torso, enjoying the feel of his ridged muscles underneath her palm.
When she arrived at her destination, she wrapped her hand around his length, running her hand up and down. His hand immediately clamped down over hers.
"Easy there, honey. I'm already pretty keyed up and I'd hate to bring our evening to an abrupt ending." He began to kiss his way down her torso. "Let me–"
She wanted him. She didn't want to wait any longer. Grabbing at his arms, she pulled him back up so they were nose to nose, his warm breath on her cheek.
"I need you. Now."
Groaning, he flung out an arm toward the nightstand. "You're going to be the death of me but I love it. Once again, just straight and to the–"
"Luke, for heaven's sake. Concentrate."
He could tell her how wonderful she was later. Right now, she had a one-track mind.
Feverish, she moved underneath him, rubbing against him like a cat in heat and making it almost impossible for him to put on the condom. In the end, she had to help him while they both giggled, their fingers fumbling in the half-light.
She thought he'd settle on top of her but to her surprise he sank down on the mattress next to her and gently nudged her onto her side so they were spooning again. He pulled her top leg up and back over his own and his cock pressed into her until he was in to the hilt. His fingers took up residence on her already swollen clit while his other hand slid under her and cupped her breast.
Oh, this is nice. This position is pure genius.
His lips were caressing her shoulder, his fingers dancing over her clit, and his fingers plucking at her nipples. All the while he lazily thrust in and out, deep and hard, running over all the sensitive spots until she was panting hard and couldn't see straight. Her abdomen tightened with arousal as she climbed higher and higher, ready to soar among the clouds. She was so close. It wouldn't take much more.
His teeth nibbled at the hollow of her neck near her collarbone, an erogenous zone for her, and that was all it took to send her over the edge. Lights danced behind her lids as wave after wave ran through her limbs, all the way down to her curled toes. Luke reached his peak right after and she forced herself to turn and watch him as his orgasm overtook him. His head was thrown back and his jaw was clamped together. He was a gorgeous man and never more so than this moment.
When it was all over and their damp bodies had cooled, Luke lifted her up and carried her into the bathroom so they could get clean under the steamy shower. He had to hold her up, her legs were still jelly but they managed without any major mishaps. Afterward he tenderly dried her with a fluffy towel and then tucked her back under the covers, once again spooning her from behind.
Her body almost boneless, she began to drift off to sleep, safe and warm in Luke's strong arms. He'd become so important to her in such a short time. She hadn't expected this to happen, hadn't even really wanted it to, but there they were.
Shaw was falling in love with this man. This amazing, wonderful man.
18
When they went to speak to the police the next morning it was far differe
nt than the first time. This time they took Shaw much more seriously. They couldn't blame a random friend for breaking into her home and leaving the cake, although one of the officers tried, saying that perhaps the cake and the video were an elaborate prank. She'd replied that none of her friends had that sort of sense of humor and neither did she.
Since they still didn't know who was doing this, the officer in charge had promised to send a patrol by her house three or four times a day in hopes of perhaps catching a glimpse at her intruder or at the least intimidating him if he was hanging around.
The cop did seem to think that she had done the right thing installing cameras and security, and he'd been almost nice to Luke when he'd said it. At the end, he'd apologized that they couldn't do more for her. She'd appreciated his obvious sincerity, and he had acted professionally, making sure that the entirety of her situation was documented. He'd said that she might need all of this information if the man was eventually caught.
If. That was a little word with a big question.
Luke appeared to be confident. He'd assured her that now that her stalker was becoming bolder and escalating it would only be a matter of time before they could catch him on camera. After all, he wouldn't know that she'd installed a security system.
On the way back to Shaw's house, they'd grabbed a coffee and a muffin, hoping to fuel up for the day ahead. Despite all the turmoil going on in her life, she had to work. She couldn't simply throw up her hands and give into the stress. She did think getting her mind off her own problems might help her too. Better to concentrate on other people than to wallow in her own quagmire of crap.
Speaking of crap... Shaw's phone chimed with a text message. Someone or something had set off her doorbell camera.
"Something set off the camera," she said, pulling up the app to see. "It might just be the postman though."
Could they get lucky enough to catch her intruder on the first full day with her new security system?
Nope, and she wasn't lucky at all. One glimpse at the car in the driveway on the video and she wanted to beat her head against the car window.
Her mother's car was in her driveway unexpectedly. Again.
