Tempting the Artist

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Baby, I’m sorry.” There was no way he was letting another day go without apologizing for his jacked up attitude the other night and for any other grief he might have caused her. “I could have … no, I should have handled the other night better than I did.”

  “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry for everything. I don’t want to fight anymore and I swear I’ll never lie to you again.”

  “Me either.” Not giving her a chance to say anything else, he lowered his mouth over hers and kissed her with everything he had. Repairing their relationship was going to take more than ‘I’m sorry’ but an apology was a good start. He didn’t know what it would take, but he wanted them to find their way back to each other. He wanted what they once had. He needed what they once had.

  Luke lifted his head from hers, still cradling her face between his hands. “We need to talk.” He used the four words she had spoken that last night in New York and again when he ran into her a week earlier. The words he hated.

  “On one condition.”

  Fear crept through Luke’s body. He didn’t like deals or conditions, especially when his heart was involved. “And what’s that?”

  “We agree never to use those four words again.”

  Luke shook his head and grinned. “Deal.” He was glad to see she still had her sense of humor though her smile seemed a bit sad. Zack was right about him. He was an idiot. He could have ended this nonsense between them the other night, yet he chose to walk away from the only woman he had ever cared about. The only woman he had ever loved.

  Staring down into her eyes, Luke caressed her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “I love you,” he whispered. He had never spoken those words to any other woman. “I love you so frickin’ much I feel as if I’m going to lose my damn mind whenever we’re apart. I need you in my life, baby. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

  She molded against his body, her arms wrapped tightly around him and her head buried in the crook of his neck. He didn’t know what else to do but hold her.

  She finally looked up at him, tears hanging on her long eyelashes. “I love you too. These last few months have been awful. I didn’t think … I never thought I’d hear those words from you.”

  He wrapped his arms around her again, enjoying the feel of her curves against his body. He placed a lingering kiss against her temple. “I should have told you a long time ago.” Then maybe they wouldn’t be in this mess. No more secrets. Luke didn’t know how long they stood in Zack’s foyer, but it was time to settle things with Christina once and for all. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  An hour later, Luke walked into his condominium carrying Christina, who was asleep in his arms. He had intended for them to talk on the way to his place, which was why he suggested they leave her car at Zack and Jada’s house. But she had fallen asleep within minutes of their long drive.

  He placed her in the center of his four-poster king-size bed, not bothering to pull the covers back. She was out cold. She didn’t even stir when he took her shoes off her feet.

  Luke stood back, his hands shoved into the front pockets of his pants and his heart swelled seeing her lying in his bed. He had once admitted to her that he didn’t sleep well without her lying next to him. After all this time, that fact still remained true. The thought of sleeping in a bed without her made him physically ill.

  Luke pulled his T-shirt over his head, feeling a nap was a good idea. Last night he probably only had a solid two hours of sleep. In the past, much of his insomnia had to do with the high profile cases he took on. There was a time when he could separate himself from that part of his life once he left the office or left the courthouse, but somehow over time, his work became his life. And the last few years the cases became more challenging, and he slept fewer and fewer hours.

  Stripping out of his jeans, he tossed them in the clothes hamper in the back of his closet. Normally he wasn’t one to sleep in pajamas, but in light of his visitor and the rockiness of their relationship, sleeping in the nude wasn’t an option. He grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms from his dresser and slipped into them.

  Pulling the extra blanket from the closet, he spread it over Christina before climbing into the bed next to her. As much as he wanted to wake her, if for nothing more than to stare into her eyes, he resisted. Instead, he let his gaze study her face. She appeared so peaceful. Her long eyelashes fanned over her cheeks and that sweet mouth of hers held a slight smile, making him smile too. A nose ring. He reached out and touched the diamond stud, surprised that she’d been daring enough to go through with getting her nose pierced.

  Unable to resist, he gently gathered her into his arms, her head resting on his chest. He breathed in and the smell of wildflowers, her usual scent tickled his nose. Peace he hadn’t felt in a long time fell over him, lulling him into a deep sleep.

  *

  Christina slipped into one of Luke’s dress shirts and quietly tiptoed out of his bedroom, closing the door behind her. She couldn’t believe she had slept over five hours. Luke must have been just as tired because he was normally a light sleeper. She had climbed out of his bed, showered and he hadn’t moved. The whole routine brought back memories of happier times.

  Quietness except for the soft hum of the air conditioner surrounded her as she eased down the semi-dark hallway. She glanced into a guest room, Luke’s office, and a bathroom on route to the main part of the condominium. She now stood in the great room and noticed the sun starting to set through the opened blinds.

  Christina didn’t see a light switch on any nearby walls, so she headed to a table lamp, bumping the edge of an overstuffed chair along the way. The light emitted a soft glow around the room. From where she stood, she could see the kitchen, a dining room, and a closed door to her left.

  She took a slow stroll around the luxury space. Luke’s new place was just as neat and extravagant as the one in New York. He loved the finer things in life, and it showed in his taste in furniture, fixtures and now that she was in the kitchen, appliances.

  After a quick glance in the kitchen, Christina went back into the great room. She had never met a man who kept everything so tidy. He had purchased another white pit set that only took up a portion of the square footage, leaving plenty of space to move about easily. The taupe color walls with white trim complimented the décor of browns, sage, and burnt orange sprinkled around the space.

  She had two words for the decor – interior designer. Luke might have been a neat freak, but he didn’t have the first clue about decorating a home.

  Christina froze when a painting on the wall across the room caught her attention. Easing up to the artwork, joy fluttered in her gut and a smile played on her lips. It was one of hers. One of her abstracts. It was one of her earlier pieces. The cool colors blended perfectly with the room design as if specifically made for the space.

  It was one thing to see her work hanging on gallery walls or in her own home, but to see one of her paintings displayed in someone else’s home excited her in a way she hadn’t expected.

  She stood staring at the picture trying not to zone in on any flaws, but couldn’t stop herself from thinking she should have used a darker blue. Like most artistic people, she had yet to look at one of her pieces and not think about what she could have done differently.

  Feeling rested and excited, she turned on her heels and almost did a happy dance back to Luke’s bedroom. He had some explaining to do. She wanted to know when, where, and how he’d found one of the first paintings she had ever done.

  *

  Luke wasn’t sure what had awakened him, but when he opened his eyes, Christina was standing near the foot of the bed, leaning against one of the bedpost.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I used your shower. And I gave myself a tour of your place.”

  He lifted his head slightly. His sleepy gaze raked lazily over her from the thick hair tumbled around her shoulders to his dress shirt draping her body. He didn’t have to wonder if she had anything
on underneath. He knew her. She hated clothes. It was a wonder she had bothered to put on anything. Besides that, he could see her nipples hardened behind the light material.

  He groaned at that realization and dropped his head back on the pillow, throwing his forearm over his eyes. Damn his body for reacting. This woman and her enticing body were going to be the death of him.

  “Make yourself at home.” He wasn’t ready to get up. Actually, he wasn’t ready for her to get up either. “C’mere. Come back to bed.” He held out his other arm and heard her soft steps moving closer to the bed. When his hand met a smooth thigh, he lifted the arm that was covering his eyes and met her gaze.

  Not needing any encouragement, she climbed on top of him. When he had asked her to come back to bed, his intentions were good, but now…

  She squealed when he flipped her onto her back, her beautiful smile a lot brighter than it had been earlier.

  “I hope you’re not in a hurry to leave. I have big plans for you.” Luke pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

  Pulling his face to hers, Christina kissed him with an intensity that left no doubt to what she wanted and he was just the person to give it to her. Their tongues tangled to a familiar rhythm, reminding him of how much he had missed her taste, missed the feel of her nakedness beneath him. She was right where she was supposed to be. Right there with him. For months, Luke had wondered if he would ever have her in his arms again. Wondered if he would ever get the chance to hold her, touch her, love on her.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said when he lifted his head, caressing her cheek. Her freshly showered scent swirled around him, awakening the ardor he had only for her. “You have no idea how I’ve missed you.”

  She placed her hand on his jaw and stared into his eyes. “Actually, I do. I love you so much. I promise I never meant to hurt you. Never meant to ruin what we had.”

  Instead of responding, he covered her mouth with his, nipping at her lower lip, then the top one. “Sweet. So sweet,” he mumbled. He slid his hand down the side of her body, appreciating every curve and dip. No bra. No panties. Easy access. Just the way he liked it.

  Luke raised up slightly, his elbow holding his weight as he undid the top two buttons on the shirt she wore. Though he loved it when she put on his clothes, he loved it better when she wasn’t wearing anything.

  His hands went lower. Smoothed, toned skin peeked from behind the twill fabric as he undid yet another button and slowed. Opening the material, a smile crept across his lips. “A nose ring and you have your belly-button pierced … I like.” He fingered the diamond hanging from a gold stud. He never knew what to expect from his little seductive vixen, but Christina never disappointed.

  Luke glanced up and their gazes collided. His pulse galloped as he stared into clear, dark eyes that held so much love and desire, tugging hard on his heartstrings. He was a goner. One look, one incredibly sexy woman, and a pierced belly button had him falling deeper and unequivocally in love with this woman.

  He cleared his throat and returned his attention to the task at hand. “What other treats do you have for me?”

  Christina caressed the back of his bare arm that was bracing him up. “Let your gaze and your fingers take you lower…” Her voice trailed off and he did as she suggested.

  He arrived at the last button. The button holding together the portion of the shirt that covered the part of her body he couldn’t wait to dive into. He unfastened the shirt and let the halves fall open. Warmth spread through his body and his penis leaped to attention.

  “Damn, baby.” His gaze steadied on the short curls leading to the V between her firm thighs. “You’re just full of surprises aren’t you?” He ran his hand from her flat abs on down to her pubic hair, formed in a perfect heart-shaped design.

  “You have no idea,” she said on an unsteady breath, her lower body arching to his touch. Unable to help himself, his fingers went lower, not stopping until he was at the entrance to her core. He entered her with one finger and she whimpered and moved against his hand. Wet and hot. “Lu…” Her words hung in the air, her nails digging into his arm.

  “You like that?”

  “Lu…Lucas don’t play with me. You know I do.” Her voice held a husky edge as she moved with each thrust of his finger. “Please,” she begged. He added another finger, this time going deeper and harder, massaging her interior walls.

  Luke captured her lips again, sucking on her tongue as he picked up the pace sliding his digits in and out of her. Hearing her soft moans, a hot tide of lust built within him. Desire pulsated through his veins and straight to his erection. There was no way in hell he’d be able to take this reuniting of their bodies slow with the way her hips lifted higher on the bed, her moves more frantic against his hand. She was close. She was close to her ….

  Christina snatched her mouth from his. “Lucas!” Her hips rose fully off the bed bucking and jerking uncontrollably. Her head thrashed against the pillow. “Ohmigod. Ohmigod.” She locked her thighs shut and clung to him as she shattered around his hand, her eyes tightly shut.

  Not waiting for her to come down off her high, Luke reached over and pulled a condom from the drawer next to the bed. He rid himself of his pajama bottoms and quickly sheathed himself.

  “I’m not done with you yet.” He nudged her thighs further apart, moving between her legs.

  “Good.” Her breathing came in short spurts and she smiled up at him, a light sheen across her forehead. “We have some time to make up for and I’m planning on us going all night long.”

  Luke laughed and positioned himself above her, bracing his hands on each side of her head. “I love how ambitious you are.” If anyone could go all night long, it was Christina. Luke had never met a woman with her sexual appetite and stamina.

  He trailed kisses from her cheek, down the column of her neck and didn’t stop until he reached her breasts. The feel of his tongue swirling around a taut nipple sent lust sweeping through her body like a runaway train barreling down a steep hill. Christina knew she would lose it again soon when he caught the harden peak gently between his teeth, sending a sweet thrill to the soles of her feet.

  “Baby, I need you inside me.” She wiggled beneath him and placed her hands on the side of his face, getting his attention. Her nipple popped out of his mouth and he grinned up at her.

  “Impatient are we?”

  “Yes.” She pulled him to her and kissed him with a hunger that let him know just how her impatience had grown to explosive proportions. She loved that he liked to take his time making love, but her sex throbbed for him, longed for what she’d been missing.

  Luke gripped her left butt cheek, lifting her hip slightly off the bed as he slowly entered her moist opening, sending erotic jolts of pleasure to every nerve in her body. Christina held the back of his head firmly, increasing the pressure of his kiss as their bodies rocked in harmony. Just like old times.

  Luke moaned against her lips as he plunged deeper, and harder, picking up the pace with each thrust. Christina rotated her hips and grasped his butt, feeling him grow thicker inside her. She squeezed her thighs around him as adrenaline coursed through her veins. This is what she wanted, what she had missed.

  “Chri…stina,” he growled when he yanked his lips from hers. Fierce hunger lurked in his eyes as his stiff shaft pounded in and out of her with such force, she could barely hold on to his sweat slicked shoulders.

  Christina bit down on her bottom lip as she held his intense gaze, matching him stroke for stroke. But with the pressure building in her core, there was no way she could hold on much longer. No sooner as the thought entered her mind, Luke hit the spot that always pushed her over the edge.

  She cursed under her breath and slammed her eyes shut. Her arms flung out and she fisted the sheets as her heart hammered and a frenzy of pleasure shot through her core. Christina couldn’t hold on. Luke’s name flew from her lips and an orgasm rippled through her body like a seismic sea wave washing out everything in its way
.

  Luke’s moves grew more frantic and with one final thrust, his body stiffened and he roared her name before collapsing on top of her. Panting hard, they lay that way, shivering in each other’s arms, struggling to catch their breath.

  Minutes ticked by, neither mumbled a word. So many emotions bounce inside of Christina as she marveled at the peace that had washed over her. She had dreamed, hoped for this moment for months, not knowing whether they would ever be joined together again. And here they were.

  “God I’ve missed you,” she whispered into the quietness of the room.

  Luke lifted his head and kissed her sweetly. “Not as much as I’ve missed you.”

  *

  “Lucas?”

  “Hmm?” Luke didn’t open his eyes. As long as she was curled up next to him, her smooth legs intertwined with his lounging on the bed, all was well in his world. Besides, over the last two hours she had worn his ass out. “I’ve missed hearing you call me that.”

  “When you’re dressed in your expensive suits, designer ties, and shoes so shiny I can see myself, the name Lucas fits you better than Luke.”

  “But at the moment, I’m not wearing a suit, tie, or shoes.” He turned his head to look at her, fatigue keeping him from opening his eyes completely.

  She grinned. “Funny.” Mischief shimmered in her eyes, as her gaze remained steady on him. He had no idea what she was thinking, but he could look at her all day lo…

  “Shit,” he gasped and practically leaped off the bed when her cold hands wrapped around his shaft. He slammed his eyes closed and cursed under his breath when her grip tightened. They had already gone three rounds and for the first time in his life, he was going to have to turn her down if she insisted on another go at it.

  He slid his hand beneath the sheet and covered her hand. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked through gritted teeth.