by Jill Sanders
Her head fell back against the door as she gasped. Her nails dug into his shoulders as his fingers dove deeper into her moist heat.
“More,” he growled as he took her lips again. This time the kiss was fast and a little rough. Her lips were soft under his, moving to keep up with his demands. When her fingers moved to his zipper, he felt like laughing. Yes! his mind screamed. Now, it has to be now.
When she freed him and ran her soft hand over his sensitive skin, his eyes closed. He had a moment of clarity as he pushed away and pulled out a condom.
“Here.” He shoved the foil package into her hand and watched as she quickly slid it on him. He didn’t wait long after she was finished. He pushed her skirt up and buried himself in her in the next second. She gasped and arched her back as he held onto her hips and started to move. With each thrust, he tried to hold onto his control, which was quickly slipping. He’d kept a tight rein on himself in the last day, but now his restraint had completely gone. How could one woman do this to him so quickly?
He felt her inner muscles tighten around him as he leaned in and took her lips again. The soft sounds coming from her mouth caused his control to slip even more. Reaching down, he grasped her soft ass under her skirt and squeezed until he felt her convulse around him. Only then did he allow his own control to break.
Cassey tried to concentrate the rest of the night, she really did. At first, she’d expected Luke to leave within the first half hour after the excitement in her office. How was she ever going to be in that room again without thinking of what he’d done to her? But it was a quarter to closing and he was still sitting at the bar, talking with Wendy, and looking too sexy.
She’d seen the look Wendy had given her when they’d walked down the stairs, no doubt with I-just-had-the-hottest-sex-ever looks on their faces. Wendy had covertly cornered her in the ladies room an hour after their tryst, dying to get the scoop.
“Spill,” Wendy said, making sure they were alone in the employee’s bathroom.
“Oh my God!” Cassey fell against the sink.
“That good?” she asked as she leaned against the door.
“Better.”
“How can it be better? You were only up there fifteen minutes.” Wendy looked shocked.
Cassey smiled and shook her head. “The man knows how to use his equipment.”
Wendy sighed. “You know, it’s been four months since I’ve had sex. Four months and a lifetime since I’ve had knock-your-boots-off sex.” Wendy frowned.
“It’ll happen.” Cassey turned and made sure her makeup was still in place and refreshed her lip gloss. “There. Now no one will be able to tell that I’ve just had OMG sex.”
Wendy laughed. “Honey, it’s written all over your face. And his.” She smiled.
When the last customers had been ushered out by Tyrone, and all the employees had settled their tabs, she locked the doors and turned to see Luke standing by the bar.
“That was some night.” He smiled at her. “Are all Fridays like this?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It was a good night. Not as good as they used to be, though.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I hope it’s okay that I stayed,” he said when she walked towards him.
She nodded since her mouth had gone completely dry. “I’m glad you did,” she said, walking into his arms. She wondered what it would take to convince him to spend the rest of the night with her.
“How do you do it?” He wrapped his arms around her waist.
“What?” She tilted her head back, looking into his dark eyes.
“You’re a bundle of energy.” He chuckled and looked down at his watch. “It’s one-thirty and you look as fresh as when you walked down those stairs six-and-a-half hours ago.”
“Well,” she purred, “I did have a pick-me-up halfway through the night.” She smiled as he chuckled.
He started walking her backwards. “Then after what I have planned, you should be ready to run a marathon.”
It took too long to climb the back stairs that led to her apartment. She didn’t dare make a sound as she unlocked her door and watched as he looked around the small space.
“Nice,” he said, before turning to her and gathering her up in his arms. His head dipped, taking her mouth in a long, slow kiss. “Even better,” he purred as he backed her towards the hallway. His hands traveled over her, hers over him, releasing hooks and buttons as they walked so that when they finally made it to the bedroom, they were completely naked except for her boots.
She stepped back to slide them off, but he stopped her. “No, leave them.” He smiled as he stepped back and looked at her. “My God,” he whispered, “you are exquisite.”
She felt shy all of a sudden. No one had ever made her feel fluttery inside by just looking at her. He was standing in front of her, naked. His chest was impressive, covered with a light dusting of dark hair, but his six-pack was what caught her eyes and held them. His muscles rippled down his stomach, narrowing downward to his hips. He stood with his legs wide; his thighs were thick and looked strong. Then her eyes moved to his arms again. He had a tattoo on his left bicep, and the dark ink snaked around his arm in a design. When she stepped closer, she noticed that they were waves. Her fingers reached out and touched them.
“Waves?” she asked, looking into his eyes.
He nodded, his dark eyes going even darker. “I lost my brother Calvin a few years back. He was in the Navy.” He shook his head, most likely to clear it of the memories.
She stepped closer to him. “I’m sorry.” She couldn’t imagine what it was like to have a biological sibling, let alone lose them.
He smiled down at her, his fingers running over the small tattoo she had just above her right hip. “A lily?”
She nodded her head. “My guardian angel.” She smiled and pulled his head down towards her. “Later,” she moaned as his mouth started demanding speed. This is what she wanted, his hands on her, his mouth on her.
His fingers dug into her hips as he backed her up. Then, when she thought they would fall to the bed together, he turned her so she was facing away from him.
His mouth ran over her shoulders as his hands cupped her breasts. She knew she was smaller upstairs than most women. Hell, Wendy had enough up there for four women. But Cassey didn’t discount what she did have. She’d never been ashamed of her body. Even though she was more of a tomboy than her sister, she’d learned a thing or two from Marissa when it came to making men look at her.
Her eyes slid closed as his fingers played down her ribs, past her belly, and found their way into the dark curls covering her sex. Luke’s fingers played over her skin, causing her to moan and try to turn around. Now, it had to be now. But his hand held her still. He pushed her shoulders down until she rested her hands on the edge of her bed. Using his feet, he spread her legs wide so her rear end was up in the air.
He ground his hips against her sex until she felt her legs go weak. Then he used his fingers and spread her even wider. “So beautiful,” he whispered just before he slid slowly into her.
Her head jolted back, a gasp of amazement caught in her throat. The zing was instant; his touch just made her want more. His fingers went to her hips and dug in softly as he started to move, pumping in and out of her.
Her fingernails dug into her soft comforter as she focused on his movements. Closing her eyes only heightened the sensation.
She was building too fast. Leaning down, she bit into the comforter, trying to mask the scream that was building.
“Let go,” he said softly as his movements sped up. Then he growled as she screamed his name into her mattress.
Cassey was lying face down on her bed, being pinned down. She could feel Luke’s breath on her neck. Each exhale caused small bumps to rise on her skin where his breath touched. His left hand was pinned under her hip, his right one in her hair.
“You were wrong.” She smiled into the mattress.
“Hmmm?”
“I don’t thin
k I could move, let alone run a marathon.” She heard him chuckle.
“I guess that makes two of us.” He rolled over, pulling her farther onto the bed, closer to him. Her head now rested on his chest, and she realized she still had her boots on.
Sitting up, she quickly unzipped them and tossed them next to the bed.
“I like the boots,” he said, smiling as she lay back next to him. “A lot.” He ran his hand down her hair.
“I could tell.” She smiled to herself. “I like your moves.” She held her breath. She’d never felt so awkward before. She’d had sex for just sex plenty of times before, but something was causing her to feel on edge this time.
“Would you mind if I stayed?” he asked softly.
She shook her head. “No, I’d enjoy that.” She felt him take a breath, her head rising and falling as his chest moved.
“Good.” She heard him sigh. Then his breathing leveled, and she listened to his heart until she could tell he’d fallen asleep.
Thinking her mind would eventually settle, she lay there and thought about the last two days. She was feeling something more than just lust for Luke. How had that happened? They’d only just met. And he was after her bar and grill.
She still didn’t trust him not to try and sway her to sell, but she would take what pleasures she could until then. She didn’t have a problem keeping her personal feelings locked up. She had hidden herself the first seven years of her life. It wasn’t hard to revert back to that.
Besides, she hadn’t really allowed herself to get close to anyone in the past, except her family and maybe a few friends.
Moving her head slightly, she looked up at Luke in the dark. His eyelashes rested on his cheeks. He had stubble growing over his chin, which made him look a little dangerous. But it was his eyes that caused her alarm. If she could only see what was behind them, maybe then she would know what card to play next with him.
Usually she could gauge men pretty well, but Luke didn’t fit in any of the categories she’d determined that most men fit into. She had yet to find out what his true intentions were, but she knew she enjoyed the physical fun with him. Why not take her pleasures and enjoy it while she waited to find out more about him?
She yawned and snuggled up closer to him. His arms came around her in his sleep. As she closed her eyes, she had to admit that it felt pretty good being held again. It had been too long since she’d felt comfortable enough around someone to sleep next to them all night. When she finally slept, she dreamed of him.
Chapter Five
Luke woke to wonderful smells. Bacon. He looked around and remembered where he was and, more important, who he was there with. A smile crept across his face.
If Cassey ever found out that he’d had one of the best nights of sex in his life, well…He frowned a little. He didn’t know what she would do with that knowledge.
Most of the women he’d known would lord it over him, hounding him with it until he caved and gave them whatever they wanted. For some reason, he doubted Cassey would do something like that.
Shaking his head clear, he found his jeans and slipped them on. Following his nose, he walked out on the patio and found Cassey reading the newspaper at the small iron table.
“Good morning.” She smiled and he felt something shift inside him. Her smile was something to behold, especially with the colors of the sunrise hitting her hair and face. “I’ve made you some eggs and bacon.” She nodded to a covered plate. “You’re just in time.”
He sat without saying a word. Picking up the cup of coffee, he took a swallow before speaking.
“You didn’t have to, but it smells wonderful.” He lifted the lid and smiled when he saw two eggs over easy and three slices of bacon smiling back at him.
While they ate, they talked about the local news. He wasn’t familiar with the local happenings in Surf Breeze since he’d been living in Emerald Beach for the last six months, and before that, he’d been in Boston, at school. He tried asking her questions about herself, but she always diverted the conversation away from personal questions.
He knew she only wanted a physical relationship, but he was beginning to hope that the door would be open for something further. He couldn’t imagine not wanting her in the future.
When she moved to get up, he quickly took her hand and pulled her closer so they were standing hip to hip.
“What do you say we take a shower before I head out?” he said, leaning down to taste her lips.
“Out?” He could tell she was trying not to ask the unspoken question.
“I’ve got to run back to Emerald Beach for a day or two. But,” he smiled, “I’ll be back midday Monday. We have a date, remember?”
She smiled and nodded, and he had a feeling that she was hiding something behind those eyes. Reaching over, he took her hand in his. She hesitated for a split second and then slowly relaxed.
“I hope you won’t be in any trouble with your family over all this.” She reached for her coffee with her free hand.
He couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. “Trouble? I’ve been in trouble with my family since the day I was born,” he said bitterly. Calvin had been the child his father had always wanted, not him. Sadness threatened to seep in, but he shook it off and looked at Cassey. She was the essence of everything he’d hoped for in life. She was kind, carrying, hardworking, smart, and funny. He didn’t want his father to tarnish the world she lived in.
Over the next few days, he planned to see exactly what his father had planned for her and her place. It wouldn't hurt to know what he was up against. He was beginning to think he might have to block his father’s plans, for her sake. He couldn’t describe his feelings for her yet, but he wanted to pursue what was there, and he didn't want his father putting a halt to it before he could decide what it was he wanted.
Cassey was sitting across the table, looking at him like she was trying to figure him out. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Calvin was my father’s favorite. I never held it against him.” He smiled, remembering his older brother. “Sometimes you just have to accept your fate.”
“What do you mean?” There was a small crease between her eyebrows.
“You know…You’ve tied yourself into this place, to go into business here with your family’s property, while your brothers are off doing their own things, being who they want. When Calvin died, most of my life choices were taken away from me. I went to business school to get the degree my father wanted so I could someday take over the business my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father have spent their lives building.” He took another sip of his coffee, which had gone cold. Setting it down, he pushed out of the chair and walked over to a tree that had a wooden bench built around it.
She came up behind him. Her hands went to his shoulders until he turned. “Luke…” She waited until he looked her in the eyes. “We all have choices in life. None of us are destined to do something because someone else demands it. I’m here”—she motioned around her—“because I chose to be. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am today.” She smiled a little. “My heart is here. It’s where I belong. If you don’t want to be where you are in life, then change it. Don’t be something or someone because it’s demanded of you.”
He smiled and took her shoulders, wishing life were that simple. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. “You are incredible.”
She smiled up at him, and he knew that smile would help him get through the next two days.
A few hours later, he parked at Crystal Shores and sat out in his car, looking at the place. It was huge, and it was home. He couldn’t remember a time in his life when he hadn’t thought of the large white building with all its shiny windows as such.
He leaned back in his seat and frowned. Why couldn’t he feel the same way about this place as Cassey felt about her place? He closed his eyes and wondered what would make him feel that much desire in his life. So far, only an image of Cassey’s face as she smiled up at him came to min
d.
He shook his head clear. Was he was beginning to care too much for her? He’d researched her for three months before meeting her face-to-face, so he felt like he’d known her for longer than a few days.
And sex had a way of filling those little gaps in relationships as well. For whatever reason, when he looked into her eyes, he felt like he wanted to be with her longer.
Riding the elevator to the top floor, where his father’s office sat on the east side of the tower, he imagined walking into the large room and telling his father he quit. Maybe his father would accept it, hug him, and wish him the best in life. He knew that was never going to happen, so when he walked into his father’s office after waiting three minutes for his receptionist to announce him, he held his shoulders back and prepared for the chewing out he knew was coming.
Cassey stood in her office looking down at the almost empty dance floor. She knew that bad nights happened as often as good ones did, but Saturdays always used to be busier than Fridays. Ever since the shuttles had stopped, it was hit or miss.
Over half of her dining floor sat empty as well. Sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest and calculated in her head. She’d been juggling the finances for a few months now. Even with the amount she had in savings, she would be running low a lot sooner than she had previously calculated. She needed those shuttles, or at least for the season to start sooner.
She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the one-way glass. There was a call she needed to make, but she’d been dreading it for the last few weeks.
Walking over to her desk, she picked up the phone and dialed her brother’s number. Roman picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, sis. What’s up?” She could tell he was working outside, something he’d always had a fondness for. He ran his own landscaping business, one of many businesses he owned, and worked a lot with her brother Marcus, who ran his own housing construction company. They were an unbeatable team when it came to new construction in the area.
