by Jill Sanders
“What?” He pulled the pillow away from her face.
“I've never left marks on someone before.” She tried to pull the pillow back over her face.
He laughed. “Good.” He kissed her again, slowly.
“Listen, I need to head back to the house. I don't want to leave Jackie there all night alone.” She saw the worry in his eyes and knew that his concern for the small creature was one of the reasons she felt she was slipping. How could she have let it go this far?
“I'd like to see you on your next day off. Maybe we can head into Edgeview and catch a movie?”
She tilted her head and tried to hold onto him a little longer. “There isn't a movie theater in town.”
“There is if you know where to find it.” He smiled at her.
“Okay. Now, I'm dying to know more. Sure, but I'm not off until just before Thanksgiving. Especially if Iian is going to be busy with his sister's new baby.”
“Oh, yeah! I'd forgotten.” He rushed from the bed stark naked to retrieve his pants. When he walked back he had his cell phone in his hands, checking messages.
“Well?” She asked as she pulled on a tank top and shorts.
“Nothing yet. He says she's at the point in the show where she's throwing things at them, though, so he doesn't believe it will be much longer.” Luke chuckled.
“Throwing things?” she asked, watching him pull on his pants. He did look mighty fine in blue jeans and nothing else.
“Yeah. Last time, when she gave birth to Lilly, she actually beamed her brother Todd as he brought her a glass of ice.” He laughed. “Iian says Conner was an easy birth. He told me Allison was a trooper and didn't even scream. I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that Lacey is so small.” He shook his head. “Anyway, Lacey swears it wasn't that bad. I think everyone else built it up in their minds.” He chuckled as he got another text.
“He knows I'm over here. He told me to say “Hi” to you and to let you know he wouldn't be in tomorrow. But he says he knew you'd already know that, so to go back to what we were doing and ignore him.”
They laughed. “I guess I should be embarrassed that my boss knows what I'm doing and with whom, but he doesn’t really seem like my boss all that much.”
“Trust me, he doesn't think he's anyone's boss.” Luke walked to the hallway and gathered up the clothes. Dropping them on her chair in the corner, he pulled his shirt from the pile and put it on.
She sighed when his chest was finally covered. Already she was thinking about getting him back in bed. Next time she'd have to make sure to visit him at his place. That way the dog wouldn't be an issue.
“He's been the best boss I've had…well...ever.” She smiled, then followed him into her living room.
He sat down and pulled on his shoes.
“When is your next day off?” he glanced up at her.
“Oh,” She walked over to her calendar and looked at her schedule. “Not until next Thursday.”
“That's okay, I have a project that I'm about to start. It shouldn't take me more than a week. So, let's say next Thursday it's a date?”
She walked over to where he stood and wrapped her arms around him. “Yes, it's a date.” She kissed him and leaned into him as he ran his hands up and down the thin layer of cotton she wore.
Just then his phone beeped with a new message. When he looked down a smile broke out on his face.
“Well, it looks like we have a bouncy baby boy. George Nicholas Stevens weighed in at seven pounds, four ounces and twenty inches long. Apparently he has mom's dark hair, silver eyes, and dad's disposition.” He chuckled at that. “Iian says he's a Jordan through and through.” Luke looked at her, and she could tell he was proud of his friends. “Everyone is doing fine.”
“Oh, how wonderful.” She smiled, thinking of seeing the new baby and her new friend. Of course she'd have to work it into her busy schedule over the next few days.
Then he pulled away. “Well, no doubt we'll be seeing each other before Thursday now. I'm sure Iian will do everything he can to have the whole town there to celebrate his new nephew.”
Chapter Fourteen
Two days later, Luke walked into Aaron and Lacey's house with Amber by his side and Jackie in his arms. He knew his friend’s house was puppy friendly and there would be a bunch of kids that could play with Jackie.
Amber had smiled when she’d opened her door and had seen the little puppy in his arms.
“Aaron and Lacey's dogs are going to love playing with Jackie. Besides, it will be good to have her get used to other dogs.”
Then he got a good look at Amber. Her silver dress shined in the lights and his eyes almost watered with want. He started thinking of a million excuses to give his friend for why they'd be late to the party.
“You look wonderful.” He leaned in and kissed her slowly, until Jackie tried to squirm between them and started licking Amber on the chin. Amber laughed and pulled away.
“We could just stay here?” he suggested trying to back her up, into her apartment, but she laughed again and pushed him out the door.
“I told you Iian would do everything he could,” he said as they walked down the stairs. “Closing the restaurant to celebrate the birth of his nephew is just his style. After all, why have it open, when everyone in town is going to be at the party?”
Little George, as everyone was calling him, was the spitting image of his mom. Knowing how much the Jordan's looked alike, he guessed the little guy was destined to be taller than his mom's five-foot frame. Lacey sat in a large recliner, rocking the little guy and only gave him up when her friends asked to hold him. Aaron stood around with a large grin on his face as he shook everyone's hands.
Amber delivered a present she'd brought for the baby, and since that time she'd been stuck in the room full of women. Luke had been pushed out onto the back deck, where all the men stood talking about sports, hunting, boating, and spent a good deal of time slapping Aaron on the back.
His mind was never far from Amber, though. His eyes kept wandering back into the house through the large glass doors. He'd even phased out during some of the conversations with his friends.
Aaron and Lacey's dogs ran around the backyard, two grown dogs with Jackie in tow. The three of them played together, chasing balls or sticks that the guys threw their way. It only took fifteen minutes before Jackie was lying at Luke’s feet, fast asleep.
When the party was winding down, Luke gathered up Jackie and found Amber in the room full of women, holding a baby. Not George, but someone else’s little girl.
“Shh,” she said as he sat beside her, Jackie fast asleep in his arms. “Looks like she got tuckered out playing with the big dogs.”
“Yeah. Whose little one is this?” He reached over with a finger and gently touched the baby's brown hair. It was feather soft.
“Oh, this is Amber Rose.” she smiled. “Great name, huh?”
He smiled. “Yes, Amber's tend to be very strong and yet pretty at the same time.” He winked at her.
“She belongs to Lacey's friend from school.” She nodded towards the mother sitting across the room holding George. “I get to hold Amber while she holds the new baby. I think it's a pretty sweet deal.”
“I agree. She looks a little sturdier then a newborn.” He looked over at the small bundle in the woman's arms across the way. He'd held a few newborns in the last couple of years since moving back to Pride. Many of his friends had married and had kids. So naturally he'd been forced to hold the little bundles. Each time his heart would stop and he'd almost have a panic attack, afraid of dropping or crushing the babies.
“You should see your face.” Amber laughed. “No one is going to force you to hold George.”
“You don't know this group. Why do you think I'm sitting here with Jackie on my lap? If I'm holding a dog, no one will ask me to hold the baby.”
She laughed again. “Are you ready to head out?”
He nodded and ran his finger over the little girl�
�s hair one more time. “You know, when they are this size, they don't look so scary.”
She smiled at him. “She's only three months old.”
“Really? So they are only scary for three months?”
“No, I would think kids are scary for the rest of your life. Worrying if they are eating the right things, are safe when you're not holding them or they are out of your sight. Then when they grow up, worrying about school, friends, and...Well, you get the picture.” He was smiling at her. Not because she was sitting there holding a three-month-old, but because she was sitting there holding a three-month-old and worrying about the full life of any future kids she'd have.
“You really are quite the planner.” He laughed when she made a sour face. “Compliment.”
“Okay, well, if you hang on just a moment, I'll pass this little one off and we can head out.” He watched her move smoothly, taking the sleeping child with her and gently handing her off to Megan, who was sitting next to Lacey. They said their goodbyes and as they were walking out, they ran into Aaron and Iian playing basketball out front.
“Heading out?” Aaron stopped playing and walked over, scratching Jackie on her head. The dog's eyes rolled and she started whining.
“Yeah, gotta take my girls home.” He liked the sound of it as it rolled off his tongue.
Iian walked over and signed to him that he was just too big of a pussy to play basketball against grown men. Luke just laughed and signed back, “When you see any grown men, call me and I'll come whoop their butts.”
The drive into town was short, but Jackie still managed to fall completely asleep again.
“She likes riding in the car. She hasn't stuck her head out the window yet. She just keeps falling asleep instead.” He watched as Amber rubbed Jackie’s head as she lay between them on his truck seat.
She laughed. “Well, it's the purr of the engine. I'm sure when she gets a little older, she'll love to stick her head out the window.”
When they drove up to his house, she didn't question him. Instead she picked up Jackie and waited for him to open the door for them.
He didn't know why he felt nervous bringing her back to the house. Maybe because it was the first time he'd ever brought someone here? Maybe because it was her? When he opened the door, Amber set a squirming Jackie down.
“She'll want to go out after the nap.” He motioned for her to follow him to the back to the kitchen, where he opened the door and Jackie scrambled out. Amber stood in the doorway of the kitchen, her arms crossed over her chest, looking a little uncomfortable. He walked over to her, and putting his hand on the wall behind her head, leaned in for a kiss. He knew there were several ways to get rid of tension, but this just happened to be his favorite. And he'd been tense since she'd opened her door wearing the silver number.
He tried to keep the kiss light, but she smelled so good and felt even better. Her hands came to his arms, holding him close as he took his time enjoying the taste of her. His hands reached down to her silky legs, pushing them wider, snaking up and pulling her skirt up higher. He moved his hands higher until he'd exposed the silky white lace covering her. Then in one quick move, he pulled the lace aside and slid a finger into her moist heat, causing her to moan and grip onto his arms.
“Luke!” He watched her blue eyes fog as she bit her bottom lip. He couldn't explain it, but just that little nibble made him almost lose control. For a second he could just imagine pulling her up, sheathing himself into her heat, here and now. Fast and hard. Then his eyes met hers, and he knew he needed to slow it down. Instead he played with her heat until her eyes closed, and she leaned back against the wall, holding onto him for support.
Using his leg, he positioned himself so he could hold her up and still enjoy the taste of her neck. With his free hand, he pulled open the top of her dress, exposing the white lace that covered her there. He dipped his head and used his mouth to wet the lace until her nipples puckered through the light material. Then he pulled it aside and touched his tongue to her heated skin. Her hands flew to his hair, holding him to her as his other hand continued to plunder below. She arched and moaned, trying to pull him closer, demanding more. But he held back, just using his hands and mouth to please and build her up.
“Luke, please.” She pulled on his shirt, trying to get the buttons undone. He chuckled and leaned back, grabbing her hands in one of his and holding them over her head.
“No, let me take my time. I want to savor every inch.” He ran his free hand down the front of her dress, opening the small buttons down the front, exposing her all the way. Finally, she stood with her dress wide open, covered only by a white silk bra, panties, and her thin silver heels. Her hands were again clasped in his, held above her head, pushing her perfect breasts together.
She took his breath away. Her dark hair fell down over her shoulders, and her blue eyes were cloudy with desire. He could see her pulse at every sensitive spot on her body. He used his free hand to run up and down her soft skin. He knew he couldn't wait much longer, but he needed this one last touch.
What was he doing to her? He was still fully dressed and the feel of his clothes next to her naked skin only heated her. Her legs were spread wide, her arms held tightly over her head, and all she could think about was having him inside her. She felt like she'd been the main course, held there for him to see and use as he pleased. Totally exposed, but loving every second of it.
Then his hand ran over her, and she lost the ability to breathe. He cupped her face, running his fingers down her neck, across her lace bra, over her peaked nipples, stopping for just a quick circle around each one, then continuing down a path that took him past her belly button and over her hips, until finally he reached where she wanted him. His hand loosened on her wrists above her head, and he leaned down in front of her and set his tongue to the same spot. Her hands went into his dark hair, holding him still as he lapped her up.
His hands went to her thighs, gently nudging them wider. Her back arched off the wall as his fingers joined his mouth, torturing her, causing her to moan. She'd never wanted someone as badly as she wanted Luke now. She could feel herself building and thought she'd lose it if he didn't take her now. Then he pulled away and stood up. He turned her until she placed her hands on the wall. Holding her two feet away from the wall, he moved her dress aside, finally pulling it off her shoulders so now she truly was just wearing a bra and panties and heels in his kitchen. He ran his hands down her shoulders and her back, then bent her over slightly, using his thighs to spread her legs again. She took a few deep breaths, knowing what was coming, silently begging for him to hurry.
She heard him unzip his pants and open a condom package, and she wished he would go faster. She was burning and she needed him. The anticipation was killing her. She arched her hips when he touched her there. Holding onto her, he slowly slid into her as she closed her eyes and moaned with relief. He adjusted his feet, and took a better hold of her hips, and started moving faster. He moved her hair gently to one side, then leaned in and placed a kiss on her exposed neck and ear.
“Do you like this?” he whispered into her ear.
“Mmm, God, yes. Please, Luke.”
His hand ran up the front of her, cupping her and pinching her nipples slightly. “You feel so good, Amber. I want to feel you tighten up around me as you come.” He started moving faster until she leaned her head back against him and cried out his name.
“Good. Now…” He turned her, pushing her back against the wall. He took her left thigh, and holding it up high, entered her again in a quick thrust. “Again.” He took her mouth in a deep kiss that sent the fires jumping in every nerve ending throughout her entire body.
His shoulders held them against the wall as he reached down and took her right thigh in his other hand, pulling it up until she wrapped her legs around his hips. He thrust faster and deeper.
Finally, when she knew she couldn't hold on any longer, he kissed her and tensed as she joined him.
Minutes l
ater, Amber heard whining. It took her a minute to figure out what it was. Her legs were still wrapped around his waist, his shoulders still holding them against the wall. She opened her eyes and saw the darkened kitchen. The sun had set while her eyes had been closed. Then she heard the scratching and whining again.
“Luke, Jackie wants in.” He shook his shoulders, smiling.
“Hmm? Oh.” He released her legs. She moved and stood back up on shaky legs. “I'm sorry.” He waited until she looked steady, then bent down to retrieve her dress.
“You're sorry?” She smiled at him and took her dress.
“Yeah, um. I should have waited and taken you upstairs.”
She laughed. “You don't have to be sorry. I had plans on taking you on the kitchen table if you hadn't intervened.” She watched him walk over to the back door and open it for Jackie. The little dog quickly bolted in the door, sniffed his feet, and then ran into the laundry room.
