Fast Connection (Cyberlove #2)

by Megan Erickson

  “Yes. Who else would make it?” Luke sighed. “And stop with the coy shit. You know I’m heating it up for you. Getting off makes you ravenous.”

  I grinned.

  Luke rolled his eyes and stood there staring at the microwave as if his laser glare could cause the food to warm faster. Despite his comment about us having conversations, the kitchen was dead silent. My bravado faded, and I crossed my arms over my chest.

  Sitting at his table, wearing his clothes, and waiting to be fed was starting to make me feel like an intruder. It was weird how hot and cold our interactions were, but I would take it over complete radio silence any day.

  “I’m not usually so fucking emo, Luke. Seriously. Me dramatically popping up is not a thing I plan to make a habit of.”

  “Just when someone doesn’t respond to your messages?”

  “No.” I frowned. “Well, yeah, but there’s circumstances that led to me getting so worked up.”

  The microwave beeped. Luke pulled it open and dished stew into a large bowl. The smell made my stomach grumble loudly. It would have been funny if I’d been at home, but now I was aware of how domestic this was and overly paranoid that Luke was going to get cagey.

  Fuck.

  I’d never overanalyzed things before, and now I was reading into everything. I’d only known Luke for a few weeks, and I was already desperate to cling to the surprisingly bright spot he shone into my dreary world.

  Luke tapped my temple after setting the bowl in front of me. “Stop worrying and eat.”

  “How do you know I’m worrying?”

  “Because your entire body is tense.” Luke sat at the table across from me. His knees brushed mine. “What’s going on with you, Dominic?”

  I started to answer but was distracted by the explosion of flavor in my mouth. “Oh God.”

  “I see your moaning isn’t just loud when you’re being fucked.”

  “Nah. I’m also a total whore for food.” I licked my lips and slumped in the chair. “There’s something about a home-cooked meal that really does it for me, man. When I was a kid, I loved Sunday dinners with the fam.”

  “Not anymore?”

  “Nope.”

  Luke laced his fingers together, elbows propped on the table, and braced them under his chin. “Tell me why.”

  “My dad’s a fucking asshole?” I took another large bite, but the taste was lost to the thoughts of my family. “He has all of these expectations of me and Adriana and thinks screaming and cursing us out is the way to get it done.”

  “What does he want from you?”

  “To be like every other Staten Island good ole boy, you know? Be a cop. Or a firefighter. Be someone people want to salute and call a hero. Get my name put on a street sign when I die. Not just be a former vet who partook in a conflict he didn’t take seriously.” Now that got Luke’s back up, so I rushed to explain. “My pops thinks we never shoulda been in the Middle East this long. No offense, but I agree. I really do. But I respected the men I served with because we didn’t have a choice in where we were sent. My pops thinks I just kicked it on a FOB and jacked it to porn on each deployment.”

  Luke’s lip curled. “He doesn’t know shit. You were in action. It’s not a movie. Real lives were lost.”

  “They were. And by my hand.” I scooped up another spoonful. “Which is one of the reasons why I won’t be a cop. My gun-carrying days are over. The thought of it gives me nightmares.”

  If Luke was judging me for it, I saw no sign of it. He just watched me closely.

  “What about your fist-fighting days?”

  “Those might take longer. I’m quick to get rowdy. Even though I always feel guilty afterwards.”

  Luke’s mouth quirked at that. “So, what happened to your face?”

  “Got drunk. Hung out with my old douchebag friends. Inevitably got into it with one of them. I don’t remember the details, though.”

  “Okay. I buy that. But why’d you get drunk?”

  Oh great. He had my number.

  “Because…”

  “Was it because of me?” He straightened with his arms crossed over his chest, trying to appear unaffected, even as his face filled with concern. He was studying me like he was looking for further damage.

  His concern was nice, but I wished it wasn’t over something stupid like a drunken brawl. “Sorta.”

  Luke dropped his hands. “Just tell me, Dominic.”

  “Look, it’s like this. Right now my life is a disaster, and you’re the only thing I have to look forward to. When you were gone, I tried to find something else.” I smiled wanly. “No pressure or anything.”

  To my surprise, Luke just flashed me one of his rare smiles. “You’re not the only one who missed the time we spent together. And don’t worry about the pressure, kid. I can handle it.”

  Chapter Ten

  StaffSgt: Did I tell you i ran a marathon a few weeks ago?

  Luke: No

  StaffSgt: Well, I did. And I just got the pictures.

  Luke: What pictures?

  StaffSgt: They take pictures of you while you’re running, and you can see them later. They didn’t capture my good sides, which is fucking impressive because I am pretty damn photogenic.

  Luke: Let me see.

  I screenshotted the two less hideous ones and sent them.

  Luke: You’re sweaty and flushed. I’d fuck the shit out of you.

  StaffSgt: I should have ran by your house for a quickie

  Luke: Yes.

  StaffSgt: Next time! There’s a Halloween marathon in a couple of weeks.

  Luke: Sounds stupid.

  StaffSgt: It is. Want to come?

  Luke: Dominic…

  StaffSgt: Oh, right. We don’t do outings. Forgot

  Luke: Are you mad?

  StaffSgt: No ;) I’m cool. I seriously forgot.

  Luke: Okay…

  StaffSgt: Now go back to talking about wanting to fuck me

  Luke: I can do that. Had a dirty dream about you last night.

  StaffSgt: Oh yeah? What’d we do in it?

  Luke: You showed up at one of the estates I was working at on Todt Hill. Lured me away from all my hard work putting down flagstone, and we got nasty in the master bedroom.

  StaffSgt: I want more than “got nasty” ;)

  Luke: I tongued you until I was so horny I thought I’d bust in my pants. Had employees outside, but couldn’t keep my fucking hands off you. Wound up bare assed naked and screwing you without lube or a condom.

  StaffSgt: Oh fuckkkk yeah. Dude, barebacking is my fantasy. You got no clue.

  Luke: Why?

  StaffSgt: because I like it messy.

  Luke: mmm.

  StaffSgt: And I want you to fill me up one day. Fuck me hard and fast, and just blow your load with your dick deep in me. I’ve seriously jacked off thinking about it.

  Luke: I got off thinking about it when I woke up. Wet dream territory like a preteen.

  StaffSgt: We could make it a reality ;)

  Luke: I don’t do that.

  StaffSgt: i figured

  Luke: its an unnecessary risk for me.

  StaffSgt: i get it. It’s not like i sling my dick around unwrapped or something! But I’m STD-free, baby. got checked after I came back from deployment

  Luke: Hmm…

  StaffSgt: no pressure, bud. I don’t mind keeping it for my fantasies and my dildo with the suction base.

  Luke: Holy shit.

  StaffSgt: what can I say? once or twice a week isn’t enough for my thirst. maybe I’ll record myself some time

  Luke: No maybe about it. Record yourself. Tonight.

  StaffSgt: you got it, baby

  * * *

  Luke: Caught two of my employees making out today

  StaffSgt: Are they old retired peeps? There are Pornhub categories for that

  Luke: No. Two college students. We’re working on this big estate over on Todt Hill, and I caught them with his hands down her pants behind the pool
house.

  StaffSgt: HAHA that’s amazing.

  Luke: No it’s not! They were supposed to be working

  StaffSgt: Ooooh Boss Luke had to get mean, huh?

  Luke: I kept it under control even though I wanted to smack ’em for wasting time.

  StaffSgt: If you need to get out the aggression, I can be over in twenty

  Luke: Kids don’t get home for two hours. Be here in fifteen.

  StaffSgt: ;) cya soon

  * * *

  Luke: I saw the dancing guy today.

  StaffSgt: No way! Where?

  Luke: At the mall. The kids danced with him. Someone recorded it. :/

  StaffSgt: That’s hilarious!

  Luke: My kids will be on YouTube with the other dancing guy things.

  StaffSgt: Uhh yeah that might suck, but at least it’s in good fun!

  Luke: Of course you would agree with them.

  StaffSgt: don’t start talking shit about our age gap. You’re only 39 and act like you’re in your mid-50s.

  Luke: Sometimes it feels like I am, Dominic.

  StaffSgt: :( Why?

  Luke: A lot of things have happened in those 39 years, and most of them weren’t any good. It wears on me.

  StaffSgt: I get it

  Luke: Do you?

  StaffSgt: Yeah, I mean… dude, I’m not an idiot even though I act like one. I know you like your life to be as calm and uncomplicated as possible. I want the same thing but I just can’t seem to get there.

  Luke: Stuff at home?

  StaffSgt: Yes. I need out, dude. It’s worse every day. My father challenges me constantly. I’m losing my mind, but I can’t… afford a place on my own. I’d have to get a roommate, and I hate everyone I know.

  Luke: Did you apply for the EMT classes?

  StaffSgt: No

  Luke: Why not?

  StaffSgt: I’m not good at school

  Luke: Don’t make excuses. Sign up.

  StaffSgt: I’m just afraid I’ll fuck up

  Luke: You can only fuck up by not trying.

  StaffSgt: I know.

  Luke: Do it.

  StaffSgt: I will.

  * * *

  StaffSgt: Adriana ruined a whole batch of bagels today. My dad flipped out on her so she stormed out to who knows where.

  Luke: Shit. How are they fucked up?

  StaffSgt: They’re cinnamon raisin and she salted them.

  Luke: Salted cinnamon raisin? How’d she manage that?

  StaffSgt: Honestly, she wasn’t paying attention. She was on the phone with Micah

  StaffSgt: Luke?

  StaffSgt: You there?

  Luke: I’ll buy them

  StaffSgt: What? Why?

  Luke: To eat them, what the fuck else.

  StaffSgt: They’re already tossed out, bud. It’s fine.

  Luke: Then I’ll buy a bunch before you toss the old ones for the day.

  StaffSgt: You’re doing the most, but it would probably make up for him bitching about the waste. He needs to chill out.

  Luke: Good. It might be better not to tell him why I’m doing it, though.

  StaffSgt: agreed.

  * * *

  Luke: Why are you online?

  StaffSgt: Was hoping you’d be online

  Luke: It’s one in the morning

  StaffSgt: I literally just got online to check if you were around, dude. We apparently are in sync

  Luke: Uh huh.

  StaffSgt: Doubting me?

  Luke: It’s none of my business regardless.

  StaffSgt: k. Anyway, why you up?

  Luke: The storm woke me up.

  StaffSgt: Me too. Fucking Nor’Easter. Scared the shit out of my dog. She crawled under the blanket with me. I had to kick her out of my room.

  Luke: You have a dog?

  StaffSgt: Yup. A yellow lab. Well, she’s my parents’ dog but she likes me better.

  Luke: You’re stupidly fucking cute sometimes, kid.

  StaffSgt: I know, right?

  Luke: We used to have a cat. Kids named her Popsicle.

  StaffSgt: Popsicle?

  Luke: they liked popsicles. I probably sounded like a dumbass calling out my backdoor for that cat, but I actually liked her.

  StaffSgt: You don’t have her anymore?

  Luke: Nah. I got her after the divorce, then she got hit by a car.

  StaffSgt: Jesus

  Luke: It was a whole thing. Had to hold a funeral for her because my daughter lost her mind. She wore black for a week. So dramatic. Cat’s buried in the backyard under a dogwood.

  StaffSgt: Seriously?

  Luke: Yeah. I put a little headstone there. She was a good cat. Used to bring me dead mice, and I was proud of her for being a ruthless killer.

  StaffSgt: Now who’s cute?

  Luke: Shut up. Go to sleep.

  StaffSgt: I’ll probably watch movies. Full Metal Jacket is on.

  Luke: What channel?

  StaffSgt: Classic channel

  Luke: Hmm…

  StaffSgt: WATCH IT WITH ME.

  Luke: How? We’re in different houses

  StaffSgt: We can text while we watch! It just started. TURN IT ON.

  Luke: Fine. Just until I go to sleep.

  StaffSgt: Yesss. It’s almost like a date.

  Luke: Almost. Except, I’m wondering why you don’t watch movies or spend time with your friends?

  StaffSgt: …What friends?

  Luke: Come on, Dominic. You have friends.

  StaffSgt: Not really, man. I’m not fun Nicky C anymore. That’s what they used to fucking call me, Luke. Nicky. C. Because we had two other Nickys in our group. Sounds like a Spice Girl name.

  Luke: lol

  StaffSgt: Also, as far as I know, you’re not exactly a Staten Island socialite.

  Luke: too old for that shit.

  StaffSgt: Too old for friends?

  Luke: I’m too old to fake my way through small talk. Anyway, I have… a friend. Or two.

  StaffSgt: .…

  Luke: .…

  StaffSgt: Okay then. Anyway, I just… can’t deal with my old squad anymore. And I’m too busy worrying about my own lack of a functional life to try to find another group of friends to hang out with. So just… watch the movie with me, okay?

  Luke: Okay.

  * * *

  Luke

  It’d been a solid month of breaking almost every rule I had for Dominic. Because I couldn’t get enough of him. He was an addiction now, and I hadn’t decided yet if he was a healthy one like eating apples every day or an unhealthy one like meth.

  I jiggled my leg, knowing the kids would be leaving for the weekend soon and Dominic would be coming over. Chelle was upstairs getting ready and Micah sat across from me, tapping away at his phone and ignoring my existence.

  I’d bet my house he was talking to Adriana.

  “Are you and Adriana sexually active?”

  Micah jolted in his chair and dropped his phone into his half-eaten bowl of popcorn. “Dad!”

  “What?”

  “You can’t just… blurt out questions like that. You have to lead up to it.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says, like, everyone.”

  I didn’t care about everyone. “Are you gonna answer me?”

  “Dad, she’s not even my girlfriend, what the fuck?”

  “Don’t curse in my house.”

  He made a face. “You curse more than anyone I know. Besides, Mom doesn’t mind.”

  “Different house. Different rules.”

  Micah didn’t argue on that note. “Whatever you say. But like I said… she’s not my girlfriend.”

  I was going to point out he didn’t have to be her boyfriend to have sex with her, but declined to add fuel to the fire. “She’s not?”

  “No! We’re friends.” He wasn’t making eye contact as he wiped the butter and salt off his phone. “She says… she wants to be friends.”

  “Okay, and how do you feel about it?”


  “It’s fine. I like being friends with her too.”

  “Why?”

  Micah frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m just curious. Why do you want to be friends with her? What do you like about her?”

  “She’s funny when she’s not being pissed off at her dad. She’s kinda spontaneous and I’m… not. But we both love Fallen World Online. We spend most of our time playing together.”

  This was all pretty fucking cute. “What’s up with her and her dad?”

  “He’s a jerk.”

  “We established that.”

  “But that’s it. He’s a jerk. He wants her to be exactly who he has pictured in his mind, and that’s not her. He wants her to be some perfect princess who cares about sweet sixteens and being daddy’s girl, but that’s never going to happen. She can’t wait to get out of there and go to college.”

  This sounded familiar, except it’d been Dominic telling me all this. “Can she afford it?”

  Micah shook his head. “They don’t make enough for her to go to the type of art school she’s interested in, and they make too much for financial aid. Or at least that’s what she said. I looked up some art scholarships and have been trying to convince her to apply. Her stuff is amazing, Dad.”

  My son was sixteen, and he was growing into a good man. “Great. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

  “I thought you hated her,” he said, voice full of skepticism.

  “I don’t hate her. Like you said, she’s spontaneous, and spontaneous kids scare parents. I was worried about her influence on you, but it sounds like you’re doing some positive influencing on your end.”

  He grinned as Chelle bounded down the stairs. “Ready?” Just as the question left her mouth, the horn of Nadia’s car sounded.

  Micah grabbed his bag off the floor and slung it around his shoulder. “Thanks for the chat, Dad.”

  I waved them away. Once the door shut, I breathed a sigh of relief. A half hour and I would get to see Dominic.

  I came awake with a jolt. My calf was cramping, my ribs felt like they were in a vise, and something hard was poking me in the hip.

  It was also five thousand degrees.

  When I tried to move, the source of my discomfort made his presence known with a snuffle. I froze and slowly turned my head to see Dominic’s blond hair. His face was shoved into my neck.