Playing Dirty: San Diego Social Scene Book 3

by Tess Summers

  Just then, a voice on the other end of the line came on, giving her something else to concentrate on for the moment.

  *

  Luke

  She got off the phone after ordering and came to sit beside him on the couch.

  “How long before they get here?”

  “They said thirty minutes.”

  “Good,” he said before he pounced on her, pushing her backward on the couch and falling on top of her, catching his weight on his forearms.

  He started kissing down her neck, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her core tight against him. Cassie arched her back, molding her body to his while clinging to the back of his head with both hands.

  “Luke,” she gasped and wound her fingers through his short hair.

  Sliding one hand under her top, he held the middle of her back firmly with his palm while the other hand edged her blouse higher so their skin was once again touching. He groaned at the contact and finished tugging the shirt over her head, eager to continue their bare connection.

  She felt like fucking silk. Every inch was soft and smooth—a stark contrast to his rough and calloused hands. Her floral body lotion and lavender shampoo filled his senses. Everything about Cassie was feminine—from her petite frame to her soft hair to the curve of her neck. Her luscious tits beckoned him while his hands almost completely encircled her narrow waist before moving down to the flare of her rounded hips, not stopping until he was gripping her perfect ass with both hands. He could get lost exploring her body and not want to be found. It was amazing how perfect this woman felt in his arms.

  Her fingernails tracing down his back made him pause his attention to her curves, and he groaned internally. How was he going to resist making her his tonight?

  Just then the doorbell rang. Had it already been thirty minutes? Reluctantly, he moved off her, picking up his t-shirt, and pulling it over his head as he headed to the door. Her shirt was back on and she was setting plates on the granite island countertop when he returned to the kitchen with the piping hot pizza.

  “Water, soda, or beer?” she asked, opening the refrigerator.

  “A beer sounds good.”

  She grabbed a Pacifico for him and a Diet Coke for herself, sitting on the bar stool next to him. It was his stomach’s turn to growl, and she giggled. They both moaned out loud when he opened the pizza box, and the smell wafted through the air.

  “Tonight is a first. I’ve never had Marco’s Pizza or Pacifico beer.”

  “I hope you like it. I eat Marco’s whenever I stay at Brenna’s, but I have no idea about the Pacifico. I think it’s Ron’s.”

  He unsuccessfully attempted to twist the top of the bottle while she plated their slices. Opening the drawers on the island, he asked, “Do you know where Brenna keeps the bottle opener?”

  “In the drawer by the fridge. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it wasn’t a twist off, otherwise, I would have gotten it for you.”

  Luke slid off the stool but trailed one hand along Cassie’s waist, and with the other, moved her hair in order to kiss the back of her neck.

  “It’s okay, I got it,” he murmured before pulling away and walking to the drawer by the fridge.

  They took their pizza and drinks and sat back on the couch. Cassie flicked on the television, and they watched the end of a sitcom while they ate and talked.

  Their plates were empty by the time the news came on. The lead story was the hostage situation. They sat in silence and listened to the reporter tell most of the facts correctly. Whether the press got the story right was always a hit or miss; he was glad tonight’s was fairly accurate.

  The news correspondent had just stated, “Now, back to you,” in her glib voice when Cassie clicked off the remote and stared at him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat while trying to figure out what was going through her mind. Suddenly, she launched herself onto him, knocking him backward on the couch cushion as she hugged him tightly.

  “You’re pretty incredible,” she whispered with her cheek against his chest.

  He stroked her hair, the scent of her shampoo wafting to his nose, and murmured into the top of her head, “So are you.”

  Cassie lifted her head to look into his eyes. “No, I mean it, Luke. What you do, how you risk your life to protect innocent people from bad guys, it’s amazing.” She put her head back down and sighed, nestling in closer to him.

  “Thanks.” He didn’t know what else to say, so he kept stroking her hair in silence.

  The toll of the events at work, along with his full belly of beer and pizza started to manifest itself in the form of heavy eyelids. Cassie’s delicate, warm body on his provided the perfect blanket, and her soft, rhythmic breathing began to lull him to sleep. Luke didn’t even try to fight it. He was far too relaxed and content to even think about moving, let alone leaving.

  He was sure he fell asleep with a smile.

  Chapter Twelve

  Cassie

  She woke up in the middle of the night on the couch, snuggled against Luke with her head on his chest, her hair stuck to her face from where she’d been laying on him, and a painful crick in her neck.

  And yet she didn’t want to move.

  The soft snoring coming from him made her smile. His arm was firmly planted around her, and she knew if she got up or even adjusted her position, it might disturb him. She worried if that happened, he’d wake up and want to leave, and she was enjoying how good he felt next to her way too much.

  But man, her neck hurt.

  Moving as slowly as possible, she shifted her body so her back was to his side, his arm now draped over her hip. She didn’t move slowly enough though because she felt him jerk, then he rolled to his side and drew her back against him tightly in a spooning position.

  He whispered in her ear, “You okay, beautiful?”

  She nodded while whispering, “Yeah,” then gulped when she felt his cock harden against her ass.

  He kissed her hair but his breathing soon indicated he had fallen back asleep.

  She let out a contented sigh, allowing herself to relish how good it felt to be wrapped in his arms, safe and secure, and quickly nodded off again.

  *

  Luke

  The sun in his eyes woke him. Why the fuck hadn’t he closed his blinds the night before?

  It took him a second to register he was not in his bed, those were not his blinds the sun was blaring through, and the soft pillow he was hugging was not a pillow at all but a beautiful woman.

  A beautiful woman whose name he remembered when he woke up next to her, and he hadn’t screwed her brains out the night before. How’s that for irony? It was usually the other way around.

  Inhaling the smell of her neck, he conceded, he liked waking up to her. Admittedly, he was going to like it more when he’d screwed her brains out the night before waking up with her in his arms and still remembering her name, but good things come to those who wait.

  And she was worth the wait.

  He wanted to say he was just now realizing that, but deep down, he’d known all along, which was why he’d agreed to the ten-date rule in the first place and probably why he bolted on New Year’s Eve when he didn’t have anything more to offer than a one-night stand.

  She wiggled her ass against his morning wood, and he murmured in her ear, “Good morning, doll.”

  Her body went stiff as she gave a full body stretch before flopping over and snuggling back against his side, grumbling with her eyes still closed, “It’s too early.”

  He chuckled to himself. So, she’s not a morning person.

  With a kiss to her cheek, he slid off the couch and covered her with a cream, cashmere throw he’d found in a basket by the fireplace, whispering, “I’m going to take the dogs for a walk.” She whimpered when he left her side but fell back asleep after she rolled over and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

  After using the bathroom, he stood at the patio door and quietly patted his leg to call the dogs. The three of
them slipped outside and headed toward the water.

  There was nothing like early mornings by the ocean to start his day right. Luckily, the community he lived in was walking distance to the beach, but it couldn’t compare to walking out your back door and having the water right there. That was half the reason he usually stayed at Brenna’s when he dog-sat Zona, instead of taking her home with him and Rex. Her hot tub didn’t hurt either nor did her hot sister he hoped to run into whenever he had been there.

  Now, he’d not only run into the hot sister, but he’d slept with her in his arms all night. That wasn’t something he would have predicted a few months ago—hell, even a few weeks ago—but he was glad it happened.

  The dogs had found a stick and were each proudly carrying an end while they trotted through the waves by the shore. He really wished he was in his running clothes instead of the last night’s jeans and shirt. Maybe tomorrow.

  Maybe tomorrow?! Slow down, turbo.

  Cassie was drinking coffee on a blue patio lounger, still dressed in last night’s clothes when he and the dogs arrived back at the house. Her hair was tangled and sticking up from her sleep the night before, makeup smudged, and she was blurry eyed. He grew up with a sister who wasn’t a morning person either, so he knew not to be too cheerful yet.

  Whispering, “Good morning,” with a kiss on her cheek, he didn’t wait for a response before heading inside for his own cup of coffee. Fortunately, she’d brewed enough to share. He came out with his steaming mug and sat in the matching lounger next to her, waiting for her to speak first. They sat there awhile until he heard her soft voice.

  “I’m surprised you stayed.”

  He glanced over to find her staring at the ocean, blowing on the coffee in the mug she held between both hands. Not sure if his staying was a good thing or a bad thing, he remained quiet for an extra beat.

  “Is that okay?”

  She looked at him with a smile. “Of course. It was nice. Although, let’s sleep in a bed next time,” she suggested as she stretched her neck.

  So, there was going to be a next time. That was promising.

  “That’d probably be more comfortable,” he said, returning her smile.

  She was more awake and seemed less sullen, so he set his cup down on the side table between them and stood, gesturing for her to move forward so he could slip behind her. With her thighs between his, her back to his front, he wrapped his arms around her middle and put his chin on her shoulder. He felt her relax against him, and he closed his eyes briefly with a small grin, enjoying the warmth of her in the morning sun. They sat there silently, listening to the tide roll in, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts.

  “So, if we have lunch and dinner today, does that count as two separate dates?” He knew he might be coming on too strong, but he got the feeling she was receptive to it.

  Luke felt her head shaking, and she murmured matter-of-factly, “I can’t today. I have a lunch meeting with a doctor’s group, and I already have dinner plans.”

  “Oh, okay.” He tried to mask the disappointment in his voice but didn’t think he did a very good job. He shifted behind her, moving his hand from her waist to the top of her thigh.

  Who was she having dinner with? He didn’t like the idea of sharing her with another man. Still, he knew better than to ask. It was too soon to assume he had a right to know.

  As if sensing he was upset, Cassie placed her hand on top of his and laced their fingers together.

  “It’s a company banquet tonight. I’d gladly skip it to have dinner with you, except I’m getting an award, so they’d kinda notice if I wasn’t there.”

  He half expected her to invite him to go with her. He didn’t know if he was relieved or disappointed when she didn’t. Maybe a little of both.

  “Congratulations. What’s the award for?”

  “Salesperson of the year.”

  “Wow, that’s awesome, doll.”

  “Second year in a row.” She said it boastfully, but he knew her bravado was teasing. Still, she should be proud of her accomplishments, they were impressive.

  “Do you get a plaque and everything to hang on your wall?”

  “Well, that and a nice bonus.”

  “Must be nice.” He raised his eyebrows in admiration. “I only ever get a plaque and some bars for my uniform. Got any plans for the money?”

  She shrugged. “Not really. It depends how much it actually is. With the last one, I was able to pay off my car, but this time, I’ll probably just stick it in the bank.”

  “Well, if you decide you want to go crazy and buy a Corvette or something, I can help you test drive them.”

  She giggled. “I really want to sell my condo and buy a house. I’d love to have a little more privacy. Maybe get a dog.”

  That elicited a smile from him. “If you decide to get a dog, I can help you there too.”

  She squeezed their fingers together and leaned back harder against him. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t dream of asking anyone else.”

  “There’re some houses in my subdivision for sale,” he teased. “One’s a four-bedroom two doors down. We could be neighbors.” He might actually like that, but he probably should dial it back.

  She laughed and kissed his cheek, changing the subject.

  “What do you want to do for breakfast?”

  Yeah, no question, he needed to tone it down.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cassie

  She had just started her car when she heard her phone ding. It wasn’t that late, but it was late enough only a handful of people would be texting at this hour.

  A smile formed on her lips when she saw it was from Luke.

  Sexy Beast: Hey doll. How’s the banquet going?

  Cassie: I was just thinking about you. It must be serendipity. It just ended.

  Sexy Beast: Seren-what? Don’t use such big words, I’m just a simple guy who plays with guns and works out all day.

  She’d seen the results of his daily workouts last night. Thinking about his sexy body made her shiver.

  Cassie: They really need an eye roll emoji. How was your day?

  He sent an emoji of a face rolling its eyes.

  Sexy Beast: Like this? Followed by one sticking its tongue out. Long, I just got home myself.

  Cassie: Wow! You work a lot.

  Sexy Beast: Business is definitely good. I’m not tired though. Where was your dinner? Want to meet for a drink?

  The thought of seeing him shouldn’t make her as giddy as she felt. She didn’t get giddy over a man that was something other women did—not her. Yet her fingers were flying over the buttons.

  Cassie: Downtown. I’m not tired either, so I could meet you at O’Malley’s in 30?

  Sexy Beast: Be there in 15.

  She flipped the visor mirror open and reapplied her lipstick, then ran her fingers under her eyes to make sure there were no mascara smudges. Only after running a brush through her hair did she put the Lexus in drive, making sure to drive the speed limit.

  She didn’t want to appear too eager. At least not as eager as she felt.

  ****

  Luke

  He was out the door and on the road the second he sent his last text. He didn’t want her waiting alone for long.

  Wasn’t he supposed to have waited three days after their first date before calling her or some shit like that? It’s a good thing he never paid much attention to all the dating rules his sister had tried to explain to him when he used to actually date because he was pretty sure he’d broken them all by now. Asking to see her for the fourth day in a row? At nine-thirty at night, no less? With no advance notice?

  He could picture his sister shaking her head at him right now.

  He couldn’t be fucking up too badly. Cassie had accepted his last-minute invitation with no hesitation, which was a surprise—a very pleasant one.

  He could feel the looks he was getting from women as he walked through the place. He knew he was a handsome guy and kept in good
shape, and there was no doubt he was an alpha male. In his experience, that was enough to get any woman he was interested in to go home with him for the night.

  He was always upfront that it was only for one night, nothing more, but there had been several along the way who thought they could change his mind. There’d been too many who thought for sure after he’d had her golden pussy, he’d realize she was the one.

  Maybe he just hadn’t found the actual golden pussy yet, but he didn’t believe there was such a thing as the one. However, he was willing to admit, Cassie might be pretty damn close. In a lot of ways, he wished he’d met her before Adriana. Back when he wasn’t cynical and the possibility of a family and marriage were still options for him. Unfortunately, his wife robbed him not only of his money and possessions but also of his ability to dream of a future as a husband and father.

  Maybe it was fate that brought him and Cassie together now. If they’d met when he still believed happily ever after could exist, he wouldn’t have been willing to settle for anything less from her. Now, her fierce independence and unwillingness to settle down made her perfect.

  He wondered how she was going to react to his control in the bedroom. The exchanges they’d shared so far seemed to indicate she’d accept his dominance. If not, he’d have to break his little filly until she did.

  Actually, he was looking forward to that.

  He felt a hand skim down his back and turned, expecting to see Cassie. Instead, a stunning raven-haired beauty with the most kissable lips he’d ever seen stood next to him, her hand still on his back. Her red lipstick matched her tight, mini-dress that left nothing to the imagination—there was no way she was wearing panties under it. She was hot and slutty and would have been exactly what he was looking for two months ago. Not now, though.

  “Hi, I’m Amber.”

  He leaned away, resting his elbow on the back of his high-top chair to better look her up and down, and smiled. “Hello, Amber. That’s a beautiful name. Not very fitting of you though with your black hair.”