She moved her hips to accommodate him, his hand never leaving her as he thrust, taking her higher towards another orgasm.
She heard him moan, a deep vibrating guttural noise that matched her own. And then she was shuddering as she felt him convulse behind her, in her.
Their breathing haggard as Luke wrapped an arm around her and she clung to his arm as though it were a life raft. She felt his lips kiss her shoulder, tracing a line to her spine at the back of her neck.
“Now that is how to say good morning.” Luke’s deep sleepy voice spoke softly in her ear.
“Good morning.” She said on a little giggle. Luke’s hand stroked her arm as his lips kissed her throat.
“You smell good.” He told her.
“Oh…” She felt the heat in her cheeks.
“Especially just here.” He said as his tongue gently touch the soft skin just behind her ear.
“Oh.” She sighed.
“And here.” He said as his teeth nipped the curve of her neck just where it became her shoulder.
“Oh.” She groaned.
“And don’t get me started about just here.” And she felt his lips kiss each vertebra in her neck from the top of her shoulders to where it disappeared at her skull.
“Luke.” Her fingers dug into the arm around her waist.
“How are you feeling this morning?” He asked her.
“Um…” His hand skimmed over the curve of her hip. “I feel surprisingly spritely.” She told him.
“Spritely. Mm, I like the sound of that.” He said as he sucked on her earlobe. “We really should see about getting up or there will be no chance of getting any breakfast.”
“And I am starving.” she admitted.
“It’s all that exercise. I’m going to take a shower and then I will be back. Don’t go anywhere.” He leant over and kissed her cheek. And then he was gone.
Cassie stretched lazily as she heard the sound of the shower and then Luke padded back into the room and eased the covers from her.
“What?” she moved her head to look at him. Without a word her scooped her up into his arms. “U…” she squawked and then he was padding back across the room and into the bathroom where he stepped into the shower cubicle with her and eased her feet to the ground and wrapped her close to his body.
The warm water caressed her skin as Luke stroked her before he washed her hair. She was too bemused to say anything. She had never had a man wash her hair before.
Luke carefully washed the last of the dried blood from her hair before he soaped her skin. And then with a devilish grin he handed her the shower gel.
Dutifully she took it and washed him in the same way he had washed her. When she had finished he took her into his arms and kissed her. Holding her tight against his body. Cupping the back of her head as he devoured her lips in unhurried fashion.
They made love again, unhurriedly, taking their time until finally, Luke turned off the water and wrapped a towel around her as he dried her and then carried her through to the bedroom where he laid her on the bed gently and kissed her again.
“I can walk.” She told him. “There is nothing wrong with my legs.” Luke reached down and kissed her ankle and then up the side of her calf to her knee and up her thigh. He lifted his head and looked at her.
“You’re right. There is nothing wrong with your legs.” Cassie blushed and Luke laughed as he watched the colour infuse her cheeks.
“You know what I meant.”
“Yes I did.” And then he kissed her mouth. “There’s nothing wrong with your lips either.” He told her when he lifted his head.
“Oh.” She blushed even harder and Luke kissed first one burning cheek and then the other.
“I don’t think I will ever tire of that.”
“That’s not fair.” She said as she felt the heat in her cheeks.
“I don’t play fair.” He told her.
“You don’t.”
“When it comes to you, no. I want you.”
“O.”
“I’m prepared to do what it takes to get you.” Luke said.
“Oh…I” what could she possibly say to that?
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in two seconds.” He told her and he strode from the room with just a towel around his hips.
Cassie smiled and hugged herself tightly as she stretched. She couldn’t believe how happy she was and she sighed deeply. “You sound very contented.” Luke said as he came back into the room.
“I am.” She told him truthfully.
“I am glad.” And he laid some of her clothes and her hair brush on to the bed and she sat up as she watched him. He leaned down and placed an ear on her chest.
“What are you doing?” she asked him.
“Listening to see if you are purring yet.” He said softly.
“And am I?” She asked.
“Not yet. But I know how to rectify that.”
“How.”
“By stroking you of course.” And she felt is hand slid up the inside of her leg and then when he had reached her sensitive place she sighed and moaned as he stroked her until she purred.
He kissed her then as he held her in his arms as the last of her orgasm rocked her body. “Do you have any idea?” Luke said huskily.
“About what?”
“How damn sexy you are.”
“Probably not.”
“Then that is something else we have to sort out.” He sighed as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “In the meantime.” He motioned a hand towards the clothes he had placed on the bottom of the bed.
One of her tops, a pair of jeans and underwear were there for her. Luke kissed her again. “I’ll give you some privacy to get dressed.” He said. “Only because I think you would rather that. I would love to watch you.” She gasped in shock and he laughed, a rich deep sound. “But that will have to wait until you are more comfortable with that idea.” He promised her.
“I…” she shook her head.
“I’ll go get dressed and be back soon and we can go raid the kitchen for food.”
“A proper hunter gatherer.” She joked.
“Be careful I might just drag you back to my cave later.”
“Do you promise?” she asked breathlessly and Luke laughed before dropping a kiss on the tip of her nose and leaving the room to allow her to get dress in private.
Chapter 30.
Cassie dressed quickly in the lemon long sleeved top and light blue jeans that Luke had brought through. She used the mirror in the bathroom to brush her hair and noticed her toothbrush already in there and toothpaste so she quickly brushed her teeth.
She had no bands to put her hair up and so she left it free and flowing down her back. It was still wet anyway. Luke came back in then wearing a dark blue shirt and dark jeans and Cassie felt that little delicious shiver as she looked at him.
He smiled and came to her, putting his arms around her waist as he hugged her.
“That bruising came out well.” Luke commented. Yes, she had looked at that in the mirror. Her right eye looked swollen and the bruise ran across it and up to her temple until it disappeared into her hair.
She could also see the hand print around her throat, though it wasn’t as dark a bruise as her head. “It will go down.” Luke told her. “Let’s go find food.” She needed no second bidding, her stomach was already making growling noises and so she let Luke take her hand and lead her out of the bedroom and down the hall to the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Ah, you’re up.” Vera turned as they came through the door. “I suppose you will be wanting breakfast. Sit down, I’ll make it.”
“Thanks.” Luke said.
“I wasn’t talking to you.” She told him.
“Thanks.” Luke moaned.
“Oh go on then, but just this once.” Luke went over and kissed Vera on the cheek. “Oh go on with you.” She turned and began busying herself in preparing food while Luke poured out coffee for himself and Cassie and then came
to sit at the table.
“I hope you slept well?” Vera asked her.
“Yes thank you, very well.”
“I would ask if you were warm enough. But I already know the answer to that.” She said and Cassie blushed.
“Vera.” Luke warned.
“Don’t mind me. I wasn’t having a go. If you will recall, I did say she should be sleeping in your bed in the first place.” Then she tutted and shook her head. “Guest bedroom indeed, never heard of such a thing.”
Cassie said nothing. There really wasn’t anything to say and she was already far too embarrassed by the conversation. “That eye looks good.” Vera went on as she cracked eggs into a pan and popped in same bacon.
“Thank you, it does look impressive.” Cassie agreed as she sipped her coffee. “I suppose I shall have to go and deal with the house. From what I can remember it was in a right mess.”
“Leave it today. We’ll go over tomorrow.”
“Oh no, it’s okay I can do it. You’ve got work surely.”
“I already called in and told them I was taking a couple of days.” Luke shrugged and smiled at her.
“Oh.” And then Vera was placing a plate of food in front of them both. A plate that had far too much food on. She would never eat all that.
The door rang then and Vera went to answer it. “Wow, there is a lot there.” She said as she picked up her fork.
“Don’t feel obliged to eat all of it. Vera never learnt such things as portion control.” Luke commented on a smile.
“That looks terrible.” Came a shocked voice from the doorway and Cassie looked up at a shocked looking Adam.
“Hey.” Adam came over and leant down to hug her.
“Are you okay?”
“I am fine, really.”
“Would you like coffee.” Vera asked him and Adam turned.
“I wouldn’t say no. thank you, no milk, no sugar.”
“You’re sweet enough, is that it.” Vera joked as she went to get a cup from the cupboard.
“I have my moments.” Adam agreed as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Did you want to help me eat this?” Cassie asked using her fork to point to the mountain of food on it.
“No, no. you go ahead.” Adam informed her and then when Vera put the steaming mug in front of him he said. “Thank you, just what I needed.” He took a sip. “Ooh. This is nice coffee.”
“Thank you.” Vera said and then turned to Luke. “You see. Some people appreciate what I do.”
“I appreciate you.” Luke defended himself.
“Don’t tell me, in your own special way.” Vera shook her head. Luke picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee before placing it back down on the table.
“Thank you, just what I needed. Ooh. This is nice coffee.” And then gave Vera a big beaming smile.
“Mm. yes well I guess that will have to do. I’m still not sure whether I should talk to you after last night.”
“What did I do?” Luke asked.
“Yes what did he do.” Adam turned to regard Vera.
“He didn’t know what Pemberley was. I mean I ask you.” And she tutted. Adam turned back in his seat to watch Luke for several moments before saying.
“Mr Darcy, pride and prejudice.” And then he looked at Cassie and then Vera in turn and all three said on a breathy sigh.
“That wet shirt.” Luke looked from one to the other and then back again.
“I have got to stop letting my life flash before my eyes. I like what I see even less today than I did last night.” He complained.
“It’s not the end of the world.” Adam soothed. “I could lend you my copy so that you can watch it.” He told him.
“I think I’ll give it a miss.” Luke said. “I’ve managed to get this far in my life without it.”
“There’s always one uncultured swine.” Vera complained.
“Has Faye been in contact yet?” Adam changed the subject.
“Not a dickie bird.” Cassie told him.
“She hasn’t called to let you know she got there safe and sound?” Luke asked with a frown.
“She doesn’t think of such practicalities.” Adam told him.
“Still I would have thought that as she just went half way round the world she could at least send a text message. Can’t be that hard surely, you do only need two thumbs.” Luke remarked.
“I am sure she will call eventually.” Cassie dismissed.
“And when she gets back, we will deal with her together.” Luke told her firmly. What? Cassie felt her heart beat unhappily in her chest.
“Oh but,” she began but Luke cut her off.
“Do you trust me?” He asked her.
“Yes.” She said which, surprised her. Yes, she did trust him.
“Then trust that I know how to deal with it.”
“You have a plan.” Adam stated rather than asked.
“There’s a specialist residential unit. I know one of the doctor’s and he’s willing to take on her case.” Luke told Adam.
“That is a very good idea.” Adam told Luke.
“I thought so.”
“Oh yes but.” Cassie tried again.
“No buts.” Adam said sternly. “Listen to Luke. It’s what she needs.”
“She won’t like it.”
“She won’t like it, or you won’t like it?” Adam asked her.
“See, I told you.” Luke said triumphantly.
“But she’ll get…”
“She’ll scream and shout and let it all out.” Adam complained. “And then when that fails she will fall back on old faithful and use emotional blackmail to make you feel bad.” Adam told her.
“And you will give into her and let her walk all over you.” Luke agreed.
“You really have to break that cycle.” Adam said.
“Adam’s right. Once you have done it once and then see the positive change it will bring then you will be a lot stronger.” Luke said.
“And your relationship with Faye will be better.” Adam finished.
“Yes but.” Adam reached out and grabbed her hand.
“She will be fine. Luke knows what he’s doing.” Then he turned to Luke. “You do know what you are doing? Right?”
“I know what I am doing.” Luke agreed.
“So then it is settle. When Faye finally gets back we will bundle her up and send her off to boot camp.” Adam said.
“Shouldn’t this be my decision?” Cassie asked beginning to feel angry.
“No, it should be Faye’s decision.” Luke told her.
“She will never agree.” She tried again.
“I will convince her.” Luke told her confidently.
“What if you can’t.”
“You make it sound like you don’t want her to agree.” Adam said perceptively.
“Of course she doesn’t want her to agree. What else would Cassie do?” Luke asked. “Looking after Faye has become her identity.”
“He is right.” Adam said. “I love this man.”
“But I plan to keep Cassie very busy to help fill the void that looking after Faye fulfilled.” Luke promised.
“Busy with what?” Adam asked.
“With intimate things.”
“O.” Cassie felt the sweep of embarrassing colour again.
“Fantastic plan.” Adam said.
“Wonderful plan.” Vera agreed.
“Fine, looks like I’m going to lose this argument.” Cassie huffed. “But just for the record. I think it is a bad idea.”
“Which part?” Adam asked.
“Well.” She stopped and looked first at Vera and then Adam before coming to rest on Luke. Luke raised an eyebrow. “The Faye bit.” She said.
“We shall see.” Luke challenged.
“How busy are you intending to keep Cassie?” Adam asked.
“Very.”
“Excellent. So…” Adam said now looking from one to the other. “Have you set a date yet?”
“Yea
h, have you set a date yet?” Vera asked. “Good question.” She applauded Adam.
“Thank you.” Adam accepted the praise gracefully.
“For what?” Luke and Cassie asked.
“The wedding of course.” Adam told them.
“You are not getting any younger and Cassie’s biological clock is still ticking away.”
“Oh.” Cassie blushed.
“Then again maybe not after last night.” Adam commented dryly.
“How could you possibly know…” She blushed even harder. The heat in her cheeks making her sweat a little.
“A woman gets a certain look on her face when she is… satisfied and less… tense.” Adam told her.
“Adam.” She exclaimed.
“It’s true isn’t it Luke?” and then Luke looked at her and she felt her cheeks grow even hotter as he smiled wolfishly at her.
“It’s true.” He said.
“Men too.” Vera added.
“So where were you thinking of having the reception?” Adam asked now.
“Oh they can have that here. we have a ballroom.” Vera told him and Adam stood up.
“We do.” Adam exclaimed happily.
“Yes, would you like to see it. I could show you.” Vera volunteered.
“I would love that.” Adam turned to Cassie. “Now while we are gone you two should seriously think about setting a date before we come back.”
“Or we will set it for you.”
“Aren’t you all jumping the gun a little?” Luke said.
“Do you love her.” Vera asked.
“Vera.”
“Do you love her.” She tried again putting her hands on her hips. Luke sighed deeply and put his fork down.”
“Yes.” And then Adam looked at Cassie.
“Do you love him.”
“Adam.”
“Do you love him.”
“Yes.”
“They are both going to be trouble.” Vera complained.
“That they are.” Adam agreed. “Don’t worry, between the two of us I am sure we can manage them. So lead me to the ballroom.”
“This way.” And they left the room leaving a stunned Luke and Cassie sitting at the table staring at the doorway.
“They are both going to be trouble.” Luke told her.
“That they are.” Cassie agreed.
“Don’t worry, between the two of us I am sure we can manage them.”
The things we do for love. Page 21
