"There’s that fucking bitch!" I looked up to find us surrounded by all six of them. The cowboy was leaning on the tailgate of a truck holding a shirt soaked in blood to his mouth. Panic filled me, and I started to shudder.
"Don't worry babe, having a goon squad has its perks," he said smiling without a hint of worry on his face. "How about you sit here?" he said calmly, leading me back inside to a chair behind the karaoke stage. "I'll be right back. Don't move." He winked to the red headed girl running karaoke and she gave him a knowing nod. What the hell was that about? I watched him walk back outside and found myself worrying over a man whose name I didn't even know.
"Would you like a drink?" the tall red headed girl asked. She wore a bright yellow t-shirt with Queen of Karaoke inscribed on the front. Her hair was long and straight and she had big brown eyes lined in black eye liner. I couldn’t help but wonder if her long lashes were real or not. I started to ask her when she spoke. "I'm Red, how about I get you some water and aspirin. It will probably help that headache that I'm sure you have. You took a nasty fall."
"Thanks that would be great." I couldn't keep my hands from shaking. I kept glancing at the door hoping he would walk back through it, unharmed.
"Here ya go." Red handed me the two pills and a cup of ice water. "Luke is a really great guy. If you break his heart, I'll fuck you up," she said matter-of-fact. And I believed her. She didn't look like the type you would want to piss off or the type that would tell you a lie just because it sounded good.
"I don't even know his name." Red looked at me with an impassive face and lifted the microphone, never taking her eyes off of me.
"And next up we have Jud. Bring your sexy ass up here and sing me a song, big daddy." She put the mic down still staring at me. This bitch was starting to freak me out. "I don't know where this is going or if it’s anything, but I swore the next bitch that broke his heart would eat through a straw for a week. You look like the heartbreaking kind. I've watched you in here all night. I know you came looking for something and I hope you get it. If Luke is the one to give it to you then you are one lucky girl. But, just remember, you fuck him over - I'm gonna fuck you up." She gave me a smile with no warmth in it and handed the mic to Jud with a wink.
"You’re wrong," I said. "Look, I just came to have a good time. I didn't ask for any of this. I appreciate Luke’s help, but look where it has gotten him."
She smiled and patted my shoulder, “Don't worry about him, he will be just fine." As if on cue the side door opened and relief rushed over me as I made eye contact with Luke. He was still perfect - nothing out of place.
"Thanks, Red. Tomorrow night?" he asked as he grabbed my hand to pull me up.
"Wouldn't miss it," she said with a smile and a look that made me think they had a history together.
"Come on, babe. Let’s get you somewhere a little quieter." Luke opened the door and led me out into the fresh air.
The guys were gone. No sign of the goon squad either. Had they just disappeared into thin air? Knowing I should stop this charade now and head home, I turned to tell Luke I was leaving when he suddenly picked me up, and carried me across the parking lot. I didn't protest. I could feel his muscles flexing against my side. The smell of him, even clouded by cigarette smoke, was so intoxicating I found myself leaning into him and inhaling his scent. He smiled down at me but didn't say anything. Thank God. I was already blushing from being caught. One smart ass remark would have been enough to ruin my night. Hadn't I embarrassed myself enough?
We came upon a white Ford F-250, and he opened the passenger side door and sat me inside. I noticed he did not even put me down to open the door. Was it because he didn't want to let go of me? Not that it mattered- this was just a one night stand. He took off his leather vest that was covered in patches, and climbed into the driver seat.
"So, are you gonna tell me your name, or should I just call you whatever I want?" I asked trying to strike up a conversation. This guy didn't talk a lot. I liked that.
"You already know my name." How did he know that? "I know that because I left you with Red, and knowing Red she gave you the third degree. Surely, she also said my name," he said smiling adoringly.
"She seems nice enough. You speak fondly of her. Is she your girlfriend?" I held my breath waiting for his answer. Again, he surprised me by laughing.
"I wish. Although, I would never let her go if I had her. She is married. Happily, she claims. She has been my best friend for a long time. She is my confidante -- my rock, the one who takes care of me when I'm down."
"While you are out taking care of other women in need," I said with a small smile playing on my lips. He didn't answer. Instead, he reached over and lifted the console separating the two of us.
"We have about a thirty minute drive ahead of us. You’re welcome to lay your head in my lap and take a nap. I don't think you’re supposed to sleep with a concussion, but I don't see what staying awake will do for you."
I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to tell him to kiss my ass. I was not laying my head in his lap. I wanted to tell him that I had not agreed to go anywhere with him, and to take me back to my car. But surprising myself for the second time tonight, I did something I never do. I trusted this complete stranger to take care of me. My head was pounding, so his offer was more than appealing. I scooted across the seat and laid my head in his lap.
Closing my eyes, I tried to make sense of what I was doing but nothing made sense, so I stopped trying. I felt his hand brush the hair off the front of my face and run down my arm and back up again. It felt so good to be touched after so long. Even if it was for just one night, I was going to enjoy every moment of it. I drifted off to sleep, and for the first time in three months, Jeff's face was not the one that I dreamed of.
Chapter 2
"Wake up, darling." The endearment caused butterflies to form in my stomach even before I opened my eyes. "I'm gonna carry you inside, okay?"
I was sure I could walk but not really wanting to-I nodded my head and sat up trying to pull down my dress that had ridden up my hips. Clearly not doing a very good job of covering myself, Luke laughed softly reaching his hands up my legs to pull my dress back down. It felt so much better when he did it anyway.
"There, now you’re all covered up and I can't see you," he said smiling at me and making my heart of stone melt. He scooped me into his arms and led me inside what I assumed was his house. We entered through the kitchen and he sat me on the counter. "Don't move and don't fall. I'll be right back." He said with a smirk before disappearing from the room.
I looked around the small kitchen and noticed that even though it was not very large in size, it was nicely decorated and clean. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and deep mahogany hard wood floors scattered with rugs made it feel like a home. I could hear Luke throughout the house. I was just about to hop down and go find him when he came through the door.
"Oh no, you don't," he said walking up to me causing my mouth to go dry. He really was beautiful. "If you fell and hurt yourself, you would mess up my plans, and I have something great in store for you."
I once had this friend named Leigh Ann and every time she saw a good looking guy she would say, "Oh! He makes my liver quiver!" Well, my liver was quivering. "What kind of plans?" I asked trying to sound flirty and failing miserably.
"Well, I know you are tired. You have had a rough night so I thought I would run you a bath and let you sleep in my comfortable king sized bed."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" I asked attempting to mirror his smirk.
He stepped in between my legs causing my dress to ride up. Before I could protest, he had my legs wrapped around his waist and was holding me by my bare ass, carrying me to the bathroom. Not letting me go and not taking his eyes off mine, he leaned down and turned on the water. Breaking the silence he asked, "Do you need a minute?" Setting me on the toilet, the urge hit me and I nodded silently, cursing my bladder for being the reason he had to let me go. He
adjusted the water then turned and walked out.
Relieving myself, I stood up and glanced in the mirror. Holy- shit. I looked like hammered hell. My eyes were puffy and bloodshot. My hair was a tangled mess, and although the pain had dulled, standing on my own caused me to get a little dizzy, so I held onto the counter.
"It's a common side effect when you hit your head," Luke said, gazing at me from the door. I turned to notice he had taken off his shirt. For some reason, the pain in my head immediately subsided. If Luke looked good in clothes, he looked amazing without them. Tattoos covered his arms from his shoulders to his wrists and his chest was perfectly sculpted and tanned. His abs were flawless and his jeans hung low on his waist showing off the V that formed at his lower abdomen.
“Never seen a half-naked man?" he asked slightly amused at my expression.
"Not like you," was all I could manage to say, and it was the truth. Luke was the epitome of sexy. My eyes were glued to the panty dropping smile on his lips.
"Let me help you," He said taking a step towards me.
"I can do it." I said suddenly feeling a little self-conscious about myself. I was usually so confident, but I was intimidated by him and that made me uneasy.
"Dallas, I promise not to take advantage of you or make you feel uncomfortable. You have had a bad night. I just want to help. I'm afraid if I leave you, you might fall." How sweet he was. I liked sweet biker boy. Hadn't he been sweet to me all night?
"Okay," I said quickly before I could change my mind. I would never see him again anyway. He walked over to me and wrapped his hands around my waist and once more lifted me onto the counter. I was beginning to enjoy the way he carried and lifted me as if I weighed nothing. He knelt down in front of me, grabbing my Jimmy Choo's and pulling them off one at a time.
"I have a thing for heels," he said smiling up at me. I momentarily stopped breathing as his hands rubbed my feet that I didn't even know were sore until a soft moan escaped my lips, letting him know how good it felt. He continued massaging each of my feet while on his knees in front of me. The sight of him, bad boy biker, kneeling in front of me rubbing my feet made me tingle with excitement. Far too soon he stopped and stood, bringing his face inches from mine.
Breathing a little heavier now he said, "Raise your arms." I hardly recognized his voice. Knowing I had an effect on him almost sent me over the edge. I slid my dress up over my hips then raised my arms above my head. The heated look in his eyes let me know that he wanted me just as bad as I wanted him. He grabbed the end of my dress and pulled it over my head slowly, never taking those ocean blue eyes off of mine. He folded my dress and sat it on the counter beside me, then grabbing my waist helped to steady me as I stood in front of him.
"Do you know how beautiful you are Dallas?"
"Yes," I breathed like an idiot. Why had I said that? Yeah I was sure of myself but now was not the time to be such a bitch. He rewarded me with laughter instead of calling me a self-centered bitch, which made me smile.
"I thought you did. This is the first time I have seen you really smile tonight. I must say that you, Dallas, have the most amazing smile I have ever seen. You look like Christmas morning."
Wow. Had anyone ever said anything like that to me before? No. And for some reason coming from him it meant so much more. This guy, this un-believably sexy guy, thinks my smile looks like Christmas morning. I smiled even wider. My all –American- girl smile that had been my key to success, my ticket to drive any man crazy, and the only thing that mattered to me was that he liked it.
Shaking his head, as if he was trying to clear his head, he returned to the task at hand. Here I was, standing in his bathroom only inches from him in my lacy black bra and matching thong, and all I wanted was for him to strip me and fuck me right here on this bathroom floor. He looped his thumbs under the thin lace of my panties and slowly slid them down my legs, and like a perfect gentlemen, held his hand up to me to hold while I stepped out of them. Standing, he threw my soaked panties on top of my dress and reached around behind me to unclasp my bra. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne as he leaned over me causing my face to be level with his chest. Why did he have to smell so fucking good? He took my bra and laid it with my other clothes and I noticed that ever since I had become naked, he had not once let his eyes leave mine.
Was he afraid to look at me? Answering my unspoken question he said, "I promised not to make you feel uncomfortable, and I won't. I have seen many beautiful women, but you, Miss Dallas, are perfect and I'll be damned if I let my eyes wander over something I can't have- at least not tonight." The sincerity of his gaze had me hanging my mouth open like an idiot. Why not tonight? There would not be a tomorrow. Would there?
"What's wrong with tonight?" I asked, kicking myself for opening my big fat mouth. I could really ruin a moment.
"How about you get a bath?" Without another word, he leaned over, shut off the water, and helped me step in. I let out a sigh as I sank down in the hot water. It was perfect. The bathtub was actually a Jacuzzi tub. The small pillow at the back fit perfectly under my head as I stretched my legs out and let the jets massage my body. The water was perfumed with pomegranate and the sides of the tub were lined with many different shampoos and body washes.
"It's nice to see someone enjoying that tub." His voice broke through my cloudy thoughts. How had I forgotten he was even there? "I hardly ever have time to use it. Let me know when you are finished and I'll help you get out." With that, he left. How strange. I thought he would join me.
Too tired to think, I washed my hair, wincing when my fingers found the sore spot on the back of my head. I took the wash cloth that was folded neatly on the side of the tub and washed my body, noticing for the first time my bruised ass and elbows. The excitement of the night had kept me from noticing, but as the adrenaline was wearing off, I was becoming aware of the pain my body was in. I didn't realize how bad of a fall I had taken. I leaned back into the water letting the sound of the jets soothe me.
"You are gonna be mighty wrinkly if you sleep in that bathtub all night."
I jumped at the sound of Luke’s voice. "I must have fallen asleep," I replied, shivering from the water that was now cool.
He chuckled, "Here I warmed you a towel in the dryer. I figured you would be cold by now, but I didn't want to disturb you." Was this guy for real?
"Thanks." I seemed to be saying that a lot tonight. He grabbed my hand to help me up and pain shot all the way down to my toes. My head was throbbing and my ass felt like someone had beaten me with a crowbar.
"Steady babe. Are you okay?" he asked with concern on his face.
"It if I put any weight on my left leg," I said holding onto his hands for balance. "I think I bruised my tail bone when I fell." Without any further question, he scooped me into his arms, soaking wet, and carried me into the bedroom. Setting me on the bed, he quickly went back to the bathroom to retrieve the towels. He covered me with one towel and gently began patting my hair dry with the other.
I'm a strong person. I can tolerate pain and I hate to show any sign of weakness. I had already allowed this man to carry me everywhere, undress me, put me in the bathtub, and wait on me hand and foot. I'm not sure why I decided to break down at that moment. Maybe it was the enormity of everything that had happened today. Maybe it was the loneliness I had felt for so long. Maybe it was the sexual craving that I had earlier that had now turned into a yearning for intimacy. Whatever it was caused me to start crying, which soon turned into sobbing.
"Shh, Baby. It’s okay. Look at me." I raised my head to find him eye level with me with concern etched all over his face. "You are safe. I am not gonna let anyone hurt you or anything happen to you. I'm gonna dry you off now, put you in some of my clothes and put you to bed. You will feel better once you have had some decent sleep."
Deciding not to correct him by letting him know it was not my safety I feared for, and that I had handled guys like the cowboy prick before, I just nodded. Through my tears, I co
uld just make out his face. I could tell that it pleased him to do something for me and have control of the situation. That was fine by me. I had been strong for too long and if I was gonna fall apart, at least it would be at the hands of a stranger that I wouldn't have to see again.
Luke dried my hair as gently as possible and then dried the front of my body. He helped me to stand on my one good leg and never letting his arm leave my waist, he dried my back and then my butt, pausing to skim his fingers over what I assumed was now a bruise. He softly ran the towel between my legs, drying me as quickly as possible, then moving on to my legs and feet. He took a black t-shirt that was on the bed and slid it over my head paying careful attention not to let it touch me.
Still holding me by the waist, he slid the covers back and helped me to sit. Holding out the two little brown pills in his hand, he handed me a glass of water. I took the pills and drank the whole glass.
"That’s better," he smiled at me making my heart clench. Most of my tears had subsided and I was beginning to feel better. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I'll be in the next room if you need me." I couldn't help the disappointed look that crossed my face or the fact that hearing those words caused more tears to fall.
Suddenly looking panicked, he placed both hands on the side of my face. "I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that you have had a long day and I thought you might want to be alone. I'll stay. Lie down and let me hold you." Before he could change his mind, I put my legs under the covers, wincing as I slid down under them. "I'm gonna grab some sweats. I'll be right back."
He walked out of the room and I was immediately lonely. I wanted to call out to him to come back but caught myself. No need to make a bigger ass of yourself, Dallas. He returned less than a minute later wearing a pair of black sweats. He should really be a model for Calvin Klein. He turned the light off and slid in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling my back towards him. My shuddering stopped the minute he kissed my hair and whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry about what happened today. I can't tell you what will happen in the future, but tonight, you can rest easy. As long as you are in my arms I will not let anyone hurt you."
A Ride or Die Kind of Love Page 77
