by Elle Linder
“Baby, you’re gorgeous, but I can control myself.”
“Ugh, just sit on the chair. I wouldn’t want to tempt you.” She rolled her eyes. He didn’t shy away from drinking her in with an intense gaze. “Stop looking at me like that. Do I smell kung pao?”
“Yes. Now, are you hungry?” He grinned, removing the cartons from the bag.
Oh, how she loved that grin. “I might be able to eat a little.”
He handed her chopsticks, plated the kung pao and rice, and passed her the plate.
“Thanks.” She walked to the bed and sat down with her back against the headboard. She wiggled to get cozy, then stretched her legs out on the bed.
Luke’s eyes were fixed on her legs as he sat in the chair as ordered. He blinked twice and looked away. When he caught sight of the empty ice cream container, he shot her a questioning look.
“What? I can eat ice cream if I want.”
“You sure can, sweetheart. You can have whatever your heart desires.”
“Stop it.”
“What? You can eat anything you want. I don’t control you.”
“While I agree with you, you have been controlling me the last couple of weeks regarding our non-existent sex life.” She huffed, picking at her food.
His expression grew serious. “Baby, I want to do everything right with you. You mean a lot to me, and I don’t want to screw this up.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not fine. I can see you’re bothered by this.”
“I’m horny, Luke! That’s it, and when I’m horny I get edgy…and bitchy.” Her cheeks warmed, and she dropped her gaze to her legs. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“Aww, sweetheart, so am I.” Her eyes shot to his. “Really. And that just tells me our first time together is going to be mind-blowing.”
“I’m happy you’re struggling too. At least I’m not the only one masturbating to take the edge off.” Julia’s mindless confession shouldn’t be a big deal. They were comfortable with each other. No biggie. Right?
Luke ran his fingers through his hair and said nothing.
“I’m not the only one, right?”
“No, you’re not, but I didn’t know you were.” His cheeks turned pink. “Damn, just thinking about you doing it for yourself…holy shit! I might have to leave right now.”
“Luke! Don’t be a jerk! Now you’re making me self-conscious.”
He roared with laughter, and did it ever fire her up.
“Luke!”
“I’m sorry.”
“You know, the least you could do is help a girl out.” She cocked her head, staring him down, and he stopped laughing.
He set his plate down on the coffee table. “Come here and let me help my girl out.” She stared at him, unsure if he was serious. “Come here…”
She walked over and straddled him like she often did. She was a little apprehensive, but this was Luke, who was always kind to her. His fingers went into her hair as he kissed her neck just the way she liked, firing her up with his mouth. He snaked his hand down her ass and into her cheekies, reaching all the way to her warm, wet spot.
“Oh fuck, you weren’t kidding. You’re so ready.” He gasped, slipping in two fingers.
“Oh, Luke…really?” She gripped his shoulders tightly to control her emotions.
“Yeah, baby.”
Julia bit her lip as his fingers moved inside her, searching. This was happening. She relaxed into his fingers but struggled not to explode right then and there. A gift like this she wanted to last as long as possible.
His natural scent stirred every nerve inside her as she rocked gently, hovering on the edge of an orgasm. Julia strained against him, a palpable pressure in her chest, loving the feel of him inside her. But it was all happening too fast. She stopped moving, cupped his cheeks, and claimed his mouth. Their tongues danced vigorously, and he moaned into her mouth. Just hearing his pleasure got her rocking in a frenzy again. She couldn’t stop herself from going to town on his fingers, from reaching the finish line.
“That’s it, baby. Take it. Take what you need. Damn, you’re fucking hot,” he whispered in a husky voice. He buried his face in the crook of her neck as she leaned into him, riding his fingers.
“Oooh…Luke.”
“Oh Jesus, take it baby…take it.”
Julia bucked to a rhythm all her own. It wouldn’t be long before she erupted like a mighty volcano. She grabbed his head and covered his mouth, holding on for a little bit longer. Brimming with countless emotions, it suddenly happened. She pressed into him, taking his lower lip between her teeth as delicious spasms rolled through her body. She tightened around his fingers and rode the wave.
Luke held her in awe while her whole body clenched, and then she melted into him with her arms wrapped around his neck. She panted, chewing on her numb lips, savoring her release.
“That was fucking awesome, baby. I messed my shorts right along with you.”
She exhaled deeply and pulled back, stunned. “You did?”
“Yeah.” He shifted below her.
“Oh my…well, thank you.” She softly giggled. “That helped a lot since I can’t have the full monty.”
“Soon baby, soon.” Luke pressed his lips to her temple, rubbing her back until her breathing regulated.
They enjoyed tender kisses and caresses before she dismounted, light as a feather and oh so high on Luke. Maybe she could make it another week. After that, she was certain he would blow her mind when he made love to her.
After that very hot quickie, and Luke’s clean-up in the bathroom, they settled in for two episodes of Scandal. Luke’s moral compass proved to be a lot more rigid than hers as they watched the show. He had her rolling on the floor laughing at his shock over…everything. The lies, the deceit, Fitz, Olivia, Millie, and even Quinn. Julia had never enjoyed watching the show as much as she did with him.
By the end of the second episode they’d watched together, they were on the bed and Julia was curled up in his arms with their legs entwined. Not once did he push for more or lose control when they made out for a long while. Talk about restraint.
Later that night, Julia went to bed feeling hopeful for the future and swoony.
TWELVE
And So It Begins
Monday brought the beginning of a new week and the beginning of the countdown to the full monty. The weekend for the first Sweethearts Retreat had been a success as Julia had expected. And as usual, Julia had worked steadily during the weekend, making sure all the arrangements went off without a hitch and the couples were completely satisfied.
Each suite supplied the “sweethearts” with flowers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a bottle of champagne, and a romantic dinner for two at Murphy’s. With everything going on at the resort, her time with Luke was limited. A good thing. It helped keep their desires in check.
The brisk morning exhilarated her while the scent of pine wafted in the air. She had once thought she would never enjoy anything more than the scent of eucalyptus, but the pines were making her rethink that notion. On her morning walk, she meandered down to Luke’s office.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted her, walking out of the little cabin as she approached.
“Morning. I hoped I’d see you on my walk.”
“Yeah?” He pulled her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “Let’s go for a walk before you go in.”
“Sure.” She loved his attentiveness, whether it was holding her hand, placing his hand on the small of her back, or wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She simply loved being touched by him.
They walked to a clearing that had a log bench and a perfect view of the falls. The last couple of days had been warmer, showing signs of the approaching spring thaw and exposing more of the ground as the snow melted.
After four weeks, the resort had grown on her…or maybe it was the man sitting next to her. Luke wrapped his arm around her, and she nuzzled into him. Her response to him had be
come as natural as breathing.
“Are you happy here? I mean, you look happy, but are you really?” he asked.
“I am. More than I thought I’d be. Why do you ask?”
“We only have four more days, and I want to be sure you really want this with me.” He didn’t look at her, but she looked at him. He stayed focused on the falls as if saying a silent prayer.
“Luke, I want us more than anything.” She reached her hand to his chin. He looked down into her eyes. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy and comfortable within my own skin before you. And that scares the hell out of me.” She stroked his beard.
Not only was her heart racing with anticipation, it turned her on to see his breathing quicken.
She pulled his face toward hers, and he covered her mouth with a hunger that awakened her own. She loved the tickle of his beard beneath her hands more than she could have imagined. She moaned against his mouth when his tongue searched for hers, and it sent a tingling surge into her panties. The wonderful warmth of his mouth put dirty thoughts in her head, and she couldn’t take it, so she pulled back, ending the kiss.
“We can’t do this,” she gasped.
“Why not?”
“I mean, we can’t do this or I’m going to rip your clothes off,” she said, panting. If he were to decide to take her right there on the bench before God, the falls, and the whole town, she wouldn’t be able to stop him.
“You’re right.” He stiffened, but his lust-filled eyes were locked on hers.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed her hair and stood, but Luke didn’t move. “Are you coming?”
He laughed…the laugh, the deep throaty laugh she adored. He didn’t do it often, but when he did, her pulse raced off the charts. “You don’t want me coming right now. I’ll need a minute to calm down.”
Julia smirked. She had noticed him growing weaker by the day. It wasn’t just her anxiously waiting to make love. His commitment to “doing it right” flooded her heart with admiration. And seeing him struggle made her want him even more. She put her face in front of his, with their noses touching. His hands roamed up her legs to her hips, and then he pulled her onto his lap. And there, she indulged in his sensual mouth again.
Time could stop…now.
By the grace of all things powerful and mysterious, Julia had made it through lunch, and five o’clock was only a couple of hours away. Luke remained on her mind all day while she grinned like a fool. Their passionate kisses played over and over in her head. Wet, warm, and sensual. He aroused her in ways she had never experienced before and always left her craving more.
In the middle of her moment of reveling in him, he blew through the door and closed it behind him.
“I’m sorry, I had to see you.” He crossed the small office and kneeled in front of her. He sure liked doing that, and she wasn’t complaining—she really did love a man on his knees.
Those wanting eyes begged for her. She wrapped her arms around Luke’s neck, pulling his face to hers. She brushed her lips slowly across his, taunting him with her tongue. He didn’t move. She kissed him with slow, meaningful nibbles, embracing the control she had over him.
A deep sigh poured out of him as he relaxed in her arms.
“I’ve wanted to see you all day,” she said through her kisses.
“Sweetest words ever.”
In the early morning, Luke’s phone jolted him awake with a vibrating buzz on the nightstand. He looked down at Julia sleeping soundly beside him, then glanced at the screen. Renee. The last thing he wanted was to talk to her with Julia next to him, so he ignored the call, sure that Renee was up to her typical hysterics.
Luke smiled down at Julia. Last night, they had cuddled while watching Scandal. There had been plenty of kissing and fondling throughout the evening, as well as a little talking, but sometime after eleven, they had nodded off in each other’s arms. It was nights like that he had grown to love. Sleeping with his beauty in his arms made his life damn near perfect.
“Mmm, morning.” She snuggled closer to him.
“Morning, beautiful.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Even in the morning, you’re gorgeous.” He held her for a while before going back to his place to shower and call Renee.
Luke sat at his desk with a clenched jaw while trying to complete a tedious amount of paperwork. It should have been the sweetest morning of his life, waking up with Julia in his arms. He had never been happier, but now fear filtered through his veins after talking to the toxic Renee.
A soft knock on the door brought him to his feet.
“Hi, beautiful. You don’t have to knock.”
“Sorry, it’s a habit. It looks like someone’s little house.” She smiled, walking into his arms. “I couldn’t wait to see you, so I came looking for you.”
He kissed her with desperate abandon. It had been one of the best weeks of his life, ranking right up there with his commission in the Marines. Now, he hoped like hell that what he was about to tell her would be received well—or as well as possible. “I’m glad you’re here. I had some things I needed to deal with before coming up to the lodge.”
“What kind of things?”
Luke guided her to his chair, and she sat as directed. He pulled up a stool beside her, and he turned serious.
Julia crossed her hands in her lap and leaned forward, giving him her undivided attention.
“I need to fly out to Juneau…today.”
“Are the kids okay?”
“Yeah. Physically anyway. I’m not happy about going,” he stressed before continuing.
She looked at him, seeming confused by his statement.
“Renee called early this morning when we were together. I ignored it and called her back when I got home. She’s having a hard time with Heather. I don’t know all the details, but she’s failing a few classes and I think there was something about a boyfriend.” He shrugged.
“You don’t know all the details? What do you plan to do when you get there?” she asked with an air of judgment.
“I don’t know. I was there a month ago for the holidays, and the kids were fine.” He ran his fingers over his beard. Julia’s unconvinced expression made his stomach twist.
“So, your ex-wife calls and you fly out…just like that?”
Her question gave him pause, but that was it in a nutshell. Renee would call upset about the kids, and he would drop everything to go out to help her. It was never for anything dire, but he went just the same for his kids; they were his priority. “I know how it must look—”
“Do you? Because I’m not even sure how it looks. How long will you be gone?”
“Just a few days. Are you angry with me? I have kids. They’re my responsibility.” The worry he felt wasn’t normal for him. Typically, he would never explain himself. Yet he could feel the pleading in his eyes, willing her to not hop on the first plane back to California.
“I’m not angry. I’m sorry for my reaction. I didn’t realize how involved you were with your kids, all the way from Idaho. I hope everything’s okay with your daughter, and…I’ll miss you.” Her voice softened. “Just a few days?”
“Just a few days,” he assured, taking her hands in his. “It’ll fly by, and then we’ll have our romantic weekend. The time apart will help us get through this last week of torture.” He brushed her hair off her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. They were tense, firm, and he felt like shit for being the cause of it.
“You’re right. I understand.”
After Luke walked Julia back to the resort, his mind raced for several hours. The disappointment in her eyes penetrated his brain while his fingers stung with remorse. He couldn’t unsee her disenchantment or un-feel the tension in her shoulders. It grieved him leaving her in such a state with what he imagined were negative thoughts spinning around in her beautiful head.
The uncertainty regarding them would plague her in his absence, all because of Renee and her dramatic crying fit. It had become clear—he need
ed to figure this shit out if he was going to be with Julia. She deserved to be a priority in his life too, and never second to Renee’s hysterics.
THIRTEEN
Maybe They Won’t Work
The first twenty-four hours after Luke left passed uneventfully. He called Julia when he arrived at the airport, but the call was brief. It didn’t faze her at first—she expected to hear from him later that night—but another call never came. For hours she tossed and turned in bed, fighting her imagination and insecurities. But silence from Luke, after everything they had been to each other the last month, shook her to the core.
What is he doing over there?
Did his phone die?
The unknown awakened demons that had been dormant in the dark corners of her mind. One by one they surfaced, spreading fear and doubt as thick as molasses. Jumbled thoughts invaded her head. They grew bigger and stronger as the hours passed.
Is Luke really divorced, or is he living a double life?
Or divorced but still having sex with the ex?
It wasn’t uncommon for divorced couples to have sex. She had seen it on plenty of talk shows and Scandal. Old habits die hard and all that.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her lamentation.
“Hi, doll, how are you?” she said, answering Lauren’s call and putting on a controlled, unaffected demeanor.
“Perfect! I’m getting better at running this place without you. How are you, babe?”
“That’s great. I’d hate for you to struggle with the place while I’m gone.”
“You sound off. What’s going on?”
Julia sighed. She never could hide anything from Lauren. “Well…Mr. Lumberjack and I had an amazing week.”
“Tell me more!”
“We’ve been doing a little more than kissing…which I love. But yesterday morning his ex-wife ordered him back to Alaska.”
“Oh, dang! Ordered? For what?”
“Maybe ordered isn’t the right word; maybe she just expects him to return when asked. I don’t know. I guess his daughter Heather, the fourteen-year-old, got into some trouble. The details are fuzzy.”
