by Kari Lemor
“Please tell me you’ve got something to put on this?” Her sultry voice nearly sent him over that second.
“I…uh, yeah. Brad actually had condoms made with their names on them.”
Elle rolled her eyes, her hand continuing to glide up and down. Luke wasn’t sure he could concentrate enough to find the condom. Digging into his pocket, he withdrew it and ripped the packet open. His hands shook as he attempted to roll it on. God, he’d never been so nervous about sex. This was Elle. This was different and real.
He kissed her again and swept his fingers up her leg and under her dress to find that sweet spot that would get her ready for him. But when he dipped between her legs, she was already hot and wet. Shit. He wouldn’t make it very long with the way things were moving.
A few strokes of his fingers had Elle groaning and writhing. Finally, she pushed him on his back and straddled his hips. Slowly, agonizingly, she lowered herself until her pelvis met his.
“Ellie, you’re going to end me right here. I didn’t want this to—”
Her hips stopped, and her eyebrows pushed together. “You didn’t?”
“Oh, God, no, I did. I do. But you’re too good for me. I don’t deserve anything you give me.”
Her hips twisted, and he groaned. “Like this?”
“Please, yes. Anything you’re willing to give me.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips as her hips swayed back and forth and side to side. “I want to give you everything, Luke.”
“Too good for me,” he whispered as this gorgeous woman undulated and squirmed.
Her head fell back, and ecstasy wreathed her features. Her beautiful breasts jiggled as she moved. She wiggled faster, and soon her mouth opened in a soundless scream as her body jerked and twitched. Her fingers clenched on his chest as she trembled.
Quickly flipping her on her back, he plunged inside again and again until he joined her on that trip over the edge. Collapsing against her, he adjusted slightly to avoid crushing her. Still joined, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and stroked her cheek.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same after that. It was perfect. You are perfect.”
Biting her lips, she nodded. “It was.”
He didn’t want to let her go, but the dawn was breaking over the horizon and soon it would be light. He held her for as long as he could, then finally eased himself from her body.
After reattaching her halter top, she pulled a tissue from her pocket and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He chuckled and used it to wrap up the condom, then stuffed it inside the champagne bottle.
They held each other for a short while, but he knew they didn’t have much time.
“I should probably get back to my room.” Her shoulders hunched as she stared at the horizon. He couldn’t let her go, thinking she was just another quick screw.
“I want to see you again before I leave. I can’t give you a ride back to Portsmouth, because I came on my motorcycle, but can we have breakfast together before we take off from here?”
She nodded and leaned into him. “That sounds nice. I’d like to take a shower first. As soon as I find my panties.” Her head pivoted left and right, scouting the area.
“Be brave and fearless. Go without. See how it feels.” Mostly, he didn’t want to give up his souvenir of his time with her. He’d never done anything like this before. He needed something to remind him of her.
Elle stood and smoothed her skirt down. “You’re crazy, but I guess I don’t have a choice since I can’t find them. Good thing my name isn’t in them or whoever finds them will have more information than I want them to have.”
After he grabbed the bottle and his jacket, she picked up her shoes, and they strolled up to the hotel together. There was no one around at this time of the morning. He should be exhausted with how little sleep he’d gotten, but for some reason, he was energized.
At her door, he kissed her. “I’ll see you in about an hour. Is that okay?”
Elle nodded, then disappeared inside her room. Luke headed down the hall to the elevator and took it to his floor, tossing the bottle in a hallway trashcan. Once inside his room, he emptied his pockets and started to undress. The blinking light on his phone caught his attention. He’d turned the tone off yesterday before the wedding, so it wouldn’t go off during the ceremony. He’d forgotten to put it back on.
Swiping across the screen, he found a dozen calls from family members and half a dozen texts. They all said to call as soon as he got the message. Shit. That didn’t sound good.
Clicking on Alex’s number, he waited, his heart beating rapidly. His brother picked up in seconds.
“Luke, it’s about damn time you called. We’ve been trying to reach you all night.”
“I shut the phone off for the wedding and never thought to check it until now. What happened?”
Alex cleared his throat, and Luke’s hand shook at the pause. “Dad had a heart attack last night.”
“Oh. God.” His legs gave out, and he sank onto the bed. “Please, tell me he’s okay.”
Alex sighed. “It was a mild one, and the doctors think he’ll be fine. However, they’re still running tests to see what kind of damage there was.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can. I’m leaving right now.”
He started throwing his toiletries into his bag as Alex filled him in on which hospital they’d taken Dad to and how their mom was handling it.
“Don’t kill yourself by speeding back here, Luke. Be careful.”
“I will. I’m so sorry. Tell Mom and Dad I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. There wasn’t anything you could have done. I’ll see you soon.”
Luke disconnected the call and quickly tossed everything into his overnight bag. As he headed to the lobby, he wanted to call Elle to tell her what happened. Then, it occurred to him he didn’t have her number. He didn’t even remember her having a phone with her. God, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.
He left his key card on the front desk, and a clerk held up a finger to him from the back room. He was talking on the phone and tapping away at a computer. Luke didn’t have time to wait. He needed to get home. Regardless, he had to leave a note or message of some kind.
“Looking for something, Luke?” Taylor Markham materialized behind him, still in the dress she’d worn the day before. Walk of Shame. At least no one had seen Elle and him coming in earlier. Too bad there weren’t more people around now. Taylor wasn’t the first person he’d think of to leave a message with, but he needed to get home. His dad needed him. What choice did he have?
“Taylor, can you do me a favor, please?”
Her features adopted a teasing smirk. “Always willing to help you out, Luke.”
“I have an emergency at home and need to run, but I was supposed to meet Ellie Russell for breakfast in a half hour. Can you give her the message, please?”
“Murielle?” The way she said Elle’s name, with a nasally whine, pissed him off. “What are you doing having breakfast with Murielle?”
His jaw clenched tighter. “She’s a friend. Will you tell her, please? I really have to go.”
Taylor batted her eyelashes and puckered her lips. “Of course, I will. Anything for you, Luke.”
“Thanks.” He rushed off and jumped on his bike after stowing his bag in the storage bin. Taylor hadn’t even asked what kind of emergency. Didn’t matter. She still lived in town. She’d find out soon enough.
He just needed to get home and make sure his dad was okay.
The drone of the blow dryer couldn’t distract Elle from her thoughts. They were too focused on what had just happened with Lukas Storm. Wow. Never in a million years would she have pictured herself and Luke being so intimate.
All the gossip she’d ever heard about Luke being a fabulous lover was true. Was she just another girl in a long line of many? Had it meant anything to him? It had meant the world to her. She’d been in love with Luke since she wa
s twelve.
“No, he needed someone good and sweet. That’s what you gave him.” Not that she was a virgin by any means, but she’d hardly fit the description of a femme fatale.
Those ridiculous doubts she always carried with her floated around her head again. Luke had been desperate. Was that the only reason they’d had sex? He’d said he hadn’t even wanted to do it, yet then he’d said he did. God, what confusion.
Elle smoothed the brush through her newly washed hair and gave her head a shake. It wasn’t as pretty as the curls from the wedding, but still fresh and shiny. Unfortunately, the lovely makeup job the beautician had done for the wedding party had washed down the shower drain.
Some face moisturizer and a quick sweep of mascara would have to do. Otherwise, she’d be late in meeting Luke. Their time together had meant something. He wanted to see her again.
She hadn’t packed much in the way of clothing, figuring she’d only be driving home today, but she’d brought a cute top and some shorts that showed off her long legs. That would have to do. The high heels she’d worn last night got kicked to the side in lieu of her red canvas sneakers.
When she glanced at the clock near the bed, her heart beat faster knowing she’d be seeing Luke again in only a few minutes. After stashing her room key in her purse, she took a last check in the mirror and headed out.
As she crossed the lobby, a few people milled about. No one she knew, which was good. She wasn’t always comfortable with her cousin’s friends. Too many of them had been the kids from town who’d teased her unmercifully when she was younger.
A dark head of shoulder-length hair twisted her way, and Elle couldn’t duck out of the way fast enough. Taylor. Maybe the woman would ignore her as she’d done so often in school. When she wasn’t making fun of Elle and how smart and young she was.
“Murielle. How are you?”
God, she hated the way Taylor said her name. And she did it on purpose, that whiny, nasally voice stretching out the first syllable of her full name. No one else ever used that name for her. Not if she could help it.
“Hi, Taylor.” Elle attempted to simply nod and walk past, but the witch stood between her and the door to the breakfast room. From here, Elle could tell Luke wasn’t there yet.
“Looking for someone?”
“Just something to eat.”
Taylor shrugged and glanced around the lobby. “I haven’t seen too many people from the wedding around this early. It was a long night for many of us. The only one up and at ‘em that I saw was Luke Storm. He had some skinny blonde with him and was headed out on his motorcycle. But you know Luke. When has he not got some girl on his arm? And in his bed.”
A hole opened up in Elle’s chest at Taylor’s words. Luke wouldn’t have done that. He’d asked to have breakfast with her, and he hadn’t been with anyone yesterday.
“Thanks for the gossip, but I’m fine.” Still, she peeked inside the breakfast room, then scurried to the front desk. Luckily, Taylor had drifted off down the hall toward the pool area.
“I’m looking for Lukas Storm. He hasn’t checked out, has he?” Of course, he hadn’t. Even if he wasn’t ready to declare his undying love for her, he’d still meet her for breakfast like he’d promised.
The clerk tapped a few keys, then nodded. “Yes, he checked out about forty minutes ago.”
The hole inside grew and expanded, until Elle wasn’t sure if her internal organs would be swallowed up in it. Luke had checked out. Without leaving her a message. Right after promising he’d meet her.
Swallowing hard, she pushed back the tears that threatened. Guess that whole fear of going off to war had all been an act. Had he planned this out or just played along when he’d seen her by the lake? Why her? There were tons of women at the wedding yesterday who would have given their right arm to have sex with Luke. Taylor would have been first in line, though she’d already had a piece of Luke Storm. The very first piece, if Luke’s comment was anything to go by.
Was Elle a dare? Or simply in the right place at the right time? Or maybe she should call it the wrong place.
Taking a deep breath, Elle stomped back up to her room and threw her stuff in her bag. At least she hadn’t said anything to Taylor about Luke. The woman was the worst gossip in the state of New Hampshire. Within seconds, everyone would know how gullible Elle had been, falling for the special charms of the youngest Storm brother.
As she got in her car and started the trek back toward the coast, Elle couldn’t help but smile. Yes, she’d been stupid, but Luke had made her feel things she’d only dreamed of. She’d keep hold of that memory and make sure it didn’t fade away with time.
Chapter Four
Six Months later
Luke ran into the open arms of Molly Storm and held her tight. “Thanks for coming to get me, Mom. I’ve missed you so much.”
His mom stepped back, her hands on his arms. “I missed you, too, sweetie. You look like you’ve lost weight. Didn’t they feed you where you were?”
Luke chuckled. His mother never changed. “We were fed, but none of it was as good as your food or Gram’s or Aunt Luci’s. Please, tell me you’ve got something cooking at home as we speak.” The stale sandwich he’d gotten on the plane into Hanscom was hours ago.
She looped her hand through his arm and led him away from where the other National Guardsmen were reuniting with their families.
“Alex has a roast and vegetables in the crock pot, and Gina made a cake for tonight. Sara and Erik will be coming up tomorrow. As much as they wanted to see you, they didn’t want to overwhelm you all at once. You’ll have Saturday free, then the rest of the cousins will stop by Sunday. That’s when the really good food will show up.”
Luke couldn’t wait. His six months away hadn’t been as awful as he’d originally pictured, but it certainly hadn’t been all roses. Much of what they did involved drones, so Luke had been fortunate not to be too close to the front lines. There were still things he’d seen that he wanted to forget.
“Just thinking of all that great food is making me hungry.”
“I can stop at a fast food place if you’re really desperate, but we can’t tell your brother.”
Luke laughed. “Yeah, it’ll spoil my appetite. Although I don’t think that’ll be a problem for a while. I think I could eat a few extra meals every day for a month at this point.”
After claiming his duffel, they got in the car and started for home. Well, Alex and Gina’s home, but he’d been living there before he left and would stay there again until he found a place of his own.
“Gina hasn’t sold her grandmother’s house yet, has she?” Luke liked the idea of living in the same neighborhood he’d grown up in, especially the remarkable Victorian Gina had inherited from her grandmother. The only other houses on the street were owned by Alex and their cousin, Greg.
“Not yet. It’s just about ready to go on the market. She was hoping you might want it.”
His mom glanced quickly in his direction before focusing on the road again.
“It’s a possibility, though I don’t really need anything quite so large at the moment. How are Greg and Ali getting on? I’m bummed I missed their wedding.”
“They’re such an adorable couple. Greg had thought to wait until you got home, but since Ali’s house was destroyed and she needed a place to stay, they figured they’d tie the knot sooner rather than later. With the kids, it seemed a good idea.”
Luke nodded. He would never expect someone to push off their happiness because he was away. “Greg sent me a bunch of pictures. It looked like a great time.”
“Oh, it was. Shame your poor sister couldn’t eat a thing. Her morning sickness was just starting at that time.”
“I still can’t believe Sara is having a baby. She’s my little sister, for Pete’s sake. How can she be old enough to have a child of her own?”
Mom laughed. “She’s older than I was when I had Erik.”
“Well, at least Sara waited until I g
ot back to have the baby. I’m excited for her.”
“Did you suddenly have a change of heart about kids? You’ve never seemed interested before. Too busy having fun.”
His mother’s tone let him know what she thought of his fun. Something he hadn’t done since the night in Elle’s arms. But he couldn’t think of her right now. He needed to play it cool.
“God, no. I have a few things I want to do before I saddle myself with some rug rats. I prefer playing the doting uncle.”
They chatted the rest of the way back to Squamscott Falls, mostly about people from town and what they were up to. Luke didn’t want to discuss any of what he’d been doing. It was better to keep that locked away.
As they rolled into town, he scrolled through his phone checking for any new messages. As always happened, he ended up staring at the pictures of Elle he’d taken at the wedding. He didn’t think he could ever say enough how much they’d done for him. Kept him sane and connected to home.
“Did you write to her while you were away?” Mom peeked at the pictures.
Luke glanced around. They’d arrived in Alex’s driveway. He’d been too consumed by Elle’s beautiful face to notice.
“No. Writing isn’t my forte, as you well know.”
Mom’s mouth turned down in the corners. Disapproval mode. “It seemed like you’d connected with her again right before you left. I thought you told me you wanted to keep in touch with her better.”
Yeah, he’d hinted at something between them to his mom, but he’d never followed up other than a brief note he’d stuffed in her aunt’s mailbox before he left. “I didn’t want to start anything I wasn’t sure I could finish.”
“Lukas, that’s a cop out, and you know it.”
“I know you don’t want to hear it, Mom, but there was always a chance I wouldn’t come back. Or I’d come back like Erik. Or worse.”
She faced him and patted his leg. “Well, now that you are back and in perfect shape from what I can see, there’s no reason not to contact her, right?”
“Perfect shape? I thought you said I was too skinny.”
