by Dania Voss
She hesitated, wincing. “Well … it’s beautiful. But it looks like someone much older should live here. You wanted to leave everything as close to original, right?”
Smart girl. “Yeah. It’s just a temporary place for me, I think. We own the building. Most of the buildings on this block, actually.” He shrugged, explaining how Darren lived down the street and had not only made a fortune with real estate in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, but also in Las Vegas where their AAA minor league team, the Windy City Rattlers, was located.
After grabbing the remote and starting the movie, he spent the next two hours barely watching as he stole kisses from Abbey instead. He couldn’t remember ever having such a great time at home. Luke was right where he wanted to be with the person he most wanted to be with. It was perfect.
Chapter Four
Luke leaned back against the headboard in his bed and sighed. He logged off his laptop and clicked it shut. Watching footage of him pitching to his nemesis Pete Myers from the Colorado Rockies hadn’t helped him. Shit, but the asshole got under his skin and Pete knew it. One of these days he’d strike that dickwad out. He knew he would. How was he going to prove his worth to the team if he couldn’t get his act together against one piece of shit batter? In the morning he’d talk to his pitching coach about it.
He carefully placed his laptop on his nightstand and looked up at the ceiling. Tears threatened when he didn’t sense his parents’ presence. Sometimes when he needed them most, their spirits seemed to find their way into his soul, providing him with guidance and support. Not tonight, apparently.
“Fuck me,” he whispered.
All wasn’t lost though. He turned to his right. Just on the other side of the wall, his princess was sleeping. A smile crept to his lips. He’d suggested the bedroom farthest from his, so Abbey would feel safe, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She trusted him, and that meant the world to him.
The sudden knock at his bedroom door startled him. His stomach tightened and felt twisted up inside. He froze, unable able to move. Was Abbey all right? Was she hurt? Had a nightmare?
Slowly the door opened. He blew out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. If she was up and walking around, she most likely wasn’t hurt. Thank fuck for that.
His mouth fell open when she walked inside. Abbey was wearing a sexy light blue silk and lace teddy with matching panties. He’d bet she’d borrowed it from Cassie. Her hard, little nipples were poking against the top. Was his princess there to fuck him? Because he was definitely onboard with that idea. Immediately his cock was rock hard. Already naked because he preferred sleeping that way, if she truly wanted him, he wouldn’t turn her away.
She gazed at him, with a deer in the headlights sort of look in those gorgeous baby blues. Luke knew she had to be nervous as hell, because he could see she was shivering. Not wanting to spook her, he kept his mouth shut and pulled the covers back on the empty side of the bed. He patted the mattress and grinned at her, hoping to put her at ease. Her giggle soothed his soul.
Abbey mimicked him and made herself comfortable with pillows behind her back against the headboard. She looked over at his laptop and frowned. “I was bothering you, wasn’t I? You were studying.”
She made to get out of his bed, but he clasped her delicate hand in his larger one before she could make her escape. “No, I’d just finished watching footage. Abbey, I wasn’t expecting sex,” he blurted out. “You know that, right?”
Another blush rose to her cheeks. “I know. But I want to. I really like you, Luke. We have fun together. You get me.”
He agreed with her. Luke wanted her in the worst way, but didn’t want to rush her. Was she sure tonight was the night? “I like you, too, princess. A lot. But we don’t have to rush.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Look, I’m not dumb. I’m not asking for promises of forever from you, and I’m not looking for a debate. Either you want to … fuck me, or you don’t.”
A chuckle broke free, and he wrapped her hand around his hard dick. Her skin scorched his length, but it felt amazing. He guided her hand up and down his cock, setting the pace the way he liked it, but stopped after a few strokes.
The disappointed expression on Abbey’s face nearly did him in. “Was I doing it wrong?”
Luke silenced her with a quick brush of lips against hers. “You did it too right. I just wanted you to see how much I want you, but I need to come inside you, not in your hand. Okay?”
She rewarded him with a bright smile and a nod.
He skimmed his fingers along her silky-smooth shoulder and down her arm. Abbey shivered, and he enjoyed a little ego boost. “Is it okay if I take this teddy off?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t moving too fast.
When Abbey frowned and sighed, he thought he’d fucked up. “Luke, stop asking all the time. I’m here in your bed. I want you to kiss me. To touch me. We’re going to have sex, right? And before you say anything else, I know it’s going to hurt a little the first time. But then it won’t after that. It’ll be okay.”
She kissed him slowly, with an intensity that was almost dreamlike and erotic. Her kisses did something to his heart, like no one else’s ever had. “You’re right, princess. I’m sorry. It’s your first time. I just want it to be special for you. Perfect,” he whispered.
Her eyes dilated, and she had a dreamy expression on her face. She wanted him. There was no reason to keep fighting her. He reached over into his nightstand drawer and tore into a new box of condoms, grabbed one, and tossed it on the bed.
With Abbey’s enthusiastic help, he got her out of her teddy and panties. She was trembling and blushing, but she was still right there with him. Wanted him to be her first. It was a precious gift he’d always treasure. A moment he’d never forget.
He helped her get comfortable and positioned himself on top of her. Her skin was so soft and warm against his. Nothing had ever felt so perfect, so right before. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and rose up to kiss him. Her mouth was moist and feminine, just like she was, and her breath was sweet. He couldn’t get enough of her.
His cock ached to be inside what he knew would be a tight pussy. Their tongues teased and tangled until they were both panting.
“Oh God, Luke,” she gasped.
Luke kissed his way down her neck, past her collarbone and took a pebbled nipple between his teeth and tugged. Abbey moaned as she lifted her torso, allowing him more access. He tweaked her other nipple with his thumb and forefinger. He laved at the little bud until she was squirming beneath him and tugging on his hair.
Luke smiled against her luscious tits, loving how responsive she was. When he slipped a hand between her legs and found her pussy slick and ready for him, he almost came right there and then. His princess wanted him as much as he wanted her. No more waiting.
“Luke, please. It’ll be all right,” Abbey begged him.
That was all he needed to hear. He lifted to grab the condom, and after tearing the packet open, he covered his throbbing dick. Settling back over her, he pushed inside her snug pussy with one thrust and swallowed her cries of pain. His heart raced. He thought it might burst. Abbey whimpered and held him tight, remaining still.
He kissed her tenderly, feeling like an asshole for hurting her. “I’m so sorry, Abbey.”
She took a deep breath. Then another. She smiled up at him and nodded. “It’s okay. I’m okay now. You can move.”
Slowly he pulled out and slid back inside. So tight. She gripped his cock like a vise. He looked down at her sweet, angelic face. Her eyes shone bright as she grinned up at him. “You’re all right, princess?”
“Yes. That felt good. Keep going, Luke.” Abbey lifted her hips in invitation.
He wasn’t going to argue. Slowly at first, he thrust in and out of his woman. Damn straight she was his now. She clung to him like a lifeline, and he felt ten feet tall.
“Oh, Luke. You feel so good.” Abbey groaned.
Unable to hold back, he pistoned in and
out of her harder and faster. Her slickness made it a little easier now, but she was still incredibly tight. “I know, princess. It’s so good.”
When he felt his spine tingle and his balls draw up tight, he reached between them and rubbed her swollen little clit until she screamed out her release, convulsing around his cock. He followed her over, emptying himself into the condom. Together they lay entwined, damp with sweat, clinging to each other while their breathing slowly returned to normal.
Luke pushed aside a few sweat dampened strands of hair from Abbey’s forehead and smiled down at her. His heart swelled with affection for his woman. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. She gazed up at him with such emotion, his eyes stung.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Yeah. Wow.” He carefully pulled out, trying not to feel guilty when she winced. He kissed her nose, and she giggled. Music to his ears. “I’ll be right back.”
He ditched the condom and cleaned up in his master bath. Glancing at himself in the vanity mirror, he chuckled. His hair stuck up from Abbey’s tugging. He chose to leave it. His skin was flushed from coming, and his eyes were bright.
More important was what he felt. He couldn’t shake the feeling something special had happened between them, Abbey’s virginity aside. They had a future together. He felt it in his soul. They had something special. They belonged together. They had started something amazing.
With a determined nod of his head, he wet a washcloth and set out to take care of his woman like a good man should. And he would take good care of his princess, she’d see.
Just like his dad had taken care of his mom, and Darren had taken care of him. Because that’s what the Strykers did. They took care of each other. They took care of the ones that mattered to them. And Abbey mattered.
She lay there, her golden hair fanned out against the white pillowcase, dozing. He stood beside the bed, gazing down at her in awe for a second. Abbey must’ve sensed him watching and partially drifted awake.
Her dreamy smile made his cock react, but there wasn’t time for round two. They needed to get some sleep before breakfast and practice.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep,” she whispered.
“It’s all right.” She didn’t put up much resistance as he cleaned her up. His stomach knotted when he saw the evidence he’d taken her virginity on the towel. He sighed. It was over. They were past it now. She was asleep again by the time he finished. He figured that was probably a good thing.
Since she was a girl, he assumed losing her virginity must have been emotional for her. Hell, he wasn’t a girl, and it had been emotional for him.
He clicked off the nightstand lamp and slipped into bed beside her. She jerked slightly. “Oh, sorry. I’ll head back to my room,” she mumbled softly.
Hell no. That wasn’t happening. Gently he positioned her against him so her head rested on his chest and placed a leg over one of his. When he wrapped his arms around her, he felt at peace. This was how he should sleep every night. Wrapped up with his princess.
The scent of sex still lingered, but so did Abbey’s. “You’re staying right here with me.” Luke stroked her arm lazily as he slowly wound down. “You smell like cherry blossoms, princess.” He felt her smile against his chest.
“It’s my body lotion,” she whispered. “When I first saw you at my parents’ house, you reminded me of a Viking with dimples.”
In the darkness of the night, too exhausted to laugh, Luke smiled. God, but he was crazy about her. “Then that makes you my lady Viking. I’ll have to look up what they call lady Vikings.”
Abbey kissed his chest, and he sighed, feeling more content than he ever had in his life. “You’re a nerd just like me, aren’t you?” she asked, just before drifting off to sleep.
“I guess I am. That’s why we’re perfect for each other,” he said before sleep claimed him.
Chapter Five
Luke and Abbey startled awake when his alarm blared to life the following morning. He would have preferred a couple more hours of sleep, but he’d never slept better than with Abbey wrapped around him.
After shutting the alarm off, he kissed her forehead. “Sorry it’s so early.”
She snuggled him close, all warm and soft. “Well, we might have had a little extra sleep if you hadn’t woken me up in the middle of the night for more sex,” she teased him.
Yeah, that was on him. But totally worth it. It had been a little awkward for her at first, getting on top, but after a little while she rode his dick like a pro. He’d never come so hard in his life. He thought she came harder the second time around, too.
“Did you like riding my dick, princess?” Luke felt her skin warm. She must have been blushing. Adorable. Although he hoped it didn’t take her long to get comfortable with their sexual relationship.
“I did. You were deeper inside me that way. It felt really good.”
What he would give to spend the rest of the day in bed with her. He wished things were different, but he had commitments. Obligations.
Regretting having to, he disentangled their bodies and got out of bed. Stretching the kinks out, he smirked as Abbey watched his every move. He struck what he hoped was a studly pose, and she giggled. Music to his ears.
“Your man’s got a rockin’ bod, don’t you think?” he kidded.
Her eyes widened. “My man?”
He reached out and helped her out of bed. She winced and stood up in front of him, gloriously naked, hair tousled from sex and sleep. Luke had never seen anything more beautiful in his life, and she was all his. She was probably sore. He’d take care of her. That was his job now.
“Yes. And not because we had sex. Because I care about you. And you’re my woman. If you want to be. You want to, right?” Shit. He hoped he hadn’t read her wrong. Maybe this was all an act. This innocent, sweet routine she had going on. His stomach clenched. If she didn’t want him after last night, he’d feel like an idiot. He already had plans for them.
The smile that lit up her face warmed his heart, and he sighed in relief. She squeezed his hands and nodded. “Yes. I want to be your woman. I care about you, too, Luke. Even before last night.”
He brushed his lips against her forehead, grateful he hadn’t misjudged her. It would be all right. “Let me run you a warm bath. It’ll help with the soreness, and I’ll take a shower. The master bath is huge. There’s plenty of room for both of us.”
“Thanks. I’ll go get my toiletries real quick from my room.” She dashed out of his room, and he got great view of the perfect globes of her ass.
In his master bath Luke laid out a fluffy white towel on the floor by the large clawfoot tub and got Abbey’s bathwater running just as she returned with her toiletry bag. Carefully, he helped her until she was submerged in the soothing bath water.
“Thanks, Luke. A few minutes in the tub and I should be good as new,” Abbey said as she leaned back and closed her eyes.
Feeling satisfied, Luke started the shower but not before he glanced around the bathroom. He needed to find a new place. He felt like a guest in his own home. From the antique wallpaper, to the fixtures, and even the tub and shower. What he wanted was something more modern. Contemporary. Especially now that he had Abbey. He’d see what other properties Stryker Real Estate Holdings had to offer.
The warm spray soothed his own aching muscles. He needed to be in top form for practice and every time he stepped onto the field.
“So, Abbey, now that we’re a couple, with the traveling I have to do there will be times that in order for us to see each other, I’ll have to fly you out to where I’m at.” He was met with silence. “It’s not realistic to ask your folks for money to cover airfare and stuff. Your man’s loaded, you know.”
He washed up and heard water slosh around in the tub. “I don’t care that you and your family are rich, Luke. I like you for you,” Abbey called out.
Shit. He knew that. He was fucking this up, and they were just getting started. Cassie was a nice girl.
From what Jake had told him, the Jaynes were good people.
“I know, princess. But be realistic. Practical.” He shampooed his hair. “Our circumstances are unique. And when classes start in the fall, flying you out for the weekend might be the only chance we have to see each other for a while. You can bring your laptop, study on the flight out and back. Can you be flexible for me? For us? Please? My money gives us options.” He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel, hoping he could convince her, face to face.
She’d already finished her bath and was drying off, her hair in a towel with another wrapped around that luscious body of hers. Although she had a worried expression on her beautiful face, he loved seeing her in his bathroom. In his space. She belonged there. With him.
“I know, Luke. You’re right. This is all new to me. I’ve never had a boyfriend—a man before.”
He strode to his woman and held her tight against him. “I’ve never had my own woman before either. But we’ll make it work. You trust me, don’t you?” he asked. He hoped like hell he wasn’t lying and they could actually make a relationship work. He knew it wouldn’t be easy.
“I do. I trust you, Luke.”
Hope bloomed. That was all he needed to hear.
****
Abbey held Luke’s hand as they rode in the stretch limousine to Stryker Field. Luke’s grandfather Bradford had started the Chicago Cobras in 1927, and one day, Luke would own the entire organization. It was crazy to think about. He’d be a billionaire, but was most likely already well on his way.
Darren sat across from them reading the Wall Street Journal. While she and Luke had been getting ready, Darren had let himself in and had started preparing breakfast. He’d been nice and hadn’t asked about what they’d done the night before or their sleeping arrangements. She’d appreciated that.
At Luke’s insistence she’d called her father to assure him she was fine and she’d see him after dinner. Out of respect, so her parents wouldn’t worry, not because she was a child. He’d been so grateful that she’d felt bad for not wanting to call in the first place. She vowed to be more considerate of her parents’ feelings from now on. They were doing their best. Their kids were growing up, and they were trying to adjust. She needed to give them a break.