by Kris Jayne
In the dark, I couldn’t see through the windows, but in the hills on the west side of town, some houses had stellar views.
“You two will have to come back sometime for dinner,” Alexa said. “We’ll do a couples’ night.”
I embraced Alexa’s confidence that Luke and I out together was not a one-time event. “Sounds like fun.”
Luke’s eyes snapped to mine, and he grinned. “Absolutely. I’m going to take Erin to check out the back and the dance floor,” he explained and turned to back to Alexa. “I promised Erin dancing.”
“Have fun.” Alexa poked Luke in the chest, looked me, then back and Luke. The corners of her eyes crinkled with a delighted smile. “I’m so glad to see you two.”
Outside, the line for drinks was a little long. When we got to the front, Luke ordered a martini. “I’ll save the champagne for later. What do you want?”
“I’m starting my champagne now. YOLO and all.”
He cackled and ordered our drinks.
Inside the tent centered in the backyard, heaters flanked each entrance, keeping the area was surprisingly warm. A DJ spun records on one end, and the floor was already bumping with people.
I saw Luke’s year-old hookup dropping low and bouncing her hard ass like a stripper against some dude’s crotch.
“She’s having a good time.”
“Angie always has a good time.” Luke took a long swig of his drink. “She must have a competition coming up. She’s got that racially ambiguous tan.”
I chuckled. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but what’s up with that?”
“Lighter-skinned competitors tan before events. The darker skin makes your muscles show better under stage lights.”
“It looks like cancer.” I turned my nose up. “Sorry. Rude.”
Luke laughed. “I’ll admit that it’s not a great look.”
“Don’t tell her that. She’ll be disappointed. I think she was hoping you would be more impressed.” I searched his face for signs of appreciation aimed at last year’s fling.
“I’m not.”
The deep bass of the bump-and-grind music faded and slowed to a ‘90s R&B tune. Luke downed the rest of his drink and held out his hand.
“Dance with me.”
I finished my bubbles. “Yes, sir.”
He dropped our glasses on a round tray stationed at the corner of the tent and led me to the dance floor. I gravitated into his arms. He felt strong and solid, and he smelled like musk with a hint of citrus.
“I’m warning you,” he whispered. “I’m a terrible dancer.”
“I'm sure you’re better than you say.” No one had as much total command over his body as Luke. I’d seen him in every possible contortion while curling and pressing weights. “You’re the most coordinated person I know.”
“Coordination and rhythm are two different things.” Luke took an off-beat step forward and bumped against me. Maybe he was right.
I was not coordinated, but the music seeped through my skin. My body started moving of its own accord. My hips swayed, swinging me against him and sending heat up my back until my cheeks stung with what I knew was a blush. I hid my face in Luke’s neck.
The driving bass enveloped us. Luke hit a slight hitch on the parquet floor they’d laid, but he didn't stumble. He caught himself and tightened his hold. I clung to his shoulders and wrapped one hand around the back of his neck.
“Relax,” I whispered, swaying against his tightly coiled body.
His soft chuckle warmed my scalp. “Easier said than done.”
“Just feel the music.”
“Feeling the music isn't the issue,” he growled. His left hand slid, playing with the concave curve at the base of my spine.
“What's the problem?”
“I think I might be able to focus better on dancing if I didn't have the sexiest woman in the room changing the circulation in my pants.”
I halted my bodily metronome. Luke restarted the tempo with a stroke of my hip and exhaled with a soft laugh. “I’m not complaining. Trust me.”
Trust him. Luke meant it as a joke. He wasn’t talking about my bruised heart. Or my shaky comprehension of why he suddenly wanted me pressed against him. Except it wasn’t sudden. He wanted me last year and for who knows how long. He really wanted me. And not only to alleviate the blood flow issues in his pants.
His lips brushed my hairline. He settled his face at the top of my head. He drew tiny circles of sensation on my back with his thumbs. Down, down, then one hand curved around my backside.
He sighed. My breath hitched.
I played with the silky strands of hair kissing his collar.
What if I did?
Trust him.
I could.
I always had.
Luke patted me on the ass. “The music stopped.”
I took a step back but kept my fingers hooked behind his neck. “So it has.”
“You want another drink?”
“No. Another dance.” And I moved back into his arms.
Chapter 11
Erin
I floated toward midnight on a cloud of champagne and dancing. With less than ten minutes to go, the DJ spun up one of my favorites. I turned into Luke’s arms with an effervescent laugh, letting the whiskyed tones of Nina Simone lift me with talk of high flying and feeling good.
“I love this song,” I sighed.
The sensation of Luke’s stubbled chin on my cheek warred with the feeling of tuxedoed muscle on my bare arms and the strumming vibration of his fingertips on my spine. The pleasures raced to an even tie. His woodsy citrus cologne now hinted of sweat. I pressed closer and inhaled his Luke-ness again. The scent curled into my lungs and wafted through my loose limbs like smoke.
The musical invocation pulled us into a new light. It was a new day. A new year. Or it would be in a few minutes.
“Let’s take a walk,” he murmured into my hair.
“It’s almost midnight.”
“I know.”
“We’ll miss the countdown.”
“I’m sure we can hear from over there.” He pointed to a spot away from the crush of people. The lawn dipped toward a bank of trees and the edge of the yard. The lights of neighboring homes and parties dotted the landscape below.
“You know where you’re going?”
“Yes and no.” He grabbed my hand, and I followed.
The beats of the party faded to background noise. Luke ducked behind a thick tree trunk and leaned back against it, still holding my hand.
“Mmmmm,” he murmured. “I can hear myself think again.”
My ears still rang a little, but the sound mix in my head reset until I could hear the breeze trickling through the branches overhead.
Luke took my fingers between his palms and kissed the tips. My knees wobbled, so I kicked off my shoes. The cold, stiff grass prickled my feet, but it felt so good to spread my toes, I didn’t mind.
“Come here,” Luke commanded, but only the dark shine of desire in his eyes pulled me closer. I settled my head on his shoulder.
“I’m getting makeup and glitter all over your clothes.”
“I’ll survive, I think.” He took my head in his hands and tipped it back. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Enjoy this. It may never happen again.” My words bubbled out of me like shaken soda.
“I’m not talking about the makeup or the glitter.” He slid a finger along my forehead and pushed loose curls behind my ear. “You are beautiful.”
My breath stuttered. I gasped, needing that air because his mouth came down on mine hard. His kiss was neither tentative nor hurried. Luke kissed me with purpose. He knew exactly what he wanted, and his mouth searched mine until I gave it to him. My body went slack, and he held me up seemingly by the lips. I felt like I was swinging loose in the night air, hooked to him by the tight tangle of our tongues.
The swirl of desire dancing through my body hardened my nipples against the satin lining of my bodice. L
uke tugged the bow at my neck until the silk strands fluttered behind me. His callused thumb trailed along my neckline, pushing it down until the swell of my breasts appeared.
He pulled back. “I’ve wanted you out of this dress since you opened the door.”
“Not here,” I smiled against his jaw, and it tickled my lips. I nipped him. His skin felt like sandpaper on my tongue all the way down his neck. I stopped at the epicenter of his bowtie. We were both wearing too many clothes.
The faded music had stopped entirely.
“They’re counting down,” Luke mumbled into my hair. “Six.” He brushed his lips against mine. “Five.” Again. “Four.” I thrust my tongue in his mouth and silenced him. The rest of the countdown droned in the distance topped off by a chorus of whooping.
I slid my hands inside his jacket, feeling the warmth of his chest through his silken shirt. The hard planes of his stomach tightened. I plucked open a single button to stroke his skin with the pad of my thumb. The fine trail of hair on his belly quivered. Another button.
Now, I found myself yanking the shirt from his waistband and letting my fingers fully explore. I undid his belt and the hook on his pants and started on his zipper. Luke groaned. My dress rode up as he gripped the fabric at my hips and tried to separate us.
I leaned into our kiss and wove my hand into his gaping trousers. He was hard. His cock bulged against his briefs. I felt the satin granite length of him on my fingertips for a delicious second before Luke slipped out of my grasp.
“Not here.”
I wanted to argue. He stumbled back a step. He was disheveled. Hair mussed. Bowtie askew. The rumpled hem of his shirt flapped against his open trousers and straining erection.
A gust of wind took the strap of my dress and flew it into my face. I tugged the neckline up and snatched the two strips of silk out of the air to secure them behind my neck.
“You’re right.” I slanted a smile at him. “I got carried away.”
My fingers couldn’t manage tying the knot at my neck, and Luke took over. “I’ll do it. Turn around.”
I smoothed the sequins at my chest while he rebuttoned, tucked, and zipped himself.
“How do I look?” he asked.
I fingercombed his hair into a semblance of order. “Like someone who was about to let someone take advantage of you. Slut.”
His rolling laughter brought my breathing to normal rhythm. I felt like dancing again. Maybe Luke and me would still be Luke and me. Even after.
I jumped at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You need to take me home.”
“I do. Let’s go.”
I’d discovered the one soft spot in the granite of his face and kissed it again—that sweet divot behind his jaw, under his ear. His lapel crunched in my fist.
With a groan, he removed my arms from his neck and smiled. “I’ll go get the car. Meet you in the foyer?”
“Sure. They put out some bottles of water. I’ll go grab a couple.”
“Okay.” But before he left, he lifted my face with his hands and parted my lips once more with his with dizzying insistence. “I can’t wait.”
“For water?” I chuckled, breathless and full-on horny.
This was happening.
Luke dipped down and nipped my ear lobe. “For you out of this dress.”
After grabbing our water, I made my way back to the entryway. A crowd filled the front of the house and flowed out and down the lawn toward the valet stand, now relocated on the street.
I bobbed through the circus looking for Luke but heard my name in an unexpected and unwelcome whine.
“Erin?”
I sighed. I turned. Yep. Fucking Ricky.
“Why are you here?” I whined myself.
“I didn’t know you would be here. It’s not like I’m stalking you. Unlike some people.” His eyes were as blurry as his words were slurred.
“Why are you here?” Strain crawled up my back and squeezed the question from me again. “Did you know this was Luke’s boss’ party?”
“No. You think I don’t know people like this? Crystal’s dad—” A guy knocked into Ricky from behind and pushed him toward me. I threw up my hands to block as much contact with him as possible, but he now loomed over me. “Crystal’s dad knows the guy and thought she might want to come.”
“Where is Crystal?” I found myself hoping for Blue Bell’s re-appearance. She would definitely drag him away from me.
“Bathroom.”
“Well, have a happy New Year or whatever. I’m on my way out.” I began my retreat, and he grabbed my elbow. I yanked it away. “Don’t touch me.”
Ricky threw up his hands. “I’m sorry. I just…look, are you here with Luke?”
“Yes. I’m here with Luke.”
“I knew it.” Ricky snarled and stomped his feet. “That guy…that guy…he’s angling for you.”
I smirked. “I know.”
“And you don’t care?”
“That the sweet, funny, smoking hot guy I’ve known practically my whole life wants to date me, Ricky? Yes, actually. I care. I like it, and I care, and I’m leaving.”
“He set this whole thing up, you know. To break us up.”
I couldn’t help it. “What the hell are you talking about? You broke us up. You left.”
“He paid me to go.”
A sick grind churned in my stomach. “What?”
“He didn’t want me around you. I was going to propose to you. He found out. That day in your yard.” His nonsensical rambling swerved, then righted, along with his body. He was so drunk.
“I thought he was going to kill me, but he offered me $5,000. I just…he’s…I just took the money. I was scared.”
“Luke wouldn’t hurt you. He’d want to, maybe, but he’s not like that.”
“You didn’t see him.”
“Why would he threaten you?”
“Because he wanted you. He saw how much we loved each other, and he couldn’t stand it. He had to have you for himself.” Ricky reached for my arm. I swatted him away.
“This doesn’t make any sense. Five grand? That’s insane.” I could tell by the dodgy look in Ricky’s eyes that something was off, but maybe it was booze. He swayed again and took a step toward me
“He knew you. He knew you’d never leave me. You wouldn’t have left me. I left. And I kick myself every day. What you and I had—”
The humiliation of ever believing him watered my eyes. I couldn’t breathe. “You’re making this up.”
“We were special.”
“We were a fucking disaster, Ricky.”
“So you’re with him?”
“He cares about me.”
“He’s obsessed with you and just wants to fuck you. Jesus, Erin.”
Music thumped as the party kept going around me. An ocean of bass and noise thundered. I had to go.
I left Ricky standing in the middle of the foyer, shouting. Our alleged love? Oh, my God, I’d been such an idiot. With Ricky. But with Luke?
It couldn’t be true. Maybe Luke had given him money to help him or something. Maybe…
He’d said he always wanted to be with me. Had he actually paid Ricky to go away because he didn’t trust me? He didn’t think I could make my own decisions?
It was a thing Luke might do. A thing Sean might have done. Interfering. Going behind my back. Swooping in like I couldn’t run my own life.
I didn’t realize I’d made it outside until a rush of fresh, cold air hit my face.
“Hey, I was about to launch a search party.” Luke climbed the steps, car key in hand, and stroked my chin with his thumb. “What’s wrong?”
“I ran into Ricky.”
The life in Luke’s eyes shuttered, then flashed back. I knew.
“Five thousand dollars, Luke?”
His shoulders slid in defeat. “Let’s talk about it in the car.”
“No. Tell me now.” My head swam.
“We can’t talk about it here.” Luke had t
o shout as a group of twittering girls shimmied by and hooted at him.
“I’m not getting in the car.” I pulled my phone out of my tiny evening purse. Maybe I could get a rideshare.
“You’ll never get a ride at midnight on New Year’s. Let me take you home.”
I blocked the sight of him with my hand and fumbled my way to my car service app. “I need to not talk to you right now. I can’t.” My chest constricted, hollowing out my breath. My vision turned fuzzy. Too much champagne. Too much making out. I could still feel his tongue in my mouth and his cock on my fingers. My skin tingled at the memory, but I felt sick.
I blinked to regain my focus. Luke was at my elbow but not touching me.
“So we won’t talk. But I brought you here. I’ll take you home.”
“I can look out for myself.” I twisted around to face him.
“I know you can, but be…” Luke’s plea jerked to a halt.
I swore if he said be reasonable or calm down, I might stab him with my heels.
His eyes pleaded. “I’ll do whatever you want, but please, let me get you home safe.”
“Fine.” He was right. I wouldn’t be home for hours if I had to call a taxi or something, and all I wanted was to be home, comfortable, in my pajamas, like I should have been all along. “Brother Luke. Always looking out for me.”
We walked in silence to his SUV. He opened the door like a gentleman, and I climbed in full of vibrating rage and feeling nothing like a lady at all.
Chapter 12
Luke
“Erin.”
“Just drive. You’re my driver right now.”
I couldn’t see her and not just because of the late-night hour. She twisted away from me toward the window. Her curls hiding her face but not the anger rolling off her in waves.
“What did Ricky say?” I gripped the wheel and peeled as much focus as I could on the road. I’d need it. After midnight on New Year’s, the drunks were out.
Erin didn’t answer.
“I didn’t want you hurt.”
Silence.
“He was hurting you.”
She flipped around in her seat and snapped, “You think I didn’t know that? You think I don’t know when I’m getting hurt? I was done. I gave him an ultimatum. Either get serious or get out. I can handle my own life.”