by Lori Wilde
He cried out one last time and shoved himself as deep as he would go into her warmth.
The walls of her sucked at him, gripping, kneading, pulling this man into the very core of her.
Mystical, magical sparks of flesh and fire melded together. Shattering, scattering, torturing. Melting her heart from the inside out.
A second orgasm sprang up from inside her groin, flooded her body, drowning her brain. She was numb, wrung, spent.
Luke’s body shuddered as he felt it pour through her.
They clung to each other, helpless, as wave after wave of energy rippled through them. Binding them together in one blazing, crazy light of sex before expelling them into the infinite beyond.
Gasping, Luke rolled over, sinking onto his back and taking her with him. He held her close as her chest heaved and quivered.
She slipped her arms around his powerful neck, squeezing him tight as his tears flowed warm and free down his cheeks. And she had the most terrifying feeling that he had given her his heart for safekeeping and she had tucked it irrevocably inside her soul.
11
LUKE AND CALLIE lay on their sides facing each other, hands stacked under their heads as they gazed into each other’s eyes. An ocean breeze blowing in from the open French doors stirred the top sheet lightly covering their bodies.
“So how’d I do?” he asked.
She grinned at him. “Feeling nervous about your performance?”
“Hell, yes,” he admitted. She looked so damned good lying there next to him. Being with her felt good, too.
“Couldn’t you tell how much I was enjoying myself?”
“I thought you were enjoying yourself but you could have been faking.”
“I don’t fake orgasms,” she said. “You’ve been with someone who faked them?”
“Yeah. It doesn’t do a whole hell of a lot for the male ego when you find out.”
“I can assure you that my orgasm was very real. How about you? How was it for you?”
“Enlightening. I’ve always wanted to try that technique.”
“And now you have.”
He laughed and reached for her and pulled her to his chest, the motion inevitable, spontaneous. Her warm sexy breath tickled his neck. “What’s next in your bag of tricks?”
She tilted her chin up until their lips were only inches apart and she dropped her voice to a sultry tease. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Luke groaned. “You love torturing me.”
“I didn’t hear any complaints.”
“True.”
Moonlight from the balcony fell across Callie’s face. She was watching him through heavy-lidded eyes, her pleasure obvious.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said.
She looked embarrassed at his compliment. “You’re not half-bad yourself.”
“You look like a different person with your new hair color.”
“I feel different. Unfortunately that’s not a good thing for my Midnight Ryder persona. Wild hair colors keep me in character.” She reached up to touch her hair.
“So how’d you get to be the Midnight Ryder in the first place?”
She chuckled and her face lit up at the memory. “Molly Anne and I cleaned the campus radio station in college. Late one night we were goofing around and we went on the air. Molly Anne pretended to be a caller having sexual problems with her boyfriend. I pretended to be a sex therapist. The phone lines lit up. Dozens of students were calling in. We put on an hour long show before the dean shut us down.”
“Bet you were in a lot of trouble.”
“We were. Until the next morning when the radio station was deluged with requests for the Midnight Ryder, so they put me on the air.” Her impish grin tugged at his heart. Here was a woman who knew how to enjoy herself. He realized how little fun he’d had in his life and how much he liked being around her. This sudden longing for something he’d never had took him completely by surprise.
By nature he was an orderly, structured guy. He preferred to know all the rules before embarking on any task. He had strong views on life and he toiled hard to accomplish good work. But still, somewhere deep inside, he wished he could take himself off the tight, rigid emotional leash that had defined his life.
“So how did you make the leap from college deejay to the big time?” Luke asked.
“The local station in my hometown offered me the gig. Low pay, but boy did I have a good time. Molly Anne was the one busting her hump to get me into bigger markets. We bounced all over the country in the early days but each job was a step up from the last.”
“You did it the old-fashioned way. Persistence and hard work.”
She nodded. “I paid my fair share of dues. There were many times when Molly Anne and I subsisted on baked potatoes and discount cola. We took in roommates and shopped at Goodwill. But in an odd way it was fun. The spirit of adventure, the naiveté of youth.”
“So until this accidental college prank turned career you never thought about going into broadcasting?”
“Oh, no. I was an elementary education major.” She shook her head, laughing. “I mean honestly, can you imagine me teaching kindergarten?”
“Actually, I could,” he said.
“Get real! I’m too hyperactive for a classroom.”
“You’re energetic. What better person to teach five-year-olds?”
“And I’m too irreverent.”
“That’s just another word for perky.”
“I couldn’t wear miniskirts to work.”
He smiled. “You do have world-class legs.”
She kissed the end of his nose and giggled. Her light, carefree sound touched something in him.
“You ever think about teaching?”
“But I already do. Every night I teach women how to get in touch with their sexuality.”
“No I mean teaching kids like you wanted to do before your life took another route.”
“That ship has sailed.” She sounded a little wistful. He got the feeling that on some level she wished for a simpler life.
“It does seem you were destined for greatness.”
“I wouldn’t call this greatness. Fame, acclaim maybe. But greatness? I don’t think so.”
“Those fans at the airport would disagree with you.” Didn’t she understand how special she was?
“It’s all hype and promotion. Molly Anne’s damn good at her job.”
“Take some credit, will you? If you weren’t so talented, Molly Anne wouldn’t have anything to promote.”
“Sometimes it feels like such an act. As if I’ve lost touch with the real me.” Her expression turned wistful.
“Who is the real Callie?” he asked, gently stroking the rim of her ear.
“I’m not sure I know. I guess that’s why I’m so into fantasy fulfillment,” she said softly and his heart beat harder. “If I’m living a fantasy, I don’t have to face reality.”
There were plenty of times he wished he could escape into fantasy, but he was too much of a realist. Perhaps that was why he’d never been able to relax and play in the bedroom.
Until now. Until tonight with Callie.
The memory of what they’d just shared, how he’d dared to let his guard down with her caused his blood to run hot, but it also reminded him to stay cautious. No matter how much fun he’d had with her, she’d made it perfectly clear it could never be more than just enjoyable sex.
I can do this. I can separate emotions from sex. I can have fun within the perimeters of our arrangement without needing anything more from her.
“You’re thinking too hard. Stop thinking so hard.” She pressed the pad of her thumb against his forehead and smoothed out the wrinkles that had settled between his brows.
“Huh?”
“I’ve noticed that about you. When you have something on your mind you get this intense look on your face. Wanna talk about it?”
He shook his head. “I want to kiss you.”
“Do you reall
y want to kiss me or are you just trying to avoid talking about your feelings?”
“Both,” he admitted, a little disconcerted that she’d pegged him so accurately.
“So tell me what’s on your mind. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
Luke’s chest tightened. He was ill at ease with the thought of sharing himself with a woman he barely knew. He didn’t know how to handle this or the look of expectancy shining in her sweet brown eyes so he did what any red-blooded man would do when cornered by a woman to discuss his emotions. He went into default mode and took control.
He took her hand, guided it to his erection and said, “This is what’s on my mind.”
LUKE REACHED FOR HER in the wee hours of the morning. In the muzziness of predawn. Callie was still half-asleep, not sure if she was dreaming or if he was really pressing his urgent body against her buttocks. She turned to see his dark head burrowed deep within her pillow, his eyes closed, their bodies lightly covered with the sheet.
He wanted it three times in one night? The guy was insatiable.
Was he asleep? Was she?
Reaching up, he fingered her hair. “Nice,” he murmured. “I like this. The real you.”
Something grabbed Callie’s heart and squeezed. Sorrow? Remorse? How could he say that when he didn’t even know the real her?
He’s dreaming, she assured herself. So are you. Just go with it.
He pulled her across his body, the sheet sliding down her buttocks.
“Straddle me,” he whispered, and so she did, her body still aching sweetly from their previous lovemaking.
She was surprised at how slick she was, how easily she slid down over him. She rocked her pubic bone against his. In this somnambulant state she could let herself care deeply for him. Anything she felt right now did not count. It was all fantasy.
Right?
She rode him as the sun begin to creep around the edges of the curtains, as the ocean crashed against the shore, as her heart filled with an emotion she’d never experienced.
He pitched his hips upward, thrusting against her, every muscle inside him clenched. He brushed his thumbs across her jutting nipples. Callie threw her head back, quickened the pace. Rocking, riding, shaking the rafters.
The strum of desire coiled tighter and tighter inside her center. The climax swept through her, as hard as it was sudden, bucking her body over his, stretching her dream to the breaking point.
She called his name as she came, stunned and overcome by this man. This virtual stranger. The potency of him compelled her so completely.
He grasped her tight as his release shot through him a few seconds later and then she fell heavily against his chest.
Breathing hard, he slipped her into the curve of his arms and just as she drifted back to sleep, Callie wondered if Luke had worn a condom.
“I SCREWED UP,” Luke confessed, tucking the cell phone under his chin. He was pacing the short balcony, the drapes partially open. If he tilted his head he could see Callie’s beautiful bare bottom where she was lying stretched out on the bed.
Sleeping. Sated.
He smiled in spite of himself, remembering. He couldn’t help it. He had taken her, made her his own.
And there lay the crux of the problem. He was already claiming her when he had no business thinking of her as his. He had promised her that he would not fall in love with her. He had promised himself.
“You?” Zack hooted. “Mr. Paragon of Virtue? I don’t believe it. How did you screw up?”
“I violated the code.”
“You slept with Callie.”
“How did you guess?”
“How could I not? I can’t think of anything else that would torture you enough to phone me at 7 a.m. West Coast time on a Sunday morning unless you had gotten her killed.”
“No.” Luke ran a hand along his jaw. “She’s very much alive.”
“So stop beating yourself up. You had sex with her. It’s about time you had sex with someone.”
“It’s not the only mistake I made.”
“No?”
Luke swallowed. “I think I forgot to use a condom.”
“There is no think. You either used one or you didn’t.”
“We were barely awake. Maybe we were asleep. Maybe I was dreaming. I used one the first time. Even the second. But the third time, we…I…”
Shit. How could he have done something so completely irresponsible?
“Don’t panic. She’s probably using birth control. A savvy woman like Callie Ryder.”
“You’re probably right.” Luke nodded, trying hard to convince himself. There couldn’t be a pregnancy from this. There simply could not. He would not have a repeat of what had happened with Rachel.
Unexpected pressure burned at the back of his eyes. He’d been a stupid kid then. He’d had an excuse. This time there was no excuse. None at all. He had messed up. Badly.
What if Callie got pregnant?
A soft mushy feeling expanded in his heart. He would love to be a dad. But at the right time. With the right woman. A woman who wanted to be a mother.
But that wasn’t what Callie wanted. She had made it perfectly clear she wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship. She had a huge career ahead of her. He didn’t fit in with her plans of stardom and Luke knew it.
Then you just better pray she’s not pregnant.
“Luke?” Zack said. “You still there?”
“I’m still here.”
“What else is bothering you?”
Luke took a deep breath. He didn’t like talking about his feelings but this boulder was too heavy to shoulder alone. “I have feelings for her.”
“What kind of feelings?”
“You know what kind of feelings.”
“You’re telling me you’re in love with her? But you just met her, man.”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”
“Calm down. You’ve just had some phenomenal sex. That’ll get almost any guy thinking lovey-dovey thoughts. And there’s that element of danger. You know full well danger and excitement can skew a man’s view of reality.”
Luke nodded. That was true.
“You’re not in love with her,” Zack reassured him. “You haven’t known her long enough to fall in love. It’s simple chemistry and that bodyguard-protectee thing you got going on. Trust me, the feeling will pass.”
“Have you ever felt this for someone you were hired to protect?”
“Yes. It happens to all bodyguards at least once in their careers. Hey, look at it this way. You got it out of your system on your first assignment.”
Luke blew out his breath and threaded a hand through his hair. Zack was right. He had to be right. Because he simply could not be falling in love with Callie Ryder.
“MOMMA?” Callie whispered softly into the phone.
Luke was out on the balcony and she didn’t want him to overhear her conversation. She was under the covers, staring at the packet of birth control pills. She’d fished them from her purse the minute she’d woken up and remembered about last night.
The peach-colored packet with the extra pill in the row. The one she’d apparently forgotten to take between the hubbub of hectic travel and the terror of almost getting creamed by a drunken stalker in a dark sedan.
And having fabulous sex with Luke.
“Hello, honey.” Hearing her mother’s voice instantly made her feel better. “I was wondering when you were gonna get around to calling and telling me about the Harley.”
“He’s not a Harley, Mom.”
“They’re all Harleys, Callie.”
“And all women are trout?”
“Yes. In a manner of speaking. Swimming along, minding their own businesses, absolutely no need for transportation. What do you wanna go messing with a Harley for, Cal?”
“How come we’re not catfish or perch or bass? How come guys are not Ducatis or Hondas or Suzukis? Why Harleys?”
“What other names are Harleys known b
y?”
“Hogs.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Then why don’t you just say a woman needs a man like a trout needs a hog?”
“Stop being a smart aleck. When were you going to tell me that you decided to do something dreadful like getting engaged?”
“Luke and I are not engaged.”
“What’s wrong with just sleeping with him or living with him if you must, but marriage? I thought I taught you better than that.”
“Not every guy is like Dad and you’re not listening to me. We are not engaged.”
“The Celebrity Insider says you are.”
“Well, they’re wrong. It’s just a cover story that Molly Anne cooked up for publicity purposes. Luke’s my bodyguard while I’m on tour.”
“Oh.” Her mother paused in her rant. “Well then, that’s okay. Wait a minute, why do you need a bodyguard?”
“Because some weirdo has been making death threats against me. He claims he doesn’t like the sexy messages I’m feeding young women.”
Momma snorted. “Just like a man.”
“Can we not indulge in guy bashing for two minutes, please?”
“You’re right.” Her mother settled down a little. “I do get carried away on the subject of Harleys.”
It had been fifteen years and her mother still hadn’t gotten over being betrayed by Callie’s dad. Callie wished her mother wasn’t so soured on the entire gender.
Callie peeped out from under the covers and cast a lingering look at the balcony. Luke was still out there on his cell phone from the sound of it. Some of those Harleys weren’t half bad.
“I’m glad you hired a bodyguard and didn’t let that creep stop you from touring.”
“You didn’t raise a coward.”
“No, I didn’t.” She sounded proud. “And here I am getting so flustered about that engagement nonsense I’ve forgotten the important part. Congratulations, honey, on your promotion. I’m so proud of you. You set out to do something and you did it. And you made it in a man’s world at that. You do such a needed service. Educating young women about the power of their sexuality. You teach them to hold their heads high and be proud of who they are. You’re something special, Cal gal, you know that?”