“That’s what you expected to find here?”
“No. Not from you. You’re not like the typical bachelor.” She smiles then opens up the door to the weight room. Her mouth drops. “Wow! Why do you even go to the gym when you’ve got all this?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.
I glance at all the weights, the cardio equipment, and the heavy bag. “Working out at home gets old. Besides, I like to change things up.”
Still holding her hand, she leads me toward my room at the end of the hall. “This is your room?”
I nod before she quickly reaches back, letting down all of her hair. I clench my jaw watching as she makes her way over to my bed.
“Come here,” she says softly before lying all the way back on the mattress.
I hesitate; feeling like a virgin, I sit on the side farthest away from her. Seeing Reese lying across my bed is having an effect on me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it … and that could be a problem.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her brows knitting together.
I groan and place my head in my hands until I hear her begin to laugh. Snapping my head up I ask, “Are you laughing at me?”
Her eyes glisten in a fit of giggles, and she covers her mouth and says, “Yes,” in a high-pitched squeal she could barely get out. She’s rolling around on the bed, now unable to control it. I don’t know if it’s because she’s tanked or if I’m really that amusing.
“I’m glad you find me funny,” I say, before I’m right there laughing along with her.
When we’re finally able to contain ourselves, she scoots closer. “It’s just that, when you’re nervous, you do this thing where you tap your foot like this.” She taps her foot like she’s having some sort of seizure, obviously exaggerating. “You also tug on your hair like this … she shows me then wipes away the rest of her tears.
“Is that so?” I tease, cocking a brow. Her eyes sparkle when I bring my face inches from hers. “And why would I be nervous?”
She only answers with a shrug.
I tilt my head closer to her. “So now you’re not going to tell me?” Reaching over, I tickle her side. “You think you’ve got me figured out?” I whisper.
She squeals, “More than you know,” trying her best attempt to squirm away from my fingers.
“Really?” I chuckle into her ear, letting her breathe.
She pulls the hair out of her face smoothing over the evidence of my assault. “I sure do.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Please, humor me. What else have you figured out?”
Her smile fades, and her eyes fall to the floor. I’m worried I said something that offended her. It happens all the time. “I said something wrong. Didn’t I?”
She lifts her lashes. Her green eyes gaze into mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I arch a brow, confused by whatever the hell she’s talking about. “Tell you what?” I search her face carefully. She’s biting her lip, trying her best not to cry.
“I’m okay,” she sniffles. “I’m probably crying cuz I’m drunk.”
I take her face in my hands so she’ll look at me, feeling like a complete ass. “Whatever it is I did, I never meant to hurt you.”
She gives a short laugh then tucks her hair behind her ear. “You didn’t hurt me. I’m just having a hard time getting this out.”
“Okay.” I wipe a tear from her face. “Then tell me why you’re crying? I’m not very good with tears.”
“I’m trying to tell you,” she replies, inhaling a deep breath then slowly releasing it, and I reach out and tuck another strand of hair behind her ear, just because I want to.
Meeting my eyes, she says, “I could never thank you enough for what you did that day, six years ago, in my bedroom.”
I stare at her, blank faced, not knowing what to say, and she continues as if she didn’t just drop a bomb on me.
“I’ve known for a while, and I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for how I’ve treated you. Ever since the first day I met you … you always tried to protect me.” She grins. “And you did. Can you imagine what could have happened if you hadn’t been there?” Her brows lift.
I run a hand through my hair, confused about why she didn’t say anything. “I don’t want to imagine, to be honest. I should have gone ahead and shot him when I had the chance. At least then he’d be dead and gone.”
“You did the right thing,” she says softly. “Besides, you’d be locked up in prison.” She takes my hand and adds, “Who would come to my rescue then?”
Glancing at our joined hands I ask, “When did you figure it out?” I swallow and continue, “How long have you known.”
The corner of her mouth tips. “The first time I saw you at the gym, there was something familiar about you, but I just couldn’t place it.” She sniffs. “Then it slapped me right in the face when I caught you staring at my scar. That’s when it all came together.” She shrugs. “Your eyes gave it away.”
I gaze at the small scar beneath her brow, remembering when she got it. “You were bleeding,” I say, lightly brushing my thumb over the scar, then softly graze her cheek with my knuckles. “I’m sorry.”
She watches me carefully, then says, “Don’t apologize for my father … or for Ronald. Don’t you dare.”
Sighing, I lay on my back. “I left you.” Resting my eyes, I add, “After everything that happened with your father. I left you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Hell yeah I’m serious! I left you to fend for yourself.” I sit up and stare at her.
She watches me carefully. “Luke, you were what … sixteen? You were just a child. You didn’t really have a choice! Plus, you did come back, right at the time I needed you most.”
Memories of that night start flashing through my mind. Pam and Jim had gone on one of their trips. I was nineteen and living on my own. They had asked me to keep an eye on the house, and take care of the dogs. “When I heard the screams coming from your place, it was like an out of body experience.” I scratch my head and gaze at the floor. “One minute I’m making a sandwich, and the next, I’m a second away from blowing the prick’s head off.” Shaking my head, I add, “I don’t remember anything in between, just that I had to get you out of there.”
“And you did,” she says before she bites on her lip then adds, “This is sort of embarrassing, but I’m going to go ahead and say it while I have the nerve.” She inhales a sharp breath then slowly lets it out. “And I swear I will kill Gia if this turns out badly,” she grumbles.
“Alcohol makes you brave.” I smirk, nudging her with my shoulder. “And honest.”
She blushes. “Okay, here it goes.” Glancing at her lap, she begins, “I’ve sort of had a crush on you since the first night you came to my window … the night when my father gave me this scar.” She pulls at the hem of her dress, lifting her eyes to meet mine. “That was nine years ago.”
Those words were not what I expected. “You were just a kid,” is all I’m able to say.
She furrows her brows then murmurs, “So were you.”
“Yeah, but a five year age difference is a big deal when you’re a kid. Running a hand through my hair, I add, “It was an innocent crush, and I just happened to be there.” If she’s going where I think she’s going, I can’t give her what she wants.
I stand up and walk to the other side of the room, needing to put some distance between us. Regardless of what I feel, I’ll never be able to act on it. Hearing her say she shares the same feelings makes everything more complicated.
Watching from over her shoulder before turning to face me, she replies, “Maybe it did start out as an innocent crush.” She shrugs. “Maybe it was because you saved me. But what does that have to do with now?”
I can’t look in her eyes. I don’t want to see the hurt that I’m going to put there. So I focus my gaze behind her as I feel her step closer. Closing my eyes before opening them I say, “It’s late, let’s get you to bed.”
“Why are you acting like this?” She places her hand on my face, and I lower my gaze to meet hers. “You’re nervous. I can tell.” The corner of her mouth slants. I have to force myself not to hold her down and kiss her. “You’re a good guy, Luke, and I promise I’m not drunk.” Her eyes go soft. “I meant every word I said.”
My thoughts conflict, staring deep into her beautiful green eyes. I lean down and press my forehead against hers, then breath in her sweet scent. “You don’t understand,” I say gently. “It’s not safe … for you to be with me.”
She pulls away, arching a brow in amusement. “Not safe?” She grins. “Nothing makes me feel more safe than when I’m with you.” She reaches up and gently runs her fingers through my hair then takes a couple steps back. “I want to be with you, Luke, more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life.” Her movements are careful and slow when she unzips her dress and I watch it fall to the floor.
I focus on the lacey black material and the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen. I’m as hard as a rock, and can’t bring myself to tear my eyes away. It takes every ounce of my being not to reach out and touch her.
“I want you to make love to me,” she says in small voice. She’s just as nervous as I am, biting down on her lip, and I notice her cheeks beginning to turn pink.
My protective side kicks in—an attempt to save her from me. “What the hell are you doing?” I growl, frustrated in more ways than one. My brain has taken a vacation, but my physical side is on high alert. She’s only a few feet away, looking sexy as hell in nothing but her bra and panties.
Crossing her arms defensively, she says, “What does it look like I’m doing?”
I groan and run my hands over my face. “Reese.”
In that moment, something flashes in her eyes. “Oh my God. You don’t want me!” she gasps.
“Reese, just let me try to explain …”
“No Luke, I get it. Really.” Her gaze drops to the ground, then letting out a small sarcastic laugh, she says, “I don’t know how to do sexy.” She backs up, covering herself with her hands.
I grind my teeth in irritation, roughly tugging on my hair. She has no idea how sexy she is. I don’t want her? Is she crazy? Damn it! I’m fucked!
“I mean … was I … was I turning you off?” she asks. “It’s just that I … I’ve never …”
Unable to take anymore, I cut her off, backing her against the wall. Placing my hands on either side of her head, I cage her in. Leaning down, I place my nose at the base of her throat, breathing in her scent, as I slowly trail my way to her temple. “Do you have any idea what you do to me Reese?” I say softly.
She answers on a whimper when my lips graze the spot below her ear. Gripping the back of her neck, I ask, “Is that what you think? That seeing you like this, hearing you say you want me is turning me off?” She gives a small nod, and I smile at the feel of her racing pulse. “Mmm, you’re killing me, you know that?”
“Ye-yes-ss,” she stutters.
“Knowing how this affects you …” Grazing my fingers down her neck then across her jaw, she trembles. “Mmm, it’s doing crazy things to me.” I brush my thumb over the tiny bumps appearing on her arm. “Remind me,” I say, quietly chuckling, letting her feel my desire for her. “What was it you were saying?” When I pull away, everything happens so fast.
She grabs my face and brings her mouth to mine, kissing me hard. Without a single thought in mind, I’m kissing her back, moving my hands to her hips as she frantically rips the buttons off my shirt. I feel her nails dig deep into my back, bringing an animalistic growl out of me. I lift her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist, straddling me. One of my hands tangles into her hair while the other grips firmly on her thigh. The kiss deepens, and my tongue continues to devour her. All I can think about is how she tastes against my mouth, how I want more, need more, can’t get enough of her.
“Please Luke,” she gasps. “You’re the … I’ve never.” Between our kissing and trying to catch a breath, she can’t get the words out.
I move my lips to her neck. “Say it. Tell me what you want.”
“I want you to be my first.”
Her what? The words hit me like a bucket of cold water. With no time to think, I gently pull on her bottom lip and carry her into the bathroom. What was I thinking? Losing my grip on one of her thighs, I reach across to open the shower door.
In one swift movement, I set her inside and turn on the water, backing away as I watch her. Man, she’s pissed.
“What are you doing?” she yells. There’s water dripping down her face, continuing to her bra and panties.
I feel terrible, but she’s been drinking, and there’s no way I’m taking her virginity tonight. “Getting away from you.” She looks down at the little clothes she has left. “Not that I want to,” I reassure her.
Her mouth drops. “This is how you choose to get away from me? I’m soaked!”
“I had to think fast. I don’t trust myself with you.” I turn and look at the reflection of my bleeding back. “Take the rest of your clothes off after I leave.” Sure, that was a dick thing to do, but I’ve never had to stop in the middle of something like this. I was desperate.
“Then go.” She folds her arms under the running water. “Please Luke. I don’t want to see you right now.”
“I’ll be out of your hair in a second. There are clothes in the closet and food in the kitchen if you get hungry.” I scratch the back of my head. “You know what … here,” I say, grabbing one of my t-shirts, laying it on the counter. “Oh, and if you need some kind of underwear, I’ve got boxers and stuff in my top drawer.” I point toward my dresser. “Of course, you’ll probably have to roll them to keep them up.”
“Just go please,” she grumbles, without even looking at me.
I nod my head then look over my shoulder. “Is there a time you need to get up?”
“No,” she huffs. “Could you just go?”
I hold up my hands. “I’m out. Feel free to sleep in. I’ll be on the couch.” I give her one last glance then make my over to the door, locking it.
My head pounds as I slowly open my eyes and curse at my phone for ringing, snapping out of my coma, when I realize I’m not in my room. The confusion dissipates as pieces of the night before swirl around in my head. I’m in Luke’s bedroom … Oh my Gosh! I’m in Luke’s bedroom!
Stunned by my realization, I can only sit and take in my surroundings. My phone is lying next to my hair tie on the small nightstand to my left. I’m wearing a T-shirt, that isn’t mine, and my dress, bra, and panties are lying on the bathroom floor. I pull down the sheet to find that I am wearing men’s boxer briefs, and the mortification immediately sets in.
I jump off the bed and examine the familiar shirt lying on the floor. Gasping when I pick it up, I find it’s completely torn and ruined. He was wearing this. Oh shit! I wasn’t dreaming … I sexually assaulted him! In a panic, I reach for my phone and pray to God that Gia answers.
“Hello,” she says in a chipper tone.
“Thank goodness you answered,” I whisper into the phone, squeezing my eyes shut and rubbing my aching temple with my fingers.
“What’s wrong, and why are you whispering?”
I look across the room at Luke’s bedroom door, hoping he won’t hear me. “Everything’s wrong. I woke up this morning in Luke’s bed!”
“No … you didn’t!”
“I did,” I say, nodding, even though she can’t see me.
“Did you sleep with him?” she asks, emphasizing the word sleep.
I throw my head in my hands as I start to remember details. “Good God, Gia, I’m such a slut.”
“Oh my God, you had sex with him? Wait a minute … were you drunk? Did he take advantage of you? Cuz if he did, then I wi—”
I shake my head, trying to remember the details. “No we didn’t have sex, and he didn’t take advantage of me,” I interrupt. “It’s the other way around. I’m trying to remember everyt
hing, but it’s all choppy.”
“What do you mean the other way around?” she asks, and I bite my lip not wanting to tell her. “You’re saying you took advantage of him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I growl. Images of the night before continue to form in my mind. “It’s all starting to come back.” My eyes widen. “Oh my gosh, I’m never drinking again. I remember.”
“Do tell, Reese. The suspense is driving me nuts,” she quips, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
I look down at the mess on the floor. “He was comforting me, and I took off my dress, asking him to make love to me. All of the sudden I’m forcing him to kiss me, and literally ripping off his shirt. The next thing I remember is I’m in the shower, in my bra and panties, and I’m pissed because he won’t have me.”
She pauses for a minute, and I check the phone to see if I dropped the call. “You’re joking right?” she finally asks.
I hit my aching forehead with the palm of my hand. “I wish I were.”
She giggles. “You mean to tell me that you were nearly naked, begged Luke for sex, and he denied you?”
I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it before saying, “Don’t sound too excited. I still have to face him today.”
“Huh.” She pauses. “I’m impressed.”
“Well, I’m humiliated,” I grumble, rubbing the spot between my eyes.
“Come on Reese. The only reason he wouldn’t sleep with you is because he respects you.” She sighs into the phone. “He’s not going to let your first time be while you’re intoxicated!”
“He doesn’t know I’m a virgin.” Bunching my eyebrows together, I say, “At least I don’t think he knows.”
“I can’t believe you’re in his bedroom right now,” she responds, sounding amused.
“Me neither.” I chew on my lip. “By any chance can you come get me? I need to get out of here.”
“All right, give me directions, and I’m on my way.”
I look around the room. “I don’t quite remember how we got here.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll ask him, and then text you the info in a few minutes.”
Raising Ryann Page 11