Elle rolled her eyes. “No worries, I’m not hungry or anything.”
“Oh.” Whitney glanced down at the candy box security blanket as she shoveled two more fish into her mouth. “Sowwy.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, dork. Now listen, this is all going to blow over. Nolan and Gina will talk it through and she’ll calm down.”
“And if not?”
Elle did her best to ease Whitney’s stress. “And if not, he’ll still be gone by the end of the season.”
The two ladies allowed themselves to erupt into devious laughter.
“You’re so bad,” Whitney said between bites of bright red candy.
Elle nodded. “And that’s why you love me.”
“Speaking of bad . . .” Whitney’s words trailed off as she wiggled her wicked eyebrows at Elle. “How’s Mr. Gorgeous? Sleep with him yet?”
“Not yet. But I’m seeing him tonight.”
Whitney popped one last piece of candy in her mouth before handing the almost-empty box back to Elle. Elle peered into the box before giving Whitney a look of surprise. How on earth did she remain so skinny with that appetite? She was like a tornado of hunger.
“So . . . is tonight the night?”
“Maybe.” Now it was Elle’s turn to clutch the box of candy like a fiend. She bit the head off one of the innocent candies, savoring the mixture of cherry and strawberry sweetness in her mouth.
“You know you want to. Let your hair down, Elle. I know you can do it.”
Elle dropped the box of candy back into her emergency drawer, grabbing a wet wipe for her hands. She smirked at her best friend. “Whatever, home wrecker.”
Luke arrived promptly that evening, buzzing at the iron gate at the base of her driveway. Originally, she’d owned a condo when she moved to Santa Monica, but when the show rose in popularity, she was horrified to find photographers peeping into her windows. She knew they stalked the actors, but she couldn’t wrap her mind around why they’d have any interest in her personal life. Regardless of her lack of understanding, however, their persistence forced her hand. She purchased a four-bedroom Spanish-style home in a gated community, her hands trembling as she signed the ridiculously expensive mortgage agreement. But after settling in, and receiving several bonuses for the success of the show, she never looked back. She’d come to cherish and appreciate her privacy and couldn’t imagine retreating back to living somewhere where her private life could be preyed upon. And with the new star of her show pursuing her in a romantic way, she knew her privacy would be necessary more than ever before.
He pulled into her brick driveway, aviator sunglasses on the bridge of his nose. Elle watched from the window as he exited his SUV, flowers in hand, and strolled to the door with confidence. Quickly, she moved behind the curtain, so as not to reveal she was watching him. She glanced quickly into the mirror in the butler pantry next to the dining room before answering the doorbell.
“Hey there,” he said, his woodsy scent pervading her senses. The sound of his voice, his smell, his confidence—everything about Luke Kingston turned her on. He placed the bouquet of gladiola in her arms and she wanted to burst, to break apart into a thousand tiny pieces. Memories of their encounter in the parking lot swarmed her brain and made her skin throb, aching for his touch.
Whitney was right. Elle wanted this, and she needed to own it.
“Come in,” she said, letting her apprehension slide from her shoulders.
Linus yapped at Luke’s feet, hopping on his hind legs and sniffing Luke’s pants.
“Who’s this little guy?”
“That’s Linus. Sorry, he’s a little jumpy.”
Luke smiled, crouching down to pet the exuberant terrier. “It’s no problem. I love dogs.”
For just a moment, Elle watched as Luke showered her companion with affection. A sweet ache developed in her gut as Luke scratched behind Linus’ ears and Linus soaked it up.
“He’s so cute,” Luke said, rising to his feet.
Elle snapped her fingers. “C’mon, Linus. Let’s get you a treat.”
Reluctantly, Linus followed Elle into the kitchen, torn between his new best friend and a snack. She retrieved a handful of treats and placed them on the floor. As Linus gobbled his goodies, she returned to Luke, who was taking in his surroundings.
“Wow, this place . . .” His voice trailed off as he walked around the circular, two-story foyer. A large glass table sat in the middle of the room. Elle placed the bouquet on the table and then watched as Luke studied her home.
“It’s pretty new. I’m still getting settled in,” she lied. She’d been there for over a year, but for some reason she didn’t want him to know just how wealthy she was. But who was she kidding? He knew.
“It’s really charming . . . which is fitting.” He removed his sunglasses, placing them in the pocket of his jacket.
“Would you like a drink?” Elle offered, not quite ready to have Luke leave her home. She was craving the privacy only a residence could provide.
“Sure, what do you have?”
Elle gestured for him to follow her back to the butler’s pantry where he could view her selection of spirits. Luke inspected the bottles, before lifting her untouched bottle of Johnnie Walker Platinum. Her heart sank for just a moment in the realization the bottle would finally be opened.
“Scotch would be great.” He cleared his throat. “On the rocks, please.”
Elle took a deep breath and gave him the most confident smile she could produce. She couldn’t let him see her silly reaction to opening a simple bottle of scotch. “You got it.”
She poured a glass for herself, making it a double and adding a twist of lemon.
“No ice?” Luke asked, perking up an eyebrow.
“Nope,” she said.
“I’m impressed. My kinda woman.” He raised his glass to hers, and clinked. They each took a sip, although secretly Elle wanted to down the entire glass. It wouldn’t be her first time doing that, but she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. The last thing she needed was Luke assuming she had some sort of drinking problem.
“Should we sit?” she asked, leading him to the firm gray couch in the formal living room. Luke followed behind her, and when they reached the couch, he waited for her to sit, then eased himself next to her, his arm perched atop the back of the couch.
“I’m glad you were willing to see me tonight.”
“Willing?” She challenged him, raising her eyebrows and hooking her bottom teeth under her lip. “That’s an interesting word choice.”
“Leave it to the writer to analyze my vocabulary.”
Elle blushed slightly, but waited for him to explain what he meant by “willing.” When she was quiet moments later, Luke shrugged. “Well, you know, after our first date, I wasn’t sure.”
Elle decided to challenge him, remembering the feel of his lips on her skin. “You seemed pretty confident in the parking lot.”
“Ah.” He gave her a cocky smirk before taking a sip. “I guess you’re right.”
Elle finished her scotch, and, feeling her apprehension slide away, she placed the empty glass on the coffee table, embracing the desire coursing through her veins.
“So acting . . . was it always a dream of yours or were you just seduced by the charms of your environment?” Without hesitation, she placed her hand on Luke’s thigh, her fingers delighted at the thick fibers beneath his pants. His quads were tight and firm.
“I guess you could say that. I think, when I was like five or six, I wanted to be a vet. Our dog died and I wanted to fix him.”
Elle’s fingers stroked the fabric of his pants and Luke took a deep breath. “Well, that’s sweet.” She embraced the feeling of control infusing her senses. He wanted her; of this she was certain. And she wanted him. God, she wanted him. It’s not that she didn’t want to take a walk down memory lane with Luke, to learn about his childhood and the name of the family dog. But at that moment, it was no longer high on her l
ist of priorities. She wanted him above her, drinking her in with his touch. She wanted his hands everywhere, touching each and every inch of her body. She wanted him inside her, driving her to the incredible release she knew he could provide.
Luke polished off the rest of his scotch, leaning forward to place the glass firmly on the table. He turned to Elle, his eyes wide and blazing. The muscles of his jaw flexed as he swallowed. His hands reached to cup her face, his eyes locked with hers.
“You’re so beautiful.” It came out in a hoarse whisper.
Elle said nothing, but licked her lips in a slow, sensual motion, moving her hand from his thigh, to the growing bulge in his pants. She was done holding back with Luke. She wanted his lips on her . . . everywhere. She cupped him, never breaking eye contact and watched as the corners of Luke’s mouth pulled into a smile.
He smiled and then he kissed her. No more teasing, feathery motion. This kiss was demanding and full of desire. His hand drifted to wrap around the back of her neck as his lips and tongue explored her mouth. She opened for him, wanting him to deepen the kiss as she stroked him through the fabric of his pants.
“Bedroom?” Luke asked, his voice smooth and unwavering as he moved his attention to her neck. His lips caressed and his tongue stroked the sensitive skin beneath her chin. Elle nodded, broke herself from his embrace, took his hand, and led him upstairs to the master bedroom.
Elle hadn’t planned for him to see her bedroom. Unintentionally, the Beatles’ Abbey Road album had been left to play on repeat after she’d gotten ready for their date. Elle hurried to her CD player to silence the music.
“No, it’s okay,” Luke said, following her to the stereo. His fingers danced down the skin of her shoulders, making her shiver. “You can leave it on.”
A moment of hesitation clouded Elle’s thoughts. She wasn’t so sure she was ready to share her beloved Beatles. As odd as that sounded, even to her, they were special—and such a part of her past with Troy. Quickly, she thought of a solution by grabbing another disc—a neutral band that meant absolutely nothing to her. She swapped it for the current CD, and returned her attention to Luke.
“This is better.”
“Whatever you say. You’re in charge.” Luke dragged one finger down past her temple and cheek, stopping at her chin. He gripped the skin and bone, pulling her back to him. His lips consumed hers once again, and he turned her, walking her back toward the bed. His nimble fingers eased her out of her dress with next to no effort. Her black silk dress pooled around her ankles, leaving her in only her red lace bra and panties. Slowly, he lowered her down onto the soft mattress, his hands roaming her body as his lips did the same. His hands moved back and forth over her exposed abdomen, dipping down to stroke her over her panties.
Arousal built within her, so much so she felt she might explode if not given the release she so desperately needed. Her fingers grasped his hair, pulling him back to her mouth. Her tongue twisted and turned, dancing with his, and her hands fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. Luke pulled away slightly, smiled, and unfastened the buttons quickly, stripping his shirt from his body. Elle’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of his tan pecs. Beneath them, his ridged muscles formed delectable washboard abs. He was astonishing.
Next came the belt. He removed it quickly before dropping his pants to the floor, revealing forest green boxers that clung to the sinewy muscles of his thighs. Although Elle was more than impressed by what she saw, she wanted those briefs to join his pants on her floor. She slid herself toward him, hooking her fingers beneath the waistband of the briefs, and eased them down. She stared at his naked body with satisfaction as her heart hammered beneath her chest. Her desire for Luke was mounting. She needed him, all of him.
Luke stripped her of her bra, staring at her breasts with appreciation before taking one nipple into his mouth. Electricity spread throughout her body. His fingers dipped beneath the waistband of her panties and he tugged until they tumbled to the carpet below, tickling her calves as they fell.
Luke released her nipple from his mouth, and Elle found herself yearning for him to return to the now-hardened peak that longed for his touch. His eyes were hooded and dark. “Lie back.”
She obeyed, laying herself down on the bed, pulling him to lie above her, enjoying the weight of his body against her own. They fit together so naturally, the curves of her body easing into his. Comfortable yet sexy. Their kisses sweet yet passionate. A condom wrapper crinkled beneath his closed fist. His desire for protected sex aroused her even more. She pressed her lips to the firm muscles of his chest. “I want you. Now.”
A satisfied smile crossed Luke’s face before he ripped open the condom wrapper and rolled the sheath down. Instead of entering her and pressing her against the firm mattress, Luke rolled to his back, pulling Elle to straddle above him. When Elle looked down with confusion, he raised his eyebrows and gripped her hips.
“I told you, you’re in charge.”
How did Luke know how much Elle craved the power of being in control? It didn’t matter. All that mattered was he was lying beneath her, hard and ready. She eased herself onto him, her muscles stretching with each delectable inch. Her hands stretched to press into his shoulders as she moved up and down, letting him enter her again and again. Pressure built quickly within her, her hips twisted in a circular motion and her head hung down, allowing the tips of her blonde hair to tickle Luke’s chest. He grunted and moaned beneath her, his fingertips digging into the skin of her hips.
Elle’s arousal climbed and climbed until she knew she’d break apart at any second. Her orgasm rippled through her and she cried out, throwing her head back in bliss. “Oh God!”
Once Elle had found her release, Luke began to thrust harder beneath her, lifting his hips off the bed as he pounded into her again and again until his climax manifested itself in several loud grunts, his fingers still digging into her skin. The mixture of pleasure and pain swirled within Elle, forming pure satisfaction within her body.
Elle separated her body from his, lying down next to him, her head resting comfortably on his bicep. Luke played with her hair as his breath evened. Normally Elle would be mortified their “date” had been nothing but a roll in her sheets, but her mind was so blissfully numb, she just didn’t care.
“Wow,” Luke exhaled, “didn’t expect that.”
“Yeah, well . . . it’s been a long four days.”
“Indeed.” His fingers left her hair and drifted to trace the line of her silhouette, moving in soothing motions along her ignited skin. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Should we get dressed? Go out?”
Elle pondered the question, then realized she’d much rather enjoy dinner with Luke inside the sexy confines of her bedroom. “Takeout?”
Luke grinned before nuzzling into her neck. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“There’s a great Chinese place a few miles away that delivers.”
“Perfect. I’ll eat anything, so—”
“I’ll surprise you.”
Reluctantly, Elle pulled away from Luke to stand, retrieving her bathrobe from the hook of her bathroom door. The fluffy cotton enveloped her in comfort as her body still hummed from their encounter. She loved how easy everything was thus far. This easy-going, highly sexual, and ridiculously gorgeous Adonis was lying in her bed, seemingly just as crazy about her as she was about him. Never had a relationship (or something resembling one) been so easy, so effortless. She’d had passion before, but this time it was combined with comfort, rather than constant chaos and miscommunication.
She strolled down the winding staircase to reach her kitchen. Flipping through the menus, she found the one for China Palace and quickly dialed the number on the front flap. After ordering half the dishes on the menu, unsure of what she was in the mood for, she heard footsteps. Warm lips met the skin of her ear and soft hands weaved through her hair, pushing it to the side to give his mouth better access to her skin. Elle
turned to face Luke.
“It’ll be here in thirty minutes.”
“That’s just about enough time . . .” Luke’s words trailed off as he resumed the seduction of her neck. Elle giggled before allowing herself to be swept up, once again, in the man named Luke Kingston.
Elle and Troy Saladino had had a tumultuous friendship filled with sexual tension that reached an all-time high on a camping trip during the fall of their sophomore year in college.
Elle sat at a picnic table with her friend, Staci, watching the six guys construct the various tents. Troy’s muscles flexed beneath his polo shirt while he attempted to snap two of the metal pieces together. As it was her tent, Elle rolled her eyes, knowing Troy was doing it completely wrong.
“Um, Troy, I think you—” she began, her tone snide. She always enjoyed giving him a hard time.
“Keep it to yourself, Rigby. It’s under control,” he answered, not even giving her a second glance. When she and Troy became friends, they realized they had both been raised on the Beatles. Each Sunday morning, their families listened to 105.9 WCKG’s Breakfast with the Beatles. Elle’s father would make pancakes and bacon and the radio would stay on the entire program. Troy’s parents had done the same. When she revealed she was named after the song “Eleanor Rigby,” Troy’s nickname for her was born. Secretly, she loved it and hoped he’d never call her by her actual name.
“I’m serious, you may want to look at the instructions.”
Troy grabbed a sleeping bag and tossed it her way. “If I wanted your opinion—”
“You’d give it to me,” Elle interrupted, finishing his statement with a quick roll of her eyes. “Whatever.”
“Ugh,” Staci lamented, throwing her hair behind her shoulder. “Why don’t you two just do it already?”
Elle’s heart rate sped out of control. She swatted Staci across the arm and avoided eye contact with Troy, but she felt his soulful brown eyes on her. They’d never discussed the sexual tension looming between them. They’d never dissected their banter to find its source. In fact, despite their constant flirtation, Elle had no idea if Troy thought about her in that way. Did he fantasize about her the way she did about him?
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