The Callback

by Brandy L Rivers

  That was coming, soon, if she had her way.

  Mona squeezed her shoulder. “You know, Luke is a smart guy. I’m impressed.”

  Luke glanced back. “Thanks.”

  Leona nodded. He was doing what he could to avoid the paparazzi. And really, whatever they dug up would be over as soon as they were done. What would it really matter?

  She followed the directions until she pulled onto a long driveway. A large, extravagant house. Something fitting a movie star.

  No more assumptions, Leona.

  She parked the SUV, hopped out, and moved to the back to grab the bag with a change of clothes.

  * * * *

  Luke brought them to the mudroom downstairs and pointed to one of the guest rooms. “You can use that one to change into bathing suits.”

  Mona turned to him and blinked. “The house is gorgeous.”

  “My parents designed it. I just paid for it. It makes them happy, though.”

  Roach pulled Mona into the room.

  Luke took Leona’s hand. “Here, this is my room when I stay with them.” He took her to the room that was bigger than he would have chosen for himself, but like he said, his parents designed it. “My dad is an architect. My sister too. My mom is the designer. I was never good at any of that.”

  She turned around slowly and smiled. “I like it, though should I feel weird I’m in your room at your parents’, with you? Because I want to do all sorts of dirty things I doubt they’d approve of.”

  He pulled her closer. “I wouldn’t mind. And they aren’t home. They wouldn’t know.” He glanced at the door. “But first, we should go down to the water with them. Soon, I’ll have you alone.”

  “Can hardly wait,” she whispered.

  Neither could he. “Better get dressed fast.”

  He turned and she let out a whimper.

  A smile lit his face. “I’ll make the wait worth it. I swear to you.”

  “Good, because I need more than your fingers,” she muttered, then he heard a zipper.

  The sooner he got her away from the house, the better. And he had an idea. He only hoped she went for it. And yeah, maybe a scene in her book inspired it, but he hoped that would work in his favor.

  “You dressed?” Leona murmured. Shit, no, he was imagining her smooth skin in a bikini.

  “One second.” He stripped down and pulled on the trunks. Then he spun to slip his arms around her waist and pull that perfect ass against him.

  Instant hard-on.

  He wanted to sink inside her so damned bad, and the craving only got worse every time they made any kind of contact.

  “You’re torturing me,” she whispered.

  “Torturing myself worse. Can’t help it, though. Need you in my arms.”

  Turning her head, she captured his gaze. “You could fix that.”

  He gulped. Yeah, he could, but it wasn’t the right time. Not with her bestie two doors down. “Soon, very soon, Leona.”

  Dipping her head, she pulled away from him and went to the mudroom.

  Mona giggled as she came out of the room, tying the string bikini.

  Luke shook his head. “Roach wouldn’t help?”

  “He kept trying to take it off.” Mona glanced back at Roach as he came toward her.

  “No one will be out there. You could go topless.” He lifted a shoulder and gave her a sheepish smile.

  Leona glanced back at Luke.

  He brought them outside and downstairs to the water. “Like rowboats?” he asked Leona.

  A smile played across her lips. “I do.”

  No one would disturb his quiet place down the lake. It was still on his parents’ property. Dad helped him build the small bungalow.

  “I’m not rowing anywhere,” Mona sing-songed.

  Luke thanked every lucky star out there. “I won’t keep her away forever.”

  “You two have fun,” Roach offered. He probably had an idea of where he was headed.

  Mona glanced at her phone in her bag and stopped. “Can I talk to you, Leona?”

  “Sure?” she answered, stopping to wait for Mona.

  As much as he wanted to ask, he didn’t. “Could you give me a hand?” Luke asked Roach.

  He caught up and continued to the shed with the floaties, rowboats, and other fun stuff for the water.

  Roach whispered, “Leona’s ex keeps calling Mona. Apparently, Leona blocked his number.”

  Luke flexed his hands. “Has Mona answered?”

  He shook his head. “No, but Mona didn’t block him. She’s monitoring the situation, without engaging since that picture.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked back at Leona. “I’m starting to think I need to do some digging. Find out what his game is. I mean, why keep calling her?”

  Roach shrugged. “Just in time for the movie deal. Maybe he wants back in her good graces.” Roach glanced back. “Don’t think you’ll have a problem with her going back to him.”

  “How would you know?”

  “Things Mona said. Leona is not one to forgive and forget. She’s more likely to leave and shut you out, then kill you brutally in a book.”

  Luke smirked. “Wonder if Randal was inspired by the ex.”

  “Possibly. Mona didn’t say who, but she did say Leona killed someone when she found out what he’d been up to.”

  “Bastard,” Luke growled.

  Roach’s eyes popped open. “How serious is this? You haven’t known her long.”

  “Don’t know, but I plan to find out.”

  “That sounds a whole lot more serious than anything since Natalie.” His first love, but that was over six years before.

  Luke nudged Roach. “Don’t jinx it.” He pulled the row boat out and got it in the water with two sets of oars.

  Chapter 13

  “Russell?” Leona asked, as soon as Luke and Roach entered the shed.

  “Yeah. He’s going apeshit over something. Keeps sending messages, demanding to know who you were with. He didn’t have enough of a view to even guess it was Luke Chance. But he’s convinced you’re fucking some random dude already.”

  “So what? It’s not like he has a say. The divorce is official. He can cry all he wants. He probably just wants to try to sneak his way back into my bed so he can have a shot at the money from the movie deal, but I’m not stupid.”

  “I know that, but he’s changed, Leona. He’s starting to worry me.”

  “Block him and stop thinking about him. Honestly, what does it matter what he thinks?”

  “Maybe, but what if he does something? What if he finds out and spreads something about you?”

  “What is he going to spread that won’t backfire on him? Huh?” Leona wanted to scream. Why couldn’t he stay in the past? And yeah, he was trying to implant himself in her present, but she was done with him. Completely done.

  “I hope you’re right. I wanted you to know.”

  “Thanks. And hey, Roach seems like a good guy. I think maybe he feels like he’s in the background around Luke and his friends. Not that Luke treats him like less, but I can see how he’d feel like it when they hang out with some big names. He probably feels like everyone looks down on him for being no one.”

  Mona smiled as she looked past Leona. “Yeah. I called him when I went back to my room. I even knew where Luke was taking us. I just need to convince him Roach is a bad choice for a nickname.”

  Leona laughed. “Good luck with that.” She walked back to Luke, who watched her with a smile.

  “Ready?”

  “Sure,” she answered.

  As soon as she was settled in the front and him in the back he asked, “What did she want?”

  “Warn me about Russell calling. I told her to block his number.”

  “You really don’t want to deal with him, do you?”

  Leona shot him a look full of disgust. “Nope. I’ve wasted years on him. He doesn’t get another second of my time.”

  Luke changed the subject, “You really
like rowing?”

  “I do. I have been known to take rowboats out on lakes, even canoes and kayaks. Honest, this is perfect.” And she did. In fact, she was thinking about buying a lake house. And if Russell kept up the bullshit, she would, in a heartbeat.

  She picked up the oars. “Point the way.”

  “To the right, along the shore.”

  “All right.” She got them going.

  He chuckled. “You weren’t kidding about liking rowing.”

  “Nope. Helps me forget all the shit and let my mind wander. And lately, I’ve needed it. I get my best plotting done doing this.”

  “I’ll have to remember that.”

  She almost asked why but quickly snapped her mouth shut. After a second, she asked, “Do you row a lot?”

  “Not as often as I used to. Life gets crazy when I’m filming.”

  “Have a project coming up?”

  He was silent a moment. “I’ll be filming in a couple weeks.”

  That gave her ideas she shouldn’t be having. In this case, one day at a time was a good plan.

  She glanced back. “So, how fast do movies usually take to get made? Is it going to take years? Or will it be fast?”

  “All depends. They’ll have to write a script and have it approved. It’s possible someone started one seeing how the studio was pursuing you. Then they have to get the production team in place. Then the actors. Work out filming schedules, then it goes from there. And considering it’s action/romance and takes place all over the world, it’s going to take extra planning. Could be a couple years, but I’m guessing it will be closer to a year, maybe a year and a half.”

  “Wow. So not something I have to worry about for a while.”

  “Why would you have to worry?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Signings will be different. Now, I get to hang out with the other authors and readers. But I’ve seen some authors change after a certain level of success. I hope I’m not one of them.”

  He let out a laugh. “You know it could happen. That usually holds off a shift in personality. I mean, I haven’t changed. Sure, I hang out with some famous people, but I still hang out with my old friends. Well, the ones who didn’t get stupid. And you saw Ryan. He’s cautious about who he opens up to, but he is down to earth. Raven is the same way. In fact, they accepted you as one of our own.”

  “I’m glad you brought me. And today, this is perfect.”

  “Going to get even better,” he promised.

  They kept going for another few minutes before he said, “The dock is our destination.”

  Thank God. I can’t wait much longer.

  They both left their phones back at the house. They pulled up to the dock and he tied it up while she climbed out and offered her hand.

  He looked up at her with that sexy grin of his and let her pull him to a stand. “You’re beautiful.”

  She believed him, crazy as that was. The way he looked at her stole her breath.

  He stepped onto the dock and pulled her to the path up to a structure that looked like a walled in gazebo.

  She looked over. “What is this place?”

  “A quiet place. I come here to relax sometimes.”

  “Ever bring anyone?”

  “My mom sometimes comes out. She likes to read where it’s quiet, but my dad recently built her a she shed. I doubt she’s been out here since.”

  “I take it you’re close to your parents?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, they’re pretty amazing. My sister too, but Carrie is busy with work.”

  “You said she’s an architect. Is it weird you don’t do what they do?”

  “I wondered if it would be, but they have always supported me and my career. I was the drama dork in the family.”

  “I’m sure no one calls you that now.”

  “No, but they did in school, before I went to be on that show.” He lifted a shoulder. “Those guys might. But it doesn’t really matter what they think.”

  “Ignore the haters, right?”

  He snorted. “Like you have any.”

  She laughed. “I have a few. Sometimes readers don’t like the direction I take, but I can’t really fight the direction the characters go. Doesn’t work.”

  “You have readers who don’t like your stories?”

  “Yeah, occasionally. I’m sure you get people who hate how you portray a character or other things. No matter what you do, someone won’t be happy. That’s life, right? I don’t stress about it. I move on.”

  He opened the door and tugged her inside and into his arms. “Exactly, you move on. It’s why the media doesn’t bother me all that much. They’re going to do what they’re going to do, and most people are smart enough to ignore it.”

  “You’re right.”

  He pulled her toward the cushions full of pillows and reached for the remote that pulled the slatted wooden doors on all four sides open, and another to open the glass. “Not too hot outside, is it?”

  “Nah, it’s fine,” she answered with a smile.

  “I read half your books here.” He nodded to the stack of books on the table and her mouth popped open. He laughed. “Looks like my mom might have gone through the pile.”

  She couldn’t stop the giggle. “Oh, that’s funny.”

  “Come on. My parents aren’t that old,” he teased.

  Light danced through her eyes. “It’s not that. I have older readers. Then again, my mom reads mine, so you know, it’s not that big of a deal.” She trailed her fingers across his waistband.

  * * * *

  No more waiting. He was going to have her. Luke ached for her. Looking into her eyes, he murmured, “Tell me you want this.”

  Nodding, she murmured, “More than I can express with words.”

  Luke pulled her against him and quickly pulled the ties to her top. The fabric slipped away and he brought his hands around to cup her breasts. Her mouth sought his, her tongue slipping between his lips.

  She dragged her nails lightly down his sides, bringing a groan from his lips. Then her fingers dipped under his waistband, pushing the shorts to the floor.

  One hand wrapped around his base and slowly stroked. Her grip was a hell of a lot stronger than he expected and fucking perfect.

  Leaning back, those dark eyes locked on his. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

  He guided her back, laying her down and moving out of her reach as he brought her bottoms down her long legs. All woman and exactly what he craved.

  “No more waiting.” Leaning down, he pushed her legs open and she gulped, her eyes slamming shut as he took a slow taste. She made a sound that he felt down his spine, urging him to hurry this up and take it further.

  Her hips bucked against him as he teased. Her back arched as he pushed a finger into her while circling her clit with his tongue.

  “Don’t want to wait,” she moaned, her head slowly thrashing.

  He sucked her bundle of nerves, then chuckled. “Then come for me.”

  A frustrated growl left her lips and he flicked his tongue over her bead and pushed another finger into her. Her walls squeezed tight. She had to be close, and he wanted more than to get off.

  Taking his time, he explored, found her cues, drew out the pleasure.

  Leona cried out, writhing on the cushions when he curled his fingers. Her body trembled as she gasped for air. He’d never seen a woman come apart so fast or thoroughly as she did.

  Luke grabbed a condom and crawled back up her body. He lay down, slid the rubber on, then trailed his fingers over her skin.

  She rolled toward him and blinked her eyes open. “Why are you smiling like that? That better not be it.”

  Damn, he liked that sass. He cupped her breast and ran his thumb around the nipple. She bit that full lip as she pushed him flat on his back and climbed into his lap. “Done waiting, Luke. Need you.”

  He grinned up at her, watching the show. Beautiful and confident. When she wasn’t thinking about anyone or anything, just who she was wit
h, she came alive.

  Reaching down, she gripped him and slid over his length. That mouth popped open and her eyes hooded.

  He sat up to capture her face in his hands as she took him to the end. So fucking tight he might die. “Should have taken longer on you,” he grunted.

  She shook her head slightly and nipped his bottom lip. “You were taking too long, and I needed this.” This time, her mouth locked on his, her tongue seeking and finding as she circled her hips.

  Yup, he might die a happy man if she kept that up. Which meant he needed to change the pace before he blew. He gripped her waist and rolled her to her back.

  Leona’s eyes flew open as he grabbed her ankles and pulled them to his shoulders to drive as far into her as he could. Watching her breasts as her back arched made him want to do this all day and night.

  No way he would last that long.

  She gripped his thighs, her nails digging in with delicious pressure as she rolled her hips to keep up with him. She was as into it as he was, which was amazing. She wasn’t a passive partner, oh no. She wanted and went for it.

  Turning his head, he pressed a wet kiss to the hollow under her ankle and she made another one of those low moans that would haunt his dreams when she couldn’t be there.

  “Luke, please,” she pleaded.

  Trailing his hand down her leg, he thrust harder and pinched her clit. Her walls clenched, pulling him deeper as she cried out. He couldn’t stop himself from following her into release. Later, he’d hold out longer.

  Shit, sooner than later, because she felt better than anything he’d experienced before. And he realized something as she dragged her half-lidded gaze his way. He didn’t want her to go back home.

  That should have scared the hell out of him, but he pulled her closer and met her heated kiss with his own passion. No, letting her slip away was the last thing he wanted.

  Leaning back, he caught her chin. “Stay with me tonight?”

  Laughing, she asked, “Here? In your parents’ home?”

  “No. In my home.”

  She slid her leg over his hip and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. Her hand grazed his cock which stirred with her touch. “Only if you have plenty of this left for me.”