“Hell yes, I do.” He rolled back and pulled her on top. That was all she needed for encouragement.
Chapter 14
They stayed in his getaway for a few hours. She enjoyed his company, the discussion, the amazing view—and she wasn’t referring to outside, though that was lovely.
“I could stay out here all night,” Leona admitted.
“Aren’t you hungry?” Luke murmured as he pulled his trunks on.
“Getting there.” Sighing, she climbed off the cushions and went to the small bathroom. After two incredible encounters, he ran out of condoms. So, it was have an awkward conversation about sexual history, or head home. And it would probably be fine, but she didn’t know his past, and admittedly, as long as she didn’t consider it, she was fine.
Thinking about the potentially super-hot women he’d been with made Leona nauseous. While they were together, he was clearly only thinking about her. She felt sexy, alive, and she wanted to enjoy him.
She came back, pulled on her bottoms, then grabbed her top. Luke turned to her as she put the cups to the bikini in place.
Her brow arched. “Help me?”
“Shame I have to help you get dressed. I like you like this.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Like what? Naked?”
“That too, but without a care in the world. When I’m with you, I don’t have to think about anything but you. It’s amazing.” He moved behind her to tie the ties.
She glanced back. “Why is that?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Too many women in Hollywood are fake and want something from you. It’s why Ryan is the smart one. He doesn’t get involved with them.”
“Don’t like clingy women?” she teased.
He rubbed a hand over his hair. “Clinging isn’t the problem. I don’t like being used.”
She dropped her attention to the floor. “Neither do I, and in the beginning, I wondered if that was your only interest in me.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Told you, first it was your books, but then I saw you. If you haven’t noticed, you turn me on. You make me feel like a teenager.”
A gasp left her lips. “Oh, don’t say that. You’re going to make me think about the one thing I promised not to consider again.”
He cupped her breast. “I think I proved I’m no child.”
“No, you aren’t. And I shouldn’t admit it, but I’ve never had better.” She laid her head back on his shoulder.
Nuzzling her neck, he admitted, “No one makes me feel the way you do, Leona.”
She turned and got lost in his dark eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
He pulled her close. “No, I’m not. You are so much more than I expected, and I only expected good things.”
Luke fogged her brain and she needed a moment to think. Pulling him toward the door, she smiled. “Come on, we should get back to them.”
“Yeah, especially if I’m taking you to dinner in town. And don’t worry, it’s a small town. I’ll wear my hat low. Usually it keeps the locals from hassling me.”
She backed to the door. “I’m not so worried about that now. I mean, if everyone finds out, oh well. I’m not going to let that dictate my life.”
“Good, but I still prefer to avoid it. I won’t go to unnecessary lengths to do so, but I don’t seek paparazzi like some.”
He closed the distance and reached past her to open the door. “Thank you for coming out here with me,” he whispered against her ear.
“I’m glad I did.”
He pulled her toward the dock, then rubbed his chin. “We didn’t swim.”
She glanced back with a grin. “You want to swim now?”
“I’ll have to bring you back out before you leave.”
“Sounds good.” She stepped into the boat and he climbed in after her.
The trip back was quick. Mona and Roach were making out on the float. Luke reached down to send a wave of water over them.
“Hey,” Mona squealed.
Leona climbed off the boat and hurried up the grass.
Luke said, “You two ready for some food? Thought we’d go into town. There’s a great burger place.”
“Oh, you’ll love it,” Roach answered.
“I’m changing. I’m starved,” Leona called down.
“Luke work up your appetite?” Mona sing-songed.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” Leona slipped inside and Luke caught her around the waist.
“Might I have inspired a scene?”
“Maybe.” Winking, she pulled him toward his room. “After rowing, I realize how hungry I am.”
“More sex would have kept you happy?”
She turned, her eyes wide. “Oh, I’m very happy, but I’ll warn you, I’m insatiable.”
“I’ll take great pleasure in finding your limit.” The wicked grin he wore told her he might be able to. Russell never could.
Leona fought off the shudder. Thinking about him while half naked was the dumbest thought she’d had all day.
“This is going to be a very long night,” she purred.
“And well worth it.”
The door banged open and Mona squealed in delight as Luke backed Leona against the bedroom door, his hands going to her ribs. She managed to get the door open as he lifted her, making her gasp before her arms went around his neck.
Both Mona and Roach were laughing when the door shut.
“You’re so bad,” she whispered.
“And you can be very bad. I like you bad, but I like you good too.” He nibbled her ear and she let out a whimper.
“Luke, food.” Her stomach rumbled to back up the fact she was hungry.
“Get dressed. I’m having trouble keeping my hands to myself.” He stepped away and turned to pull his own clothes on. Hurrying into her own clothes, she thanked herself for having the foresight to pack extra clothes.
She stepped out of his room before he finished and walked over to the windows to look out over the lake. Absolutely beautiful, and she wanted a place like it.
Luke came out before Roach or Mona, which was good. Mona would ask what they were doing gone for so long, and Leona wouldn’t want to answer. Roach, well, he seemed like a good guy, but she couldn’t claim to know him.
“You’re quiet now,” he whispered.
“You’re talking to an author. I get quiet, contemplative, think too much. Doesn’t mean anything bad, I promise.”
“I believe you, but it makes me want to step into your head and see through your eyes.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Might turn into an egotistical ass. I prefer you the way you are now.”
His head tipped. “What does that mean?”
“I’m sure, like most people, you show different sides of yourself to different people.”
“What side aren’t you showing me?” he countered.
She shook her head. “I’m not hiding anything, and I don’t think you are either.”
“Good, because I’ll show you everything.”
Mona slipped out and cleared her throat. “Sure you don’t want to just ditch us?”
Smiling, Luke shook his head. “Let’s have dinner, then we can part ways.”
“If you’re sure. But promise to call me in the morning, Leona,” Mona amended.
“You got it. Dinner first, though,” Leona promised.
Grinning, Mona replied, “Then we’re going back to Roach’s.”
Chapter 15
The ma and pop diner was owned by friends of the family. Luke got in trouble with their son a few times. He crushed on their daughter, until she ran off and got married. And they never treated him like he was anything but a family friend.
Leona parked the SUV and he gave her a look before climbing out and rushing around the side for her.
She stayed put with a raised brow. Mona giggled when he opened the driver door.
“Such a gentleman,” Mona teased.
“That what you want?” Roach asked Mona.
; She turned to him. “Sometimes, but more often, I want the rogue.”
Leona shook her head, a smile on her lips.
Luke took her hand to help her out, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I hope you like this place as much as I do.”
“Why?”
The answer was complicated. He wanted her to like everything about being with him. Maybe he could get some more time that way.
“Want you happy.” That was the closest he could get without putting pressure on her.
She wanted fun.
He wanted more.
And he had no good reason to want more from someone who lived across the country and didn’t want the fame. Didn’t change things, and he thought he could change her mind with time, which he was short on.
There were plenty of celebrities with people who weren’t. They made it work. Now he needed to figure out how.
And if he didn’t figure it out soon, she would slip away. He couldn’t expect her to uproot her life for a fling, and for the first time in years, he wanted a lot more.
The corners of her mouth tipped up as she stared into his eyes.
Mona slung an arm around Leona’s waist. “You two are cute.”
Leona rolled her eyes.
Luke pulled her closer. “I have to agree.”
“Stop with that,” she whispered, ducking her gaze.
The hostess grinned. Courtney was the son’s girlfriend.
Luke smiled. “Hey, can we get a quiet table, in the corner?”
“Just the four of you?”
He nodded. “Please.”
“Only if you introduce them.”
Luke glanced at Leona. “Meet Leona Shay and her close friend Mona. You already know Roach. And this is Courtney. I used to hang out with her boyfriend when we were kids. He’s off at grad school now, though.”
Leona offered her hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, you too. Come on back.” She skipped toward the corner and they followed, taking their seats.
“Know all the employees here?” she asked.
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s a family business. They have a few other employees, but I know most of them.”
He picked up the menu. “Hungry, right?”
She nodded, not pulling her eyes from him. She watched him like she was figuring out a character, and it made him nervous.
“Then find something to eat,” he whispered.
Leona lifted the menu and looked at it with a smirk.
* * * *
Leona wanted to thank Mona for keeping the conversation moving. Her head was too big of a mess to concentrate on anything long enough to give it a go.
Her lack of attention was thanks to Luke. He kept touching her like a lover, not a hookup. It was too fast.
“Does she do this often?” Luke asked Mona.
“Get quiet?” she asked. “Yeah, she’s stuck in her head, probably thinking too much about you and everything else that’s happened recently.”
Leona nudged Luke. “I told you, I think too much.”
He leaned in and nipped her ear. “You’ll tell me if you’re getting bored?”
A laugh popped out. “That’s what you’re worried about? Sure, I’ll let you know, but that’s not the issue.” Then she leaned in to whisper, “We’re good.”
He squeezed her thigh and she closed her eyes. Her heart raced with his quiet murmur. “Nothing but good.” Then he left the table.
She watched as he dealt with the bill.
“He really is into you,” Roach whispered. “Never seen him like this.”
Blushing, Leona looked away. “I still don’t get why.”
“Does it matter? You two vibe together.”
“Vibe together?” Leona asked.
“Yeah, where you two seem more whole together than apart. It’s inspiring.”
Mona blinked and looked at Roach. “You know, we need to find you a better nickname if you really hate your name that much.”
“I kind of like it on your lips,” he answered.
She lit up. “Really? Even if I said your name in public?”
“From you, yeah. But only you.”
Luke came back and took Leona’s hand. She couldn’t wait to have him alone for the rest of the night. And she was fine, as long as she didn’t consider the future.
“So, drop them off and back to your place?” Leona asked.
“Should get my car first,” he answered.
“Then I can pack some clothes.”
“You could pack everything and stay with me for the duration of your stay,” he offered as they stepped outside.
Tempting, but she kind of wanted to run. That was like saying this was a lot more than she was ready to consider.
Her face scrunched and she tried to sort out her thoughts to formulate an answer that wasn’t bitchy.
“Sorry, too fast, huh?”
Leona nodded, her heart slowing a tad.
He pulled her closer. “Pack for a night, and if I have to keep bringing you back to the hotel, that’s fine. And if you decide you need distance, that works too.”
“Sorry. I’ve only known you for a couple days.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Feels like longer, but I get it. Don’t worry, I’m okay waiting.”
“Thanks.”
He opened the driver door for her. “Forgive me?”
“Nothing to forgive.” She climbed in and he shut the door.
Mona was in next. “You need to relax, Leona.”
“Trying. This is so fast I don’t even know what’s happening.”
“Please, what’s wrong with that?”
She didn’t have a good answer. Luke seemed so much more invested than Leona ever imagined.
The guys climbed in and the conversation ceased, thankfully.
“Tomorrow, you and me lunch. No one else.” Mona insisted. Then she turned to Luke. “Sorry, we need a little girl talk.”
“All right, lunch, tomorrow.” Leona glanced over at Luke. He dipped his head, but didn’t say anything.
Good, because she was barely treading water.
Chapter 16
Finally, back at the hotel, Leona walked into the lobby and immediately backed out, pulling Luke with her.
“What’s wrong?”
“My ex is sitting there. Either I have the worst luck in the world, or he wants something. Let’s go through another entrance.”
Luke’s face hardened. “What’s wrong with him seeing you with me?”
“It’s him seeing me. Period.” She put her hands up. “But fine, if you want to witness a scene, be my guest.” Turning, she moved for the door.
He caught her arm, pulling her back to his chest with a low groan. “If it’s that big of a deal, we can go another way.”
“Why do you want to meet him? And are you going to hit him? Oh, God, you better not be planning to hit him.”
Tipping her head up, he shut her up with a kiss. “Not going to touch him, and we’ll see if we can walk past him without him noticing, but if he’s waiting for you, then he probably will.”
“Except, he’s on the phone, probably with work. Or Mindy. Maybe I’ll get lucky.” Rolling her eyes, she pulled away and walked inside, making a beeline for the elevator. Russell didn’t seem to notice on the way past, and Luke didn’t look back either, but he kept his arm around her shoulder.
A few people stopped to stare at them. She knew that was bound to happen sooner or later.
They made it to the elevator and she pressed the number for her floor as someone’s arm shot between the closing doors. They opened to reveal Russell.
“What are you doing here?” Leona demanded.
“Looking for you. You won’t answer your phone.”
“Because I don’t want to talk to you,” she snapped back.
“I realized how wrong I was to let you go.” Russell glanced at Luke and back. “But I see you don’t think much of our time together.”
“Why
would I, Russell? You betrayed me. Then tried to say I was the one cheating when you were. You tried to get money out of me, when you left me months ago. I’m over it.”
“The divorce was final last week.”
She barked out a laugh. “We fell apart years ago. And you were fucking Mindy for a year before you filed for a divorce. You blew any chance of a reconciliation, not me.”
“I was confused, Leona. We’ve been together since high school. I thought maybe the grass was greener on the other side. It’s not.”
“It’s a little late to expect me to actually care. Why are you really here?”
“You, I want you back.”
“Too late for that. I don’t even remember why I loved you in the first place. So please, leave me alone.”
“We can’t talk about this?”
“There is nothing to talk about. I’m done with you.”
“Leona, we were so good in the beginning.”
A bitter laugh burst free. “Yeah, I was a dumb kid, and so were you. Then you decided you needed to be the king of the house, and you know what? I don’t want that.”
“So now you’re with a movie star half your age who makes more than you ever will?”
Leona rolled her eyes. “Half my age would be illegal. We’re getting to know one another. Not that it’s any of your business. Why the hell do you care anyway? Go home, go back to Mindy.”
“We’re through.”
“Why? Because you don’t have my money? Well, that’s not my problem.” The elevator opened and Leona walked out and hurried down the hall. Luke stayed behind a moment and that worried her, but she was done with the conversation.
* * * *
Luke stepped out of the elevator and Russell tried to follow. Luke caught his shoulders and shook his head. “Don’t. She clearly isn’t interested in fixing anything with you.”
“She will. We always work our issues out.”
Luke laughed. “You criticized her for what she writes. Tried to take her money when you left, while you were fucking another woman. Somehow, I don’t think you can fix what you broke. And I’m glad, because she’s everything I want.”
The Callback Page 9