A Modern Love Story

by Jolyn Palliata

  “You weren’t supposed to be here.”

  She stopped her advance and fisted her hands on her hips. “Well, no fucking shit, Luc. But I was. And you were. And she was.” She shook her head. “You don’t even get it, do you? Do you know how that made me feel? To know you pushed me away and pulled that into your bed instead?”

  “You were drunk. I couldn’t even think of—”

  She held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I know, okay. I know what you think about me, how you feel about me. I get it. I came onto you, drunk, and you weren’t having it. Fine. But even you, as heartless as you can be, have to be able to see how what you did, what I saw, hurt me. No matter the circumstance, Luc, you pushed me off—literally—and flaunted another girl in my face.”

  He just stood there, looking down at her, arms limp at his side and sadness filling those deep, dark eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. You know me, Robbie. You know I wouldn’t hurt you. Not on purpose.”

  “Maybe not on purpose, but you did.” She sighed and scrubbed her hands over her face. This had to be done. She had to get over it, and start getting over him. “I’m going to bed. Just…” She dropped her arms, turned away. “Just leave me alone.”

  *****

  Luc laid in his bed, but didn’t sleep. He couldn’t fucking sleep. How the hell could he? She was right, absolutely right, to blast him like she did. He had done exactly what she accused him of. How could he argue with that?

  He shifted to get up, to go to her, but made himself ease back and settle—the same as he had the other fifteen times he had wanted to go out there. She had told him to leave her alone. If she meant anything to him, anything at all, he had to respect her wishes.

  This fucking sucked.

  He didn’t know what to do, what to think, how to handle it all. She said she knew how he felt about her, what he thought about her. Did she? Could she even know when he wasn’t sure what he thought, what he felt, himself?

  Did he find her attractive? Hell, yeah he did…like no other. Would he have loved to get his hands on a body like that? Fuck, yeah! He was human, wasn’t he? Shit, he had wanted her naked and under him since she flashed him in the shower two fucking years ago. The image of her was still seared into his brain; her body, bold and beautiful, and wet. Even now, he had to work to shake the memory clear. But it was Robbie. His Robbie.

  After the night she kissed him, ground her hips against his, he could think of nothing else except finding a way to seduce her, to have her. To get her to want him, to be with him, when she was sober and lucid. But he couldn’t do that to her. Couldn’t manipulate her in that way. Other girls—fine, no problem. Not Robbie though. She deserved better. She deserved more. He couldn’t take care of her, watch out for her, if he was looking at her in that way. In that light. He cared about her—hell, he loved her—too much for her to mean so little to him. He couldn’t be careless with her.

  He had to get his fucking head straight on that simple fact. That was why he’d brought Lydia home on their lunch break. He needed a release, to have and take someone, and she was always a willing participant. No strings attached. Robbie wasn’t supposed to be there. She wasn’t supposed to fucking see that! It was her own fucking fault for being there!

  He gritted his teeth, and forced himself to relax. It wasn’t her fault, it was his. He fucked up, not her. He was pissed because she caught him, because it made him feel guilty. Guilt he felt because he had hurt her. He couldn’t fucking stand the fact that he hurt her.

  *****

  A few months later, Robbie was standing in the middle of her itty-bitty dorm room, trying to decide where everything should go. It wasn’t like she had a ton of stuff, but still…there was no room in here!

  “This is the last of it.” Luc set the box down on her bed and surveyed the room himself. “This is pretty small, Squirt.”

  “Tell me about it.” She threw her hands up. “But what can I do? I’ll just have to make it work.”

  “Do you need anything else before I go?”

  “Naw, I don’t think so. But I wanted to talk to you, if you have a minute.”

  “For you? Anytime.”

  She sat on the edge of her bed and gestured for him to join her. “The past few months have been busy, huh?”

  He nodded. “I guess. We’ve both been working a lot, putting in long hours. So, yeah.”

  “I feel like we’ve been avoiding each other.”

  He blew out a breath, glanced at her. “I suppose we have.”

  “I don’t want that, Luc.” She touched his arm. “You mean too much to me.”

  Smiling, he draped an arm around her shoulder. “Shit. I’m glad you said that. This tension has been killing me. I didn’t want to push, ya know?”

  “I know. I needed the space to cool off, and you gave it to me. So, thanks for that.”

  “I’m sorry. About everything. I hate that I hurt you.”

  “It’s all right. You didn’t mean to. I know that.” She patted his hand as it rubbed up and down her arm, and then stood. “Well, I guess I should get to work at all this.” She glanced over at Lizbeth’s side of the room and her pile of boxes. “Got our work cut out for us.”

  “Yeah, you do. Oh, hey. I almost forgot.” He dug a piece of paper out of the front pocket of his jeans and handed it over. “Our new address.”

  “You’re moving this weekend, right?”

  “Yup. That’s when my lease is up on the old place.”

  “Bet Conrad is happy to be finally moving out of the Powell’s.”

  “He is, but he’ll miss them. It was cool they let him stay until he could save enough. The two-bedroom is pretty small, but we can afford it. So, that’s something.”

  Robbie smiled. “I’m not surprised they let him stay. They’re his family. Family watches out for family.”

  “You’re my family.” Luc tugged on a lock of her hair. “I love you, Squirt.”

  “I love you, too, Stretch.”

  “And I’d love it if someone could grab this box before I drop it.” Lizbeth stumbled in, one box sliding precariously across the top of another.

  Luc plucked it easily off the top. “We finally meet.”

  Lizbeth smiled and tossed back her raven-black hair. “You must be Luc.” She dropped the box she was holding at her feet and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you at long last.”

  He shook her hand. “Likewise. Well, I better get going.” He glanced over to Robbie. “Call me when you get settled?”

  “You bet.”

  He flashed a quick, endearing smile before ducking out into the busy hallway.

  Lizbeth stepped to Robbie’s side, knocked her with her shoulder. “That was Luc?”

  Robbie was still staring at the doorway, even though he was long gone. “That was Luc.”

  “Mind if I get me a piece of that?”

  “Yeah, I mind. A lot.” She slated a glare in Lizbeth’s direction.

  “I thought you might.” Lizbeth laughed, obviously very pleased with herself. “Come on. Let’s get unpacked.”

  Chapter 5

  Twenty years old

  Robbie let out a squeal as she grabbed Lizbeth’s arm. “I can hardly believe we’re finally here!”

  “No kidding, right?” Lizbeth gave Robbie’s arm a responding squeeze. “It’s like a dream.”

  “Step aside, ladies. Coming through.” They shifted, still clinging to each other, as Conrad came up behind them, winded, with his dark blond hair damp around his temple. He dropped two suitcases and three duffle bags at their feet. “Why do girls do that?”

  “Do what?” Lizbeth asked.

  “Grab onto each other when they’re excited about something? If I did that to one of you, I’d get smacked.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, handsome. I might let you get ahold of me.” Lizbeth winked as his eyebrows flew up.

  Robbie laughed. “Give it a rest you two. We haven’t even checked in yet. Where’s Luc?”

  “He was
…” Conrad glanced behind him. “Here he comes.”

  Luc, loaded down with three suitcases and four duffle bags, strode easily through the lobby doors and set the bags down with the others. “I want to know what two women need a fleet of luggage for.”

  Robbie patted his shoulder, then squeezed it as if testing for sturdiness. “You can take it, Stretch.”

  “Didn’t say I couldn’t, but the question remains. All you need is a couple pair of shorts, shirts and a suit. No more. No less.”

  Lizbeth gasped in mock horror, her gray eyes popping wide. “For a trip to the Bahamas? Are you kidding me? You need dresses and sandals. No less than four different swimsuits—”

  “Four swimsuits? Why do you need four swimsuits?”

  “Luc,” Robbie said, “you very obviously don’t understand. Think about it. We’ll be practically living on the beach or at the pool. We can’t wear the same suit every day. That would be like wearing the same outfit every day, and even you wouldn’t do that.”

  Luc opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it shut again as he glanced to Conrad, apparently seeking some male solidarity.

  Conrad held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. Seems like a sound argument.”

  “See?” Lizbeth purred, running her hand down his arm. “I knew I liked you.”

  Conrad flashed a goofy grin at Luc and tipped his head at Lizbeth. “Beautiful here likes me.”

  “Damn suck up,” Luc grumbled, gesturing toward the guest counter. “Let’s get checked in. Ladies, watch the bags.”

  Robbie watched as Luc walked away, unintentionally cocking her head to the side as she checked out his ass. When she realized what she was doing, she glanced to Lizbeth only to see her doing the same as she watched Conrad.

  Snickering, she elbowed Lizbeth. “Enjoying the view.”

  “Like you weren’t?”

  “Ha! Saw that, huh?”

  “Yup. Can’t blame you though. No more than I can blame myself. Damn. Conrad is looking fine.”

  “He just broke up with Kate, ya know.”

  Lizbeth flashed a knowing smile. “Which is why I’m taking full advantage of the situation. And you should, too. Then we could double.”

  “With Luc? No. No way. Not even going there.” And yet, the thought remained compelling.

  Lizbeth slipped an arm around her waist and tipped her head in to whisper. “Come on. You can take a vacation from yourself. Just blame the Mai Tais.”

  Robbie matched Lizbeth’s position and tone. “I tried that one, remember? Didn’t work out so well.” She shook her head. “No. I’m good. We’re friends, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

  “Don’t you think he’s hot?”

  Robbie watched him across the way—long with lean muscles, sunglasses tucked in tussled midnight hair, dark eyes flicking a glance at her, and a brilliant white smile to go with it. “Damn. I still have eyes, don’t I?” She swiped at her mouth. “And drool too, apparently.”

  Lizbeth giggled. “Amen, sista.”

  “But I’m not going down that road again.”

  “You love him.”

  Surprised, Robbie slated her eyes at Lizbeth.

  “You can’t fool me, Rob.”

  “No.” She looked back at Luc as the two guys walked toward them. “You’re right. I do. But that’s why I had to let him go.”

  *****

  “You sure I look okay?” Robbie asked Lizbeth as she opened the pool gate.

  “For the hundredth time, yes. You look fabulous. That emerald green cover-up makes your eyes pop. It’s perfect. And the suit underneath…” She snickered as she fanned herself.

  “Oh, shut up. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it.”

  “You’re beautiful, and you know it. Oh, hey. There they are.” Lizbeth gestured towards Luc and Conrad, already kicked back in their swim trunks with two empty chaise loungers between them. Lizbeth strolled up and dropped her beach bag on the ground, claiming the lounger next to Conrad as her own. “You guys are good. Perfect location.”

  “Took you two long enough,” Luc mumbled, lifting his sunglasses to get a good look at them. “I like your shirt,” he said to Robbie before dropping his glasses down and turning away.

  “Thanks, Stretch.”

  “Wait till you see what she’s got under it,” Lizbeth said.

  Luc turned back as Robbie smacked Lizbeth in the arm. “What’s under it?”

  “It’s nothing. Just a suit.” Robbie sat and shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked around. “Hell. I’m leaving the cover-up on.” She pulled an oversized floppy hat and sunglasses out of her bag.

  “Got your sun block?” Luc asked. “That skin could get burned on a cloudy day here.”

  “Yup. And you’re right.” Robbie pulled out her sun block. “Which is why this cover-up is staying on.”

  “You’re no fun,” Lizbeth said, peeling off her own cover-up to reveal a crimson red string bikini underneath.

  “Holy shit,” Conrad muttered, staring slack-jawed at Lizbeth as she adjusted her sunglasses and laid back into a reclining position. “Sorry, Rob. I might have to start calling Lizbeth here gorgeous and you beautiful.”

  Lizbeth smiled and reached over to trail a finger up and down his arm. “Aren’t you just the charmer?”

  “Oh, boy,” Robbie mumbled, earning a snicker from Luc.

  Robbie was more than generous as she spread on and rubbed in the sun block. She so didn’t need to get sunburned on her very first day of vacation. As she worked on her legs, she glanced over at Luc and then studied the lines of him, the planes of his muscles. Damn, look at that body! She could slurp him up in one sitting!

  When he shifted, her eyes darted back to what she was doing. No need to get caught staring. But she couldn’t resist one more peek. She could tell he had sun block on with the way his skin glistened, and yet, she knew with his olive coloring he’d be bronzed and beautiful in no time at all. Lucky bastard. Why couldn’t she have skin like that? But no, she gets to be pale as a ghost or red as a lobster.

  Scowling, she adjusted her hat and sat back.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Luc asked.

  “Nothing,” Robbie grumbled, surveying the scene in front of them.

  The pool was busy. There were lots of people their own age, a scattering of older couples, and plenty of families. People splashed in the water, spread out in the sun, cozied up to each other, and bellied up to the outdoor tiki bar. There were screams and laughter, mumblings of private conversations, and underlying it all was the sound of the ocean, not more than fifty yards away.

  “God, it’s just stunning here,” Robbie said, watching a family of four slip into the shallow end of the pool. “Can you imagine bringing your family here for vacation? I bet they’d have a blast.”

  “Not my family. We’d kill each other,” Lizbeth said.

  “What are you talking about? Your family is great,” Robbie said. “Someday, when I have a family of my own, I’m coming back here.”

  “Me too,” seconded Lizbeth.

  “What about you, Stretch? Would you come back here with yours?” Robbie asked.

  He shook his head. “I don’t need a family.” He jerked a thumb in her direction. “I’ll just tag along with yours.”

  Robbie briefly laid a hand on his arm. “One of these days, Luc, you’re gonna change your mind about that.”

  “Not bloody likely.”

  She smiled at the same old argument. She wanted a family, ached to have one again, and he could care less because he had never known how truly good and pure it could be. The L’s were the closest thing he’d ever had, and even they’d eventually left him.

  Lizbeth’s sudden gasp had Robbie turning towards her. “Robbie. Look at that fine specimen of a man.”

  Robbie followed her gaze and nearly gasped herself. “Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. Wow.”

  “You can say that again. Damn. Look at that physique. Very nice.”

  �
��I didn’t think men like that even existed.”

  “Oh, they do. They’re rare, but they do. And when you find one, watch out because he will knock you on your ass.”

  Robbie hissed out a breath. “Look at those eyes, that hair…those arms.” She licked her lips. “Wonder if he has a dark side to match the rest.”

  “I’d kill to find out,” Lizbeth breathed. “Oh, yeah. We’d get along just fine.”

  “For Christ’s sake. Cut it out,” Conrad said.

  Lizbeth giggled. “Oh, if it was a girl, you’d be talking about how hot she was.”

  Conrad peered over the top of his sunglasses and studied the guy. “I don’t know. The way you keep going on, I might start to think he’s pretty hot, too.”

  Lizbeth snorted a laugh and smacked him in the bicep.

  “Shit,” Conrad said. “How do you girls expect us common men to keep thinking we have any chance at all against that. Talk about crushing a guy down.”

  “Don’t put me in your class, man,” Luc said. “Common man, my ass.”

  “That’s right,” Robbie put in, patting Luc’s arm with a laugh. “Studly here is a man all his own.”

  “See,” Luc said. “Despite the ill-timed laugh—which I’ll completely ignore—the woman has impeccable taste.”

  *****

  The afternoon flew by as Luc watched the world around him. Directly next to him, in particular. Robbie’s milky-white skin, protected by the half-bottle of sun block she slathered on, just about glowed in the brilliant sunlight. Her off-the-shoulder shirt-thingy was nearly mid-thigh, but it was filmy and light, streaming down her body and drifting off her curves in all the right places. Or wrong places, depending upon your perspective.

  On more than one occasion, Luc had to force himself to look away. It wasn’t often he saw her in a suit—or a suit and a shirt, in this case. But during the last couple of years, since he’d lived with her those few brutal months, he couldn’t help but to see her in a different light. Far different than he thought he ever would. She was a looker. No fucking question about it, but he knew better than to go there. It used to be more difficult than it was now. There were times when he would picture her flashing him in the shower, or their brief make-out session on the couch, and he would feel the familiar ache and warming in his belly that only she could stoke to such an intense heat. But he’d learned to effectively shut it down, or at least bring it down to a steady simmer. Now he could look and appreciate, without the fear of his instincts and urges taking over. And without having to worry about hurting her. She’d always deserve far more than he could ever give her. Much more than a simple tumble in the sheets.