“I know. Keith told me.” She cocked her head to the side. “Why?”
“A couple of reasons.” He rested his hand on her leg, needing to touch her. The past week had been the longest of his life. “I needed to pay off Staghart. It was my screw-up, and I shouldn’t have run away from it.”
Allison nodded.
“Also, I’ve come to realize I don’t much like running my own business. I like creating dishes in the kitchen, watching people’s eyes light up when they taste that perfect bite of food, but I don’t like the day-to-day operations of managing a restaurant.”
“I love that stuff,” she said.
Luke snorted. “I know. I don’t understand why, but I know.”
She locked eyes with him. “Was there any other reason?”
She sucked in a deep breath, and her chest swelled. Luke didn’t let it distract him—much. “One other.” Cupping her cheek, he ran his thumb along her full bottom lip. Her breath hitched, and satisfaction shot through his gut. He might not meet her criteria for Mr. Right, especially since he was now officially unemployed. But he could damn sure make up for it by going to his wheelhouse. He drew her face to his, and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth.
Grabbing the collar of his leather jacket, she pulled herself closer. “Luke.”
The whispered word caressed his lips, made him hard in an instant.
He groaned. Conscious thought evaporated, a pounding need the only thing left in control of his body. Taking her mouth, he sucked at her lower lip until she opened for him. She tasted of nutmeg and coffee, but underneath it all was Allison. His woman.
Reaching for her lush bottom, he took a moment to just appreciate the soft curves before grabbing hold and standing.
With a yelp, she wound her legs around his hips. Holding her close, he strode around the counter and used Allison’s back to push through the swinging door into the kitchen.
She pulled her head back, panting. Luke saw the expanse of silky neck, and took advantage. She swatted his shoulder. “Luke, put me down. You’ll throw out your back before we get to the fun stuff.”
He squeezed her ass. “Shut up.”
Her chest expanded, pressed against his, and he knew she was preparing to argue. Allison was a fighter. A trait he adored. But not right now. He trailed his lips up her neck—God, she was soft—found that patch of skin below her ear that he knew was extra sensitive, and nibbled. All her breath blew out of her in a sigh. She melted against him like baked brie on a cracker.
He strode into her little office and kicked the door shut. In two steps, he sat her on the desk. He tapped her thigh. “Foot.”
Obligingly, she lifted her leg so he could attack her boot. He threw it across the room. When he reached for the other foot, she cupped his butt. Mentally shrugging, he went back to his task. Fair was fair. He’d had his fun with her rear end. Now she could have hers. But if her hand went any lower… He froze. Shit. She went lower. Growling, he yanked off the boot and whipped back around, capturing her wandering hand in his. Not dropping his gaze, he placed a wet kiss on her palm. “Hands to yourself, sweet cheeks. Or I’ll be the only one having a good time.” He pressed her hand on the desk by her hip, did the same with her other hand. “Keep them there.” He went to work on the button and zipper of her jeans and dragged them down her long legs.
“What, you want me to just lie back and think of England?”
“Smart-ass,” he said. The shirt he pulled up and over her head muffled her response. Finally, she sat before him in just her underwear, her amazing curves spilling out over the top of her black lace bra. “Oh, baby.” He traced his finger over the swell of her breasts. “You’re beautiful.”
“You make me feel beautiful.” Her chocolate eyes met his, wide and trusting.
His heart pounded, feeling too full to be contained in his chest. He’d do anything for this woman. He never wanted to be undeserving of that trust. He placed a soft kiss on the top of each breast. “I need to tell you—”
“Oh, God. We’re not going to talk now. After.” Reaching her fingers into the waistband of his jeans, she tugged him close.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “But I need you to know—”
“Show me.” Allison sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. “Show me what you feel instead of telling me.”
Luke had no arguments for that. He was going to show the hell out of her. And he couldn’t resist her demand. It had been six damn nights without being inside of her, and his body refused to wait another moment.
They would have that conversation. Words needed to be said.
But for right now, he would let his body do all the talking.
* * * *
Allison looked down at her expanse of naked flesh, at his fully clothed body, and shook her head at the injustice. “Can you get naked already?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
If there were a world record for shucking clothes, they would have beat it. He tore at his jeans while Allison pushed his jacket off his shoulders. She whipped his shirt off his head, and laid her hands against his hot flesh. The soft bed of hair across his chest tickled her palms. Leaning forward, she ran her tongue over his nipple.
He groaned.
It had been a week since she’d touched him, seen every flat plane and hard bulge. She needed to make up for lost time. Allison swept her gaze down, biting her lip when she saw how much he wanted her. Over his firm thighs, and down to… She broke out in laughter.
Luke stood on the crotch of his jeans and tried to tug his other leg free. But his big black boots got in the way. “Christ.” He started to bend over, but Allison put a hand on his shoulder.
“As much as I like your feet, I don’t need to see them right now.” To persuade him to her way of thinking, she gripped his length and slid her hand slowly to the base.
“All right then.” He shuffled toward her, his pants around his ankles.
She covered her mouth to try to muffle her snort.
“Not the time to be laughing, sweet cheeks.” Placing his hands on the desk on either side of her hips, Luke leaned forward, and took her mouth. His broad crown nudged her panties, hit her in just the right spot, and all amusement evaporated.
Allison moaned. Each slide of his tongue sent sparks racing through her. His mouth was demanding, his lips possessive. The need within her raged. Luke skimmed his hands up her back, and she arched into his touch like a cat. He unhooked her bra and broke away from her mouth long enough to draw the straps down her arms. He cupped a breast, his palm warm.
“God, I missed you, Allison.” He squeezed, and Allison arched into his caress.
“Certain parts of me more than others.” Grinning, she looked down at his hand, his bronzed skin a stark contrast to her creamy flesh.
“Smart mouth.” Luke shook his head. “I think I missed that part of your body most of all.”
“Huh. I really thought you were going to go with smart a—”
He cut her off, covering that mouth with his own. He tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth as he tweaked her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
Allison’s mind short-circuited. She’d been a fool to think she could give this up. Give Luke up. She didn’t care what it took, but they would make it work somehow.
Luke straightened, and his gaze burned down her body. He gripped the lace waistband of her panties, and tore.
Allison huffed out a breath. “Again?” She tried to sound annoyed. After all, that was the third pair he’d ruined. But she had to admit it sent a shiver straight to her core when he ripped them off her body.
Nudging her thighs wider, Luke ran his hand up and down her sides. “And again and again.” He brushed his lips against hers, this kiss feather light. “I know it’s only been a week, but it’s felt like forever. Not being with you. Not waking up with you by my side
.”
“I know.” She cupped his cheek. “I feel the same way.” She ran her hands over his chest, around to his back. She held him tight. Afraid he’d disappear. “Luke, you know I’m on the pill. Do you want to…”
He dug his fingers into her hips. Dipping his knees an inch, he notched his head at her entrance and slid home on one thrust. Allison gasped for breath. Okay, question asked and answered. Luke wrapped one arm around her back, and the other hand gripped the base of her neck. He held her steady, and rolled his hips in one supple and steady motion. She clutched his arm. He held her gaze, the look in his eye sending her heart into summersaults. This moment went far beyond two heated bodies seeking release. She’d asked for Luke to show her how he felt, and he was exposing his soul.
She reached back to brace herself, and sent a mug of pens crashing to the floor. He was so hot, so slick inside her, and she swore she could feel each ridge and vein. Every nerve ending in her channel sparked into life.
Luke dropped his forehead to rest on hers. Trailing his fingers down her spine, he gripped her waist, his fingers digging into her flesh. Her pulse raced. Luke moved faster, pistoning forward in quick bursts. Allison raised her knees, bracketing his lean hips, and he slid deeper.
Allison threw her head back. “Oh God.”
Luke buried his face in her neck, and nipped at the tendon that connected to her shoulder. He stiffened, twitched. “I love you, Allison.” The words ended with a groan.
Heat flooded her core and sent her over the edge. Resting her head on his shoulder, Allison wrapped her arms around his back, and rode the waves of pleasure.
Their bodies cooled as their breathing slowed. Luke enveloped her in a bear hug and kissed the top of her head. Pulling out, he looked around and spotted a box of tissues on the side of her desk. He tugged out a white square and cleaned them up.
Allison reached behind her for her bra. “Let’s not wait another week to do that again.”
“Every damn night.” He bent for his pants. “Now that’s out of our systems, we can talk. I wanted—”
His phone rang, the tone muffled by his pants. Luke zipped up, and pulled the phone from his back pocket. “Yeah,” he answered. “No, it’s eleven at night. Now?” He listened, grunting a few times. “Fine,” he said, not sounding happy.
Allison gathered her clothes, sans underwear, and dressed while he talked. She leaned against the desk.
Luke disconnected and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to take off.”
Allison froze. “Take off.”
“To my hotel. There was a lease assignment that’s missing a signature.” He shook his head. “My attorney says it needs to be signed today. He says he’s already sent it to the hotel’s business center, and they’ve printed it out.”
“Will you come back to my place after?”
Luke shrugged into his coat. “It might be late, and I want you to get your rest for tomorrow. It’s going to be a busy day.” He cocked his head. “You do want my help in the kitchen, right?”
“Well, duh.” She rubbed a palm down the thigh of her jeans. “We’ll probably be too busy to talk tomorrow. But…you are back to make this work? We’re going to give us a chance?”
He shook his head, and Allison’s stomach hit the floor. A slow grin spread across his face. “I’m not leaving it to chance. I’m making it a certainty.”
She slapped his shoulder. “Jerk.” She sucked in a full breath, her muscles sagging with relief. But she couldn’t stay annoyed with him for long. “Have any plans for Christmas?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I had hoped to re-create our night in front of your tree. We might be able to squeeze some talking in, too.”
“It’s a date, hot shot.” She gripped the desk, feeling like she might float off in a second. They had things to work out. A whole lot, actually. But for the first time, she felt real hope.
Luke plucked a rag off the floor, and Allison saw it was her shredded panties. She circled her desk and picked up the small trash can, holding it up. With a wicked grin, he tucked the scraps in his front pocket.
Allison shook her head.
“I’ll walk you out?” he asked.
Allison put the trash can down. “I’ve got more work here. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth and wrapped his arms around her for one last squeeze. “Don’t stay out too late.”
“Yes, Dad.”
With a regretful glance, Luke strode through the door and was gone.
Allison wandered into the kitchen. She washed her hands and pulled out tubs of lettuce. She hummed as she chopped, even threw in a spin as she moved between counters. Getting into the spirit, she turned on some rock ’n’ roll and shimmied while she worked.
Luke was back, and this time, she wasn’t going to let him get away.
Allison gathered the ingredients for her Cajun butternut squash soup. A little of her ebullience ebbed as she looked at the hours of work ahead of her. Because of her escapade with Luke, she was going to be here very, very late.
Totally worth it.
Chapter Twenty
Allison kicked off her pumps and paced the Bride’s Room at the church. She and Luke had spent hours preparing dinner before leaving to shower and change. The reception hall was glittering with twinkle lights. The church was bedecked with tulle and bouquets. And Allison was squeezed into a pale pink maid of honor’s dress. Not her best color.
She had worked her ass off for this wedding, and the very least the bride could do was show up. She called Sadie again. Straight to voice mail. Same with Colt’s. Twenty minutes before “Here Comes the Bride” was supposed to play, no bride or groom. Plopping onto a chair, Allison rolled her neck and tried to think of what to do. She stood back up.
Luke popped his head in the door. “Any word?”
“None.” Allison chewed on her lip. “Luke, what if something happened? What if their car went off the road? What if—”
Luke took her hands. “They were coming in two separate cars. There’s no way they both went off the road. They’re probably fooling around and forgot about the time.”
“Colt might do that, but Sadie wouldn’t. She probably has three alarms set telling her when to leave.” Allison hopped from foot to foot, the floor cold through her nylons.
Luke frowned and found her pumps. He prodded her into a chair, and knelt before her. “I’ll drive over to their place and see what the holdup is.”
“And that’s right when they’ll show up.”
“I’m not a member of the wedding party, just a guest. It’ll be okay if I miss the ceremony.” He rubbed her legs. “I’ve seen enough weddings.”
“Well, you’re not going to see this one.” Judge Nichols strode into the room, with Miss Eugenie on his heels. “Colt’s father just delivered a note to me, from the missing bride and groom.”
Eugenie peered around his shoulder. “Well, read it already. What does it say?”
The judge checked the inside pocket of his new black suit, patted the other one. “Where… Ah.” He found his glasses and perched them on the end of his nose. “Colt says he’s taken Sadie to the Bahamas to elope. He wants us all to enjoy the food and drink, party in their honor, and to have a Merry Christmas.”
“They what now?” Allison spluttered. They wouldn’t do that. Sadie wouldn’t ditch the beautiful wedding that Allison had spent so many hours on. She rubbed her nose. Okay, maybe she was making this day too much about herself. But Sadie had spent countless hours planning this wedding, too. It would kill her to miss it.
But her best friend hadn’t been doing too well leading up to the big day. Sadie having a worry-free wedding, toes in the sand, was probably the best thing for her.
Allison huffed. Sadie would come back all tan and relaxed, and Allison was going to have to clean up the
unused wedding she’d helped create. It didn’t quite seem fair.
Sam and Camilla burst into the room. “What is going on?” Sam asked. “The crowd is getting restless.”
Eugenie clasped her hands together. “Well, Colt and Sadie have run off, leaving us without a wedding.”
Allison’s parents wandered in, and caught the tail end. “Why would they leave?”
Luke grimaced. “I told Colt he needed to be proactive. Sadie was making herself sick with worry.” He pinched his nose. “I guess this is the plan he came up with. Kidnapping her to the Bahamas to elope.”
Allison’s mom sighed. “So romantic.”
Sam snorted. “You would have killed us if we’d eloped.”
Cam nodded in agreement.
“Look.” Allison stepped forward. “We have a group of people waiting for a wedding that isn’t going to happen, but we have a reception hall full of booze and good food. Judge Nichols, do you want to make the announcement?”
“Wait.” Luke drummed his fingers on his thigh. He stared off into space, and nodded. “I need to talk to Allison.” Grabbing her hand, he dragged her out the door and into a corner in the vestibule.
“What?”
“Doesn’t this seem like a sign?” Luke’s eyes gleamed. “Like the world is trying to tell us something?”
“Yeah, that I should have made Sadie sleep at my house last night, made her less of a flight risk.”
Luke waved that away. “Here we are, at a church, filled with your family and friends.”
“Your friends, too.” Allison took his hand.
“My friends, too,” he said. “And here you are in your cotton-candy monstrosity”—he held her arms out and looked down her body—“somehow managing to make it look sexy as hell. It seems like fate. What do you say?”
“What do I say to what?” But Allison knew. Her stomach fluttered, and she knew she was about to come face-to-face with the biggest decision of her life. She licked her lips. “What are you asking?”
The Christmas Wedding Swap Page 24