Playing Dirty: San Diego Social Scene Book 3

by Tess Summers

  She brought her hand to his cheek and kissed along his jawline. “Or you could stay and have an early breakfast with me before going home and getting ready for work.”

  Cassie didn’t want the night to end. She loved being with him. She was practically throwing herself at him. This was not at all like her. Alarm bells should be going off in her head, yet, she was comfortable they weren’t.

  He shook his head gently and stood, drawing her fingertips into his fists, and pulling her up.

  “I really do want to stick to ten dates, Cass.”

  “I do, too,” she smiled, lightly swinging their entwined hands back and forth.

  His look was skeptical. She slipped her fingers from his grasp and stroked his arms.

  “Honest, Luke. I just want you to hold me tonight. That’s it. Well, and talk, maybe kiss a little more.”

  He seemed to be considering her offer, and she was surprised when he shook his head and kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I don’t trust myself, doll.”

  She almost did it. She almost begged. The word please was on the tip of her tongue, but, luckily, her pride surfaced. Besides, she didn’t know what she would do if she did beg, and he still rejected her.

  “Okay,” she agreed with a weak smile.

  They walked to the front door of the beach house, and he whistled for Rex. The retriever stood at the bottom of the stairs but refused to come to him despite his commands.

  “At least your dog wants to stay tonight.” She tried not to sound like she was pouting although she was doubtful about how successful she was.

  “I think Rex is smarter than me,” he chuckled, then nestled his face in her hair and took a deep breath in. He held her for a few minutes, not in any hurry to release her. With his arms still holding her tight against him, he whispered in her ear, “I don’t want to go either.”

  The solution seemed simple to her, and she murmured against his shoulder, “Then don’t.”

  He sighed and pulled away, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “I have to, Cass. If I stay, I’ll want to make love to you.”

  Again, she didn’t see the problem. “Then make love to me.”

  Luke closed his eyes and groaned. It was obvious he wasn’t going to relent.

  “Only eight more dates, doll,” he murmured as he kissed her cheek.

  She wanted him so badly, she didn’t think she could wait that long. Luckily, her self-respect made her keep her mouth shut about telling him that.

  With a meek smile, she managed, “See you tomorrow night, then.”

  He called for Rex, more sternly this time. The pup looked ashamed when he laid down and put his head on his paws, not obeying.

  “Let him stay tonight.” Cassie stroked Luke’s elbow. “He misses his girlfriend. You can take him home tomorrow night.”

  She could tell he didn’t like the idea of letting his dog win. She got the feeling he didn’t like the idea of anyone disobeying him. That was probably a good thing when it came to his job. Or in his bed.

  Whoa, slut, slow down.

  Looks like BOB—her battery-operated boyfriend—would be making a booty call tonight.

  Shit, did she pack it?

  He kissed her again, his lips caressing hers with unspoken promises of things to come. When they took a breath, she found herself clinging to him.

  It might not matter if she packed BOB. She was so turned on, her fingers would suffice.

  It was like he read her mind because he was on the other side of the threshold when he growled in her ear, “No one touches that pussy but me, doll.”

  Who the fuck does he think he is?

  Then he kissed her again.

  Oh. That’s who.

  It was strange as hell she wanted to do what he said. She wanted to obey him.

  Fuck. That.

  That’s not who she was. If she wanted to pleasure herself, she’d masturbate all goddamn night long if she felt like it. He had no right to tell her what to do. He had no control over her.

  Yet she went to sleep without touching herself.

  It was torture, too.

  Chapter Ten

  Luke

  He’d noticed the way her breath hitched when he demanded no one touch her pussy but him, and he couldn’t help but wonder—or was it worry—if he’d met his perfect sexual match. His cock was pissed at him all the way home, arguing, Wouldn’t the very definition of casual have meant staying when she extended the invitation?

  Maybe.

  Or maybe this was casual with a twist. Delayed gratification if you will. A test of his self-control. But it was still temporary. The fact he was eager to see her again was only so he would be one date closer to the eleventh one.

  Nothing more.

  The little nagging voice in the back of his mind asked, If it’s just about sex, why didn’t you take her up on the offer?

  The little nagging voice needed to shut the fuck up.

  ****

  Ben was still up watching television when Luke walked into the living room.

  “Hey, where’s Rex?”

  “He didn’t want to come home,” he said on an exhale as he dropped down on the couch.

  Ben paused from taking a drink of beer. “But you did?”

  Luke shook his head and mumbled forlornly, “Not really.”

  “She playing hard to get?” his roommate asked with a little too much glee for his liking.

  Luke let out a whoosh of breath and ran his hands through his black hair.

  “No, apparently, I am.” Saying it out loud made him feel like a giant wuss. The look on Ben’s face indicated he agreed with that assessment.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you, man? Have you seen that girl? Her only goddamn flaw is she likes you instead of me, and I’m even willing to give her the benefit of the doubt since she met you first, she didn’t know any better.”

  “Yeah, asshole,” Luke snarled. “I’ve seen her. And touched her. And kissed her. And held her.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know.” His voice was agitated. “We’re supposed to be getting to know each other before we sleep together. No sex until after at least ten dates.”

  “Whose idea was that?” Ben looked at him like that was the stupidest thing he’d ever heard.

  “Hers, to begin with.”

  “But you agreed?”

  “I liked the idea of getting to know her first…”

  A look of recognition followed by triumph crossed the mechanic’s face. “This is the chick who bought you at the Heroes’ auction, isn’t it? The same one from New Year’s Eve.”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “So, you’ve walked around here for the last month waiting for her to call you.” Ben stood and headed toward the kitchen, snickering, “Keep telling yourself it’s casual, buddy.”

  “Fuck off. We’ve only gone on two dates.”

  His roommate poked his head around the doorjamb. “Uh huh. And when are you seeing her again?”

  Luke remained silent. At this point, it was his best recourse.

  The kitchen light shut off and Ben reappeared, pausing on his way to his room, a more serious expression on his face.

  “She seems pretty great, Luke. I’m glad you’re giving this a shot.”

  The SWAT Sergeant shook his head. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing right now.”

  Ben threw his head back and cackled down the hall. “You’re so screwed.”

  Yeah, he was. But screwed in a good way or a bad way?

  He sighed and stood up with purpose. His friend was wrong. They were just casual.

  ****

  Cassie

  She woke up Sunday morning in a good mood, which was odd considering how sexually frustrated she was when she went to bed. Shuffling to the kitchen with bed head and still clad in her pajamas, she called for Rex and Zona while starting the coffee maker, then took them outside. She stared at the ocean, a smile on her lips as she waited for the d
ogs to sniff around. It’d been a great weekend.

  She almost let herself predict what he was going to do to make her not like him as much but for once, decided to enjoy things and see what happened. She could do a lot worse than the walking sex god that was Luke Rivas. Actually, she had a hard time imagining anyone better.

  Although she was a little dismayed at Ben’s insinuation he was a player. She didn’t get that vibe from him, and that worried her. She was okay with him being a player, she just didn’t want to get blindsided by it, thinking he was something he wasn’t.

  Cassie shook her head. Could you try to be happy and in the moment for a change?

  Brenna would be so proud of her.

  The dogs came trouncing up, wet and dirty from running into the ocean, and she grabbed one of the outside towels to rub them down before letting them inside. The mindless task let her further contemplate the situation with Luke.

  So, what if he is a player? He doesn’t owe me anything.

  We didn’t say we were monogamous.

  Hell, they weren’t even having sex yet. But the idea of him sleeping with someone else while they were dating kind of pissed her off. Maybe that was why he wasn’t in a hurry to get her into bed? He was getting his action elsewhere.

  That asshole.

  And to think, she didn’t masturbate last night when he probably went on a booty call. Maybe with that woman he had lunch with on Friday.

  “Jesus Christ, Cassandra Jo. Listen to yourself. You sound like a lunatic,” she chastised herself as she threw the towel in the hamper and walked inside.

  She really needed to find out what he was thinking in terms of their exclusivity.

  After mulling things over while eating her cereal on the patio, she wondered how she was going to have a conversation with Luke about whether they were seeing other people without actually coming out and asking him.

  Later, as she straightened up the house in anticipation of his arrival, she concluded maybe she didn’t want to have that discussion after all. What if he did want to be monogamous already? One great weekend together was way too soon to come to a decision like that. After all, there was Ian, the real estate agent in Ava’s office who had been flirting with her, not to mention the newly single Dr. Presley who’d made a point of letting her know his divorce was finalized. She shouldn’t limit herself because she’d had one amazing weekend with a man. Right?

  But, she didn’t think Ian was even thirty yet. Way too young for her. And, did she really want to be the doctor’s rebound fling?

  Okay, so the idea of dating those two men wasn’t that appealing. It didn’t mean there couldn’t be others. She should still keep her options open, Luke probably was.

  Her thinking earlier she should talk to him about whether they were exclusive now seemed absurd. Thank God she’d had the day to think it through before she’d said anything.

  It’s only been two dates, for heaven’s sake! They hadn’t even made it to second base.

  Besides, he was probably going to be a disappointment in bed.

  Now, she’d gone too far. Even she couldn’t believe that lie she was trying to tell herself.

  ****

  Luke

  The hostage situation was creeping up on seven hours.

  Shit.

  He was going to be late for his date with Cassie, if he even made it at all. He hadn’t had a chance to text her all day and let her know what was going on. He slid his cell from his front pocket and quickly pulled up her number.

  Luke: Can’t really talk but wanted to let you know, on a SWAT call. Don’t know when I’ll be done. I’m so sorry.

  Two hours later, his team had breached the building using tear gas and managed to rescue all the hostages without any casualties. The bad guy was on his way to jail and patrol was here to clean up the aftermath. That was his favorite thing he loved about SWAT. They got to go in, fuck shit up, and walk away without having to deal with the mess they made.

  He finally had a chance to look at his phone again. Her missed texts made him smile.

  Cassie Sullivan: Rex, Zona, and I will be waiting whenever you get here.

  Cassie Sullivan: Don’t worry about it being too late. We’ll just order pizza.

  Cassie Sullivan: No worries if you can’t make it, Rex is fine here for the night. Keep me posted and let me know you’re safe.

  Luke: En route to the station now. I’ll grab a quick shower and head your way.

  Her response was immediate.

  Cassie Sullivan: See you soon.

  Not soon enough as far as he was concerned.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cassie

  She could tell he was exhausted by the dark circles under his eyes and the smile that was slow to form on his lips. Cassie ushered him into the house and promptly instructed him to get comfortable on the couch in the family room that adjoined the kitchen. She stood behind him on the sofa and kneaded her fingers into his tense shoulder blades, causing him to moan with appreciation. Still rubbing his shoulders, she leaned down next to his ear.

  “I’m going to call for delivery. What do you want on your pizza?” She caught his clean scent and gently kissed below his ear. “Or do you want something besides pizza?”

  His low chuckle was barely audible, and she gasped.

  “I swear, I didn’t mean it like that!”

  “No?” Luke grabbed her wrist and tugged her over the couch into his lap, laughing at her faux pas. His hand snaked around her hip as he held her against him. “That’s too bad because I would very much like something besides pizza,” he murmured into her hair, his eyes closed.

  Cassie pulled back and looked at him, his eyes opening when she brought her hand up to stroke the side of his cheek.

  She gazed into his green eyes, trying to figure out how he’d managed to make her care so much about him in such a short period of time. His stare back was so raw and genuine, it caused her to catch her breath. With an irresistible desire to feel closer to him, she leaned down and captured his lips with hers.

  He let her control the kiss for a moment, then with a low growl, buried a hand in her hair to turn her in his lap so she was straddling him. She felt his hard cock against the heat between her legs and began to grind her hips against him, holding his face in both hands while he took charge of their making out.

  “Fuuuuck,” he groaned against her mouth and held her hips tight, pulling her deeper into him.

  Their kisses became more frenzied, and she pressed her clothed chest against his. She needed to feel his bare skin against hers. The yearning to have him inside her was overwhelming her senses. She began to tug on his shirt and felt his hands go around her wrists, holding them in place. He broke the kiss and shook his head.

  “Baby doll, I don’t trust myself to be able to stop. I want you so fucking badly.”

  Being able to drive him crazy with lust made her feel like a goddamn goddess. Of course, she was equally crazed, but that wasn’t the point.

  She arched back to pull her blouse over her head and dropped it on the floor, meeting his hungry eyes as she slipped her hands around her back and undid her bra. Letting it fall down to her elbows, she leaned forward and pressed against his chest, shimmying the straps down further until the black lace garment was completely free from her body.

  “We’ll just go to second base,” she breathed in his ear and slid her hands under his shirt, relishing the feel of his warm skin against her palms.

  Luke reached behind his neck and tugged below the collar of his shirt, bringing it over his head in one motion, tossing it next to hers.

  Cassie swallowed hard when she caught sight of his bare chest and chiseled abs. She’d seen them when he was on stage at the benefit, but there was no comparison to being up close and personal.

  Very personal.

  He caressed both her breasts in his hands, squeezing lightly while looking up at her, whispering, “God, Cass, you are beautiful.” She gasped when he drew one nipple into his mouth and ge
ntly sucked. Switching to her other tit, he lavished his tongue around her areola, causing her skin to break out in goosebumps before he caught the tip of flesh between his teeth and tugged until she cried out. She felt him smile as he kneaded her other breast in his palm, then switched to attend to it with his mouth.

  “I love your tits. They are fucking perfect,” he moaned and squeezed them together, rapid-fire alternating sucking on her nipples.

  With her fingers in his hair, she drew him closer to her, just as her stomach growled. Loudly.

  He looked up at her in surprise, and they were both frozen in place, unsure of how to handle the situation. They burst out laughing at the same time. Luke lifted her off his lap and deposited her next to him on the couch.

  “Let’s get that pizza ordered, doll.”

  Cassie was about to protest when her stomach grumbled again. Giggling, she reluctantly agreed.

  She slipped her blouse back on, but left her bra laying on the floor and went to grab her phone from the counter, turning back in time to see Luke reaching for his shirt.

  “Oh, no, no, no,” she scolded.

  He furrowed his brows. “What do you mean, no?

  “Sorry, babe, but I’m afraid you’re going to be objectified until the pizza gets here.”

  He leaned back with a grin and laced his fingers behind his head. She didn’t know if he was flexing his triceps on purpose or if it was simply a natural reaction to his arm position. Regardless, she needed to look away before she started to drool, so she started scrolling through her phone for the number to the local pizza place. Glancing back at him once the number started to ring, she caught her breath. He hadn’t moved, but each time she looked at him, she couldn’t get over how hot he was.

  Like, smokin’ hot.

  So hot, alarm bells should be going off in her head. No guy was that gorgeous and not a player.

  But the way he had looked at her before they started making out felt like it touched her soul, and she knew her feelings were not one-sided.

  Holy hell, this was uncharted territory.