Playing Dirty: San Diego Social Scene Book 3

by Tess Summers

  She smirked. “God, I hope so. Sir.”

  Check, please.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Cassie

  She wasn’t brave enough to return the favor of masturbating him under the table—she was worried it would be too obvious—but she did tease and talk dirty in his ear. Then gave him roadhead on the drive home.

  They walked into Luke’s house through the door leading from the garage and discovered Ben was making dinner.

  “What are you doing home?” Luke asked. “I thought you were having dinner with what’s-her-name.”

  “Change of plans.” Ben scowled at them both as he stirred the contents of the saucepan on the stovetop.

  Cassie set her purse on the counter and asked gently, “Wanna talk about it?”

  “Nope. You guys can go. I’ll take care of Rex.”

  “See ya later, dude.” Luke ushered her out the door by her elbow, barely pausing so she could retrieve her clutch.

  “Don’t you think we should stay and be with him?” she asked, stumbling over her feet as he tugged her back through the garage to his Challenger. He opened the passenger door, and she slid inside.

  “Fuck no. When Ben says to leave him alone, you leave him the hell alone.”

  She quirked her eyebrow at him before he shut her door. “Is that a guy thing?”

  He rounded the front and got in the driver’s side. “Eh, to an extent, yes, but with Ben, especially. He’s very introspective. He’s probably going to spend the whole night analyzing how much effort this girl is worth so he can decide how he wants to proceed.”

  “What do you mean, how much effort she’s worth and how he wants to proceed?”

  Luke shrugged. “It’s simple. Does he like her enough to continue pursuing her even though something obviously didn’t go right tonight? If he decides she’s worth it, he’ll keep trying. If he decides she’s not, he’ll cut his losses.”

  “What makes her worthy?”

  “Lots of things. Her personality, looks, brains, body, sex appeal, how she is in bed. Is she high maintenance? Stuff like that. If he thinks she is, he’ll try harder. If not, he’ll move on.”

  “Wow. It’s that easy?”

  “Most of the time, yeah.” His tone was unapologetic.

  He grabbed Cassie’s hand and kissed her knuckles with a wink. “But now and then, a woman comes along and knocks you on your ass, and you’ll move heaven and earth to be with her.”

  She hoped he was talking about her, it seemed like he was.

  “I’d hate to think you’d ever have to reduce yourself to a pros and cons chart to decide if you wanted to be with me. If that ever happens, do us both a favor and just don’t.”

  Luke squeezed her hand. “Not a chance.”

  ****

  Luke

  He got home the next morning to find Ben sweaty in running clothes, downing a sports drink. Rex’s tongue was hanging out when he greeted Luke with a slobbery kiss; he’d obviously just drank water.

  “You’re home early,” Ben said between gulps.

  “Yeah, I’ve got some things I need to do today.”

  Luke started toward the hall leading to the bedrooms when Ben called, “You tell her yet?” His tone was aggressive.

  Luke was feeling just enough testosterone in his veins to take the bait and turned. “Tell her what?” he snarled. He knew exactly what Ben was referring to.

  “That you’re fucking married.”

  Luke folded his arms across his chest and widened his stance. “No, I haven’t yet. You have a problem with that?”

  Ben stepped toward Luke, snorting in disbelief. “Yeah, I have a problem with that. She’s a cool chick, and you’re playing her dirty by not being honest with her. She deserves better.”

  If Ben hadn’t been his best friend, Luke would have lunged for his him, instead, he clenched and unclenched his fists hidden under his elbows.

  “Don’t fucking tell me what she deserves.”

  “Well, someone needs to be looking out for her because it sure as hell ain’t you.”

  Luke grabbed Ben by his sweaty t-shirt. “I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you today. You obviously are looking for a fight, so I’m betting it has nothing to do with me. But hear me now. I love that woman, and I am not playing her dirty. I know I need to tell her, but I can’t…” He abruptly let go of Ben’s shirt and retreated down the hall.

  Ben followed him. “Hey, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

  “Fuck off,” Luke snarled from inside his bedroom, poised to slam the door. His roommate kept coming down the hall and stopped in front of Luke’s door before he banged it closed.

  “No, seriously. I didn’t realize you were in that deep with her. I’m just projecting my own shit. I’m really sorry.” He offered his hand in a grip as if he wanted to arm wrestle.

  Luke glared at him for a moment, then grasped Ben’s hand. The mechanic pulled him for a bro hug. Smirking while they patted each other’s backs, Luke asked, “Did you say you were projecting?”

  They pulled apart, and Ben looked unperturbed. “It’s a thing, look it up.”

  “I know it’s a thing. I’m just wondering where you heard it.”

  Ben shrugged. “I’m getting in touch with my feelings.”

  Luke rolled his eyes. “Good luck with that.”

  The younger man’s expression turned serious.

  “What are you going to do about telling Cassie?”

  “I’m going to serve Adriana divorce papers again, and if she still won’t sign, I’m going down there myself and make her.”

  Ben let out a low whistle. “Wow, you are in love with this girl if you’re willing to risk your head, literally.” Luke nodded in agreement but didn’t say anything further. Ben clapped his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Well, I got your back, bro, if you need me to go to Mexico with you, I’m in.” He pronounced Mexico with a Spanish accent.

  “I’m hoping it doesn’t come down to it, but I might take you up on that,” Luke said, his tone a little defeated.

  “Lemme know when,” his roommate called over his shoulder as he walked away.

  Luke’s formerly euphoric mood after another night with Cassie was sullied, and now he was grumpy and needed to burn some energy. He threw some workout clothes in his gym bag and headed to the weight room at the station. Hopefully, he’d run into the chief since his boss had noticed his absence at the gym lately.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cassie

  Luke had been called out for the last couple of nights, so she hadn’t seen him since the morning after their date at Evangeline’s.

  She missed him, and sent him a text late Monday afternoon, telling him exactly that.

  Cassie: Am I going to see you tonight, handsome? I miss you.

  Sgt. Orgasm: I’m en route to a barricaded subject. Not sure how long I’ll be.

  She replied with a needy: Come slip into bed with me when you’re done. I don’t care what time. I’ll leave the door unlocked.

  She didn’t hear back from him. Takeout from her favorite Chinese restaurant, followed by a pint of Talenti Sea Salt Caramel ice cream was her consolation for eating by herself two nights in a row.

  It was funny, she used to cherish her alone time, safeguarded it, actually. Now, she wanted to spend all her free time with Luke. She hadn’t even seen Brenna since the first day her sister and Ron returned from their honeymoon. Her niece, Danielle, had sent her a text that morning. She was coming to San Diego the following weekend, and all Cassie could think about was whether she should bring Luke to the family dinner Brenna was sure to have. It took her all of three seconds to determine, of course, she should.

  Even though he hadn’t responded, Cassie took extra care getting ready for bed that night, making sure her legs were smooth, and there was a little dab of perfume on her neck.

  Yeah, I’m wearing perfume to bed, what about it? You know what I’m not wearing to bed? Clothes.

  She was hap
py with her decision when she woke to the sound of her front door opening, followed by heavy footsteps that were attempting to be quiet. She tried to suppress her smile when she heard his boots hit the floor, followed by the rustling of clothes being shed. He slid between the sheets and groaned when he found her completely nude. Wrapping her in an embrace, his bare chest against her naked back, he kissed her neck. He held her close and tight, breathing in deep like he was smelling her before letting out a contented sounding sigh. With an arm under her and draped around her chest, his other hand caressed from her cleavage and under her boob, down her side, and casually traced circles on her stomach. She stroked his forearm at her chest with her fingertips.

  “Hi, doll,” he murmured against her neck.

  “Hi, baby,” she replied in a soft whisper.

  “You don’t know how badly I’ve needed to hold you. Thank you for inviting me over.”

  She wiggled her bum against the erection in his boxer briefs. “Thank you for coming over.”

  His index finger stroked her slit, up and down. “I won’t be the only one coming tonight,” he growled.

  She arched against him, pushing against his cock harder and whimpering softly.

  He continued, “You’re already wet for me. Such a good girl.” Luke dipped a finger inside her. “Mmm, so wet and ready. Does my little slut want this cock?” He pressed his steel rod against her ass, and she reached behind her, trying to free his dick from his underwear.

  He pulled his hips back, out of her reach, and she whined, “Aww.”

  “You’ll get my cock when I say you can,” he warned in her ear.

  God, she loved his dirty talk and dominance. He turned her on so much. Everything about him did—his masculine, woodsy scent, deep voice, large calloused hands, green eyes, and oh-so-yummy fat cock, to name a few things.

  “Okay, Sir,” she said in a soft voice.

  He groaned in response and pulled her back close. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

  Cassie shifted her hips, not-so-subtly rolling them against his hard cock. “I actually have a pretty good idea,” she quipped.

  That caused him to chuckle and smack her bare ass.

  She reached behind his neck, drawing his face close to her so she could kiss his jaw. “Please, baby. I’ve missed you so much. I need you inside me.”

  Those were apparently the magic words. He tugged his underwear down his legs, slid his cock between her legs, and aligned himself with her entrance before thrusting himself deep inside her.

  She closed her eyes at how good he felt and let her body move in rhythm with his. He took his time, his cock slowly pushing deep inside her wet pussy and withdrawing just as slowly before sliding back in again. It was like he wanted to make sure he felt every inch of her. Like he was savoring her.

  It wasn’t lost on her how he could go from alpha dom to reverent lover in minutes. She loved both sides of him. But either side, he was always in control.

  Always.

  And she fucking loved that. She didn’t think she’d ever admit it to him out loud. Her obstinacy in giving him her submission was part of the game they played. But he knew he had it. He had all of her—heart, soul, and submission; her deference to him unlike any man she’d ever known. Her father and Ron came close, but that wasn’t really the same.

  She shuddered at the intensity of her feelings. They were definitely making love tonight, and Cassie had never felt closer to him. She clung to his forearm, still holding her tightly around her chest and met his every thrust, arching back against him.

  Luke rolled her onto her back, resting his weight on his forearms. His cock stationary inside her while he brushed her hair across her forehead and stared into her eyes.

  “I love you so much.” His incredulous tone suggested he was amazed at how much.

  “I love you, too.” It seemed an inadequate way to express the depth of her feelings.

  He leaned down and kissed her as he began to move his cock inside her again. She kissed him back while rolling her hips to meet his.

  It was nirvana, and she felt a sudden gush of wetness between her legs.

  “Baby doll, did you just squirt?”

  Instantly embarrassed, she stammered, “No, I don’t think… I mean I’ve never. I—”

  He cut her off. “That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever felt.” Picking up his pace, he groaned, “So. Fucking. Sexy.”

  She was on the edge of coming, and Luke’s grunting signaled his impending release. He put his thumb to her clit. “Come for me,” he commanded as he thrust in hard. That set her off, and she bowed off the bed as her climax wracked through her body and cried out his name. Luke roared when he burst. She felt jet after jet of cum hit her womb, triggering another mini-orgasm for her.

  She was trembling long after she caught her breath. Luke lay motionless, his face buried in her neck, arms enveloping her, seemingly equally overwhelmed. Finally, he began to soften, and when he slipped out of her, he raised on his elbows, hovering over her to look into her eyes.

  “That was fucking incredible. I wouldn’t be surprised if we made a baby.”

  Record screech.

  She talked herself down from the proverbial ledge before she started to hyperventilate. No, he was just being dramatic. He didn’t really mean that.

  “God, let’s hope not,” was all she could muster.

  She immediately felt the shift in him, and he rolled off her and headed to the bathroom without another word.

  Jesus Christ, was he serious? Does he want a baby?

  No. No, no, no. No babies.

  He didn’t say anything else about it, but something about the way he held her for the rest of the night felt different, and not in a good way.

  Good grief, how did that go from the closest she’d ever felt to a man to this? Was this the beginning of the end? Already? They’d barely gotten started. The thought devastated her. Yet, she didn’t know if she was willing to have kids even for Luke.

  A tear escaped out of the corner of her eye and slid onto the pillowcase by her ear. Could she be a mother if it were Luke’s baby? Was this the deal breaker she had always maintained it was? More tears wetted her pillowcase, and soon, her hair was sticking to her damp face.

  She just didn’t know.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Luke

  Last night’s lovemaking session with Cassie had been mind-blowing. The intensity of the feelings and emotions they exchanged was fucking epic. The kind of shit he expected when babies were made. It had touched him to his core.

  He should have kept his dumb mouth shut, but he wasn’t thinking straight. Clearly.

  Luke didn’t really want to have a baby with Cassie before they were married or even engaged. He was determined to do things the old-fashioned way this time—but damn, her reaction bothered him.

  Her body had gone rigid when he said he wouldn’t be surprised if they’d made a baby, and her breathing became shallow like she was on the verge of a panic attack. Did she not want kids at all? Or was it because their relationship was new, and they weren’t technically committed to each other? He could understand the latter, but the former worried him. He thought about it all night. If she didn’t want babies that didn’t necessarily mean he didn’t want to be with her. He fucking loved her, but it did make him pause with the need to talk to her. Last night, while they were naked in bed, was not the time to have the conversation.

  The way she refused to look at him across the breakfast table made him think maybe now wasn’t the right time either.

  Yeah, fuck that. This discussion needed to happen, or it was going to eat at him all day.

  When they were both finished with their eggs and pancakes, he cleared their plates, then took her hand and led her to the couch. Once she was seated, he scooted the ottoman so he was sitting between her legs and grabbed both her hands. She still didn’t want to make eye contact, but he was making it difficult for her not to.

  “Baby doll, I wasn’t s
erious about what I said last night. I just meant, whatever happened between us was special. I didn’t mean to upset you or scare you.”

  She nodded her head as her bottom lip trembled, tears filling her eyes.

  “But I have to know. Was it the thought of having a baby right now what troubled you, or was it the thought of having a baby with me—period?”

  “I don’t know,” she choked out.

  That caused him to take a deep breath. “Okaaay,” he said slowly as he released it.

  She laid her hand along his jawline and finally looked at him willingly.

  “Luke, before I met you, I didn’t want babies or marriage, doing holidays and vacations together… none of it. I didn’t fall in love. That’s not what I was looking for. You are nothing like I was looking for, and you have thrown me for a loop. I’m just getting used to being in love and wanting to share my life with you. You kind of freaked me out with the babies thing.”

  He smiled, in spite of how he was feeling. “I noticed.”

  “You can’t blame me.” She took her hand away from his face and frowned. “What happened between us last night was intense, then you go and throw, I hope we made a baby at me. How the hell did you think I’d react?”

  “Okay, first of all, I never said, I hope we made a baby. While, yes, I want to have a baby with you—lots of them, actually—I don’t want to do it until we’re ready. And we need to be married first. I meant last night was fucking amazing, it felt like something special happened. Making a baby made sense.”

  She sat staring at him for a moment before speaking. Her voice was an octave higher than usual.

  “Lots of babies? I’m trying to come to grips with a baby and now you’re throwing lots at me? And… married?” Cassie shook her head as if trying to clear it while taking a deep breath.

  He held her face between both his hands and scanned her eyes with his.

  “Make no mistake, I’m marrying you someday, Cassandra Sullivan.” He leaned down to kiss her tenderly, leaving her no opportunity to argue. They came up for air, and with a smirk, he murmured against her lips, “Knocking you up on our wedding night is negotiable.”