by Silla Webb
“You’re crazy. I can’t believe you nearly sacrificed your life to save mine.” She swallows hard, her eyes driftin’ closed. “I’m so happy that you’re okay.”
“Don’t hide from me like that, sweetheart. Look at me.” I urge, trailin’ the pad of my thumb across her soft cheek. “Tell me what you’re really feelin’, Sav.”
She shakes her head and tries to push away from me, but I keep my grip on her hips holding her firmly in place. “You need to rest, Luke.”
I scoot back on the bed and drag her with me, tuckin’ her to my side. “No, sweetheart. What I need is this-you in my arms, holdin’ you tight. Not lettin’ ya go, Sav.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Luke Ashton, you’re gonna kill yourself if you don’t slow it the hell down!” I growl. “And damn it, Colton Weston, you of all people should help me keep his ass in line! What? Is your frickin’ back broke? You couldn’t have carried that in by yourself?” I glance over to Colton who’s surely makin’ himself useful as he props the screen door open with his foot while Luke lugs in the boxed bed frame.
Colton deadpans as he pops a handful of peanuts in his mouth. “I told the dumb ass that’s what the furniture store offered delivery and setup for, but hell no, he’s dead set on doin’ this shit himself. He ain’t dead. His brute ass can handle carryin’ in a box. I carried one in.” Colton shrugs as a cocky laugh falls from his lips and I punch him in the ribs as I pass by him.
“Asshole.”
Luke props the box against the wall, then falls back against the couch panting for air, over exerted from pushing himself too hard these last few days. He was lucky. He didn’t suffer any substantial damage from the fire, just smoke inhalation and some light burns to his arms, face and lung tissue. He was released the very next day-mainly because of his persistence. The doctor gave him very specific instructions to take it easy for a few days, give his body time to recuperate without exerting himself, but Luke ain’t listened in the least.
Knowing he was safe only erased one worry from my troubled mind. When I escaped Josh’s wrath last summer I was intent on rebuilding my life, finding the Savannah who was once resilient and happy. Luke was my anchor while I treaded the murky waters. So many times I felt as if I’d drown I was so exhausted from fighting, but he refused to let me lose hope and made me fight back.
Now, I have to rebuild my life in an entirely different way. A new home, new vehicle, new everything. My childhood home-where I’ve been livin’ since Josh nearly killed me is now just a crumbling structure of char and water soaked ashes. Remnants of our childhood lay among the splintered wood and shattered glass just above the lies and secrets that house was built on.
Leaving the hospital with Luke, I felt lost. When you leave one place, you usually go home. But where the hell is home? I didn’t want to impose on Carly and Colton, they’re house just ain’t big enough for two families, and I sure as hell can’t buy a house in just one day. I didn’t have a plan in place. I was too concerned with Luke to consider anything, but once he was released I didn’t know where to go. A hotel?
Luke pulled out onto the road and headed in the opposite direction of Carly’s. I asked him where he was headed and his reply was simple-home. We arrived at his farm house a short bit later and I knew then he must have suffered lack of oxygen to the brain. We argued for a bit, but like everything else with Luke and I, he didn’t give up. He just kept pushing until I surrendered. It doesn’t much matter, Luke has been right by my side for the last four months, sleeping in the guest room at my house. Nothing would change.
But it did.
I was fine with lying to myself, keeping my guard up where Luke is concerned, but I had grown tired of keeping my façade in place. The very day of the fire, I finally accepted my feelings for him and was prepared to finally talk to him about us, but tragedy struck nearly stripping him from me. We haven’t discussed it much since he’s been home, everything has been too hectic. Trying to get Luke to slow down, letting me and Carly get the house together has been like trying to bath a frickin’ cat. The twins have stayed at her house the last few nights, while I’ve been burning the midnight oil painting their bedrooms.
That was the next issue. Bedrooms. Luke’s house is a three bedroom two bath farm house. A little on the small side, but since Luke hasn’t revamped much, it still holds that old country charm. We were at the hardware store picking out paint. I searched through the neutral colors deciding on an earthy beige. Luke was confused why I was painting both rooms the same color and I was confused why he thought I was painting two rooms. When he realized I was planning for Brailee and Braden to share a room while I took the other he began to protest.
“My little girl’s room is gonna reflect her personality-bright and cheerful. Not some shitty brown. And Braden’s room needs to be kick ass.” His little girl?
“Uhm, they’re sharing a room, you do realize this, right?” I questioned.
“Like hell. They didn’t share a room at your house, they ain’t sharin’ at our house!” There he goes again with the labels-his girl, his little girl, our kiddos, our house.
“So, I guess I should bunk with Brailee then?” I asked him seriously. Panic filled my chest.
I knew then where this was going, I was just hoping he would ease me into it. He shook his head in disbelief, grabbed two paint cards and strutted off to the paint counter. The argument didn’t end there…hell, it still hasn’t ended.
Colton kicks at Luke’s boot, standing firm with his hand on his hips. “Move ya big ass, son. Let’s get this shit put together so you’re brats can get outta my hair already. Ain’t gotta clue how Savannah and Carly put up with all three of the little terrors when they get ‘em together.” Colton shoots me a wink and smirk. He loves Brailee and Braden like they’re his. Luke grumbles at him, his words unintelligible.
“Go on home, Colton. We can get the beds assembled tomorrow.”
“You sure?” He asks with a cocked up, intimidating brow. That look used to scare me, but Colton’s just a gentle teddy bear.
“Yeah, go on home and keep my kids in line. I’ll be by tomorrow morning to pick them up and Heidi Jo can spend the day with us. Maybe that will give Carly a little break.”
Colton nods then looks down at Luke who appears to have fallen asleep with his arm slung over his face and just shakes his head. “Holler if ya need anything.” He says, heading out the front door.
I grab the throw off the back of the couch and just as I toss it over Luke he catches my wrist mid-air and pulls me down into his lap. He nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck and says, “Didn’t think that prick was ever gonna leave.”
“You were awake this entire time!” I laugh, swatting at his thick chest.
“I’m done for the day, Sav. Exhausted. Just wanna hold my girl.” He whispers.
“Your girl, huh?” Luke nods against my neck, peppering tiny kisses along my collarbone. “Maybe we should talk about that?”
“What’s there to talk about, Sav? You see where your ass is planted.”
“Uhm, well,” I trail off, my words suddenly a jumbled collage in my brain and I’m suddenly scared to tell Luke how I feel. “I’m gonna go finish up in the bedrooms. Sit still and rest. I’ll be back in a few.” I say bolting up quickly.
“Sav, just leave it! Come back.” I hear Luke call behind me, but I ignore him and take the stairs two at a time to the bedrooms. He’s too exhausted to come after me right now.
I set to work cleaning up Braden’s room first. I gather the plastic, brushes and rollers, tossing them in the trash bag, then carry the leftover paint and tools to the hallway closet before vacuuming the carpet. Luke did a good job picking themes for each of their rooms. The kids will be so surprised when they come home tomorrow.
Braden’s room is painted royal blue with red accents and a large S shield donning the wall. Luke knows how much Braden loves Superman, and in a way I think this was his way of keeping Sawyer’s memory closer to his heart
.
Brailee’s room was a bit challenging because she loves everything, but Luke kept it elegant with pink walls and white and black accents. It struck me as odd that he wanted to put in the work of decorating their rooms, considering he hasn’t really known them all too long. But looking around it seems he knows them better than Josh does, which relieves me.
I finish up their bedrooms and head back downstairs for a hot shower. Luke is nowhere to be found, he’s probably went out to feed Buttercup, so I think nothing of it and go on about my shower. We’ve worked non-stop for the last two days, cleaning, painting and bringing in new furniture that I am ready to become one with the couch and my Kindle.
Walking in the bathroom I notice a wadded up towel heaped in the floor next to the hamper. Oh sweet, I can see Luke’s a bit comfortable in his bachelor life. I wonder if he turns his underwear inside out so he doesn’t have to wash clothes as often, too. I set the shower to steam then pick up after Luke before stepping in. The scalding hot water cascades around me, easing the tight muscles in my shoulders and it feels amazing. I would stand in here all night if I weren’t so damn tired, so I wash off quickly. I towel off then dress in pajama shorts and a tank top, leaving my hair damp and messy.
I pad through the dark hallway, covering my mouth as I yawn. The shower really relaxed me and I’m sure once my head hits the pillow I’ll be out. Suddenly I feel hands on my hips as I’m thrust against the wall. Luke rests his arms over my head, caging me in beneath him.
“I asked you not to hide from me, Sav.” He says, his voice low and husky.
“What?” I ask, taking in his primal state. His piercing blue eyes are stern and urgent. “You know I went upstairs to clean up the kids’ room so we can get the beds up tomorrow.”
“That’s not what I meant, sweetheart. You were confused when I called you my girl, and I replied the way I did so you’d finally open up to me. Supposed to have cleared ya head, ‘member?” He smirks. That damn smirk, ugh I wanna swipe it off his face sometimes…he smirks to flirt, when he knows he’s right about something.
“Well everything got a little crazy for a few days.” I lie.
“Ya know, when I was unconscious I had these crazy as hell dreams. It’s like everything that ever caused me pain was taunting me. The dreams were surreal and it’s bothered me a lot over the last few days because it was just a reminder of what hell I’ve been through.” He stares down at me, gauging my face for a reaction to him, but I’m frozen. “I kept hearin’ you cryin’ but I couldn’t find you. I could hear you talkin’ but couldn’t make out everything you were sayin’. It was enough to drive me mad.”
“It was just a dream, Luke.” I whisper as fear crawls through my chest.
“What were you sayin’ to me when I was out, Sav? Just tell me. I can hear it in my mind, but I need to see it in your eyes when you say it this time. I need to feel it.”
No. Oh no, no, no. I know what he’s referring to, and I meant it when I said it, but right now, with him caging me in like a predator staking claim to his prey, glaring at me through those baby blues, I don’t think I can muster a coherent thought to speak. So I just pinch my eyes together and shake my head, hoping he’ll take that as a sign to let it go.
But he doesn’t.
Back and forth. Back and frickin’ forth. I knew she had something on her mind when I had her wrapped up in my lap, but I had to be a smart ass, braggin’ that I already had her when fact is I don’t. I’ve done everything I can to show Savannah how I feel about her, but I haven’t voiced it yet because I want her to be the one to take that step when she is ready so I don’t scare her away. I didn’t expect her to feel like this so soon, but I’m relieved she does.
At first I thought it was really just part of the dreams I had when I was unconscious. But then I heard Savannah cry out for me in her sleep last night and I knew then it wasn’t part of the dream at all.
I can plead with Sav ‘til I’m blue in the face, she ain’t gonna tell me what I wanna hear, so I encourage her in my own way.
I clutch my hand around the back of her neck and crash my lips onto hers, fervently. She gasps into my mouth, but doesn’t pull away like I expect her to. No, she leans into my lips, kissing me sensually as she rakes her nails across the back of my neck, pulling me closer to her. Pulling away, I’m left breathless and dazed by her kiss. I lean my forehead against hers and pant against her mouth, “Tell me, sweetheart. Please.” I lock eyes with her, pleading that she’ll relent.
“I,” her eyes drift closed and she sucks in a gush of air, her chest pressin’ against mine.
“Just say it, Sav. I wanna see your eyes when you say it, please.” I kiss the corner of her mouth, urging her once more.
Her eyes flutter open and she rolls her lip between her teeth, nervously. I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear trailing my thumb down her cheek and as her soft, green eyes casts a glance at me she breathes out, “I love you.”
Damn, this is the best feelin’. I kiss each corner of her mouth, then pull her lips between mine once more, the sensation makin’ me lightheaded and wracked with emotion. “I love you too, sweetheart.” A tear slips down her cheek but I catch it with my lips. She grasps at my hair, pulling me in closer as her lips latch onto mine. Damn, her lips are soft and velvety, like the delicate wing of a Monarch Butterfly and she tastes so frickin’ sweet. I begin to pepper kisses down her jaw, her cheeks stainin’ red as her skin fevers. “I need to love you, sweetheart. Need you to feel my lips against your skin.” My lips descend down her slender throat and she tilts her head back grantin’ me further access to nibble small kisses across her collarbone. “Do you need me to love you, Sav?” I ask, my hands roamin’ slowly down her arms, snaking around her back.
“Luke,” she mutters, her voice broken, her eyes hooded in lust. She swallows a moan and that is my undoin’.
Dippin’ my head, I capture her lips between mine, kissing her passionately as I lift her up by the ass, her legs wrapping around me with ease. “Gonna love ya real slow, sweetheart.” I whisper against her lips as I carry her into the bedroom.
I slide her body down mine, plantin’ her feet against the hardwood floor and gaze down in to her eyes. I undress her slowly, trailing warm kisses down her ivory skin and her breath hitches in her throat as a soft sigh falls from her lips. Sweet hell, she’s perfect. Her small hands find the hem of my shirt and she tugs it up over my head before raking her manicured nails slowly over my pecs. Graspin’ her wrist in my hand, I pull her flush against me and say, “You gotta tell me if this is too much okay, Sav?” I search her face for any doubt or apprehension, worried I may be rushin’ things with her.
She brazenly wraps my arm around her waist, resting it on the swell of her ass, pressing her heavy breast against me and begs, “Luke, please just love me.” Tippin’ up on her toes, she crashes her mouth against mine, her tongue trailin’ seductively across my lips, as she slides my shorts down my legs springing my hardened cock free. I lay her back against the bed, admirin’ her perfection as she looks at me with love fillin’ her eyes.
I set the music player on my phone, Don’t You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson fills the room, settin’ the deliciously slow pace for which I plan to worship Savannah’s body, then remove a condom from the drawer in the nightstand.
Cagin’ her beneath me, I pin her arms above her head. “You steal my breath, sweetheart. So damn beautiful.” I mutter against her lips and she shudders in my arms, her eyes falling closed as a wanton smile tips up her lips. My hands roam freely, committing to memory the dip of her neck, the swell of her breasts, the curve of her soft hips. My hungry, greedy mouth devours every inch of her sensual skin, worshippin’ her as if her taste, touch, and love is all the nutrition I need to exist.
Savannah writhes against me, mewls of pleasure escapin’ her lips and she digs her nails into my shoulders as I lap my tongue over her taut nipple. My cravin’ for her heightens and I swirl the pad of my thumb over her sen
sitive clit, her slick heat begging for release.
She reaches over the nightstand, her hand fidgeting around until she finds the condom and our eyes lock as she rips the wrapper. A fleeting look of passion and anxiety flicker through her sparklin’ green eyes, and she rolls her lip between her teeth timidly. Reaching between us, she slides the condom over my rigid cock, strokin’ me ever so slightly. Damn it all to hell, if just the slightest touch from her doesn’t just about send me over the edge.
I press my body against hers, clutch the nape of her neck in my hand and press my forehead to hers as I ease myself inside her gently. She whimpers a straggled moan, her back bowing from the bed as she stretches around me, her face contorting with sheer, erotic pleasure. What a sight to behold. “Damn perfect, sweetheart.” I whisper, capturin’ her cries with my mouth as I hold her against my chest, rockin’ into her at a dangerously slow pace. My lips never leave hers as we make love. She locks her legs around my ass, pullin’ me deeper into her core, as she scrapes and marks my flesh.
“Luke!” She cries out, her core clenchin’ me tightly and hearin' my name fall from her lips in a cry of ecstasy is my undoin’. My lips encase hers, findin’ our release together-two shattered and broken souls tangled in a lustful rapture cleansing our souls of our wretched pasts.
I woke up this morning with strong arms embracing me and a scruffy beard scratching at my neck. “Mornin’ sweetheart.” Luke croons in my ear, his voice deep and husky. Stretching my arms and back, I turn over to face him and his smile is breathtaking.
“Good morning!” I sing sleepily, melting into his chest. He feathers a soft kiss to my forehead and I revel in the feeling of being guarded, cherished and loved. It’s all so foreign to me, but it feels amazing.
“How’d you sleep?” Luke asks, trailing his nose along mine.
“It’s like heaven being in your arms.” I say, raking my fingers through his dark brown hair and he moans against my lips. He’s so deliciously sexy.