by Debra Elise
JR brought Lara out of her musings. “What do you say, doc? Are you on board?”
Lara blinked rapidly to clear the fog she suddenly felt engulfed in. Her heart raced. She’d never been in such a tenuous position and she needed to handle this right. But how?
“Um, I’m not a doctor—”
“Close enough, right? You have access to plenty of them, so can you set me up?”
Hell no. This guy was delusional. Potentially dangerous. But she was not going to be bullied or intimidated.
“I can see you need some persuasion. It seems to me that since you agreed to work with our boy Luke, you’d have some knowledge of making sure his, ah . . . shall we say, pharmaceutical needs, are met.”
At six-one and close to two hundred twenty, JR didn’t have to do much to make her perspire. Her shirt was halfway drenched. Where he got the idea she was supplying anything to Luke was a mystery. She needed to get herself out of the room and to the relative safety of the hallway where she’d noticed a few other people walk by.
“Listen, JR, I have another appointment I’m late for. I’m surprised my phone isn’t blowing up by now. I’m not able to help you out and I’m willing to forget this whole conversation. My suggestion to you is—”
“JR? What’s going on here?” Luke asked. His voice full of menace.
He crossed the room, the tap tap of his cane speeding up with each step.
“Lara, you okay?”
JR closed the distance between himself and Lara and grabbed her elbow and drew her in to his body. Before Luke made it to her side, JR murmured just loud enough for her to hear, “Just so you’re aware, a little birdie told me something very upsetting about Luke, and if you don’t get into that locked drawer and hand over what I need, my friend will be making a call to TMZ. It’d be a shame to disappoint all those adoring fans of his if they found out he’d been—”
Luke pushed JR to the side. “Get your hands off her. Now.”
“Back off, Garibaldi. I was just asking her a personal question. Get back before I mess you up, man.” JR dropped Lara’s arm and stepped back from the shove, his arms tight at his sides, fingers clenched in fists.
Lara lost focus and her knees almost gave out. This was not happening. She saw JR and Luke’s lips moving, but heard only rushing water. What in the hell had she gotten herself into? What the hell was JR implying?
JR continued mouthing off at Luke. This was going to end badly unless she did or said something. She shook her head and focused on what JR was now yelling at Luke.
“Man, you do not want to get in the middle of this. So just back off.” JR shoved Luke in the chest. He may have been expecting Luke to go down, but Luke was in top shape before his accident. Lara marveled at how he absorbed the impact with just a slight step back.
JR wasn’t done. He came at Luke swinging. Luke ducked and wrapped his arms around JR’s waist and pushed him into the wall.
Luke grabbed onto JR’s shirt and bunched it up to his throat. Both men were breathing hard. Luke gritted his teeth and spoke slow and calm. “If you ever touch her again, your face is going to receive a few more ugly spots. Now apologize to the lady.”
“I told you, we we’re just having a personal conversation and—”
“Luke! JR! Both of you, hands off.”
T.S. strode into the training room closely followed by a couple of security guards. “JR, in my office. These two gentlemen will make sure you get there.”
“Lara, are you okay?” T.S. asked.
“Fine. I’m fine. If just a bit confused. JR came in here wanting to know if I was able to get into a locked drawer in Manny’s desk, and when I told him I wasn’t, he freaked out and then Luke came in and—”
“Yeah, security saw it on the closed circuit TV we have set up. I guess JR wasn’t thinking about that when he assaulted you.”
“Assaulted? Well, not really. All he did was put his hand on my arm.”
“May I see it?” Luke asked.
“Sure.” Lara pulled back her sleeve and offered her arm. A red mark was just beginning to show near her elbow and Luke swore as he gently held her arm. “Lara, you can press charges for this.”
“Well, I . . .”
The owner of the Outlaws was barely holding it together. “Look, Lara, I’m so sorry for this. We knew JR had a past with using, and it seems may be again. And as far as what’s in Manny’s desk, well, I guess I’ll be calling him in to explain.”
She had never seen the typically cool and collected T.S. out of sorts. And when Luke came to her rescue, she felt all sorts of tingles. Both men were coming down off an adrenaline rush and she needed to assure them that she wasn’t harmed, but if they wanted her to press charges, she’d have to think about it.
One of the security guards rushed back into the room and announced JR had bolted. He made it to his car and was last seen speeding west from the stadium. “Do you want to pursue this further, Mr. Scott? We can call 911.”
T.S. swore a blue streak and ran a hand through his hair. “No. No, that’s fine. Send me a copy of the tape and I’ll forward it to his agent. JR just earned himself a one-way ticket back to wherever the hell it is he came from.”
He pointed to one of the security guards. “Get me the key for that desk drawer. We’ll put this to rest now before I haul Manny’s ass in.”
After what seemed an eternity, the guard returned from wherever the keys were kept and unlocked the drawer in question. T.S. pulled out files and tape and other training items, but no vials or pill bottles.
He glanced over at Lara and Luke. “Looks like JR was bluffing. But I’ll still need to talk to Manny. Lara, I’m sorry you had to go through that. If you want to press charges, let me know. Luke, you and I need to have a long overdue discussion concerning your contract. I’ve already been in touch with the league and your agent. Call Lois and she’ll give you a time to come in to my office.”
“Sure, T.S. Whatever you say. I’m taking Lara home now.” Luke wrapped an arm around Lara’s shoulders, gave T.S. a short nod, and guided her out of the room.
Her hero. With a cane. However, doubt crept into her mind about Luke and what JR had said to her. Was JR deflecting his own PED issues onto Luke to make her think she had to cave to his demands, or was he telling her the truth?
CHAPTER 18
They drove home in silence. Luke had sent her sidelong glances but she didn’t say anything about what had happened. When they arrived back at his place he said he had a call to make, so she decided to fix them a light supper before she headed home. Twenty minutes went by and he hadn’t returned to the kitchen.
She found him in his media room. A ball game on the big screen, a cell phone in his lap, and a snoozing puppy at his feet. When she cleared her throat, both man and dog jumped at the sound. “Talk about light sleepers. You’re like two peas in a pod. Sorry, I tried to make as much noise as I could.”
She sat down next to Luke’s recliner. “Do you have a second? There’s been something on my mind and I need to get it off my chest.” Uh, oh. Wrong word choice. She watched as his gaze immediately went to her breasts. They pebbled under his attention.
She cleared her throat again. He took his time bringing his eyes up to hers, and when they met she saw herself in their reflection. His look mirrored how she felt.
He picked up the remote and turned off the game. He spread his hands wide. “I’m all yours.”
She licked her lips, rubbed her now sweaty palms on her pink yoga pants, and tried to pretend she didn’t know what he was referring to. Indy chose that moment to bark, saving her from responding. They both looked down and for a moment the sexual tension subsided.
“You think that’s a sign?” Luke asked.
“Of what?”
“That he’s fed up with us. He’s a smart dog; even he knows we want each other.”
“Really? Well, let’s ask his opinion, then.”
“I have a better idea. How about I tell you what I think.”
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There was no way she was going to get out of this conversation now. And bringing up the real subject she wanted to discuss could wait. She decided she really wanted to hear what he had to say.
“I’m going to lay it all out so we’re both clear and there’s no more wondering. I think you want me just as much as I want you. I think of you all the time when you’re with me and when you’re not.
“And when I hear the slight quiver in your voice when you’re prompting me to do more reps? Well, that’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. And I know you’re thinking similar thoughts right now, darling, because this house isn’t cold enough to make your nipples stand out at attention.”
He flashed her a naughty smile and continued. Good thing, because she was having trouble breathing.
“We’ve been dancing around this for days, Lara.”
“And what exactly is ‘this’?”
“You. Me. Naked.”
She sucked in a breath. Images appeared in her head of him, his hands all over her, inside her. Her thighs went lax and heat pooled in her core. He’d been right. She knew she wouldn’t be able to resist much longer, not with the close quarters they now shared or the hooded glances each pretended neither noticed.
“Don’t talk yourself out of what we both want, darling. You want to walk away because of what went down with JR? I’ll deal. Just don’t deny that you aren’t as keyed up as I am right now. Hell, always for me when you’re within touching distance.” He adjusted himself and sat up in his recliner. He held out his hand and waited.
“I’m not denying that I want you, Luke. I think we both know that’s been obvious for some time. And I’m walking into this choice with my eyes wide open, but I need you to know I don’t share. No matter how temporary our time together will be.” She held his gaze.
“I don’t want soft, Luke. I don’t need nice words or false promises. I just need you. Fast and hard this time. Can you give me that?”
What she didn’t say was how easily she could fall for him; or how he had the power to bruise the heart that already cared too much, yearned for him to want the same things she’d been searching for her entire adult life. To be cherished, desired, loved—forever. By one man, maybe by him.
He took her hand and guided her closer to his lap. “This time it might be best if you’re on top. I don’t think my knee is ready yet for anything else. And darling, the way you’re looking at me now guarantees you’ll get your wish. Now come here.”
Lara didn’t hesitate. Decision made, she crawled into Luke’s lap and nuzzled his neck. She trailed openmouthed kisses along his jaw. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his chest and marveled at the hardness of his muscles and the softness of his skin. She buried her hands in his hair and pulled him closer.
She pushed aside all thoughts of telling him about JR’s accusations. Her gut told her Luke would never put himself in a situation where he could lose his career. The pull to be with him overrode any doubts she was having. She needed this. She needed him more than anything else.
The kiss started out light and soft. Luke soon took control and placed his hand behind her neck and devoured her lips, her tongue, and her last coherent thought.
She felt his groan of pleasure deep down inside her core. She straddled his lap as his hands went under her and cupped her bottom, bringing her closer, but not before she placed her hand on his growing erection and squeezed.
Another low sound escaped him and she grew bolder. She pulled his waistband down so she could caress him, skin-to-skin. He was magnificent, and the sight of his cock made her pussy squeeze in anticipation.
She looked up into his eyes and winked. She began to rub slow circles around the tip of his cock.
He kissed her again. Not a gentle kiss. But a raw, I-need-to-be-balls-deep-inside-you kiss that she returned hungrily. Their tongues dueled for power as she now wound her hand around the width of him and began a slow, up and down journey.
This position thrilled her. She wanted to touch him everywhere. When she brought her hand back up to the tip of his cock, he covered her hand with his and stopped her. “Darling, that’s all I can take or this is going to end real soon. Let me return the favor.”
She nodded and stood up. She removed her outfit, bra, and panties, then bent to help him remove his shorts. “Lord help me, woman, you fucking drive me crazy.” He pulled her back on his lap and kissed her deeply.
He held tight onto her hips and began to stroke her thigh, then buried his hand in her blond curls and teased her clit. She lifted herself up a bit and began to rotate her hips as he drove first one then two fingers deep inside her.
She gasped when he added a third.
“Too much, baby?”
“No. Don’t stop. Oh, god . . . yes.” She increased her rhythm and rocked her hips up and down as the pressure built. He circled her clit with his thumb and her world went sideways. The pressure was glorious. She arched her back as he pumped in and out. He pulled her close and captured her breast with his mouth.
The tug on her breast and his fingers strumming her pussy combined and she exploded. Her body convulsed and she rode the orgasm for as long as she could. She was greedy. She wanted more; she wanted it to last forever.
She hadn’t realized she’d been saying his name over and over until he whispered in her ear. “Darling, that was . . . god, you’re beautiful when you come.”
She whimpered a little when the wave ended and he removed his hand.
“Shh, don’t worry. I just need to suit up, darling.”
She looked down and watched as he covered himself with a condom. Once done he grabbed her hips, and thrust himself into her. They both moaned. “God, you feel so damn good.” He wound his hand up in her hair and held her gaze as she began to ride him.
She felt a pressure building again as the angle of their bodies hit her clit just right. Over and over he pounded into her until she placed a hand on the middle of his chest to stop him.
“Baby, let me. I don’t think your knee can take this much . . . excitement.” She gave him a small smirk, which earned her a swat on the ass.
“By all means, darling. I don’t mind. I’ll just play with these beautiful breasts and watch you.” His hands followed his words and he cupped each breast and pinched her nipples as she took over the rhythm.
She tightened her knees and rode him hard and fast. She didn’t question what was driving her. All she knew was this man had created a wanton side to her. A side she was very much enjoying. With each thrust, another orgasm built.
When Luke’s groans became deeper and he began rocking his hips, she took his hand and placed it on her clit. She wanted to come at the same time he did. She watched his face and marveled at the passion she saw. His touch became a bittersweet combination of pain and pleasure. She felt raw, laid bare.
She broke first and cried out his name. Luke laid his head on her shoulder and whispered his naughtiest of thoughts. She didn’t think it possible she could blush considering the position she was in, but she did. He shouted her name and continued to pump in and out of her as they both came down from the high of coming together.
Indy decided he’d had enough of them and began barking to be let out. Lara shyly excused herself to freshen up and Luke put his shorts back on, grabbed his cane, and took the puppy outside.
“Didn’t think you’d be so offended, Indy. Maybe I had plans for round two. Did you ever think of that?” When all the golden-doodle did was sit and stare at him, Luke questioned his sanity at expecting his dog to answer him. By the time he returned to the house and went in search of Lara, she’d already showered and dressed. She was gathering her purse from the kitchen counter.
“I made dinner. It should still be fine if a bit cold. You can reheat it in the microwave though.”
He watched her closely as she walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in the morning.”
And with that she left
him still half-hard in the middle of his kitchen.
“I’ll be damned, Indy. Did you see that? She didn’t even ask to stay the night.”
Indy was not interested. He trotted over to his bowl and plopped down and waited as Luke stood staring at the doorway. “Well, that’s never happened before.”
Maybe this friends-with-benefits thing would work out after all.
The next day after another workout at the stadium—this time without the drama provided by JR—Luke asked her if they could watch the Outlaws game that night at a friend’s place and she had agreed without peppering him with questions.
He liked that about her. He liked a lot of things about her, but he needed to be careful. Things were just beginning to go well and he didn’t want to start thinking of her as a permanent fixture in his life. But it was nice having a woman to talk to and share things with, like a friend.
During the drive into town he caught her sneaking glances at him. She laughed at his lame jokes and took his breath away when she gifted him with her smile.
“Wow, this is your friend’s place? I’ve heard of it, but have never been.” Lara exited the car and walked over to Luke’s side.
He was still slow to go from a sitting position to standing, and it irked him that he just couldn’t jump out and make it to her side of the car and open the door for her. He took her arm and was able to open the door to O’Malley’s Sports Bar and Grill.
He located Howie, the owner, and sensed heads turn in their direction. It amused him to realize that the patrons were locked on Lara, not him. He couldn’t blame them. She still carried the afterglow from their earlier loving. Her green eyes were bright, her smile relaxed. She was a magnet to those desperate for a small piece of what she had.
Men and women were drawn to her equally, and he again thought how lucky he was to have her in his life. Lucky enough to touch, kiss, and lick—and just like that he wanted her again. His excitement at showing her the bar ratcheted down a notch as he became jealous of anyone who looked at her.
They made their way to the highly polished bar and Luke nodded at a few customers he knew were regulars. Soon they’d be his regulars.