“Get off me you lunatic.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, pushing me forward until we were barreling into Amanda’s car. The window shattered at the impact.
I gasped, my back burning with pain, but adrenaline was already surging through my veins. This guy had a death wish.
He aimed a punch at my face, but I ducked, clipping his legs from under him until we were both on the asphalt. He grabbed hold of my neck, digging his fingers into my skin, trying to suffocate me.
I reached for his eyes, ready to gouge them.
“You know, maybe you and Amanda will make a better couple once your face is bashed in.” The slime ball tried to threaten me.
I finally managed to get his hands off my throat, but he grabbed my hair. I had no doubt he would slam my face into the hard asphalt the first chance he got.
I rammed my elbow into his chest, winding him. Blinded by fury, I pounced on him, about to finish him when someone grabbed my arm.
I looked up to find Amanda standing there. “Luke…”
A sense of shame washed over me. I wanted to be a better man for her and yet, I was resorting to my old, violent habits.
“He’s not worth it.”
It took a moment for my muscles to relax enough for me to drop my hand. With a sense of disgust, I got up, wrapping my arm around Amanda’s waist.
“Now, do you want to explain why you’re on my property, starting a fight with my guest?” Amanda’s voice was ice-cold as she addressed her ex-husband. “Or do I have to call the police?”
“He was the crazy one who lunged at me.”
“I wonder what you said to provoke him.” She snapped. “Now, either tell me what the hell you want or I swear, I’ll call the cops.”
David wiped the dust from his shoulders, narrowing his eyes. “I came to make a deal before he attacked me. Now I’m thinking of reconsidering.”
“Don’t give me that crap.”
“Fine. Can I at least come in?”
“No. Whatever you want to say, you can say it here.”
David sighed. “You were always so difficult. I don’t even know why I married you. Wasted the best years of my life. The sex wasn’t even good.” He made the comment under his breath, thinking I wouldn’t hear him.
I growled, feigning a punch.
He flinched and I chuckled. I knew, in that instant, that David was nothing more than a coward.
“Keep that guy on a leash, will you?”
“Keep your tongue in check and I won’t have to. Don’t think I didn’t hear you.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m getting sick and tired of your stalling.”
“Fine. I’ve come around to say that I’ll drop the assault charges if you stop pestering me for alimony. If you don’t agree, then I swear, I’ll find a way to put this guy back in jail and keep him there.”
Amanda narrowed her eyes. “I want Roxie back.”
“Fat chance.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll just keep pestering you for alimony.”
“You won’t do it for your little boy toy? Wow, that’s messed up Amanda, even for a girl like you.”
“Well, I know some pretty killer lawyers who could prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that Luke was acting on my behalf – or have you never heard of affirmative defense?”
“What are you talking about?”
“He attacked you because he was concerned for my safety.”
“You know damn well that I wasn’t going to hit you. You’re full of crap.” He snarled.
“Like I said, you can take this to court, but you aren’t going to win.”
I was surprised by Amanda’s confidence against her ex-husband. Back at the restaurant, she had been so submissive – meek even – but now, it was like she was a totally different person. She was standing up for herself and I loved it. There was nothing sexier than a woman who could hold her own.
“Forget it.” With that, David got in his car and drove away, his tires screeching against the asphalt.
Chapter 19
Amanda
The second David left, I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. What if he made good on his word and put Luke in jail for good? I knew Wendy would hook me up with the best lawyers out there, but what if it wasn’t enough?
With a frown on my face, I went back inside, thinking maybe I should have accepted the offer while it was still on the table.
“Hey, are you okay?” Luke asked, helping me to the couch. “You look kind of pale.”
“What have I done?” I whispered to myself. “I should’ve just accepted the offer.”
Luke placed his finger under my chin until we locked eyes. “No.”
“But… what if he finds a way to put you in jail?”
“He won’t.” He cupped my cheeks. “He’s a coward. He’s just trying to scare you so he doesn’t have to pay alimony, but you deserve every last cent of what he owes you.”
I looked at him with suspicion. “You aren’t just saying that because you want my money, are you?”
He pulled away. “Okay, I deserve that. But, no. I swear. I’m not after your money. I know that might be something you’re reluctant to believe after what I did, but honest to God, I would never do something to hurt you ever again.”
I stared at him, searching his eyes for answers.
Deep down, I knew he was telling the truth.
“But… I’m still scared.”
“Don’t be.” He took my hands in his, squeezing them. “All I want is for you to have everything you deserve.”
I shook my head. “I just can’t risk it.” I got up, heading for the bedroom, but Luke grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. “Let go.”
“I can’t let you accept his offer. He’s just trying to make a fool out of you.”
“Well, then I guess I’m a fool, but I won’t let you rot in jail. This is my only chance to make sure you’re safe. Please, Luke, I want to do this. For you. For us.”
He looked at me, his eyes wavering for a moment before he finally let me go.
I went upstairs and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. I still knew David’s number by heart. I couldn’t believe I was dialing it now, about to succumb to his will yet again, but I had to. Luke meant more to me than I could even come to imagine.
“Hello?” David’s gruff voice sounded through the line.
“Hey David, it’s me.”
He was silent and I thought he was about to hang up the phone, but then, I heard the faint sound of his car’s blinker. “What the hell do you want?”
“I’m willing to accept your offer. I won’t ask you for alimony anymore if you agree to drop all charges against Luke.”
“Really?” He sounded surprised.
“Yes. But if you so much as mention Luke’s name, I’ll take you right to marriage court and make sure I bleed you dry.” I threatened, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.
He laughed. “It was nice knowing you.” With that, he hung up.
When I looked up, Luke was standing in the doorway. “Amanda…”
“Stop looking at me like you’re guilty or something,” I said. The look on his face nearly broke my heart.
“I’m sorry, it’s just… it feels like I just ruined your life. Didn’t you depend on that money to pay the bills?”
“If I did… I would be living on the streets by now. It’ll be hard to maintain this place in the long run… but for now, let’s just take things one day at a time.”
Luke frowned. “I’m sorry I ruined everything…”
I got up and wrapped my arms around his neck, getting on my tippy-toes so I could kiss him. “Nothing is ruined as long as I’m with you…”
Before he could say anything, I kissed him ever so softly, our lips instantly locking together like two puzzle pieces made for each other.
He grabbed me by the hips, making it easier for me to stand on my tippy-toes. As the kiss intensified, he pushed me against the wall, his lips dancing against my own. My hear
t started to beat louder and louder. After everything that had happened, it finally felt like things were coming together. The jagged edges of my life were smoothened and now, standing in this man’s arms, everything felt right.
I melted into him, my heart thumping so loud I thought he could hear it.
He pulled away from the wall and brought me to the bed, laying me down ever so gently. “I know I wasn’t the best man and maybe I never will be, but I promise, I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.” He moved on top of me, cupping my cheeks in his hand.
I smiled, my arms wrapping around his neck once more until our foreheads were touching. “You are the right man for me. You make me feel so alive. It’s like you’re the missing piece in my life that I always needed to become the woman I was meant to be.” I whispered, my lips moving to his neck, kissing him ever so gently, leaving behind a trail of kisses. “Our pasts don’t need to define us, Luke. From this point forward, we do as we please… together…”
He grinned at me, almost as if he was grateful that I was giving him a second chance at life – at love.
Our lips once again collided together, only this time, the passion that burned behind them wasn’t just lust, but something more. It was a deep need we had for each other.
Our bodies tangled together like two pretzels. Desperate to have me, Luke ripped off the robe I had put on to make myself decent. In an instant, his lips were wrapped around my nipples, his tongue flicking them back and forth, adding to their hardness.
As he did so, his hands found my wet little pussy. It was still sore and sensitive from last night, but nonetheless, my body jolted in pleasure at his touch. His thumb rubbed my clit, driving me insane. Already, I wanted him more than anything else.
Unable to control myself, I rolled us over, pinning his hands above his head. I must have surprised him because his eyes went wide. “What are you doing?” He asked.
“Shh. Just lay back and enjoy yourself.” I whispered. I leaned forward, dangling my breasts in his face. “But that doesn’t mean you should just lie there idly. These girls still need attention.”
He didn’t hesitate a second before he took my breasts into his mouth once more. His lips felt divine against my soft mounds. As I moaned, he started to knead my ass, causing me to wiggle my hips back and forth.
As a result, I rubbed against his erection, which was straining against the fabric of his pants. “Aww, does someone want to come out and play?” I teased. I rubbed him a little harder, seeing him buck his hips into the air, his body silently begging for freedom.
“What kind of question is that?” He asked, craning his neck so he could look at me. “Of course I want you. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I blushed slightly but didn’t respond to him as I pulled down his pants. His cock sprang to life the second it got its freedom. I giggled, not even bothering to take his pants off all the way before I wrapped my lips around his tip.
Luke moaned in pleasure, his fingers wrapping around my hair, pulling on it to get me to suck him deeper. Inch by inch, I took him into my mouth until he was hitting the back of my throat. With my hands on his thighs, I started to bob my head up and down, picking up the pace. My tongue worked his underside, driving him insane.
“Fuck… Amanda… that feels amazing…” He whispered, pulling on my hair a little harder.
I started to deep-throat him, my lips creating a vacuum around his member. I was determined to make him feel good – better than he had ever felt before.
One of my hands snuck up his thighs and found his balls. I squeezed them slightly, rolling them around a bit until he was groaning with pleasure, his body tense. I could tell he was close to the edge and I was determined to bring him even closer.
I sucked him even harder, picking up the pace.
“Amanda…” He groaned my name and that was exactly when I stopped.
His eyes pleaded with mine as I licked my lips, an innocent expression on my face. “Oh… I’m sorry, did you want more?” I grinned. Now I knew why he had so much fun teasing me. It was such an adrenaline rush to see your lover just quivering with desire.
He looked as if he was about to pounce on me, but I beat him to it, straddling his midsection. Taking his cock into my hand, I stroked him a few times before I pressed him against my wet entrance.
With barely any resistance, I slid myself onto his length, moaning as he got deeper and deeper. It was a tight fit, but I was so wet that it was almost easy for me to impale myself on him.
With every last inch of him inside me, we locked eyes. “You naughty girl.” He whispered with his hands on my hips.
“I’ll get even naughtier, don’t you worry.” I leaned down and kissed him. Once my tongue was in his mouth, tangling with his, I started to rock my hips, riding him nice and slow, letting the moment last. I knew it would drive him insane and that’s exactly what I wanted.
His dick twitched inside of me, only making me want to pleasure him even more. I bounced faster and harder, his balls starting to slap against my flesh, turning my skin nice and pink. Still, I didn’t stop. I wanted this moment to last.
As the friction between us increased, I could feel myself getting close. I bit my lip to hold back the tidal wave, forgetting how much it turned him on.
In a flash, he reversed our roles, pinning me to the bed as he kept pounding into me, fucking me so hard that the bed rocked with the effort. I moaned his name, my back arching, my legs wrapping around his waist. It felt so good.
“Don’t stop,” I begged, my fingers digging into his muscular arms.
Luke growled, almost like a wild animal, as he thrust his cock in and out of me, my juices sloshing all around him.
“That’s it, baby, take it…” He had a hold on my hips, using them for leverage as he picked up the pace, fucking me so fast that I could barely register it.
Before long, it was all too much for me to handle. I screamed his name, my toes curling with pleasure.
The orgasm washed over me, making my whole body feel numb. My pussy quivered, tightening around him like a glove, threatening to milk him for every last drop.
But, by the look in his eyes, he wasn’t about to stop just yet. His grip tightened and he pushed into me even harder, fucking me through my orgasm. He was an animal and I knew he would ravish me.
And that’s exactly what I wanted him to do, now, and for the rest of our life together.
Epilogue
Luke
“I need those mushrooms chopped, now.” I barked. “And where’s that tomato sauce? We have a lot of hungry people out there!”
All around me, people dressed in white chef’s coats buzzed through the crowded kitchen. On my head, I wore one of those fancy hats I thought only celebrity chefs could wear.
“Joseph, do you call this a well-done steak?” I pressed down on it with a spoon and a bit of blood oozed from the side. “Make another. Pronto.” The range chef nodded quickly, hurrying to the grill where he placed a fresh piece of meat on the griddle. “Season it first!”
I pushed the newbie out of the way before he could mess anything up. With a skilled hand, I seasoned the meat, massaging in all the herbs and spices, knowing it was the key to a rich flavor. Once satisfied, I tossed it on the griddle, nodding at my grill chef to take over.
With that settled, I headed over to the pasta section. “How’s the risotto coming along?”
“Good, chef!”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I grabbed the wooden spoon that was being used to stir in the cold butter. It melted at a steady pace, causing the base to thicken to the perfect consistency. “Splendid. Keep up the good work.”
Stepping away from the stoves, I wiped the sweat from my brow.
“Mr. Walters, Amanda is here to see you.”
At the sound of my girlfriend’s arrival, I shrugged off my coat and hat. I dropped them off at my office before heading to the front of the restaurant.
I smiled bright
ly, seeing Amanda standing there with a little girl in her arms. “Babysitting again?” I asked.
Once the little girl spotted me, she instantly made the effort to jump into my arms, wiggling away from Amanda.
“Hey, little lady! You’re going to fall.”
I managed to catch the little girl before she could hurt herself, spinning her around until she was in a fit of giggles. “What’s Wendy up to? Landing another big deal?”
“Yeah. I think she’s signing a contract in Tokyo? It’s a massive step forward for her business.”
Pursuit: A Bad Boy Romance Page 13