by Gina Sheldon
I closed my eyes, letting Luke’s words wash over me. He pressed kisses to my closed eyelids, offering me comfort.
“I’m so scared I’ll freeze up when I get to the starting line. That I won’t be able to start. Or worse, I’ll get to Mass Ave and not be able to finish. That every sound, every picture from that day will flash in my head, and I’ll be paralyzed with fear.”
Luke lifted me into his lap so I straddled him. He wrapped his palms around my face, wiping my tears with his thumbs.
“Lex, you’ll do great. You have to find your happy place out there. Focus on you and your race. You can’t think about last year.”
That was easier said than done. The news would focus on the tragedy for the next week. Pictures of bloodied bodies. The chaos that ensued after the bombs went off. The medical personnel scrambling to help. The police trying to regain order in the face of pure terror.
“You need to focus on the happiness the survivors have found since that day. Focus on their strength, and draw from it. Those people are the heroes. Don’t give the assholes who terrorized us for days any more of your headspace. They don’t deserve to be in this gorgeous head of yours.” He bent down and kissed my forehead to emphasize his point.
After the bombing was equally as horrible. The city went days without knowing who was responsible or why it happened. That area of the city was closed off as investigators combed through wreckage, videotapes from spectators’ cell phones, security cameras from businesses, and false accusations and leads. The Thursday following the race, the two terrorists were identified, and their images released to the public. By Friday morning, they were on the run, and rained terror on the city and suburbs again, while the FBI, Boston, Newton, and Watertown police tried to capture them. One terrorist was killed, while the other hid in a boat somewhere. After hours and hours, he was finally captured, ending the nightmare.
I buried my face deep into his chest, drawing as much comfort as I could from him. After a few minutes, I leaned away and looked up into his kind face. “What a buzz kill. I’m sorry for ruining our date.”
“Don’t think for one minute this has ruined anything. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want your truth. You gave it to me, and I’m grateful for your honesty.” Luke placed his lips to mine, pouring his sentiment into his motions. He held me tight, rocking and soothing me until my tears stopped.
He pushed me away, giving me a sly grin. “Still wanna make out?”
I didn’t think I had ever laughed so much after crying so hard. We had just had a deep, serious, emotional conversation during what was technically our first date. I was spent from crying, but the twinkle of mischief in his eyes was hard to ignore. So was the hard-on he was sporting under me.
“I’m a hot mess. I probably look like Alice Cooper on a good day, and you want to make out?”
“What? Snot soaked shirts don’t turn you on?” He waved his hand down the front of his shirt now stained with my tears.
“Oh my God. I’m gross. I’m so sorry!” I tried to move off his lap. I needed to get away from this awful, embarrassing situation, but Luke grabbed hold of my hips and refused to let me go.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You promised me some making out, and I’m going to cash that chip in. Your tears and snot don’t scare me away. How about this? I’ll take my shirt off, and we can pretend it never happened?” Luke proceeded to slowly unbutton his shirt.
The air in the room changed from tragic, to charged with desire. When he was halfway there, my fingers itched to take over his task, so I brushed him out of the way and finished what he started. Once the buttons were undone, I sat back so I could push the shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. His eyes followed my every move.
With his shirt out of the way, I became greedy for more, and yanked his undershirt out of his waistband and tugged it over his head. Finally, I was able to see the tattoo that peeked out at me all these weeks. An intricate tribal design graced his shoulder and down his bicep, with a deep fuchsia lotus flower in the center of the striking black image. I wanted to trace each line with my tongue.
Luke’s eyes darkened as he stared at my mouth. I licked my lips in response. As much as I wanted his lips on mine, I wanted mine all over his body. I wanted to taste his skin. I wanted to worship the body of the man who had worshipped mine for weeks. His neck, his pecs, his everything.
“You are so beautiful.” Luke didn’t give me a chance to respond or follow through with my plans. He captured my lips with his and devoured my mouth. Our tongues danced slow and seductive. “I need to see more of you.” His voice pleaded as he lowered his hands from the nape of my neck to the hem of my shirt.
I gave a slight nod, granting permission.
Slowly and downright torturously, he raised my shirt over my head, skimming his knuckles over my skin as he went, creating a wake of goosebumps. My shirt wound up in the pile with his. His hands, which had touched my body for the last few weeks, felt different this time. More reverent, more intimate.
“God, I have dreamt of this for so long.” He shifted me down to the couch, and as he hovered over me, he trailed kisses down my neck, across my shoulders, to the cleavage spilling out of my lace demi bra. His mouth felt so good that I couldn’t hold in my moans any longer.
“I’ve had the same fantasies since day one.” I panted, grabbing his face and drawing it to me so I could pour my soul into his mouth. “You feel amazing. Please, don’t stop.”
With that, he moved down to my breasts and sucked my nipples through the lace. Nonsensical words poured out of my mouth when he blew cool air over my sensitive buds. While his mouth laved one, his magical fingers teased the other.
I needed more. Tearing my hands from his head, I arched my back, unclasped my bra, and yanked it out of the way.
Luke shot me a devilish grin. “Thank fuck.”
His mouth directly on my skin was out of this world.
*****
Luke
Remembering that day was hard, to put it mildly. With the spa so close to the explosion, I, too, worked to overcome my own demons. My only hope was that I helped ease some of her worries. Maybe Jeff could talk to her about it too, since he also ran last year. I read somewhere that some survivors were running this year, and to overcome their fears, they trained near the finish line, the epicenter of the bombing.
After discussing such a hard topic, I was grateful I could pull her out of her head and into the present. Alexa was beyond my wildest dreams. The feel of her skin beneath my hands would never get old, but tasting her was my new addiction. She was so soft and silky and sweet. I couldn’t get enough.
“You taste like mangos,” I breathed out as I moved from one breast to the other. My fingers roamed over her stomach and up her sides before teasing her other nipple. Her moans drove me to continue my assault. I needed more skin. I needed everything with this girl. I wanted all her smiles, all her moans, all of her body.
I backed away to stare down at her beauty. I had never seen such an amazing sight in all my years. “You’re so gorgeous. You seriously take my breath away. I want to devour you right here.” As I looked at Alexa, her eyes closed, chest rising and falling to match my own, I had to stop. I needed to follow my rules, bent as they may be. Nine days. Nine days before I could claim her as mine. Nine days of pure torturous hell.
After a few seconds of silence, Alexa opened her hooded eyes and stared right into my soul. “Don’t say it. Please. I know. But if you say anything, I’ll be crushed. I can’t hear the words. Nine days left, and I’ll be crossing them off on my calendar like a silly teenager.”
I didn’t want to tell her we had to stop, any more than she wanted to hear it. And that was why I was falling for her harder than a mob rat might fall into the Charles River.
Chapter Eighteen
Alexa
Running before everyone was awake felt powerful and surreal. The streets that are usually crowded with cars, and sidewalks packed with hurried footsteps, were empty a
nd calm. Boston was a great city. I loved living here. There was no other place I’d rather be. The mountains for skiing were only a few hours away, beaches a mere thirty minutes, Cape Cod, where my parents lived, just an hour and a half east. The culture rivaled New York City, the theatre not as spectacular, but still great. The restaurants, divine.
As I ran eighteen miles with Jeff beside me, my mind not only reflected on our miraculous city, but on my conversation with Luke the night before. It was a fantastic night that went from the highest high to the lowest low, and then rocketed to the moon. Admitting my deepest fears to Luke was hard. I knew they weren’t unwarranted, that my struggle at Heartbreak Hill probably saved me from the bombing, and I was lucky I didn’t have to bear witness to the horrific scene that ensued.
“Where were you last year when the bombs went off?” I asked.
Jeff and I never discussed the bombings. I knew he competed and finished before the mayhem started.
“I was back home in Southie already, at a pub with my friends, when we saw it all unfold on television,” Jeff said.
“I was stopped at Mass Ave.” I wasn’t sure why I was dredging all this up twice in twenty-four hours, but it was unavoidable with the anniversary days away.
“Fuck, Alexa, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were that close.” Jeff looked over at me, remorse written all over his face.
“Luke and I talked about it last night, and it brought all my fears back to the surface.”
“And? What did the wise Luke say?” Humor laced his words.
“He told me I needed to draw strength from my feelings. And not let those sons of bitches win by keeping me scared.” I glanced over and saw Jeff laughing at his friend’s words.
“Luke’s wicked smart. I take it you guys are getting along?”
“I’m not discussing this with you. All I’ll say is Luke is a professional and amazing at his craft.” I tried to keep my voice unbiased, but I probably sounded like a lovesick teenager.
As much as it physically and emotionally pained me when Luke slammed the brakes on our major make out session, I never wanted to push him to do something that would compromise his integrity. The draw between us was too strong to ignore, and I was grateful we didn’t need to avoid it.
“I see that stupid ass, happy grin on your face. Just so you know, I expect an invite to the wedding.” Jeff interrupted my thoughts.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but yes, thank you for introducing us. He’s a remarkable guy, and I’m happy to have him in my corner.”
When we finished the run, my body felt great, and I knew I could physically handle next week’s big run. I needed to spend the rest of the week ignoring the news, and finding my happy place so I could tackle the mental part as well.
*****
“How was the date last night?” Addison greeted me at the door while I peeled off some of my running gear. “You got home awfully late. Do I need to have a talk with young Luke about your curfew?”
“No, mom, my virtue is sadly still intact,” I grunted out.
“That doesn’t sound good. Spill it.”
I flopped down on my back with my legs dangling over the arm of the couch.
“Dinner was delicious. Conversation even better. His lips are like heaven. His touch felt more amazing on my skin when we are on his couch than on the massage table.” I groaned and beat my fists on the cushion. “But… he stopped us at second base.” Frustration oozed in my voice.
“What? Why?” Disbelief dripped from her words.
“He and Danny made an agreement that they would never date a client. Supposedly, I’m the first. So until the marathon is over, we can’t have sex.”
“Well, shit. That sucks, babe. I’m sorry.” Addison honestly looked like she felt my pain.
After last night, if blue balls had a female equivalent, I had them.
“I just hope that’s the only reason he keeps throwing on the brakes. What if he doesn’t want to have sex with me?” When we were in the moment, I didn’t feel this way, but in the daylight, uncertainty crept in.
“I really doubt that, babe. He’s crazy about you. I saw the lust in his eyes when he saw you last night. That man wants you hard.”
I prayed Addison was right.
“We will see in about a week, when he can’t use the marathon as an excuse. I should be able to control myself until then. I just don’t wanna,” I said in the whiniest voice possible. I might as well have stomped my foot like a petulant child wanting a toy at the store.
“Want to see the dress I designed for you for the gala on Saturday?” She practically jumped out of her skin. “While you were making out like horndogs, I was home designing you a dress that will make Luke kick his own ass for his stupid rule.”
“You designed me a dress?”
Addison ran over to the worktable and grabbed her sketchbook. “Now, you’re under absolutely no obligation to like this, but since you’re my best friend, you better!” She winked.
She flipped the pad over, and what I saw blew me away. The dress was a classic boat neck with cap sleeves. A slit rode high on one thigh, which would emphasize my long, toned legs. But when she turned the page over to show me the back, I knew I needed her to make this evening gown for me. Luke would go nuts when he saw it, and I would hopefully reap the benefits all night long.
“Addison, this is perfection. You sure know how to dress my body. I love it, and will take on any clients I need to, so you can make this creation come to life in the next seven days.”
“I’m so happy you love it because I think it’s perfect for you. Let’s discuss color. My thought was the cornflower blue being used for this year’s warm up jacket.” Every registered runner received loads of swag, including a jacket. “It would match your eyes perfectly.”
“Genius as always. What do you think about Luke wearing an orange tie?” I suggested, since the warm up jackets were blue and orange.
“I think it’s a tad cheeky, but as long as he wore a vest, it wouldn’t be too much.”
“I’m so lucky to have you! You’re so talented. I can’t wait to see the final product.” I reached over and gave her a huge hug. “I’m going to run upstairs and shower, and then can we veg out and watch movies all afternoon?”
“Absolutely, I need a chill out day. We’ll need to review the schedule for the week, but we can do that over Chinese food. Go shower, you stink.” Addison pushed me toward the stairs.
*****
Half way through Pretty Woman, a movie Addison and I watched at least once a month, Luke texted me. Just seeing his name pop up on my phone made me giddy. It was sickly sweet.
Magic Hands: What ya doin?
Me: Laundry and cuddling on the couch
Magic Hands: Who should I be jealous of cuddling with you?
One of the many things that attracted me to Luke was his honesty. Every time we saw each other, his words got sweeter. When he walked me to my door last night, he whispered in my ear, “Your strength and inner beauty dazzle me.” He was the dazzler. I was falling hard, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, not that I wanted to.
Me: Addison and the laundry basket. What are you doing?
Magic Hands: Wishing I was a laundry basket
Me: No really
Magic Hands: Sitting here thinking of a way to see you today
I wanted to see him, too. But if my past relationships taught me anything, it was not to abandon friendships for a man. Chicks before dicks, and all that.
Me: Awww sorry I’m hanging with Addie today
Magic Hands: When can I see you again?
Me: You can run with me Tuesday morning before I see you at TRD
Magic Hands: How many miles?
Me: 10, don’t be a baby and run with me
Magic Hands: Well when you put it so nicely, fine I’ll run with you
Me: YAY! Enjoy your afternoon. Do your own laundry for once and call me later
Magic Hands: If I must.
�
�You’re blowing up over there. It must be lover boy. You look like Julia Roberts with that big ass smile.”
“Nothing gets by you, Kit. Yes, it was Luke, and he wanted to see me. I told him I was hanging with you today,” I said, still smiling like a hooker with a rich John.
“Thanks, babe. I miss you with all the training, and now dating the stud muffin. Once you two start knockin’ boots, you’ll never be around.”
“Not true.” Addison gave me the stink eye. “Okay, well, maybe for the first week or so. Sex with him is going to be epic. If last night was any indication, I may not leave his bed for awhile.”
“Just don’t forget to eat, and drink lots of water.”
I threw a pair of socks at her head. She fell over laughing at my sad attempt to be mad. But really, her advice was smart and useful.
*****
Luke
If I wasn’t careful, I was going to start irritating myself with my moaning and whining. This was not where I wanted to be, laying on the couch like a sad sack in my condo. I wanted to be hanging out with her. The memory of last night, her topless, spread out for me like a feast, here in this very spot, made me restless. I craved her, and my every thought circled back to her. No other woman had ever come close to affecting me this way. Yes, I wanted Alexa in my bed, but more importantly, I wanted to spend all my free time with her, get to know her more, and make her smile.
Over the years, I had had my fair share of girlfriends, but the relationships always revolved around the woman. I gave my all in every one, but never received anything in return. Alexa listened to me. She cared about The Rub Down and its success, and I wanted to be a better person. For her.