Luke gave a quick salute. Blake and Misty had already started a new feud about whether emotional cheating still counted as cheating. Luke walked slowly out of the break room. Only by sheer will had he managed to keep his composure.
Kennedy Notyce was spearheading divorce negotiations for one of New York’s most revered socialites of the upper Eastside. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Why the hell couldn’t she just stay in her lane?
This was his world. His career, his firm, and even his name was at stake.
Every New York lawyer knew who Kennedy was. Her work in the corporate tech space of intellectual property was renowned. Business Weekly had nicknamed her the ‘Barracuda in Balenciaga,” which in all honesty, Luke thought fit her persona to a T.
Having been classmates with her at Yale, he saw firsthand how precise Kennedy was. Fucking hell, her sharp intellect had been one of the things he loved most about her.
It was sexy. Everything about her had been sexy to him when he was still young and stupid. Loved. Past tense, he reminded himself. Ancient-before-Christ past tense.
They’d been study partners for both semesters as 2Ls. Law school was brutal, but Yale Law School was another type of hell that he’d rather forget. The only person that had made his experience worthwhile was Kennedy Notyce.
They’d been thick as thieves, quizzing each other incessantly, outlining case notes as if their lives depended on it, filling out endless index cards with legal statutes. Countless times, he’d sat across from Kennedy, pretending to study but all the while staring at her.
Calling her attractive was amateurish. He suspected all the splendor in the universe didn’t come close to competing with her effortless beauty.
Her skin was a pleasing shade of cocoa. He remembered her big brown eyes, and the determination evident in the pinch of her lovely brows and the down-curve of her full lips. Full, sumptuous lips that tasted like–
He adjusted the collar of his shirt as he redirected his thoughts. Luke recalled her giggles and chuckles and snickers. Soft, throaty, and sensual.
They were adorable. A full-on laugh however, was so rare, that he noted every time the melodic sound graced his ear buds.
A laugh was commonly thought of as a simple, unique noise that helplessly escapes from the mouth. Not true. Maybe for everyone else, but not her.
Kennedy’s laugh bubbled up from deep inside her chest, from her soul. Luke remembered how it transformed her heart-shaped face from poker-straight to unadulterated happiness. It wasn’t just a sound, it was a crescendo. A harmonized explosion of music that he cherished like a gift.
One hundred forty-eight.
He had heard her laugh 148 times before everything was shot to hell. Pathetic as it was, he memorized each occurrence too.
Luke supposed they had come together because it was convenient. Too much rote memorization necessitated fuckfests to excise the built-up stress and demands of school. It was less time-consuming to use each other’s bodies as a playground versus trying to find someone else.
But convenience didn’t explain the soulful connection he felt five years ago. The connection he knew Kennedy had felt too.
Until he ruined it all by wanting more.
Chapter 3
Five Years Ago.
Luke laid on the stiff sheets, listening to the creaky ceiling fan.
His eyes were drawn to the brown, naked form, lying next to him. Miles of perfect flesh glistened with a faint sheen of sweat. Tiredness urged his body to sleep. To let her sleep. In the poorly lit room, he ordered his body to rest.
His dick failed to comply.
He pressed his body against Kennedy’s petite, curvy frame and grabbed two handfuls of her perky ass. An almost imperceptible sigh floated around in the silent room.
Pressing a kiss to her curly hair, he chuckled. Behind the coconut fragrance of her conditioner, he distinctly recalled the lingering smell of coffee.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, letting out a faint yawn. She stretched out, rocking her backside into his hands.
“I’ve just never met anyone like you. Your work ethic,” he kissed her shoulder. “Your brain,” he kissed her temple. “It’s all so damn sexy.”
She chuckled under her breath before flirtatiously rolling her hips. It was her standard chuckle. Wasn’t a full laugh, so he didn’t count that in his running total.
“Is that all that’s sexy about me?” She reached behind her and between them to stroke the tip of his cock.
Sleep be damned.
“You know it’s not,” he growled. “Everything about you is sexy. Can’t even lay next to you without trying to get inside you.”
He wrapped a hand around her wrist, and she gasped. The sound sent his cock into overdrive. He needed to remind himself of what she looked like when she came undone with ecstasy. It was illogical. They’d just finished a round of sex less than an hour ago. Luke couldn’t bring himself to care.
He needed Kennedy again. Now.
“Hmm. I must not be sexy enough. You’re still not inside me.”
He leaned over to kiss her. She whimpered as his tongue caressed hers. He broke the kiss and brought his lips to her ear. “Turn over. On your knees. Face down, ass up,” he said gruffly.
Without hesitation, she scooted to the middle of the bed and obeyed his instructions. Kennedy turned to look at him, eyes covered by a mass of thick curls. “Quiero que me cojas. Duro,” she purred.
He loved making her speak Spanish.
The foreign words dripping from her lips was his Kryptonite. Desire short-circuited his brain. Like a switch, Luke’s primal instincts on and stripped his brain down to its base function.
“Don’t move an inch,” he growled.
He leaned down behind her to get an unobstructed view of her slick, glistening pussy. He blew directly on her clit, watching the little bud plump up before his eyes.
He reached forward to run a finger down her perfectly bare folds. She was soaked. He popped his finger into his mouth and sucked off her nectar.
“So sweet,” he murmured.
“Dios mío,” she whispered, “Más, Lu. Más.”
“Say please.”
“Maldita sea, mierda,” she cursed at him before finally relenting, “Por favor.”
Not wasting another second, he leaned forward to swipe at her juices directly from the source. He just needed a quick taste before he fucked her from behind. One devastatingly slow lick. Instantly, her back arched and she rocked forward.
Bad girl.
Backing away, he positioned himself behind her. “I said. Don’t Move,” he said roughly. His warmed up her bare ass with a swat from his hand.
Kennedy turned her head to face him, flipping her jet-black hair over her shoulder. “Quit teasing me, Lu. Fuck me, or I’ll–”
One hand gripped her hip and the other guided his cock to her wet center. Her head snapped down to the pillow, burying a cry of pleasure. Frantic hands clawed at the sheets and he couldn’t help the smug grin tugging at his lips.
There. That should shut her up.
Luke watched as Kennedy’s smooth, ebony pussy devoured his length greedily. He didn’t stop until he was buried deep. Not one speck of space separated them as he leant over her back.
“You’ll do what now?” he asked, repeating her earlier threat. “You love this, Kenn. Your hot little pussy loves my dick.”
He could barely make out her voice as she spoke into her pillow. “Stop talking and fuck me.”
He didn’t need her obedience to come, but damn it, he wanted it. He pulled out slow so only the tip was in, then slid all the way home.
“Say it,” he taunted her. His lips hovered over her ear. “Say this pussy is mine, or I stop.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
She had a point.
Still, he had to hear the words. He had never wanted a woman in his life this badly. Ever. They’d been sexing for two years. In two months, they’d be graduating. Going on different paths scared t
he hell out of him. They hadn’t even had a single conversation about what would happen after.
Righting himself, Luke balanced himself on his knees and pulled her hips towards him.. He started to thrust again, groaning as her body stretched to accommodate him.
“Can’t get enough of you.” He reached under her to pluck the bundle of nerves at her core.
Tingles spread from the base of his skull, down his spine, even down to his feet. He wasn’t going to last long at this rate.
“So good, papi. So close.”
He fucked her deeper but slowed down the pace. If this was the only time he had to convince that he was more than an animated fuck-toy, he was going to savor it.
“Wish you could see what I see, Kenn. How you clench around my dick like a glove. You take it so beautifully. Like your body was made just for mine.” His fingers worked double-time stroking her clit.
“Luke,” she moaned in warning. “Don’t.”
He shook his head in an attempt to contain his emotions. Kennedy had an odd aversion to emotions. And confrontations.
Today he didn’t care.
“Don’t what? Tell you how I feel? You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you figured it out already. All I’m doing is saying the words.”
She was his.
He knew that. She knew that. He filled her over and over again until the slap of their bodies formed a syncopated rhythm. His strokes were more sporadic and frantic now.
A little rough. A lot greedy.
Too many feelings swirled inside him. He was desperate to tell her. As if his words would prompt her to confess her own feelings.
Her pussy milked him from below. Hypnotized him. Distracted him. He stopped mid-stroke earning an immediate whine from Kennedy. Pulling out except for the tip, Luke waited.
She whipped her head around again, breasts heaving, eyes heavy with lust and anger. “Damn it, Luke. What do you want me to say?” She looked confused. Slightly betrayed.
He pulled out of her completely, switching their positions. He wanted–needed–to look into those chocolate eyes as he opened himself up to her. Luke’s cock rebelled. It wasn’t satisfied until she was on her back, he on top, as he slipped back into her warm, velvety sheath.
He peered down at her and sighed. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. You’re my closest friend.”
The dreaded f word.
His voice was calm and measured, “You know that I’d never hurt you? That all I want is to make you happy?”
She nodded. Slower this time. She reached a hand to his jaw while the other smoothed his blonde hair out of the way. All that was left to do was to say the words.
“I love you,” he said. She opened her mouth to speak and he quickly laid a finger on her lips. Her hands dropped from his face.
He forced himself to continue, “I tried like hell to keep my feelings out of this. To bottle them all up, you know? I really did.”
She didn’t look comfortable with the direction of the conversation. Too damn bad. They need to come to some sort of consensus before he lost his goddamn mind.
He pressed his mouth to the curve of her dark shoulder. “I can’t not know where I stand with you anymore. It’s killing me, Kenn.”
She kissed the corner of his mouth. “Lu, warm and fuzzy words aren’t my strong suit. I spend almost every day with you. I’m wet for you. My body has been only yours since we met. You know how I feel.”
He really didn’t.
The bedroom was the only time Kennedy was vulnerable. Any other time, she was a goddamn ice princess. Except here. She couldn’t hide when he was buried deep inside her.
His fingers trailed along her sides. She stared at him with bright eyes and swollen lips. He dropped a hand to her perfect breasts and teased a dark nipple.
“I don’t, babe. But it’s simple. All you have to do is say if you feel the same way.” He dipped down for a quick kiss.
He felt her shiver. “That’s it?”
“That’s it. I’ll take whatever you give me, Kenn.”
She hesitated. “I want you, Luke. Dios mío, sometimes I swear I need you.” She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him down into her.
It wasn’t a declaration of love. But it was close enough. He plunged into her, latching his mouth on to one of her breasts.
He grunted as Kennedy rewarded him with a roll of her hips against his erection. She clawed at his ass, drawing him closer. Deeper. Until he was drowning in ecstasy.
“Más fuerte, papi.”
She wanted harder?
His big hands clutched her small waist, anchoring her in place, setting a punishing pace. Tremors in her leg and core hinted at her release.
He was so close. His spine melted as he forced himself to power through the beginnings of her powerful ecstasy. The combination of pain and pleasure was so incredible, he stopped trying to hold off the inevitable.
Their orgasms crashed together. Like a supernova. Unstable and white-hot.
“I love you,” he murmured into her neck. He rolled off of her so as to not suffocate her under his full weight.
His words were met with silence. He figured she was just catching her breath. The mattress dipped as she shifted positions. Luke reached over to pull her into his arms, but she evaded his touch.
That wasn’t a good sign.
“Sorry, just need a little space. In fact, um, I really should grab a shower,” she said, but her words came out too fast. Like she was nervous.
“I have one of those, you know,” he said, jerking his thumb towards the bathroom.
“I know but I just… I need some time to process everything, that’s all. Okay?”
Her perfect teeth lined up in a smile. But it looked all wrong. Too plastic. She didn’t seem happy or amused. Kennedy was panicking.
Luke ran a hand through his hair. “Did you mean what you said? Before?” Dread pooled into his stomach as he waited for her answer.
She untangled herself from the sheets to start clothing her delectable curves. “I did. But I don’t think I can give you what you’re looking for.”
“Who said I’m asking for anything? You’ve always been passionate about school. We just have to figure out how to balance everything, that’s all.”
“Balance what exactly?” she asked. “I have a plan, you know. And goals, so many goals. Hell, you’ve heard them a million times.”
And not once had she ever mentioned out a space for romance or love.
He sat up on the bed. “Just stay. Take a shower here and we’ll figure out the rest. Nothing really even has to change.”
Her mouth gaped open. “You told me you loved me, Luke. That changes everything. I can’t work out the logistics of us while figuring out the next few years of my life.”
Her full tits jiggled as she fit them back into her bra.
He sat back down and started tapping his foot. “There’s nothing to figure out. We just continue on as friends that fuck. The only difference is that we happen to love each other.”
She met his eyes, her expression sharp. “I care about you. So much. I probably even love you.”
Love was good. Very good.
He voiced his thoughts. “So, this is a good thing, right?”
She tossed him a rueful smile as she stepped into her underwear. “It would be. Except the timing is off. Luke, I’ve always been clear about my priorities.”
And he wasn’t one of them.
Reading between the lines was horribly easy to do when the writing was on the wall in bright red letters.
“So, that’s it then. We go back to, what? Only friends?” he asked angrily.
Her smile faded. “This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Blurring lines and complicating things. Look, graduation is only two months away. We’ll give it a go then. I’ll have a better handle on how to make things work. Make us work.”
The lie sucked up all the air from the room.
She�
��d always been a horrible liar. He knew, like she knew, that as soon as Kennedy left his apartment, the likelihood of them ever being in the same room again was slim to none. Her allergy to commitment would see to it.
“Bullshit. Tell me you don’t feel the same way. Hell, tell me you just don’t want to make us work. But don’t you dare fuckin’ lie to me.”
She paused. “Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry. You deserve more than that. I can’t do,” she moved her hands between them, “us. Honestly, I don’t want to. I want to finish school, pass the bar, and start my career. Love is not something I have time for. Not now.”
“You mean, you don’t want to pencil me in to your airtight life plan,” he said, stating the obvious.
“If that’s how you want to phrase it, sure. That’s exactly right.”
He realized all at once that there was nothing left to do. Or to say. He tried to think of a logical compromise. They could just be friends. He could do that. Even a demotion to only study partners would be okay.
Except now he was the one lying.
She shimmied into her clothes, and Luke instantly knew two things to be true.
First, Kennedy Notyce would never see him as more than a nice friend that happened to have a remarkable dick. He bet that she considered it part of her school supplies.
Books? Check. Highlighters? Check. 9-inch dick attached to a warm body? Check and check.
Second, and probably the biggest gut punch to his ego, was that he would always be second best. Once and for always, he got it through his thick skull that Kennedy Notyce’s priorities didn’t include him.
In her own way, she probably did love him. But she loved school, and her career, more.
The annoying buzz of the intercom interrupted memories of the past he thought he had long buried. “Mr. Simon, I have Mr. Jones for your meditation consultation. Should I send him in?”
“Of course, bring him down to my office. Thanks Sasha.”
He hated that the damn woman still had this effect on him. He hadn’t even laid eyes on her again and his focus was already shot to shit. Thank Christ that his trip down memory-lane had put his feelings in check.
The law was Kennedy Notyce’s first love.
Snow and Seduction (A Holiday Romance) Page 3