by Elle Linder
During the meal, they talked, laughed, and gazed into each other’s eyes with a heat that would melt an Alaskan iceberg in ten seconds flat. The sexual tension between them would finally be extinguished tonight. And not a moment too soon.
Luke removed the plates and queued up “Make You Miss Me” on his iPod dock.
“I want to dance with you…to our song.” He took her hand.
“Our song? I like the sound of that. This is the song we danced to at The Peak, right?”
“Yes. When I was in Alaska…after that call, I was sure I would lose you. Then I heard the song, and it was like I could feel you, smell you, and taste you while I listened to it. That’s when I knew you were it for me. I needed you.”
“Oh, Luke, that is so…I don’t have words.”
“You don’t need words.” He claimed her mouth in a heated, sensual kiss until the song ended. Then he swept her off her feet and carried her to his bedroom.
TWENTY-FOUR
A Night to Remember
In the middle of Luke’s room, the warmth from the fire in the hearth and the candles surrounded them. The romantic setting and her gorgeous lumberjack in a sports coat turned her to putty in the dimly lit room. It all overwhelmed her with excitement for what was to come, but it also made her appreciate his efforts deeply. “You did all of this? When?”
“Of course I did. Just for you.” He set her on the floor. “Some of this has been planned for a couple of weeks, and the rest I did earlier today. I turned into a crazy man before you returned.”
“Wow. I can’t believe it.”
Julia scanned the room, drinking it all in, from the candles to the view. Every time their eyes connected, his twinkled back at her.
“You take my breath away.”
She turned to him with glossy eyes. “I’m in awe. Everything is beautiful. Perfect.”
“I’d give you the world if it would make you happy.”
“You make me happy.”
He arched his thick brow seductively, lifting a box from the nightstand, and revealed the contents: heart-shaped brownies.
Julia closed her eyes, inhaling the tempting aroma. “Mmm.”
That’s all it took. The time had arrived to take care of business…their long-awaited business.
Luke put the box down and took Julia’s hand. He placed soft kisses on the top, then led her near the fireplace. Music continued playing softly in the background. As her heart rate increased, he cupped her face and stroked her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. She swallowed as he moved in slowly and firmly pressed his lips to hers. Enveloped by his delicious mouth, the intensity between them exploded into an inferno spreading through her body, and by the sounds he made, the fire had entered him as well.
Julia quaked against him as a hot wave rolled through her body. It made feeling the firm bulge in his pants torture, and it escalated her desire to new heights. She abruptly broke the kiss and led him to the bed. “Sit,” she commanded.
“Gladly.”
Luke’s obedience roused her sexual power. She was absorbed in his dark, lusty eyes. The wanting in them directed her course. “You’re so damn handsome.” She dotted small kisses over his face, then slowly swiped her tongue across his lips. He didn’t move a muscle. A suggestive hum rumbled in her throat as she toyed with him, provoking her own desires. Oh, she wanted him desperately. She tugged his lower lip roughly between her teeth just the way he liked, and he shifted on the bed.
“Damn, baby.” He groaned, lifting his hands from his thighs, but then he stopped and placed them on the bed.
Luke’s response wasn’t at all what she had expected. Where was his animalistic prowess? Why didn’t he pull her onto the bed and devour her? He didn’t need to restrain himself anymore. He could lose control. If he wanted to go slow, she would lose her mind for sure. “Luke, is something wrong? Do you want to stop?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m loving this.”
“Then why aren’t you ripping my clothes off?”
“That’s not how I roll. I want to savor every second with you. I want tonight to last as long as possible.” He kissed her nose and her neck and then her chin. Her body quivered from his stimulating lips.
“Mmm.” Julia let her head fall back, giving him more access.
“I want to touch you. Memorize you.” Luke ran the tips of his fingers down her neck and over her chest. “I want to take my time treasuring you like the precious jewel you are.” He reached his hands behind her and slowly unzipped her dress. His low crooner voice seduced her with every word that passed his lips.
“Oh. Luke. Talk to me more…tell me more.”
“First I’m going to kiss every inch of your body, starting right here.” He kissed her chest while slipping the dress off her shoulders. She let the silver beauty fall to the floor and, not giving it an ounce of care, kicked it to the side.
The grin on Luke’s face as he marveled at her body made her flush. “I like your black panties.”
“Cheekies.”
“Cheekies? I like them.”
The stinker was playing with her while she stood in nothing more than black cheekies. It shocked her that he didn’t devour her near-naked body right there. Did he have to be the strongest, most controlled man she knew?
“I have more.”
“Do you?” He smirked.
“You’re driving me wild, Luke.”
“Am I? You’re beautiful—so beautiful.” He skimmed his hands over her legs, across her back, and down over her ass.
Julia trembled with arousal. She yearned for him, begging to be pinned to the bed by her sexy man. Her body wanted him to feast on her to his heart’s content. But Luke didn’t seem to have the same urgency she had.
“I love your silky skin. My God, you’re a masterpiece.” A low rumble in his chest made her wet.
“Luke…I’m loving this. Don’t stop...”
“Never.”
Julia helped remove Luke’s sport coat, then his shirt. It was the first time they had both been topless together. He had a large tattoo on his chest, Semper Fidelis, written in an Old English font. She traced a finger over the words. “What does this mean?”
“Always Faithful. I’ll always be faithful to you.”
“Luke,” she breathed. The emotional response to his declaration took the air out of her lungs. The words floated between them before she kissed him. Drawing in his lips, she slipped her tongue into his mouth.
The vibration of a carnal groan against her mouth thrilled her as Luke pulled her onto the bed.
Julia kicked off her heels and pulled Luke down with her. The wait had seemed like forever, and she was beyond ready to receive Mr. Lumberjack. When she reached for his pants, he took her hands and raised them above her head. Her mouth popped open in surprise.
“Slow down,” he whispered. “I’m going to make this so good for you…” He rolled her onto her stomach and splayed his hands across her back.
Sighs and moans flowed out of her as she squirmed, enjoying his touch. “What are you doing?”
“I’m watching your gorgeous body dance. Damn is it turning me on.”
“Not fair! Take me now, Luke. Please!” She tried to twist around, but he held her in place. She stole a glance at him smiling down at her, so she popped her leg up to get his attention.
“What a perfect idea.”
“What?”
“Where I should start kissing you.” Luke ran his fingers along the bottom of her foot.
She wiggled and giggled.
“Ticklish, are you?”
“Maybe, so don’t.”
“Whatever you want…” Holding her leg in place, he kissed her ankle like it was her mouth, and did it ever turn her on.
“Oh—wow.”
He licked, then sucked on her ankle. Erotic tingles filled her core, but it was just her ankle. No man had ever kissed her this way before. It roused every nerve in her body, but in a tender and loving way.
***
“Luke…please…” she begged.
He smiled. He had her right where he wanted her, but she hadn’t said the three words he wanted to hear. “Yeah, baby, ready for the other side?” He straddled her from behind. He kissed the nape of her neck, stretching her arms above her head, and entwined his fingers with hers.
“Please, Luke,” she pouted, “I need you.”
That’s what he wanted to hear. The words were sweet music to his ears. “Tell me again, baby.” He rolled her onto her back.
“I need you.” She reached for him, and he met her mouth in a warm, searing kiss.
“Your mouth is so sweet and warm. I fucking love it.” He dipped his tongue in, searching for hers, and his groin twitched. It forced him to pull back so not to lose himself in her just yet. “Tell me what you want.” He raised her hands above her head and grazed his tongue ever so lightly down her chest.
“I want to feel you inside me. Please, Luke, please.”
“Yeah, you want to feel me?” She arched toward his mouth the closer he got to her taut pink nipples. “What else?” Luke wanted to draw out the experience, so he rubbed the hair on his face against her skin to stimulate her body, and her moans showed she loved it.
“Your tongue. I want to feel it.” She panted.
“Yeah?” He flicked her nipple, happy to oblige.
“Yes.” She sucked in a breath as he drew her nipple into his mouth, and like a desperate woman, she pressed into him. “Yes. Oh, yes…”
He worked her gently, swirling his tongue around the peak, nipping with his teeth and kneading with the tips of his fingers before he took her supple berry into his mouth. She arched into him, her full breast pressed against his face. There was nothing better than her intoxicating scent tickling his nose. “Mmm,” he moaned. He could stay there all day, but for now, he released her. “How am I doing, baby? Do you like it like this?” He moved to the other breast.
“Mm-hmm. Yes…yes,” she whined through her labored breaths.
***
When Luke released her hands, she fervently gripped his head as he drew in her nipple. Aroused didn’t begin to describe how she felt. The way Luke spoke to her and touched her incited feelings in her she hadn’t known existed. Everything with him was different. Even the way her orgasm formed, all at once just from touching his hair and feeling him suckle.
Abruptly, she bucked into his bulging jeans. A tsunami of ecstasy took form in her core, all from his tantalizing mouth. “Oooh.” Her sweet song filled the room as she gripped her head and strained against him.
Several deep breaths later, she relaxed and fluttered her eyes open. Luke stared down at her, mesmerized.
“Holy fuck, baby, that was amazing.”
“You’re telling me,” she whispered in a breathy voice. “Was that the best you’ve got?” Her eyes smoldered up at him.
“Hell no, that was just the beginning.” He resumed his journey, kissing down her flat stomach. As he got lower, she started to spread her legs for him, wanting him to dive in more than anything.
“Not tonight, baby.” He put his hand on her thigh. “We’ll do carnal another time.” He continued kissing down her leg, letting his beard tickle her inner thigh while the warmth of his mouth evoked little whines of desperation from her. “You’re ready for me, aren’t you, baby?”
“Yes, Luke…yes,” she begged, moving her body in a slow, sensual dance.
“Anything else you want, my girl?” he asked, standing at the foot of the bed.
Julia lifted her head to look at him. Never had she imagined being with such a rugged man—a lumberjack no less, with sexy tattoos.
Luke kicked off his shoes, eyeing her seductively as he removed his jeans. She held her breath. He was huge and beautiful and more than she had imagined. Luke ripped open the condom packet with a sexy smirk on his face.
Her breathing accelerated with anticipation as she watched him roll it on, ready to be filled. The warm glow of the candles, the flaming fire, the faint scent of brownies in the air, and the soft music playing was burned into her memory; she would never forget this magical Valentine’s. She had expected none of it from Luke, and she loved him for it.
He climbed onto her, bracing himself above her, and gazed deep into her eyes. “You take my breath away.”
“Luke, your body is amazing.” She ran her hands over his arms. “And you’re enormous,” she whispered with a nervous twitch to her mouth.
“I gotcha, baby. I’ll go slow.” He kissed her deeply, dipping his tongue into her mouth for a naughty tango. It stirred them up, but unlike before, they would satisfy their cravings. He moved his hand over her stomach and down between her legs, and he slipped his finger into her. “Oh damn, you’re so warm, wet, and ready for me.”
“Yes…” He caressed her gently, getting her ready for him. “Yes, Luke, yes.”
“Okay, baby, you can stop me anytime. And don’t hold back. I love hearing you.”
***
Luke’s moment had arrived, his chance to give her everything she needed so she would only want him, need him…stay with him.
When she bucked into his finger, he kissed her below the ear, sucking gently so not to mark her perfect skin. She opened for him as he moved into position. He brushed the hair off her face, watching her expression as he entered her. Slowly, he pressed, working his way in, becoming one with her. Everything about this moment made his heart soar. But it was the love in her dreamy eyes as she welcomed him into her body that filled him with honor and made him breathless.
Julia gasped softly. He gripped her thigh, his eyes locked on hers, watching for any signs of resistance or pain. In a gentle rhythm, he moved inside her, lavishing her with kisses.
Her panting increased as he molded to her body. She shimmied below him, wrapped her leg over his thigh, and cupped his face tenderly. “Luke, I…” She stopped. He wanted to hear her say it: I love you. But it was too soon. Even though he felt it deep in his core, he wouldn’t push her. Instead, he closed his eyes in amazement that he was with her…in her. With each thrust, she softened more, accepting all of him. It was transcendent.
As he increased his speed, she followed his rhythm beat by beat, but her moans were driving him wild. The fight to hold back his expulsion grated on him after the torture of waiting so long for this moment. He was weakening.
Out of the blue, Julia gripped his shoulders, pricking his flesh with her nails. He pumped hard...faster and faster as her moans filled his ears. He pumped and pumped until she cried out, shattering beneath him in a powerful orgasm. In his final thrust, he drove into her, releasing his most powerful eruption of all time. His groans bellowed until his body went limp following his release.
Nose to nose, he held Julia close in silent awe, connected as one. He felt her heart, bound to his by the most intimate expression of love, and he never wanted to let her go.
TWENTY-FIVE
Winning Over Lauren
Julia scurried behind the front desk. Her target? Erika, who looked at her oddly just like she had been doing for the last week—well, since Valentine’s Day. A toothy grin had been on Julia’s face since her romantic night with Luke, which had carried over into every night after that.
“Morning. Is room two twenty ready for Lauren?”
“Yes, as of last night. And Louise said the flowers would be here by nine. And they will be; she’s always punctual.” Julia nodded, looking at the reservation list. “You know, even with that giddy, lovestruc
k grin you’ve been wearing for days, you look worried.”
“I am. Lauren is…how shall I say it? Finicky.” Julia walked into her office, and Erika followed, sitting in the chair across from Julia.
“Finicky? Is that a nice word for difficult?”
“More like a nice word for bitch.” Julia pressed the tips of her fingers to her temples. “Everything has to be perfect for her arrival, or this visit will fail miserably. And that can’t happen. I need her to love Luke…in a non-romantic way.”
“Got it, but can I just say you’re stressing me out now?”
“Sorry. Misery loves company.” She shrugged, turning on her computer.
“Who’s miserable? Not my girl Julia.” Luke snickered, peeking his head into her office. Erika giggled at his antics.
Luke was rarely funny, but Julia brought out a playful side to him, a side she loved.
“Morning, Luke,” Erika greeted. “Maybe you can calm the boss-lady down.” She stood and left the office.
“The boss-lady needs calming down? I’m on it.” He winked, closing the door behind her, and walked over to Julia. “Tell me what you need.” He kneeled before her. His sincerity and love were just what she needed…his love.
“I need your lips on mine…stat.” She closed her eyes and puckered.
“Damn…I was hoping you’d say that.” He moved in slowly, giving her exactly what she needed. Him.
The lobby was quiet and spotless. Yet Julia frantically rushed around, making sure not even a magazine was out of place just minutes before she expected Lauren to arrive. Her craziness had nothing to do with Lauren being finicky or a bitch, though she was even on her best day. This was all Julia. Everything had to be perfect to keep Lauren happy so she would accept and approve of Luke.
What if Lauren liked Luke? That would mean he was a good man like she believed, and she would stay in Idaho. And that would break Lauren’s heart. Julia spun around when the entry bell rang.
“Hi, babe!” Lauren squealed, running to her. As usual, Lauren looked like a million bucks dressed in her Michael Kors camel wool coat, Gucci wedge boots, and a Burberry scarf in the signature check. One look at her and anyone would know she was a tourist.