Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
JESSICA
J essica!” I pivot on my heel to see Ruby waving from across the room, her red dress a vibrant flame among the pastels. She beams, and when our gazes lock, she raises an eyebrow in question.
I blush and grin in response. “Look at you!” I call excitedly as I walk to her. “You look stunning!”
“Girl, I could say the same about you!” Ruby’s laughter rings out as she pulls me into a hug, making my heart burst with love for her. She leans back, eyes scanning over my shoulder. “He can’t take his eyes off you, Jessica.”
“Who?” I feign ignorance, though my pulse races, knowing exactly who she’s referring to.
“Come on, don’t play dumb.” Ruby nudges me with her elbow. “Luke. He’s smoldering, Jessica. I want a man who looks at me like that. Are you happy?”
Tears threaten to fill my eyes and ruin my makeup. “So happy, Ruby. Truly. We talked, and I think it’s going to work, that we have a real chance together. There are things to work through, but we’ll do it together.”
Ruby wraps her arms around me and hugs me again. “I’m thrilled for you! You deserve every happiness. It’ll be your wedding I’m dressing up for next!”
“Stop it,” I chide, heat flooding my cheeks while a thrill courses through me. I still can’t get over that things are working out with Luke. Being with him has reminded me why it never worked with anyone else – I’d already met my perfect match, but our timing wasn’t perfect.
My gaze dances across the room, hungry for a glimpse of Luke. Our eyes meet, and the world tilts slightly. I watch him as he stalks toward me, and I know in my heart that I’m making the right choice. No one has ever, or could ever, make me feel as right as Luke.
“Jessica,” his deep voice rolls over me, making happiness and desire tingle over my skin. “Have I mentioned that you look breathtaking?”
“You have, but I don’t mind hearing you say it again,” I smile up at him, standing on my tip-toes to kiss him lightly. He’s mine, and I want everyone to know it.
“Jessica,” his voice is a whisper, a plea wrapped in a single syllable.
“Yes, Luke?” I whisper back, recognizing the crossroads we’re standing at.
“May I have this dance?” Luke’s voice is low, laced with that familiar rasp that sends a ripple of desire straight to my core.
I look up at him, his brown eyes holding a promise. “You may,” I reply, my voice steadier than the tremor of excitement fluttering inside. The golden glow of twinkling fairy lights casts a soft glow in the reception hall.
My hand is warm in his as we weave through the crowd, my pulse quickening with each step toward the dance floor. The band shifts into a slow, sultry melody, and Luke pulls me close.
As Mack and Aimee twirl past us in a loving embrace, I smile at their infectious joy. They move together like they were made for this moment—two hearts joined together in a love that’s almost blinding to witness.
“Look at them,” I murmur with awe. “They look so perfect together.”
“Right now,” Luke says, pulling me closer, “I only want to look at you. You’re the most beautiful woman here.” The heat from his body seeps into mine, feeding the fire in my core.
Luke’s hand settles on the small of my back, a silent command that draws me even nearer. Our breaths mingle, and I lose myself to the rhythm of our dance, the press of his firm chest against mine.
“Jessica,” he whispers, our faces mere inches apart, “you have to know I never wanted to let you go.”
“Then don’t let go, ever again,” I breathe, the words barely a whisper yet heavy with desire. I tilt my head back, catching the flicker of raw need in his gaze.
“Never,” he promises. “Not even your brother can scare me away.”
“I should hope not.” I laugh, wrapping my arms tighter around Luke’s muscular body.
“God, Jessica,” Luke groans softly as our hips move in tandem, the friction sparking a hunger that threatens to consume us both. “Being with you like this—I’m happier than I ever thought I would be.”
“Me too,” I confess and lean my head on his shoulder as he leads me gently through the dance.
Mack and Aimee’s song comes to an end, but Luke and I remain locked in our private world, unwilling to break the spell that’s enveloped us. As the music fades, the noise of the reception filters back in, reminding us of the here and now.
“Damn, you’re beautiful,” Luke breathes out.
“Look who’s talking. I never thought I’d see you in a suit, but,” I bite my lip as I look at this man I never stopped loving. “Pardon my language, but you look fucking amazing.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Luke murmurs against my lips, his voice rough with the same urgency that’s thrumming through my body.
“Yes,” I breathe without a second thought. My heart races with the need to make love with Luke because I know that’s what’s next.
We break away from each other long enough to offer our congratulations to the newlyweds and make our escape. Outside, the cool night air doesn’t touch the heat burning within me. Luke’s hand is firm in mine as we navigate the path to where his truck is parked.
“Your cabin?” I ask.
He nods, his gaze intense. “There’s nowhere else I want to be, as long as I’m with you.”
As Luke drives me up the mountain, my pulse beats faster and faster, my need for him blinding me to anything else. I need his lips on mine, his hands on my body. I need him to fill me up, make me forget everything except him, except us.
The door to Luke’s cabin swings open, and Luke pulls me into a passionate embrace.
“Jessica,” he says, his voice a low growl reverberating through my body. He steps forward, bridging the gap between us. “I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“Me too, Luke,” I confess, the words tumbling out.
Our lips collide in a frantic kiss. His hands roam over the curve of my hips and reach around to cup my ass, pulling me hard against him. The heat from his body seeps into mine, stoking the fire smoldering within me since I first saw him walking toward me on Valentine’s Day.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmurs against my neck, his lips tracing a path of fire down to the neckline of my dress. His fingers deftly unbutton the back, and the fabric slides across my skin as it falls to the floor. He traces his fingers across my bare skin and the world stops as an exquisite anticipation burns through me.
“Your turn,” I say with a playful smile, reaching for his tie and loosening it. “As much as I love you in that suit, I want to see that suit on the floor.”
Luke grins as he shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it aside, his shirt quickly following. I run my hands over the expanse of his chest, tracing his muscles with my fingertips. He’s solid, real, and all mine—for tonight and hopefully forever.
“Come with me.” Luke’s voice is thick with desire.
“Lead the way,” I reply, biting my lip in anticipation.
We stumble toward his bedroom, a tangle of limbs and lips, the heat between us escalating in intensity. We nearly fall because we’re focused on touching and kissing each other than watching where we’re going. Damn, I’ve missed this with Luke.
I gasp and laugh as we’re suddenly airborne, and then we land on his bed. Luke’s hands are everywhere, and I arch against him, craving the weight of his body on mine. He positions his body over me and heat rolls off his body like a furnace. He pauses for a moment, his thick cock vibrating against my leg, his eyes wild with passion and vulnerability.
“You’re mine, Jessica Pierce.” Luke’s voice is ragged with desire and it unlocks a deeper emotion in me. I always thought Luke and I had something special, and now I know it was true. I’m going to do everything, always, to fight for the two of us.
When he finally enters me, I cry out at how deep he pushes into me. Luke thrusts his thick cock into me over and over, slowing down and making me blind with desire.
“Jessica,” he groans, his movements becoming more urgent. “You feel incredible.”
“More, Luke,” I plead, wrapping my legs around him to pull him even deeper. “Faster.”
“Jessica,” he says, his voice low as he thrusts faster and deeper. “I love you.”
My orgasm explodes as he says the words I’ve been longing to hear. “I love you too, Luke.” I press my lips to his chest, feeling his heart beat wildly.
Luke groans and thrusts rapidly and deeply inside me, filling me up so completely I don’t know if I’ll be able to walk in the morning. All I know is I love this man.
“I’m never letting you go, Jessica Pierce. My beautiful Jess,” he murmurs, tilting my chin so our eyes meet. “Because I’ve never been more serious about anything.”
My heart swells, threatening to burst from my chest. In his eyes, I see my future, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. “Let’s do it right this time,” I say, a promise forming between us.
With a ragged voice filled with desire, Luke declares, “You're mine, Jessica Pierce.” His words unlock a deeper emotion within me, confirming what I had always believed—that there was something special between us. And now, as he enters me and we move as one, I know it to be true.
My body trembles at the depth of his thrusts, his thick cock filling me completely. He moves slowly at first, savoring each moment before building into a frenzy of desire.
“Jessica,” he groans, his movements becoming urgent. “You feel incredible. You’re so fucking wet.”
I wrap my legs around him, pulling him in deeper as I plead for more. “Faster, Luke. I need more.”
He responds with an even faster and deeper rhythm, declaring his love for me with each thrust. As my orgasm crashes over me, Luke repeats the words that fill my heart.
“I fucking love you so much, Jess.” Luke’s eyes glisten over me and I can feel the emotion in his declaration. I love that we found each other again, to renew and deepen the connection we shared before.
“I love you too, Luke.” Pressing my lips to his chest, I feel his heart beating wildly. Luke plunges faster and deeper inside of me and in a flash I’m coming so hard I’m seeing stars and screaming out his name and thrashing underneath him.
Luke grunts and thrusts rapidly, his groan echoing in his cabin. He collapses next to me, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I'm overwhelmed by the heat and strength of his body against mine. With Luke, I feel utterly loved and safe, and I know he loves me for exactly who I am.
“I'm never letting you go, Jessica Pierce,” he whispers, holding my chin so our eyes meet. “My beautiful Jess...I've never been more serious about anything.”
My heart swells in response to his words. In his eyes, I see a future filled with happiness and love. “Let's do it right this time,” I say, making a promise between us. “No secrets, no holding back.”
“Nothing but honesty between us,” Luke agrees, sealing our pact with a slow, deep kiss.
“Speaking of honesty, we should call the matchmaker,” I tease, grinning at the irony. “Tell her the job’s done, and she can keep that prize money.”
“It’s too bad,” Luke chuckles, the vibrations rumbling against my cheek. “I had plans for that money. I was going to renovate this cabin. What were you going to do with it?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I was hoping for a love match, not the money. Maybe I’d have used it as a down payment on a house. And I suppose I’d have gone on a vacation. Maybe take my friend Ruby and go to a beach somewhere.”
“Would this beach involve you in a bikini?” Luke asks, his eyebrow arched.
He lowers his head to my breast and takes my nipple in his mouth, roughly licking it with his tongue. A fresh wave of passion builds in me, and I need him inside me again.
“I don’t usually wear bikinis,” I say, thinking how I’ve always hidden in one-piece swimsuits because of my curves and stomach rolls. “But if we go on a beach vacation, I’d wear a bikini for you.”
A feral growl comes from Luke’s mouth and he moves his body above mine again. Intensity and desire roll off him, and I welcome it. I’m here for our future, which I know is beginning right now.
Luke’s hands roam over my skin, every caress making me squirm with fiery need.
“Jessica,” he breathes, his voice rough like gravel, “I need you.”
“Then take me,” I say, my heart overflowing with joy.
Luke leans his face to mine and gives me a long, lingering kiss that makes my toes curl. I spread my legs as wide as I can and push my core up to meet his cock, my body arching in pleasure as he plunges deep inside me again. This is perfection.
His lips claim mine with a hunger both fierce and tender, and I moan with desire and need.
“God, you are fucking incredible,” he groans as he pushes deep inside me. I whimper at the intensity of my feelings and how much I want this, how much I want Luke in my life forever. I don’t even know if I can come again, but I’ll give everything to revel in our love.
“More,” I urge, my fingers digging into his shoulders. “Give me everything.”
His movements become more urgent and powerful. With every thrust, he drives deeper, not just into my core, but into my very soul. It feels like I’m being shattered into a million pieces, and that our love is rebuilding everything in me – stronger, more loved than ever before.
“Look at me,” Luke commands, and my eyes lock onto his. In those dark depths, I recognize that he’s finally mine. “I love you.”
“I’m yours,” I whisper, the power of his words amplifying everything I’m feeling.
“Always,” he vows, and I feel the truth of it in every pulse of his body against mine.
The building pressure reaches its peak, and we tumble over the edge into ecstasy. Luke’s name is a moan on my lips as waves of pleasure crash over us, binding us together.
As we lie there, spent and entwined, I realize this is just the beginning. With Luke, I’ve found not only a lover but a partner forever.
“Round three?” I tease, still breathless.
“Round three, four, and forever,” Luke promises with a wicked grin. “I’m nowhere near done with you, my beautiful Jess. My love for you will never end. You’re mine and I’m yours.”