Chapter Twenty-Five
Twenty-Five
“You could have told me how good a shot you are before you shot the whole center of that first target out. Not to mention the second. And third.”
“And miss seeing the shock on your face?” I feel calmer, more in control of myself, after decimating those targets. “God, I wish I had a picture of your expression.”
“Funny.”
“Extremely.” I know my grin is what could only be described as “shit eating.” “That’s what you get for making assumptions. I don’t remember you asking me if I’d ever shot a real gun before you planned this ‘date.’?”
“Point taken.”
“You really don’t want to go around underestimating me.”
“No, I do not.” He raises his hands in surrender. “I’ll try not to do it again. But to be fair, the fact that you didn’t actually use a gun to subdue those two morons that day at Harley’s caused me to think you weren’t comfortable handling one.”
“So you think I should have discharged a weapon in a crowded bar?”
“No, of course not. But—”
“I did what made sense in that situation. And for the record, I personally don’t believe anyone who’s not military or law enforcement should be carrying a gun around in public, concealed or otherwise. Once A.J. threw that gun at me, my main goal was to make sure the bad guys didn’t get ahold of it.”
“Got it.”
“And you know that saying, ‘When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me’?”
“I do.” Luke nods. “And I apologize.”
I have to admit that Luke is saying all the right things, but I can also see how hard he’s trying not to laugh.
“Absolutely no more ass making,” he promises with a big smile.
“This isn’t funny,” I say.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s kind of funny,” Luke teases.
“You totally rock, Sydney,” Tank says, walking over to join us. “You, my friend,” he says to Luke, “just got schooled! I am so glad I got to witness it. And get it on video.”
Luke sighs. “It’s a sad day when your girl and your friend treat you like the moron you are.” He aims a wink my way. “You have shown me the error of my ways. I’ll try to be less moronic in the future. Let’s go grab dinner. I need to drown my sorrows and embarrassment in food and drink.”
“It’s going to take a lot of food and drink to forgive you. And a really chocolatey dessert.”
“Done,” Luke concedes. “Wanna join us, Tank?”
“Nah. I’m guessing you’d probably rather get down on your knees and beg her forgiveness for underestimating her without an audience.”
· · ·
I wake up naked the next morning to the sound of Luke whistling in the kitchen. I stretch and yawn, reliving the great meal at Doc Ford’s, the excellent apology sex that followed, and the fact that when I called Grand to let her know I wasn’t coming home, I was also able to tell her that Luke had arranged things so that when the off-duty cop who was handling overnight security left in the morning, the Treasure Island Police Department would step up their drive-bys.
I’m debating whether to get out of bed to see what’s going on when Luke, who’s wearing only a somewhat tented towel, comes into the bedroom bearing coffee.
“Ah, my hero.” I sit up against my pillow, tuck the comforter around me, then reach for the steaming mug. “Mmm, so good.” I down several long, wonderful sips before placing the mug on the nightstand. “Is there anything in the world better than a half-naked man delivering coffee in bed?”
“A completely naked man?” He drops the towel and I see just how aroused he is.
“Maybe next time we should skip the mind-blowing sex and go right to the coffee delivery.”
“Oh no.” I reach out and wrap one hand around the hard, silky length of him, enjoying the sensation and the low groan it draws out of him. “I think those things belong together. And in that order.” I smile. “God, I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed.”
Luke takes this as the compliment it is then leans over and brushes his lips across my cheek.
“My pleasure,” he murmurs as his lips move over mine.
“Mmmm.” It’s all I can manage as he hardens even further in my hand, and his tongue tangles with mine.
Luke puts one knee on the bed, throws his other leg over both of mine. When he lowers himself over me and begins to rub his shaft up and down my clit, my body begins to move with his.
“That’s it, baby,” he murmurs as his hands move to cup my breasts. His thumbs tease my nipples until they harden. “That’s it.”
I’m so wet and ready for him, I’m afraid I’m going to combust.
“That’s it,” he croons. “It’s okay. Just let go.”
“No, no, I want…” I try to hold on. “I want you inside me. So we can come together.”
“There’s plenty of time for that. You first.” With his eyes locked on mine, he pinches one nipple lightly and I feel a tug deep inside me. Then he trails one finger between my breasts, down my abdomen, over my belly button, and between my legs.
“Oh God.” I’m hanging on by a thread. “But I want you inside me. I need you inside me.”
His thumb moves over my clit as he pushes that finger deep inside me.
“I love how wet and hot you are for me,” he says, turning that finger into a magic wand of wonderful.
I try to resist, but within seconds I orgasm around his finger, the waves of pleasure so intense, I’m not sure I can survive it.
“Oh God, oh God,” I gasp. “I…” I pull him down on top of me, feel the tip of his penis brush against my folds.
“Hold on.” He reaches into the nightstand, pulls out a foil packet, and rips it open with his teeth. I watch as he raises himself up and rolls it on.
I whimper as he enters me and begins to move. The whimper grows louder as he pushes deeper.
I meet each thrust greedily, wrapping my legs around his waist, holding him tight against me and inside me.
He fills me and withdraws. In and out. Over and over. Until every inch of me quivers in anticipation of the orgasm that’s about to consume me.
“I frickin’ love being inside you,” he groans as he pumps harder. Faster.
I’m hanging on by the slimmest of threads when he shouts, “Now! Oh, my God, Sydney! Come with me now!”
My body does as he commands. Wave after wave of sensation ripples through me.
· · ·
We lay tangled up together for a time, breathing heavily. Then he rolls off me and onto his side, pulling me against him. My back tight against his chest. My buttocks pressed into his crotch. Our breathing slows. I float on a cloud of satisfaction. My eyes flutter shut. The next thing I’m aware of is his arms tightening around me and his penis stirring against me.
He draws a deep breath. “I can’t get enough of you.”
I flip myself over so that we’re face-to-face. I smile. “Yeah, I can feel Mr. Sleepy Head looking for attention.”
His hand brushes up my stomach and across my breasts. His penis hardens, its tip teasing against my belly. I’m more than ready to show it, and him, exactly what I’m in the mood for when Luke lifts his head and steals a look at his phone. “Are you sure we have time for another round?”
“Yes.” I actually feel like I might die if he doesn’t bury himself inside me right this minute. I push him onto his back, climb on top of him, and take his penis in both hands, running them up and down the length of him. Then I lean over to take him into my mouth.
He fists his hands in my hair and gives himself up to me. When I lower myself onto him, he groans and wraps his hands around my waist. I ride him slowly at first then faster as I take him all the way into me. “Are you sure?” he says on a groan. “About the time, I mean?”
The friction builds. I’m so turned on, I can barely absorb what he’s saying. “What are you talking about?”
He groans again. His head falls back. His hands are on my buttocks. “I’m talking about your audition,” he grits out. “Don’t you have one this morning?”
“Holy crap!” I practically throw myself off him, and swivel to look at the clock. It’s 9:00 a.m.
The audition for a national chain of beauty clinics is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. In downtown Tampa. Which is a good thirty to thirty-five minutes away. If rush-hour traffic is over.
I vault out of bed. “Damn it! There’s no way I can get back to Grand’s, shower, dress, get fully made up, and make it there in time.”
I’m dangerously close to tears. Because this is the first time since I got dropped from Murder 101 that a casting director has specifically requested me. Only I’m going to be a “no show” because I chose a night of sex over what I still hope will be my career.
“Don’t you have something in my closet?” Luke asks. “I know I’ve seen makeup in one of the bathroom vanity drawers.”
It’s hard to focus when your brain is stuck in a frantic loop of Oh my God, Oh my God… And not in the good orgasm way. Which is when it occurs to me that it might be all those orgasms, and Luke in general, that’ve helped me feel positive and hopeful.
Tears well up.
“Sydney, stop.” He places his hands on my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “Calm down. Get yourself into the shower. Put on makeup. Get dressed.”
This is when I realize I don’t have anything to put on except what I wore to the gun range. I race to the closet and find a pair of heels buried in a corner and a dress crumpled on the closet floor. I hold up the horribly wrinkled dress but can’t quite hold back the tears.
Luke puts a gentle finger under my chin and looks into my eyes.
“Go take a shower and put on makeup,” he says again. “I’ll steam your dress. Then I’ll drive you to the audition.”
“You have a steamer?” I ask in amazement.
“Doesn’t everybody?” He grins. “Hurry up. There’ll still be plenty of northbound traffic at this time of day.”
“But, but…” I sputter. “Don’t you have to get to work?”
“Don’t worry about what I’ve got to do.” He’s already pulling on jeans and reaching for a T-shirt. “I’m sure I can get someone to cover for me.”
“Really?” I feel the first glimmer of hope.
“Really.” He shoos me toward the bathroom. “Go on. Hurry up. I’ll make you a coffee to go.”