17. This is why I’ve sworn off men #2
“I’m just wondering why you’d go there. I mean, I understand that you know her, but that's like… seven hours away just for coffee grounds. Solid commitment to the coffee game. I appreciate it tremendously”—I hold out my coffee for emphasis—“just seems like a bit much.”
“Claire and I wanted to partner up. We purchase her coffee exclusively to have here at the B&B. In return, she’ll have advertisements for our bed-and-breakfast in her coffee shop. It’s a busy little shop, so it’s a win-win, really.”
“Why don’t you just use social media to advertise?” I searched the Huffman House when Viv mentioned it, but didn’t come across any social media accounts. All I found other than their website was a Google Reviews page.
“Eh, I’m not a big social media guy.”
I nod as he speaks, lost in thought again. I bet I can get Holly on a social media account. It’d only help the bed-and-breakfast’s exposure more. I’ll check with her about that later.
The distinct sound of buzzing rings out across the lawn, and I see Josh along the edge of the path with a weed trimmer. Today must be lawn maintenance day.
“So, who’s Josh to you? You don’t look like brothers.” I realize the question is incredibly direct and internally scold myself. Too intense. I lift the rose to my nose again, eyebrows scrunching.
Luke, noticing my line of sight, seems unfazed though, and happily answers. “Not my brother by blood. He’s actually my cousin, but he grew up as my brother.” Luke looks in my direction, and my face must convey confusion, so he continues.
“My mom and Josh’s mom were sisters. When Josh was about four, his parents were killed in a car accident.
My parents had the twins—they were one—and me.
They took Josh to stay with us and went from a family of five to six overnight.
” He’s quiet for a moment, thinking about it like he remembers it all well.
Luke’s eyebrows furrow until he sighs, his face softening again. “She certainly had her hands full with all of us. So no, Josh isn’t really my brother, but we grew up as brothers, if that makes sense.”
I can’t even imagine Josh as a child, knowing how outgoing and loud he is now. I laugh to myself. “Josh is great. He and Viv seem to hit it off. Think there’s anything I should be worried about there?” I say half-joking, knowing full well Viv can take care of herself.
“Ha! Nothing to worry about there. Viv’s not Josh’s type,” Luke says with a smile and a subtle headshake.
“Excuse me, sir, what’s wrong with Viv?” I say, jerking my head back. I don’t care how beautiful this man is, Viv is my best friend first. “She’s a freaking catch, and any man would be lucky to have her.”
Luke raises his hands in self-defense. “Whoa, whoa, nothing’s wrong with Viv. She seems great. It’s just that Josh’s interests… are more of the masculine variety,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me, inclining his head.
Oh! “Well, now I feel dumb.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. Most people who don’t know Josh assume he’s straight. He doesn’t hide that he’s gay, but he isn’t a walking billboard either.”
It’s all making sense to me now. How unthreatening it feels when he throws his arms around Viv, or steals her wineglass as if he’s known her forever, not at all sexual or presumptuous.
“I guess now that I think about it, it makes sense.”
Luke shrugs. “Well, I should get back to work.” Planting his hands on the arms of the chair, he moves to stand.
I stand too, turning to place my mug on the empty table, but the foot of the still-rocking rocking chair catches my ankle, sending me off balance.
Before I crash into anything, two powerful hands wrap around my waist, pulling me upright.
My free hand, still holding the rose, presses against Luke’s bicep, steadying myself. The other grips my coffee mug for dear life.
Luke plucks the mug from my hand and places it safely on the table, still holding me with his other hand.
“Damn, Trip, what happened?” Luke’s eyes dance with laughter as his voice tumbles through me. His breath smells faintly of mint and fans against my face as he lets out a soft chuckle.
“I uh… It was…” I’m pressed against his hard body, a fact that I’m acutely aware of. Use your words, Liv.
With two fingers still gripping the rose, my other fingers involuntarily curl into his muscle. My goodness, that’s a nice bicep.
“It was the chair.” There ya go, girl. Good job.
“Mmmhmm.” His chest rumbles. His expression shifts. Eyes roam my face, dipping down to my lips. My tongue darts out, wetting my lips.
“You’re really trying to live up to that nickname, huh?” Luke murmurs. His grip around me tightens, pulling me closer.
I should pull away, put some space between us.
And yet…
My other hand finds his shoulder, doing the exact opposite of putting space between us. Luke’s eyes, focused on my own, darken.
His hands are still on my waist, his calloused fingers brushing the skin between the hem of my shirt and my shorts. Goosebumps skitter across my skin.
Our faces move closer together, so much so that my heart goes into overdrive. I’m almost sure that if he’s listening closely enough, he’ll hear it pounding in my chest.
I’m lost in this moment, in his arms, hidden by the rose bushes, under the shade of the balcony above us. I don’t hear the sounds of morning birds, or the soft lapping of the lake against the shore. I don’t even hear the buzzing of the weed trimmer.
Luke’s nose grazes against the side of mine.
I tilt my face to allow his lips closer.
His hips press into mine, and I can feel him, his body becoming harder against mine.
It sends a thrill of pleasure through me.
A gasp escapes me, and my eyes flutter closed.
Abruptly, he releases his hold and withdraws as if a live wire has electrified his skin.
And with his retreat, the entire world snaps back into focus.
Luke rakes a hand through his hair and adjusts his shorts. He looks to the ground, out toward where Josh was on the lawn, to the sky, and finally back at me, scanning my ankle.
“Are you okay, though? You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?”
“What? Oh.” I look down at my ankle. “N-no. All seems fine.”
What just happened? The sting of rejection slams into me. Making eye contact becomes nearly impossible.
“Okay, great. Good. That’s good.” Luke places his hands on his hips and inhales deeply through his nose, blowing it out through his mouth.
Well, this has become very awkward.
“I've gotta get going before someone catches me slacking. Namely Josh.” Luke hitches a thumb over his shoulder.
“Yeah, of course. No problem. Thanks for… thanks for the rose.” I lift it to my nose, trying to hide the shame at being so swiftly dismissed and the anger with myself for missing the touch of his hands on my skin.
This. This is why I’ve sworn off men.