Chapter 6
Jen
Oh my god, he’s back. And he’s in scrubs…with a military ID clipped to his chest. I’ve died and gone to heaven.
A quick check of his left hand reveals no ring and my interest grows with every rise and fall of his chest.
I have so many questions. Who is he? What’s he and Sloan’s story? Why is he here now?
I get lost in which question to ask first because I’m too busy drinking him in.
He’s lean, but his arms are defined and the way his scrubs hug his thighs tell me there’s a lot of power in those ripped quads.
He’s got excellent posture. His shoulders are back and his chin is held high, but the longer I study him, the more I notice his discomfort in the way his fingers are always moving and the way his eyes constantly flit around.
Sienna rushes off to grab his coffee while Sloan’s eyes connect with mine and he tells me what he wants from me as he brings his hand to his open mouth.
The doctor’s ears turn red and since I’m sitting behind him, I can see the color as it creeps up his neck.
Without warning, he turns his head and now, they’re both looking at me.
Knowing Sloan needs to focus on the music, I turn my attention away from him and reach my hand forward to finally introduce myself to the rugged man in front of me.
He’s Sloan’s opposite in many ways. He has a shyness about him I’ve never known Sloan to have and I’m intrigued.
He’s also refined in a way Sloan has no time or patience for.
Sloan’s hair is dark where this man’s is sandy blond. Sloan’s is curly and completely untamable whereas this man’s is short on the sides, a little longer on the top, and perfectly styled as if every hair follicle takes orders as well as the soldier they belong to.
Sloan is beautiful. Flawless skin, exotic eyes, full lips. He could be a model. The man before me is too sharp around the edges to be considered beautiful, but sexy-as-all-fuck fits the bill pretty well.
“Jennifer Hayes.”
“Luke Blackwell.” He grips my hand firmly and I can’t stop the sigh that escapes my lips. His voice is deep and smooth like a glass of expensive scotch. He probably never says anything without thinking every word through at least a hundred times — a trait Sloan and I most certainly do not possess.
“It’s nice to see you again. I apologize for not introducing myself last night,” I offer.
“No, it’s me that should apologize. I’m afraid I had some bad news to deliver and I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Oh, I hope everything’s alright.” I give him a tight smile but instead of elaborating, he just offers a nod.
“How do you know Sloan?” I ask, taking a seat on the leather couch along the back wall of the sound room.
The question seemed safe enough but immediately, Luke looks back through the clear wall as if he’s seeking permission to answer.
“We met in basic training,” he finally says, hesitantly taking a seat next to me on the couch. Immediately, he spreads his knees wide and drops his hands in his lap, fingers laced. His scrubs straining harder against his thighs. Why is that so hot?
“That was what, ten years ago?” I ask, doing the math in my head, prodding for more information.
He nods, his expression serious as he licks his lips, drawing my eyes to the gesture.
“Do you live around here?”
“Just outside of D.C.”
“Are you married?”
“No, ma’am.” His cheeks flame at the question and something about the reaction calls to me, begging me to pull more from him.
“Divorced?”
“No.”
“Widowed?” I ask, softening my voice.
“No. I find enough satisfaction in my job that I choose not to be derailed by long-term relationships. Being married to an active military member is hard and a lot of women don’t want to sign on for that lifestyle. And I’d prefer not to date someone in the service.”
“I can understand that. I’m a nurse and most days work is my life too.”
Luke seems to relax slightly now that the conversation has moved into more comfortable territory for him. “What’s your specialty?”
I roll my eyes again, dreading the answer I have to give him. “I want to work in trauma, but I’ve only been practicing for a year so I’m biding my time in the nephrology unit.”
He scrunches his nose and gives a deep chuckle that goes straight between my legs. “Sorry about that. Hang in there. I’m sure your time is coming.”
“Are you from that area?” I ask, switching directions like we’re playing twenty questions because I’m not ready for his attention to drift away from me yet.
“No, ma’am. I’m from Texas originally.”
“I thought I recognized a bit of a drawl. It’s sexy.” I throw it out there to gauge his reaction. I also have a burning desire to see him come undone and gain some social confidence.
He clears his throat and forces his rigid gaze back on Sloan right as Sienna comes in with his coffee.
“Here you are, Major,” she smiles sweetly, handing him the cup.
Before Sienna can sit down and glue her eyes to her husband, Emma comes in the door followed by Bri who’s holding a sleeping Riddik.
“Ohhh, give me my nephew!” Sienna whispers, holding grabby hands out for the baby.
Although Emma is Riddik’s aunt by blood, Sienna has claimed the title as well through the sisterly bond she shares with Bri.
Bri hands the baby over and Sienna cuddles with him on the couch while Bri joins Em at the plexiglass window after giving me a hug and introducing herself to Major Blackwell.
Perhaps I’m playing with fire, knowing Sloan and Luke have a history — and judging by the tension surrounding them, it’s a dark history — but I can’t stay away. Luke’s gunmetal eyes will haunt me until I’ve tasted him. Maybe even longer.
Although Sloan and I technically have an open relationship, I haven’t found anyone alluring enough to bring them into the mix.
Until now.
“How long have you been in D.C.?” I ask, turning my attention back to Luke.
“Eighteen months.”
“Do you expect to be there long?”
“For the next three and a half years. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.” His eyes are bouncing around to the guys through the plexiglass but they keep landing back on Sloan with an unreadable expression.
“So, I have three and a half years to get to know you and work my way through your bulletproof exterior, is that what you’re saying?” I flirt.
At this, he finally turns back to face me.
“Trust me, I’m not bulletproof. That theory’s been tested,” he practically snarls. “And why, exactly, would you want to do that when you’re already with one of the most sought after men in the world?”
If I’m not mistaken, Luke’s angry on Sloan’s behalf. He thinks I’m stepping out.
I like him more for it.
“Sloan and I have a bit of a unique relationship. I’m committing no crime here and I find you incredibly attractive.
” I place my hand on his knee and slowly move it up his thigh.
He watches the movement for a brief moment before finally standing to put distance between us but the growing outline of his dick in his scrubs tells me everything I need to know.