Chapter 32 Hazel
Hazel
Luke and I spent the evening playing chess and lounging.
I read for a while and noticed he’d brought the book I had picked out for him.
Occasionally, I caught him gasping or shaking his head at the pages, his expressions shifting with every chapter, which was equivalent to an orgasm for a book lover.
After a full day in the sun, I felt lightheaded. An inexplicable craving for a grilled cheese sandwich pulled me downstairs. Luckily, the fridge had everything I needed, and soon, the house filled with the rich scent of melted cheese.
I heard footsteps behind me, and a moment later, a strong arm wrapped around my collarbone.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Luke murmured in my ear, glancing over my shoulder.
“A sudden need for carbohydrates,” I replied.
“Hmm, what could’ve caused that?” he teased, and I bit my lip.
“Who knows,” I said. He let go and sat in the high chair by the island.
I slid a freshly made sandwich toward him, but my eyes snagged on the open line of his shirt, the sharp V of his torso, and the faint trail of hair disappearing below his navel.
“Damn, you made me hard just by looking at it.” My gaze snapped to his, and I swallowed hard.
“Well, that’s not my problem,” I said with a polite, teasing smile, secretly embarrassed he’d caught me. His eyes darkened.
“Oh, I will make it your problem.” Heat rushed down my spine as he bit into the sandwich.
Please, make it my problem.
Out of the corner of my eye, I swore I saw Ethan watching. I averted my eyes. After a minute, Ava and Alex joined us. Their wet hair and sun-kissed faces were proof of a relaxing afternoon. Ethan wandered in from the patio, too.
“Do I smell cheese?” Ava asked, pushing her sunglasses onto her head.
“Yes, hope you don’t mind. I had a cheese craving, couldn’t help myself,” I said, trying to hide my smile from Luke as best as I could.
“Why would I mind?” Ava asked.
“Luke told me you don’t eat peasant food,” I laughed, and Ava glanced at him skeptically.
“Sounds like something a peasant would say,” she added, before snatching the plate.
“Gimme,” Alex said as I was already preparing them on the plates for everybody.
Ava took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. “These are pretty good. Nicely done,” she said, and a spark of happiness filled me. I smiled proudly.
We moved to the patio, Luke settling beside me. Not so close that it would draw attention, but close enough for me to feel his warmth. A reminder popped into my head.
“Oh, by the way, good news. Watson agreed to meet you guys in two days if you have nothing else planned. His schedule’s tight, so that’s the only time he can do it,” I said, and suddenly, all eyes were on me.
“YES, BABY,” Ethan shouted, high-fiving Luke without even looking. For something so unplanned, it landed surprisingly perfect.
“One catch, though. He can only meet us at his place in the evening, and with the drive back, it’ll be a late night.”
“No problem. We’ll stay over and head back in the morning,” Ethan said.
“Oh, Ethan.” He gave him his best supervisor look. “As your boss, I really should go alone. Hazel, too, of course, since she set it up. This is your vacation, I forbid you to work.”
Oh my God, it was so obvious. He looked serious, but the amusement on his face was clear.
“Oh, you wish. No way. I’m coming, and WE. WILL. MAKE. THIS. HAPPEN,” he hyped.
I was glad I could set this up for them. It felt like a small way to lighten their financial burden, even though Luke assured me his work would cover it.
“C’mon, it’ll be a fun road trip,” I bumped his shoulder, complimenting it with my it’s-gonna-be-fine voice.
“Yes, and Summer will come too, so Hazel has something to do while we pitch,” Ethan added.
“See?” I whispered, taking a bite of my grilled cheese. Damn, it really was good.
Luke shook his head slightly, lips curling playfully like he was almost annoyed that I sided with Ethan.
“Sure,” he said, but his eyes stayed on mine. We shared a small, knowing smile.
“This is really good, Hazel,” Alex said, already reaching for another.
“Even though he’s right,” Luke chimed in, “I wouldn’t trust Alex’s judgment too much.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Alex asked.
“Nothing, you stamp licker.”
Alex went pale, pointing an accusatory finger at Luke. “It was one time in college, man. Let it go.”
“Why stamp licker?” I asked, confused.
“That’s a great story. It involves alcohol and me convincing Alex that each stamp had a unique taste. He must’ve licked a hundred before realizing I was messing with him.”
Ridiculous.
“Not cool, bro,” Alex said dismissively.
“If I remember correctly, besides the licking, the night also involved excessive mooning,” Ava added, making everyone crack up.
“Hey, whose side are you on?” Alex whined, but Ava just hugged him tight. They were just the cutest.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Dad’s calling. I knew why. I didn’t want to deal with it now, but guilt crept in. Luke noticed and leaned in.
“What’s wrong, beautiful?” His words warmed me, but all I could manage was a small, polite smile.
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“Please, tell me, I want to know.” His gaze deepened.
“Luke, I... I’m sorry, I just don’t want to talk about it. Is that okay?” I said. He studied me for a second longer than necessary, confused at my plea. Like he wanted to push but chose not to.
“Of course, it’s okay, Hazel,” he said, lightly brushing his thumb against my palm, hidden from the others. My fingers moved instinctively toward his.
I sighed, silently thanking him for not pressing, and without thinking, leaned my head on his shoulder.
I felt okay. I felt safe. Even though a quiet thought lingered in the depths of my mind. This vacation was coming to an end, and I wasn’t ready to face it yet.
* * *
I spent the rest of the evening with the girls.
Luke and Ethan had excused themselves to prepare for the meeting and go over their pitch.
I noticed myself becoming louder with every passing minute I spent with this group, laughing, enjoying life.
On the beach, Luke called me shy, but I didn’t want to be shy.
Maybe I was a bit quiet until I got to know someone, but not shy. And I felt like I knew Luke.
It was way past midnight when I climbed the wooden stairs as everyone finally decided to go to sleep. I entered our room and found Luke passed out on the couch, documents scattered around him, a laptop in his lap, slightly tipping over the edge.
I turned off the light and, letting the moonlight guide me as I made my way to him.
I gathered his things, carefully placing everything on the table.
My hand glided lightly across the crease on his forehead, as if trying to smooth away the stress from his mind.
He looked so peaceful, hands resting above his head. Large like an oak.
My hand slowly travelled down his chest, light as a feather, reaching his stomach and hips. His breathing was calm, steady, each rise and fall shifting the hair on his chest with a quiet rhythm. It reminded me of waves in the sea, rolling in slow, relentless patterns.
...as long as you’re not shy with me.
But maybe I wasn’t shy. In fact, I just decided I wasn’t.
“Hey,” I whispered, letting my fingers graze his jawline.
He grunted softly at first and then opened his eyes only for a second, shutting them again.
“Hey, beautiful,” he hummed, slightly shifting. His hand landed on my cheek, and I leaned into it, kissing the inside of his palm.
I stood up, letting my hand slide against his, and exhaled.
...as long as you’re not shy with me.
My fingers traced the hem of my dress, lifting it slowly before sliding it over my head.
Swaying slightly from one foot to the other, I pushed past my nerves and reached for the clasp of my bra.
Luke’s eyelids fluttered, uncertain, blinking open once, then twice, fighting sleep.
His gaze drifted aimlessly at first, unfocused and hazy, until it landed on me.
The shift was immediate and intense. His posture changed, his attention snapping fully into place, and I could feel the weight of his focus settle on me like a tangible thing, making my pulse quicken and my courage waver even as I stood my ground.
“Haze...” he breathed out, eyes locked on me. The sound gathered straight in the pool between my thighs. I kneeled in front of him, and his thumb grazed my bottom lip. “What are you doing?” he whispered, confused yet desperate.
“Not being shy with you,” I said and planted a kiss on his hip, my hands pulling at his shorts.
A soft groan escaped him. His body smelled amazing, but for a moment, I paused, hesitating. I may not be shy, but I’m not that confident either. Not like the girls he was used to seeing—the sexy HR department secretaries and soy latte yoga goddesses. Doubt crept up my spine, but I wanted to try.
I took him out of his pants and licked the length of his cock. Luke hummed low in his throat, and a jolt of heat shot through me. I closed my eyes in pleasure. He hadn’t even been inside my mouth yet, and I was already aching for him.
Then I let the tip slide past my lips, taking him all in, applying slight pressure. Luke let out a pained sound as his hips instinctively moved deeper into me. I gripped his hips and let my mouth do the work. I was slow and calculated in my moves, listening to his body.
“Dear God, you look... Am I still asleep? Are you even real?”
I swallowed him again slowly, my tongue digging deeper, touching the base. This time, I groaned in pleasure. Strong hands cupped the sides of my head, trembling slightly.
At my movements.
My mouth.