ONE
Ana
Luke Charlton is avoiding me, and I need to know why. I’m one hundred percent certain that I’m not imagining it.
I’m attending a dinner party in one of my best friends, Rae Stanton, and her fiancé, Cole Mardsen’s, house. Luke is here too. And as usual, whenever we see each other, he says hello and then keeps his distance. At first I thought I was imagining it, but now I know better.
I know the exact moment he walked through the door tonight. I know a lot of things about him. I know he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and is wary of commitment. I know he likes single malt scotch. I know Cole is his best friend and is one of the two people closest to him. The other person is his elder brother and only sibling. I know he’s twenty-nine years old – the same age as me – and he’s originally from Connecticut. He graduated from Stanford, and started his company, Enton, with Cole. I know he lives on the next street, and he bought his house the same time Cole bought his. He likes his coffee black and he goes to the gym four times a week, more if he has the time. I know he is passionate about English football and is a Tottenham Hotspurs season ticket holder. I know he’s a morning person – no one needs to know how I know this. And I know he watches me when he thinks I don’t see him.
How do I know all these? Because I’ve been drawn to him from the moment I saw him at a bar a few months ago. And he knows it. Since life is too short, I haven’t hidden the fact that I am attracted to him.
Luke is here with a friend of his, Gavin Hunt, who from what I can see is currently hitting on my other best friend, Mia Hart. As attractive as Gavin is, I’d like to tell him not to bother. Mia isn’t interested in any man except one she hasn’t seen in almost two years. I move my eyes from where she is standing listening to Gavin with nothing but a polite smile on her face, and focus on the man who has spent the evening avoiding me. He’s standing by a window with a drink in his hand and deep in conversation with Cole.
“Still lusting after Mr. Dark and Intense?” Rae asks, standing beside me.
“Always. Isn’t he just the hottest?”
“No,” Rae responds cheerfully. “Have you seen my fiancé?”
“What? You’re engaged?” I ask, teasing her. No one can miss the big rock on her finger and the bigger smile on her face whenever she sees Cole.
“Did I tell you how I felt the moment I laid eyes on him?” I know they met at a bar when Cole struck up a conversation with her and offered to buy her a drink, but she’s never told me what she felt when she saw him. I shake my head in response. “I was struck speechless, and I felt this instant connection with him. I found myself thanking him for the drink I previously had no intention of accepting. I couldn’t resist all that masculine beauty in my face.” She smiles fondly at the memory.
For years after her divorce, Rae protected herself with a hard shell. But Cole was persistent and took his time cracking and removing the shell piece by piece revealing the strong, soft and emotional woman underneath. Honestly, Rae never stood a chance.
I admit that Cole is almost as handsome as Luke. There’s something about Luke that draws me to him, that gives him an edge over every other man. He’s so powerful and strong, and so damned attractive. All six feet two inches of him.
Luke has black hair and green eyes framed by long, black lashes. As far as I’m concerned, his face is a work of art – a straight nose, a smooth, chiseled jaw, and high, sharp cheekbones. And his lips . . . I’ve imagined them on mine too many times to count. I’ve looked into his eyes a few times, enough to know that there are flecks of gold in the vibrant green. He has the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen. He has an athletic build and looks amazingly fit. The results of his workouts are obvious. I bet his abs are perfect. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing him shirtless . . . yet.
“There’s just something about him,” I murmur, my gaze still on Luke. “He’s so magnificent.” The truth is that I find him overwhelming.
“Ana, are you sure you want him? You know that it’ll probably be for only one night or at the most, friends with benefits?”
I turn my gaze to Rae. I know she’s concerned about me getting hurt. How do I explain it to her when I can’t even make sense of my feelings? All I know is that I’d rather have a small part of him even if it’s for just one night than not have him at all.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I take a slow, deep breath. “He’s avoiding me.”
She glances at him. “He is? Why do you think so?”
“Have you noticed how he never talks to me except when he absolutely has to and how he makes sure he stays far away from me? He’s always on the opposite side of the room or sitting farthest away from me.”
Rae furrows her brows slightly. “I think you may be on to something.” She glances again at her fiancé and Luke. “You’re right, he’s avoiding you. I think it’s because you’re my best friend and I’m engaged to his best friend. I guess he wants to avoid any complications.”
Really? That’s it?
“That’s silly. We’re both adults. And since we’re both attracted to each other, why deny ourselves?”
I know he’s attracted to me because he steals glances at me and he is taking the trouble to avoid me. So he must be worried about being around me and giving in to his attraction. He’s worried about losing control. The thought pleases me.
“Then you’re going to have to be the one to make a move.”
“I have no problem with that.” But I have a problem with rejection.
Rae hesitates. “He told Cole that he thinks you’re beautiful and he wants you.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really? When?”
“Months ago,” she reveals reluctantly.
“And you’re just telling me?” I don’t even try to hide the accusation in my voice. Imagine that! I could have made a move by now. Instead, I’ve been going crazy with need and lust.
“I know. I’m sorry. I was going to tell you but it skipped my mind and then I found out he’s not interested in a relationship so . . . I didn’t want you to get hurt or disappointed.”
“That wasn’t your call to make.” I’m probably not being fair to Rae but she’s known for a long time how into Luke I am, and how much his not making a move bothers me. My annoyance should be targeted at him and not her.
“I should have told you. I guess I was being protective.”
I touch her arm. “It’s okay. I think I’m suffering from sexual frustration, thanks to him. I’m fixing this now.” I throw back the rest of the champagne in my flute and set it down on the nearest table. “Why don’t we go and join them?” I ask but I don’t wait for an answer, because I’m pretty sure no one is going to keep me away from Luke Charlton’s bed. Not even the man himself.