THIRTEEN
Ana
“Ana, not again,” Luke groans when he sees the movie we’re about to watch.
“What?” I ask, feigning surprise. “It’s a thriller and it has some mystery in it. Let’s not forget the amount of suspense and crime in it.” Okay, so I’m stretching it a little.
Luke’s lips twitch with suppressed laughter. “A thriller? Crime? Suspense?” He sits down beside me and pulls me to him so I’m sitting on his legs. “Sweetheart, Beauty and the Beast is a musical and a romantic fantasy movie.”
“It’s more than that Luke,” I say with mock seriousness.
“How many times have we watched it this month?” Five, but who’s counting?
“It’s a good movie.” And my favorite.
He shakes his head at me. “Fine. Let’s watch it again. You’re one lucky woman.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Because I’ll fucking do anything for you. If watching Beauty and the Beast every day will make you happy then I‘ll gladly do it.”
I expect to see a teasing smile on his face but I don’t. He looks very serious.
He tucks some strands of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel so consumed by anyone.”
My heart flutters. “Luke . . .” He covers my lips with his. His kiss is so sweet and filled with the unspoken words and feelings.
“Ana, I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel but I was looking for the right moment but maybe there isn’t a single right moment. Maybe every moment is the right time to tell you that I’m in love with you.” My heart all but stops at his unexpected confession. His lips cover mine again, and I’m trembling with emotion. He loves me. Luke loves me. My heart is singing with joy. “I love you so fucking much, sweetheart. It scares the shit out of me but it also excites me. I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m with you.”
“I love you too, Luke.” My voice is unsteady. “You have no idea how much I love you.”
“You make me feel so much, so deep and so fucking hard, and I’m not talking about my dick.”
“Luke!” I can’t help laughing. When I finally stop, I see he’s smiling at me. “I love you.”
He flips me so I’m now lying under him. “You better because you’re stuck with me,” he says before his lips claim mine.
***
Yesterday afternoon, Luke told me that his elder brother, Jake, invited us to dinner tonight. He lives in Los Angeles and is spending a night in London en route to Germany. He and Luke are really close and he’s the only one that Luke considers family. So it’s safe to say that I’m a little nervous. I want to make a good impression because I know how important he is to Luke.
We’ve just walked into the restaurant in the hotel where Jake is staying, and Luke’s hand is on my waist holding me. A very handsome and well dressed man in a dark suit unfolds his lean and muscular body from the chair he’s sitting on, and is watching us with an intense and serious look on his face. His clothes look expensive and bespoke.
“That’s your brother?” I ask. I actually don’t need Luke to confirm it. I can tell that the man whose eyes are fixed on us is Jake Charlton. He looks just like his brother. His hair is black like Luke’s but his eyes are light blue, and Luke is slightly leaner than him.
Luke’s arm tightens around my waist. “Careful, sweetheart,” he says as we approach his brother.
“What? He’s hot.” He really is.
“Are you trying to start a fight?” he asks, amused.
“That sounds like something I’d be eager to watch. Two hot men fighting because of me,” I say teasingly.
“Who do you think will win?” he asks, smiling down at me. His hand squeezes my waist letting me know there’s only one correct answer.
“You, of course.”
Immediately we get to the table, Luke says to his brother, “My girlfriend thinks you’re hot.” Oh my god! I can’t believe he told his brother what I said. Shit! My cheeks feel very hot.
His brother turns his piercing blue eyes to me. “She has good taste.” His voice is as deep as Luke’s. “You must be Ana,” he says, offering me his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” His hand is big and firm. After a quick glance at his brother, he adds, “It’s good to finally meet the woman who my little brother can’t stop talking about. All our phone calls are filled with ‘Ana said this’ or ‘Ana did this’.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” I say, smiling.
“Those were private conversations, man,” Luke tells him.
“Were they? You should have said,” Jake says, amused and looking totally unrepentant. He pulls Luke close and gives him a hug – not quite what could be described as a man hug. The affection between them is as clear as day.
“It’s been too long. You were supposed to be in LA last week.”
“Yeah.” That’s all Luke says.
Jake stares at him, and then glances at me. I’m getting the feeling that Luke not being in Los Angeles has something to do with me.
“Let’s sit. I’d love to hear Ana’s version of how you two met.” I briefly wonder what Luke’s version is. I tell his brother that we met in the bar and then weeks later at Rae and Cole’s house – of course I leave out the fact that I couldn’t get him out of my mind between our first and second meeting.
Dinner is amazing. Jake is easy-going, friendly and pleasant so I’m feeling relaxed.
“I have some news. I’m moving here next month. I’m going to head the European office.”
“Seriously, man?” Luke sounds excited. “That’s great!” He turns to me. “Jake works for CXG.”
“The finance company?”
“Yeah.”
I smile at Jake. “That’s good news. It’ll be wonderful to have family living close,” I say sincerely. “Luke says you have a house a few streets away from his.”
“I do. I gave my housekeeper the week off that’s why I’m staying here tonight.”
“I told you that you’re welcome to stay with us,” Luke says.
Us? What does he mean us? Does his brother think we’re living together?
“It’s fine, Luke. It’s just one night.”
We’re on our way home an hour later. Sitting at the back of the taxi, I finally ask my boyfriend what he meant by “us”.
He takes my hand in his and says, “You should move in. We spend all our time together.”
“Are you sure?” I ask softly, tamping down my excitement.
“I am, sweetheart. If you check the closet, you’ll see that I’ve already made room for you. Half the closet is yours.” At the surprised look on my face, he adds, “I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”
“When did you do it?”
“The week we were apart.”
I place my hand on his cheek and kiss him deeply, wanting to show him exactly how much he means to me.
“I would love to move in with you, Luke,” I tell him when I’m able to speak again. I love this man so damned much.