Sixteen
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~
Sierra wasn’t able to argue with Luke when he pulled her from her car, carrying her easily to the passenger side of his truck. She didn’t bother as he drove either. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she was too emotionally drained.
After leaving Logan’s, she planned to go straight home to bed; hoping sleep would allow her to escape the emotional overload to her system known as Luke McCoy. Instead, she found she was too distracted to drive and a moment after she pulled alongside the curb, the tears began to fall.
Sierra knew she was a strong woman. She was independent and self-sufficient, but she couldn’t deny that she had feelings too. Seeing Luke again brought every one of those feelings to the surface, making her want something she knew she couldn’t have. Apparently that thought had been too overwhelming, and the emotional breakdown she had successfully dodged for weeks descended upon her.
Thankfully, she managed to fight back the tears once she was in Luke’s arms, or maybe he was the reason they stopped altogether. He wasn’t saying anything, thank goodness, and she wasn’t going to try and explain either. Not that she could if she wanted to.
That damn hope bloomed in her chest once again, and she was afraid to say anything for fear she would wake up, and it would all be a dream. Walking away from him was the hardest thing she had ever done, but it had been the right thing to do.
Ten minutes later, Luke pulled into a house that rivaled Logan’s vast estate easily. The lawn was lit up with strategically placed accent lights, but those all disappeared when he pulled into the four car garage, closing the door behind them and shutting off the truck.
“Don’t move.” He said as he opened his door, causing her to jump at his tone.
She watched him warily as he made his way around the front of the truck, his gaze intent and his posture ramrod straight. Sierra fought the urge to move back when he opened the door, leaned over and unbuckled her seatbelt before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the door that would lead to the house.
“I can walk you know.” She could pretend his caveman behavior was beginning to wear on her nerves, but secretly, deep down, Sierra enjoyed the feel of his arms around her.
“Hmmphh.”
Luke moved with purpose, going quickly through the house, barely giving Sierra time to take in her surroundings. What she did see was immaculately decorated with absolutely no clutter anywhere. The decor was wholly masculine with stone accents and heavy wood beams, along with large pieces of furniture scattered about.
Before she could say another word, Luke was pushing open a door, and before them was a monster of a bed, four large wooden posts and a heavy wooden headboard and footboard encasing the mattress which was covered with a brown suede comforter and several decorative pillows.
She dared a glance up at him as he made his way to the bed, sitting her on the edge and then standing before her. The look in his eye was so hot, so fierce, Sierra expected to feel her skin singe from the heat. And before her eyes, Luke’s features softened, the hard lines around his mouthed eased, and his massive shoulders seemed to loosen.
“What do we do now?” He asked, clearly bewildered.
“I don’t know.” Honestly she didn’t. What she wanted from this man was so powerful, so all consuming, she didn’t know how to tell him everything she wanted from him.
His body.
His heart.
His soul.
Though the last two weren’t up for grabs, Sierra wanted them all.
Luke bent at the waist, placing one large hand on her thigh as he eased the zipper down on one boot, sliding the suede boot off and to the floor, followed by the other.
“Luke.” His name came out as a whisper in the silent room and his gaze traveled up her body until those mesmerizing eyes locked with hers.
This was the first time they had been alone together, and Sierra found she wanted him selfishly to herself. When it came to Luke, Sierra knew the man owned her, heart and soul, and though she was still so utterly confused when it came to her feelings, especially for the two men who had so easily invaded her life recently, she wanted to have Luke all to herself. At least for a little while.
“I need to touch you, Sierra.” Luke’s words were low, a rough baritone that stroked every one of her sensitive nerve endings.
He was edgy, Sierra could see the restrained power in his flexed biceps and the strain in his neck muscles, but there was tenderness in his tone. Her emotional breakdown had left her weak, or maybe Luke was the one who was making her weak, but either way, Sierra wanted him to take away the pain if only for the night. Even if dawn broke, and Luke was out of her life for good this time, Sierra wanted nothing more than to spend the night in his arms, getting to know every part of him by touch and taste.
Sliding her feet to the floor she stood before him, feeling more vulnerable than she ever had, but needing him. Wanting him. She reached for the buttons on his shirt, and he inhaled sharply, his eyes locked with hers. Slowly she released each small circle from its mooring while they maintained eye contact, neither of them saying a word. Once she could access the glorious naturally tan skin of his chest, Sierra ran her fingers through the soft black hair, making a point to lightly scrape her nails over his nipples.
When she reached his neck, she cupped his face until he leaned closer, his palms cupping her head in turn as he pulled her closer, their lips meeting in a gentle, seductive mating of mouths. His tongue slid over her bottom lip, and Sierra opened for him, letting her tongue duel with his until she reached a fever pitch.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Luke managed to hold back the hunger, wanting to savor the taste of Sierra for as long as she would allow him. Unsure how he’d been given this second chance, though he never would believe he deserved it, he found himself kissing her, her hands cool on his face as they held on to one another while the rest of the world fell away. Never in his life had he felt this overwhelming tenderness, a need to mate with a woman so completely. He wanted to worship her body until she was ruined for any other man until she knew with every breath she took just how much he wanted her.
When he had come upon her car, finding her in tears in the front seat, Luke had known then exactly what he’d been fighting since he bailed on her in Vegas. This one small woman had weaved her way around his heart so quickly he was left nearly breathless by the sheer intensity of it. And here she was, back in his arms, the soft, subtle scent and the sweet taste of her overwhelming his senses to the point he wasn’t sure he’d make it through the next few minutes.
Breaking the kiss, needing to take a moment just to look at her, Luke slid his hands down over her shoulders, then her arms until he reached the hem of her sweater. Gripping it gently, he lifted, forcing her to raise her arms, allowing him to sweep the material up and over her head. Standing before him like some exotic goddess clad in only a short jean skirt and a turquoise blue demi bra, her small, puckered nipples peeking through the lace, beckoning him to taste her. Oh how he wanted to taste her.
Backing her against the mattress, forcing her to sit, Luke hovered over her, forcing back the urge to climb on top of her just to feel her writhe beneath him. Apparently she was reading his mind because before a single word was spoken, Sierra maneuvered into position on the bed, lying flat. With hardly any grace whatsoever, Luke rid himself of his shirt, seconds before he climbed over her, pressing a knee between her soft thighs, feeling the warmth of her sex through his jeans.
Lord have mercy, the woman sparked a fire in his blood, and he had to focus on his original intentions. When a soft moan escaped her lips, his dick jumped and his skin tingled, the memory of what it felt like to be inside of her so fresh, so vivid, he wasn’t sure how he’d survived the last few weeks without her. But tonight was all about taking his time, making this moment last and building her need until she was blind with it.
Her nimble fingers quickly got rid of the bra, leaving her breasts on full display while his eyes roamed the gentle curves, lingering on those dusky rose colored nipples that beckoned him to taste her. He started with her lips, lightly kissing, teasing, before descending down her jaw. Taking his time, licking the sexy column of her neck, feeling her heartbeat rapidly against his tongue, and noticing how her body shuddered when he sucked her fragrant skin inside his mouth. Trailing further down, he planted open mouthed kisses on every inch of skin he could reach until he reached the upper swell of her breast.
“Luke.” Sierra breathed his name, and he pressed against her, holding his weight up with his arms as she wrapped around him, her arms circling his neck, her knees bracing his hips.
Bending his head, he took one puckered nipple into his mouth, her sweet taste hitting him like a drug, making his body harden, his blood heat. She was such a sensual woman, her entire body receptive to his touch.
Her long hair fanned out around her as she gripped the back of his head, pulling him closer as he suckled one nipple, then the other. He cupped one soft, firm mound, squeezing lightly while laving her nipple with his tongue, using his teeth to scrape gently before flicking the hardened nub.
He would never get enough of her, the way she moaned her pleasure, the way her thighs squeezed him as he covered her body. And as much as he wanted to prolong this sensual torture forever, Luke needed to feel her wet heat. With quick movements, he pushed off of her, pulling her ankles until she was at the edge of the bed, quickly removing her skirt and the little scrap of turquoise lace that covered the heart of her before shedding his own clothes.
“I need to feel you, baby.”
“Yes.” Sierra agreed, trying to pull him closer as he held her ankles against his shoulders, guiding himself into her easily, this time not bothering with the condom because after having already felt heaven inside of her body there was no other way he wanted to go.
She was so wet and so damn tight Luke had to grit his teeth as he eased inside of her, letting her body accommodate his size. In her position she wasn’t able to move easily, but that didn’t stop her from trying. A smile tipped his lips as he lifted her ankles, raising her hips from the bed slightly, offering him a better angle as he held her thighs against his stomach and pushed into her slowly, then retreated. Over and over, he repeated the gentle glide, going deeper, pulling out.
“So tight.” Her internal muscles clamped down around him, holding him to her, pulling him deeper and Luke groaned. She was milking him for all he was worth and Luke was barely holding on to the last remnants of his control.
“Faster.” Sierra pleaded, gripping the comforter beneath her, unable to reach him due to their positions, attempting to thrust her hips upward. “Harder. Luke, please.”
Luke leaned over her, bending her body until her thighs were pressed between them, her calves over his shoulders as he began to increase the rhythm, slamming into her and pulling out, over and over until she was moaning his name, the sweet sound echoing around him until Luke was lost to the sensation.
He groaned, shattering the silence, coming harder than he expected, and praying he’d be in one piece when this was all over.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sierra fought to catch her breath, her body spasmed out of control as her orgasm detonated, his name on her lips once more. While they lay in the dim light, neither of them moving an inch, she steeled herself for what would come next. Luke had just made love to her. They’d come together, both body and soul in one instant that Sierra knew would change her forever.
Although he had been unable to go slow – hell, she hadn’t wanted slow – she knew Luke would look back on this with a critical eye and realize this hadn’t been only about sex. When he eased from her body, Sierra couldn’t tamp down the rising panic until moments later when he returned from the bathroom, a soft, warm cloth in his hand. When she reached for the cloth, he batted her hand away, insisting on cleaning her himself. Moments later, he disappeared once again.
A quick glance at the clock beside the bed explained her sudden bone deep tiredness. It was already two in the morning, and if she didn’t do something soon, she’d fall asleep in his bed, and that was the last thing she wanted.
“Can you take me home?” She asked when he returned as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“No.” The one word came out firmly, and Luke surprised her as he climbed onto the other side of the bed after pulling the blankets back. “Come here.”
Sierra was dumbfounded momentarily as she watched. Sure, she had spent a night in his bed, but that had been different. That night she had practically passed out from the orgasms. But tonight, no, tonight there was plenty of time to think things through. Unfortunately she didn’t want to think. She wanted to feel Luke’s warmth infuse her. At least for a little while longer.
She stood and pulled the blankets back before joining him on the bed. Her heart was still racing, a constant thump thump in her chest as she braced herself mentally. Before she could prepare her next thought, Luke caught her arm and pulled her closer, then lifted her into his arms before launching from the bed.
Sierra was startled, and now that she was flung over Luke’s shoulder, naked as the day she was born, she felt her face grow hot. “What the hell are you doing?”
“After that mind blowing orgasm, I figured you might relax, but apparently that’s not so.” Luke said as he strode through the house just as naked as she was.
She was tempted to wiggle in his arms, to make him put her down, but her breath was caught in her chest, still stunned by his sudden movements. She felt the jarring impact with each step, and unable to see where they were going Sierra wasn’t sure what to do next.
“Where are we going?”
“To relax.” He sounded calm, but Sierra was beginning to wonder.
A second later, she heard the sound of a door being unlocked before he stepped out into the brisk night air. She tried to look around to see what he was doing, but he kept her close with one arm across the backs of her legs while she hung upside down over his shoulder.
Before she could panic or even scream Sierra caught sight of the water as Luke descended the steps into a swimming pool. She had a second to pray that it wouldn’t be cold before he easily slid her down his chest until her feet touched the bottom of the pool. Thankfully the water was blessedly warm considering the chill in the air. Luke pulled her against him as he walked further into the water. Taking the opportunity to get closer, she wrapped her legs around him, aligning their bodies almost perfectly until he groaned.
“I know a better way to make me relax.” Sierra whispered into his ear, licking the lobe with her tongue.
“I like where your mind is going.” He told her as he lifted her slightly before sliding home.
“Oh God!” Sierra latched onto him as he filled her completely, the water washing up over them.
“That’s what I was thinking.” His words were a rumble against her ear as he gripped her hips, lifting and lowering her, the water lapping around them as it dispersed from his movements.
“More.” She begged, and heaven help her, she wanted to beg even more. With the buoyancy of the water, Luke was able to thrust up into her while she held onto him, her arms around his neck, her mouth fused with his, their bodies in sync and hers tingling from the inside out.
“That’s it baby, ride me.” Luke urged her on, holding her close as she continued to raise and lower on his steel hard shaft, taking him deeper, her mind whirling with the pleasure, her body overcome with the sheer ferocity of it.
“Luke.” She was so close.
“Fuck me, Sierra. That’s it baby.” Luke’s words were enough to send her spiraling into the ether. When he growled in her ear, holding her close, Sierra let go, her orgasm taking her while he followed her right over.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The next morning, Luke found himself alone in his bed trying to figure out just what had happened. Throughout the night, he had taken Sierra as many times as he could, never seeming to get enough of her until finally she was too exhausted and he let her sleep. Not exactly sure, but somehow they managed to damn near christen every single room in his house.
Now he was alone, and he wasn’t sure if he was pissed or relieved, or maybe a little of both. Sierra was getting to him in ways he never expected, and honestly, he would have been damn happy to wake up beside her. Instead, his bed was empty, and his instincts told him she wasn’t in the shower or even in the kitchen making something for breakfast.
Grabbing his phone off of his nightstand, Luke did the unthinkable. Dialing quickly before he thought better of it, he called Cole.
“I’m assuming you picked Sierra up from my house this morning?” He didn’t even bother to greet the man, just needed to get down to business.
“Yes.” There was a hint of volatility in the single word, but Luke didn’t ask anything more.
“Thanks.”
“Yep.” And the line went dead.
Fuck.
Luke knew he had to do something about Cole. They needed to talk. Luke was still confused though. After spending the night with Sierra, the first woman he’d actually brought home to his bed, Luke knew his life and his outlook had changed forever. And although he might be distracted to the point of insanity by the woman, he knew it wasn’t ok for him to put Cole on the back burner without telling him how he felt. But how did he feel?
He desired Cole, that was a given. He found himself wanting to be lost in the masculine serenity that was the man, but he was still confused. Was he leading Cole on? Was he leading himself on? For the life of him, Luke didn’t understand what it was that he wanted from Cole and after the night with Sierra, he was even more baffled by the way he was drawn to both of them the same.
And the hardest question of all still eluded him. Did he want more from both of them?
Sure, he’d been a world class jackass when he panicked in Vegas, storming out after he realized he’d done the unthinkable. But after the night he’d just spent with Sierra, he wondered where he had mustered up the strength to even walk away.
For the first time in his life, Luke wanted more. He wanted a commitment, a solid, monogamous commitment from a woman. Or possibly both of them. He might have burned that bridge already, but that didn’t stop him from wondering what that would even be like.
Everything had changed when that woman walked into his life. And for the first time, Luke wanted her all to himself, but at the same time, he was willing to share her with Cole if it would keep the man close. Did that make him selfish? Undoubtedly. It didn’t stop his thoughts from drifting to the what if’s when it came to the two of them.
What if he loved Sierra? What if he loved Cole? What if the three of them tried to make a go of this? What if they failed?
That last question fogged his brain and made his usual doubts surface. Luke accepted the fact that what he wanted from his sexual relationships were against the norm. And he didn’t know of anyone who had openly tried to explore a threesome relationship on a more permanent basis. Was it even possible?
Hell, Luke didn’t know, and he didn’t have enough energy to spend contemplating the idea. Forcing himself from the bed he ventured to the shower. Time to get on with his day because no matter what he did or said, he wouldn’t be able to change what was happening and at the moment, he wasn’t sure he wanted to.