Chapter 14
They stayed in his getaway for a few hours. She enjoyed his company, the discussion, the amazing view—and she wasn’t referring to outside, though that was lovely.
“I could stay out here all night,” Leona admitted.
“Aren’t you hungry?” Luke murmured as he pulled his trunks on.
“Getting there.” Sighing, she climbed off the cushions and went to the small bathroom. After two incredible encounters, he ran out of condoms. So, it was have an awkward conversation about sexual history, or head home. And it would probably be fine, but she didn’t know his past, and admittedly, as long as she didn’t consider it, she was fine.
Thinking about the potentially super-hot women he’d been with made Leona nauseous. While they were together, he was clearly only thinking about her. She felt sexy, alive, and she wanted to enjoy him.
She came back, pulled on her bottoms, then grabbed her top. Luke turned to her as she put the cups to the bikini in place.
Her brow arched. “Help me?”
“Shame I have to help you get dressed. I like you like this.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Like what? Naked?”
“That too, but without a care in the world. When I’m with you, I don’t have to think about anything but you. It’s amazing.” He moved behind her to tie the ties.
She glanced back. “Why is that?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Too many women in Hollywood are fake and want something from you. It’s why Ryan is the smart one. He doesn’t get involved with them.”
“Don’t like clingy women?” she teased.
He rubbed a hand over his hair. “Clinging isn’t the problem. I don’t like being used.”
She dropped her attention to the floor. “Neither do I, and in the beginning, I wondered if that was your only interest in me.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Told you, first it was your books, but then I saw you. If you haven’t noticed, you turn me on. You make me feel like a teenager.”
A gasp left her lips. “Oh, don’t say that. You’re going to make me think about the one thing I promised not to consider again.”
He cupped her breast. “I think I proved I’m no child.”
“No, you aren’t. And I shouldn’t admit it, but I’ve never had better.” She laid her head back on his shoulder.
Nuzzling her neck, he admitted, “No one makes me feel the way you do, Leona.”
She turned and got lost in his dark eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
He pulled her close. “No, I’m not. You are so much more than I expected, and I only expected good things.”
Luke fogged her brain and she needed a moment to think. Pulling him toward the door, she smiled. “Come on, we should get back to them.”
“Yeah, especially if I’m taking you to dinner in town. And don’t worry, it’s a small town. I’ll wear my hat low. Usually it keeps the locals from hassling me.”
She backed to the door. “I’m not so worried about that now. I mean, if everyone finds out, oh well. I’m not going to let that dictate my life.”
“Good, but I still prefer to avoid it. I won’t go to unnecessary lengths to do so, but I don’t seek paparazzi like some.”
He closed the distance and reached past her to open the door. “Thank you for coming out here with me,” he whispered against her ear.
“I’m glad I did.”
He pulled her toward the dock, then rubbed his chin. “We didn’t swim.”
She glanced back with a grin. “You want to swim now?”
“I’ll have to bring you back out before you leave.”
“Sounds good.” She stepped into the boat and he climbed in after her.
The trip back was quick. Mona and Roach were making out on the float. Luke reached down to send a wave of water over them.
“Hey,” Mona squealed.
Leona climbed off the boat and hurried up the grass.
Luke said, “You two ready for some food? Thought we’d go into town. There’s a great burger place.”
“Oh, you’ll love it,” Roach answered.
“I’m changing. I’m starved,” Leona called down.
“Luke work up your appetite?” Mona sing-songed.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” Leona slipped inside and Luke caught her around the waist.
“Might I have inspired a scene?”
“Maybe.” Winking, she pulled him toward his room. “After rowing, I realize how hungry I am.”
“More sex would have kept you happy?”
She turned, her eyes wide. “Oh, I’m very happy, but I’ll warn you, I’m insatiable.”
“I’ll take great pleasure in finding your limit.” The wicked grin he wore told her he might be able to. Russell never could.
Leona fought off the shudder. Thinking about him while half naked was the dumbest thought she’d had all day.
“This is going to be a very long night,” she purred.
“And well worth it.”
The door banged open and Mona squealed in delight as Luke backed Leona against the bedroom door, his hands going to her ribs. She managed to get the door open as he lifted her, making her gasp before her arms went around his neck.
Both Mona and Roach were laughing when the door shut.
“You’re so bad,” she whispered.
“And you can be very bad. I like you bad, but I like you good too.” He nibbled her ear and she let out a whimper.
“Luke, food.” Her stomach rumbled to back up the fact she was hungry.
“Get dressed. I’m having trouble keeping my hands to myself.” He stepped away and turned to pull his own clothes on. Hurrying into her own clothes, she thanked herself for having the foresight to pack extra clothes.
She stepped out of his room before he finished and walked over to the windows to look out over the lake. Absolutely beautiful, and she wanted a place like it.
Luke came out before Roach or Mona, which was good. Mona would ask what they were doing gone for so long, and Leona wouldn’t want to answer. Roach, well, he seemed like a good guy, but she couldn’t claim to know him.
“You’re quiet now,” he whispered.
“You’re talking to an author. I get quiet, contemplative, think too much. Doesn’t mean anything bad, I promise.”
“I believe you, but it makes me want to step into your head and see through your eyes.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Might turn into an egotistical ass. I prefer you the way you are now.”
His head tipped. “What does that mean?”
“I’m sure, like most people, you show different sides of yourself to different people.”
“What side aren’t you showing me?” he countered.
She shook her head. “I’m not hiding anything, and I don’t think you are either.”
“Good, because I’ll show you everything.”
Mona slipped out and cleared her throat. “Sure you don’t want to just ditch us?”
Smiling, Luke shook his head. “Let’s have dinner, then we can part ways.”
“If you’re sure. But promise to call me in the morning, Leona,” Mona amended.
“You got it. Dinner first, though,” Leona promised.
Grinning, Mona replied, “Then we’re going back to Roach’s.”