CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Natalia
I stride into the lecture hall of my psyche class and plop down in my normal seat, waiting for Luke. Digging out my textbook and notes, I’m a little surprised when Luke slides into the seat next to me with a McDonald’s bag.
“I thought football stars were supposed to eat healthy foods, not McDonalds.”
Luke rolls his eyes, “I eat whatever I want, Babygirl. That’s why I spend forty hours a week practicing.” He pats his abdomen. “These abs weren’t made from burgers and fries, I’ll tell you that.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Well, obviously. I just thought maybe you ate healthier foods.”
“Do you want a bacon McGriddle or not, Natalia? Don’t think I won’t eat your sandwich for asking all these damn questions.” He glares at me, holding the sandwich just out my reach. I promptly shut my mouth and reach my hand out in a gimme gesture.
One can never go wrong with a bacon and egg McGriddle.
After my last class of the day is over, I trek across campus to the parking lot.
“Hershey squirt! HERSHEY SQUIRT!”
I finally realize what’s being yelled a few yards behind me and turn around with narrowed eyes. Seriously?
Luke jogs up to me, not even slightly out of breath, with a wide grin spread across his face.
“Fuck, I was wondering when you would hear me. I’ve been yelling out at you for what feels like the past ten minutes.”
“You’ve been yelling that out for the past ten minutes?” I ask incredulously, and he chuckles, nodding his head.
“And can you stop calling me Hershey squirt already? It’s getting old. You’re also making it really hard for me to enjoy chocolate bars.”
Luke laughs harder, revealing both dimples, and runs his hand through his hair. The muscles in his arm bulge in an almost obscene way, and I swallow thickly.
Get yourself together, Natalia.
“Alright, fine. No more Hershey squirt.”
“Thank you,” I reply stiffly, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Where you headed?”
“My car. I was just gonna go home and study. I don’t have work until six. Working the nightshift.”
“Come over. We can hang-out at my place,” Luke offers. “The guys are heading to a party, pre-gaming before the big game tomorrow.”
I nervously twiddle my thumbs. “No party for you?”
“Nah. I usually like to rest before any games. The partying and drinking can wait until we have a win under our belts. So, my place?”
I inconspicuously blow out a sigh of relief at his response. The idea of Luke out partying with drunken sorority girls makes my blood boil.
“I don’t know, Luke. I should really just head home and study. I have a crapload of work to do. I’m not exactly the best company.”
“Oh, c’mon, Babygirl. If I didn’t want you at my place, I wouldn’t have asked. You’re great company. Now let’s go, I don’t have all day.”
My brain yells at me to say no. I’m sure I’ll be fine studying on campus on my own, but my stupid mouth has other plans.
“Yeah sure. I’ll meet you there.” I turn to head toward my car but stop when he speaks up.
“Why don’t you ride with me? No point taking two cars to the same place. I’ll give you a ride back to your car before work.”
I start shaking my head no before he’s even finished with his sentence. “No, really, it’s fine. I can drive.”
“Oh, c’mon,” he says, grabbing my arm. “I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
I follow Luke toward his car, trying my best to ignore the warmth radiating from my arm on the spot he was touching. Fire roars through my veins, coiling deep in my core, and my stomach flutters wildly just at the thought of being alone with Luke. I can’t help but smile on the inside. He actually wants me around because he enjoys my company, not because we have to, or for some stupid assignment, he wants to spend time with me—the real me, and it makes me impossibly giddy.
This guy will surely be the death of me.
The drive to Luke’s place is quiet. We don’t say much, I just listen to the radio and my pounding heart. With my nerves kicking in, I can’t help but blame Sam and Aliza. First, Sam is the one who basically forced me to realize I have feelings for Luke. Then Aliza had to go and throw in her two cents with her cryptic advice, and now I can’t stop thinking about Luke. Especially since I’ll be at his place with him. All alone. My heart pounds violently within the confines of my chest just at that thought.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous anyway. I’ve been alone with Luke plenty of times, but this time…it just feels different. There’s this static in the air around us, and I can’t help but feel drawn to him in a way I was never attuned to before. What’s even more shocking is, I want Luke to notice me. I want him to enjoy my presence because I’ve never felt closer to another person than I do with him. But now that I fully understand my feelings for him, my nerves are constantly in a state of dysfunction when I’m near him. It’s infuriating.
This morning, I tried to act as if everything was normal between us, just like it usually is. But it’s not. Throughout most of the class, I was either sneaking glances at Luke out of the corner of my eye, or just blatantly staring at him. I’ve never really taken the time to just stare at him and appreciate his handsome looks. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard not to ogle him every now and then because the guy is pretty much freaking dripping in pheromones, but that was before, when it was easy to ignore him by placing his looks aside. Now, with my emotions raging within me like a hormonal teenager meeting her celebrity crush for the first time, I just marvel at the Luke Caldwell package. Everything seems fine as I ogle him in peace without a care in the world—until he catches me staring at him. He then asks if he has something on his face, and I freeze, caught like a deer in headlights. Feeling like a complete idiot for being caught, I tell him I think he has food stuck in his teeth.
Talk about a smooth operator.
I’m beyond thankful when we pull up to his apartment. I all but hop out the car and bound up the steps to his door just to avoid him starting a conversation. I don’t know why I thought that would help me, it’s not like once we get inside his place, alone, he’ll avoid talking to me. If anything, he’ll try to talk to me even more to get rid of the awkward silence.
“You alright? You seem kind of quiet,” Luke says as he unlocks his door and lets me inside.
I force a smile and nod my head. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. I’ve just got a lot of schoolwork on my mind.”
He snorts and walks off into the kitchen while I veer off into the TV room. I sit on the edge of the cushion, feeling exceedingly uncomfortable.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“Are you hungry? I think we got snacks in here somewhere,” he yells from the kitchen.
“N-no thanks,” I stutter. Swallowing thickly.
“Alrighty. Are you thirsty? I can bring you some water.”
Yes, water, please. I nod then quickly realize he can’t see me.
“Yes!” I yell out too enthusiastically. I drop my head into my hands and groan. Fucking Sam and Aliza.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Luke asks again as he walks into the room. I jolt upright and nod as he hands me the water bottle. My hand accidentally grazes his and I jump. Literally jump away like his touch has burned me.
It practically has.
His eyebrows shoot up in question, and I sit there, staring at him completely on mute.
Say something. Anything!
I say the first thing I can think of.
“Honestly no. You smell really bad. I can’t even think straight,” I blurt. Luke opens his mouth to say something then closes it, having no comeback for my rude outburst. He lifts he collar of his shirt and sniffs furrowing his brows.
“Alright,” he says slowly. “Well, my bad. Let me hop in the shower real quick, then we can get started.”
He twists off the cap of his water bottle, brings it to his lips, and finishes it in a few gulps. I watch in awe as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down sexily, almost in slow motion. His plump lower lip hangs below the rim of the bottle and I almost start drooling. I quickly avert my eyes before he catches me ogling him. Again. Once a day is more than enough.
I pace the floor of the entertainment room—or living room, whatever you want to call it—listening to the shower running. While Luke is in the shower, I give myself a mental pep talk. Okay, Natalia. Just be cool. Act calm. He’s still the same Luke he was a few weeks ago, nothing has changed. The pipes make a squeaking noise, and the water is shut off, followed by thumping footsteps.
Great. He’s done.
I look toward Luke’s room, thinking he’s finished, and realize what a huge mistake I made coming here today. I suck in a sharp breath.
Sweet baby Jesus.
Seems like Luke forgot to close his door and now I can see him. All. Of. Him. In all his perfect glory.
His chiseled muscles are glistening with droplets of water and a little towel is wrapped around his hips. I swallow thickly as my eyes travel from his broad shoulders, to the rivulets on his abdomen, down to his tapered waist, and the deep V of his groin. The small knot on the towel is being held up by his hand and only his hand.
Wow. That’s just…wow.
My feet slowly move closer and closer to his room of their own accord. I know I should look away, give him his privacy, but I can’t summon the strength to tear my gaze away. It’s almost like watching a horrible accident, yet you’re unable to look away, no matter how badly you want to—or how badly you know you should.
Luke is rubbing another towel over his hair, drying it, and his muscles bunch deliciously with each small movement. I watch this God-like man in awe, with pure feminine appreciation. He looks like the goddam statue of Michelangelo’s David. With the back of my hand, I wipe off the perspiration beading on my forehead.
Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
My heart stutters violently in my chest, and my breath leaves me in a gasp when his eyes meet mine. Heat crawls up my neck and face in embarrassment. I force my feet to move, not even paying attention to my surroundings. I stub my foot on his coffee table and pain like no other tears through my big toe, shooting throughout my entire foot. My body flings forward with the force of gravity, and I trip with a loud Aargh, falling face first onto the carpet.
I hurriedly scramble to my feet trying to slow my erratic breathing and thumping heart.
“Jesus, Natalia are you alright?” Luke says breathlessly as he hovers in front of me. He’s looking at me like I’m certifiably crazy, and I know I’m warranting that kind of reaction. I run a shaky hand through my hair.
“I’m actually not feeling very good. I think I’m gonna head home.” My voice shakes with nerves, and I fling my arms toward the door in a jittery motion, feeling like a complete idiot. He stares at me strangely for a beat before nodding.
“Uh, okay, I’ll give you a ride then,” he offers, already reaching for his keys.
“No!”
With a look of astonishment, Luke whips his head to me and freezes. My face turns beet red and I lick my lips nervously, feeling completely frazzled.
Shaking my head, I say, “Sorry, I just meant I can walk. It’s not too far. Sometimes, I feel better if I just walk it off, you know?” I offer a nonchalant shrug like everyone does this. Luke continues staring at me like I’m crazy. He rubs his hand across the back of his neck helplessly.
“Are you sure? I said I would give you a ride…I kinda feel like a dick if I don’t.”
“It’s fine!” I force a loud laugh, and he flinches at my volume.
“Alright then.”
Under normal circumstances I would laugh at his bewildered look, but instead, I grab my shoulder bag and nearly sprint out of there.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
***
Almost a half hour later I finally make it to campus from Luke’s. I certainly didn’t think it would take that long to walk, but, boy was I wrong. I really should consider buying a gym membership because there’s no way in hell it’s healthy for me to so completely out of breath after that walk. After scrambling into my car, I drop my head onto the steering wheel and bang my forehead repeatedly.
“Why?” Bang. “Why?” Bang. “Why?” Bang. Bang. Bang.
I finally pull myself together long enough to drive home and get ready for work.
I pull into my parking space and curse when I see Sam’s car in the driveway. Dammit. Of all days for Sam to be home at this hour, this is seriously the day? Blowing out a deep breath, I give myself a mental pep-talk before I head inside the lion’s den.
She’ll know something’s up. Pull it together!
Pushing through the front door, I plaster a smile on my face, just in case Sam is close by.
“Hey, where were you? Don’t you usually get out of class earlier than three?” Sam asks from her perch on the kitchen counter before I even have a chance to close the door.
“Yeah, but I had to study for few classes, so I went to the library.” Liar.
Her brows pinch together, and she crosses her arms over her busty chest. “The library, huh? You don’t usually go to the library on the days you’re scheduled to work.”
“Yeah, I know. But I wanted to get some extra studying in, and I had a few books to check out,” I squeak, brushing past her toward the refrigerator. Don’t get me wrong, I feel freakin’ horrible for lying to Sam about where I was, but in all honestly, I really don’t need to hear her crap right now. Especially not after the embarrassing day I’ve had. I pull out the ingredients to make a sandwich, trying to ignore Sam’s hovering presence.
“Need a ride to work? It’s been a while since we rode in together.”
“Good idea. I’m low on gas anyway.”
Sam drums her hands on the kitchen frame. “Alrighty, Mother Theresa.”
I roll my eyes at her Mother Theresa dig, and continue spreading the mayo on my bread for my sandwich.
The ride to the Bar and Grille goes without incident. Sam doesn’t bother bringing up Luke because she’s too busy talking about “the douche”. I let it slide though. Most days, I beg her to keep her stories to herself, but today, I welcome them. It is an easy diversion. Get her so caught up in her own drama that she forgets about everyone else’s. I think my shift at work will run just as smoothly, but that is just wishful thinking.
“Soooooo,” Sam says later on, sidling up beside me, grinning like the cat who got the cream. I look at Aliza in question. She just shrugs, having no idea what her deal is. Half the time, we never know what goes on in Sam’s head.
“So what, Samantha?”
“How are things? You score the quarterback yet? Ready to knock boots?”
Well, that didn’t take long. After Sam’s heart-to-heart with me about Luke, I hoped she would finally leave me alone and drop it. Not surprisingly, I am wrong. It’s our last break of the night and I use this time to rest my aching feet and close my tired eyes. That is, until Sam finally breaks her silence on the Luke subject. I guess it was only a matter of time.
I curl my hands into fists and inhale deep breaths, trying to tamp down my frustration. I don’t how many times I’ve told her that we’re just friends, but for some reason she seems to think I’m keeping something from her—which technically I am, but she doesn’t need to know that yet. I may have a small crush on Luke, but who wouldn’t? He’s a great guy. And I’d have to be blind not to appreciate his looks. I mean, even she isn’t immune to his charm, and she’s the biggest man-eater of all for Christ’s sakes. But regardless of what she thinks, we’re nothing more than friends, or at the very least that’s the way it needs to stay. If today’s events are any indication, I don’t do well in any intimate situation that involves Luke.
“For the hundredth time. We. Are. Friends. What is so hard to believe about that?”
“Everything!” she yells in exasperation. “Help me out here, Ohio.”
“Oh no, no. Don’t drag me into this,” Aliza says, frantically waving her hand, trying to get her point across. I catch her eye and give her a silent thank you. At least one of my friends is on my side.
“How about we focus on how great Aliza and CJ are doing together? I think that deserves some attention,” I say instead, trying to get the heat off me. Aliza spins toward me with a stricken look and I mouth, “Sorry.”
She stares at me through narrowed slits, giving me a look that tells me I owe her big time.
Better her than me. At least she’s in an actual relationship.
Thankfully, Sam gets sidetracked with a list of questions for Aliza, asking about her and CJ’s sex life. I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more uncomfortable in my life. Poor Aliza. Just as I’m slipping out of the booth to use the restroom, Aliza grasps my arm in a vice grip, and hisses under her breath. “You fucking owe me, Baldoni.”
I can’t contain my small chuckle. Don’t I know it.
***
Later that night, after our shift at the Bar and Grille, Sam and I plop down on the sofa like two couch potatoes. We watch old reruns of Friends for a while until eventually, my eyes flutter closed, and I drift off to sleep.
Light knocking on my bedroom door jolts me out of the text I was reading. With my brows drawn together, I push to my feet and pad toward my bedroom door, yanking it open.
My eyes widen. “Luke?”
He grins, revealing two deep dimples. “Hey, Babygirl.” He brushes past me, flopping backward onto my bed. He rests his arm behind his head and crosses his legs. My mouth drops open in a “what the hell is going on?” expression. He pats the empty space on the bed beside him and chuckles at the look on my face.
“I won’t bite, Natalia.”
I swallow thickly. “I know that. I’m just trying to understand what you’re doing here.”
Luke shrugs. “I wanted to see you.”
I heave a sigh and slide onto my bed next to him. I feel his stare burning at the side of my skull. My body shifts, and I turn my head toward Luke’s gaze ever so slightly. No words are spoken as his hazel clash with my brown. The atmosphere in the room thickens, making it almost impossible to breathe. My palms sweat as I take this time to admire him. His eyes, which are staring at me with so much heat in their depths, are lined with thick long lashes that rival my own. His tongue juts out, wetting his bottom lip and my eyes follow the erotic movement. My chest rises and falls rapidly and my core clenches as I continue my perusal of him.
I try to ignore the butterflies roaring through my body, but it’s impossible. Whenever I’m around Luke, I can’t ignore the butterflies that always seem to take flight in my chest. Their wings always seem to flutter whenever he’s near. Even if I don’t want them to. My body’s reaction to this man is visceral.
His eyes hold mine, and my stomach knots at all the questions I see there. My heart flutters in my chest, and an urgent need to feel his body against mine slams into me. It’s foreign and so unlike me, but I want it—need it—more than I need my next breath. Luke leans in and his lips hover in front of me. His warm breath, that smells of mint and toothpaste, ghosts across my lips. My eyes flutter closed on a harsh breath and I close the distance, pressing my lips against his. His warm mouth devours mine, and I’ve never felt like anything was more right in my world.
“Tell me you want this?” He breathes into the kiss. “Tell me you want me, Natalia.” His tongue dips into my mouth, making me moan helplessly.
“Luke…” I start, but he digs his hand in the back of my hair, tugging gently on the strands, effectively silencing me. A warm, heady feeling surges through my body, making my thighs quiver and clench.
“Tell me yes, Babygirl,” he manages between kisses. My womb clenches at his words. His kisses. His nearness. A hot wave of lust crashes against my pelvis, jolting my hips forward, seeking any kind of friction.
“Yes,” I suddenly moan, throwing caution to the wind. Luke’s mouth attacks mine with a fervor I’m unfamiliar with. His tongue parts my lips skillfully, toying with me. His lips trail down my neck, sucking and licking the tender skin. He lowers his kisses to my breasts, pulling down my sweater and sucking on my nipples through my bra. My core spasms and my hips lift off the bed, seeking his touch.
When Luke trails his tongue down the center of my body and dips it into my belly button, a thick, heady, sexual fog clouds my brain. His tongue swirls while his hands simultaneously peel my shorts and my underwear down my legs. When his mouth covers my center I release the longest, breathiest moan. Luke licks me in one full swipe that takes my breath away. His tongue flutters over the bundle of nerves and my body tenses with euphoria.
“Oh God, Luke,” I breathe.
Luke devours me with his mouth, taking no prisoners. He dips a finger inside me, pumping in and out slowly as his mouth continues to work me over. My chest heaves violently as I try to catch my breath and my body flushes with my impending orgasm.
“I’m almost there,” I moan. “Don’t stop.”
“Natalia.”
I clench my eyes shut, trying to focus on the pleasure. “Don’t stop!”
“Natalia.”
“Natalia!”
I jolt awake with a start. My body flings upright and my chest heaves as it takes me a second to realize where I am. The living room.
What the…?
“Hey, weirdo!” Sam says, snapping her fingers in front of my face. “Are you finally awake now?” She’s dressed in her pajamas with the TV behind her turned off.
Weren’t we just watching TV?
I shake my head, trying to clear the drowsy fog. “Y-yeah.” My voice cracks so I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m awake now. I must’ve fallen asleep.”
Sam rolls her eyes. “Yeah, no fucking shit, Sherlock. What I want to know is what the hell you were dreaming about. There was a whole lot of panting and moaning going on.”
My cheeks flame in embarrassment as I come to the realization that I was having a sex dream, starring Luke.
Jesus, Lord in heaven help me.
“I was having a nightmare,” I croak lamely. Sam raises a single brow and crosses her arms over her ample chest. I swallow thickly.
“A nightmare?” she asks dubiously.
I nod my head aggressively, trying to drive my point home. “Yup.”
“So, in this ‘nightmare,’ what was happening to you that made you so breathy?”
I wrack my brain for something to say. “I, uh, I was being chased….by a…murderer.”
“Hmmm. Did the murderer happen to be Luke Caldwell chasing you with his dick?” A knowing grin spreads across her face, and I gasp in mortification.
“Samantha!” I yell after her retreating form as she howls down the hallway in a fit of laughter.
I deflate against the couch and drop my head back onto the cushion. What the hell am I going to do now?