CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Natalia
I haven’t seen Luke since the day he stripped me of all sense inside his bedroom. And it honestly isn’t because I’ve been avoiding him either. I’ve had nonstop shifts at the Bar and Grille, and last night, he had the big bowl game against one of the team’s major rivals, Fresno State. With today being my only day off, I decide to go to the bank and get other errands done that I’ve been putting on hold. Much to my surprise, when I get home from running around all day, I find Sam participating in acts that one should never see unwillingly.
I was glad that when I called Luke, he picked up on the first ring and said it was okay to come over. I’m thankful he didn’t make anything awkward. He actually didn’t even bring up our last encounter, which I couldn’t be happier about.
“I’m so glad you weren’t doing anything tonight,” I say. “Sam’s having another one of her…group parties.” I shiver and swallow down the bile rising in my throat.
Sam and her damn orgies.
Luke chuckles and gestures to the box of pizza on the table. “Drew invited me to a frat party, but I’m just not feeling it tonight. I’m exhausted after yesterday’s game.” Luke drops down onto the couch and devours the slice of pizza in his hand.
What I would do to be that slice of pizza—nope not going there, I warn myself.
Luke and I settle on the couch, watching Netflix as I wait out Sam. When I start to nod off, I check my phone, realizing two hours have already passed. I continue texting Sam, wondering when the hell her little romp will be over, but I don’t get a reply. I groan.
C’mon Sammy, seriously. Not tonight.
“What’s up?” Luke asks, hearing my groan. I shift my eyes to him. He’s dressed in basketball shorts and a SDSU football t-shirt.
“Sam’s not answering and it’s starting to get late. I’m tired,” I groan.
“You can stay here,” Luke offers. I turn to him with a look of incredulity on my face. At the thought of sleeping over, my stomach does a summersault, back bend, round hand spring—whatever, you get the point.
“Hold up.” Luke walks toward his room with his phone in hand, and I’m left sitting here on the couch, completely speechless.
Spend the night at Luke Caldwell’s place? Can I do that?
I can barely manage spending time with him without wanting to jump his bones. Ugh. I’m so caught up in my head, and my own thoughts that when Luke strides back into the living room, it takes me a moment to get back on track.
“So, Drew and Jared aren’t coming home tonight. I can take one of their beds and you can sleep in mine,” he offers like it’s no big deal. I scramble my brain for the right thing to say. I need to politely decline his invite.
“Okay,” flies out of my mouth instead, and I internally slap myself.
Jesus, I really need to work on my filter.
Luke drags a hand through his tousled brown hair, and I watch in awe as his muscles flex. “Alright. Let me just fix the bed for you and pick up a bit. Did you want to take a shower? You can use the bathroom in my room if you need to,” he offers and I just nod, still unable to utter a word. That is, until one very import factor pops into my head. Crap. I have no clothes. Luke must see my expression because he raises a curious brow.
“What’s wrong?” he asks. I shift uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“I don’t have any clothes,” I squeak and his mouth quirks.
“You can borrow mine till the morning. You’re on your own after that, unless you plan on walking around in my baggy clothes all day. Up to you.”
I narrow my eyes at the humor in his voice and relent.
I can do this. What can possibly go wrong?
Luke shows me how to work the shower in the bathroom. I clasp my hands together joyously when I see he uses actual shampoo and conditioner instead of using the 2-in-1 like most other guys do. I take my time in the shower, unable to stop myself from imaging Luke in here. This is where he showers every day. It’s kind of surreal. I pop open the lid on his body wash and inhale the intoxicating scent. Smells exactly like him.
After drying off, I wrap the towel around my body, and look around for my clothes. I slip on my bra and underwear but come up short when I realize there’s nothing else in here.
No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening.
I look around the bathroom connected to Luke’s room and feel my anxiety rise. Shit. He forgot to leave out clothes! I look down at my body with only my cream lace demi bra and matching underwear. Which are both completely see through.
I run a hand through my damp hair and crack open the bathroom door. I peek around the room and note Luke isn’t in here.
Why would he be? You were talking a shower smart ass.
Deeming it safe, I walk farther into the room and fold my wet towel, placing it on the edge of his rolling chair and proceed to fold my dirty clothes for tomorrow morning.
Maybe I should go through all his drawers until I find the right one? I look toward his dresser as I’m folding my shirt. The material slips from my grasp, falling onto the floor. Blowing out an irritated breath, I bend over to retrieve it and it’s at this exact moment Luke decides to pop into the room.
“Hey, did you want to watch—”
I squeak and my back snaps into place like a puppeteer yanking on a string. I whirl around facing Luke who is now looking at me like I’m a bottle of water in the Sahara Desert.
Oh God. That look…it’s the same one from the other day.
I swallow thickly. My heart pounds against my chest, trying to escape.
This is bad.
My first instinct would normally be to scream bloody murder and cover myself, but I can’t move. I’m immobile. Not a single muscle is cooperating with my brain that’s screaming to cover myself. I’m literally frozen in place, staring at Luke as he stares right back at me, unabashedly. My chest rises and falls rapidly, and I watch as Luke’s eyes track up and down my body slowly. They momentarily stop on my breasts that are no doubt heaving from my ragged breathing. Luke’s eyes heat, burning me from head to toe, and his nostrils flare. His hands fist at his sides, like he’s physically trying to restrain himself. The fact that he finds me attractive enough to get a reaction out of him causes that throbbing ache between my legs to reignite like it usually does whenever he’s around.
My mind suddenly drifts to the other day when Luke and I were in his bedroom. The way he looked at me, the way his voice trailed across my skin, and the way he touched me…God, the way he touched me. My nipples pebble against the lace of my bra and Luke’s jaw clenches tightly. I somehow summon enough courage to speak.
“I couldn’t find the shirts.” My voice is barely audible, but I know he heard me. His eyes glint with something I’ve never seen before as he looks me up and down once more.
“Top drawer of the second dresser.” He informs me in a gravelly voice that sends a ripple through my aroused body. Lord help me.
His hazel eyes are on fire as we continue to stare at each other. The amber and gold flecks out-shine the rest of the colors belonging to his eyes. I dart my gaze away and search for the second dresser to find a shirt before something happens that we’ll both regret. I slide open the drawer and pull out the first shirt I see. I inhale a deep breath and tentatively glance over my shoulder. Luke is no longer standing there, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Hurriedly pulling the shirt over my head, I try to get my head on straight. The material is soft against my freshly showered skin. The hem of the shirt hits midthigh and the materials rubs against my legs in a caressing manner, almost as if Luke is doing the caressing himself.
My heart is pounding at an unhealthy rate as I make my way out of Luke’s room. I find him sitting on the couch with the remote control gripped firmly in his hand. I take cautious steps around the sofa and lower myself onto the other end, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. I clear my throat.
“What’re we watching?” I try to keep the tremor out of my voice and stay as calm as possible so he doesn’t know I’m affected by him. But the fact that he’s just practically seen me naked doesn’t help. Not one bit. Luke blows out a deep breath and shifts toward me with a scowl on his face.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want this to get weird, and I sure as fuck don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” His eyes—that are a thousand shades of gray and blue and brown—flick across my face, gauging my reaction. A small, relieved smile spreads across my face.
“Don’t apologize. Everything’s all good. I’m just glad this doesn’t have to be awkward.” I close the distance between us on the couch and nestle myself beside him in my usual position while we finish watching the last remaining episodes of Narcos on Netflix in contented silence. His warm scent of fresh pine wafts around me as he lays his arm over my shoulder. Even though I used the same body wash, it still smells better on him. Significantly better.
After our show is over, Luke shifts, looking down at me, and asks me something completely out of the blue.
“Have you ever dated anyone, or has it always been about school for you?”
I lift my eyes to his and frown in confusion. Where the hell is he going with this?
“Uh, not really. I guess I never really gave anyone a chance to date me. I’ve been focused on school for as long as I can remember. It didn’t help that Gina always dug her claws into any guy I had a crush on. After a while, I just gave up. Guys only ever wanted one thing, and I was certainly never interested in that.”
He shakes his head back and forth, a frown marring his handsome features.
“I don’t how you did it.”
“What?”
“Put up with Gina all your life the way you did. You’re a saint.”
I sputter a laugh because most days, I don’t even know how I grew up with her around. She was like a dream crusher. Still is.
“You know, sometimes I used to wish that I could’ve grown up in any other family. That’s how much I hated it at the time.”
“I would’ve run away,” Luke says seriously, and I laugh, cocking my head at him.
“Shut up. No, you wouldn’t have.”
“I might’ve. Shit. I had it so easy compared to you.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. But the way I see it, if I didn’t go through all that when I was younger, maybe I wouldn’t be the person I am today. You know?”
Luke stares down at me, then the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile. “That would be a shame. I love the person you are.”
My heart flutters, and my eyes mist over a bit. “Aww. That was actually kind of sweet.”
He chuckles, looks heavenward for a few seconds before turning back to me. His eyes are wide open. Figuratively speaking. I feel like I can see him, the real him. Not the football star, not the guy who screws any girl in sight, not the guy with the crude humor, and bad attitude, but the guy who has a smile that can light up a whole room, the guy with a great personality, and an even better heart. I feel like I’m seeing all of him right now, and I don’t ever want to look away.
“I love the person you are too.” I find myself saying. Something flickers behind his eyes. He reaches out, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. He doesn’t stop there, though. His hand softly caresses the skin just below my jaw, down to my neck.
Every nerve ending roars to life, and my breath gets lodged in my throat. I look up at him through my lashes, about to say something, but I’m not given the chance. Luke’s mouth crashes down over mine, stealing my words and all my breath. His hands grip the sides of my face, and I feel my body melt into him. Skilled lips part my shaky ones, sending tremors throughout my body. I claw at him, needing to be closer, wanting to feel him everywhere. His tongue tangles with my own, and I moan helplessly into his mouth.
Luke kisses me ravenously, his tongue and his hands caressing gently, sending my blood roaring through my veins. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I can’t stop, and I don’t want to. He’s everywhere, yet not where I need him. His mouth trails across my neck, down my shoulders and arms, and suddenly, he’s kissing me harder, deeper, with a passion I’ve never felt. My arms wrap around his neck, and suddenly, I’m lifted onto his lap where I feel his bulge digging into my center. My hips twist in a small circle of their own accord, chasing my impending release. Luke lets out a low, soft groan from the back of his throat, and my thighs clench at the erotic noise.
“I thought you weren’t going to kiss me anymore?” I pant between kisses.
“I lied,” he says, slamming his mouth over mine, effectively quieting me.
Luke lifts me off the couch and easily carries me into his room, dropping me onto his bed, never once taking his lips off mine. His hands caress my body lightly, sending shivers down my spine. I don’t know how, but our shirts simultaneously fall to the floor. The only barriers between us now are my bra and underwear and his boxer briefs. I pant wildly beneath him as he trails his tongue over the swell of my breasts and down my stomach, swirling into my navel.
His hand slips between my thighs, and his lithe fingers stroke my sensitive nub. Each stroke ignites something within me, like a match catching fire before it erupts into flames that lick the insides of my body. I can acutely feel every cell in my body thrumming with electricity. His mouth descends on mine, and I can’t help the mewl that escapes my throat—it’s guttural and raw. The taste of his tongue ignites my fuse, setting off colorful fireworks behind my eyelids. My hands clench the blankets beneath me as I try to keep myself grounded, but it’s no use, the waves of pleasure continue crashing over me.
He breaks our kiss and murmurs heatedly in my ear, “Fuck, Natalia. You’re so responsive. Keep coming, Babygirl.” He slides a long finger in and out of me, and my back arches into a painful position. His words elicit a deep, drawn out moan. The pleasure soaring through me is indescribable and white-hot.
Gripping my thighs, he yanks my underwear down my legs, and tosses them onto the floor. I oblige willingly, needing every piece of him I can get. I try not to think too hard and let my mind wander. I want to live in this moment—relish in it. Luke flicks his tongue over my hip bone, lowering down my body until he’s at the apex of my thighs. I try to close my legs, unsure if I want him down there, but when his tongue licks straight up my center, I squeak. He laps gently, and skillfully at my clit, and I toss my head back, unable to handle the pleasure building in my body. My hips thrust toward Luke’s face without my permission, and he growls against my clit, taking that as indication to devour me. His groans of approval send delicious vibrations straight to my core.
I fist a hand in his hair and pull as he flutters his tongue over the most sensitive part of my clit. Within seconds, I’m coming apart, shattering into a million pieces. Pulling on his hair, and grinding my pussy over his face, I ride out my orgasm. I chant his name over and over again, until my body uncoils, and I can finally breathe again. Luke places gentle kisses up my stomach, to my chest. He slides up my body, his mouth glistening with my arousal. It’s completely erotic, and the throbbing between my legs starts all over again. He hovers over me, staring down at me with fire in his eyes. Propping himself up on his elbows he runs his hand through my tangled hair.
“What the hell are you doing to me?” he whispers with a pained expression on his face. His hand continues stroking my hair gently, and I’m at a complete loss for words. I want to say the words—three words that will have any guy run for the hills—but I don’t.
“I’m scared, Luke,” I say honestly. Despite the fear of what comes next, I can’t ignore the ball of heat twisting into a burning knot in my stomach. There’s no going back now. I need him.
“Don’t be scared, Babygirl,” he rasps thickly. “I’m going to take care of you, Natalia. I promise.”
His mouth descends on mine, and I can taste myself on him. It’s surprisingly sexy. He takes my lip in between his teeth and tugs. The sensation makes me gasp. A new heat explodes into an inferno inside me, burning me whole. His tongue traces the contours of my jaw and neck, sending spasms of electricity through my body. My head is spinning. I’ve never felt anything like this before.
Sitting up, I slip my bra off my shoulders and toss it onto the floor next to my underwear. Luke doesn’t even give me a chance to lie back down. His mouth attaches to my breast, and he sucks my nipple into his mouth. I toss my head back and moan, gripping onto his broad shoulders for support. His tongue swirls around my nipple, and my pussy throbs in pain. God, I need him.
I brazenly wrap my hand around his erection and stroke. He rests his warm hand over mine and guides my unskilled movements. It doesn’t take long for Luke to start gasping, releasing his hold on me, and fisting his hands in the sheets. A sense of empowerment takes hold of me, and the need to pleasure Luke takes over as well. I nudge him onto his back, and I proceed to slide down his body. He must sense my game plan, because he reaches out for me, trying to stop me, but I shake my head, imploring with my eyes that I want this.
I kneel over him, pulling his boxers down, revealing his thick erection. It springs free, and the searing hot ball of need in my core ignites. Wrapping my hand around his erection, I bring the tip of his cock into my mouth and marvel at the smoothness. I meet his heated gaze, and his already dilated pupils smolder with new-found heat. His beautiful full lips part with each stroke of my hand and flick of my tongue. I earn a carnal growl from him as I take him deep into my mouth, plunging as far as I can before pulling back, and sucking long against his shaft. I repeat this process over and over, until he’s panting, his fingers digging into my long hair. I take him deep, pushing myself further each time he makes a sound of approval. It’s thrilling—bringing a man like Luke pleasure.
Without warning, he pulls me up his body, and rolls me onto my back. His mouth slams over mine in a heated mess. Teeth clash and tongues collide. He pulls away from my mouth, producing a condom out of nowhere, sheathing it onto his length. He rests his weight over me, stares down at me.
“We can stop whenever you want. Just say the words.” Hazel eyes pierce mine, and I know without a doubt, if I told him to stop, he would. I smile up at him nervously, shakily wrap my arms around his neck, and pull his mouth down to mine for a kiss. I lose myself in the kiss. When his cock prods at my entrance, my body locks up, and I kiss him harder.
“Relax,” he whispers in between kisses. Blowing out a deep breath, I do as he says, and try to relax. His head pushes inside, and I feel overwhelmingly full. With small thrusts, he inches inside, until he hits the barrier, and I tense up at the pain that shoots through my body.
“Do you trust me?” he asks looking down at me.
“Yes,” I breathe. He kisses me, flicking his tongue with mine. Without warning, Luke pushes inside me, and white-hot pain tears through me.
Stilling his movements completely, he holds still until my grip on his shoulders loosens and I’m able to catch my breath. Slowly, he pulls out, and pushes back in, over and over again till the burning subsides, and a new sensation begins to slowly build. With the slight pain, comes pleasure, and within minutes, I’m begging him for more.
Luke drops his hand between our bodies and rubs slow circles over my clit. An inferno of pleasure burns in my core, and I gasp. My hands are locked on his shoulders for support, and my breaths puff against his face with each pant. He plunges his hips deeply, to the hilt, and my pussy clenches down on his cock in a vice grip. My walls feel like they’re being stretched beyond capacity, and the burning heat in my core is building again with the force of another orgasm.
His fingers pressed down on my clit harder, working in faster circles, sending my pulse pounding in my ears. My orgasm hits me like the force of a speeding train. It is all consuming and unforgiving. My body shudders uncontrollably as my pussy milks his cock. Luke groans, dropping his head to my chest, and plunges deep inside me, chasing his release. Gripping his hair in my hands, I rest my head near his ear, whispering his name over and over, like a song, or a chant, or a prayer.
Gripping my thigh, he rests it over his shoulder, deepening his thrust and I cry out at the sensation of his cock hitting something inside me.
“Don’t stop, Luke,” I beg. Moving my hips in time with his.
“Never,” he breathes, pumping into me skillfully. His fingers find their way to my clit again, and when he starts rubbing I start to lose it.
“Oh my God,” I moan, clutching at him for support, needing him to ground me when my orgasm takes off.
“That’s my girl,” he pants. “I feel you tightening around my cock again. You gonna come for me, Babygirl?”
His words push me over the edge, and I nod. It’s the only thing I’m capable of doing right now. My eyes flutter closed, every muscle tenses, and my body twists, as taut as a bowstring—waves of pleasure swell inside me, building, and building, until I’m screaming out his name.
“Fuck, Natalia,” he breathes out right before he comes. He empties himself inside me, and I milk his cock until we’re both lying in a tired heap of sweaty limbs. If I wasn’t sure before, but there’s no doubt in my mind now that I am in love with Luke Caldwell.
After we both manage to catch our breath, Luke goes to the kitchen to grab water, and I clean up in his bathroom, dressing in his shirt and my discarded underwear. Staring at myself in the mirror, I’m completely shocked at my appearance. My hair is a complete mess, it looks like a rat nest, and my lips are red and swollen from our kissing. A small contented smile tilts the corners of my lips.
I just had sex with Luke Caldwell.
I’m no longer a virgin. Holy crap.
Luke knocks on the bathroom door, completely jolting me out of my thoughts. “You okay in there?”
I open the door, giving him a reassuring smile, and sit next to him on the bed. Even though we’ve just had sex, and Luke has seen my naked body, I’m still thankful the shirt he gave me covers me up almost entirely.
Setting the nearly empty water bottle down on his bedside table, I lie back, and watch as Luke does the same. We turn on our sides, facing each other. His hazel eyes rake across my face and search my eyes. I take the time to do the same. His lips are just as swollen and red as mine are, and his cheeks have a subtle pink tint to them. Reaching out, he softly runs his fingers down the plane of my face, then back up, running them through my hair.
“God, you’re so beautiful, Natalia,” he says quietly, his eyes caressing every inch of my body. My skin heats, and I force myself not to look away in embarrassment.
“So are you,” I whisper.
His brows pinch together, almost as if he’s in pain. “I really didn’t want to like you. I tried so hard not to.” He grimaces down at me, freezing his fingers in my hair. I reach up, wrapping my hand around his and squeeze.
“Since the first day I met you, I’ve been telling myself that I don’t like you, but even then, I think I already did,” I say, chuckling to myself.
He smirks down at me. “It was my charm, wasn’t it? You just couldn’t resist me.”
I nudge him in the shoulder and snort. “You wish, buddy.”
Letting go of his hand in my hair, I softly feather my fingers across his face, just like he did me. “It wasn’t your charm, Luke. It was the man you showed me you really are, deep down, underneath the layers of popularity, football, and vulgarity. I saw the real you.”
A brief look of fear contorts his face, but it quickly morphs into a look of awe. Grasping my face in his hands, he places firm lips over mine, and kisses me. It is a kiss that ruins all other kisses. A kiss that makes me momentarily forget what planet we are on. It is also a kiss that ruins me for any other man, ever.
When his hands trail across my skin, leaving a searing path in their wake, my pussy clenches, and I am ready to go again, even if I am sore.
“Are you sure?” he asks through clenched teeth as I stroke his hard cock.
“Yes.”
Ridding myself of my shirt and underwear, I climb on top of Luke. Within seconds he has a condom on and pulls my body forward. I gasp as his hard cock slips through my folds, straight to where I need him. Resting my hands on his pecs, I gyrate my hips, taking his length at the speed and depth that I need, reveling in the delicious ache. His hands massage my breasts, and pinch my nipples, prompting me toss my head back in pure ecstasy. The sounds of wet skin slapping, moans, and pants are all that can be heard throughout the quiet apartment.
Sitting up, Luke sucks a nipple into his mouth, sending me hurtling over the edge into my orgasm. Soon after, he’s pounding his hips up, meeting me thrust for thrust, chasing his own release. Dropping onto the bed, Luke pants into my hair, and I rest on top of him, wishing we could stay like this forever. He’s changed me, and ruined me, all in the span of a few hours, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We burrow under the sheets together, with Luke’s arms wrapped around me and my leg resting over his. I place my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, and I marvel at his warmth. He places soft kisses on the top of my head until I fall into a deep, contented sleep.
When morning comes, his alarm goes off, streams of sunlight escape through his blinds into his bedroom, and we wake. He rolls on top of me and kisses me senseless, until I beg him to get off me.
“I gotta go practice…did you want to stay here or?” he asks while throwing on one of his practice t-shirts. Following suit, I get out of the bed and make an excuse to leave.
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m sure it’s safe to go home now. Plus, I have a lot of stuff to do before I go to work. I’ll talk to you after your practice?” I wring my hands nervously behind my back, not sure what the normal protocol for this is.
“Yeah,” he smiles. “I’ll talk to you after practice.” Bending down, he places a chaste kiss on my lips before going into the bathroom to brush his teeth.