Page 8 of Beautiful Storm

Luke

Amelia Rosenberg. AmeliaJoyRosenberg. I roll her name around my mind, matching her stare as her cruel dark eyes bore into mine. This girl…thiswoman. It’s been years and yet, seeing her rattled feels like a victory.

“Don’t worry your pretty little face.” I bop her on the nose, enjoying the way she crinkles it in disgust. “I’m not missing out on too much fun.” I’m completely bullshitting because I’d much rather be out on that dance floor than stuck in here. But it’s too late now. I may as well make the most of it.

The elevator chimes as Amelia attempts to subtly shrug me off, but when none of the guys move, her eyes flash to the floor number. “Oh, sweetie.” She smiles brightly, keeping her voice bubbly as she walks through the doors presumably realizing it’s her stop. I move to follow but she turns at the last second, placing her palm on my chest. “Don’t be silly.” She giggles, lightly shoving me back inside. “You should keep partying. Drink your little heart out. I insist.”

Nice try, but unfortunately you’re stuck with me.“Not happening, my love. MyJoy.” I grab her hand and pull her against me as I step out, waving to the men behind us when I’d rather flip them off. “Night, gentlemen.”

Amelia doesn’t protest as we move, but the second the doors close, she turns on me, ripping her hand from my grasp. “What the hell are you doing? Why are you here?”

“I’m reluctantly walking you to your door,” I say truthfully, my tone laced with boredom as I signal for her to continue on her way.

Her brow furrows and she eyes me curiously before releasing a whiny little huff and stamping her foot in protest, drawing my attention to her legs. “You say that like I’m making you follow me.”

Ah. Maybe because your actions are.“Just walk,” I groan, as my gaze makes the journey back to her face, lingering momentarily on the way her deep-red dress clings to her body.

“I don’t need to walk,” she snaps, perhaps to get my attention. “I’m here.” She points to the door behind her making me huff out a sarcastic laugh.Of course it’s the room closest to the elevator.“You can fuck off now,” she adds like I’m wasting her time.

I don’t want to be here anymore than she wants me to be. I was walking past, minding my own goddamn business when I saw her stepping into the elevator with a group of guys I know to be bad news. I tried to keep going—Ireally fuckingtried—but I couldn’t let her unknowingly walk into trouble. Yes, she drives me insane, and I’m not ashamed to admit, I’ve pictured her downfall many times before, but I don’t need that kind of guilt on my conscience. It would mess with my good vibes. I’m not that guy.

Instead, I saved her ass.Again.

And this is the thanks I get.

“Go inside, Amelia,” I grate, unmoving.

She pouts, and I’d probably find it endearing if she wasn’t so goddamn annoying.

“What do you think I’m trying to do?” she says. “You’re still here.”

God, do I have to explain it to her?“I’m not leaving until you walk through that door and lock it behind you.”

“Ugh.” She folds her arms over her chest and frowns. “Why do you care?” Her voice holds strong but there’s something new in her expression. Curiosity maybe.

I step forward mimicking her stance, forcing her backward until her ass hits the door. “Whyare you being so stubborn?”

Amelia’s shoulders drop and she bites her lip, drawing my gaze as she brutally tugs on the pink flesh. “Why do you always bring out the worst in me?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. I open my mouth to remark but she holds up a finger to silence me. “I’m not a mean person,” she continues. “But with you… Ugh.” She groans from the back of her throat and it almost sounds sexual. Especially when she adds, “The things I can picture doing…”

My eyes widen as my cock twitches, forcing me to bite back a grunt.No. Nope. Not happening. There are plenty of women downstairs. And that is not what she meant.

I clench my teeth as unwanted visuals swirl through my mind. Amelia on her knees, her lips wrapped around my cock as she sucks me dry. Amelia naked against a wall, her legs spread as she palms her breasts. Amelia bent over a table…Jesus.

“Goinside, Amelia.Now. Before…” I trail off, shaking my head.

“Before what?” she challenges, her eyes locked on mine as she stares me down, her gaze pushing me to answer.

My hands tighten into fists as I fight my natural instincts. I’m about to tell her to forget it, but she innocently bites her lip again, and fuck, I swear her pupils dilate.

“Before. What?” she repeats slowly, her voice breathy as she steps forward trying to inch me back.

And I’mdone.

Fuck it.“This.”

“Wha—” Grabbing her face in my hands, I silence her words with my mouth, sending us both stumbling into the door. A feeling of déjà vu hits me but I push it from my mind. That was another time, another Luke.

Amelia’s lips part, undoubtedly to yell at me, but when I caress her tongue with my own, she melts into me before grabbing my waist and pulling me closer.

---