Page 108 of Beautiful Storm

This is exactly what I needed, and I can’t wait to dive in. My phone buzzes again as I’m mixing my concoction, and I smile at Hayley’s response.

Hayley: Here if you need me. (Heart emoji)

Amelia: I know. Thank you. (Kiss face emoji)

I don’t know what I’d do without Hayley, but then I remember there’s more than one person by my side. I’ve got Luke and I practically pushed him out the door.

He gave me another mind-blowing orgasm, and instead of returning the favor, I let him leave.

And on that note, I still can’t believe he did that without touching me. No wonder he’s cocky. If he’d have asked me how I felt before walking away, I probably would have confirmed that he was God’s gift to women, because that man… God, just thinking about him makes heat pool between my legs. I can’t get his words out of my head, or his voice, the way he was assertive yet restrained—and his need—the fact that hewantedmemade the moment so much hotter.

I wanted to give in. I almost did. But he left. He proved to me that he was listening, that he cared, and he walked away.

And now, as I glance down at my messed-up but delicious bowl of emotions, a little part of me feels guilty. A tiny part. Maybe the size of my big toe. Because Luke is used to no-strings so he’s probably thinking nothing of it.

After making myself comfortable on the couch, I turn on the TV and hit play on the first movie that pops up on the screen—a psychological thriller about a missing child. I’m fifteen minutes in with my heart lodged in my throat when the tears coat my eyes. I can’t watch this anymore, and I’m one of those people that can watch everything. The good, the bad, the sappy, the unhinged. I’ve never had an issue with any movie or series for as long as I can remember, but I can’t do this. Just a glimpse of the mother’s grief has a crippling pain taking over me. How could anyone go through that?

I turn off the TV and let the tears fall just as someone knocks on my door, making me jump. Since I’m not expecting anyone, I stare at the entry, questioning if I imagined it, until it happens again, louder this time.

“It’s me,” Luke calls out, making me panic.

Shit. I regard my pajamas as I frantically wipe my face before pausing when he knocks again.

“I know you’re in there. I’ve already checked your office and they said you were home sick.”

I stand slowly and wrap the robe farther around myself before walking to the door. I’ve just grabbed the handle when he knocks again. “Don’t make me have to sign shit for your super, because I will if it will get me inside.”

“What?” I throw open the door before folding my arms across my chest and gesturing for him to come in. “You’ve used your fame to break in to someone's apartment before?”

“Nope.” Luke shakes his head as he closes the door behind him. “I took the chance that it would piss you off enough to open up. And here we are.”

“Ugh.”

“You love it. But now that I’m here… Are you okay?”

“Other than having your annoying ass bothering me, I’m fine. Why?”

“My annoying but hot ass aside… Your assistant told me you were sick and you’re standing in front of me with a tear-soaked face. So excuse me for wanting to know.”

“Shit,” I mumble under my breath as I wipe my face again. “I needed a day off. I’m not sick. We weren’t filming today so I’m not messing anything up. I just needed—”

“Woah.” Luke raises his hands in the air. “You don’t have to justify it to me.”

“Okay. Good.”

“But you do have to tell me about the tears because honestly, it’s freaking me out a little bit.”

I huff out a laugh as I smile. “It’s so silly.”

“I can’t promise I won’t think that, but I’m going to need you to tell me anyway.”

My shoulders drop, and while I could throw out another smart-ass comment, I don’t want to. I want to share this with him. And more. “I was watching a movie about a missing baby and I couldn’t handle it.”

Luke’s eyes widen before he squeezes them shut and shakes his head.

“Go on. Tease away.” I preemptively roll my eyes.

“Fuck no.” He shivers. “Why would you watch that? But also, what happened? Did they find it? Was the baby okay? I kind of have to know now.”

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