Page 81 of Legends Luke

Melody turned off the water and pulled her towel from the topof the shower rod. “Are you forgetting how Luke and I met? Maybe I should sign you up for a dating app.”

“No way. Not when I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”

Melody wrapped her towel around her and yanked back the shower curtain. “What?”

She was alone in the bathroom. Her need to hurry took a back seat to her need to know what Lyric meant by her comment. After she’d been released from the hospital, Lyric moved in with Melody to recuperate. She arranged to complete her coursework online, and she returned to Shreveport to accept her diploma and move the rest of her belongings. They’d been joined by Luke and his family, who had accepted them as part of the family.

Even with her sister around more, Melody spent more time with Luke, even sleeping at his home on occasion. She had lost her heart to him, but she had as yet to admit it to him. Everything in her life was perfect, and she didn’t want to risk it by telling the man how she felt before he was ready to hear it.

But maybe life wasn’t perfect, not if Lyric considered leaving. The last time the sisters talked about the future, Lyric mentioned how happy she was to be staying with Melody. What could have changed to make her think of leaving?

Melody exchanged her towel for a robe and stormed into her bedroom only to draw up short. Lyric sat on the edge of the bed, watching her sister sheepishly.

“This is not how I wanted to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Melody demanded.

“I got a job. In Atlanta. I start in two weeks.”

Melody blinked, surprise freezing her in place. She hadn’t been aware her sister had interviewed for a job, much less one in Georgia. Then she saw Lyric regarding her warily, as if dreading her reaction. Melody smiled.

“Congratulations, Bird. I’m so happy for you!”

“Really? I thought you’d be mad because I didn’t tell you about it. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. It’s a really good job, and I figured there would be tough competition for it. If I kept it to myself, I thought my disappointment if I didn’t get it would be easier to deal with.”

“Well, I’m not surprised you got it, and tomorrow, we can start planning your move. I want to hear all the details, but if I don’t get my butt in gear, I’m going—”

Melody heard the knock, and panic seized her. “He’s early!”

Lyric glanced at her cell in her hand. “Nope. You’re late.”

“Shit! Stall him.”

Lyric was already on her way to answer the door. “Take your time. I got this. Focus on looking amazing and reminding him you’re worth waiting for.”

The sisters exchanged a smile before Melody dashed back to the bathroom. She tried to rush, but drying her hair took too much time. As she styled her hair and applied her makeup, she could hear faint sounds of Luke and Lyric talking and laughing, and her heart warmed. Since Lyric had been staying with her, Luke had included her sister when they hung out a few times, and the two of them actedlike old friends. Her mood was high by the time she dressed and stepped into the living room.

Melody’s eyes landed on Luke. She studied his profile from the stylishly unruly hair to the curve of his jaw and the strength of his chin. As if he sensed her watching him, he turned his head, his smile changing from one of good humor to one of sensuality meant only for her. His icy eyes darkened as they swept her from head to toe. She tried to control her reaction to his perusal, but the blush stained her cheeks. Luke rose from the couch and approached her with long, deliberate strides. Her head tilted up a little with each step he took, so she continued to stare into his handsome face even when he stood in front of her.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi.” He lowered his head, and her lips parted in anticipation. She was disappointed when he brushed lightly against the corner of her mouth. “You look incredible.”

“I was going to say the same about you. Did I dress okay? I know you said casual, but I still wanted to look nice.”

His finger traced a line down her cheek and the side of her throat until he could rest his hand on her shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful in whatever you wear.”

Lyric released an unladylike snort, shattering the moment. “You two are disgusting. Get out of here already. I’m ready to have mymetime.”

Luke never took his eyes off Melody, but he grinned at Lyric’s teasing. He took Melody’s hand and led her to the door. “Bye, Bird. Don’t wait up.”

Melody giggled, snatching her purse with her free hand before waving goodbye to her sister. They reached his truck, and he helped her inside. He pulled the seatbelt across her body and secured it. Then he leaned in and captured her mouth. There was no easing into the kiss. He devoured her, his tongue dancing with hers. She was thankful to be sitting as her head swam. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she gave in to the desire building inside her.

Luke ended the kiss as abruptly as he started it. He pulled back only far enough to stare into her eyes, and she felt a thrill at the lust darkening his pupils.

“Wow.” Her voice sounded husky and breathless. “That was some kiss. I don’t guess I can talk you into going somewhere where I can take off all your clothes and have my wicked way with you.”

The man was good at hiding his emotions, but she had learned his tells – the flare of his nostrils, the twitch at the corner of his mouth, the crinkle at the corners of his eyes. Her words affected him. She enjoyed the power she held over him. With the slightest touch or innuendo, she could turn him on, just as he did her.

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