Page 17 of Making the Call
Dani
One minuteI’m freaking out from embarrassment, the next I’m consumed in the hottest kiss I’ve ever personally experienced. Damn. This man can kiss. Luke holds the perfect amount of pressure as he guides me to deepen our kiss. Of course, I willingly oblige. I haven’t been kissed senseless like this in… well… ever.
On instinct, my hands wrap around his neck as he pulls me up his body, by simply placing a hand under my ass and standing to his full height. Naturally, as if we’ve been doing this for years, I wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him for all I’m worth.
It could be minutes, hours, or years. Time ceases to exist in this moment. All I’m aware of is Luke’s mouth claiming mine. An electric current pulses through my veins, centering in my core. On instinct, I pull myself closer. I need more of this man. He’s the perfect combination of hot, sinful desire, mixed with the kind of thoughtfulness I thought only belonged in fiction.
He takes a few steps from where we’re standing and places me on the counter, which separates the living room from the kitchen. Instinctually, I let my fingers trace his sexy, stubbled jawline as my mouth devours him. I run my hands through his hair and can’t help the moan that escapes when he kisses down my neck. God, he feels amazing.
Luke’s hand hasn’t left the base of my neck, but the other’s found the hem of my shirt and has moved it slightly, so that it sits at my hipbone before skimming along the waistband of my pants. At this moment, he could ask me foranything,and I’d gladly hand it over. As long as he doesn’t stop the sensation that’s building inside me.Can I actually come from a kiss alone?
I feel the moment he slows things down and lessens the intensity of our kiss. I can’t help myself when I nearly cry out, “Oh, Luke… Please… Don’t stop.”
“Are you… sure?” he gasps out between breaths. His eyes find mine, and they lock in place. So much is said between us, without muttering a syllable. I can tell he’s just as affected by this as me. His eyes blaze with desire as his lips curl into the hint of a smile. His inky black hair’s a disheveled mess, from my hands running freely through them. He couldn’t look sexier if he tried.
It’s then I remember we’ve just met, and embarrassment spreads over me for being so caught up in the moment. The moment I doubt myself, he cocks an eyebrow in my direction, letting me know he senses my hesitation.
Shit. I don’t want whatever this is to end. So, I make a split-second decision to come clean with him. I take a deep breath and let the truth pour out. “It felt so good to get caught up in the moment.”
I gulp down my nervousness and continue with this unexpected boldness he’s built in me. “I guess what I’m saying… Is… I’ve enjoyed kissing you,” I nearly spit out at the end.
A sly smile pulls at the corners of his delicious mouth for a few heartbeats before he speaks his mind, “I’ve enjoyed it, too, Dani. Trust me. But…” He takes a breath and looks to the ceiling, breaking our eye contact. Oh, shit. The proverbial but. He’s going to stop this. My stomach clenches, and my body already feels withdrawals from our desire. When his eyes return to mine, they pin me in place, and I can hardly breathe from the intensity of his gaze. He lets out a deep breath. “Christ. I feel this, too.” He runs a hand through his hair then continues, “I don’t want to lead you on and other than these next few days, I’m hardly ever around the island during the season. After this week, my schedule’s back on the game twenty-four-seven.”
“Wh… What are you saying?” I say before I can stop myself.
Luke runs a hand through his thick hair as he returns his eyes to the ceiling. “Shit, I don’t know,” he mumbles just loud enough to hear as he shakes his head. It’s as if he’s at war with himself.
Okay… this is unexpected. What the hell am I supposed to say? Thankfully, I don’t have to.
“Dani.” The sexiest tone imaginable comes from his lips. His deep husky timbre sends shivers up my spine and leaves me pulsing in places I’ve forgotten existed until Luke. “I don’t want to push you too far tonight. After all, we’ve just met. What would you say to me taking you home tonight and continuing this again tomorrow evening?”
“Tomorrow?” He wants to continue this tomorrow evening? Didn’t he just say he doesn’t have time? I’m confused.
His eyes pierce me, and it’s as if I can see entirely into his soul. “Dani,” this time it has just as much force as before, “I clearly saw you hesitate.”
At a loss for things to say, my mouth hangs open. He’s right. I had second thoughts. There’s no way this can go anywhere, but why not let myself get caught up in the moment for once. “Why tomorrow?”
His sexy grin melts my insecurities. “Because I haven’t been able to get my mind off you all day, and even though the timing sucks, I’d love to spend more time with you.” His blue eyes darken, and a few crinkles form around them when his sexy smile fills his face.
Who can resist that? “Okay.”
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in for another kiss. It’s just as electric, but it’s kept in control. When he pulls back, I can’t help but shake my head at his request as he waggles his eyebrows. “Are you opposed to goodnight kisses?”
* * *
As soon as Luke drives away, I can’t help but trace my swollen lips with my fingers. The man can kiss. I seriously thought I might combust on the spot when he walked me to my door. I wanted so desperately to invite him in, but he never allowed an opportunity to present itself.
After kissing me senseless, he simply whispered, “Tomorrow?”
I nodded, and the sexiest smile imaginable spread across his face as he turned to walk to his Jeep.
I start my nightly routine of getting ready for bed, though it takes longer than usual, as thoughts of this evening replay on a loop.Did I really just meet Luke today?Crawling into bed, still soaring on the high from being with Luke, I toss and turn in an attempt to get comfortable. Gaahh… I’m too keyed up to sleep. I punch my pillow and flip it to the cold side. Still, sleep evades me. When I can’t take it any longer, I toss back the covers in defeat and make my way to my living room.
I pull out my laptop as I curl up on my couch. I should edit my current book, but my epiphany from earlier returns with a vengeance. I open a new document and furiously type the opening scenes of the story I developed at Luke’s. Words flow as I lose myself to my characters.
Being in “the zone” completely consumes me. I don’t surface until the first rays of light shine through my window. When I glance at the clock, I’m shocked to see it’s six a.m. I stretch my stiff fingers and set my laptop aside. My body protests as I stand, having been in one position for so long. I make my way to my bed and crash instantly.
I resurface later that afternoon to find I’ve missed a few calls from my mom and editor. Those are expected. What has my heart picking up its beat, is a simple text from Luke.
