Page 20 of Making the Call
Luke
From the momentI dropped Dani off last night, I haven’t been able to get her off my mind. Sure, I got some work done earlier before she arrived, but I’ve been quite distracted. I felt like a school boy, calling up his first date when I texted her earlier in the day. Then when she didn’t respond, I figured I wouldn’t see her until later tonight, if at all. When she showed up on my deck in a loose tank, cutoff shorts, and flip-flops, it was all I could do not to pick up where we left off last night. Her curly hair is barely contained in one of those messy knot things on the top of her head. She’s nothing like the WAG wannabes that linger around the locker room. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like Dani. She’s a breath of fresh air and as she clucks away on her computer, she couldn’t look sexier if she tried.
If I weren’t gearing up for the biggest season of my life, she’s someone I’d consider seeing where this thing between us goes. Christ. I have no idea why last night keeps playing on my mind like a fucking loop. I didn’t even fuck her. I haven’t just made out with someone in years… yet, just our kisses alone, have me coming back for more.
What the fuck is wrong with you, Leighton? Get it together.
I pull the steaks off the grill and bring them into the house to plate them. I’m just about to bring them back outside when Dani walks inside.
“Mind if we sit at the table? I promise not to zone out again. I’ve made good progress and doubt another epiphany will strike.”
“If it does… I won’t hold it against you,” I tease. By now, she’s close enough that her delicious scent envelops my senses. It’s a mixture of vanilla, amber, and something I can’t recognize. Not that I care. My mouth waters, and it has nothing to do with the steaks in front of me.
True to her word, she doesn’t zone out during our meal. Instead, we talk about how she’s always lived in Washington. She tells me how she got started with writing while attending college at Gonzaga.
She also shares that her grandparents lived on this island for over thirty years. They moved out to their summer home once their kids graduated from high school. Her grandfather worked for the United States Postal Service and was assigned to the island. When her grandparents decided they wanted to be snowbirds and spend their winters in warmer weather, they passed down the family home to her mother and father.
Apparently, Dani had been renting a place in Spokane since college. She came to visit for a vacation and was productive with her writing. When her grandparents moved off the island, she stayed. She’s been here since last winter and wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s fallen in love with the island life.
We laugh about our shared love for Anderson Island. I tell her how I came out to visit a teammate for a week away from the city and found this place almost by mistake. We were staying at a vacation rental on the other side of the island but went for a run one morning, and I saw the realtor sign. “The rest, as they say, is history,” I explain.
“You certainly found a gem in this place,” Dani says as she takes her plate to the kitchen and loads our dishes into the dishwasher.
I follow her to the kitchen and stand beside her as we effortlessly clean up from dinner. We finish in minutes, and I can’t help myself when I reach out to brush a piece of her wild hair away from her eyes.
When I touch her, the electric current that pulsed between us last night returns with a vengeance. As if it has a mind of its own, my hand rests at the base of her neck. We stare at one another for an endless moment as I lose myself in her ocean-blue eyes. In this moment, I can’t think of a single reason why I should stop whatever is going on between us.
As if there’s a magnetic pull, I lean down and brush my lips against hers. She eagerly accepts this kiss and returns it by opening her mouth and sweeping her tongue against my lower lip. I deepen the kiss, and she returns it for all she’s worth.
Dani’s arms wrap around my neck as she presses her body against mine. One hand runs through my hair as the other holds tight to my shoulders. Her rich amber and vanilla scent has my senses in overdrive. I reach down and pull her body to my height by placing her on my kitchen counter. Her legs wrap around my waist and fuck if I don’t want to take her right here. I pull back, breathless and panting. Christ. I’m nearly defenseless against this woman. I’m acting like a randy teenager, and I need to slow things down, or it’ll be over before we start.
“Dani,” I whisper breathlessly.
“Luke…” she pants. Then her eyes lock on mine. “Please don’t stop,” she pleads. Like last night, she makes her needs clear. But this time, there’s no hesitation. Her fingers trace my lips as a smile forms on hers. “I haven’t felt like this in years.”
“Me neither.” I have better control over my breathing, but that’s only from years of being a professional athlete, not my lack of wanting her.Christ, Luke, what are you waiting for?
“Then…” She kisses me softly. “What’s,” another kiss. “Holding… You back?”
My voice is deeper than I intend and much more urgent. “I want you far more than I should,” I admit then return my mouth to hers for another mind-numbing kiss.
“I… want you, too.” She pulls back to catch her breath. “We’re both adults, what’s stopping you?” Her blue eyes are dark with lust and pierce through to my soul. I couldn’t deny her if I tried, but I need to make my intentions clear. I owe her that much.
“I really like you, Dani,” I start.
The smile that spreads across her face is illuminating. “I really like you, too, Luke.”
“No… I mean… You’re the kind of girl I’d love to start something with. But right now is the worst possible time in my life for something like that. Like I said last night, I’m only here for a few days. Then once the season starts, I’ll hardly be around. That doesn’t seem fair to you…”
“Luke… when I say I’ve never felt anything like this, I’m serious. I’d rather have a few amazing days together with you, than to always wonder what if…”
Is she saying what I think she’s saying?“Dani, I’m not really into one-night stands,” I warn. Because let’s face it. I was over that type of thing years ago. The connection I feel to her is different, and I don’t want her to think it’s less than it is for me.
Her face flushes a beautiful shade of pink. “We have that in common as well. I haven’t had one since college, before my last boyfriend.”
Wait. I cock my head to the side to see if I’ve heard her correctly.She hasn’t had a boyfriend since college and doesn’t do one-night stands…
As if she can read my mind, she interrupts my thoughts, “You’re right. I haven’t had sex in a few years.” She shakes her head and rolls her eyes as if she can’t believe she’s told me that tidbit of information. “I’m not one to sleep around. But I can’t deny the connection we have. You feel this, too?” She points between us. “I’m not the only one, am I?” Self-doubt fills her features as I take in what she’s saying.
God, I want her. But I don’t want to hurt her either. “But I’m only on the island until Saturday…” My voice trails off.
“What do you say to making the most of the few days we have together?” She raises an eyebrow as a challenge.
Holy fuck! I think this woman is either perfect for me, or will be the death of me.Oh, but what a way to go…
