Page 11 of Secret Seduction
“Hey, Shae, how are you feeling?” Luke asks. He’s in a black tank top, sunglasses hooked on the neck of his shirt, his tattoos are on full display and look hot as hell. I watch as his arm muscles flex before taking in the rest of him. A pair of black board shorts with splashes of bright flowers show off thick thigh muscles, and I don’t bother looking further, afraid I’ll melt in a puddle at his feet.
“I’m good. Not used to staying still for so long.” I take a deep breath. “Honestly, I’m bored out of my mind. At least tomorrow, I can go to the studio for a few hours even if it’s to sit at a desk.” I tell him more than I’m sure he wanted to hear.
“You’ll be over this hurdle before you know it. Come on, I’ll get you set up outside, grab you a drink, and then you can enjoy the day.” He holds his hand out for me to take.
“You really don’t have to. I can sit anywhere and be fine.”
“Doesn’t mean you have to. You need to get that?” Luke notices my phone keeps lighting up in my hand. I droppedmy purse off with all the girls’ stuff but grabbed the offending device just in case.
“Sadly, yes. If I don’t, the cavalry will arrive to rescue me from a make-believe situation. My family can be a bit protective.” I glance down at my phone and see the notifications.
“Not a bad thing. You answer your phone. I’ll get your spot set up.”
“Thank you.” He nods then heads toward the patio. I follow, my head down while opening my phone to the text message thread. I roll my eyes once I start reading. My family is absolutely ridiculous.
Mom: Please be careful today.
Dad: I still think you should be at home, where you can be taken care of.
Coralynn: Are we in the Twilight Zone?
Mom: Hush it, you.
Coralynn: What? It’s giving high school nostalgia. Shae knows her limits well enough. She didn’t even come into LITHE the past few days. That should tell you something.
Mom: You do have a point.
Dad: Stop ganging up on me
Zane: Shae, be careful. Please.
Me: I promise I won’t overdo it. I’m at Lennie’s house. Remember, she works at my doctor’s office, and knowing her, she’ll report me right away if I do the slightest thing. Plus, Doctor Camden happens to be here, too.
I don’t even get to put my phone away before Coralynn’s message appears.
Coralynn: Ayeeee, McHottie at your service. Mom, Dad, our girl will be just fine.
Zane: Jesus, Coralynn.
I pocket my phone right as Luke holds his hand out for me to take. He allows me to use him to brace myself to sit down in these cool pool-type chairs that hang over the ledge a little and have a back to them. Once I’m situated, he sits down beside me without a shirt. Well, today is only getting hotter.
“Thank you,” I say as he hands me one of the bottles of water he has in his hands.
“You’re welcome. So—” he starts to say.
“You don’t have to sit here with me. These are you friends. Go and enjoy your time with them,” I accidently cut him off. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“No worries. I’m good sitting right where I am, though. I see them all the time. Tell me about yourself.” We get to talking. I tell him about LITHE, he tells me about the practice, how he got started, then moves into his friend group and the family they’ve become. I explain to him that my dad is a worry wart, his kids and wife are his glue, and when one goes down, he doesn’t stop worrying for days after we’re all healed. In the meantime, Sebastian, Winnie and Johnny’s nephew, comes up to Luke, says hello to me but asks to be thrown in the pool. Briar is next up, and that’s when our conversation comes to an end. Briar is older and taller,meaning he needs to stand up to give her the action she wants.
The girls move in, like they’ve been waiting for Luke to move away.
“So, what do we think of McHottie?” Lyric asks, getting right into it.
“Umm, ugh, hmm…” I laugh. Coralynn will absolutely love this shit.
“Well, I think that explains it. I vote we make sure Luke gives her a ride home. I’m going to find my husband. His child is asking for food, and not the snack variety.” Lennie makes her excuse to leave.
“He’s a really good guy.” Kennedy takes Luke’s spot, sitting beside me.
