Page 12 of Grump

“Hey, hey.” I step toward the bed as Luke reaches for me.

“I like your shirt.”

“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. It was right there, and I was kind of chilly.”

His bright eyes look even bluer in the early morning light. “I like it on you.” His lips spread into a smile.

“I likethison you.” I run my finger over his lips. “You’re very handsome when you smile.”

“It’s nice to have something to smile about.” His words are a small punch to the gut. I wish we could find a way to give this a shot, but it feels so impossible. I’ve never been good with long-distance dating—if that’s what this would even turn into.

“Hungry?” He sits up on his elbow, pulling the sheet over his naked body.

“Kind of. I could really use some coffee.” Another yawn muffles my words.

“Why don’t you lay down for a little bit?” Luke brushes my hair behind my shoulder. He’s so gentle now, kind. Not the hard, worn stoic man I first met a day ago.

“If I lay down, I might never get up.”

“Is that a problem?” He presses his lips against mine. “I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

I swallow back the sick feeling of what I want versus what I feel like I have to do. “Did you really mean it yesterday?”

“Mean what?”

“That this could never work?”

He pulls away and rubs his eyes. A beat passes before he responds. “I was just following your lead, Jess. I know your life is back in the city.”

“And you want me to go back there.”

“I want you to do what you want.”

“What if I want to stay here for a little bit?”

His eyes widen, and for a moment, I think I’ve made a huge mistake. “Jessica, you can stay as long as you want. But I can’t promise you that I’ll be able to show you much. From what you’re used to, I probably can’t compete with the excitement of the city.”

I nod, taking in his words. “Luke.” I take another breath, hoping what I’m about to say doesn’t sound crazy. “I don’t want to share you with the world. You’re someone that I want to keep for myself. The person I am with you, I want to keepherfor you. And only you.”

My heart races; this confession leaves me vulnerable. He pulls me onto him. The flannel falls open, leaving our bare chests touching. “You don’t have to share me. But I’ve been cooped up here for a very long time. While I love the simple life, I need to get out more. Maybe we can help each other.”

“Are you saying you would come to the city?”

“Sometimes, yeah. I like you, Jess, and if the city is where you’re at, I want to be there with you.”

I hoist myself up the giant bear of a man and press my lips against his. “You’re great.”

“You are.” He rolls me over onto my back, his lips devouring mine. His stiffened length presses firmly against my stomach. I lose all sense of self-control and spread my legs for him, aching for him to bury himself deep inside me. He starts to pull away, but I stop him.

“I want it right now.”

Luke does as I ask, sliding easily into my wet slit. My legs fall open as he presses deep inside of me. I run my hands through his messy hair, and we make love.

Again.

And Again.

When we can finally pull ourselves away from each other, he drives me back to the Airbnb so that I can check out and get my things. He helps me load up my car, throwing my gear in the trunk.

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