CHAPTER 12
Luke arrived promptly at six-thirty, and Lara met him at the door with a steaming cup of coffee. He shut the door behind him and took the cup from her, then said, “Thanks.”
“I’d forgotten how tough it is to get up so early.”
Luke shrugged. “You get used to it.”
“You aren’t going to get in trouble for being late this morning, are you?”
“No. In case Marissa didn’t tell you, I’m the head of the ER.”
“Impressive.” She glanced at the clock and added, “Would you like some breakfast?”
“No. I can’t bring myself to eat this early in the morning.”
“Neither can I.”
“When will you arrive in Atlanta?”
“Noon.”
“Let me know when you get settled into your hotel room.”
“I will.”
“Marissa will probably go nuts when you tell her where you are.”
Lara grinned. “Think so?”
“I know so.” He sat down at the kitchen table and added, “Are you sure you don’t want company on this trip?”
Lara shrugged and said, “There’s some business I have to take care of on my own, but if you want to come, then I don’t mind. But I only booked one seat on the flight.”
“I’ll call the airline, then. Unless you want to cancel your ticket and we can drive.”
“I can’t--I have an appointment in Atlanta at three.”
“What kind of appointment?”
“With my attorney.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything serious going on?”
“I’m sure.”
“Because if there is, I’ll be more than happy to help you.”
“I’m fine, Luke. I appreciate your concern and your offer to help, but I have things under control. If you’re going, I suggest you go back to your place and get your things. And see if you can get a seat on the flight.” She gave him the airline and flight information, and she was pleasantly surprised when he said, “Why don’t you come to my place with me? You can help me pack.”
“OK.”
“It’s always nice to have a woman’s touch.”
Lara simply smiled and followed him out to his car.
“Nervous?” Luke asked as Lara gripped the armrests on her seat. She nodded, “I haven’t flown very much, and I’m not very fond of it. But after my bout with the flu, I figured the long drive to Atlanta would wear me out, and I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Luke nodded and gently covered her hand with his own, then murmured, “Relax. It’s actually safer to fly than it is to drive.”
“So I hear.”
“Think about it--there are automobile accidents every day, but you rarely hear about a plane crashing.”
“Please don’t say those words.”
“What words?”
“Plane crashing.”
Luke simply laughed and said, “We’ll be fine.”
Luke and Lara were comfortably settled in their hotel room by one p.m., and they decided to grab a quick bite in the hotel restaurant before Lara’s appointment with her attorney. For some reason she was extremely nervous, and Luke eyed her with concern as he poured Ranch dressing over his salad. As he picked up his fork he gently asked, “Lara? Is everything OK?”
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“You just seem nervous.”
“I am, a little.”
“Any particular reason why?”
There were several reasons she could have given him, the main one being the fact that he had traveled with her. She wondered what the impact of that would be, but she was grateful he had bought a separate room. It was right next to hers, and in a shaky voice she replied, “I haven’t been to Atlanta since my parents died. Just an attack of nerves and bad memories, I guess.”
Luke nodded and ate his lunch, then leaned back and said, “That sure hit the spot. I’m not very fond of airline food.”
“The peanuts were pretty good.”
Luke laughed and signaled the waiter for their check, and afterwards he inquired, “How are you getting to the attorney’s office?”
“I’ll take a taxi.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is something I have to do alone. I hope you understand.”
“Of course I do. I don’t want you to think I’m simply being nosy.”
“I never thought that.”
“I think I’ll do a little sightseeing while you’re gone. Any idea how long you’ll be?”
“Probably an hour at most. I should be back here by four-thirty.”
Luke nodded and walked her back to her room, then said, “I hope everything goes well. I’ll see you at four-thirty.”
“OK.” She watched him disappear into his own room, then wondered what would happen later that evening. She went into her room and quickly showered and dressed in a pair of silver and black pinstripe pants and a white silk blouse, then lightly applied her makeup and spritzed her favorite perfume at the base of her throat. With that done, she donned a pair of gold shoulder-length earrings, then checked her reflection in the mirror and smiled. She gave her watch a final glance, then left her room to become a rich woman.
“Lara, dear, how are you?” the attorney asked as she entered his large, plush office and sat down across from his desk.
Lara smiled and replied, “I’m fine, Mr. Bancroft. And yourself?”
“Just fine, my dear.” He sat down at his desk and shuffled some papers, then said, “As you know, I called you here today to officially close your parents’ estate and grant the last request in their will. That request being that you, as the sole heir and beneficiary, receive the inheritance they deemed to you.”
Lara nodded and suddenly gripped the armrests as she leaned slightly forward. Mr. Bancroft opened a manila folder and extracted a check, then said, “Even though I am deeply sorry for your loss, it is my pleasure to carry out their final wishes and present you this check for five hundred thousand dollars.”
Lara’s mouth literally dropped open at his words, and her hands were shaking so badly that she feared she was going to tear the check in half as she stared at it in amazement. She’d known her parents had been well off, but half a million dollars? Mr. Bancroft noticed her reaction and inquired, “Lara, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Bancroft. Just a little taken aback, that’s all.”
“Your parents were extremely well off, and they wanted only the best for you.”
Lara nodded. “I know that. I would gladly give up every penny of this if only I could have them back.”
“Are you planning to consult with a financial advisor?”
“I was just going to put this all in the bank. Half into savings, and half into checking.”
Mr. Bancroft nodded. “Very well. But if you decide you want a financial advisor, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I know several who are quite reputable.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bancroft.”
“You’re quite welcome.” He stood and extended his hand, then added, “If you ever need legal advice or representation, please feel free to give me a call.”
“I will. And thank you again.” She stood and left his office, and leaned against the wall for several moments until she was sure her knees weren’t going to betray her. She carefully folded the check and tucked it into her purse, then walked outside and hailed a taxi. She stopped at a well-known, reputable bank to open an account, and as soon as the clerk saw the check she was more than happy to assist Lara. As she’d told Mr. Bancroft, Lara deposited half into a savings account and the other half into a checking account, and she walked out of the bank feeling like a new woman. She hailed another taxi and returned to the hotel, and Luke was waiting for her when she arrived. He looked relieved to see her, and he gave her a smile and said, “Hi. How’d it go?”
“It went just fine. What are you doing back so early?”
“I figured I’d be here when you returned. Just to make sure everything was OK.”
Lara nodded and said, “Everything’s fine. I think I’m going to take a nap before dinner.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Would you like some company?”
“Sure.” She unlocked her door and went into the bathroom, and when she emerged she was wearing a knee-length nightshirt and pink socks. She’d washed her face and brushed her teeth, and Luke smiled as he pulled her close. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, you are.” He lowered his head and gently brushed his lips across hers, then deepened the kiss as he eased her onto the mattress. Lara didn’t protest when he gently squeezed and cupped her breast, and she gasped softly in surprise when he closed his mouth over her fabric-covered breast. His mouth was warm and gentle as he slowly licked and suckled her pert, sensitive nipple, and Lara moaned softly as he alternated between her left and right breasts. He raised his head and gave her a mysterious smile, then gently inquired, “Comfortable?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Good.” He lowered his head again and kissed her deeply as his hand trailed along her belly, and Lara gasped softly as his hand slid between her legs. Luke raised his head and smiled when he realized she wasn’t wearing underwear, and in a teasing voice he murmured, “Aren’t you sneaky.”
“Am I?”
“Mm-hmm.“ Luke lowered his head and kissed her again as he gently tangled his fingers in the silky soft curls between her thighs, and Lara gave a ragged gasp as he slowly slid a finger into her. He raised his head and inquired, “Are you alright?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Let me know if you want me to stop.”
“I will, but I don’t want you to stop.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
Luke nodded and lowered his head for another kiss as he slowly teased her most sensitive flesh, and Lara moaned in a mixture of pleasure and surprise when she felt a second finger join the first. As a doctor, Luke was a master of anatomy, and he knew all the right spots to stroke and caress and tease. Lara instinctively arched her hips and fell into rhythm with the slow, tantalizing stroke of his fingers, and her eyes widened in surprise when he pushed his fingers a little deeper and caressed an exquisitely sensitive spot. Luke gave a knowing smile when she closed her eyes and moaned, and as he continued his gentle caress Lara’s breathing grew ragged as her body began to tremble. Lara clung to him as fiery pleasure suddenly exploded deep within her, and Luke chose that instant to kiss her. When he finally raised his head Lara was still trembling and crying, and in a concerned voice he murmured, “Are you alright?”
Lara simply nodded, too overcome to speak by what had just happened. Luke frowned and inquired, “Then why are you crying?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never--that’s never happened to me before.”
“Shh. It’s OK. I understand.” He pulled her close and held her until her tears were gone, then gave her a mysterious smile and settled himself at the foot of the bed. Lara gave him a puzzled look and inquired, “What are you doing?”
“You’ll see.”
“Luke…”
“Shh. Just relax. I’m not going to hurt you. As a matter of fact, I think you’ll like this.” He slid his arms beneath her knees and gently licked the inside of her thigh, and Lara felt a brief stab of anxiety when his warm breath stirred the curls between her legs. He felt the tension emanating from her, and in a gentle voice he repeated, “Relax, Lara. Just lie back and enjoy.”
“Enjoy what?”
“This.” He lowered his head and bestowed upon her the most intimate of kisses, and Lara’s anxiety melted into pleasure as Luke worked magic with his mouth and fingers. The feel of his warm, wet mouth on her ultra-sensitive flesh caused her to shiver, as did the feel of his velvety tongue darting in to taste her. He flicked his tongue around the sensitive little bud nestled in her silky-soft curls as his fingers slowly slid into her over and over again, and Lara couldn’t help her surprised gasp when she felt the tip of his finger gently stroke across the shadowed crease of her most private of places. She gasped again as Luke gently pushed his finger into her, then curled her fingers around the sheet as Luke slowly pushed his finger in deep and simply held it there. Moments later he began caressing her with his fingers as his mouth closed over Lara’s sensitive little bud, and as she helplessly arched against his fingers and mouth she was aware of liquid fire spreading through her belly. The dual assault was too much for Lara, and within minutes she gave a ragged moan as waves of unspeakable pleasure crashed through her. Luke drank deeply of her sweet essence as she continued to whimper and tremble, and when her breathing had returned to normal Luke reappeared beside her and inquired, “Are you alright?”
Lara blinked up at him and gave him a weak nod as she replied, “Never been better.”
He laughed at her comment, a deep, rich laugh that made Lara smile. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise when he kissed her again, and the taste of herself on his lips was unbearably erotic. He deepened the kiss as his fingers found and stroked her tender, sensitive flesh, and moments later that pleasant tension was budding deep within her belly again. Luke felt her tension increase as he continued to tease her with his fingers, and moments later he gently inquired, “Are you ready, sweetheart?”
“Ready for what?”
He gave her another mysterious smile and stopped long enough to don protection, and Lara suddenly understood when he loomed above her with his hands braced on the bed. She smiled up at him and gently touched his cheek, then replied, “Yes, I’m ready.”
Luke simply smiled and gently parted her thighs, then captured her mouth in an exquisite kiss as he slowly joined himself to her. He stopped when he met resistance, and it was his turn to be surprised when he realized that this was her first time. “Lara! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Lara gave a slight shrug and replied, “It just never came up.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
Laura laughed and replied, “It’s a little late to be asking me that, isn’t it? But yes, I’m very sure--and very ready.”
“I promise I’ll be gentle.”
“Luke?”
“Hmm?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Luke smiled and captured her mouth again, and as he deepened the kiss he held Lara close and gave a swift, gentle thrust. She gasped softly at the brief, sharp stab of pain, and Luke went still as he waited for her body to adjust to his intrusion. He raised his head and gazed down at her, and inquired, “Are you alright?”
“I--I think so.”
“Did I hurt you?”
“Just a little.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not.”
Luke smiled and lowered his head for a kiss, and Lara gasped softly as he slowly withdrew and established a slow, steady rhythm deep within her. The brief stab of pain was long forgotten as she began to move with him, and it was better than she had ever imagined it could be as Luke slowly made love to her. Her entire body began to shake as he pushed himself deep into her and slowly withdrew, and by the time Luke gradually increased his pace Lara was desperately clinging to him as the tension within her increased to an almost unbearable level. Moments later she moaned his name as the tension broke and pleasure cascaded through her, and it was then that Luke allowed himself his own release. Afterwards he collapsed beside her, slick with perspiration and completely sated, and as he propped himself on his elbow he smiled down at her and inquired, “Lara?”
“Hmm?”
“You OK, hon?”
“Like I told you before, I’ve never been better.”
“Are you in any pain?”
“No.”
“Good. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“Stop apologizing. I enjoyed it.”
“So did I.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s six-thirty.”
Lara yawned and snuggled against him, then sleepily suggested a nap before dinner. Luke smiled as he covered her with the blanket, and moments later they were both fast asleep.