Luke telling me he wants to keep seeing me, has me on cloud nine. My heart plummets to my stomach, when he brought up the subject. I’d been dreading this conversation and going insane, wondering how I could walk away unscathed at the end of this week. I tried to convince myself I could have a fling and not get attached. But that went right out the window as I got to know him better.
Let’s face it. I’m not the casual type. I never have been. That’s why I’ve chosen to be single, rather than attempt any form of casual relationship. With Luke, I desperately wanted to be the type who could just let things happen, so I could simply enjoy this experience with him. But I just don’t have it in me. I know he says he’ll be busy for the next few months, but at least he wants to see me again. I’m not a stage nine clinger or anything, but if I’m being honest, I’m not one-night stand material either. Well, I guess we’ve had more than one night together, but we both agreed to an expiration date at the end of the week.
Since today is his last full day on the island, I need to make the most of it with him. As we finish breakfast, I ask, “Do you have anything pressing you need to do before leaving tomorrow?”
Luke’s eyes light up with delight, and a smirk flits across his features. “What do you have in mind?”
“Well… for starters, let’s clean up from breakfast. Then we could either go out on that magnificent boat of yours or at the very least, spend the day doing something other than work.”
“I could be up for that.” Luke’s voice fills with mischief. “Especially if it involves you wearing those cut-off shorts.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I can’t help but laugh. When I calm down, he adds more serious, “We could pack a bag and return in the morning if you want. I won’t catch the ferry until early afternoon. The charity auction isn’t until seven. Though I left my tux at my loft in town.”
The thought of Luke in a tux nearly has me salivating. The man is hot wearing nothing but a smile. The thought of him dressed up has me wishing I could attend. I’m sure he would look sexy as sin decked out in a well-fitted tux. But my brothers are due in around noon, and since Davis only has a short break from his summer classes at Gonzaga, I don’t want to miss this time with him.
“Dani?” Luke asks, breaking me from my thoughts. “If you… Uh… don’t want to stay on the boat, we can come home tonight.”
I shake my head, realizing he’s misinterpreted my silence. My face heats, knowing he’s caught me fantasizing about him. He eyes me suspiciously and begins to say something when I interrupt, “No…” I shake my head once again to clear my thoughts. “I was just imagining you in a tux,” I whisper.
Luke rolls his eyes and dismissively states, “If you’ve seen one man in a tux, you’ve seen us all.”
Somehow, I highly doubt that. But I try to pass it off. “As long as we’re back before noon, I wouldn’t be opposed to staying on the boat. My brothers have tickets for the one o’clock ferry.”
“We can make that happen.” Luke smiles as he pulls me in for a kiss.
Before we can get carried away, I regretfully break the kiss. “I’d better run home and grab a few things. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Need me to grab anything at the store?”
“No. I’ll pack some food from here and be ready to go when you return.” He kisses me quickly once more before pulling back and pushing me toward my things by the door. “Go… Or we’ll never leave,” he teases.
We end up going to Orcas Island. It’s a beautiful day on the water. Luke and I just kept wanting to go a bit further. We enjoy the sights on Puget Sound, and the weather couldn’t be better.
I’m mesmerized when I spot a pod of Orca whales. Three are traveling together between the islands. Their surfacing catches me by surprise. We follow them from a safe distance for quite some time, just as we get outside Seattle. Luke’s amused by my reaction and probably followed their path longer than necessary, just to appease me. Which makes me like him a bit more. I have no idea how long we watch them play with one another before diving deep into Puget Sound once again.
When we get near Orcas Island, Luke suggests anchoring for the night near a cove out of the way. Not having done this before, I simply agree and enjoy my time with him.
As we stand on the deck to take in the beauty that is around us after dinner, I feel Luke’s arms snake around my body and pull me closer to him. I’d been lost in thought and didn’t hear him approach.
“Hey.” His deep, sexy voice pulls me out of my trance. “What’s going on in that brilliant head of yours?”
“Just taking it all in. Wishing we didn’t have to go back tomorrow.”
Luke lets out a quick breath. “You’re telling me. I can’t tell you how refreshing it’s been to take a break from everything.”
Remembering my looming deadline and the odd hours I’ve been keeping, I can’t help but agree. “I know,” I whisper as he nuzzles my neck as his body presses against my back. Tingles explode up my spine from his closeness. Instinctively, I spin to loop my arms around his neck. My breath catches as I take in his gorgeous smile.
“You have no idea what it’s like during the season. Don’t get me wrong. I love my job and can’t wait for the start of the season, but I haven’t had a vacation like this in so long. I almost wish it wasn’t ending. I really like you, Dani, but…” Oh, shit, here it comes. The proverbial but. I knew this was too good to be true. “I…Uh… Must warn you, Dani, my schedule’s insane for the next five months or so… And if we make it to the post season, I won’t be available to come to the island much.”
“Okaaaay…” I drag out, wondering where he’s going with this.
“Would you be opposed to visiting Tacoma from time to time?” His sincerity slays me. His piercing blue eyes reveal there’s a lot riding on my answer.
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” I tease.
Relief washes through him, and I reach up on my toes to kiss his worries off his face. Time ceases to exist as he thoroughly kisses my worries away as well. When he breaks the kiss, I’m breathless and admittedly panting slightly. Holy shit, have I turned into a horny teenager?
His deep-blue eyes lock with mine as he regains steady breathing. At least I have the same effect on him. “Seriously, Dani. You need to know for the first time, in a very long time, I want something more than a temporary fling.”
“Had many of them, have you?” I tease, not knowing what else to say. Fuck! I don’t want to know the answer to that. Shit. Shit. Shit. Me and my big mouth. I sputter as quick as my mouth can, and his lips part and cringe. “Don’t…” I place a finger to his lips. “Don’t answer that. I don’t want to know the answer.”
A sexy grin forms at the edge of his lips, making my knees go weak. “There’s not much to tell.”
I eye him suspiciously, and he shakes his head dismissively. “Seriously. I’ve spent the better part of my teens, college, and professional career working to get where I am now. When I was younger, I couldn’t lose focus on the game. My carrot was the playing professionally. If it didn’t better my chances of reaching that goal, I didn’t have time for it.”
He shakes his head as he shrugs adding more, “There was also the bit of never knowing if anyone was dating me for me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always wondered if they were trying to ride my coattails to an easy future. So, I avoided the Jersey Chasers as best as I could. Beyond that, there simply wasn’t time. I don’t mean to sound callus or conceited, but that’s just how it’s been.”
Taking his words into consideration, I remain silent as I roll them over in my brain. For as private as he’s been this week, this is the most I’ve gotten out of him. It’s a lot to take. “I can see that…” I whisper almost to myself.
He places both of his hands on my shoulders and waits for me to make eye contact again before continuing. The sincerity in his eyes reach the depths of his soul. I know with every fiber of my being he’s telling me the truth. I can’t help but ask, “Why me? What’s changed?” He still seems as busy as ever, if he says the next six months will be crazy and chaotic.
“You’re the first person to see me for me… if that makes sense.”
It’s like he’s taking my thoughts and voicing them aloud. “I haven’t felt this type of connection… ever,” I admit. “At first, I thought it was just our incredible sex and off the charts chemistry. But as I’ve gotten to know you this week, I know there’s more, too. My schedule is also crazy and chaotic. I have to write when the inspiration hits. I keep odd hours and zone out when my characters talk to me.”
He chuckles at that last moment. “That’s a sight to be seen. I wish I could focus as intensely as you.”
“Yeah, well, even my own family wants to disown me when it happens. You’ll tire of it soon enough…” I tease.
Instead of the playful banter I’ve come to enjoy with Luke, I see his features tighten and a seriousness return to his deep-blue eyes. “That’s just it, Dani. I don’t think I will. I have no fucking clue as to how I can make this work between us, with our time and geographical constraints. But I want to try. I’m just as devoted to my job as you are, and that might become problematic. So… I give you fair warning, if I slip up and become a complete shithead as a boyfriend, please talk to me first before kicking me to the curb. I’m charting new territory here and might need some assistance.”
I smirk as I poke my finger into his well-defined chest. Damn, the man has muscles for days. “I think I can work with that.”
Luke pulls me in for another kiss, and I know we’ll figure it out somehow.
Saying goodbye to Luke was harder than I expect. Hell, I’ve only known the man a week, but as I pull out of his driveway to go home, my stomach feels as if there are lead weights sinking in it. Who knows when I’ll see Luke next, but he’s promised to text and call throughout the week.
Luke’s auction is tonight, and the season’s in full swing, starting Monday. Apparently, he flies to Dallas on Thursday and returns Monday, since the team has a Sunday afternoon game. Having never followed football, I’m clueless about his schedule in the coming months. If I recall, growing up in a house full of fanatic fans, there’s multiple games a week. How will I ever get this straight?
As I plop down on my couch, I let out a heavy sigh. Being with Luke is like riding a euphoric high and now that he’s gone, my exhaustion catches up with me. Nights of limited sleep will do that. Not that I’m complaining. I’d happily relive those moments over and over again. I allow myself to replay a few memories of my short time with Luke. He really is something.
When my phone buzzes with an incoming text, I pull myself out of my revelry.
Christ on a cracker. I need to get my shit together and focus. My brothers will be here any minute, as they’re due on the next ferry.
I dig through my purse to find my phone. When I unlock the screen, there’s a picture of the island from the ferry. My brothers must have arrived. But as I open the text, I’m shocked to see it’s not my brothers. It’s Luke.
My heart races, as I read his text.
Luke: I’ve always loved this view, but now this view holds a whole new meaning.
What on earth is he talking about?
Me: Why’s that?
Luke: It reminds me of you.
My cheeks heat at the thought of our time together. I’ve never jumped into such a physical relationship before. Just thinking about Luke sets my nerves on fire.
Me: In case I forgot to tell you, I had an amazing time this week.
Luke: Ditto. I hate that I don’t know when I’ll see you next.
Me: Hopefully, it’ll be sooner than later.
Luke: Agreed.
I hear the distinctive crunch of gravel from my driveway, and I know my brothers have arrived. As much as I want to continue this conversation, I know I’ll catch hell if either of my brothers catch wind of it.
Me: My brothers just arrived. Gotta go.
Luke: Have fun. I’ll text you after the auction, if it’s not too late.
Before I have a chance to respond, my front door bursts open. We’ve always just walked into this home, when my grandparents lived here. I smile when I realize some things will never change.
I quickly push my phone into my back pocket as I stand to greet my baby brother, Davis. Sure, he’d flip a gasket if he knew I called him my baby brother, but to me, that’s how he’ll always be. Being nine years older, even when he grows up and becomes a doctor, I’ll always think of him as the baby.
“Hey, Dani.” He reaches out to hug me. “Good to see you.”
“How was the drive from Spokane?” I ask as he releases me, then turn to my brother Damien to give him some love as well. God, I’ve missed these guys. With my schedule and their classes, we don’t see each other nearly enough.
“I made good time and can’t wait to have two weeks without classes.”
“Only our future doctor would take this many summer courses,” Damien states dryly as he releases me from our hug.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Dame,” I chastise like any older sister would, but both of my brothers just chuckle at my poor attempt to be like Mom. “Did you hit much traffic from Seattle?” I ask.
As my eyes flit from one to the other, waiting for a response, I can’t believe how much they resemble one another as they’ve gotten older. They could almost be twins, they look so much alike. Of course, each are in their typical summer wear—cargo shorts, sporting their college t-shirt logos, and Vans. Both have sandy-brown hair, dark-brown eyes, and sun-kissed skin. Davis’s hair is cut shorter than usual, while Damien’s is long on top and, while shaved on the sides, is nearly to his ears.
“Nah.” Davis shrugs dismissively. “Traffic was light. The longest we stood still was waiting to board the ferry.” Giving the timing of everything, I’m sure they must have crossed paths with Luke. Thank God, they didn’t get the chance to meet him. I’d never hear the end of it. Both may be younger than me, but they’ve learned from my dad and Derek how to interrogate any guy I bring home.
“So… what have you been keeping yourself busy with?” Damien asks as he walks to the fridge and pulls it open to inspect the contents. “Obviously, it wasn’t shopping. What the hell have you been eating? Ketchup on pickles?”
Shit. I’d forgotten to shop before they arrived, and I’ll have to make a trip off the island to get enough to feed these two. The small mom and pop shop on the island has a few staples but not enough to cover what I will need for the week or so they’re staying.
“If you’re hungry, we can go to the cafe. They serve the best lunches.” To sweeten the offer, I add, “My treat.”
Both being full-time college students, I wouldn’t dream of letting them pay, but I threw it out there to get their minds off the dilapidated state of my fridge. I really need to remember to shop when I write. But this week, I had an excuse. Eating nearly every meal with Luke kept me from needing to go off the island and stock up. Not all of us have a personal shopper like Luke. Evelyn was such a sweetheart when I met her. It is kind of Luke to employ her, so she can stay on the island to help her daughter.
“It beats the condiment special you have going on here,” Damien mutters as he shuts the fridge. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fridge in our family look so clean or bare.”
“Oh, hush.” I swat my hand in the air to dismiss his sarcasm. “Go unload your things then we’ll grab a bite to eat. I’ll stock up the fridge this afternoon.”
By the time we finish eating, I realize the next ferry’s due soon. Not wanting to venture out later, I convince my brothers to take a shopping trip to Tacoma. We stock up on all the things they will need during their short break from school.
The plan is for my parents and older brother Derek to come out next weekend and spend a few days together before they’re forced to return to their real lives. For me, I plan to use every spare moment I can to stay on track with my editor. Three weeks will fly by and get out of hand if I don’t make use of my downtime when I’m not spending time with my family.
Instead of staying in the car and working like I usually do on the commute back to the island, my brothers encourage me to get out and enjoy the hot July evening. The breeze feels refreshing, and I can’t help but think of my trips with Luke out on his boat this week. Just as we get to the top of the ferry and find a place we can take in the view, I get a text notification.
I pull my phone from my pocket and can’t help but smile.
Luke: Wish you were here. There’s even a romance package with one of your books in the basket.
Me: Seriously???
I can’t believe one of my books is at a charity auction. It’s an honor to be represented. I wish I’d known. I would’ve created a basket and signed my entire series. I wonder who donated it?
An image comes through with an entire basket full of books. There must be at least twenty books in there. The basket includes a blanket, coffee, and gourmet chocolates. If I’d been there, I’d bid on that basket in a heartbeat. Most of my favorite authors are included. That’s a real treat. Someone will be a hell of a lucky winner.
Luke: If I bid on it and win, will you sign it?
Me: You don’t need to bid on that to get a signed copy. Rumor has it I know the author.
Luke: Hmmm… she’s sexy as hell. Maybe I’ll figure out a way to get a signed copy some other way.
This man… I roll my eyes as a light chuckle escapes. Like he’d have to do much to get a simple autograph.
Me: Do I need to be worried?
Luke: Absolutely. I’ve been told I’m ruthless when it comes to getting something I want.
Me: Promises. Promises.
Luke: It’s going to be a really long week.
I sigh in agreement and look out at the water, thinking about how to respond. This man sure has made an impression.
“What are you grinning like a loon about?” Damien interrupts my thoughts.
“Um… It’s nothing. Just a friend of mine found one of my books at a charity auction, and they were telling me about it.”
“Seriously… You’re going with that?” Davis pipes in. “I highly doubt you’d have that goofy look on your face over, ‘just a friend.’” The idiot makes actual air quotes with his fingers. What are we? Twelve?
“You’re delusional,” I dismiss. “You know, Doctor Davis, you might need to get out more.”
“As if…” Davis starts, but Damien interrupts.
“You know, D, she’s quite dismissive. Maybe you’re on to something.”
Both guys eye me speculatively, waiting for me to divulge whatever they think I’m hiding. This isn’t my first rodeo with these nut jobs. The best defense is silence. I mask my poker face and simply raise my eyebrows with the sheer goal of outwaiting them. Finally, when they realize I’m not budging on this, Davis gives up and moves on to plans about kayaking in the morning.
With my crisis averted, we spend the evening watching movies and hanging out. Though I wouldn’t be me without pulling out my laptop and writing while the movie plays in the background. I stay up later than my brothers, getting into a zone again. Partially hoping to hear from Luke, but no such luck. He’s radio-silent the rest of the night.