17

Dani

Teasing Luke is definitely becoming one of my favorite pastimes. His laugh sends electric jolts to every sensory spot in my body. Between the amazing sex, his cooking, and his beautiful homes, he might never get rid of me. After cooking me a delicious midnight snack, we make our way to his sitting area in the open floor plan of his loft, and I can’t help but be impressed with the gorgeous view of Tacoma from his floor-to-ceiling windows. Of course, there’s a ginormous television along one wall, surrounded by comfortable dark-leather couches, like his home on Anderson Island, but Luke’s loft is more modern with exposed brick and hardwood floors.

As I’ve become well acquainted earlier this evening, his bedroom’s off the living room with a comfortable king-sized bed, a master bathroom suite with a waterfall shower I could live in. I haven’t used it yet, but I’m intrigued. It might also be something I need to put into a book some time. The sex that could be done in there alone could fill up pages. He’s mentioned there’s an office with a spare bed, so I assume it’s the other door off the living room.

As I tuck my legs under me and curl up onto the couch, Luke plops down beside me. He pulls me against his chest, and I instinctively take in a deep breath. He smells delicious with the perfect mixture of pheromones and masculine cologne. I seriously wish I could bottle this scent to take with me when I leave. I didn’t know I would miss his smell of all things while he’s gone. I trace my fingers along the planes of his chest, and his body tenses.

“Ticklish?”

“Just caught me off guard.” He pulls me closer and sighs. When I glance up to his face, his expression’s pensive.

“What’s on your mind?”

He takes in a deep breath and releases it slowly. “Just wondering how others do this.”

“Cuddle?” I tease in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“No, smartass. I meant how do they juggle a relationship and this job.”

“Who is this They you speak of?”

Luke lets out a deep breath and his body relaxes which is confusing. Where’s he going with this? “Normally after a game, I immediately start watching film to review. I spend countless hours prepping for our coaches meetings and work around the clock.”

I stiffen and start to pull away. “Am I keeping you?”

He immediately pulls me back to where I’d been resting my head on his chest. “No. Not at all. I don’t have to be anywhere until noon tomorrow. I’ve cleared my schedule, and you’re right where I want you to be. I’m just trying to figure out a way to see you more often.”

“I can always come to the city,” I suggest. “I know you can’t make it out to the island often. That is… if you want me.”

“Don’t doubt for one second, Dani, how much I want you. I just thought aloud, since I’m trying to figure out a way to spend more time with you. My travel schedule until January is chaotic, and I’m afraid I won’t be what you need.”

“Luke, I was perfectly content with my life before you came along.” His body gets rigid and before he has a chance to say anything, I continue, “What I mean is… I didn’t have much of a social life. I ate, slept, and wrote. Rinse and repeat. I enjoy your company. I don’t have any expectations for you to change your life, just to fit me in it. As you know, if I get into a writing zone, I’m lost to everyone at nearly any given point in time. I’m a pretty independent person. My family hates it. Heck. You might, too, eventually.”

“Doubtful.” He grimaces. “We have two back-to-back road games, then a Thursday game. I should have the weekend off. Are you busy the last weekend of September?”

I groan. Of course, he picks the one weekend I scheduled a book signing. “I’m attending a book signing in Seattle all day Saturday. But I’m free Sunday? Want to get together then? I can cancel my hotel reservation. I’d planned to get together with Damien. But I could meet up with him Friday instead.”

“What do you say to me joining you in Seattle? We could go to Pike Place and hang out on Sunday.”

“I’d love that. But I might upgrade my room. I have a cheap room, not wanting to waste the money.”

“Where’s your signing being held?” Luke asks in interest.

“Sexy in Seattle is at the downtown Hilton. Though, I’m not staying there because I like to stay closer to Damien in the University district.”

“Would you be opposed to staying at the Hilton? We could make a weekend out of it,” he hedges.

Like I’d turn that down. The convenience alone as well as time with him. Even though I’m suddenly feel giddy at the thought of having more time with him, I somehow keep my features free from emotion. “I think I can manage.”

“Good, I’ll make arrangements in the morning, when I get to my office.”

“Are you sure you can handle that? Your secretary’s off for the week,” I remind him with a bit of sass. I can’t help myself. Then remorse sets in for being such a pain in the ass. He’s the friggin’ head coach of a major football team; he doesn’t have time to make hotel reservations for us. I quickly add, “I can do it if you’re busy.”

“Danika, you have little faith in me.” His voice is light and full of feign hurt. “I can be trusted to get a great hotel room in Seattle for the weekend. I’m not helpless. I may have a secretary that acts as a personal assistant at times, but I’m not an invalid when it comes to making travel plans.” He nuzzles into my neck and kisses it softly.

“Okay. Okay. I believe you.” I laugh lightly. “I’ll be heading to Seattle on Friday. Just let me know where I should go.”

“If you’re free Thursday evening, wanna go to the game?”

“It would be such a hardship to watch you in your element. I don’t know. Hmmm… sexy man… totally focused, pacing the sidelines…” I pretend to weigh out my options with my arms. “Or sit at home alone… decisions, decisions…” A smile forms on my lips, and I scrunch up my nose, pretending I might not be interested.

“Oh, you’re such a little shit.” He reaches to my side and tickles me. I burst out in laughter.

“Okay… Okay,” I gasp. “I’ll go to the game.”

He relinquishes his hold on me but keeps me close to him on the couch. It’s as if he can’t stand to not be touching me. As if I’m going to complain. “Do you want to invite anyone? I can get as many tickets as you’d like.”

“Uh…” I try to think. I don’t really know anyone besides my brother who’d appreciate the tickets.

“Mind if I invite Damien? Everyone else lives hours away. He can come and still make it back to class on Friday.”

“Would you prefer to have seats like before, or do you want to go into the owner’s box?”

“Uh… I’d feel weird being in the owner’s box. If it’s not too much trouble, any seats would be fine. They can even be in the nosebleed section.”

“Dani,” Luke chastises. “I’m not putting you in the nosebleeds. Besides, how will you keep your eye on Sean from way up there! He gets pretty handsy, as you know.”

I shake my head. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“I can’t wait to tell Sean. He’ll laugh his ass off. In fact, why don’t you plan on coming to the game early? I’ll introduce you to more than Harlow. I think Damien will get a kick out of meeting some of the players, too. Unlike some people…” He smirks, and I can’t help the eyeroll that naturally develops. “Damien follows the game and is a genuine fan.”

I shrug. He has me there. “He’ll be ecstatic. Before he left earlier, he was going on and on about how much he loved being at the game in person.”

“I’ll make the arrangements tomorrow,” he yawns, and his exhaustion from today’s activities is evident. “What do you say to going back to bed?”

I reach up and pull him in for a quick kiss. “I can be persuaded to do that, too.”

The next morning, I’m woken to soft lips dragging against my neck. Luke spoons me from behind. His fingertips skim over my stomach, rib cage, and trace around my nipple. A moan escapes as I arch my back in appreciation. His hard cock greets me as it presses against my ass.

“Well, good morning to you,” I murmur.

“God, you feel so good,” Luke groans in satisfaction as he glides his fingers to my inner thigh. He traces the planes of my flesh but doesn’t touch me where I want him most. I push back against him, and he takes the hint and finds his way to my center to circle my now throbbing clit.

“Luke…” I cry out when I can’t take it anymore. I press back into him, and he lifts my leg over his thigh to gain better access with his fingers.

An animalistic groan rips from my body because I need more. I press into his lap, and I want nothing more than to have him inside me. This very instant. “Need you.”

Luke’s groan in my ear sets my senses on fire. “Condom…”

“Wait,” I beg as I shamelessly rub against him. Feeling his cock somehow lengthen beneath me, my desire only heightens. “I have an IUD. I’m clean.”

“Best words I’ve ever fucking heard,” he growls in my ear. “I’ve never gone without, and I can’t fucking wait to feel you ride my cock in this position.”

Wordlessly, he lifts my leg higher on his thigh and lines his cock up to my entrance. Without a second’s hesitation, he pushes through my slickness and bottoms out against a sensitive spot I never knew existed deep inside my body. I gasp as I rasp out, “Again… Harder… Right there…” Holy fucking shit. My body’s a live wire, waiting to explode. It doesn’t take long before the combination of him strumming my clit like a friggin’ guitar and his magical cock has me seeing stars. My body tightens as I spiral higher and higher, chasing the orgasm I know is coming. I arch into him with every thrust and cry out in ecstasy when I finally fall over the edge, pulsing like I’ve never experienced.

Luke continues pumping into me, never slowing his pace as I experience wave after wave of sensation. Soon, his body goes rigid as my body clenches around him as I feel him find his release, triggering another onslaught of tremors throughout my body.

As we come down from our euphoric high, all I hear is our ragged breaths fighting to regain control. They eventually settle, and I feel Luke pull out. I cry out at the loss, but I know it’s inevitable. With his arms wrapped around me, Luke nuzzles into my neck and states, “This is the best fucking wakeup I’ve ever experienced.”

I can’t say I disagree.