They drove home in silence. Luke had sent her sidelong glances but she didn’t say anything about what had happened. When they arrived back at his place he said he had a call to make, so she decided to fix them a light supper before she headed home. Twenty minutes went by and he hadn’t returned to the kitchen.
She found him in his media room. A ball game on the big screen, a cell phone in his lap, and a snoozing puppy at his feet. When she cleared her throat, both man and dog jumped at the sound. “Talk about light sleepers. You’re like two peas in a pod. Sorry, I tried to make as much noise as I could.”
She sat down next to Luke’s recliner. “Do you have a second? There’s been something on my mind and I need to get it off my chest.” Uh, oh. Wrong word choice. She watched as his gaze immediately went to her breasts. They pebbled under his attention.
She cleared her throat again. He took his time bringing his eyes up to hers, and when they met she saw herself in their reflection. His look mirrored how she felt.
He picked up the remote and turned off the game. He spread his hands wide. “I’m all yours.”
She licked her lips, rubbed her now sweaty palms on her pink yoga pants, and tried to pretend she didn’t know what he was referring to. Indy chose that moment to bark, saving her from responding. They both looked down and for a moment the sexual tension subsided.
“You think that’s a sign?” Luke asked.
“Of what?”
“That he’s fed up with us. He’s a smart dog; even he knows we want each other.”
“Really? Well, let’s ask his opinion, then.”
“I have a better idea. How about I tell you what I think.”
There was no way she was going to get out of this conversation now. And bringing up the real subject she wanted to discuss could wait. She decided she really wanted to hear what he had to say.
“I’m going to lay it all out so we’re both clear and there’s no more wondering. I think you want me just as much as I want you. I think of you all the time when you’re with me and when you’re not.
“And when I hear the slight quiver in your voice when you’re prompting me to do more reps? Well, that’s the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. And I know you’re thinking similar thoughts right now, darling, because this house isn’t cold enough to make your nipples stand out at attention.”
He flashed her a naughty smile and continued. Good thing, because she was having trouble breathing.
“We’ve been dancing around this for days, Lara.”
“And what exactly is ‘this’?”
“You. Me. Naked.”
She sucked in a breath. Images appeared in her head of him, his hands all over her, inside her. Her thighs went lax and heat pooled in her core. He’d been right. She knew she wouldn’t be able to resist much longer, not with the close quarters they now shared or the hooded glances each pretended neither noticed.
“Don’t talk yourself out of what we both want, darling. You want to walk away because of what went down with JR? I’ll deal. Just don’t deny that you aren’t as keyed up as I am right now. Hell, always for me when you’re within touching distance.” He adjusted himself and sat up in his recliner. He held out his hand and waited.
“I’m not denying that I want you, Luke. I think we both know that’s been obvious for some time. And I’m walking into this choice with my eyes wide open, but I need you to know I don’t share. No matter how temporary our time together will be.” She held his gaze.
“I don’t want soft, Luke. I don’t need nice words or false promises. I just need you. Fast and hard this time. Can you give me that?”
What she didn’t say was how easily she could fall for him; or how he had the power to bruise the heart that already cared too much, yearned for him to want the same things she’d been searching for her entire adult life. To be cherished, desired, loved—forever. By one man, maybe by him.
He took her hand and guided her closer to his lap. “This time it might be best if you’re on top. I don’t think my knee is ready yet for anything else. And darling, the way you’re looking at me now guarantees you’ll get your wish. Now come here.”
Lara didn’t hesitate. Decision made, she crawled into Luke’s lap and nuzzled his neck. She trailed openmouthed kisses along his jaw. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his chest and marveled at the hardness of his muscles and the softness of his skin. She buried her hands in his hair and pulled him closer.
She pushed aside all thoughts of telling him about JR’s accusations. Her gut told her Luke would never put himself in a situation where he could lose his career. The pull to be with him overrode any doubts she was having. She needed this. She needed him more than anything else.
The kiss started out light and soft. Luke soon took control and placed his hand behind her neck and devoured her lips, her tongue, and her last coherent thought.
She felt his groan of pleasure deep down inside her core. She straddled his lap as his hands went under her and cupped her bottom, bringing her closer, but not before she placed her hand on his growing erection and squeezed.
Another low sound escaped him and she grew bolder. She pulled his waistband down so she could caress him, skin-to-skin. He was magnificent, and the sight of his cock made her pussy squeeze in anticipation.
She looked up into his eyes and winked. She began to rub slow circles around the tip of his cock.
He kissed her again. Not a gentle kiss. But a raw, I-need-to-be-balls-deep-inside-you kiss that she returned hungrily. Their tongues dueled for power as she now wound her hand around the width of him and began a slow, up and down journey.
This position thrilled her. She wanted to touch him everywhere. When she brought her hand back up to the tip of his cock, he covered her hand with his and stopped her. “Darling, that’s all I can take or this is going to end real soon. Let me return the favor.”
She nodded and stood up. She removed her outfit, bra, and panties, then bent to help him remove his shorts. “Lord help me, woman, you fucking drive me crazy.” He pulled her back on his lap and kissed her deeply.
He held tight onto her hips and began to stroke her thigh, then buried his hand in her blond curls and teased her clit. She lifted herself up a bit and began to rotate her hips as he drove first one then two fingers deep inside her.
She gasped when he added a third.
“Too much, baby?”
“No. Don’t stop. Oh, god . . . yes.” She increased her rhythm and rocked her hips up and down as the pressure built. He circled her clit with his thumb and her world went sideways. The pressure was glorious. She arched her back as he pumped in and out. He pulled her close and captured her breast with his mouth.
The tug on her breast and his fingers strumming her pussy combined and she exploded. Her body convulsed and she rode the orgasm for as long as she could. She was greedy. She wanted more; she wanted it to last forever.
She hadn’t realized she’d been saying his name over and over until he whispered in her ear. “Darling, that was . . . god, you’re beautiful when you come.”
She whimpered a little when the wave ended and he removed his hand.
“Shh, don’t worry. I just need to suit up, darling.”
She looked down and watched as he covered himself with a condom. Once done he grabbed her hips, and thrust himself into her. They both moaned. “God, you feel so damn good.” He wound his hand up in her hair and held her gaze as she began to ride him.
She felt a pressure building again as the angle of their bodies hit her clit just right. Over and over he pounded into her until she placed a hand on the middle of his chest to stop him.
“Baby, let me. I don’t think your knee can take this much . . . excitement.” She gave him a small smirk, which earned her a swat on the ass.
“By all means, darling. I don’t mind. I’ll just play with these beautiful breasts and watch you.” His hands followed his words and he cupped each breast and pinched her nipples as she took over the rhythm.
She tightened her knees and rode him hard and fast. She didn’t question what was driving her. All she knew was this man had created a wanton side to her. A side she was very much enjoying. With each thrust, another orgasm built.
When Luke’s groans became deeper and he began rocking his hips, she took his hand and placed it on her clit. She wanted to come at the same time he did. She watched his face and marveled at the passion she saw. His touch became a bittersweet combination of pain and pleasure. She felt raw, laid bare.
She broke first and cried out his name. Luke laid his head on her shoulder and whispered his naughtiest of thoughts. She didn’t think it possible she could blush considering the position she was in, but she did. He shouted her name and continued to pump in and out of her as they both came down from the high of coming together.
Indy decided he’d had enough of them and began barking to be let out. Lara shyly excused herself to freshen up and Luke put his shorts back on, grabbed his cane, and took the puppy outside.
“Didn’t think you’d be so offended, Indy. Maybe I had plans for round two. Did you ever think of that?” When all the golden-doodle did was sit and stare at him, Luke questioned his sanity at expecting his dog to answer him. By the time he returned to the house and went in search of Lara, she’d already showered and dressed. She was gathering her purse from the kitchen counter.
“I made dinner. It should still be fine if a bit cold. You can reheat it in the microwave though.”
He watched her closely as she walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in the morning.”
And with that she left him still half-hard in the middle of his kitchen.
“I’ll be damned, Indy. Did you see that? She didn’t even ask to stay the night.”
Indy was not interested. He trotted over to his bowl and plopped down and waited as Luke stood staring at the doorway. “Well, that’s never happened before.”
Maybe this friends-with-benefits thing would work out after all.
The next day after another workout at the stadium—this time without the drama provided by JR—Luke asked her if they could watch the Outlaws game that night at a friend’s place and she had agreed without peppering him with questions.
He liked that about her. He liked a lot of things about her, but he needed to be careful. Things were just beginning to go well and he didn’t want to start thinking of her as a permanent fixture in his life. But it was nice having a woman to talk to and share things with, like a friend.
During the drive into town he caught her sneaking glances at him. She laughed at his lame jokes and took his breath away when she gifted him with her smile.
“Wow, this is your friend’s place? I’ve heard of it, but have never been.” Lara exited the car and walked over to Luke’s side.
He was still slow to go from a sitting position to standing, and it irked him that he just couldn’t jump out and make it to her side of the car and open the door for her. He took her arm and was able to open the door to O’Malley’s Sports Bar and Grill.
He located Howie, the owner, and sensed heads turn in their direction. It amused him to realize that the patrons were locked on Lara, not him. He couldn’t blame them. She still carried the afterglow from their earlier loving. Her green eyes were bright, her smile relaxed. She was a magnet to those desperate for a small piece of what she had.
Men and women were drawn to her equally, and he again thought how lucky he was to have her in his life. Lucky enough to touch, kiss, and lick—and just like that he wanted her again. His excitement at showing her the bar ratcheted down a notch as he became jealous of anyone who looked at her.
They made their way to the highly polished bar and Luke nodded at a few customers he knew were regulars. Soon they’d be his regulars.
“Luke, my man. Good to see you. And you brought us a gift. Trying to class the joint up already, huh?” Howie held out a hand toward Lara. “Hi, I’m the drink slinger and you must be the gal who’s gotten this boy’s shorts in a twist.”
Saying that sixty-two-year-old Howie was a character merely scratched the surface of all that was the man who’d once played minor league baseball and tried his hand at sports casting, before he turned his love for all sports into a revenue stream.
Luke nodded at Howie as the man deftly finished off a draft order. “Howie, I’d like to introduce Lara Andretti, my physical therapist and . . .” He hesitated a bit too long and Lara interrupted and saved him from making an ass out of himself.
“Friend. Hi, Howie. Really nice to meet you. I’m impressed with your place here. It looks like you’re a big fan of the Outlaws.” She pointed to several posters showing Maverick and Luke during a game from last season. “Is it always so busy in here?”
“It is, lass. There’s always a game being played somewhere and at just about any time of year. Makes for steady business. We don’t like to pick favorites, but now with Maverick and Luke darkening the doorway, well, we seem to have a hardball game on more often than not.” Howie gave a belly laugh and wiped his hands on a bar rag. “Now, can I set you up with a pint or would you rather have a sissy glass of rosé?”
Lara turned toward Luke and said, “I think I like your friend.” She looked back at Howie. “Pour me your favorite, please.”
“Gladly. Now I have a table over here for you. Best in the place. I need a word with Luke. Just business, so if you want, I’ll have Luke here deliver the pint when it’s finished?”
Luke groaned. Real smooth, Howie. He wanted to tell the man Lara could stay and listen to whatever it was he had to say, but the look on his face stopped him and signaled there was more than just business on his mind.
He knew Howie to be pretty unflappable. He and Mav had discovered the bar their first week in town and become frequent customers and fast friends with the guy. If he needed a moment of privacy, he’d give it to him.
“Lara, I’m sure this will take just a minute and then we can watch Maverick struggle without me behind the plate.” He grinned. It wasn’t true, but it made him feel better thinking Mav only pitched his best when Luke was there to catch.
They both watched Lara walk over to the corner table. Howie motioned him farther down the bar, in the opposite direction. “So there was this guy in here last night stirring up trouble. Had the cops here and everything.”
“Damn. I’m sorry to hear that, man. What happened?”
“I wish it was as simple as just someone who couldn’t handle a pint or two, but this guy was harassing people from the moment he arrived. I had the game on, the Outlaws versus the Knights. It was a real pitchers’ duel last night. Our boy Mav was on it and—”
“Howie, I watched the game at home. So what happened with this guy?”
“Yeah, yeah, sorry. He was talking smack. About you, the team. And how he’d be surprised if the Outlaws made it till October with a bunch of pretty boys stealing everyone’s girlfriends. No one could get him to shut up. One of the bigger guys in the place had had enough and grabbed him around the back of the neck to drag his ass out of the place.”
“Shit.”
“‘Shit’ is right. I had several tables leave and a couple of small groups at the bar were talking like they wouldn’t be back if this was the kind of people who hung out here. Luke, I wanted you to know, because after I called the cops he wouldn’t leave the parking lot and started shouting obscenities. Then he made a statement about you.”
“Me?” Luke hadn’t had any problems with anyone. Sure, there was the random loudmouths at games who loved sitting behind home plate and heckling the visiting catcher. He’d even had a couple of instances at the Outlaws Stadium, but it had never gone further than the ballpark.
“What did he say?” Luke asked.
“Before I tell you, the sergeant who arrived on the scene told me afterward that the guy wasn’t drunk, but he was as high as a kite. So that got me thinking maybe he was hallucinating or something and didn’t have a clue what he was saying.”
“Howie, just spill it. What did this guy say about me?”
“He said ‘tell Luke Garibaldi, I’m taking him down.’ And something about he’ll pay for taking her away from me. And some other bullshit about how you’re washed up and the team’s going to cut you and put Chaz in the position full time.”
What. The. Fuck?
“Thanks for letting me know. Did you get a name on this guy?”
“Nate something or other. The sergeant seemed to know him and told me to keep an eye out for him. If he shows up here again, I’m going to call 911.”
“Yeah, you do that. Then you call me, okay?”
“Now Luke, you don’t want to get tangled up with some looney. Just let the cops deal with it, okay?”
Luke rubbed his chin and looked back to where Lara was sitting. Pretty as a picture and absorbed in the game. Shit. He didn’t want to ruin their time here. “Yeah, you bet, Howie. Thanks for letting me know. Say, how’s the back been treating you?”
The reason Howie had decided to sell the business was a chronic pain issue with his back, thanks to an old injury from his playing days. The timing for Luke was perfect, and Maverick would be a silent partner. He could learn the business during the off-season and when he was ready to hang up his chest protector, the business would be his.
“Oh, it’s about the same. Doctors keep telling me surgery will fix me right up, but I don’t trust a knife that close to my spine. So I’ll be keeping to my exercises for now.”
Howie handed over two pints and Luke carried them back to the table where Lara sat waiting for him. “Here you go, pretty lady. What’s the score?”
She gave him a bright smile and took a small sip. “Mmm. Not too bitter. I like it. The Outlaws are up a run. They’re in the second with one out. Maverick looks good. But Chaz’s butt isn’t nearly as cute as yours.” She grinned.
“Flattery will get you flat on your back, darling. Keep it up and we won’t be staying for the whole game.”
Lara laughed. The sound settled him. Better not get used to it, Garibaldi; this was temporary. Like all the others. Maybe now was a good time to remind her and himself.
They watched the game in companionable silence. Luke noticed again how many looks he and Lara were getting, mainly Lara. He felt a twinge of something unfamiliar and rubbed his chest to ward it off. He’d never been the jealous type and he wasn’t going to begin now.
Lara leaned forward into the table and reached across to trail her fingers over his forearm. “I was thinking, since the Outlaws are ahead by five, maybe we could leave and head back home and make it an early night?”
Her green eyes were dark with desire and her offer sounded good, but when she’d said the word “home,” it struck a nerve. It sounded too—domestic.
“You mean my house?” He wasn’t able to hide the hint of irritation in his tone and he watched her flinch at the sound of his voice.
“Well, um, yeah. I didn’t mean anything by it, Luke. It’s just a word.”
He rubbed his hand down his face. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess it just hit me wrong considering this thing with us is just . . . temporary.”
Instead of becoming pissed at his reminder she sighed and gave him a sad look. “Luke, listen. I knew the score going in. We agreed to just having fun, no strings. I’m still with you on that, so don’t read too much into my choice of words, okay? I’m not looking to make you commit to anything other than that.”
“Right. Sorry. I guess things have just been so good between us that I’ve kinda been waiting for the usual drama that comes along with women.”
“Excuse me?”
Okay, so now he’d stepped in it. But to him it was what he knew. What had always come with being around women. If they didn’t get what they wanted, then the men in their lives suffered. One of the reasons he kept things causal was he was done with the drama.
“Look, maybe not every woman. But I’ve had my fair share of emotional back-and-forth and I’ve learned to not get serious. About anyone. Life is much simpler that way.”
Lara looked at him like he’d suddenly sprouted two heads. Dammit, he didn’t need to explain himself to anyone. He lived his life the way it suited him, and it had, for the most part.
“Who let you down, Luke? Who painted women in such an ugly way that made you believe we’re all the same? Was it Syndi?” She reached over to him but stopped short of touching him. He shied away from her caress, but didn’t push her away. At least not yet.
He snorted and laughed. “No. She was just the last to prove my theory.”
“Not everyone is wired the same way, Luke. I’m sure that whatever past betrayal you suffered was not—”
“Not what, Lara? Personal? Done on purpose? Or how about she never meant to hurt me as she made my father pay for years of inattention; never meant to leave her son when he was only eight and start a new family, or . . .”
Lara covered her mouth at his declaration. She reached out again to comfort and this time he pulled back.
“She taught me that eventually all women walk away, Lara. It’s only a matter of when.”
“Tell me what happened. Luke, I’d like to think we’re friends too. I’m here to listen, be a sounding board if that’s what you need.”
Luke couldn’t believe he was sitting here with a woman who’d made him think he might want more than just sex, discussing a past he never shared with anyone before. Hell, he wasn’t even sure if he and Mav ever discussed what his mother had done to him his rookie year.
“Okay, Lara. You want the ugly truth. Here it is. Not only did my mother leave my father and me when I was eight, she decided to re-enter my life just when I had been drafted into the USBL.
“Oh, she played me good. She was so sorry and blamed everything that happened on my father. Told me how much she loved me, and I ate it up with a spoon. She was hooked up with a different guy than the one she left my dad for. He was supposed to be some investment wizard and she convinced me to have him negotiate my contract.”
Luke watched as Lara closed her eyes and shook her head. “Yeah, I’m sure you can guess what happened next. He managed to put into the contract that my mother would receive my signing bonus and I wouldn’t see any money until later in the season. By the time I figured out what happened, they’d both disappeared.”
Damn. He hated reliving that time of his life. He watched as Lara wiped a tear from her eye. He didn’t want her pity. All he wanted was her in his bed. That’s it. He shouldn’t have said anything.
He stood up. “Hell, forget I said anything. That was a long time ago. Let’s go. I’ll say good-bye to Howie and meet you outside.”
After he settled up with Howie and asked him again to keep him informed of any more trouble at the bar, he found Lara standing next to her car staring up into the sky. He needed to change the mood so there would be no more questions.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about how he wished to hell his mom had been different and her actions hadn’t damaged him to the point that he was incapable of having a real relationship with a woman.