glass to hers, and clinked. They each took a sip, although secretly Elle wanted to down the entire glass. It wouldn’t be her first time doing that, but she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. The last thing she needed was Luke assuming she had some sort of drinking problem.
“Should we sit?” she asked, leading him to the firm gray couch in the formal living room. Luke followed behind her, and when they reached the couch, he waited for her to sit, then eased himself next to her, his arm perched atop the back of the couch.
“I’m glad you were willing to see me tonight.”
“Willing?” She challenged him, raising her eyebrows and hooking her bottom teeth under her lip. “That’s an interesting word choice.”
“Leave it to the writer to analyze my vocabulary.”
Elle blushed slightly, but waited for him to explain what he meant by “willing.” When she was quiet moments later, Luke shrugged. “Well, you know, after our first date, I wasn’t sure.”
Elle decided to challenge him, remembering the feel of his lips on her skin. “You seemed pretty confident in the parking lot.”
“Ah.” He gave her a cocky smirk before taking a sip. “I guess you’re right.”
Elle finished her scotch, and, feeling her apprehension slide away, she placed the empty glass on the coffee table, embracing the desire coursing through her veins.
“So acting . . . was it always a dream of yours or were you just seduced by the charms of your environment?” Without hesitation, she placed her hand on Luke’s thigh, her fingers delighted at the thick fibers beneath his pants. His quads were tight and firm.
“I guess you could say that. I think, when I was like five or six, I wanted to be a vet. Our dog died and I wanted to fix him.”
Elle’s fingers stroked the fabric of his pants and Luke took a deep breath. “Well, that’s sweet.” She embraced the feeling of control infusing her senses. He wanted her; of this she was certain. And she wanted him. God, she wanted him. It’s not that she didn’t want to take a walk down memory lane with Luke, to learn about his childhood and the name of the family dog. But at that moment, it was no longer high on her list of priorities. She wanted him above her, drinking her in with his touch. She wanted his hands everywhere, touching each and every inch of her body. She wanted him inside her, driving her to the incredible release she knew he could provide.
Luke polished off the rest of his scotch, leaning forward to place the glass firmly on the table. He turned to Elle, his eyes wide and blazing. The muscles of his jaw flexed as he swallowed. His hands reached to cup her face, his eyes locked with hers.
“You’re so beautiful.” It came out in a hoarse whisper.
Elle said nothing, but licked her lips in a slow, sensual motion, moving her hand from his thigh, to the growing bulge in his pants. She was done holding back with Luke. She wanted his lips on her . . . everywhere. She cupped him, never breaking eye contact and watched as the corners of Luke’s mouth pulled into a smile.
He smiled and then he kissed her. No more teasing, feathery motion. This kiss was demanding and full of desire. His hand drifted to wrap around the back of her neck as his lips and tongue explored her mouth. She opened for him, wanting him to deepen the kiss as she stroked him through the fabric of his pants.
“Bedroom?” Luke asked, his voice smooth and unwavering as he moved his attention to her neck. His lips caressed and his tongue stroked the sensitive skin beneath her chin. Elle nodded, broke herself from his embrace, took his hand, and led him upstairs to the master bedroom.
Elle hadn’t planned for him to see her bedroom. Unintentionally, the Beatles’ Abbey Road album had been left to play on repeat after she’d gotten ready for their date. Elle hurried to her CD player to silence the music.
“No, it’s okay,” Luke said, following her to the stereo. His fingers danced down the skin of her shoulders, making her shiver. “You can leave it on.”
A moment of hesitation clouded Elle’s thoughts. She wasn’t so sure she was ready to share her beloved Beatles. As odd as that sounded, even to her, they were special—and such a part of her past with Troy. Quickly, she thought of a solution by