“Oh God yes.”

“Is this what you want?”

“Yes!” I wrap my arms around him, pulling him to me. Suddenly he rolls on top of me, and I hitch the other leg around him and he thrusts into me, all the way. I roll my hips and he groans, his lips on mine, his elbows at the side of my head and hands buried in my hair.

I grip his ass in my hands but he stops abruptly and gazes down at me, his eyes are molten blue, the look on his face absolutely serious and almost reverent.

“What’s wrong?” I ask breathlessly.

He shakes his head and closes his eyes as if he’s in pain, and a sliver of panic pierces my heart.

“What is it?” I smooth my hand down his cheek.

“I just…” He opens his eyes again, pinning me in his intense stare and starts to move his hips once again, pistoning in and out of me like there’s more than just desire pushing him.

“You just feel so good, baby.”

I groan and move my hips, meeting his, and then he sits back on his heels quickly, taking me with him, not breaking our precious contact. I wrap my arms around his neck and plant my feet beside his hips and he guides me up and down his shaft, his hands planted firmly on my ass.

I feel the oh-so-familiar tightening of my body as my orgasm nears, and he must feel it too because he picks up the pace and pulls me down on him harder.

“Give it to me, baby… Come on, beautiful… Come for me.” And I shatter around him, completely exhausted.

He pulls me down one more time and erupts beneath me, calling out my name with his release.

***

Luke is wrapped around me in my bed, his front pressed against my back.

It’s warm and comfortable and just…

safe.

“You’ve become quite insatiable since I met you, Natalie.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I’m just using you for your body.”

“I knew it!” He tickles my ribs and I squirm in his arms, turning to face him.

“Are you going to kick my ass in the gym tomorrow?” I run my fingertip over his lower lip.

“No, I’d prefer to watch your ass.” I giggle and kiss his chin.

“You can do that anytime, you don’t need to take me to the gym to do it.”

“It’ll be fun to work out together.”

“Okay.”

“Trust me.”

“I do, implicitly.” The honesty in my voice is absolute. I do trust him, and it fills me with a warmth I’ve not felt since before my parents died.

Luke kisses my forehead and tucks me in against his chest. “Go to sleep, beautiful girl.”

Chapter Seventeen

“Wake up, baby.” Luke is brushing my hair off my face and gently kissing my forehead.

I want him to go away so I can bury myself in the covers and go back to sleep. It’s too early!

“No.”

“Come on, honey, open those pretty green eyes.”

“I don’t have to.”

He chuckles and kisses my cheek.

“Come on, morning girl, wake up. It’s time to go get me all hot and bothered at the gym.”

I roll onto my side and open one eye, peering at him uncertainly.

“You hate me.”

“No, baby, just the opposite. Come on, let’s get up.” He brushes his lips over my cheek and then my lips again and I sigh.

“Let’s stay here and get all hot and bothered, handsome.”

“Oh, no you don’t. Come on, up.” He slaps my ass and rolls away from me.

He’s already dressed!

“Oh Jesus, you’re a morning person.

This could change everything.” I sit up and stretch and eye him warily.

“Gonna dump me already?” He smiles delightedly.

“I’m thinking about it.” I rub my hands down my face and realize I smell coffee.

“Do I smell coffee?”

Luke picks a mug up off the end table and takes a sip. “I brought this up for you, but since you’re dumping me, I’ll drink it myself.”

I lunge up off the bed and dive for the mug in his hand.

“Mine!”

“Ah, ah, ah!” He holds it out of my reach. “You hurt my feelings.”

His grin betrays him, but I play along, enjoying this game. “I’m so sorry. Can I please have that coffee?”

I bite my lip and gaze up at him innocently through my eyelashes.

He purses his lips and moves his head from side to side as if considering my request.

“Well, maybe. If you kiss me.”

I pucker up and lift my face to his, planting my lips on his cheek with a loud smack.

“Now?” I ask.

“Oh, I think you can do better than that. This is really good coffee.” He takes another sip and moves quickly away from me as I lunge at him again.

Changing my tactics I slide my hand in his shorts and grip his growing erection in my hand, rubbing up and down.

“Now?”

His eyes dilate and he grins wickedly. “I do love the way you think, baby.”

He hands me the mug and I release him, walking toward the bathroom.

“Hey!”

“I’m gonna get you hot and bothered at the gym, not here.” I toss over my shoulder and shut the door behind me while Luke laughs.

“Honey,” he yells through the door, “You get me hot and bothered everywhere.”

***

Luke’s gym is small and out of the way, which shouldn’t surprise me. He’s less likely to be recognized here, and I like that it seems to be a no-nonsense kind of place, with upbeat rock pumping through the sound system, and no frills.