Awakening by Olivia Hayes Page B

anything. I get it would be weird for you and I to be intimate after everything with Mark... I legitimately want to be with you though, and I was trying to be honest about my feelings."
    "It has nothing to do with Mark. You expect me to fuck you and pretend like it won't change anything."
    I was stunned by the way he twisted my words to sound so degrading.
    "You're mad because I'm suggesting sex and nothing else?"
    He was clenching his fists and spitting fire at me with his eyes.
    "Hell yes, I am!" He yelled.
    "This is ridiculous! I want you. You, Luke! It's been two years since I've wanted anyone! When I saw you the other day the connection was instant. You know what I'm talking about. It's always been there between us. And now that we finally have a chance to explore it together, you shut me down because I don't know if I want a relationship?"
    I searched his eyes for some sign that I was accurately describing the situation, but he stood there angry as ever. I blew out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, feeling deflated.
    "I just... I know I need to move on with my life, but I'm not sure how. Everything is such a mess right now and I don't know if I can handle a relationship. But believe me, if I were going to have one with anybody, it would be you. I've always wanted to be with you Luke."
    I pulled the overly large shirt over my head as I walked to the fire. It hung down to my knees, but it smelled like him. I sank to the floor in front of the fireplace, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around my shins. The rain started again , echoing my mood as I stared into the fire. I didn't hear him walk over to stand near me until he spoke.
    " It isn't that I don't want you, because I'd like nothing better than to bury myself inside you right now. But I don't want just sex Caroline. I've wanted you to be a part of my life since the first time I saw you all those years ago, and you're finally here. It would be impossible for me to sleep with you and let you walk away," he said gruffly. "I can't let you go again. I won't."
    I looked up at him, sad, aroused, hopeful. A moment later he knelt down behind me wordlessly. My senses were heightened by his proximity. I waited as long as I could for him to do something, but when nothing happened, I turned to him. Again, he said nothing, but he lifted my hand and placed it palm side down over his heart, a silent offering for me to take what I would and leave the rest intact. It was apparent that he wanted me as much as I wanted him. For once I just followed my heart.
    I slid my arms around his waist and up over the muscles in his back, pulling myself against him. I looked into his eyes, trying to convey my desire for him without words. I pressed up onto my knees and slowly touched my mouth to his. That was all the motivation he needed to take over.
    In one fluid motion he had me on my feet, pulled the borrowed t-shirt over my head and hauled me up against him once more. He kissed me like he could never get enough and I matched him as best as I could. My belly was on fire for his touch but I couldn't get close enough to him this way. Forcibly, I pushed myself away from him and pulled my sports bra over my head revealing my full breasts to his hungry eyes.
    "Beautiful," he whispered.
    In two steps his mouth was on me. His tongue was incredible , flicking over one nipple and then the other until I strained against him.
    He set me down long enough to remove my bike shorts and panties, and then sat on the loveseat and pulled me down on top of him, straddling his thighs like earlier. When did he have time to remove his shorts?
    My bare skin burned where it pressed against his chest and thighs. The thic k length of his manhood stood at attention against my exposed flesh. I was grinding against him, willing him to end my torment.
    "Luke, please."
    We were eye to eye. His lust filled emerald depths questioning me silently one last time. I answered him with a kiss and he slowly