Unbeautifully Loved (Breathe Again) by Emma Grayson Page B

with Mollie close behind, leaving me in the living room with Lukas.
    “Cute boy you got. Sure like’s his superheroes.” Lukas’ voice was smooth with humor.
    “Yeah, and he’s got the costumes to prove it,” I said nervously laughing pulling my hair back and tying it in a messy bun on top of my head. “Did you get to Fisher’s?” I asked curiously.
    “That’s my next stop on my way out of town,” he said crossing his arms over his chest and I couldn’t help but watch his biceps bulge through the tight sleeves of his shirt.
    Out of town?
    “Oh? You’re leaving town?” I asked, sounding a little too anxious.
    I saw his lips twitch. “Just for a few days, got some shit I need to take care of. I’ll be back by Thursday in time to get you to work.”
    “Lukas, you don’t have to rush back on my account. I’m capable of getting there on my own.” Then, just like a light bulb coming on, my eyes widened and I had an idea. “I could call and ask Danny to pick me up on his way in. I don’t think he will – ”
    “I’ll be here by three thirty.”
    “Lukas, really I’m sure it’s –”
    “Three thirty Lex.” he clipped and I knew that was the end of it.
    Stubborn, bossy ass.
    “Ok. Alright.” I sighed, deciding arguing would get me nowhere. “I should get upstairs and put Finn to bed,” I said then motioned to the stairs.
    “In a minute. Come here Lex,” he said, his voice low and deep making my heart race and palms sweat. I knew going to him would be a mistake, I could tell by the look in his eyes so I didn’t move.
    “Uh... I have to get Finn to bed,” I stammered, my voice cracking.
    “Lexie,” he growled , his grin not wavering
    The way he said my name and the grin on his face did all sorts of things to my body, but I forced myself to stay put.
    I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that wanted something to happen between Lukas and me. But I couldn’t listen to that part of me, instead I listened to the part that begged, almost in fear, to stay away and keep him at an arm’s length, because I didn’t know him enough to feel so... not in control of myself when he was around.
    A man as attractive and self-assured as Lukas couldn’t be interested in someone like me which could only mean a man like Lukas is only interested in one thing and that one thing is getting into my pants.
    Lukas’ eyes burned into me as if he had heard everything that had just went through my head. My eyes shifted away from him nervously and I crossed my arms over my chest, the part of me that wanted to move towards him and into his arms was becoming harder to ignore, like a magnet ignoring its pull.
    His expression turned unreadable, as his stare continued to burn into me, as he walked towards me. His eyes watched me expressively, as he stood in front of me, close enough I could feel the heat radiating off his body and engulfing me but not close enough for us to be touching. I watched his jaw clench and unclench few times before he spoke. “Give me your cell phone.”
    Not thinking I reached into my back pocket and pulled my phone out and placed it in his waiting hand. “What are you doing?” I asked as he swiped his thumb across the screen.
    “Programming my numbers and sending a text to mine so I have yours. If I’m not going to be back in time Thursday I’ll let you know,” he said firmly then held my phone out for me to take back.
    I nodded, slipping my phone back in my pocket. “I should get upstairs, Finn’s waiting.” I stepped to move around him when he reached out and spun me into his arms so we were chest to chest. “Lukas,” I breathed out deeply, and noticed how heavily I was breathing.
    His hand came up to my jaw, lifting it so our eyes locked.
    His heated grey eyes, so stunning they made my stomach clench and fill with butterflies.
    I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to stand on the tips of my toes, run my hand through his hair, grab ahold and crash my lips hungrily on