Hanging by a Moment (From this Moment Book 1) (8 page)

But he is long gone and we burst into laughter at the contents.
What the fuck?
Nestled inside against the soft red velvet fabric is a pair of metal handcuffs.

Looking at Jane, she wiggles her matching set at us, laughing.

And just then Travis and Luke appear in the hallway, walking toward us. They are both dressed in gym attire. The minute Travis enters the room, he starts kissing Brit and soon they forget that Luke and I are in the same room with them.

My heart beat escalates as I take in Luke’s mouth watering body. He is dressed in gray sweat pants – hanging low on his hips and a gray tank, which is dark with sweat. His hair is damp and I want to lick the drop of sweat that is rolling down the side of his jaw.
Oh God, what the hell is wrong with me?
Taking a deep breath, I look away from him.

“Ahem.”
Luke clears his throat. And automatically my eyes shoot back to his. He is staring at me like a starving man looks at his next meal.

I try to pull my eyes away but the damn traitors have a mind of their own.

Brit’s laughter breaks through and I find the strength to tear my gaze away from Luke’s amazing eyes, focusing on the other two people in the room.

Travis eyebrows shoot up excitedly at the handcuffs in Brit’s hand. “Baby, something you want to tell me?” He asks with a naughty glint in his blue eyes.

“Brad!” Brit screeches.

Luke’s eyes find the similar handcuffs in my hand. “Princess, make sure you bring those to the cottage later. I may have to
restrain
you in future.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.

Travis chuckles loudly. And I know for sure Luke has filled him in on my life’s most embarrassing episode.

Ha ha!
He clearly finds Luke’s little joke very amusing.

“Bite me!” I snap at Luke.

“I prefer if you did the biting.” He laughs, his blue eyes twinkling.

Shit!
I frown wondering if I did bite him that night in my sleep.

Almost instantly he answers me as if he read my mind. “Nope, don’t worry you didn’t bite me. But you will.
Soon.
” He winks at me.

My tongue feels like lead in my mouth. His words make my blood rush through my veins. Luke confuses me.  Sometimes he makes it seem like he is interested in me and at other times he can’t seem to stand being in the same room as me.

And at that same exact moment, Luke and I notice that Brit and Travis have stopped talking to each other and are rather quiet. A quick glance in their direction and I find two pairs of wide curious blue eyes staring at us with very a smug surprised look on each of their faces.

Brit is all bug eyed watching Luke and me with utmost interest.
I will never hear the end of this!

“Sometimes I wonder about you two... the man hater versus the ladies’ man.” Travis scratches his chin, looking confused.

Travis’s last two words has peaked my interest. What did he mean by ‘ladies man’? What is it that I don’t know about Luke? Did he leave behind some kind of reputation in his old school? Perhaps that is what he needed to get away from. So what was he like into drugs or something? Whatever it is, it is clear that Travis knows. And I know he will not breathe a word. That is one thing about Travis. He is as trust worthy as they come. Maybe I should do an internet search on Luke later. I make a mental note to myself.

“Baby, wondering about
these two
will make you turn gray.” Brit giggles. Turning to face Travis, she questions him, her voice very suggestive.
“So when are we going to use these?”
She dangles the metal handcuffs in front of him, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

“We could try handcuffing these two together.” Travis laughs.

“Fuck off.” Luke tells him playfully. “Come on Trav, you need to shower man. You are stinking up the girls’ room.”

“Let’s go wing man. Later, baby.” One loud wet kiss later before the boys leave our room.

I wait for Brit to go in the shower first before I can fire up my laptop. I lie to her telling her I need to check if my mom responded to my email. She buys my excuse leaving me alone without getting suspicious.

I take a deep breath as I type the name ‘Luke Greyson’ into the search engine and hit the enter button. I pray to God I am ready for whatever it is that I find. Within seconds the search engine brings up loads of pages detailing articles on the young Mr Greyson.

I click on the first article. It is about Luke’s scholarship at MFU. Nothing here that I do not already know.

I click on the second page. It is some society magazine article that highlights his attendance at some extravagant ball. I wonder how often he attends events like this.
And with who?
I scroll down the screen looking for the image that the page mentions. And freeze when I find it.

My heart stops beating. Cold shivers run through my body.

My eyes are fixed on the image before me. But I my eyes are not focused on Luke who is looking dashing in a three piece suit. Instead I am gaping at the young gorgeous blonde supermodel at Luke’s side. Feeling like I have just been kicked in the gut as I read, then re-read, the caption at the bottom of the image. The caption describes the beautiful supermodel as a certain Miss Jameson...
Mr Luke Greyson’s fiancée.

His what the fuck?

For a few seconds the room feels like it is spinning around me. I close my eyes and count to ten. Opening them I read the caption once more.

Fiancée?
I suck in a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

He is engaged.
Why? But he is still so young?
My subconscious collapses.

From somewhere deep in my brain a voice speaks to me – trying to make sense. Trying to reason with me this is some kind of mistake... even if it is clear here in this article.
Would an engaged man kiss me the way Luke has on two occasions... touch me like he wants me... and look at me the way he does with such hunger in his eyes? Yes, if he was unhappy.

There has got to be a mistake as I scroll down the article. This can’t be happening.

My head hurts and my chest constricts painfully. I feel as if every part of me is falling apart... like I’m breaking up into tiny fragments. As I continue reading, I’m slowly being put back together again. Like Humpty Dumpty. I find out that he became engaged to young Miss Jameson late last year but they broke up earlier this year.

Whoa!
Instant relief.

That has got to be a record for the shortest engagement. So he is not engaged. And the room stops spinning. I close my eyes and wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. My cheeks puff out as I let go of the breath I was not even aware I was holding as I open my eyes.  My subconscious is gone crazy mad happy. Clapping her hands and thanking the good Lord.

I wonder if Miss Jameson is the reason he decided to come out here to Midland Falls.
Perhaps to heal his broken heart?
Like me. Midland Falls seem to attract people like us, who need to hide away to lick our wounds.

I click on the other pages but it is just a repeat of the society magazine article or his soccer antics. Nothing else of interest. And nothing else mentioning the breakup of his engagement. I’m not concerned about the reason for calling off the engagement... I’m dizzy with happiness that he is single once again.

I shut off my laptop feeling like my insides have all been to war and back as I grab my toiletries and head off to the bathroom.

****

I’m still wondering about Luke’s relationship with Miss Jameson when Brit and I meet up with the guys for lunch. We are joined by Brad and Jane.

I don’t pay attention to much of the conversation happening around me as I go off on a head trip. I wonder if Luke has mentioned anything to Travis. Maybe that is why Travis referred to him as a ladies’ man. Travis must have been teasing Luke about him flirting with me when he has this girlfriend back in Manhattan. My subconscious whacks me over the head with her wooden spoon.
Miss Jameson is his ex-girlfriend,
she reminds me.

I am startled when I feel Luke’s warm hand on mine. His big body is leaning over the white rectangle cafeteria table, hovering over me. I blink as I look up at him.

He speaks in a hushed tone. “Penny for your thoughts?”

I shrug forcing out a smile.

He narrows his blue eyes. “What is wrong?”

I shake my head.
I just found out you were engaged and then not engaged... so excuse me if I’m appearing out of sorts.

“Did that
asshole
send you another letter?” he grates out. And I see his jaw clench.

“No.” I manage to locate my tongue.

He releases my hand and sits down in the chair opposite me.

I wonder if he and Miss Jameson have called it quits or perhaps just taking some time off. Perhaps Travis may know something. I make a mental note to ask Brit later even though my question will only reinforce her idea that I like him.

Luke is studying me with interest as he runs his fingers along his jaw line. I roll my eyes at him which only makes him smile that super sexy boyish smile of his. I melt, forgetting everything on my mind as my brain turns to mush. I am totally useless when he is near me.

Chapter Seven

“Looking hot, babe.” Travis is positively beaming as he admires Brit.

Brit and I meet the boys in the parking lot outside our dorm. She, of course, looks fabulous as usual in her coral shift dress which is short and shows off her perfect curves.  She blushes as she does her model turn for him.

I swear I see Luke’s eyeballs rolling on the curb when he catches sight of me, standing just behind Brit. Brit insisted I pair my short black skirt with the black silky halter neck top and black wedge sandals. And of course it looked beautiful together.

“
Wow!
You look beautiful, princess.” He looks appreciatively at me as his eyes rake over my body.

“Not too bad yourself.” I tell him as I take in his appearance. He is dressed in narrow black jeans with a snug white V-neck sweater making his beautifully sculptured chest and hard bulges of his biceps stand out.

Brit, Travis, Luke and I ride together in Luke’s sleek black Range Rover Sport. We find out it was a present from his parents. While some of us receive designer brands and vacations at the Hamptons and Vegas, the Greyson’s dish out fancy expensive SUVs.

He fiddles with his iPod until Lifehouse blasts through the stereo system. Instant heart failure! I am certainly Hanging by a Moment.

More than once I catch Luke’s blue eyes stealing glimpses at me from his rearview mirror as Brit plays Itsy Bitsy Spider along my bare arm. I shift nervously as I glance out the window because if I look at her, she will be mouthing something super ridiculous about Luke. Just like she did earlier, the minute we jumped into the car.

Luke was being a gentleman when he opened the door behind the driver’s seat for me to climb in and Brit could not resist the temptation to whisper to me.
“Mr Greyson will see you now.”

And a minute into our drive when I looked at her, she mentioned how ‘fuckable’ Luke looked. She is totally right about that but I kept that bit to myself. When I didn’t say anything she casually started singing Carly Rae Jepsen's I Really Like You.

And two seconds ago she whispered to me that she saw Luke checking out my legs when I climbed into the car. Not my fault he got an eyeball full of my long legs. I had no idea he drove an SUV or I would have opted for my jeans or a longer skirt. My short black skirt rode up dangerously high as I climbed in and I noticed he was smiling as he turned around to get in the driver’s seat. Now climbing out was what concerned me –
no flashing my black silk panties
.

The air in this car is highly charged... we could easily blow up in a few seconds. My eyes glance at the rearview mirror at Luke’s drop dead gorgeous face.

He is looking at me. I look away.

But I can’t help myself. My eyes shoot back up and like a magnetic force so does his for two seconds before he focuses back on the road. After several seconds he looks back at the mirror catching me staring at him.

I smile nervously. He smiles too. I’m a gooey chocolaty mess by the time we arrive at our destination.

The movies are packed with college students who are as excited as us to see the film. I thoroughly enjoyed the books, completing the trilogy in three consecutive days. But I’m not so sure about the movie.

And that has nothing to do with the story but everything to do with the delicious man at my side. Who just happens to rest his hand on my lower back as he guides me through the crowd. That one simple gesture causes my skin to break out in goose bumps and I’m sure he can feel me trembling.
Breathe, Emma. Breathe.

I have no idea how I’m going to endure the next two hours with him sharing air with me. I know I’m not interested in a serious relationship but I want to taste Luke... again. I want his hands on me. I’m going crazy here. I’m rescued from losing my mind when we meet up with an equally excited Jane and Brad. The happy doting couple all wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Halfway through the movie I realise this was a bad idea. A really bad idea!
What was I thinking?
No wait. This was not how it was supposed to turn out. I was supposed to be here, sitting next to Thomas...totally one hundred percent make-no-mistake gay Thomas.

But no! I am here seated next to the most incredibly gorgeous specimen of the human race. My heart beat is erratic. My subconscious has a plan. She wants to crawl up on him and straddle his hips while kissing him senseless as he moans handcuffed to his seat.
Oh just shut up!

I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I feel blood rushing to my already heated cheeks and my hands are clammy. Desire pools in my tummy and I clench my thighs together. I am ready to jump Luke. Again.

The Universe is playing some kind of cruel joke on me making me feel hornier when Luke leans closer to me and whispers softly into my ear. “Are you okay, princess?” His voice is husky and raw and I am relieved to know he is feeling something as well. It is dark and I can feel the change in the air. It is super charged and crackling between us.
I could blow up this very second.

I turn to face him with my well trained pageant smile plastered on my face. “Yeah.” I manage to croak out.
The hell I am!
Even my own voice betrays me. And I know he notices when he softly chuckles to himself.

****

I am really relieved when the movie is over and we are all seated at Reds.
Safe territory.
Far away from steamy movies, dark places and magnetic rearview mirrors. And Luke. Who seems distant... he has not said two words to me since we left the movies but continued to glance at me in the rearview mirror.
What’s up with that?

Reds is the usual place where most of students hang out. It is a smart establishment that combines an eating house and a nightclub. Being Saturday night, the place is crowded with students. The boys manage to grab the last available table at the back of the bar right across the huge dance floor.

Brad takes our drinks order as Brit, Jane and I hit the dance floor. I need to release some of the tension that has built up inside of me during the last two and half hours of erotic sin. We make our way towards the front, past the already crowded dance floor. We get right down to business by letting ourselves loose, dancing to the loud bone rattling music that is playing.

Our men are watching us – Brad, Travis and Luke. His eyes are glued on me and I feel like he is caressing me with them. He is still giving me the silent treatment. I don’t know what his problem is but I need to de-stress. I close my eyes and surrender to the music. My entire body is vibrating with the bass thumping electronic beat. We dance for song after song, enjoying ourselves.

By the time we get back to the table our drinks and pizza have arrived. I am feeling less tense and very thirsty. My mouth is parched and I swallow my wine in a few large gulps. In the middle of the table is a serving tray with a glass liquor bottle and six shot glasses. Brad starts to pour out the shots, handing us each a glass and now we are all having shots. I’m on my second when I feel the urge to pee so the girls and I make our way to the bathroom.

My head is starting to feel that all too familiar warm buzz from the alcohol. The drinks calm me down urging me to get back onto the dance floor. And to the hell with Luke, who still hasn’t spoken to me. I am here to have a good time, and that is exactly what I intend on doing. He can join me if he wants or he can sit there and watch me... I really don’t care. He can sulk by himself. My subconscious is back on the dance floor, twerking her ass.

I finish my business before the girls and I wait for them outside the crowded restroom. A tall good looking blonde must-be-a-surfer guy walks up to me. He wastes no time asking me to dance. I nod and let him lead me back to the dance floor.

A few minutes later Brit bumps me from the side and grins as she and Travis do their thing and heat up the dance floor.

I smile as I look at blonde surfer guy who is grinning back at me. He is very good looking, not as gorgeous as Luke, in fact quite the opposite. He is a few inches shorter than Luke, tan with blonde ruffled hair and bright blue eyes. He is muscular but not as big and solid as Luke.

As I start to move I wonder if Luke is watching me.
Is he jealous?
Will he step up and come between blonde and me?

Blonde surfer guy’s large hands grip me by my waist and he pulls me close to him rubbing his body against me. He smells good like fresh pine and I move in a little closer.

Uh oh... bad move.
One of his hands slides down to grip my behind and immediately I feel uncomfortable with his hands on my girly bits. He is dangerously too close for comfort so I pretend to be thirsty and make my way to the bar but blonde surfer guy follows me and insist on buying me a drink.

After he hands me my chilled glass of wine, I take a big sip of it. It feels cool and refreshing against my parched throat.
Thank you for the drink but now it is time for him to get lost.

Thanking surfer guy I’m about to turn away from him to make my way back to my friends. But surfer guy has other ideas. His hands grip my head pulling my face towards his as he leans in close to me.
Oh shit!

Panic sets in when I realise he is going to kiss me. I shove him back. I’m seconds away from flinging the rest of my wine on his face when a strong muscular hand grips my elbow spinning me into a familiar hard muscled chest draped in a white V-neck sweater. A minty fresh scent takes over my senses.

“Baby, what took you so long?” Luke asks as he tucks me under his arm. His tone is threatening and his blue eyes are dark and fierce as they glare at blonde surfer guy.

I wonder if he is jealous. My subconscious who has returned the dance floor, hopes so.

Blondie refuses to back down. “The lady is with me.” His bright blue eyes smile at Luke.

“Not if she’s my girl.” Luke shoots him a deadly warning look.

‘My girl,’
I swoon. I look up at him and for the first time I see something I have not seen before. His gorgeous face is a scary shade of red and he is furious.

“Sorry, I didn’t know she was with anybody.” Blonde surfer holds his hands up and looks disappointed as he stalks off to find his next victim.

Luke keeps his eyes fixed on the back of blonde surfer guy, drilling holes in his back. As if he can sense me staring he breaks his eye contact from the other guy and finally looks at me. His fury diminishes and his eyes soften immediately into beautiful pools of blue. “You okay?”

“I didn’t need rescuing.” I tell him even though I’m glad he saved me. And looked damn sexy doing so.

“Certainly didn’t look that way to me. Didn’t your mommy tell you never to accept drinks from strangers?”

I roll me eyes.
If mommy was around she might have.

“Back off, buzz kill. I’m going to dance.” I drain the rest of my wine and place my glass on the bar counter. Breaking free of his hold, I head off to the dance floor to join our friends.

Luke is not so easy to get rid off and he follows closely behind me. His warm hands grip my waist from behind, swinging me around to face him. He leans close to my ear as he speaks, making my skin tingle and my knees wobble.

“Then dance with me.” And from his tone, I know this is not a question.

As we make our way to the dance floor, the song changes. The unmistakable sounds of Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding comes through the speakers.
Oh God!
I do not think I am going to last two seconds without jumping him.

Look at you, Mr Greyson.
Luke surprises me; he is a very good dancer. Maybe Miss Jameson taught him or maybe not. His hand moves lower down my waist to rest on my hips. He pulls me closer to him as his one hand snakes around my back before turning me around so my back is pressed into his solid chest. His hands rest on my tummy and I cover his hands with my own as we sway to the music. This feels right. Not grubby like it did with blonde surfer guy.

I feel his hot breath on my neck as he lowers his head to rest his chin on my shoulder. Sweat slowly trickles down my back and I know my silky black top is stuck like a second layer of skin to my body.

His one hand on my tummy slides lower down, to the outside of my thigh, coming to rest on the skin just above my knee. And then slowly travels up my inner thigh, stopping mid way. My mouth is dry and I can feel my heart threatening to jump right out of my chest... my chest that is raining down in sweat. I close my eyes, biting on my lower lip to stifle my moan.

His touch is making my mind spin out of control. My body is aching for more than just the feel of his hands. This is more than I can take and I just want to turn around and kiss him so bad. I want his lips on me.
Now!
I mentally groan.

He reads my mind and answers my prayer.

I feel him turn his head towards the inside of my neck and his lips connect with my blazing skin below my ear. Electricity shoots up my spine.

My hand reaches out to grasp his neck pulling him closer to me and I hear him groan against me. His hand on my tummy presses me tighter into him and I feel him hard against my lower back. All earlier doubts that he is not interested in me fly out the room taking my common sense along for the ride. He is as affected by this as I am.
Happy!