Hooked (18 page)

“Annie.” He raised his head enough so she could hear him. “I need you.”

He ran a wet trail up to her neck, all the way to her earlobe. He felt her pulse throb beneath his lips. Meanwhile, he was throbbing himself inside his jeans. He wasn’t going to last long. Not the first time at least. That was okay. If Annie let him, he’d spend all night making it up to her, starting now.

He rose on one knee, sad to have to break any contact with her warm, soft body. It wouldn’t be for long though. Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her down on the covers. Her chest rose and fell as he worked on the button of her jeans. He lowered the zipper and wiggled them down the curves of her hips, exposing the scrap of lace that was her panties.

Luke fought the jealous thought that some other guy may have been the one seeing this beautiful sight instead of him had his friends and mother not come up with that crazy intervention and convinced him to come back.

How he’d allowed himself to write off this part of his life, Annie being part of that life, was beyond him. But now was not the time for regrets. Now was the time to undo whatever damage he’d done between them, and most importantly, to make up for lost time.

She watched him as he kneeled on the mattress between her legs. Her chest rose with a deep, ragged breath as he slid her panties slowly down her bare skin. Then, when he lowered his head between her thighs, he watched her brow furrow in a frown as her eyelids drifted shut.

He didn’t waste any time. He used both hands and mouth. Annie might still be fighting her feelings for him—she was probably still hurt and upset—but she didn’t stop him as he plunged his tongue between her folds. She wasn’t even pretending to fight any longer when her hips rose off the bed and she cried out. She came hard and sweet against his mouth and it was nearly his undoing.

When she finally settled down, dissolving into not much more than a soft whimper delivered amidst fast breathing, Luke stood and immediately began shucking his boots and clothes.

He grabbed the condom he’d been cocky enough to stick in his pocket in anticipation of their reconciliation and crawled between Annie’s legs. He was eyelevel with her when he plunged inside her wet heat. She squeezed her eyes shut but he continued to watch her as emotions sped across her face. He watched until the pleasure of finally being surrounded by Annie once again was too much and he couldn’t keep his own eyes open. Then he did what he had wanted to do for so long. He pushed all thoughts out of his mind and simply made love to Annie.

Luke came with an intensity he hadn’t felt in a very long time. All the feelings he’d kept bottled up inside during that time he’d spent at home pretending he was okay seemed to pour out of him. He ended with an explosive shudder and then collapsed on top of Annie, only to feel her shaking beneath him.

Rising on one elbow, he looked down and found her crying. Perhaps he’d put a little too much into his passion. “Oh my God, Annie. Did I hurt you?”

Annie shook her head, but the tears kept flowing. She pushed him off and he let her. She scrambled off the bed and ran for the bathroom. Luke jumped up himself, flung the used condom in the trashcan and pulled on his underwear.

The bathroom door was closed so he had to speak through it. “Annie? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Nothing? He knew something when he saw it, and this was definitely something. Luke’s mind began to do crazy things to him. Maybe she did have a boyfriend now. He could be back home where she lived. She might have met him over the break. Luke scrubbed a hand over his face. Thinking back, he realized somewhere in there she’d said the word “don’t”, but he’d ignored it and kissed her anyway. He should have stopped.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He leaned his head against the door and spoke probably too softly for her to hear him, but it was all he could manage. Losing Annie to another man would be hard enough. Losing her after he’d made her cry—well he’d never be able to forgive himself for that, or forget her tears.

He heard the doorknob rattle and took a step back, relieved she’d at least come out so they could talk.

She’d put on a robe. It was so big and fluffy it made her seem small inside. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and hold her and make it all better.

She glanced up at him with eyes red from crying. She shook her head. “Luke, we can’t let this happen again.”

“Okay.” Defeated, Luke dropped his chin toward his chest. “I understand.”

“Do you? Do you know how it makes me feel knowing you’re cheating on Lilly with me. I was weak and stupid this time but I can’t do it again.”

He had been about to agree with her, that they couldn’t continue a physical relationship if she was involved with someone at home, when the name Lilly stood out from among the rest of what she’d said.

“Wait, what? What about Lilly?”

“I saw her in the VIP seats tonight.”

Luke nodded. “Yeah, she and Chris came to support me.”

“She came down to talk to me. Lilly said she’d be there to support you at a lot of events from now on.”

The more he thought about it, the more it started to make sense. Given the evidence, it’s no wonder Annie had made the assumption. The way Lilly had acted so possessively at the funeral. The way he’d cut off all contact with Annie while he was away. And now, tonight, seeing her there in the stands, the way she so often had been when they were dating. Then Lilly saying that she’d be attending a lot of events.

Annie had disappeared tonight and tried to avoid talking to him after the final ride because she’d thought he was back with Lilly. He could clear that up right now. “Lilly and I are not together, Annie. I swear to you on my father’s soul.”

A frown crinkled her brow. “You’re not?”

“No, not at all. Not one little bit.” A smile crossed Luke’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. Compared to the other scenario in his head where he’d lost her forever, this little misunderstanding was almost comical. This he could fix. He took a step closer to her. “I’m not going to lie to you, Lilly would like for she and I to be together. We talked and I told her it was over as far as I was concerned. We aren’t right for each other. Hell, we may never have been, I just didn’t know it at the time. But I know it now, and that’s because I’ve felt what it’s like to be with you.”

“Really?” She visibly crumbled as fresh tears started to flow.

He reached up and brushed them away. “Really. I wanted to talk to you tonight to see if you’d forgive me. I apologize for disappearing out of your life. I just…it was a really tough time for me. My dad. Retiring.”

“I understand.” She wiped her eyes and then laughed. “I thought you wanted to talk to me to break it to me you’d gotten back together with Lilly. I was hiding from you so you couldn’t tell me.”

“I’m really happy you cared whether I was back with her or not. I was a little worried that too much time had passed. Or that you’d found someone else.” He smiled, a little choked up himself.

She shook her head. “No. I wasn’t even looking.”

“Good.” Selfish as that sounded, he couldn’t stand the thought of Annie with anyone else.

“I’m sorry I cried through our…ah…reunion.” She glanced tearfully at the bed.

“Me too. It made me feel pretty shitty, making you cry during our reunion.” Luke laughed.

“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” She sniffled once but looked far happier than before, in spite of the streaks of dried tears staining her cheeks.

“I have an idea how you can.” Luke cupped her face and kissed the remnants of the tears away. He pulled her close and realized his renewed erection had made itself known through his boxer briefs. She’d have no trouble guessing what he had in mind, and hopefully she wouldn’t mind. “And I have a lot of making up to do too.”

“Lucky for us we have lots of time for all that making up.” She caught his lips for a quick kiss while pressing against him.

He pulled back enough to stare down at her. “This is much more than just sex, you know. I want more.”

“You do?” Her eyes got glassy again.

“Yeah. Way more.” Luke watched her bite her lip. “What is it?”

She shrugged. “I’m just not sure why, when you can have anyone you want, you want me.”

That shocked him. She was smart, beautiful, funny, sexy as hell. How could she not know that? He’d gladly spend whatever time it took to convince her she was too good for him.

Luke grabbed her chin in his thumb and forefinger and kissed one corner of her mouth. “It’s the coverage you put together for the station to honor my father.” He brushed the other corner of her mouth with his lips. “It’s your riding for hours and hours in that trailer with Mustang and Slade just to get to the funeral to be there for me.” He moved on to her nose and dropped a kiss on the tip. “It’s how you think I’m the best, most consistent and well-liked rider this sport has ever seen and got so angry the new girl didn’t know who I was.”

“I need to control my temper a little better I guess or I’ll be looking for a new job sooner rather than later.” Her gaze lowered.

“Don’t you dare change even one little bit. I like you just the way you are.” Luke more than liked her. He hoped she’d seen that in his eyes.

Annie wiped away new tears. “I’m sorry.”

Luke laughed. “I’d really like to make love to you, but I’m not going to do it with you still crying.”

“These are tears of happiness. They don’t count.” She dried her face with the sleeve of the robe.

“They don’t, huh?”

“Nope.” Her gaze met his. “Take me to bed, Luke Carpenter.”

“Who am I to deny a lady’s wishes?” He scooped her up in his arms, robe and all, hoping she had lots more wishes for him to fill tonight.

Chapter Sixteen

Still trying to catch her breath from the last bout with Luke, Annie turned her head on the pillow so she could see his face better. The sun filtering through the hotel room curtains lit his face enough so she could see the dark shadows beneath his eyes. They’d been up much too late last night and far too early this morning, but she couldn’t complain about the reason. She did worry he wouldn’t be well rested for his ride today though. She’d have to make sure he took a nap. Preferably in her bed so she could watch him sleep. Man, she had it bad.

“Luke? Can I ask you something?”

Next to her, and sounding as breathless as she was, Luke laughed.

“If it’s what I hope it is, then I’m sorry to inform you I’m going to need a few more minutes to recover. You could probably help things along though, if you are willing.” He waggled his eyebrows and glanced down as he made his limp cock jump.

Annie rolled her eyes. The truth was she’d gladly do that and more, but not right now. “Luke. This is a serious question.”

He grimaced and pushed himself up to lean against the headboard. “Uh oh. Serious? Okay. I’m ready. What is it?”

She readjusted her own pillows so she could sit up and talk face-to-face. “Did you refuse to do the interview with Chelsea because you and I had slept together?”

“You and I do lots of things together, Annie, but sleep has rarely been among them.”

She slapped at his arm as he grinned. He was in a hell of a mood this morning. Relaxed, playful. She supposed that’s what many, many orgasms could do to a man. To a woman too. Annie would get to enjoying her own euphoria once this one issue that had been nagging her all night was cleared up. “You know what I mean.”

Finally, Luke looked like he was ready to take her question seriously. “Annie, I refused the interview with her because you deserved it more than she did.”

“Why?”

“Why? Not because of what’s happening between us. It’s because you know me. You knew my dad. You put together that piece about him with a sensitivity that I don’t think anyone else at the network could have done. And you’re right, the damn girl knows nothing about my career.”

She nodded, satisfied. “Okay. Thank you.”

He let out a huff of breath. “Did you really think otherwise?”

“No. I guess not.”

“Good, because I wouldn’t play favorites because of this.” He glanced down at her naked body, mostly exposed by the sheet that had tangled around their feet during their last activities. With a groan, Luke ran a hand down Annie’s face, between her breasts, all the way to rest on her stomach. He laughed. “Okay, actually I might.” Annie couldn’t help but smile, then Luke became serious again. “Can I ask you a question?”

Expecting something sexual, Annie answered warily. “Okay.”

“You ever think about having kids?” Luke’s gaze traveled from where it had rested on his hand upon her stomach, up to her face.

He was serious and she was taken totally by surprise. “Um, yeah.”

“I mean, I know your career is important to you. I was just wondering if you could ever see yourself settling down to have a family.”

Wow, if he was asking if she’d settle down with him, then her answer would be a resounding yes. Of course, that would depend on her ability to talk at all. Annie swallowed hard. “Yeah. I think I can.”

Especially now with Chelsea breathing down her neck. And if Chelsea didn’t work out because the network finally figured out she didn’t have the skills, there would be another girl waiting to replace her.

“Good.” Luke’s hand remained on her stomach, which fluttered from the touch and the implications she’d been bold enough to read into his words. His eyes, however, stayed focused on her face as he let out a short laugh. “Huh. You wanna know what’s funny?”

“Yes.” At that moment, Annie wanted that more than anything else on earth.

Everything Luke said to her seemed like the most important thing on earth right now. She had a feeling this was what love felt like, but she didn’t want to even think that word yet. Not after coming off all that pain of thinking he was with Lilly.

“In all the years we dated, Lilly and I never talked about kids.”

Wow. He’d asked her and not Lilly? That knocked Annie nearly speechless as she tried to absorb the deeper meaning of that. She tried to come up with something to say. Something other than blurting out,
I want to have your babies
.

“I guess you didn’t have to ask her about if she was going to choose kids or her career since she wasn’t flying around the world for a job the way I am.”