You'll Think of Me (42 page)

“Tell me, Livy. You want me? Right here, right now? More than anyone else?”

“You know I do.”

“Do I? Show me. Better yet, tell me what you want. It’s been so long that I think you should remind me. Do you want it hard? Or do you want it soft? Or how about long hard strokes real slow? In the shower? Or on the couch? How about I just bend you over and I take you like that? I’m going to say any one of those would work, right?” His voice was rough as he spoke, like sandpaper. His piercing eyes covered every inch of her body.

Olivia whimpered as he carried her back to bed. Luke was just as affected by this sudden change as she was, and yet he was the stronger of the two as he held back. “Stop playing with me, Luke. I can’t take much more.”

“I want you bad, Care Bear, so bad it hurts,” he whispered.

“So have me. I’m yours.”

“Are you? Are you truly all mine?”

Olivia nodded her head and unzipped his jeans. “I. Am. Yours.”

His cock free and she gripped his thick length with her palm. Her hand glided over the small amount of moisture he released and she used it to stroke him with a twist of her wrist. His hips surged toward her and he nearly collapsed from the sensation. He slid down her body, her knees going to the sides of her chest as the cool air shocked her wet heat. Olivia was at her breaking point and needed release so bad. She watched as Luke’s eyes grew in size, licking his lips with his tongue. His hands were roughly sliding up and down the inside of her legs as he rose up on his knees.

Olivia reached for him. “Come to me.”

“I plan to come,” he said with a grin. “But you first.”

Quickly, Luke reached into the drawer next to his bed and grabbed a condom. Rolling it on, he palmed his cock and poised it at her entrance. He inched his way in then drove inside, his head flying back in pleasure so hard veins popped from his neck. Warmth seeped through their blood, igniting the fire between them.

“I won’t be able to last, Livy. It’s been too long.”

“Don’t care. Just as long as you make love to me however you like.”

Luke grinned, his face lighting up with the challenge as he slowed down and began to make long, deep strokes inside of her. He was going to give his whiskey girl everything she wanted.

“Yes…” she cried out. “Keep going.”

“You mine?”

“You know it.”

“No one else’s? Say it. I need to hear it over and over.” He continued his deep strokes, each one hitting the back of her, hitting that sweet place that was just about to take her over the edge.

Olivia grabbed his face with her hands and brought it to hers. Looking straight into Luke’s eyes, she answered between pants, “I’m only yours, yours forever.”

“Thank fuck,” he ground out.

His strokes picked up speed, their breathing accelerated, nearly breathless as they locked eyes. She felt herself pulse around his cock as an intense orgasm ripped through her body.

“Oh god, don’t stop,” she begged.

“Wasn’t planning on it, baby.”

Luke drove in harder, and he moaned into her mouth when her hips met his. Well, if that wasn’t the hottest thing she’d ever experienced. She did it again and in return Luke pushed harder into her, not only hitting that delicious spot deep inside of her, but her clit at the same time causing her sex to ache for more. Her body trembled from the sensations running underneath her skin, igniting her blood and making her pulse soar.

Weaving his fingers through Olivia’s hair, he held on as she took every inch of him. They came together in a wave of delicious rapture that they didn’t want to end. They both gasped when they reached the pinnacle, ecstasy gripping each other forcefully, and holding on for dear life.

Him.

Her.

Together, as they breathed each other’s names in blissful harmony.

Still deep inside her, Olivia whispered against Luke’s lips, “I missed you so much.”

Olivia wanted to wake to Luke holding her in his strong arms. She wanted to feel his body wrapped around hers more than anything tonight, holding her tight and making her feel like everything was how it should be.

“It’s with you,” she said, curled up against him. “I was trying to find my way in this crazy hectic world we live in, and I finally did.”

“You did?”

“I did.” She shrugged. “I just took a little…scenic detour,” she laughed, “but I finally got there.”

Luke held Olivia tightly, savoring the moment he never wanted to forget.

“And where is there?”

“Georgia. With you. Where I was supposed to be all along.”

“Didn’t I tell you you’d be back? That this place is in your bones, baby?” He nibbled on her lips.

Olivia breathed out a smile. While the beauty of the south was deep-rooted inside of her all along, so was Luke. He always had been.

So she said the one thing Luke had said to her years ago. “Take me or leave me.”

Luke pushed her mouth with a flick of his jaw, demanding she open up. And when she did, he glided his tongue between her lips, wrapped around it and cocooned her kiss slowly and methodically with everything in him, proving how much he loved her.

But he didn’t need to. She already knew.

seven months later

Luke

L
ong strides take me down the back corridor, rounding corners and passing various doors. Security has boxed me in, along with my manager and entourage of people to prep me, bumping into me as I walk. I can’t tell if it’s cold or hot, as my mind is only on one thing as I make my way down the hallway. I still don’t understand why I can’t just slap on my hat and a pair of shades to take the stage, why people need to style my hair and paint my face full of crap. But I don’t argue. I get to do what I want every night with my girl, and that’s all that matters. If she’s happy, then so am I.

My mom will be on continual treatment for the rest of her life for relapse-remitting MS. It was hard to deal with at first, especially putting a title on the stage of MS she has. Having Livy by my side helped me come to terms with it and understand that she can still live a full, healthy life. I’m a mama’s boy at heart and not afraid to say it. So when I found out about her disease and different stages and treatment, I broke down.

Aside from that, life couldn’t be better.

Tonight is like any other night on the road, but it’s not. Goosebumps coat my skin just thinking about it, how I’ve fantasized about this night for many years. Only a few more feet and I reach the side of the stage. Ear phones in, shades on and the lights go down. The stadium is bound by darkness, the air thick with excitement.

The countdown begins.

10…

Adrenaline is pumping at a hefty speed. The rush of blood streaming through my veins is a high that is indescribable, but better than any drug out there. I shake my arms and legs out and do a few jumps to loosen myself up. My neck pops loudly as my joints release fluid from the cracking.

9…

The roar of the crowd as I take the stairs two at a time only grows louder. They know what’s coming. They can feel it. The guitar is strapped to my back, the leather band digging into the skin of my shoulder from its weight as I fist the neck of it. The tips of my fingers slide along the steel cords, and I feel my body humming to life.

8…

The darkness surrounds me as I take twelve long strides and I hit center stage. Time is beginning to slow down as everything falls into place. I want this. I need it to move faster so it can make me fly like it always does.

7…

My chest is pumping harder than ever before. I’ve done this routine a million times now, but this time is different. I’ve never allowed her to come to a show before. It’s the one place where I can drown only in my music and forget the world. Now I’ll be breathing under water to the beat of her next to me and still be flying high.

6…

She begged, and I said no. Pleaded, and I still said no.

5…

The nerve endings in my fingers twitch and play the notes on my guitar without making a sound. My knee starts bobbing.

4…

Floor level can see a shadow on the stage, but no one else. I take my stance and drop my chin to my chest. They’re screaming my name as I grip the lip of my hat and slide it way down low.

3…

Wait. For. It.

2…

A faint chord rings almost silently through the air letting me know we’re about to play. I start a new count in my head. 3...2…

1…

The first chord ripples through the air and all hell breaks loose. The lights go up and the band plays the first note. The crowd is growing larger as the stadium lights up, the roar at its highest. I step into the one place that has always been my comfort zone.

“This one goes out to my whiskey girl…” I fling my pick across the strings and let it rip, letting Livy hear a song solely meant for her. I know she’s watching from the side of the stage, I can feel her gaze on me. Turning my head, our eyes lock and I blow her a kiss. The crowd roars even louder and she blushes. The smile that glides across her face puts everything into perspective for me. Why I do what I do. And why things happen for a reason.

Damn, I love that girl. And I’m never letting her go again.

My Goodness, what a journey this has been. There were quite a few people involved in the creation of this story. Without them, the book would not have been possible. Each one played a monumental part. I know I will forget to mention someone, but it’s not intentional. I am really thankful for every single person who helped me bring this novel to fruition.

My husband-
The ungodly amount of hours I spent on the computer was a bit disturbing, but you never, not once, complained. Some days I noticed it in your eyes, but you never said a word. I can’t thank you enough for that alone. And when I stressed out trying to make the final changes with the kids around? You swooped in and took over. Having a supportive husband is the key to it all, and I’m one lucky chick. I love you! And to my wild and crazy boys who drive me insane everyday- I love you more than you’ll ever know. I know you’re probably never going to ever read this, but you two are my inspiration and make me want to be all that I can be for you guys.
Dad-
Thank you for believing in me, for your stories on how you got your business started, and giving me the inspiration to keep trekking ahead. I knew you would support me in anything I did, but the way you were with me with my writing really moved me. Thank you so much!

Nadine Winningham.
You’re a woman of many roles. I often wonder if it wasn’t for you, would I have completed this book? There are not enough words in the dictionary for me to express how much I appreciate you. From cheering me on, asking to read everything I wrote, your surprise promo pictures…everything you did made a difference. You’re my biggest cheerleader and have supported me from the beginning through all my crazy changes and ideas. You held my hand when I panicked, and gave me motivation when I needed it the most. Thank you for remembering the scenes I forgot, sending me links, highlighting the funny typos I made and making me laugh. Most of all, your friendship means the world to me. I give you two nipples up!

Rachel-
Girl, there are no words.
I don’t know who read my book more- you or Nadine. Each time I had a question, you were there. Thank you for critiquing my work early on, but more importantly, being my friend. Let’s be real, my book was a disastrous mess when you got your hands on it. But you never gave up on me and suffered chapter by chapter giving me such in depth feedback for each chapter as the book progressed. I can’t thank you enough for all of your help.