Loose Ends (Magnolia Series Book 1) (15 page)

Ava slid her hands down and placed them on top of his; his fingers trembling just as hers were. How empowering was it to know a man like Luke was hanging onto his control by a hair? In her mind, it was the most powerful feeling she’d ever known so she took advantage of it. Bracing her hands steadier on his, Ava began to rock back and forth, feeling the sublime friction of his skin on hers. With each motion the sensations amplified and their breathing echoed in the tepid night air. Luke dug his fingers deeper into her flesh and pumped his hips upward, finding a brand new spot that caused Ava to arch her spine and throw her head backwards. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders and tickled her skin each time she swayed back and forth over his erection.

“You’re what fantasies are made of,” Luke’s voice was strained; something she understood very well. If she’d even tried speaking right now, she’d come across sounding like one of the tree frogs chirping above them. “I want to see you come like this. Can you come for me?” Ava could only straighten her neck and nod. “Good. Ride my cock; come all over me.”

She began to ride him faster, her movements becoming uneven. Luke held tighter, keeping her steady. “So close,” she whispered, hoping he would hear her.

“That’s it. Do it. Come, sweetheart,” he crooned until she rocked enough that the beginning flutters of her release overtook her.

Once more her head lulled back and cries of unadulterated pleasure spilled from her lips. Luke helped her keep her rhythm as the sounds of their coupling filled the expanse of space around them. She heard his breathing change as her pussy pulsed around him. The thought of him emptying himself inside her with no barrier heightened the sensations and she knew another orgasm was on the horizon.

“Tell me now if you don’t want me to come in that sweet little body of yours, Ava,” he grunted.

“Come inside me,” she cried.

“One last chance.” He was holding back to make sure she was okay with what they were doing.

“Fucking come inside me!” Ava’s voice was demanding and she wasn’t going to apologize for it.

“Fuck, yeah. I’m gonna fill that tight little pussy up. You ready?” Ava frantically nodded as her second orgasm ripped through her. Luke shouted as his release tore through him while Ava let out a keening wail. If someone heard them, they’d think they were in some sort of pain. On the contrary. They were in the throes of the most heavenly moment either of them had ever felt. As Luke’s hips thrust upward, Ava could feel the warmth of him spilling into her depths. It was the most intimate she’d ever felt with anyone; it both scared and exhilarated her. She wondered if Luke had ever done that with anyone else.

After she was spent she collapsed forward onto Luke’s chest. His ribcage moved her up and down as he worked to get normalize his breathing. He stroked her sweat-dotted back as she lay there, not knowing what to say. The only sounds besides their breaths were the chirping of crickets and the noisy tree frog above them. She’d expected Luke to say something other than, “I’ve never done that before.” He sounded hesitant to share his
revelation.

Ava lifted up and tucked her hair behind her ears. She reached out and stroked his jaw, the stubble from his five o’clock shadow pricking her palm. “I haven’t either,” she admitted.

“Damn, you’re so amazing.” He pulled her back down and sealed his lips to hers. It was as if he were trying to tell her something in his kiss that he couldn’t relay with words alone. She didn’t question it, only soaked in the sensations like a sponge.

This thing between them wasn’t long-term and she was fully aware of that fact. There was nothing written in stone that they’d even be together next week. So Ava reveled in being with him tonight. She would take what she could get because no promises were made. Promises were something she wasn’t even sure she wanted. Most of the time they only led to heartbreak and pain. She’d had enough pain to last her a lifetime. If anything, she’d keep her heart locked away for safe-keeping and pretend this thing between her and Luke was still only a passing fancy.

Chapte
r
Twelv
e

After their voracious
session of what Luke could only describe as the best sex of his life, he held Ava against his chest and listened to her soft breathing. He shouldn’t have taken things this far. He should’ve backed off after the fight they’d had the night before and threw in the towel. But knowing he still had a job to do weighed heavy on his mind. Not to mention, Matthews showing up was a reminder that this was all going to end eventually. The best bet was to keep up this charade and walk away when everything was said and done. Ava understood; she’d said so when they spoke about this thing between them. So Luke wasn’t sure why he was kicking his own ass over
everything.

“Don’t fall asleep.” Luke chuckled as he stroked Ava’s naked back.

“But you’re so comfy.” she yawned and tried to lift up.

“I didn’t say you had to move.” Luke pulled her back down, her lace-clad breasts pressing against his chest.

It was strange how perfectly she fit next to him. Where he was hard muscle and masculine, she was soft and lush, and oh so feminine. She held herself with a tough exterior but Luke could see she was like a marshmallow on the inside. He wasn’t like that. Emotions for him were something of myth. When you showed people your emotions, they used them against you. They’d chew you up and spit you out like you were just another disposable scrap of garbage in this shit-laden world.

“Are we staying out here all night?” Ava asked as she lifted her head. Even in the silver moon’s glow she looked like an ethereal creature—a mirage. Maybe this
wasn’t
reality. He might wake up tomorrow and find there really was no Ava. That thought caused his heartrate to increase and anger to simmer beneath the surface.

“Only if you want to.”

“I think I need a shower.” She rolled her body off his and began to stand. “Are you coming in?” Her petite hand extended down in offering to him.

“Yeah.” He stood as well in all his nude glory. They began to pick up their discarded clothing, but a sound compelled him to stop and listen closer. “Ava, come here.
Now
.” He suddenly felt the urge to protect her. They weren’t alone; that much he could gather.

“What’s wrong?” Her face showed signs of concern but he didn’t want to spook her. Even though she was worried, she did what he said and drew closer to him. Luke didn’t say anything as he continued to take in the sounds around them. “Luke, what’s happening?” she whispered. 

“I need you to be quiet.” The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood to attention, alerting him that something was off. He quickly and quietly shrugged on his jeans while listening.

“Hey, man, it’s just me.” Luke’s shoulders relaxed at the sound of Cole’s voice. The fucker picked the most inopportune time to stop by for a chat. “Did I interrupt something?” The other man approached and Luke could finally make out his form in the dim outdoor lighting.

Luke pushed Ava behind him to shield her mostly naked body from the other man. “Don’t come any closer,” he called. He then reached down and grabbed Ava’s clothing, handing them to her. “Get dressed,” his voice came out clipped as he shoved the garments into her hands. He used his body to buffer her while she hurriedly pulled on her pants and shirt so the other man didn’t have the chance to lay his eyes on her.

When she was fully clothed, Ava looked up at him. “Who is that?” She nervously tucked her hair behind her ears and began to chew on her thumb again.

Luke grabbed her hand and removed her finger from her mouth then kissed her forehead in a reassuring gesture. “Just a friend. No need to worry.”

“Just a friend?” Cole came closer and laughed. “I’d say I’m a little more than that, wouldn’t you agree, Daughtry?”

Luke faced him and gave him the best “shut-the-fuckup” glare he could manage. He needed to think of something to say so Ava wouldn’t be suspicious of him or Cole. “He’s my cousin,” Luke blurted out with confidence.

“That’s right, cousins.” The other man backed up his story, for which he was grateful.

Ava—being the friendly person she was—stepped around Luke and approached the other man with her hand extended. “I’m Ava, Luke’s…friend.”

Cole grasped her hand and gave it a quick shake. “Cole Matthews,” he introduced himself as well.

“Nice to meet you, Cole. Luke didn’t tell me he had family still around.” Ava looked back to Luke.

“I’m not from around here. Just passing through while on a job.”

“Oh? What sort of work are you in?” Luke admired Ava’s conversation abilities but he wanted this particular one to end.

“I’m in the cleanup business. When people make big messes, I’m contracted to come in and clean them up.” Luke shook his head at Cole’s response. Funny thing was he wasn’t too far off the mark with his answer.

“So like big corporations?”
Damn
she kept on prodding for answers. Luke felt unease settle in his gut.

“Pretty much.” Good, Cole kept up the ruse. “Would you mind if I steal Luke for a bit? I have a business proposition he might be interested in.”

“Yeah, sure. I’m going to go take a shower.” Luke watched as Ava bent over to pick up her shoes. He also took in the fact that Cole eyes were centered right on her ass. That right there made him want to walk over and kick his ‘
cousin’
in the dick. Ava of course was oblivious to it all.

“Towels are in the linen closet in the bathroom. Feel free to use my stuff.” Just to show Cole he wasn’t playing around, Luke pulled her in for a tight hug before she headed up to the house. When she was inside and the door shut behind her, Luke switched to business mode. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk. I don’t want to chance her coming out and overhearing us.” He yanked on his socks and shoes.

Luke decided the gazebo was the best option for a night chat. It was far enough away from the house, but close enough he could see if Ava was coming back outside. He grabbed one of the wrought iron patio chairs, flipped it around and sat with his chest to the back of the chair. Cole did the same as he looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone.

“What the fuck are you doing here tonight?” Luke didn’t feel like beating around the bush. He wanted to know why the hell Cole wasn’t staying away like he was supposed to.

“Checking up on you. Have they called you recently?”

“Not for a few days.” Luke ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. “I told you I’d handle this, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did. But I ran into an issue. The hotels in the area are booked due to some festival. I need a place to stay while I’m here.”

“Hell, no. You can’t stay here.” Luke shook his head.

“You know damn well they want me to stay close.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck what they want. The answer is no.” Luke stood his ground.

“Fine. Guess I’ll report back about you two then.” Cole shrugged and pinned Luke with a stare.

“You’ve got be kidding me. You’re gonna pull some grade school tattle-tale shit because I won’t let you stay here?” A laugh blurted out before he could control it.

“You know damn well you’re breaking the rules, Daughtry. They will come down on you so fucking hard you won’t even remember your name.”

“What the hell do you expect me to do?”

“Stop sticking your dick in her and do your fucking job.” Cole’s voice rose a bit more.

“I don’t know if I can do this job anymore,” Luke sighed in resignation.

“You don’t have a choice. You walk away now this whole thing blows up bigger than shit. You know it and I know it. They aren’t messing around this time.”

“Fuck.”

“I just have one question for you and I want total disclosure.”

“Yeah?” Luke didn’t know what Cole wanted to ask but he braced himself for the worst case scenario.

“Are you in love with her?”

“Fuck no!” he answered instantly. “Jesus, I don’t do that shit. Love is a word used by delusional people to explain their raging hormones.”

“Okay. I just wanted to know.”

“I’m trying to stay close to her. If that means I have to fuck her to complete this job, then so be it.”

“Not really a hardship, I’d imagine. That girl is something else.” Cole whistled.

“I suggest you back the hell off before I come over there and knock your pearly whites down your throat,” Luke warned.

Cole threw his hands up in a sign of surrender. “Hey, man, I get it. You’re marking your territory. I promise to stay out of your way as much as possible. Which room do you want me in?” Cole stood and stretched his back, the sound of his spine realigning echoed in the gazebo.

Luke didn’t respond; he only began the short walk to the house. Damn it, this was a complication he didn’t need right now. But Cole was right, if they found out what he’d been doing with Ava, this would turn from a controlled situation to complete chaos in no time. Now he had to deal with keeping track of her
and
Cole. What a way to end what
had been
shaping up to be a fun-filled night with Ava in his bed.

***

“Hey, I was beginning to think you weren’t coming back in,” Ava said to Luke as he came into his bedroom and sat down on the end of the antique bed. The frame creaked with the weight of his body.

“Cole’s staying here while he’s in town.” Ava noticed an irritated quality to his voice.

“Okay. I can leave in the morning.” She didn’t want to leave, but if he wanted her to go while his cousin was in town, far be it from her to stand in the way of family time.

“You’re not going anywhere. I wanted to warn you, that’s all.” Luke stood from the bed where he’d been removing his shoes and disappeared into the in-suite bathroom.

She sat there trying to come up with reasons why he’d ‘warn’ her about Cole staying. The only thing she could come up with was the obvious so she stood from her comfy spot and found him brushing his teeth at the sink. “Is he some kind of ladies’ man? If so, don’t worry, I don’t have any interest in him.” She wanted to make sure Luke knew she wouldn’t be jumping on the Cole wagon anytime soon.

Luke spit out the toothpaste in his mouth and rinsed with a handful of water. He dried his face with the towel from the rack nearby and turned to her, “I didn’t mean you would want to jump his bones, Ava.” He added a small laugh.

“Then why would you warn me?” She went back into the bedroom and sat in the center of his large bed.

“He’s nosy. Asks a lot of questions. Didn’t figure you’d want to be caught with your pants down, so-to-speak.”

“Thank you for looking out for me but there’s only one person here who I want to have my pants down around.” She punctuated her comment with a sweet smile hoping he got the hint. It wasn’t a usual thing for her to be so hungry for someone, especially when she’d had a huge helping of him not even an hour ago on the lawn. Heck, even the thought of what they’d done sent shivers racking her body.

Luke stripped down to his underwear and climbed on the bed in front of her. For a few brief moments all he did was stare at her. He didn’t make a move to touch her and she wondered if something was wrong. “Everything okay?” She pulled her hand up to chew on her nail.

Luke reached forward, stopping her before she had a chance to bite down on her own finger. “I just want to look at you for a minute.”

“Ah, maybe you’ll have to pick me out of a lineup one day and you’re committing me to memory just in case?” She certainly hoped that wasn’t true.

“No, I can’t get over how damn beautiful you are.” Every word he spoke had such sincerity behind it. It wasn’t forced and it didn’t feel like he was slathering on a thick layer of bullshit just to appease her. He was being one hundred percent real.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” She chuckled, reaching out to cup his stubble-laden cheek in her soft palm.

His head tilted to the side molding into her hand like it was meant to be there. Warm breaths tickled her wrist as he did nothing but look directly into her eyes. What he was seeing, she’d never know. “Come here.” He reached out and pulled her into his lap. Her legs stretched out beside him, her front connecting with his. “Are you okay?” His question threw her.

“What do you mean?”