My heart leaped in my throat and the aching I had in my chest resurfaced as my thoughts turned to Luke.
It was him. He was coming
to see me
. I had not talked to him in a week, but he was not far from my memory.
I could still feel his arms around me, his intoxicating smell,
and his lips on mine
. My lips turned up in smile, but quickly fell when the bike passed right by my office never taking a second glance, or slowing in the least. It was not Luke. I was suddenly aware that someone was standing beside me. I turned to see the sad expression on Lindsey’s face. Her apologies were apparent even without words.
“Let’s go get that drink
,” she said with a reassuring smile. I nodded. Grabbing my purse, I walked out of the office with the loud pipes of a motorcycle ringing in my ears.
The restaurant
was packed and loud. The atmosphere immediately lifted my spirits. The elderly couple in front of us at the reservation podium was turning to leave, disappointed because of the wait. “Sir, you are more than welcome to have my reservation,” I announced to the elderly man assisting his wife.
“We can sit at the bar.”
The old man smiled kindly at me. “Thank you, young lady. It’s our anniversary,” he said smiling fondly at his wife. The feeling of gratification spread through me like warm honey as I watched the couple scurry off to my table.
I noticed Lindsey giving me an odd look out of the corner of my eye and I shot her a don’t-start
-with-me look as we made our way to the bar. We sat at the bar and ordered a round of cosmos. The T.V. was tuned to a baseball game and the men around us were in joyful conversation over who would win. It was hard not to get sucked into the topic, considering we were the only two females in talking distance. My thoughts and worries of Luke were fading by the minute as the guys schooled us on baseball stats and kept the drinks coming. Laughter filled the room when we all took turns demonstrating the perfect batting stance. When my turn came, I was giggling uncontrollably, trying to look serious when I heard a whistle from behind me. I turned and saw the boyish face of Regg grinning at me.
“Regg!” I screamed throwing my arms around his neck.
“Hey, beautiful!” he said, returning my hug. I stepped back, holding him at arm’s length when my face fell. If he was here, chances were Luke was nearby.
“He’s here. I know what you are thinking
,” Regg said, winking at me. As if he heard his name, Luke appeared looking just as hot as I remembered. His ripped jeans gave me a view of his toned, tanned legs and the sleeveless t-shirt he wore under his vest made his full sleeved tattooed arms available for my eyes. My breath caught in my throat when my eyes landed on his mouth. His lips were turned up into a smile, clearly enjoying my reaction. The stubble around his mouth reminded me of the pleasure it gave me when it was on my most sensitive area.
He stepped
closer to me, returning the favor of undressing me with his eyes. I was still dressed for work in a cream colored silk blouse and black slacks. He started with my face, pausing momentarily at my cleavage that was barely visible through the opened buttons on my shirt. Then they sRedmed down my legs, all the way to my black Yves Saint Laurent pumps and back up to my eyes. I quickly regained my composure, and regarded him impassively.
“Luke, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Dallas,” he said stepping towards me and closing the distance. “You look absolutely beautiful, as always.” He leaned in, causing my breath to hitch in my throat and planted a soft, chaste kiss on my cheek.
“You must be Lindsey
,” he said, turning from me and holding his hand out for Lindsey to shake. She stood staring at him wide eyed and taking his hand in hers, finally managed to mumble something that resembled a hello. I rolled my eyes at her and turned to Luke again.
“We were just leaving
,” I said, managing to keep my voice calm and even.
“Really?”
he asked, not hiding his surprise.
“No hell y
’all weren’t. Y’all were over here flirting with these men,” Regg chimed in, grinning from ear to ear.
He really had no filter
. Before I could respond, Luke smiled warmly at me.
“Well
, who am I to interfere. I hope you ladies enjoy yourself. Ms. Lindsey it was a pleasure to meet you.” And with that, he turned and walked away. My eyes followed him all the way to the door. “Oh and by the way, Dallas,” he said, turning to walk backwards so he was facing me, “Stay away from them cowboys.” He shot me a wink and a boyish smile that left me reeling.
“So that’s Luke?” Lindsey asked me, pulling from my dreamy gaze.
“In the flesh,” I responded, holding up my empty glass to the bartender. “Let’s get shitty, Lindsey.”
“Yes!”
It was
midnight when we finally made our way to the parking lot. I held my keys up, pushing the alarm button to remind my cloudy mind where we were parked. We were drunk and giddy as we followed the sound of the horn blaring. Not sure of where it came from, but we were singing loudly tunes from the musical “The Sound of Music,” filling in words we didn’t know with “la- la- la- la.” Our laughter ceased when our eyes came to focus on the two motorcycles sitting next to my car. Regg and a man I didn’t recognize were laughing and shaking their heads at us.
“Did y’a
ll have a good time?” Regg asked, through his laughter.
“Yesssirr
,” I slurred, with a solute.
“Damn. How about we give y’a
ll a ride home.” Regg said. It was a demand, not a question.
Shit. Are all bikers like this?
“Nah, we’re good
,” I responded, swaying slightly.
“
Here,” Regg handed me a helmet and took my purse and keys from me before I could respond. The other guy followed suit, taking Lindsey’s purse and handing her a helmet. I started to protest, when Lindsey planted a finger on my lips and shook her head. “He’s cute,” she said, giggling and nodding her head toward the guy with PROSPECT stitched on his vest. I decided not to argue. I owed it to Lindsey- although I was a little displeased that it was Regg I would be riding with and not Luke.
The thought of
Red came to my mind and I quickly ignored it. Maybe she wouldn’t find out. Maybe she knows? Oh well, who gives a shit. I clambered onto the motorcycle, with the assistance of Regg. He grabbed my leg and pulled my foot onto his lap. With a disapproving look, he grabbed first one and then the other heel and handed them to PROSPECT. He dutifully took them and repeated the same process with Lindsey who was smiling ear to ear, and put them in his saddle bag.
I wink
ed at Lindsey and held tight to Regg as he fired up the motorcycle and sped out of the parking lot. I couldn’t help the feel of exhilaration I got. I should have been drunk when I rode with Luke. I laughed in Regg’s ear and he shook his head in response. We headed east on Hardy street and I wondered where he was taking us. I didn’t ask I just enjoyed the ride. A small part of me was hoping that wherever we went Luke would be there. The wind in my hair felt amazing. My arms were wrapped tightly around Regg. A twinge of nervousness surfaced when we took a sharp turn to the right, but I closed my eyes and quickly put it at the back of my mind. He pulled up into the parking lot of a hotel. One of the nicest hotels in Hattiesburg, I noted, and parked at the front entrance. Helping me off, he handed me my things and placed his hand on my back, leading me into the hotel. I looked back to see Lindsey wrapping her arm around PROSPECT, but he seemed oblivious to her.
“Reservation for Reggie Jones
,” Regg announced to the attendant.
“ID Mr. Jones?” Regg present
ed his ID and we were soon being escorted to the elevator. My feet hurt, my head hurt, and I was on the verge passing out. Lindsey seemed to be in no better shape. We walked down the hall of the hotel and Regg opened the door to a suite. He ushered us in and handed me the key.
“Do not leave. Someone will be here in the morning to take you to your car. Understand?” Fun Regg
was gone and in his place was stern, demanding, no-nonsense- biker, Regg. I nodded my head in agreement, not wanting to argue only sleep. “You have Luke’s number. Call if you need anything.” With that, Regg and the PROSPECT turn and leave. I collapsed on the bed and was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
I woke the next morning with a start. As I sat straight up in the bed, I took note that I was fully dressed and smelled of booze. My hair was a tangled mess and it took me a moment to remember the previous night. I looked around the large spacious room. The balcony doors leading outside were open and a cool breeze was blowing in despite the hot weather we usually had for September. I heard the shower running, and not seeing Lindsey, assumed it was her. A light rap sounded at the door and I scrambled out of bed to see who it was. I opened the door to find an older gentleman delivering room service.
“Miss Knox?” he asks kindly.
“Yes, I am Miss Knox.”
“Mr. Jones had this sent up for you.” I opened the door wider to allow the man to come inside. With him was a cart covered in silver platters along with a pitcher of orange juice, water, and coffee.
“Thank you so much
,” I said graciously, fishing a twenty out of my purse. He nodded in response and left, closing the door behind him. I uncovered the platters to find a little of everything-sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, pancakes, fresh fruit, bagels…
Regg had gone all out
. Lindsey emerged from the bathroom dressed in a robe with her wet hair piled high on her head.
“Mmmm
, something smells delicious. Did you order this?” she asked, grabbing a piece of sausage and greedily taking a bite.
“No, apparently Mr. Jones had this sent up to us
,” I said mockingly.
“Well thank God, I am starving
.” I shook my head at her and made my way to the bathroom. My appearance reflected the way I felt this morning.
Shitty.
I decided on a hot shower to help clear my head. As the hot water cascaded over my body, I let the memories of last night come back to haunt me. Luke had sent Regg and PROSPECT to check on me.
I knew it
.
Why could he not have come himself? Why did he
even care?
I was pissed that he sent Regg. I was pissed that he felt the need to control me. I was pissed that I was in this hotel. But, I was mostly pissed at myself
. My body and heart were betraying me. My nerves sung out with the hopeful promise to feel his touch again and my treacherous heart fluttered at just the thought of talking to him today. Even his voice possessed me. Without him even being here I felt his presence, because I knew deep down that he was responsible for me being here.
My strong will and never bending pride took over as a sense of pure rage engulfed me. Who in the hell did he think he was? I pushed aside the feeling of elation I got when my mind was made up that I would call him.
Negative attention was just as good as anything. Maybe if I made him mad enough, he would show up just to reprimand me. The thought of him doing something crude to me as punishment sent chills down my body, causing me to shudder.
Ugh. Snap out of it Dallas
. I quickly shut the water off and stepped out of the shower, adamant to not let my carnal instincts take over and stick to my guns. Luke was wrong for what he did. In no way do I belong to him nor does he have any right to treat me as though I do. Determined to end this debacle once and for all, I towel dried my hair, put on a robe, and headed out of the bathroom to grab my phone. Of course, my plan fell through when my eyes met those ocean blue ones across the room.
Luke was here
. Relief flooded through me as an overwhelming sensation to jump in his arms took over. Somehow or another, I managed to keep my composure, and straightening my shoulders, I glared at him with my mastered impassive face. He was no fool, he could see right through me and I knew it. An arrogant smile spread across his face as he lifted his hands in the air as if to surrender.
“I just brought your car back babe. That’s all.” His grin was that of a
Cheshire cat and I wanted nothing more than to slap the taste out of his mouth. His smugness was just what I needed to keep my feelings for him at bay.
“Oh
no, that most definitely is not all,” I said smoothly. Grabbing myself a cup of coffee, I took my time enjoying the look of shock that passed over his face. “I need to make a few things clear to you. I am not your fucking pet. I don’t belong to you nor do I need you looking out for me. I have been told by more than one person that there are plenty of women just lining up to be dominated by you. I am clearly not one of those women, so do yourself a favor and leave me the hell alone.” There. That told him.
My cold hard stare
bore deep into his eyes and his reflecting look was just the same. My eyes faltered momentarily, grazing over his body. He was so fucking beautiful. He stood staring at me with his arms crossed, giving me a full view of his taunt, hard muscles. I wanted those arms around me. His legs were slightly apart from one another giving his stance that of power. The look he bore into me was filled with such malice that I wanted to look away, avert my eyes to anything but him. I stood my ground, but the one second I lost my composure did not go unnoticed. He knew I was bluffing. I could tell by the way his face softened and went from that of stone to skepticism. He sauntered toward me, removing the coffee from my hand and placing it on the dresser. Somewhere in my brain I registered the sound of the door closing and knew that Lindsey had stepped out leaving me alone with him. My breath quickened. My heart nearly beat out of my chest and I felt dizzy from his intoxicating smell. He leaned in planting a soft kiss on my neck.