Was he afraid to look at me?
Answering my unspoken question he said, "I promised not to make you feel uncomfortable, and I won't. I have seen many beautiful women, but you Miss Dallas, are perfect and I'll be damned if I let my eyes wander over something I can't have- at least not tonight." The sincerity of his gaze had me hanging my mouth open like an idiot.
Why not tonight? There would not be a tomorrow. Would there?
"Wh
at's wrong with tonight?" I asked, kicking myself for opening my big fat mouth. I could really ruin a moment.
"How about you get a bath
?" Without another word, he leaned over, shut off the water, and helped me step in. I let out a sigh as I sank down in the hot water. It was perfect. The bathtub was actually a Jacuzzi tub. The small pillow at the back fit perfectly under my head as I stretched my legs out and let the jets massage my body. The water was perfumed with pomegranate and the sides of the tub were lined with many different shampoos and body washes.
"It's nice to see someone enjoying that tub." His voice broke through my cloudy thoughts.
How had I forgotten he was even there?
"I hardly ever have time to use it. Let me know when you are finished and I'll help you get out." With that, he left.
How strange. I thought he would join me.
Too tired to think, I washed my hair, wincing when my fingers glided over the sore spot on the back of my head. I took the wash cloth that was folded neatly on the side of the tub and washed my body noticing for the first time my bruised ass and elbows. The excitement of the night had helped me to not notice
, but as the adrenaline was wearing off, I was becoming aware of the pain my body was in. I didn't realize how bad of a fall I had taken. I leaned back into the water letting the sound of the jets soothe me.
"You are gonna be mighty wrinkly if you sleep in that bathtub all night."
I jumped at the sound of Luke’s
voice. "I must have fallen asleep," I replied, shivering from the water that was now cool.
He chuckled, "
Here I warmed you a towel in the dryer. I figured you would be cold by now, but I didn't want to disturb you."
Was this guy for real?
"Thanks." I seemed to be saying that a lot tonight. He grabbed my hand to help me up and pain shot all the way down to my toes. My head was throbbing and my ass felt like someone had
beaten me with a crowbar.
"Steady babe. Are you ok?"
he asked with concern on his face.
"I
t if I put any weight on my left leg," I said holding onto his hands for balance. "I think I bruised my tail bone when I fell." Without any further question, he scooped me into his arms, soaking wet, and carried me into the bedroom. Setting me on the bed, he quickly went back to the bathroom to retrieve the towels. He covered me with one towel and gently began patting my hair dry with the other.
I'm a strong person. I can tolerate pain and I hate to show any sign of weakness. I had already allowed this man to carry me everywhere, undress me, put me in the bathtub
, and wait on me hand and foot. I'm not sure why I decided to break down at that moment. Maybe it was the enormity of everything that had happened today. Maybe it was the loneliness I had felt for so long. Maybe it was the sexual craving that I had earlier that had now turned into a yearning for intimacy. Whatever it was caused me to start crying, which soon turned into sobbing.
"Shh
, Baby. It’s ok. Look at me." I raised my head to find him eye level with me with concern etched all over his face. "You are safe. I am not gonna let anyone hurt you or anything happen to you. I'm gonna dry you off now, put you in some of my clothes and put you to bed. You will feel better once you have had some decent sleep."
Deciding not to correct him by letting him know it was not my safety I feared for
, and that I had handled guys like the cowboy prick before, I nodded. Through my tears, I could just make out his face. I could tell that it pleased him to do something for me and have control of the situation. That was fine by me. I had been strong for too long and if I was gonna fall apart, at least it would be at the hands of a stranger I wouldn't have to see again.
Luke
dried my hair as gently as possible and then dried the front of my body. He helped me to stand on my one good leg and never letting his arm leave my waist, he dried my back, and then my butt, pausing to sRed his fingers over what I assumed was now a bruise. He softly ran the towel between my legs, drying me as quickly as possible, then moving on to my legs and feet. He took a black t-shirt that was on the bed and slid it over my head paying careful attention not to let it touch me.
Still holding me by the waist, he slid the covers back and helped me to sit. Holding out the two little brown pills in his hand
, he handed me a glass of water. I took the pills and drank the whole glass.
"That’s better
," he smiled at me making my heart clench. Most of my tears had subsided and I was beginning to feel better. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I'll be in the next room if you need me." I couldn't help the disappointed look that crossed my face or the fact that hearing those words caused more tears to fall.
Suddenly looking panicked, he placed both hands on the side of my face. "I'm sorry babe. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that you have had a long day and I thought you might want to be alone. I'll stay, lie down and let me hold you." Before he could change his mind, I put my legs under the covers
, wincing as I slid down under them. "I'm gonna grab some sweats. I'll be right back."
He walked out of the room and I immediately was lonely. I wanted to call out to him to come back but caught myself.
No need to make a
bigger ass of yourself, Dallas
. He returned less than a minute later wearing a pair of black sweats. He should really be a model for Calvin Klein. He turned the light off and slid in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist pulling my back towards him. My shuddering stopped the minute he kissed my hair and whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry about what happened today. I can't tell you what will happen in the future but tonight you can rest easy. As long as you are in my arms I will not let anyone hurt you."
He slid his hand under my shirt and splayed it across my stomach. The rubbing of his thumb back and forth across my skin, his promised words in my ear, and his strong arms holding me tight was enough to set my mind at ease. I closed my eyes and drifted but not before hearing him whisper in my ear, "Sleep
my
beautiful girl."
His
?
I woke the next morning to find myself alone. It took a minute to figure out where I was. Outside the window I could hear talking and laughing but the closed blinds did not allow me to see who was there. Looking around the room I noticed it was just as nicely decorated and clean as the kitchen. The king sized bed was centered in front of a large plasma T.V., mounted above an oak dresser. There were two nightstands on each side of the bed with matching lamps and a chaise lounge in the corner that was covered in throws, making the room look cozy and warm.
I got out of the bed feeling energized and alert.
The pain in my head was barely noticeable and the pain in my leg was completely gone. I went to the bathroom, freshened up, and then started rummaging through the drawers to find something to put on. I managed to find a pair of grey sweats and socks, which would have to suffice since I only had heels, and pulled my hair back. Voices from the kitchen helped to remind me I was not alone and was going to have to face Mr. Beautiful, looking like a train wreck. I tried my best to smile and seem at ease as I walked towards the kitchen. I had not expected to see a room full of women when I walked in.
“Well I’ll be
damned. The princess can walk on her on.” My eyes settled on the leggy blonde who held a glass of soda in one hand and an unlit cigarette in the other. She wore a bright orange t-shirt that said “Do Me” in bold letters with black leggings and boots. Her face was pretty, with big blue eyes and lips covered in red gloss. Her bobbed hair was slightly teased and laid perfectly without a strand out of place. I recognized Red from the bar, propped up against the counter with a huge smile plastered on her face. The other women, who could have been twins, were staring holes through me like I had offended them just by walking in the room. You could tell by just looking at all of them that they belonged on the back of a motorcycle. They appeared rough around the edges, but classy in their own way.
“Let’s go smoke
,” the blonde said letting herself out the kitchen door that led to the carport. The twins followed, leaving me standing like a fool, watching them go.
“Honey, that bitch is gonna rip you apart unless you grow some balls
,” Red said smiling over at me.
“Good Morning,
Red. It’s nice to see you too.” Her head fell back and she laughed so hard I couldn’t help but laugh too, not really knowing what was so funny.
“Luke will be in shortly. Make yourself at home
,” she said then disappeared out the kitchen door to join the others. I was left standing in the kitchen alone once again. I fixed a glass of orange juice and tried to recap what all had happened last night.
Here I was, in a house of a complete stranger, being laughed at by what appeared to be an ex.
Who did she think she was? He invited
me
over here. He slept with
me
last night. It was
me
who he had given his
undivided attention to, and I would be damned before some bitch said
something to try and make me feel like shit about it
.
I wanted to see Luke. I wanted him to hold me like he held me last night. I didn’t want this to be a one night stand and I knew it, but first I
was going to have to put that bitch in her place.
I placed my glass on the counter and opened the door, prepared to brawl if need be when I looked up into the eyes of Luke.
“Leaving already?” he asked flashing me his winning smile. It took my breath away. I stood speechless, staring at him in his ripped faded jeans and black T-shirt.
How had I slept in bed with this man and not
took advantage of him?
He was the sexiest man I had ever seen. His arms bulged from his shirt and his smell was so intoxicating, I swayed at the scent of him.
“I’m fine
,” I replied breathlessly.
“That I’m aware of gorgeous, but where are you going?”
he asked smiling.
I took a deep breath and gathered my wits. I didn’t want to mention that my plans were to put
Blondie in her place so I just smiled and said, “I was actually coming to find you. Did I leave my clutch in your truck?”
“No,
you must have left it at the bar. Red brought in with her. It’s on the table. Hungry?”
“Starving
,” I replied stepping back and letting him in. “I have to go to town in a few. Maybe we can grab something to eat?”
“I’d love that
,” I said a little too quickly.
He smiled
, “I just have to grab a few things. I’ll meet you at the truck.” He turned, walking toward a part of the house I had yet to explore. I went back to the bathroom to gather my things, stopping long enough to make the bed, and headed back out to the garage. I had forgotten about the bitch crew, but was quickly reminded when I stepped into what appeared to be a gossip circle where I was the topic of conversation.
“Dallas!”
Red said, smiling brightly as always to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you earlier. This is Maddie,” she said pointing to the blonde I was growing to hate, “and Monica and Jennifer.”
“How nice to meet you all. Sorry we got off to a bad start. I’m Dallas, the princess bitch that was cared for and pampered by
Luke last night.” I said looking directly at Maddie who looked like she had been slapped in the face. Red busted out laughing, and before Maddie had a chance to retaliate Luke walked out saying his goodbyes. Perfect timing.
“Well ladies, as always I hate to leave great company, but I must get going. Make yourselves at home.” He walked over to
Red, planting a peck on her lips and giving hugs to the others. Seeing him kiss Red did nothing to me, but when Maddie wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his neck, I almost lost it. She shot me a “go fuck yourself” look, but made sure to shield it from Luke. He grabbed my hand after hugging everyone goodbye and led me to the truck. Opening the door for me, he made sure I was in and settled before walking around to get in, giving me just enough time to flip Maddie the finger before he came into eye range. Feeling satisfied, and much like a Jr. High drama queen, I smiled with contentment as we pulled from the driveway and headed out.
Chapter 3
The front of Luke’s house appeared to be a lot larger on the outside than what it was on the inside. It was beautiful, made of wood that gave it a log cabin look. The yard was landscaped perfectly and I could see what I thought was a shop in the back. The driveway was concrete, but the road we pulled out on was dirt and lined with large pines all the way down as far as I could see. Only about a half- acre, where his house stood, was the only area that was not covered in trees.