Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(3)
Luke had always come on strong with me, and in turn I’d pushed him away, knowing that all we would have was a relationship based on sex. We were completely different; I was reserved and responsible … he wasn’t. He was wild and full of life; the way I wished I could’ve lived. However, it wasn’t exactly my style to be promiscuous and party all of the time like him. There were moments when I wanted to give in, to let loose of my inhibitions and have fun, but I hadn’t given in to the temptation … yet.
I was on the border of it though.
Clearing my throat, I bit my lip and reached for my bag. “In fact, Mr. Collins, I’d say you’re more than ready to start racing again. However, I humored you and stayed on for an extra two weeks per your request.”
Luke grinned and moved closer, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. I tensed at first, but then melted into his touch. It had been so long since I’d felt the arms of a man around me. Was I stupid to give in to him when I knew it wouldn’t mean anything to him? Closing my eyes, my skin broke out in chills as his warm breath tickled the side of my neck and even more so when his dark chuckle echoed in my ear.
“Oh, I know you knew, sweetheart, but I wanted to have you all to myself for a little while longer. The agony of having your hands on me and not being able to do anything about it was the best f*cking torture ever. It makes me jealous to think about your hands all over those football players,” he said, his voice just above a whisper in my ear.
I scoffed and smacked him on the arm, bumping him with my hip so I could wriggle out of his hold. “You’re insane,” I teased. When his arms loosened, I turned around to face him; his lips achingly close. “I think you were in too much pain in the beginning to enjoy my touch, and for the most part, so are the players when I’m evaluating them. Besides, I’m sure you had plenty of women here to help you in your time of need.”
“Is that really what you think of me?” he asked. “Do you think messing around with women is all I do?”
I expected him to joke around with me like he always did, but surprisingly, he didn’t. Instead, his smile vanished and he stepped closer, minimizing the distance between us and gazing down at me with somber green eyes.
Sighing, I shrugged my shoulders and smiled, hoping to lighten his sudden change in mood. “I don’t know, Luke. I know you’re a great guy. You’re talented, funny, a wonderful athlete, and you’re extremely good looking. I also know your ways. I’ve been to your races, and I’ve seen how you are with women … and how they are with you. You’re a ladies’ man and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just the way you are. Why do you care what I think about you anyway?”
I had a feeling I already knew the answer, and by the skeptical look in his eyes he could see right through me.
“Really, Kate? You honestly have no idea? Have you not listened to anything I’ve said to you the past couple of months?” When I averted my gaze, he grasped my chin and gently held me in place. “Why won’t you answer me?”
“Fine,” I gave in, glaring up at him. “Yes, I’ve listened to you, but you were so subtle I didn’t think anything about it.”
He scoffed incredulously, “It’s because I didn’t want to come off too strong. With some people it works, but with you …” He paused to take a deep breath. “With you it’s different.”
Surprised by his words, I just stood there and stared. He didn’t even sound like the Luke I knew. It almost made me think he and my brother were playing a joke on me. Luke was the type of guy you took home for the night and had wild, passionate monkey sex with … nothing else. I never pictured him as a serious relationship type of guy, and if I was honest with myself, I had no clue if I even wanted that.
“Luke, I’m flattered, really,” I admitted truthfully. “On one hand, I would love to go out with you and have fun, but on the other, what if it changed things between us? What if one of us wanted more than the other could offer? It would ruin our friendship.”
Smirking, he tapped me on the chin with his fingers. “No, it wouldn’t, Kate. I want just you, but if you wanted something casual then that’s fine with me, too. I can offer you whatever you want and more if you just give in to me. Trust me, it’ll be fun.”
Actually, what he offered didn’t sound like a bad idea, I thought.
For so long, I thought of others well-being above my own and never allowed myself any shred of happiness, especially with a man. I craved the intimacy, but I couldn’t let go of the guilt from my past in order to attain it. After what had happened two years ago, I felt like I didn’t deserve it; like I wasn’t worthy.
Luke gazed at me expectantly, his eyes twinkling with delight as he waited on my answer. Grinning, I gave in and nodded my head. “Okay, fine. I’m going to give you a chance. I honestly don’t think you’ll hold up the end of your bargain anyway. One date is all you get.”
Guffawing, Luke scooped me into his arms and held me tight. “I knew I could wear you down, sweetheart. You won’t regret a second of it.”
Both of us laughing, he set me down and cupped my face in his hands, his smile boyish yet completely sexy. What have I gotten myself in to? He leaned down ever so slowly and placed his lips to mine, kissing me gently. His hands caressed my back, pulling me closer, and he deepened the kiss by opening my lips with his tongue.