Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Do you?” she countered.
“I’m not sure about that either.”
“What are you sure about?”
“That I want a future with him.”
“Sounds like you’re the only one who’s stopping you.”
I stood there dumbfounded by such a simple yet powerful statement.
“You know what, Mrs. Jameson?”
“What? And please call me Mia.”
“I think you’re on to something. How did you become so wise?”
“It comes with age. It also comes with therapy.”
She gave me a tight hug, and I followed her to the patio with a bunch of food in my hands. Once I stood by the table, Luke put his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.
“You hungry?” I asked, trying to serve him a plate of food.
“For you,” he murmured against my neck.
“That could be arranged. That’s if you can fit me in your tight schedule.”
“Well, we both know how pretty you look takin’ my dick.”
I giggled as he kissed my neck.
The day flew by, and we said goodbye to everyone around nine at night. I exchanged phone numbers with his mom and sister. Luke said we’d be staying in Oak Island for a while. I didn’t know how long that meant. I was just along for the rollercoaster ride that was Luke Jameson.
When we arrived at his house, I jumped in the shower, wanting to get all the chlorine out of my hair, and to my surprise, he followed me in the bathroom. There was no hesitation in his hands as he unbuttoned his shirt. One by one, his fingers moved down his torso before carefully pulling it off his arms.
My hands reached for his belt from the shower, and I unbuttoned his jeans slacks, stripping them off as well, letting them fall to his ankles. He stepped out of them, never breaking our intense connection.
In an instant, my stare turned predatory with need. I smiled, loving the reaction my body evoked in his face. Stepping back into the shower, I brought him with me. He had one of those glass showers with showerheads everywhere and jets on the walls. Within seconds, the glass fogged up from the steam of the hot water.
Tenderly, I touched the scar of the bullet in his shoulder and the one in his leg. I wanted to remember this moment, seeing him vulnerable.
Mine.
My fingers moved to his sides. I wanted to get rid of all the hurt and pain he might be feeling.
For me.
His family.
His father.
I knew he talked to them, and it was obvious it left a mark on his mind.
My fingers found their way back to his handsome face.
Maybe it was meeting his family.
Or maybe it was talking so deeply with his mother.
Or maybe it was just me getting over the fact that love came with struggles, and it came with ups and downs no matter the situation, and I wanted to do that with him.
My insecurities about the future wouldn’t drastically change overnight, but I’d hate myself if I didn’t allow this to happen between us.
It was now or never, and I chose now.
With him.
Only him.
As if he could read my mind, he professed, “You’re always gonna be safe with me, ya feel me?”
Under the hot cascading water above our heads, I confessed, “I’m in love with you, Luke. I need you to know that. I think I fell for you the second you played dominos with me in Cuba that first time and didn’t let me win. I knew then, you’d be different.” I kissed him. Deep down in my soul, I can’t bear the thought of losing someone else in my life. I wanted to hate you out of fear of having you die because of me like my mother did.” I bit my lip, struggling not to cry. “I keep people at a distance to protect my heart from the pain of mourning another person. From the moment I first saw you, I felt this profound connection to you, and I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. My heart wanted something I couldn’t have. I’m so sorry about everything, but mostly, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me. Taking a bullet isn’t something I’ll ever forget. Not having sex with me until you knew my name is definitely another. You’ve been kind, loving, and patient with me. You would have given your life for mine, and I love you in ways I didn’t know I could love someone.” Tears slid out of my eyes, and he brought his hand up to wipe them away with the back of his fingers.
He seemed captivated by every word I was openly sharing.
“I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.”
In one breath, he murmured, “I love you, Sloan. You’re my girl. I’d do anythin’ for you.”
I surrendered to him.
I surrendered to us.
LUKE
The steaming-hot water poured down our naked bodies as if it were holy water washing away our sins. Gripping onto the sides of her face, I kissed her.