“Was I supposed to?”
“Did you want to?”
Even though we both knew the answer, it didn't make me want to say it out loud.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I blurted out without thinking.
Luke smirked and looked at me like I’d lost my mind, which, let’s face it, wasn’t too far from the truth. One day I’d learn to think before I spoke, but obviously that wasn’t going to be today.
“Probably cooking dinner, reading Isla a story, and then doing laundry.”
“Wait! What? You know how to do laundry?”
“Charlotte, I’m a man of many talents. I can do the laundry and vacuum the floors all while a batch of cupcakes are in the oven for the school bake sale.”
He was a smart ass. And the problem was, I liked it. I liked it maybe a little too much.
“Be still my beating heart.” I sighed dramatically.
Stepping backward, I crashed into my desk and wobbled, but before I could get myself sorted, Luke was there, grabbing my arm and keeping me steady. Once I was perched on the edge of my desk, Luke standing in my personal space, we stared at each other.
“Can you get a sitter for Isla tomorrow?”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“Isla’s pretty cool. I’d have to have a better offer to turn down a night with my daughter.”
“Better offer, huh?”
“Yep.”
“What if I told you I had two tickets to the Hawks game tomorrow night and I was thinking about taking Liam, but since you’re here …”
“Charlotte. Are you asking me out?” Luke asked as he wrapped the end of my ponytail around his hand and tilted my head so I was looking up at him.
It would’ve been so easy to say yes. To nod. But I’d never been known for taking the easy way out. “I mean, if you want the spare ticket, you’d save me going to try and find Liam …”
“You’re not taking Liam anywhere,” Luke growled possessively, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Luke,” I pleaded. I don't know if it was the way he was staring down at me with dark, lust-filled eyes or the intoxicating smell of the cologne that clung to him or maybe it was the warmth of his big body pressing against mine, but whatever it was, it was making this smart girl stupid.
“Yes, Charlotte,” he replied, bending forward and pressing a barely-there kiss in that spot just below my ear making me quiver.
I couldn’t summon enough strength to care how desperate it made me sound. Begging came easily and I wasn’t afraid to ask for what I wanted. For what I needed. “Kiss me,” I panted, and thankfully Luke didn’t hesitate in crushing his lips down on mine.
There was something about Luke’s kisses. They were addictive. They were fierce and demanding but somehow soft and sensual and if they were any indication of who Luke really was, then I wanted to know more. I needed to know more. These kisses weren’t something I wanted to give up anytime soon.
My arms wound around his waist, pulling him closer to me and when I felt his excitement press against my thigh, I knew I wasn’t the only one giving a thought or two to what came next.
When he pulled away, I was breathless, and I lifted my fingers to my still tingling lips. Luke took a couple of steps back.
“I need to go,” he said his voice lacking conviction.
I felt like I’d been sucker punched. One moment he was pawing at me and kissing me like he needed me more than he needed his next breath, and now he was running.
“Oh.” It slipped out. I didn't want to say anything. I didn't want Luke to see my disappointment. The last thing I needed was for him to think I was one of those needy women.
