I lift her and back her up against the door, parting her legs with mine as I bend my knees. I straighten my legs and thrust up into her over and over again. I pull out and turn her around, taking her from behind and moving in her while I hold her hips. Thirty minutes later, we’re both fully sated and completely dehydrated, lying limp and lifeless in the bed.
“When are you marrying me, Andi?” I whisper to her.
She doesn’t answer and I look at her, concerned at her quietness, only to realize she’s fallen asleep in my arms.
CHAPTER THIRTY
ANDI
The promos running for the past week have really taken a toll on me. It freaks me out when people instantly recognize me and ask me to give them the scoop because they can’t wait for the show to air. I have to respectfully decline due to legal issues with appearing on the show, but I can honestly say I’m happy to be bound by the law this time. Most people accept that answer and keep going but there have been a few who have promised to not tell a soul. Yeah, right.
I’ve received several hang up calls on my home phone and a few unknown callers on my cell who refused to say anything. Luke has called them – or I should sayhim- every name in the book to try to goad him into responding. No luck in that but the calls keep coming. I knowthe bastardwants me to be afraid but I refuse to give in. I can handle whatever he does to me but when he messes with those I love…..that’s a different story. But I’m holding strong.
We made our rounds to our friends and family to share the good news about Luke proposing to mein person. I was surprised to find out he had asked Pop for permission when he was at the gym. When Pop said yes, Luke immediately went and bought my ring.
I still can’t believe this is really happening – I’m about to start my own family, even if it’s a family of two for now. Luke’s parents were thrilled. His sister, Alicia, wants to throw my wedding shower and my girlfriends can’t wait to throw my bachelorette party.
Brandon was a little more subdued at the news but he said if this is what I want and what will make me happy, he is all for it. Luke had an odd look on his face and I have to admit I felt a little uncomfortable. I love Brandon like a brother and I get the feeling he’s trying to protect me from facing the problems Luke and I had before. I certainly can’t blame him for that – I don’t ever want to go through that again.
Now that I think about it, Luke has been acting strange this week. Like, secretivestrange. He’s been on the computer with his serious look – brows furrowed, chewing on the end of his pen, and huffing and puffing like he’s frustrated. Definitely not the signs of a man who’s secretly watching porn. I know he’ll tell me what he’s up to when he’s ready but I still have a hard time shaking my old abandonment issues.
To get my mind on something else,I’ve spent time prepping for the song I’m singing this weekend. With everything going on, it seems frivolous to still compete in a karaoke contest. I mean, there’s really no prize to win other than bragging rights, and I don’t believe in bragging. But I’m secretly hopingthe bastardis there again because this song is for him. Even if he isn’t, I have a feeling there will be plenty of people there to record my performance, especially after my interview airs Friday.
I’m actually looking forward to this one.
After all this bad publicity, the CEO of MaxMorgan Music called me and we talked for over an hour about everything that’s happened. He was about to terminate my contract work with them but he heard about my conversation with Travis Malone through unofficial channels and quickly reconsidered. I thought that wasso very considerateof him. I was vague and noncommittal about my intentions in my responses to him, regardless of how many times he tried to pin me down.
“Hey baby, whatcha doing?” I ask Luke as I walk in the den. He shuffles some papers, quickly puts them away and stands to meet me. He draws me into his arms and kisses me senseless.
“Waiting for you, of course,” he replies slyly with his sexy grin. “How about I take you out to eat tonight. There’s a new Mexican restaurant close to the gym that’s really good.”
“Hmmm, sounds good. What have you been working on in here?” So the curiosity got the best of me. Sue me.
He pulls back and looks at me for a second and I could tell he was weighing his options. Use my tactic of dodge and deflect? Straight up lie? Cave and tell the truth?
Dodge and deflect, it is.
“Boring stuff. I’ll tellyou about it later,” he replies and cuts his eyes to my left. One sign of lying. But, why would he lie?
I try to keep my emotions neutral and give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it’s a surprise for me and I’m about to ruin it. So I pull up my big girl panties and deal with it. He wouldn’t be here with me if he wasn’t happy with me. I refrain from saying or doing anything stupid and we have a great Mexican dinner.
Somehow we both felt relaxed and happy tonight, even knowing the impending storm that is brewing just outside. But tonight, we’re just a happy couple enjoying an evening together.
It’s finally Friday morning and I slept absolutely none last night, and it wasn’t all Luke’s fault this time. It was some of his fault, but mostly it was knowing the interview will air first thing this morning and then all hell will break loose. Igot up early to shower and prepare to face the day. Now I’m sitting at my kitchen table and my Keurig just provided my morning cup of heaven.
Luke bought Panera Bread bagels and cream cheese yesterday and, out of sheer anxiety, I slather a cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese and devour it in record time. No longer able to wait, I turn on the television and watch for the interview. The promos have increased in length to give a little more information to entice the audience to watch.
And, it’s time. Luke and I sit glued to the show and neither of us speak during the whole hour long interview. Throughout the show, the camera pans to the audience and shows some people crying, some shocked, and of course, some in complete disbelief. At the end of the show, Lindsay added a few minutes to say a few words of her own. She spoke words of support and belief in me, even knowing that there will be severe backlash from certain influential circles.
When the show ends,Luke turns to me and pulls me into his lap. Planting kisses all over my face and neck, he whispers words of love and encouragement to support me. “I’m so proud of you, Andi. You gave a great interview. The audience loved you and even Lindsay Blair was on your side.”
I nod and he continues.
“You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You’re strong, independent, loving, and giving. You’re unbelievably kind and thoughtful of others and everyone you meet loves you. You’re extremely sexy and beautiful. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you – in every way imaginable. You’ve consumed me and spoiled me and made it impossible for me to even consider living without you. Whatever happens, I’m with you. I won’t leave you.”
He knows my weakness. He knows my fear. Even after all these years of making it on my own, the fear of losingthose I love is still very real. He knows this even though I’ve never even said it. Yet, he always reassures me that he will never leave me. Words are not enough to describe how much I love him. Feelings are even grossly inadequate to describe the depth my love. It’s all-consuming, scary, exhilarating and comforting all at once. He’s become my life and I would do anything for him.
I gently rub the stubble along his jawline and lean in to kiss him. I turn to face him, straddling his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck. I feel his strong arms wrap around me, pulling me tight to him. I feel his erection growing between my legs and I squeeze my legs around him, pulling myself down towards him more. His hands glide up my legs, skimming my hips until his fingers find the hem of my shirt.
