Something tugs uncomfortably in my chest.I know that feeling.The one where life decides you’re next in line for the hard stuff.
‘That must get lonely.’
‘Sometimes,’ he admits.‘But I don’t think I could do anything else.’
‘You ever thought about living in the city?’
He turns to me slightly.‘I did.Three years in Sydney.Studied agriculture science at uni.Lived in a shitty share house with four other guys.’
I laugh.‘And you came back out here willingly?’
‘Yeah.I liked the city.The ocean.The food.The people.’His eyes soften.‘But it’s not for me.Not really.’
‘Because you’re a rugged cattle baron with a tragic backstory?’I tease, though my voice dips a little at the end.
He doesn’t smile.‘Because my mum got sick.And someone had to come back and take over.’
The silence that follows is painful.
‘I’m sorry,’ I say quietly, meeting his eyes.
‘Me too.’
The stars don’t blink.They watch us as Luke leans in, his lips hovering millimetres from mine.
‘You know I leave tomorrow,’ I whisper, a last-ditch disclaimer.A reminder to us both about what this is.
He kisses me in answer.
It’s tender at first – testing a theory.Then deeper, firmer – now he’s proving one.His hand comes up, cradling my jaw, and I let myself kiss him back.Let myself sink into it.
This isn’t part of the plan.I don’t kiss people after the first date.I don’t stay the night.I don’t get attached to men who smell of earth and sweat and responsibility.
‘Luke,’ I murmur against his mouth.
‘Mm?’
‘What are you doing?’
‘Nothing,’ he says, and kisses me again, his tongue sliding against mine, pulling a gasp from my throat.
‘We really shouldn’t—’
‘For once in your life,’ he mutters, mouth trailing to my neck, ‘just be quiet.’
His voice is rough and fond and infuriating.I sigh, my whole body relaxing under his touch.I should push him away.I should go inside and sleep like a normal person, content with my little rule book.
But when have I ever done what’s best for me?
I shift and swing one leg over his lap to straddle him.His eyes flash briefly before I lean in and kiss him again – deeper this time, slower.
Screw it.
Luke’s mouth is still on mine as his hands slide under my thighs.
And then I’m weightless.He lifts me with zero effort and my legs wrap around him instinctively, my mouth dragging across his neck, teeth grazing his skin.
He opens his cabin door and kicks it shut behind us.I’m still panting when my legs hit the edge of the bed and he leans into me, all heat and barely-there restraint.
