When his full lips blossomed into a wide smile, something inside me zinged. Laughing, I shook my head.
We’d spent the evening talking, eating pizza, and sipping on whiskey. I felt relaxed and loose. All my worries had taken a back seat to this gorgeous man with his cocky personality and mega-white smile.
Luke couldn’t seem to stop touching me—his hand at my lower back as he led me from the bar, the way he rose to his feet and helped me from my bar stool when I needed to use the restroom, and now, his fingertips grazing my bare arms and then touching my hair. His attention was dizzying, because I wasn’t used to forward men.
Well, that wasn’t true. I was used to men who were forward with their self-accolades. Bragging about how much money they’d made in the stock market, about their Fifth Avenue address or their job title. Those were things I was used to.
Luke was the complete opposite. I wasn’t used to a man who had nothing to offer but himself and yet gave it so freely—letting his interest be known, to hell with the consequences. Because the two of us? We made absolutely no sense. I would be leaving soon, and I had a feeling he would live out his life here and die in the same place he’d been born.
We couldn’t be more different, but our bodies didn’t care. The chemistry zipping between us fueled an attraction that grew with every barb we lobbed at each other. He was fun and challenging in a way that was entirely new.
“When you feed me whiskey all night, what did you expect? I tend to lose my filter,” I said, lifting my chin.
“I did feed you more than whiskey. I wasn’t a complete asshole tonight.”
I nodded, remembering the pizza we’d shared. “For once.”
His mouth twitched again. “I kinda like you when you’re full of whiskey, duchess.”
That damn nickname again.
He winked at me, and I almost melted into a puddle right there in the dusty gravel parking lot. For the longest time, we stayed like that—our eyes locked together, our hips lined up, his hand at my waist . . .
Are you gonna kiss me, or what?
I didn’t have to wonder any longer. Luke’s gaze darkened and he lowered his head toward mine. I lifted onto my toes, needing to close the distance between us fast. He took my mouth with a soft kiss and I immediately responded, parting my lips. His tongue moved against mine in deep, drugging kisses that made my toes curl in my sneakers.
Damn, the man could kiss.
Turned out his truck wasn’t his only big possession. To my whiskey-soaked brain, it felt like a massive steel rod was tucked inside his jeans. Jesus, he was hung.
Come to Mama.
An older man headed to his car whistled at us. “Looks like somebody’s gettin’ lucky tonight.”
Luke cursed under his breath and grabbed my hand. “People in this town are fuckin’ nosy. Come on.”
Inside the cab of his truck, the scent of oil, leather, and whiskey created a warm, cozy atmosphere.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I’m driving you back to the inn.”
Disappointment flashed through me. Damn. So, we weren’t going back to his place for wild sex.
“How do you know that’s where I’m staying?”
His answer was a smirk on those gorgeous full lips. “God, you’re cute when you’re sassy. It’s the only hotel in town.”
When we pulled to a stop in the parking lot of the little Victorian house that had been converted to a bed and breakfast, Luke shifted the truck into park and cut the engine.
“You want to come inside?” My voice trembled only slightly, but my heart was jack-hammering against my ribs.
“Better not.” His voice was rough, and I sensed his restraint was hanging by a thread, just like mine. “People in this town talk.” He reached over and placed his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. “Plus, I’m not gonna lie. I’m attracted to you, duchess, and I might not behave like a gentleman if I come inside.”
“Maybe I’m done with guys who pretend to be perfect gentlemen.”
He released a growl of frustration and leaned in closer, placing a soft kiss on my jaw. He could be such a stubborn, rough-around-the edges prick, and then other times, he could be so sweet and tender.
“I almost hate to admit this,” I said, “but I had fun with you tonight.”
“Me too,” he murmured with his lips inches from mine.
Wetting my lips with my tongue, I fought off a smile at the way his hungry gaze tracked the movement. He started slow, his lips hovering at my jaw before he peppered soft kisses against my neck.
“Luke,” I groaned. I wanted this, and I had no idea what had come over me. Maybe it was part of being on the run, but I wanted to sin. Wanted him to make me forget everything—my past, my mistakes . . . hell, even my own damn name.
Capturing my mouth in a hungry kiss, he lashed his tongue at mine and I took everything he offered. The feel of his rough, calloused fingertips grazing my skin, the taste of whiskey on his breath, his masculine scent—it was intoxicating.
Climbing over the center console, I planted myself in his lap and pushed my hands into his hair as I kissed him back. His kisses were rough and intense, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the way this man fucked. Would he take me hard and fast, or draw things out until I was a whimpering mess?
Moving in his lap until I found the right angle, I pushed my hips closer, grinding against the steely erection behind his zipper that pressed at my core.
His deep groan of frustrated need made my inner muscles clench.
As I worked myself against him, we continued kissing, his hands locked on my hips as I rolled them against his. All my cards were on the table. I wanted him and he knew it. And lucky for me, it seemed he wanted me just as badly.
Luke gripped my ass, working me against his cock. I was close, so close. Just a little more pressure . . .
“Time out.” He groaned.
Time out? Did he just call a timeout? Putting a few inches of space between us, I blinked to clear my hazy vision and gazed up at him.
“I’m not fucking you in my truck. And if we go any further, that’s what’s going to happen.”
My heart pounding, my panties soaked, I crawled from his lap. Partly annoyed at him and partly annoyed at myself for getting carried away, I grabbed my purse and opened the door.
Outside the truck, the fresh air did wonders to clear my head. I was never like this.
Luke’s sly smile was back as he hopped out of the truck, and he was back to rubbing my arms. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
Wasn’t that a good question? “I don’t know. I’ll have to check my schedule,” I snapped, still mad at him for calling a damn timeout.
He chuckled again, low under his breath, and the sound vibrated against my skin. I had no idea how it was possible for this man to get under my skin so deeply, so quickly, but he had.
“I was thinking if you’re free, I’d show you around the distillery. But you know, only if you’re free.”
The wiseass. He knew I had nothing to do but sit around and wait for my car to get fixed.
“I’m free,” I huffed.