She appears a little flustered and unsure of herself. Clearly she also noticed the way Luke phrased his reply. Smoothing her dress, she says, “Well, I just came over to talk to you about Sean’s birthday. I’ve had some ideas for a party and wanted to run them by you.”
The lines on Luke’s forehead deepen. “I haven’t had a chance to think about it yet. His birthday is more than three months away.” He seems confused as to why she’s thinking about it so soon. I’m confused as to why she’s even thinking about planning his party at all.
“These things take time to plan, Luke. And I want to make his party really special this year.”
“Okay.” He nods. “Can we talk about this another day? I’m in the middle of trying to fix the mower and tidying up the yard.”
Her face falls, but she quickly recovers with what I presume is a fake smile. “Certainly. I’ll arrange a day for you and me to get together to go over it.”
“Great. Line it up with Callie and Paris, too. We’ll need to make it a weekend.” With that, he leaves and heads towards the kitchen.
I do my best not to laugh. The look of fury on her face tells me Glenda didn’t achieve what she set out to here. It amuses me that an adult can engage in such childish behaviour.
“Does Luke know he’s picked up trash?” she asks. “I hardly think he’d like to hear the way you talk about sex in public.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, go fuck yourself, Glenda. And take a course in men. They love that kind of dirty talk; maybe you should try it one day.” When she doesn’t move, I add, “You can see yourself out.”
I settle on the couch and pull my notebook out to begin writing again. No way am I going to allow her to rain on my parade. Luke wants me in his life. Glenda can’t ruin that.
* * *
I kiss Sean’s forehead and tiptoe out of his bedroom. He’s finally asleep after a whiney time at lunch fighting me about eating the sandwich I made him. He also didn’t want anything to do with the apple I cut up. I’m getting better at this, though. I stood my ground and he ate most of it. This gig is the hardest one I’ve ever had in my life. But I wouldn’t give it up for the world. The way his little arms clung to my neck when I carried him to bed and the way he showered kisses over my cheeks before he let me go wiped away the mental exhaustion I felt after lunch.
After I retrieve the sandwich and drink I made Luke, I make my way downstairs to find him. I slow when I catch a glimpse of him. So does my breathing. He’s finished the mowing and is currently cutting branches from a tree down the back of the yard. His back and arm muscles flexing with each movement hypnotise me. I realise where Luke gets his muscles from—hard work in his garden rather than in the gym. That and the daily workouts he does at home.
He finishes with the branches and stops to wipe his brow. As he does this, he turns and our eyes meet. Only for a moment, though, because I can’t help but drop my gaze to take in everything on display. I continue staring as he comes towards me.
“Is Sean asleep?” he asks when he reaches me.
I lift my gaze and nod. “Has anyone ever told you how sexy you are when you’re a sweaty mess?”
“Only you, baby.”
Butterflies.
Whoosh.
I take a deep breath and shove the sandwich and drink at him. “Some days I think I’d be much safer if you just didn’t speak.”
He guzzles the water. “Why?”
I stare at his chest. “Because I can barely cope with everything else you have—your muscles, your smile, your eyes—but when you speak, your voice does crazy things to me.” I look back up into his eyes. “And those words that come out of your mouth… I’m like a dazed teenager around you.”
He places the plate and glass down on the steps before pulling me close. His lips crash down onto mine and he muddles my mind even more with a kiss that sweeps me off my feet. When he finally comes up for air, he growls, “And I’m like a fucking horny teenager when I’m around you, Callie.” His gaze drops to my mouth and he nips at it with his teeth. “These lips…” His mouth dips to my throat. “This hollow…” Further down to my breasts. “This perfection…” His hands slide down over my breasts and keep going until he hits the bottom of my top.
Reaching under, his fingers meet my skin and I sway a little at his touch. He pushes my top up so he can taste my skin. His tongue licks a line between my breasts as he pushes my bra to the side. And then my nipple is in his mouth and my legs sway some more.
My arms move around him and my fingers tangle in his hair while his mouth and hands take charge of me. I just want to hold him close forever. Luke makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. All the searching I’ve been doing has led me to him and I know I never need to search another day in my life. I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for.
Luke.
Passion.
Love.