Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (25 page)

Luke watched Isabel, lying on her stomach, as she slept silently in his bed. He’d never felt more content in his life. He pushed her long brown hair away to be able to skim his palm up and down her bare back. Her skin was as smooth as silk underneath his touch. Every moment spent with her made him more connected to her.  Now that he’d had her in his bed, he couldn’t imagine a single night without her there.

              His phone, resting on the night stand next to him, chirped, informing him he had a new text message. He slid the touch screen open with his thumb and saw Jake’s text:

              ‘
Dean Scotts just checked into Hotel Moneta. It’s barely a mile away from Isabel’s house. I just know he’s up to something. I’m watching this fucker.’

             
Luke is pressed with a new found anger. That scum was settling himself closer to the woman he loved with no doubt of him scheming an evil plot. He had to warn Isabel.
But how without sending her into pull blown panic
. She’d refuse to hear him out. If Isabel sensed danger was close, it frightened Luke that she might flee again.

             
‘Watch him. Keep me informed. I’m going to need to speak to that attorney of yours.’
Luke texts Jake back.

              ‘I already spoke to him. He’s on top of this shit. He’ll be in town soon.’

              ‘Ok good. Thanks man I appreciate it.’

              ‘I told you neither of you are in this alone. We’ll bring this fucker down if it’s the last thing I need to do.’

             
Luke shook his head at Jake’s reply and smirked. His dear friend sure had a determined streak when it came to protecting those he cared about. At times he wondered if he asked Jake for the full truth of what he does, if he would give him an honest answer. Once Jake had informed him it was better he and the rest of the family were kept in the dark about certain aspects of his life. Luke figured there would always be a part of Jake no one would know or understand. His life had been different from the rest of theirs. And if his friend needed to keep a part of his life hidden in order to survive, then so be it. He never pictured the lost, lonely boy he had met years ago would grow to be such an unconquerable man. At times Jake was detached from the rest of the world. He’d physically be there but mentally he’d be somewhere else. They were all used to it by now. And they were all curious why Jake disappeared for months without a word, but no one questioned it, other than Emilia. His little sister’s curiosity and lack of censoring her verbal thoughts was going to land her in trouble one day.

Luke felt Isabel stirring from sleep so he put his phone away. After they showered together, Luke pulled one of his shirts over Isabel’s naked body and led her into his kitchen where he made her breakfast. She hadn’t had a chance to see his house before so she looked around as they passed through the living room. Much like his office, Luke kept his house modern in design. There were black leather couches with crisp white pillows. She noticed most of his furniture was dark in shade while the walls and curtains were pure white. Surprisingly, the contrast made the place amazingly masculine. The white drapes were pushed back behind handles revealing a massive balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. She saw the waves rising up high and splashing towards the shore. The view was breathtaking.

Isabel watched Luke in nothing but baggy gray sweatpants that sat dangerously low on his hips as he worked his way around the kitchen. She watched his bare back muscles flex as he expertly flips pancakes off the pan. She was enthralled by his Celtic shamrock tattoo engraved on the back of his left shoulder blade. It was sexy as hell and so damn captivating.  She blinked in surprised shock at the moon-shaped nail bites carved near his tattoo and on the rest of his back. Her cheeks reddened as the memories returned of how shamelessly she had asked Luke to take her over and over again. Luke turned around and shot her a knowing glance. The intensity of his green gaze and his cocky smirk lets her know he’s caught her fantasizing about their love making.

“Keep thinking those thoughts and we’ll be late to work.” He warned. Isabel squirms in her seat but can’t help the uncontrollable need she constantly has when he’s around.

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” She breathlessly spoke.

Before she could blink, Luke has rounded the counter and hauled her up into his arms. He crashed his mouth into hers and devoured her lips with a kiss that made her toes curl. He cupped her butt and slid his hand to the back of her bare knees. He lifted her up and sat her bottom on his kitchen counter. Their tongues swirled together as Isabel let out a small whimper. She felt Luke’s hands slide up underneath the shirt and palm both of her breasts as he began to fondle and squeeze them, loving what his hands were doing to her. Isabel arched her back, pushing her breasts further into his touch. Luke lifted the shirt over her head and stared at her eagerly by running his eyes up and down her naked body.

“You’re so beautiful.” He whispered in appreciation. He took a taut nipple into his mouth and sucked relentlessly, causing Isabel to moan louder. He ran his hand to her needy center where he found her wet and ready, as usual.

Isabel roamed her delicate hands up and down his ripped abs and hard chest, loving the way his muscles tensed at her touch. She could touch his rugged body for days and not get tired of it.
What woman in her right mind would?
Every inch of him fascinated her. She felt him place a flat hand on her quivering stomach and push her down, pressing her back on the hard counter.

“Lie down.” He commanded in that demanding voice he gets right before they start making love. “This is going to be quick.” Isabel whimpered at his words. Before she could comprehend a coherent thought, Luke slammed into her. She arched her back and screamed from unbearable pleasure. Luke groaned as he pushed into her again. He lifted her knees until her bare feet were flat on the counter. He pushed her quivering thighs further open and grabbed a hold of her hips to get a better grip as he continuously pushed forward, loving the way his fast rhythm was shaking her entire body.

He could feel the pressure building up in both of them. Just as he had predicted, it was going to be fast. She felt too damn good on him and the fast friction was doing explicit things to both of their bodies.

“Yes!” She screamed in pleasure. “Oh God!” She cried out as release shook her body so roughly that tears streamed out of her eyes. “Oh yes Luke.” Finally, his release joined hers as the loud screams of their love making echoed throughout the entire house.

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Luke shoots knowing glances towards Isabel with a satisfied smirk on his face and a gleam in his eyes as he drives them towards his B. Pentagon building. Isabel fiddles with her hair as she exchanges shy glances with him. Her cheeks are still bashfully pink from their lovemaking and she was radiating with glow. Once they make it to the building, Luke hands his car to his valet service and grabs Isabel’s hand and watches her eyes widen in surprise. She gives him a pleasant smile as he lifts up their joined hands and kisses her knuckles as they walk towards the elevator. Isabel isn’t oblivious to all the wondering eyes that just witnessed Luke’s intimate gesture. Everyone in the building recognizes Luke and since she is his assistant, they recognized her as well. She just hoped she wouldn’t soon become the topic of discussion. The same stares continue as they make their way towards the top floor and Luke still doesn’t release her hand. A few, such as Matt, Ginger and Brian are already working behind their desks. Matt gives Luke a nod and appreciative smile as they walk past everyone towards the back of the building, closer to Isabel’s desk.

When they finally reach her desk Isabel releases the breath she was holding.

“Babe you’re all flushed and red.” Luke chuckles.

“I’m sorry I’m just not used to this much attention. I feel like everyone is watching us.” Isabel sat at her desk.

“Get used to it. It’s going to be like this for the next couple of weeks I assume.” Luke leaned on her desk and stroked her flushed cheek. Linda chose that moment precisely to make her entrance. Isabel, seeing Linda’s silly smile, looked away from Luke’s intense gaze. Any fool would recognize that look a man gives to a woman he’s intimate with.

“You two have a good weekend?” Linda asked with amusement in her voice.

“Um, yes, it was wonderful.” Isabel answered but avoided eye contact with either of them. “How were your holidays Linda? We missed you.”

“Don’t mind her Linda. She’s still recovering from the eventful morning we had in my kitchen an hour ago.” Luke laughed when both Linda and Isabel gasped in surprise at his bluntness. “What? You expected to sneak around and hide?” he lifts Isabel’s chin and gently brushes his lips against hers. “It’s not my style sweetheart. The whole damn city can know that you’re mine now.” After watching her face burn with fresh embarrassment, Luke casually strolled back to his office with the widest grin on his face.

“Oh. My. Lord.” Linda clapped her hands together. “I have a conference call in two minutes but I want every detail during lunch.” She points a stern finger at Isabel. “Every detail.” She calls out as she hurries towards the boardroom.

              The rest of the week goes by with Luke constantly insisting Isabel to spend the night at his house. It took two days until she was finally able to convince him to take her home to get a new set of clothing. She had been living out of her luggage she brought back from New York and it was sprawled open in Luke’s walk-in closet. She didn’t understand why Luke seemed so tense once they arrived at her mother’s beach house. He kept looking around and checking all the rooms as if he was searching for something. After they left, Isabel realized he hadn’t left her alone in one room for even one second. She even offered to cook for him and have a cozy dinner by her fireplace. But Luke came up with an excuse that he had work to do and needed the paperwork in his office and would feel better knowing she was nearby.

On their way to his place, Isabel realized Luke’s uncertainty must have been due to her telling him about a possible break-in the night they went to Marcio’s . Maybe this was the reason why he was so persistent to have her near him at all times. An unwanted feeling of insecurity and disappointment caused a bitter anxiety inside of her. She assumed Luke wanted her close because he was in love with her and couldn’t get enough of her. That he enjoyed his time with her. She couldn’t help but wonder if Luke’s particular possessive demeanor was because he was a good man, wanting to protect her. Especially since he had seen her at her most vulnerable. Did he think he had finally molded her into a confident woman and if he were to step aside she’d go back to the helpless lonely soul she was before him? This thought both scared and angered Isabel, mainly because she worried he was right. It saddened her to think Luke was concerned about her and wanted to comfort her versus her being a strong independent woman that lured him in. Her defenselessness was what drew Luke to her and she hated feeling insecure again, as if the last few days hadn’t happened.

              Luke senses Isabel’s change of mood as he drives towards his home, “You okay baby?”

              Isabel looks at him and sees the concern in Luke’s green eyes. “I’m fine.” She manages to smile. She can see that he doesn’t believe her but he just nods and doesn’t continue. Once they were back at his place and she was back in his bed and into his arms, Isabel gained her confidence back as Luke demonstrated what a thorough and caring lover he could be once more.

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Friday finally arrived and Isabel sat at her desk and worked on an editorial draft Linda needed. It sure had been a long week. There were some pressing issues waiting for Luke when they returned and it had kept them very busy most of the week. She had never looked forward to the weekend as much as she did now. She used to anticipate Mondays, where she could finally come back to the office after a long, lonely weekend and be surrounded by people again. But Isabel was excited now since Luke had informed her, his brother Andrew would be in town and he wanted her to spend the weekend with them.

She tapped her pen on the printed files on her desk while reviewing the draft copy before her.  When she lifted her head she noticed a young gentlemen, dressed in an expensive suit and briefcase in hand, walking towards her desk. He looked familiar. When his icy blue eyes met hers she remembered him. About two years ago when she still worked for Scotts, on a legal trip with the law firm to Chicago, Scotts had teamed up with this man, Travis Reed, to defend a corrupted tycoon CEO against charges of major corporate fraud. Travis Reed was the main attorney, but Scotts was hired to tag along since the CEO was a close personal friend. Scotts had invited Isabel to witness the trials as a learning experience. Isabel remembered the young ruthless attorney had ripped the prosecution team apart. The jury was already easily swayed by his charm and charisma and who could forget that thick, wavy, blond hair of his. The women on the jury were all but drooling each time he approached the bench. Isabel remembered how fascinated she was as she had witnessed how Travis Reed managed to make the scumbag CEO turn out to be the victim instead of the criminal they were accusing him of being. The prosecution team sat there wide eyed and stunned and even the judge had sided with Reed. Scotts offered him to become a partner and join his L.A firm but he refused to leave his practice in Chicago.