Love in Between (18 page)

“I missed you,” I said.

“I missed you too. Now let’s see if we can get your truck running.”

I popped the hood and stood next to him as he fumbled with some wires. I was totally turned on by how sexy he looked, trying to fix my truck. He looked over at me.

“Go try to start it.”

I sat in the truck and turned the key—nothing. I got out and walked over to Luke as he was on the phone with the mechanic. After he hung up, he shut the hood of my truck and put his hands on my hips.

“They’re on their way to tow your truck back to the garage.”

I sighed. “I need a new ride.”

“The good news is that I get to drive you to and from work tomorrow.” He smiled.

“There’s no school tomorrow. The district’s closed.”

“That’s great! So I guess that means you don’t have to be home early tonight.”

“Nope, I can stay out late because it’s not a school night.” I smiled.

We walked over to Luke’s Jeep, and he opened the door for me. I climbed in and put my seatbelt on as we drove back to the apartment building.

We pulled up as Maddie and Charley were getting out of the car.

“Uncle Luke, Lily, guess what? My daddy’s coming to visit in a few days!”

I could see the tears in Maddie’s eyes as Luke looked at her, and she looked away.

“Lily, take Charley to your apartment; I want to talk to my sister for a minute.”

I took Charley’s hand and led her inside the building. I began to worry about the conversation Luke was going to have with Maddie. Obviously, no one likes Charley’s father. After a few minutes, they walked into my apartment; then Maddie took Charley home. Luke opened my refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of beer. He opened it and flung the cap across the counter.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked as I stood there with my arms folded.

“He hasn’t seen Charley in three years. He hasn’t paid child support, and he hasn’t sent her any gifts; nothing. The only thing the bastard’s done is made a few phone calls, talked to her for a couple of minutes, and made up excuses as to why he can’t visit her. Now, he’s coming here after three years and expects to take her for a weekend.”

I walked over to where Luke was standing. “He’s her father.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Lily! The only thing that attaches that title to him is his DNA. He’s no father to that little girl!”

I could see the pain in his eyes, and I knew he was more of a father to Charley than anyone. I watched him as he threw back his beer; then I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight.

“He’s a drunk and a drug addict, Lily. There’s no way I’m letting him take her. He can visit her at Maddie’s, with me sitting there.”

“I’m sorry, but Charley seems really excited to see him.”

“I know, and that’s the sad part. She doesn’t even know what he’s like. She hasn’t seen him since she was six years old.”

“Come on; let’s not worry about this now. Let’s go to Bernie’s and have a good time. Speaking of Bernie, we never discussed what you two were talking about yesterday,” I said as I looked up at him.

He took his thumb and softly stroked my cheek. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

I smiled as I put my hand on his face. “You’re beautiful too, Luke, inside and out. The way you take care of Charley is amazing. You treat her like she’s your own daughter, and that’s what I love about you.”

He took my hand from his face and pressed his lips against my palm while staring into my eyes. “I’m falling in love with you, Lily.”

My pulse started racing. Chills ran up and down my spine as he spoke those words to me. There was no denying that I was falling in love with him. He consumed my every thought, and I craved his touch all the time. I brought my face closer as I kissed his lips and then looked at him. “I’m falling in love with you too, Luke.”

Picking me up, he buried his face into my neck as I wrapped my legs tightly around him. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to. We both knew as we were holding each other that our love was growing, and whether we wanted it or not, there was no stopping what was happening between us. After carrying me to the bedroom, he stood me up in front of the bed. His fingers deftly unbuttoned my shirt as he slid it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. He unhooked my bra, letting it fall from my breasts as he ran his fingers over my puckered nipples. I was mesmerized by him as he stared into my eyes while he undressed me. He took down my skirt, exposing my thong, and then he cupped my ass in his hands and squeezed it while taking in a sharp breath. “I can never get enough of you. I can feel your body begging for me,” he said as he placed his hand between my legs. He inserted his finger and kissed me gently. Everything he did was gentle and slow. I wanted to reach out and grab him, but he wouldn’t let me. He took my hand and placed it on my clit, making me rub it in circles as he bent down and erotically kissed every inch of my throbbing sheath while my body trembled, and I had one of the best orgasms of my life. Moments later, he brought his mouth up to mine.

“I want you to taste what I taste every time we make love,” he whispered.

His hand reached around to the back of my neck, and he held me steady while he kissed me passionately, sucking my tongue and nipping my bottom lip. “I need you, babe. I need you so bad it hurts.”

As he broke our kiss, he turned me around and laid me on the bed, hovering over me and softly kissing my back. I could feel his hard cock rubbing against my ass and up the small of my back. A low groan turned louder as he pushed himself inside me. He moved in and out of me, making me come with him as he reached under me and rubbed my swollen clit. After lowering himself on top of me, he brought his mouth to my ear and whispered, “Don’t ever leave me.”

I felt a knot in my throat, finding it hard to catch my breath. He just asked me never to leave him, which meant things were moving faster than the speed of light. I turned my head to the side and kissed his lips as I smiled. He got up and went into the bathroom, and I lay there, pondering his words. A few minutes later, he emerged and walked over to where his boxers and jeans laid on the floor.

“I’ve been thinking about buying Bernie’s bar,” he said as he put his boxers on and sat on the edge of the bed.

I sat up and wrapped one arm around his neck. “That’s wonderful, Luke. How long have you been thinking about doing that?”

He took my hand and interlaced our fingers. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, ever since I was a kid. Callie and I talked about it all the time. She encouraged me to go for it, and when I finally decided to take that leap, the accident happened and changed everything.”

As I kissed his shoulder, he stroked my arm. “Luke, you should still buy it.”

“It’s not that simple, Lily.”

I heard my cell phone ringing, so Luke told me to go answer it. I got up from the bed, walked over to the dresser, and saw Gretchen was calling.

“Hey, Gretch, what’s up?”

“Are the two of you going to have sex the rest of the night or are you coming to the bar?”

“Are you already there?” I asked.

“No, we’re standing outside your apartment, waiting for you.”

“Oh!” I said. “Give us a minute. The door’s unlocked, come in and make yourselves comfortable.”

“Ok,” she said as she ended the call.

Luke looked at me, and I could see that the tears and sadness that filled his eyes were gone. “I didn’t realize what time it was.”

“They can wait,” I said as I pulled my black dress from the closet.

“If you wear that, you’re going to have me fucking you in the bathroom at the bar.”

I giggled as I slipped it on. “I dare you.” I smiled.

“Dude and dudette, let’s go!” Sam yelled from across the room.

“Shut it, man! We’re coming!” Luke yelled back.

“I bet you are!” he exclaimed.

We looked at each other and started laughing. Luke got dressed, and we walked into the living room. Gretchen looked at me, got up from the couch, and grabbed my arm, leading me into the bathroom.

“You have sex hair. You can’t go to the bar with sex hair.”

I sighed as I took the brush, ran it through my hair, and touched up my makeup. “How’s that?” I asked her as I turned around.

“Much better.” She smiled.

We walked into the living room, grabbed our guys, and headed to Bernie’s.

24

“Four beers, Candi,” Luke said as he walked past the bar, and the four of us sat at a table.

“What’s going on with your sister and Lucky?” I asked Gretchen as I grabbed her hand.

“I don’t know. She said it’s weird because he’s not her type at all, yet she can’t stop fucking him.”

I twisted my face at her as Candi brought the beers to the table.

“It looks like it’s a full house tonight, Luke. Maybe you should be up on that stage, playing your guitar and singing us a song.” Candi smiled.

“I’d love to, Candi, but I didn’t bring my guitar.”

“Maybe
you
didn’t bring it, but
I
did.” Sam chuckled.

Luke shot him a look. “You brought my guitar, man?”

“Yeah, it’s in the back of the Jeep. I put it in there in case you needed it.” Sam replied.

“Great!” Candi grinned. “Thirty minutes, Luke. Get ready to knock the socks off this crowd,” she said.

Luke looked over at me as he took a swig of his beer. “How about you get up on that stage and play what your daddy taught you?”

“No way!” I exclaimed as I took a sip of my beer.

I didn’t know if he was joking or not, but there was no way in hell I was getting up on that stage and playing the guitar.

“Come on, Lily. You have a beautiful voice.” Luke smiled.

“Since when have you heard me sing?”

“Through the wall; you sing almost every night before you go to bed—at least you did before I started sleeping over.”

“Damn it, I have to move; those walls are too thin.”

Luke laughed, pulled me from my chair, and hugged me. “You aren’t going anywhere,” he said.

Sam went out to the Jeep, grabbed Luke’s guitar, and handed it to him as Candi announced Luke’s performance from the stage. I smiled at him and kissed him for good luck. He winked at me, walked to the stage, and sat on the bar stool Candi provided for him. Luke adjusted the microphone and said hello as everyone in the bar clapped. His smile captivated me like it always does, and the way he held his guitar and strummed a few chords for a sound check, pulled me in. Candi set another beer down in front of me, leaned over, and whispered in my ear as she looked across at the stage.

“Luke’s a great guy; it’s good to see him smile again.”

My eyes wouldn’t leave him as he sat up on the stage, and I stared straight ahead as I replied, “He is a wonderful guy. Sometimes, I think he’s too good to be true.”

Candi patted my shoulder and walked away. I took a sip of my fresh, cold beer and listened as Luke sang a song.

The moment he finished his song, Luke spoke to the crowd. “I’ve met a very special lady. She’s very talented, and I think you’d all like her. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce Lily Gilmore.”

My stomach dropped, and my heart started racing. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to kill him, but that would have to wait because people were cheering and clapping for me. Gretchen pushed me up on the stage; then I stood there and faced the cheering crowd.

Luke stood up, handed me his guitar, and whispered in my ear, “You can punish me later.”

I shot him a look and sat down on the stool with his guitar in hand. Luke made his way off the stage and back to the table. I stared out in the crowd, remembering the night my father did the same thing to me. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and started playing a song that I wrote shortly after my father’s death.

“You were taken away

By the love and alcohol you liked to play

I love you are just words

If there’s no action, it can’t be meant

You told me you loved me, and I was heaven sent.

You left a cut so deep in my heart

There’s no escaping who you are

But I’m your daughter, and I’m your star

You left me alone and full of scars.

There were more important things to you

Then the family that you once knew

You always told me to shine bright

And that I was your shining light.

You left a cut so deep in my heart

There’s no escaping who you are

But I’m your daughter, and I’m your star

You left me alone and full of scars.

You said you’d always be with me

Even when I needed you most

You’re just a phone call away

Over on the East Coast.

I’m done crying now, and I’ve said goodbye

I’ll remember you always until I die

I hope you can hear me from wherever you are

This song is for you, from your daughter, your star.”

While the people in the bar clapped and whistled, I strummed the last chord. Standing up, I smiled and thanked them as Sam walked up on stage and took Luke’s guitar. He kissed me on the cheek and smiled. Luke got up from the table and stood in the middle of the bar, waiting for me to walk off the stage and into his arms. When I climbed down to meet him, his arms tightly wrapped around me.

“Babe, that was beautiful,” he said. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Luke,” I said as I looked up at him.

“I didn’t know you wrote songs; I thought you just sang and played random ones or the ones your father taught you.”

“I write a song here and there.” I smiled.

He cupped my face in his hands and kissed my lips. Gretchen walked up to us, broke our kiss, and hugged me.