Way to Her Heart (7 page)

“She had a lot of fun on your date, Uncle Lucas. You should probably give her a little kiss,” she said in the voice that she thought was a whisper.

To his surprise, Sherri had tilted her head to allow him to plant one on her cheek. She returned it with a smile. “Thanks again for the lovely evening,” she said sweetly.

Just like that they had moved out of the friend zone into a place where romantic possibilities bloomed. He had wasted no time in advancing his agenda, and in the days that followed he spent quite a bit of time with the Stratton ladies. He’d cooked for them one evening in the loft apartment he took over from Jared after he married Alexis. The meal was a great hit with Sydney because he had made pizza. She was absorbed in every step of the process, and when he taught her how to toss the dough in the air like a real pizza maker, she had been in heaven.

There had been other outings, always with Sydney along as a chaperone because he knew better than to trust himself alone with Sherri just yet. He didn’t want to take things to the next level until she knew that she could trust him completely, so the only recourse he had was to make sure that they were always around other people. The only difference was the addition of long passionate kisses when they said good-night. Lucas had briefly considered the notion that those first kisses were a fluke, but he was absolutely wrong. Every time their mouths met it was more delectable than the time before. A hot surge of desire would well up until there was nothing in the world but Sherri, the taste of her, the feel of her and his total lust for her. He’d learned how to break off the kiss, say a gruff good-night and get in his car before he did something in her doorway they’d both regret.

It had been both rewarding and frustrating, but his patience had paid off. Sherri was beginning to trust him, at least enough to go to Charleston with him. Normally he would have dreaded a two-hour drive with a woman, but he was enjoying this one immensely. He looked over at her, neat and pretty in the passenger seat, and she looked like she was enjoying herself, too. Without giving it a thought, he reached over and took her hand.

“I’m glad you decided to come with me,” he said with a smile.

Sherri used her free hand to remove her sunglasses and returned his smile. “I’m glad you asked me. I haven’t been to Spoleto in years. This is a real treat for me.” She continued to look at him with an unguarded expression. “You have an absolutely lethal smile,” she teased him.

“Lethal? Is that a compliment or a criticism?” He laughed as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“It’s a compliment, of course. You just have a really sexy smile. I hope I’m not stepping on some other lady’s toes by being with you.”

“Are you serious? I’m not in a relationship with anyone right now. Haven’t been for a long time,” he said firmly.

Sherri’s mischievous side was out in full force, apparently, because she didn’t give up. “Are you sure? You’re way too tasty to be flying solo. Why aren’t you involved with some nice lady? I imagine there’re a lot of women who’d like an answer to that question. You have all the components anyone could want in a mate. You’re good-looking, talented and ambitious and my little girl loves you, so that means you’re pretty much perfect. What’s the story, Lucas? C’mon, you can tell me,” she coaxed. “How in the world is a man like you walking around unattached?”

Lucas laughed loudly at Sherri’s bold statement. This had to be the most he’d heard from her at one time and the fact that the words and phrasing were warm with humor
and
flirtatious gave him a burst of enthusiastic encouragement. He seized the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the mystery that was Sherri.

“I should be asking you the same questions, sweetheart. How in the world is a stupendous woman like you going through life without a partner? As exceptional as you are, you should have a devoted husband who lives just to make you happy,” he countered.

She made a funny face, then laughed at him. “We’re not talking about me. This conversation is about you. We already know why I don’t date. I had my heart broken and my dreams of romance smashed to itty-bitty pieces by a man who didn’t want to own up to his responsibilities. Case closed. There’s no need to put your hand in the fire when you know it’s gonna burn you. And besides, I have a partner, or are you forgetting Miss Sydney?” She was smiling.

Lucas was relieved that he hadn’t insulted her with his clumsy phrasing. She poked his big biceps with her forefinger as she continued to prod him. “So don’t try to deflect this onto me. Tell me about Lucas. I’ll bet you and Damon have had girls falling all over you since you were in grade school. Did you ever pretend to be each other to trick people?”

“Yes, I confess we did. It’s one of the perks of being identical twins, but we never did it to get over on a female, not deliberately. But we were pretty mischievous—I’m not gonna lie. Jared called us Demon and Lucifer for a reason, trust me.”

Between their shared stories and laughter, the trip to Charleston seemed to take much less time, especially because Lucas never took his hand from hers the whole ride. They continued to hold hands as they walked around Charleston, enjoying everything about the festival. There was a lot to see. They toured art galleries, bought souvenirs for Sydney and saw as many sights as possible before having a delicious lunch of shrimp BLTs and she-crab soup at a popular restaurant.

The concert was outstanding, better than anticipated. The drive back to Columbia could have been a pain because of all the traffic, but nothing dimmed their good moods. They were engaged in conversation. The trip seemed to take no time at all.

When they arrived at Sherri’s condo, Lucas carried in the bags and Sherri took them to Sydney’s room. She returned to the living room to find Lucas in the kitchen pouring them each a glass of wine.

“Sorry if I’m being presumptuous,” he said as he handed her a glass.

“Don’t be silly,” Sherri said as she took a glass from his hand. “This is a good idea. Are you hungry?”

He waited until she took a sip before leaning down to kiss her, slowly and with great intent. “No, I’m not hungry for food, sweetheart. I’m really hungry for something else, though, so I’d better get going.”

His hands were warm on her shoulders, his fingers gently flexing as his thumbs moved in slow circles. She carefully put her wineglass on the counter and moved in closer to his warm body. Wrapping her arms around his waist she stood on her tiptoes to return the kiss with interest. She gave him more than he was expecting, using her tongue to tease the corners of his mouth before drawing his lower lip into her mouth and sucking on it gently. Before getting completely lost in the kiss she whispered, “I don’t want you to leave.”

Chapter 7

His hands slid down to cup her butt, and he lifted her easily as her legs went around his waist. Their mouths opened as one and their tongues started the sensual thrust and stroke that began the dance. The heat rose as Lucas walked with her into the living room. He went to the sofa and lowered their bodies so that he was lying on a pile of throw pillows with her slim body on top of his. Their mouths were still connected as his hands became acquainted with her body. He was touching her everywhere as the kiss gradually ended. Sherri’s hands were equally busy until she lifted her head and looked at him quizzically.

“How did we end up here?”

“I didn’t know how to get to your bedroom,” he admitted.

“I can show you,” she murmured. “Let’s go.”

Moments later they had gone up the stairs and entered her pretty bedroom with the taupe walls and champagne-colored duvet and curtains. The only light in the room was the moonlight filtering in through the sheers. It was more than enough for him to see their surroundings. There were peach and coral pillows on the king-size bed and window seat that matched a small velvet armchair and matching ottoman in the corner. The room was feminine and sexy, but it could have been a hunting cabin with a cot and Lucas wouldn’t have cared. He was where he’d wanted to be for a long time and his total focus was on Sherri. Interior decoration was nowhere on his radar at the moment. All he cared about was the sexy woman who was taking off her sandals while he watched.

Her belt came next. He was fascinated by the slow precise way she undid the buckle before gracefully removing it. He pulled his own shirt free of his jeans and unbuttoned it while she did the same to hers.

She stopped before removing her linen shirt and gave him a self-deprecating grin. “I have to warn you about something,” she said softly.

He met her eyes.

“I don’t own any fancy underwear,” she confessed. “It’s all basic white cotton.” She opened her blouse to reveal a plain white bra. A few seconds later, the matching bikini panties came into view as she divested herself of her shorts. It looked as cute as hell to Lucas; he’d had a lot of experience with the Victoria’s Secret crowd and none of them had looked as sexy as she did right now.

His shirt fell to the floor and his jeans and boxers joined it as he held out his hand to Sherri. “You look perfect to me. Come here and let me show you just how gorgeous you are.”

She put her long, slim hand into his and sighed as he pulled her into his arms. They held each other tightly until she gasped with surprise when she realized that he’d unhooked her bra and it was dangling from his fingertips.

“Wow. You’re good.”

“You have no idea,” he growled, lifting her up once again. He managed to pull back the duvet and placed her on the huge firm bed. Before he joined her he reached in the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the condoms he’d taken to carrying at all times.

They reached for each other at the same time, each one touching the other the way they’d wanted, exploring the feel of each other’s bodies. He bent his head to her breasts, taking one in his mouth, tasting her hardened nipple for the first time. Her fingers slid into his thick, wavy hair and she held him in place, sighing with pleasure while Lucas demonstrated his dexterity again by removing her panties in one smooth motion. His fingers eagerly explored her femininity, finding her wet. She moaned softly, and he turned his attention to her other breast, lavishing the tender tip with his tongue, then applying a firm suction that made her sounds of pleasure louder.

When he felt the moisture between her legs start to flow, the movements of his fingers became more deliberate. He stroked her over and over until her hips began to move and he felt her inner walls tighten. His mouth started traveling down her body, licking and tasting every inch of her. When he knew she was starting to climax, his mouth replaced his fingers and he held her hips while he treated her to the most intimate kiss possible, using his tongue and his lips to coax her to a series of orgasms that made her cry out in release. He couldn’t stop tasting her, drinking her, devouring everything that made her a woman. She tasted like strawberries. All he knew at that moment was that he wanted to do this to her as often as possible. Giving her pleasure was the only thing he wanted.

He finally relented and began to kiss his way back up to her mouth while she trembled all over from the sweet torture. He rolled over onto his back and brought her on top of him, holding her close. As the rapid beating of her heart gradually slowed, she rubbed her face against his chest while her hand moved up and down against his hot skin. It was her turn to learn his body, to learn what brought him pleasure. She brought her hand down to his manhood, exploring his huge erection. Her hand slid up and down, cupping him gently yet firmly. He reached for a condom and she took it from him, rolling it on. Now it was time for them to become one.

Lucas held her hips and guided her on top. She gripped his shoulders as he entered her body, gasping aloud as he gradually filled her to the brim. It took them a moment to find the right rhythm and after that their passion took over and the real mating began. One push turned into another and another, and they rocked back and forth in a heated frenzy. Lucas was taken over by Sherri in a way he’d never experienced with another woman. She was hot and sweet. He felt the explosion coming before he was ready to finish. He held her smooth hips as she moved against him, and he groaned her name aloud. When she tightened on his manhood, their voices mingled in a shattering climax that sent waves of satisfaction over both of them. This time they collapsed, wet with fulfillment and totally happy. It was a long time before either one of them could speak.

“Did I hurt you?” He stroked her hair as she slowly rubbed her face against his chest.

“Absolutely not.” Sherri sighed. “That was amazing, Lucas.”

“You’re amazing, sweetheart.”

She gave a soft, sleepy laugh. “I love the way you say that word. When you call me that I think I really am your sweetheart.”

“You are,” he answered, but she didn’t hear him; she had drifted into sleep.

* * *

After the loving was a classic opportunity for embarrassment, regrets and the time-dishonored walk of shame, but none of those things happened. After sleeping in each other’s arms, Sherri was awakened by Lucas with a repeat performance that left her more than satisfied. They showered together, shared grilled cheese sandwiches and finished the rest of their wine. They saw no reason to not go back to bed. This time was more romantic—Sherri had lit some candles and Lucas put on some sexy jazz. They talked and made love until sleep claimed them again.

He had to leave early the following day because he was working the early shift at Seven-Seventeen. Before he left, he fixed breakfast for Sherri and brought it to her in bed. He kissed her goodbye and told her he would call her later. She felt well-rested and relaxed. The profound sense of well-being made her smile.

It had been a long time since she’d been with a man. Trevor’s obnoxious behavior after finding out that she was pregnant had soured her on men, even though she’d denied the idea when her friends brought it up. She’d always told them that she was waiting for Sydney to get older before she tried the dating scene again, but it was a half-truth. She had truly loved Trevor, or at least that was what she’d thought at the time. Finding herself pregnant and alone as she began her internship had been devastating and difficult.