Page 70 of Coastal Runaway

My heart was pounding at the sight of him in a tuxedo. The man was sex in a suit. But I gave him a shy smile and tried to keep my emotions to myself.

“Don’t drool on her dress,” Maeve teased as I stopped in front of him and she kept walking past.

“I can’t make any promises,” He stated without breaking eye contact with me, “you literally took my breath away.” He leaned down and whispered in my ear as grazed the back of my hand with his fingertips.

I shifted my hands behind my back and responded, “thank you, Luke.”

He looked confused as I nodded and walked past him. I didn't look behind me as I greeted my father’s colleagues like the graceful and poised Kelly woman that I was.

The next two hours were some of the longest of my life. I was avoiding being alone with Luke, still unsure how I would handle the situation. I compensated for it by sticking to Nolan’s side and drinking a little too much champagne.

I was waving the bartender down for another drink when I caught a scent that I knew all too well. Hands leaned on the bar counter on either side of me and my neck erupted with goosebumps.

“You’re avoiding me,” Luke whispered.

“No, I’m not.” I lied.

“That wasn’t a question, Tig. I just can’t put my finger on why. Come on, baby, talk to me.” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

I knew that I was seconds from breaking. Luke had the ability to consume my senses and make me weak at the knees with one look. I didn’t think I could be this close to him, look him in the eyes, and break his heart.

“Come with me.” I grabbed his hand and led him out of the ballroom and down a side hallway to the coat room. I needed him.

Now.

thirty-one

Luke

I hated events. Like I really, really hated events.

Tonight I’d been roped—guilted—into attending this gala and the one bright spot was the perky blonde who had been dodging me for weeks. Keegan had been sleeping at Maggie’s, staying late at practice, and generally avoiding the house if I was there. I thought we were past the little games of ignoring each other before she fled.

I guessed not.

The moment that I saw her in that breathtaking dress, I couldn’t let her avoid me any longer. I knew that cornering her against the bar was risky but I saw the opportunity to get her alone and I seized it.

She dragged me down a hall until we reached a door that opened to the coat room. I assumed we were going to air it out once inside—argue until I was fuming and she was red in the face—but instead she turned to me and crashed her mouth onto mine.

We both groaned in unison as if we were going through withdrawal the last few weeks. I pushed her backwards to pin her against the wall with my hips and I bit her bottom lip, hard. She slid my jacket off of my shoulders and started unbuttoning my shirt.

We didn't speak. We were a frantic mess of kisses and hands as we roamed each other's bodies like depraved animals. I slid the cup of her dress to the side—which was easy since yet again this dress cut sinfully low on her—so I could take her nipple in my mouth. She moaned so loud that I had to slap a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.

“You have to be quiet, baby.” She nodded and whimpered as I continued to nibble on her nipple.

She reached down to cup me and I started pumping my hips into her hands. I needed her like I needed my next breath. She started unbuttoning my pants when I heard the door unlatch. I turned to block Keegan from the intruder but I wasn’t quick enough with my movements.

“Hey, Keegan are you in—what the fuck?” Nolan stood in shock, “Luke?” His eyes were darting between Keegan and I in our very compromising position. My pants were unbuttoned and my shirt was wide open as I faced him. I was standing directly in front of Keegan’s since her boobs were sticking out of her dress.

She quickly started to put herself back together as Nolan shook his head and turned to leave.

“Nolan, wait!” She took off after him, her heels causing her to trip on the bottom of her dress. She scooped up the bottom in her hands and started running.

I quickly buttoned myself up and ran after them. They made it to the lobby where I saw Keegan grab his shoulder causing him to swing around towards her. Rage filled his face and I could see the tears streaming down hers.

I stopped a few feet behind Keegan, afraid if I stood right next to them I would make the situation worse.

“Nolan, please. Let’s talk,” she pleaded.