AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Luke
IwatchLivasshedancesinacirclewithTankandagroupofMarinesIknow.She’sbeenthehitoftheparty.I’mnotsurprisedeveryonegravitatestohersinceI’mlikeamothtotheflamemyself.ButIstillcan’tbelieveshepickedme.She’sthemostbeautifulthingI’veeverseen.
I can’t stop thinking about the fact that she’s naked under that dress. My hand twitches, begging me to run it up between her smooth thighs. I didn’t realize how right I was when I called her a siren that night on the beach. She’s calling out to me, luring my ship into dangerous waters.
My inner beast rages about Scotty getting his hands on her, but I tamp it down for her sake. There’s nothing I can do about it now, but I’m no longer going to underestimate him. I’m pulling out every resource I have to keep Liv safe. I don’t care if it’s overkill. He’ll never touch her again.
I’m so proud of her for handling it so well. She was rattled, but determined to not let it affect our night. I thought she was putting on a brave face in the past, but now I know it’s not a facade. This woman is more brave than I could ever dream to be. I clear my throat and try to focus on Brody as we stand off to the side of the dancefloor.
“She’s great, man,” he says.
I can’t hide my smile. “She’s perfect.” I peel my gaze away from Liv to face him. “I’m hoping we can go to a game.”
“Hell yea. Tell her to bring her brother. We’ll make it a day and hang out after.”.
I smile and return to watching Liv. Tank says something, and she laughs, her entire face lighting up. Tank’s does too. Anyone who gets to bask in the glow of her joy is a lucky bastard. Jesus, I’m turning into such a sap.
“You’re in love with her already, aren’t you?” Brody says, eyeing me.
I sip my drink to gather my thoughts, but there’s no way I can hide it from him. He gives me a knowing smirk and I shrug.
He scoffs and smacks my shoulder. “Don’t be lame.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “When’s the last time you admitted you were in love?”
He laughs. “Last week. To you.”
I chuckle and return to watching Liv.
"I’m happy for you, Lukey Bear. Your parents would love her too,” he says, and I swallow the lump that forms in my throat. When we were kids, he started calling me Lukey Bear the second he heard my mom use the nickname. He waited a long while after her death before he started using it again. And I don’t mind. He’s the only one of my close friends who got to know her before she died.
“I better be your fucking best man. I know those other fuckers love you too, but I have seniority.”
“We’ll see.” I chuckle and shake my head. An image of Liv in a white dress makes my smile widen. The song changes to Etta James’At Last,and I’m done watching her dance with other men. I approach and the guys step aside. She turns and her smile lights up my universe. If I’m going to be a sap, I’m going all in.
She takes my hand and I pull her against my chest. She rests her head on my shoulder as we spin in slow circles. I rest my cheek on her head and close my eyes. We enjoy the moment and when the song ends, she yawns.
“Ready to call it a night?” I ask.
She nods. “I’m ready.”
We head over to say goodbye to Brody and Tank.
She grins at me over Brody’s shoulder as she hugs him. Still a bit star struck. “It was so great to meet you Liv. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again,” he says when they part.
She glances at me. “I hope so.”
I say my goodbyes, then we head out to the waiting limo. Mark falls in step behind us when we get to the lobby.
“You still doing ok?” Mark asks when we’re on the way to the hotel.
She nods. “Yea. I’m good.”
I cup her face with the hand that’s not holding hers. “You get a good hit in?”
She grins. “I was about to knee him in the junk.”
“Sorry I interrupted that,” Mark says, and she laughs.
