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“That doesn’t make you a coward.”
I look away as tears prick the corners of my eyes. Emotion makes my throat so scratchy I don’t think I could talk even if I tried, so I merely nod.
“Hey,” Luke says, striding over to lift my chin so I’ll look at him, but then once I do, he backs off and steps away. It’s like he’s scared to touch me now more than ever. “You didn’t cause that, and there is nothing you should have done. He’s in the wrong. While he might not pursue a lawsuit, I sure as shit won’t let him get away with it.”
“You don’t have to do that on my account,” I rush out. “You already have enough on your plate.”
He tips his head, studying me with a solemn expression.
“My mind is already made up. He did that in my house, knowing I was right there, and he was so damn sure of himself, which makes me wonder how many other women he’s harassed. Jesus. I could never live with myself if I don’t say something. I’ll call my lawyers in the morning and see what we can do. Beyond that, I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I hold up two thumbs and force a smile. “Never been better.”
He’s less than convinced. He stares at me like he’s waiting for me to splinter and crack before his eyes. His heady expression is so invasive, so close to the mark that all I can do is deflect.
“C’mon, you’ve gone above and beyond. Boss of the year, I swear. So let’s just drop it.”
Luke’s face doesn’t relax though. He looks so torn.
He rubs the back of his neck, his brows drawing together in anguish. “I can’t believe I let him in my house. I put you in that situation…”
“David put me in that situation.”
His brown eyes are so sad I can’t just stand here across the kitchen from him another second. Since I know he won’t bridge this gap between us, I do it.
I step forward, wrap my arms around his middle, and hug him before I decide against it. It’s rooted in innocence, a hug any person would bestow upon their hero. A hug of gratitude, of sheer appreciation. At first, he doesn’t reciprocate. His hands hover in the air, his body remains rigid. But then he must sense how much I need this and that I’m not exactly going anywhere, and his heavy arms come to rest gently around my shoulders.
“Tell me, really…are you okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yes. I promise.”
He’s so much taller than me, wider in every regard. His biceps feel like they could boa-constrict the life right out of me if that were his goal. Instead, he tugs me closer until we’re flush against each other and I’m surrounded by his warmth. I feel like a small child, insulated from the world. God, it feels good.
FOURTEEN
CHLOE
Wee-oh, wee-oh, wee-oh. Oh what’s that? The thought police have come to arrest me? I’m not even surprised. I’m up to no good, a grade-A deviant. I’m lying on my bed fantasizing about Luke when I should be sleeping. And I know it’s wrong! No one needs to remind me of that. I haven’t forgotten all the rules surrounding my relationship with him. Do this. Do that. Don’t picture him without pants. Do not imagine what it would have felt like if that hug had lingered a little longer, if his hands had traveled south. Yada yada, I get it. Usually, the urge is easy enough to bat away, but not tonight.
In fact, tonight, I’ve leaned into thinking of Luke because it’s helped replace looming thoughts of David—ew, David—as I try to go to sleep.
I tell myself it’s innocent, but there is nothing innocent about my growing crush on Luke. It colors everything I do, everything he does. If he’s extra nice to me, I can’t help but think, Oh, well, obviously he’s obsessed with me. If we’re in the same room at the same time, there’s always tension. Am I likely reading too much into things? Maybe. Could the tension exist solely in my head? Magic 8 ball says it’s likely. Honestly, it’s probably just been too long since I’ve had physical affection and I’m starved for it.
Miles was never one to be touchy-feely. He liked his space, and I was okay with that because—and I kind of feel bad admitting this—he wasn’t all that fun to cuddle. He’s very boney and lanky. Not at all like Luke. Luke is a hunky muscular bear of a man. If I were one of those ladies who, I don’t know, (I haven’t put a ton of thought into this or anything) enjoyed getting tossed around the bedroom, Luke would be able to deliver on that. And if I were someone who liked my men to be on the larger side in the crotch department, Luke would have that covered too.
