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“As for your car and apartment, I’m taking care of it,” Luke says. “So stop worrying about them. You don’t need to. You have a home now, with me.”
“Why are you doing this?” I blurt out, turning in his arms so I can see his face better. “Why are you going out of your way to take care of me? Marley Morrison, who is a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks, when you are a wealthy, successful businessman? I’m so far out of your league; it’s insane!”
His face softens. His hand comes up to cup my face before sliding behind my neck to draw me in for a deep, tender kiss. “Baby girl,” he whispers against my lips. “You are mine, Marley. I’ve had you in my bed for days. I want you there always. I take care of my own. As far as me being wealthy, yes, I’m doing well now, but I wasn’t raised with money. Our dad took off before Enos was born, leaving us without any source of income or a way to fend for ourselves. Mom was and still is a hopeless romantic always too busy chasing her knight in shining armor to bother with keeping a job. It was left to me and Daisy to keep a roof over our heads once we were old enough to have public jobs.
“When I had my accident, we got a huge settlement from the insurance company and the family of the driver who hit me. I didn’t want the money. I didn’t want to sue them, but at the time of the accident I was a minor. However, by the time it was settled, I was over eighteen so I was given control of the money. I love my mom, but if she’d been given control, it would have been run through in no time at all. I made sure to make wise investments, pay for my college, and take care of my siblings.
“After college, I got a job with a security firm in their IT department. I did my time, learned the ropes, and let my nest egg grow. Bo and Rosco enlisted at the same time and decided to get out around the same time. It was then I opened Invictus Security and Protection Agency. The three of us went into business together. Later when Kelvin and Dalton got out of service and then Enos, I brought them all on board. We’ve managed to makea name for ourselves over the years. The business is very successful, but even if it weren’t, I still have my investments that I could easily live off of for the rest of my life.
“So, I don’t want you worrying about me spending some money on you. You aren’t going to break my bank, even if I took you to New York City’s Fifth Ave and gave you free reign.” I narrow my eyes at him. As if I would go crazy buying things for myself.
“Luke, I really appreciate you wanting to help me, but I want to be able to take care of myself,” I grumble. “Realistically I know I can’t right now, but I hate feeling like a charity case.”
“Baby girl.” He gives me a hard look. “You are not a charity case, by any means. I’ve known you for the last year. I’ve felt the attraction to you from the beginning. You told me you felt the same, right?” I nod because he’s correct I did feel it. I still do. “Let me ask you this. If the situation were reversed and I needed help, a place to stay, clothes, and someone to look out for me. Would you do that for me?”
“Of course, I would,” I agree instantly.
“Would you want me to pay you back for what you spent on me if you had plenty of money?” he asks. I huff out a breath because I see where he’s going with this.
“No,” I concede. “It’s just…I’ve never had anyone to rely on. It feels strange.”
“I understand,” Luke informs me. “I would feel the same, I’m sure, but please try not to let it stress you. I care for you Marley. Maybe I’m moving too fast, but after knowing you this long and now having you in my bed, I know I want you with me for the long haul. I’m really hoping you feel the same way. I’m falling in love with you, and I don’t want to ever let you go.” I suck in a breath at his declaration. I see nothing but sincerity in his eyes.
“You love me?” I question, because I need to be sure I heard him correctly. A big smile graces his handsome face.
“Yeah, baby girl.” Luke presses a kiss to my lips. “I love you.”Tears prick my eyes as I smile back at him. My arms go around his neck as I kiss him back with a more gusto than his soft gentle kiss from before.
“I love you, too,” I whisper between kisses. “Are we crazy?” He chuckles as he kisses me back.
“Crazy in love?” he inquires. I agree, because I know without a doubt I love him, and he’s declared his love for me. I know Luke is a good man. He wouldn’t lie about this. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how this has happened, but I’m not going to question it. Luke wants me, and I want him. “Come on, baby girl, let’s get some actual shopping done.” I smile and nod. Sliding off his lap. I pick up my body wash, lotion, and body spray.
“I guess we need to go back to the boutique,” I say as I place the items in my hands into the shopping basket. “I do need a few items of clothing.” Luke smiles at me.
“As you wish,” he answers, “I had the sales clerk get you a few things while we were there. I could tell you were worrying over prices, so when I saw something you really liked, I had the sales lady get your size.”
“Luke!” I swat his shoulder gently. “I knew something was up when you went over and gave them your card. Where are the clothes?”
“She’s holding them until we come back.” Luke grins. “I knew we’d be going back once I convinced you to let me spoil you a little.” I roll my eyes at him.
“Fine,” I say, grumpily. “Let’s go see if you did good or not.” He laughs as we head to the check-out to pay for my purchases. Once that is done, we go back to the clothing store. We enter and head over to the counter. The woman at the register is smiling at us with a knowing look.
“I knew you’d be back sooner rather than later,” the woman says in greeting.
“What that’s supposed to mean?” I ask cattily. I know I’m being rude, but seriously, why did she feel the need to say that?Does she think I’m a gold digger? The woman’s smile falls as she studies us.
“I just meant that I knew he would be able to convince you to accept his generosity,” the woman answers easily. She doesn’t seem the least bit put out with my attitude. “Mr. Robertson explained you don’t like him to spend money on you, but I knew with his charm and devastating smile he’d get you to see reason.”
I feel my cheeks heat with indignation. Now I feel like I have to refuse the clothes on principle alone, but I glance at Luke to see panic on his face. He knows me too well. He’s been so good to me I don’t want to upset him.
“Luke can we just get the things and go?” I ask him, not wanting to have another argument with him in front of this woman. He looks at me in surprise.
“Um, sure,” he agrees. “Don’t you want to see what I got?” I shake my head. I just need to get out of here.
“I just want to go home, please. Will you take me?” I ask him.Wait! Home?Since when have I begun to consider Luke’s house my home? His face lights up with a huge grin as my words sink in, which warms my heart to him more.
“Yes, baby girl. I’ll take you home.” Luke’s voice is thick with emotion. He has the sales lady pack up all the items he purchased, and she hands me the bags. I carry them out to our vehicle, loading them into the back. I climb into the passenger seat and wait for Luke to get situated so we can leave. When he’s pulled us out of the parking lot and onto the street, he turns to me.
“So you really just want to go home?” He glances over at me as he drives. “We can go to more stores if you want.” I really do just want to go back to his place and forget about my financial situation, but I don’t want to be rude.
