He’s shutting down on me, the fog of his orgasm has gone.
“Let me clean up first.” He pulls himself out of me and walks toward the bathroom. I have no panties anymore, so there’s no point putting them on. I’d better disinfect the countertop too. I grab the spray and quickly wipe it down before following after Luke.
“Hey… don’t shut down on me, it’s Christmas.” Yep, pulling out the ‘it’s Christmas’ guilt card.
Luke lets out a sigh and turns around. “I’m sorry, Lilly. The phone call was from my family. They want me to come home.”
My stomach drops. “Oh.”
“Like you, I kind of left in a hurry.” I know that feeling, so I get it. “But, honestly, it’s too soon to go back. I need more time away, especially from them, they are very controlling.” I nod in understanding, my parents are the same. “I want more time with you.” He grabs my hand and kisses the delicate skin of my wrist. “The more time I spend with you, Lilly, the more I find myself.”
Boom. There go the butterflies in my stomach. The cage that’s been holding them in just exploded, and I can feel them flittering around.
“Oh…” Yeah, that’s a brilliant answer when a man tells you that you make him a better person.
“I’m moving too fast…” Luke takes a step away from me, running his hands through his silky, black hair. “Forget what I said…” He pushes past me and heads to the front door where our boots and jackets are located.
“Hey,” I call out after him, he slowly turns around, and I can see the tiniest bit of hurt across his face. I run to him and jump into his arms, nearly barreling him over. I place a sloppy wet kiss on his face, which makes him laugh.
“You’re crazy, Lil.” He chuckles.
“Yeah, about you.” The words slip out too easily, and he stills.
“Yeah?” The cocky smirk crosses his face.
“Yeah.” My arms wrap around his neck. “I think you’re a bit of all right.”
He raises an eyebrow at me, which makes my eyes roll.
“Now… enough feelings for the moment. Let’s get cooking, so you can work these calories I’m about to eat off me.”
Luke’s palms squeeze my ass. “I like the sound of that.”
11
Lilly
Okay, when I said he was going to help me work off my Christmas lunch calories, I thought it was going to be by the fire or in our bed, not walking through the damn snow. I cooked a brilliant Christmas lunch, not traditional at all, but it was still delicious. I made spaghetti carbonara even though Luke burned the bacon.
Like, seriously, how do you burn bacon?
Well, now I understand how one burns bacon when they have never cooked before.
I think Luke might be a mommy’s boy. He is Italian, and their moms are notorious for looking after their sons. But we survived. I also made bruschetta to start which Luke complimented me on, and I even attempted tiramisu with the awful instant coffee which didn’t turn out too bad. Luke ate it all so that’s a win. He was pleased I had gone to the effort to make him feel at home today. I haven’t really celebrated Christmas the past two years—sick people don’t usually stop for us to celebrate.
“Hurry up,” Luke calls ahead of me.
“My legs are little, and the snow is deep,” I call back. I don’t have stilts for legs like him, in some places I sink down all the way to my bum. I’m not made for this. Luke makes his way back to me, picks me up, and hauls me over his shoulder like a fireman.
“What are you doing?” I squeal.
“It will be quicker if I just carry you,” he tells me as he makes quick work through the snow. He’s right, he’s walking quicker without me straggling behind him.
We don’t get far until I start complaining about being ill—hanging upside down isn’t a great idea after a big meal.
“Jump onto my back.” He crouches, and I jump on—now that’s better.
“Giddy up.” I pretend Luke’s a horse and slap his bum, he’s not that amused, but I’m having fun. We eventually make it down to the lake, called Loch Leven, which is a famous lake in the area. Some of it is frozen over, while some of it still has running water. There isn’t a person out, we’re the only crazy people out in the cold like this. But, it’s peaceful, relaxing, soothing, and great for the constitution.
“This is beautiful.” Luke looks out at the white landscape. “Peaceful.” Both of us take in the majesty of the mountains, snow, and lake. “Do you think Rob will want you back?” Luke’s question surprises me—it’s come out of nowhere—and I draw my brows together.
“He can try, but as far as I’m concerned, we’re through. I wasn’t in love with him. I think…” I hesitate, kicking the snow in front of me with my foot. “I think I dated him to get my parents’ approval.” There it is—the truth.
Can I really fault Rob for cheating on me when I was never really in the relationship? That I was never in love with him?
Luke is silent as if he’s contemplating something.
“I understand that. My business… it’s the family business, and I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.” He’s finally opening up about himself.
“Are you the oldest?”
“No, thankfully. So, I have a tiny bit of freedom compared to my brother, but I’m next in line.”
“How many in your family?”
“I have an older brother and two younger sisters.”
“Are you close with them?” I don’t want to ask too many questions and spook him, but I like him telling me more about himself.
“With my brother and youngest sister, yes, but the other one…” He shakes his head. “She… she’s best friends with my ex.” His ex? I knew he could possibly have one, but it still shocks me hearing him say it out loud.
“She
