As menacing as she was, she was well-behaved, other than refusing to stay in her yard. Then again, knowing Linc, he probably lured her over. I couldn’t blame her then; he was awfully convincing when he wanted to be.
When we reached the road, she stopped and waited, seeming to recognize the danger. Smart for a dog. Especially Luke’s dog.
As soon as we crossed, she bolted towards the house. I scanned the property, coming up short in my quest for her owner, so I followed her onto the porch, knocking to deliver her safely. I could hate Luke until the cows came home, but I couldn’t leave an innocent dog unattended, even if he didn’t seem to care about her well-being.
He didn’t come right away, but once the door popped open, I wish he’d taken a second longer to pull a shirt on at least.
Standing inside was straight temptation, a cut body wearing nothing but blue boxer briefs. His chest engulfed the doorway with thick, inked muscles stretching across his shoulders to his pecs, a tiny piece of metal clamped in each nipple. Sunlight danced on his skin, beads of water and wet hair signaling he was straight from the shower.
“Can I help you?”
My eyes fell from his chest, only to land on a crotch bulge for the history books, a thick rod at its center.
“Your dong was in my yard,” I muttered, swallowing hard and flicking my eyes back to his face, meeting the blue eyes that melted my core. “Dog! Your dog was in my yard.”
“Well, thank God, I wouldn’t want my dong wandering without permission,” he teased, a sly smile spreading wide. “But thanks for bringing my girl back. She used to visit Mrs. Sutton, so she wanders that way sometimes. Sorry.”
“You should watch her. Cars drive fast out here.”
He yawned, stretching his hands high, putting on a hell of a show as every bit of him flexed. “Yes, mom.”
In the sliver of space surrounding him, I could see the bungalow that once felt like home.
Luke caught me staring, craning his head. “Like what you see?”
I liked everything I was seeing, not that I'd ever admit it. “It looks great inside.”
“Thanks.” He snapped his fingers, and the dog ran in, sitting at his heel. “You want a tour?”
I shook my head, keeping my eyes on the dog, the happy-go-lucky pup oblivious to how dangerous her master was. The last place I needed to be was Luke Barrett’s house, let alone with him barely dressed and a door shut behind us. I’d melt.
“Come on, I don’t bite.” His words didn’t match his appearance, looking capable of so much more.
Nipping.
Punishing.
Pounding.
All the while, I longed for the comfort of the bungalow, the long-lost retreat inches away. It’d be a sin not to step inside for old times’ sake, to borrow some of its warmth.
I glanced over my shoulder back at the cottage, not spying Linc or Liv. If I were quick, neither would know any better, though Liv would drop dead if she saw me chatting with Luke in his undies.
“I can’t be long. Liv is helping me clean.”
“Dust still bothering you?” he asked, stepping aside to let me in.
“Yep,” I muttered. He always had a sixth sense about how I was feeling, so lying was pointless. “But I’ll get used to it.” I wasn’t so sure about that, but I was running with it.
“I know a lot about dust,” he sighed as I stepped in, my breath hitching at all the changes.
The water-stained ceilings were gone, exposed beams soaring high, making the quaint space seem exponentially bigger than I remembered. He’d plowed through a wall, opening the space to the kitchen, installing huge windows overlooking the water along the rear of the house.
The delicate aroma of Nan’s beloved vanilla candles was long gone, a masculine wave of cologne moving their warmth aside, though I couldn’t get enough of it. Not that the freshly-showered man feet away helped.
“Wow, you’ve been busy.” I scanned the place that was once my second home, and strangely enough, despite all the changes, it hadn’t lost its homey feel.
“It’s been eleven years. Had to keep busy somehow.”
The rumble of his voice was unmistakable, my eyes flicking his way, spying him leaning against the door. His eyes burned, the turbulent oceans of blue offering adventure I couldn’t imagine.
“You’ve been busy too, I’m sure.”
“Linc keeps me on my toes. He says, “hi” by the way.” I bit my lip, breaking the hold he had on me, studying the living room, fluffy throw pillows dotting the sitting area, not a hint of the gritty fiend anywhere.
“I’ll say hi to him later at the opening.”
“We’re not…” I trailed, but he shook his head.
“You’re going. You and I both know you will.”
I rolled my eyes, turning attention back to the cozy sectional that stood where Nan’s plaid sofa once had. I wasn’t sure when she passed, but Liv mentioned it once, breaking my heart in two.
“That couch was on its last legs when Nan died,” he explained, seeming to read my mind. “Broke in two when I took it to the curb.”
“When?” I asked, scanning the room for a photo.
He knew what I meant, not forcing me to say the words. “It’ll be ten years on Halloween.”
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say. He’d lost Pops and Nan so close together, and I left in the midst of it.
“Ma died the year after.”
Jesus Christ.
It felt like a truck hit me.
“I’m so sorry, Luke.”
He stayed rooted at the door, his body swallowing up the wood.
“How are the boys?” I asked, genuinely interested in how his brothers were doing. I knew basics from online chatter, but nothing recent.
“Great.” His lips stayed pressed in a firm line, and I knew he wouldn't reveal anything more.
“And you?”
“I’m fine.” While his eyes burned, he shot nothing but ice with his words.
“That’s great. Well, thanks for letting me peek inside. It looks nice.” I knew when I overstayed my welcome.
“You don’t
