Loose Ends (Magnolia Series Book 1) Read online

Luke wasn’t in a rush. His every movement was meticulous in a way that had her anticipation mounting with each thud of her heart. His fingers walked over her skin like feathers floating on a slight breeze. His mouth worked to drive her mad with lust and the small sounds that escaped from his throat had her whimpering with enough need she thought she’d faint.

  “Let’s take care of these.” Luke moved one finger inside the waistband of her jeans, stroking her skin ever-so-lightly and made quick work of the button and zipper. He knelt and pushed the denim down her legs, leaving her standing in nothing but her skimpy undergarments. Once her feet were free of the clothing she instinctively crossed her hands over he lingerie-clad breasts. Luke stood and pulled her arms free. “Don’t do that,” he scolded in a non-threatening tone.

  “But we’re outside. What if someone sees us?” She looked around anxiously.

  “There’s no one here but us. And don’t ever hide any part of your body from me, Ava. You’re breathtaking.”

  Ava wished he’d stop saying sweet things like that. She didn’t want to admit how much they affected her. “Okay,” she agreed.

  Luke shoved his jeans down his legs, his boxer briefs with them. He didn’t say a word as he laid down on the blanket staring up at her. Ava couldn’t help but appreciate the way his body looked in the silver moonlight beaming down like a spotlight on his flawless physique. His chest gleamed with a light sheen of sweat from the warm summer night, his rippled abdomen caused her mouth to flood and dry up all in the same breath, and his cock…Ava shivered at the thought that soon she’d have that inside her again.

  “Come down here, sweetheart. I need to touch you.” Luke extended his arms up in invitation for her to join him. Need was etched across his handsome face as she lowered herself onto the blanket and lay on her side next to him. He shifted to face her, his hand reaching for hers, locking their fingers together, “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he whispered.

  “I don’t want to say.” She was rather embarrassed at the thoughts flitting through her head like nervous dragonflies.

  “Tell me.”

  Her eyes met his and she did tell him, “I’m thinking about how bad I want you inside of me.” Her cheeks heated at her own admission.

  “Want to know a secret?” Luke took his hand from hers and tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m thinking I can’t wait to be deep inside you, feel you tighten around me and scream my name when you come for me.”

  “Please.” Every time she was with him in this capacity she found herself begging. She didn’t normally implore for anything, but Luke brought out something inside her that she normally kept hidden.

  “Let me feel you,” he said as he trailed his hand down her body. She instinctively rolled to her back and let her legs fall apart as he stroked her over the top of her panties. “Damn, you’re so hot here.” He put more pressure on her already swollen clit through the thin material. She couldn’t control the soft moans that escaped her lips as he pushed her panties to the side and ran his fingers through the wetness gathering at her center. “Do you know how happy it makes me when I feel you like this?” She didn’t answer his rhetorical question. Just hearing his excitement over the fact that she was beyond turned on made her inner walls clench and more moisture seep onto his fingers. He continued to pet her, but didn’t make any moves to enter her with his fingers. “I don’t want anything inside you tonight but my cock.”

  Luke rolled to his back and pulled Ava on top of him. She sat astride his body and the thick length of his erection sat nestled against her waiting warmth. “Let me take these off.” She moved to stand and he tugged her back down.

  “Leave them on.” Luke once more pushed the lace to the side. “I want you to ride me, Sweetheart.” His hand wrapped around his shaft and stroked a few times before he gave her the go ahead. Ava reached out, took him in her hand and stroked, feeling his silky skin glide through her palm.

  She lifted her body up, aligned herself with the swollen head and slowly began to sink down on him. Just as he entered her, Luke grabbed her hips and halted her motions. “Stop.” He sounded like he was fighting himself.

  Ava’s heart skipped a beat as she knelt looking down at him. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what she was apologizing for, but by the look on Luke’s face, he was apprehensive about something. Did he see someone on the property near them? Did he all of a sudden decide he didn’t want to do this with her? Every insecurity danced in her head like a ballet of insanity.

  “Damn it. I forgot the condom,” Luke sighed.

  “We can…I mean…” She wanted to tell him that she trusted him. But the words wouldn’t come out.

  “Ava, I don’t want you to think I’m making you do something you don’t want to.” He looked up at her with what she thought was affection.

  “You’re not pressuring me. I’m safe and I’ve been on the shot for six years.”

  “I’m clean, too.”

  She leaned down. “I want to feel you, all of you. Nothing between us,” she whispered seductively in his ear. “I want to feel you come deep inside me.” She wasn’t embarrassed to tell him that. It wasn’t that she was experienced in the matter; if Luke agreed to it, he would be the first man who’d ever done that with her.

  “Fuck.” He reached down and began to stroke his shaft again. “Tell me that again.”

  Ava became brazen all of a sudden. She didn’t know what came over her as she reached down, yanked her panties to the side and took Luke’s erection from his hand. Lowering herself, she began to rub the head of his cock through the gathering wetness between her thighs. “I want to ride you, Luke. I want to feel your cock as it slides in and out of my pussy. I want to feel you as you fill me with cum.”

  “Jesus. You’d better stop talking like that or I won’t make it inside of you,” Luke groaned.

  Ava wasn’t waiting any longer; she’d had enough teasing and felt an extreme urgency to get to the good part. She brushed his cock a few more times across her more than ready center and lined him up with her waiting entrance. Her eyes flickered shut as she sank down—inch by delectable inch—until he was fully seated inside her. The feel of his intimate flesh in contact with hers had her so close to the edge of bliss already. Taking a few calming breaths she finally opened her eyes to see Luke was struggling, too.

  “Better than I could’ve ever imagined,” he said, grasping her hips and holding her to him. His grip seared her flesh as he dug his fingertips into her skin as if he were holding on for dear life in a raging storm.

  Ava slid her hands down and placed them on top of his; his fingers trembling just as hers were. How empowering was it to know a man like Luke was hanging onto his control by a hair? In her mind, it was the most powerful feeling she’d ever known so she took advantage of it. Bracing her hands steadier on his, Ava began to rock back and forth, feeling the sublime friction of his skin on hers. With each motion the sensations amplified and their breathing echoed in the tepid night air. Luke dug his fingers deeper into her flesh and pumped his hips upward, finding a brand new spot that caused Ava to arch her spine and throw her head backwards. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders and tickled her skin each time she swayed back and forth over his erection.

  “You’re what fantasies are made of,” Luke’s voice was strained; something she understood very well. If she’d even tried speaking right now, she’d come across sounding like one of the tree frogs chirping above them. “I want to see you come like this. Can you come for me?” Ava could only straighten her neck and nod. “Good. Ride my cock; come all over me.”

  She began to ride him faster, her movements becoming uneven. Luke held tighter, keeping her steady. “So close,” she whispered, hoping he would hear her.

  “That’s it. Do it. Come, sweetheart,” he crooned until she rocked enough that the beginning flutters of her release overtook her.

  Once more her head lulled back and cries of unadulterated
pleasure spilled from her lips. Luke helped her keep her rhythm as the sounds of their coupling filled the expanse of space around them. She heard his breathing change as her pussy pulsed around him. The thought of him emptying himself inside her with no barrier heightened the sensations and she knew another orgasm was on the horizon.

  “Tell me now if you don’t want me to come in that sweet little body of yours, Ava,” he grunted.

  “Come inside me,” she cried.

  “One last chance.” He was holding back to make sure she was okay with what they were doing.

  “Fucking come inside me!” Ava’s voice was demanding and she wasn’t going to apologize for it.

  “Fuck, yeah. I’m gonna fill that tight little pussy up. You ready?” Ava frantically nodded as her second orgasm ripped through her. Luke shouted as his release tore through him while Ava let out a keening wail. If someone heard them, they’d think they were in some sort of pain. On the contrary. They were in the throes of the most heavenly moment either of them had ever felt. As Luke’s hips thrust upward, Ava could feel the warmth of him spilling into her depths. It was the most intimate she’d ever felt with anyone; it both scared and exhilarated her. She wondered if Luke had ever done that with anyone else.

  After she was spent she collapsed forward onto Luke’s chest. His ribcage moved her up and down as he worked to get normalize his breathing. He stroked her sweat-dotted back as she lay there, not knowing what to say. The only sounds besides their breaths were the chirping of crickets and the noisy tree frog above them. She’d expected Luke to say something other than, “I’ve never done that before.” He sounded hesitant to share his revelation.

  Ava lifted up and tucked her hair behind her ears. She reached out and stroked his jaw, the stubble from his five o’clock shadow pricking her palm. “I haven’t either,” she admitted.

  “Damn, you’re so amazing.” He pulled her back down and sealed his lips to hers. It was as if he were trying to tell her something in his kiss that he couldn’t relay with words alone. She didn’t question it, only soaked in the sensations like a sponge.

  This thing between them wasn’t long-term and she was fully aware of that fact. There was nothing written in stone that they’d even be together next week. So Ava reveled in being with him tonight. She would take what she could get because no promises were made. Promises were something she wasn’t even sure she wanted. Most of the time they only led to heartbreak and pain. She’d had enough pain to last her a lifetime. If anything, she’d keep her heart locked away for safe-keeping and pretend this thing between her and Luke was still only a passing fancy.

  Chapter Twelve

  After their voracious session of what Luke could only describe as the best sex of his life, he held Ava against his chest and listened to her soft breathing. He shouldn’t have taken things this far. He should’ve backed off after the fight they’d had the night before and threw in the towel. But knowing he still had a job to do weighed heavy on his mind. Not to mention, Matthews showing up was a reminder that this was all going to end eventually. The best bet was to keep up this charade and walk away when everything was said and done. Ava understood; she’d said so when they spoke about this thing between them. So Luke wasn’t sure why he was kicking his own ass over everything.

  “Don’t fall asleep.” Luke chuckled as he stroked Ava’s naked back.

  “But you’re so comfy.” she yawned and tried to lift up.

  “I didn’t say you had to move.” Luke pulled her back down, her lace-clad breasts pressing against his chest.

  It was strange how perfectly she fit next to him. Where he was hard muscle and masculine, she was soft and lush, and oh so feminine. She held herself with a tough exterior but Luke could see she was like a marshmallow on the inside. He wasn’t like that. Emotions for him were something of myth. When you showed people your emotions, they used them against you. They’d chew you up and spit you out like you were just another disposable scrap of garbage in this shit-laden world.

  “Are we staying out here all night?” Ava asked as she lifted her head. Even in the silver moon’s glow she looked like an ethereal creature—a mirage. Maybe this wasn’t reality. He might wake up tomorrow and find there really was no Ava. That thought caused his heartrate to increase and anger to simmer beneath the surface.

  “Only if you want to.”

  “I think I need a shower.” She rolled her body off his and began to stand. “Are you coming in?” Her petite hand extended down in offering to him.

  “Yeah.” He stood as well in all his nude glory. They began to pick up their discarded clothing, but a sound compelled him to stop and listen closer. “Ava, come here. Now.” He suddenly felt the urge to protect her. They weren’t alone; that much he could gather.

  “What’s wrong?” Her face showed signs of concern but he didn’t want to spook her. Even though she was worried, she did what he said and drew closer to him. Luke didn’t say anything as he continued to take in the sounds around them. “Luke, what’s happening?” she whispered.

  “I need you to be quiet.” The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood to attention, alerting him that something was off. He quickly and quietly shrugged on his jeans while listening.

  “Hey, man, it’s just me.” Luke’s shoulders relaxed at the sound of Cole’s voice. The fucker picked the most inopportune time to stop by for a chat. “Did I interrupt something?” The other man approached and Luke could finally make out his form in the dim outdoor lighting.

  Luke pushed Ava behind him to shield her mostly naked body from the other man. “Don’t come any closer,” he called. He then reached down and grabbed Ava’s clothing, handing them to her. “Get dressed,” his voice came out clipped as he shoved the garments into her hands. He used his body to buffer her while she hurriedly pulled on her pants and shirt so the other man didn’t have the chance to lay his eyes on her.

  When she was fully clothed, Ava looked up at him. “Who is that?” She nervously tucked her hair behind her ears and began to chew on her thumb again.

  Luke grabbed her hand and removed her finger from her mouth then kissed her forehead in a reassuring gesture. “Just a friend. No need to worry.”

  “Just a friend?” Cole came closer and laughed. “I’d say I’m a little more than that, wouldn’t you agree, Daughtry?”

  Luke faced him and gave him the best “shut-the-fuckup” glare he could manage. He needed to think of something to say so Ava wouldn’t be suspicious of him or Cole. “He’s my cousin,” Luke blurted out with confidence.

  “That’s right, cousins.” The other man backed up his story, for which he was grateful.

  Ava—being the friendly person she was—stepped around Luke and approached the other man with her hand extended. “I’m Ava, Luke’s…friend.”

  Cole grasped her hand and gave it a quick shake. “Cole Matthews,” he introduced himself as well.

  “Nice to meet you, Cole. Luke didn’t tell me he had family still around.” Ava looked back to Luke.

  “I’m not from around here. Just passing through while on a job.”

  “Oh? What sort of work are you in?” Luke admired Ava’s conversation abilities but he wanted this particular one to end.

  “I’m in the cleanup business. When people make big messes, I’m contracted to come in and clean them up.” Luke shook his head at Cole’s response. Funny thing was he wasn’t too far off the mark with his answer.

  “So like big corporations?” Damn she kept on prodding for answers. Luke felt unease settle in his gut.

  “Pretty much.” Good, Cole kept up the ruse. “Would you mind if I steal Luke for a bit? I have a business proposition he might be interested in.”

  “Yeah, sure. I’m going to go take a shower.” Luke watched as Ava bent over to pick up her shoes. He also took in the fact that Cole eyes were centered right on her ass. That right there made him want to walk over and kick his ‘cousin’ in the dick. Ava of course was oblivious to it all.

  “
Towels are in the linen closet in the bathroom. Feel free to use my stuff.” Just to show Cole he wasn’t playing around, Luke pulled her in for a tight hug before she headed up to the house. When she was inside and the door shut behind her, Luke switched to business mode. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk. I don’t want to chance her coming out and overhearing us.” He yanked on his socks and shoes.

  Luke decided the gazebo was the best option for a night chat. It was far enough away from the house, but close enough he could see if Ava was coming back outside. He grabbed one of the wrought iron patio chairs, flipped it around and sat with his chest to the back of the chair. Cole did the same as he looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone.

  “What the fuck are you doing here tonight?” Luke didn’t feel like beating around the bush. He wanted to know why the hell Cole wasn’t staying away like he was supposed to.

  “Checking up on you. Have they called you recently?”

  “Not for a few days.” Luke ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. “I told you I’d handle this, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, you did. But I ran into an issue. The hotels in the area are booked due to some festival. I need a place to stay while I’m here.”

  “Hell, no. You can’t stay here.” Luke shook his head.

  “You know damn well they want me to stay close.”

  “I don’t give a flying fuck what they want. The answer is no.” Luke stood his ground.

  “Fine. Guess I’ll report back about you two then.” Cole shrugged and pinned Luke with a stare.

  “You’ve got be kidding me. You’re gonna pull some grade school tattle-tale shit because I won’t let you stay here?” A laugh blurted out before he could control it.

  “You know damn well you’re breaking the rules, Daughtry. They will come down on you so fucking hard you won’t even remember your name.”

  “What the hell do you expect me to do?”

  “Stop sticking your dick in her and do your fucking job.” Cole’s voice rose a bit more.

  “I don’t know if I can do this job anymore,” Luke sighed in resignation.