Loose Ends (Magnolia Series Book 1) Read online

  In the shadowed night Ava could see Luke move closer. He pinned her to the railing with his hips and cupped her cheeks in his rough hands. “You didn’t depress me.” Before she knew what was happening, his lips were softly pressed against hers. This time the kiss didn’t hold any sort of urgency. He was slow and deliberate with his ministrations as he tenderly explored her closed lips with his. But Ava wanted, no, needed more. She parted her lips and accepted him inside, silently begging him to deepen what he’d started. Instead, Luke backed away just a bit.

  “You’re seriously killing me here, Ava.”

  “I know we’ve just met and this is technically our first date. I don’t do things like this. In fact my last relationship was over two years ago.” She knew she was rambling.

  “I can’t have the kind of relationship you want.” Luke ran a hand through his hair and let out a groan of frustration.

  “That’s the thing, I don’t want one,” she admitted truthfully.

  “What do you want?” He eyed her quizzically.

  “I want to see why we have this crazy chemistry. Maybe if we do this, and get it out of our systems, we won’t feel like we’re so out of control around each other.”

  “So a ‘hit it and quit it’ type of thing?” he asked.

  “Sure, if that’s what you want to call it. No strings. Just you and I putting this thing to bed, so-to-speak.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

  “One thousand percent certain.” Even though Ava said it, she really wasn’t sure. Every woman dreamed of a fulfilling relationship. Not just a fling that fizzled out once one person got bored with the other. But she wanted Luke, her body craved him. She needed to see why her own body betrayed her when she was near him. She wanted to feel what it was like to have all his sexual attention placed on her. He was a focused, driven man. She wanted those things lavished on her for even just one night.

  “Okay,” he stated firmly.

  “Okay?”

  “Yes, okay.” He stalked toward her again and didn’t take his time claiming her mouth. His lips nearly crushed hers and he slipped his tongue past the seam of her lips to meld with hers. It wasn’t fair that a man possessed the ability to kiss like that. He was essentially a hitman to her libido, he had her in his sights, and when he took the shot, she was done for.

  ***

  Luke’s body came alive when his lips connected with Ava’s. There was no doubt about his attraction to the sexy blonde who exuded innocence and mystery. She wasn’t like the other women he’d been with, no, she was special. He didn’t want to admit it, though. His brain kept telling him that this was the worst idea he’d ever conceived in his entire life. But that didn’t stop him. Maybe he was thinking with his ‘little head’ instead of the big one but it felt good when his body hummed with pure arousal around her.

  As the kiss deepened, Luke felt Ava’s hands bunch in the fabric of his t-shirt. She pulled him closer and he felt the heat of her hand all the way to his toes. He wanted more. There was a different heat he needed now. He broke the kiss and grabbed ahold of her face in both hands.

  “Are you certain you want this?” The question came out before he had a chance to think about it. He hoped she didn’t change her mind. Sure, he’d live, but the blue balls would send him careening into a shitty mood. Ava nodded. “One last chance. You can back out and I’ll take you home. But if you say yes, I’m going to make sure I worship every part of your body tonight.”

  “Stop talking. If I didn’t want this, I would’ve been gone thirty minutes ago.”

  That was the green light for Luke. His hands couldn’t move fast enough to roam her still-clothed body—he would take care of that soon, too. The visual he had of her naked and willing sent chills down his spine and a more urgent ache through his shaft. Each hand slid down her slim sides taking in the slight curve at her waistline, and grabbing onto her hips. Both hands dug in, showing her that for tonight, she was his. She’d know it soon enough. Trailing back up, Luke grabbed the hem of her shirt and gingerly pulled it over her head revealing a pink satin bra. Her rounded breasts pushed against the material—nipples revealing just how turned on she was at the moment.

  “Fucking gorgeous,” Luke said in an almost pained tone.

  “Touch me,” Ava breathed as she reached around her back and undid the clasp to her lingerie. She let the straps slide down her arms and then removed the garment completely.

  Luke could only hold his breath and stare at the beauty before him. He’d seen breasts before but Ava’s were impeccable in every way. Firm and rounded with dusty pink nipples that seemed to be reaching for him. He had to act. Lifting a hand he softly touched one — Ava sucking in a breath as he issued light touches to one and then the other.

  “You don’t have to be gentle.” She looked him in the eyes.

  Those were the words that unleashed his inner beast. Fingers that had so gently explored now took to pinching and flicking the buds causing Ava to fill the night air with her breathy moans.

  “I bet you could come just from this.” Luke pinched and twisted, loving how her back arched to offer him more. “Maybe if I added this.” His other hand went down to stroke her mound through her jeans.

  “Yes,” she hissed, pushing her lower half into his hand.

  Luke watched as her eyes rolled back and then closed. She was already on the brink and that made his cock stand up and take notice. He’d give her this release but then it would be time to feel her come apart on him. He tilted his head down and asked in her ear, “Are your panties soaked?” Ava again nodded her answer. “I know they are; I can feel how hot and wet you are through your jeans.”

  “Please…” Ava begged.

  He pressed harder on her center and twisted one nipple to the sounds of her gasps. “Come for me, sweetheart. Flood those panties with wetness for me,” Luke grunted.

  “I’m so close.” Her breathing accelerated, showing Luke just how close she was.

  “Can’t wait to have my cock inside you when you come. I bet it feels like heaven. All hot and wet. I’m going to bury myself so deep in you, you’ll feel it tomorrow.”

  “I’m coming!” Ava shouted and he pressed more firmly on her pussy. Her cries permeated the air around them; Luke feeling his own need ratcheting up a thousand notches.

  “That’s it, rub yourself on my hand,” Luke felt her hips move quickly as she worked herself through the orgasm. “Fuck, you’re soaking my hand through your jeans.” He was desperate. He needed to be inside her worse than he needed his next gulp of air. Nothing was sexier than a woman in the throes of release. He’d seen plenty of it—but Ava outshined all of them. It was like watching pure magic unfold right before his eyes.

  Her eyes snapped open and a blush crept over the apples of her cheeks when she was fully sated. Was she embarrassed? “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  Why was she apologizing? “What in the hell are you sorry for?” Luke was confused.

  “I just…I think…I don’t know,” she huffed.

  “Sweetheart, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” Luke was still in awe of the way she looked when she came apart for him.

  “Really?” Ava was still unsure of herself.

  He stepped closer—if that was even humanly possible. “I don’t know what sort of man you’ve had in the past, but if he didn’t think that was amazing, he’s a fucking douche bag.”

  Even though it was dark outside he could tell Ava was smiling at his comment. What sort of man wouldn’t think that was spectacular? He sure as shit did. But Ava still didn’t look convinced. He’d show her.

  “Turn around,” Luke ordered. She obliged. When she was faced away, he reached around her and unsnapped the button on the denim that covered way too much for his liking. The zipper was next, rasping down causing an echo of the grating metal around them. Ava began to shiver. He stopped for a moment. “Are you cold?”

  “No, your hand…it feels so good.”

  Lu
ke didn’t reply. He answered her by hooking his fingers in the waistband of her jeans and dragging them down her muscular legs. On the way back up to her sweet spot he caressed her smooth stems, hearing her moan her approval. “Can’t wait to touch you,” he sounded desperate even to himself.

  “I want you to touch me.”

  So he did. He cupped her soaked flesh from behind and felt her need coating his hand. “Fuck,” Luke bit out.

  She was so damn ready for him. But he wanted to take this slow. Getting inside her and blowing his load in less than thirty seconds wasn’t how he wanted to do this. So he decided to toy with her for his own sanity. One finger traced the wet seam of her lips as he moved it back and forth, avoiding her swollen clit. He knew if he grazed it too much, she’d go off like a spangled rocket. She was already squirming like she was on the brink.

  “Hurry,” she groaned like she was in pain. If she was in the same limbo he was, there was no doubt she ached. But Luke needed to taste the sweet nectar coating his fingers. He pulled them from her lips and raised the soaked one to his mouth.

  Her flavor burst on his tongue, telling his cock it was time to finish this. “So fucking sweet.” He sucked the remainder of her flavor off his finger and unzipped his own jeans. Ava wiggled her ass in front of him in invitation. Not yet. Reaching for his wallet, he pulled out a foil packet and ripped it open with his teeth. In less than ten seconds his cock was sheathed and ready to explore her depths. His muscles bunched as he took hold of his erection and guided it to her entrance. He hoped this wouldn’t be over too quickly.

  “Need you inside me, Luke,” Ava pleaded.

  “Just a sec, I don’t want to embarrass myself,” he chuckled.

  Ava reached back to find his hand which was still wrapped around his erection. She pulled him forward and forced him to insert the tip of himself in her wet heat. Fuck it was already too good.

  “More,” she demanded.

  That was all it took for him to lose control. “Grab the railing, and hold on.”

  She did as he said and when she was steady, he jutted forward, burying himself inside her. “Fuck you’re tight.” She didn’t say a word. Only stood there bent over with his cock, balls deep. “Am I hurting you?” Sweat beaded his forehead while he waited for her reply.

  “A little. But don’t stop.”

  Luke needed to move. He wanted to feel the scraping of his shaft along her inner walls. Taking his time he languidly pulled out until only the head was submerged. “How’s that feel?”

  “Good, so fucking good.” Ava trembled. Damn he needed it fast and rough. He shot forward and a scream left her throat. “Again!” she shouted. So he did. Each time he pulled out of her and shoved himself back in it was torture. This wasn’t going to last long at all. He wanted to feel her come all over him before he reached his peak.

  Reaching around, Luke found her clit and began to tease it with his fingers. Her pussy fluttered in response. “Are you going to come for me, sweetheart? Is your tight little pussy going to milk the cum out of my cock?” He loved dirty talk. Clearly she did as well. Each time he bit out crass words, her body livened even more.

  “Yes, make me come!” She met him stroke for stroke as his cock moved in and out of her. Her fingers digging into the wood of the railing in front of her told him she was feeling pretty damn good. “I feel it. Oh, God!” She groaned as he reached a new spot deep inside her.

  “Come on me. Make that pussy throb on me.” He worked her clit faster, feeling it swell beneath his fingers. “That’s it. I can feel you. Fuck, your pussy is gonna come isn’t it?”

  “Yes!”

  “You want me to come with you, baby?”

  “Oh, God yes! Come with me!” Her voice took on a high-pitched wail as her orgasm slammed into her.

  Luke felt her squeezing him, and damn it was sublime. “I’m gonna come, too!” His own orgasm began to crawl up his spine as he worked in and out of her pulsing core. When the release hit, he roared into the night air like an animal set free from its caged confines. Nothing in his life was equal to that moment. It was pure unadulterated bliss being inside her and feeling her come alive for him.

  He didn’t want to leave her body; he wanted to stay there forever, buried in her moist center. But he couldn’t stay. That reality hit him harder than a riptide carrying you out to sea. “Gotta take care of this.” He pulled free from her still-clenching core. The heat leaving him didn’t make things any happier in his mind.

  As he walked through the house to dispose of the condom, his head was spinning. What did he just do?

  He fucked a job. What if his employers found out? Would they be elated to know while he was on the job he decided to play around a bit? Chances were they’d be livid. He thought being inside her would rid him of the tension and ache he’d developed since laying eyes on her. If he thought that now, after being with her, he was a moron. Nothing would get rid of the ache now that he’d had just a small taste of the forbidden fruit still standing out on his porch.

  Chapter Six

  Once Ava righted her clothing, she stood in the night air waiting for Luke to return. Even though the breeze was starting to cool her off, she still felt like an inferno burned in her core. The blood coursing through her veins remembered Luke’s touch even though he’d been gone for well over ten minutes. Had he regretted what they’d done? Was he in there hoping she’d make herself scarce so he wasn’t left with the awkward scenario of having to deal with her? Those thoughts should’ve taken the afterglow down a few notches, but alas, they didn’t. The craziest thing to come from all of it was that she’d thought by some insane chance the attraction would lessen. Not so much. If anything, it had heightened once she connected with him on the most primal of levels.

  Ava stood there hearing only the rasping chirp of crickets around her. Her hands drifted over the railing—the same railing she’d held in her firm grip when Luke had taken her someplace she’d never been before. A smile lifted both corners of her mouth as she relived those moments over and over in her mind. Her hands began to clutch the weathered wood tighter as each breath and crass word he’d said replayed like a Technicolor film. Where was the pause button for your brain when you needed it? Luke might be inside trying to figure out how to make me leave right this second, Ava thought. But she hoped that wasn’t the case. From experience she knew men could be distant creatures after the carnal act of pleasure was consummated. They could forget you existed and begin to push you away like you weren’t even a blip on their radar. What if I wasn’t good enough? She continued to beat herself up in her own mind.

  “I can almost hear you thinking from here,” Luke broke through her thoughts with his low gruff voice. Ava spun around to see him leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his bare chest. When did he take his shirt off?

  She folded her own arms and rubbed her palms against her still heated skin. “Just thinking how beautiful it is here. So serene.” She drudged up a lie to cover her insecurities.

  “Liar,” Luke called her out which surprised the hell out of her.

  She’d learned quickly how to stretch the truth to stay hidden. How was it that he could read her so well? “Luke, I’m sorry about what happened.” She wasn’t sorry. In fact she was the furthest thing from sorry. If sorry was the South Pole, she would’ve been standing beside Santa and his tiny Elves making toys at the North Pole.

  Luke stalked forward until he stood toe-to-toe with her. In the dark he placed one finger under her chin and gently lifted her gaze to his. Even in black of night only lit by the moon, she could see the shimmering blue of his eyes gazing at her like she actually mattered. “I’m not sorry. And if you are, I’ve clearly done something wrong,” he stated with authority.

  Ava shook her head, “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s me; I don’t know how to act after this.”

  “You don’t know how to act? What does that even mean?” He let her chin drop, walking back to the doorway with tension bunching his m
uscled shoulders.

  “I don’t want to get into it. Maybe you should take me back to my car.” She walked forward and tried to push past him to no avail. He was built rock solid. The complete opposite of her. Where he was tight and firm on every plane of his body, she was soft and curvy. She didn’t dare try to shove him out of the way; she’d more than likely hurt herself in the process. So she stepped back once more, hoping the distance would sway him from pushing the issue.

  “I don’t care if you want to get into it or not, Ava. Forgive my way of putting this but I just had my cock buried deep inside your body. I think you owe me an explanation why you feel awkward about it now.” Okay so he wasn’t going to drop it.

  “I’m not trying to be a brat here, Luke.”

  “You’re sure as hell acting like one.” He laughed, making her anger rise to the surface.

  “Yeah, well, maybe I am. So what?” She didn’t have much of an argument. She was being a brat and she knew it. But that didn’t stop her from trying to explain just a bit more. “I haven’t had the best experiences with men. I’m sure you don’t want to hear my issues though since, as you so eloquently put it, I just had your cock inside me.” Her laugh bubbled up before she could stop it. What a silly thing to say. But Luke was right.

  “Maybe I do want to hear it.”

  “Then you’ve lost your mind.” Another laugh came out. “Fine. You want to know why I’m insecure about this? Here’s the reason. I was in a relationship before I moved here. We dated for three years and in the beginning things seemed great. Wonderful, in fact. But as time went on, he became a control freak. He had me followed where ever I went, he monitored my phone and online use and he did things…” She trailed off and turned away, not wanting him to see her relive the horror her ex had put her through. She’d shoved all of that to the back of her mind when she’d bought that bus ticket two years ago.