“Well, from what I’ve heard about these trips, I wouldn’t imagine that you were lonely.”
“No, I wasn’t, but as much as I love women, I’d rather be with the right one than with a string of meaningless fucks.”
This was dangerous territory. I didn’t know if Luke knew how much I really liked him, but I couldn’t have Bug walking in on the two of us talking about sex. I had my plan to get out, and I wasn’t going to let a little flirtation with Luke get in my way.
“Well, I hope you find the right one,” I said as I picked up the salsa and chips to head outside.
I stopped in my tracks when I felt Luke’s hands on my hips as I’d attempted to pass him on the way to the door.
“What if I already have?” he whispered in my ear, bending forward so that I could feel his lips barely brushing my ear.
I turned around to face him, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him and feel that golden stubble on his jawline brush against my cheek, my throat, my whole body. But I couldn’t. I still wasn’t entirely sure that Bug wasn’t plotting some kind of revenge, but I knew for sure that if he walked into the kitchen and found me in Luke’s arms, that he would kill me.
“Luke, I can’t.” I said, shaking my head in regret. “I’m with Bug to keep myself safe until I can leave Denver forever and start a new life for myself. He’ll kill me if he thinks I’m fooling around with you behind his back.”
Luke turned and looked out the window. “He doesn’t look like he’s terribly concerned about you right this minute. He has his hands all over Angel’s tits.”
“Luke, I really couldn’t give a shit about where he puts his hands, but his rules for me are different. He will kill me.”
“Krystal,” Luke said, taking the bowls from my hands and setting them on the counter. He took both of my hands in his, and I felt tears threaten at the unexpectedly sweet gesture. “I had a revelation of sorts on the road. I’ve spent all my life worrying about what other people would think and trying to do the right thing, even if it meant putting what I really wanted on the back burner.”
“That’s what makes you a nice person.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head and squeezing my hands. “That’s what makes me a pushover. I’m done being that guy. I’m done being the guy who watches the sexiest woman he’s ever met go home with a piece of shit like Bug. I know he’s my brother in the Sons, but he doesn’t deserve you. Krystal, you deserve a man who will treat you with respect and who is strong enough to protect you from all the petty, cruel bullies like Bug.”
“Luke, I have a plan to get myself out of this fucking mess I’ve created for myself. I’m glad you had your revelation, but I can’t afford to piss Bug off. I really can’t.”
Luke looked at me, still holding my hands, his blue eyes holding me in his very serious gaze. “Krystal, I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any other woman, and I don’t mean just for sex. You’re smart, you’re fun, you’re sweet, and to top it all off, you’re absolutely fucking gorgeous. I want you.” He dropped my hands and put his hands on either side of my face, holding me gently. “I think you want me, too, but if I’m wrong, just tell me, and I’ll leave you alone.”
I didn’t know what to say. Luke was, quite simply, the man of my dreams, but I was stuck, so stuck, that I was afraid that if I answered him honestly, that one or both of us would regret it. I decided to be honest. “Luke, I do want you, but I’m scared. Scared of Bug and what he’ll do to both of us.”
“Krystal, I’m brave enough for both of us. Let me handle Bug.”
“You don’t know him like I do. If you’re not scared of him, you’re a fool.”
“No, the old Luke — the one who wore a tie to his corporate job in Arizona — he would have been scared of Bug. I’m not. I want you, and I’m going to have you, Krystal. You know we belong together.”
He tilted my face up and bent to kiss me, but I pulled away, too afraid of what might happen if anyone walked inside the kitchen.
“Luke, I want to, but I can’t.” I grabbed the bowls and headed for the door once again.
Luke put his hand on the doorknob and paused before he opened the door for me. “Krystal, one way or another, we’re going to be together. I’ll let you go for now, and I’ll let you pretend that you want to be with Bug while you get your head together, but I will have you. You will be mine. Don’t forget that.”