Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

GRACE

The smell of cinnamon and sugar fills the kitchen as I pull another batch of snickerdoodle cookies out of the oven. Baking has always been my escape when everything else around me feels like it’s out of my control, and right now, with everything that's happened the past few days, I need that more than ever.

Setting the hot tray on the counter, I turn to grab the cooling rack and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Luke leaning against the doorframe.

“Jesus, Luke,” I breathe, pressing my hand against my racing heart. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry, baby,” he murmurs as he pushes off the doorframe and stalks towards me like a predator stalking its prey.

“No, you’re not.” I roll my eyes.

He shrugs, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

I swallow hard as he crowds me against the counter, his large hands settling on my hips. “Smells good in here,” he growls, running his nose along my neck. “But not as good as you.”

My cheeks flush at his words, and I duck my head, focusing on the task at hand. “I, um, I made snickerdoodles,” I stammer, reaching for the spatula. “They're your favorite, right? That's what Jason told me.”

Luke's grip on my hips tightens, and he spins me around to face him. “You made these for me?”

I nod, suddenly feeling shy. “I wanted to thank you,” I explain. “For everything you've done for me.”

Luke's expression softens, and he cups my face in his hands. “Gracie,” he says, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones. “You don't need to thank me. I'd do anything for you.” The sincerity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat.

It's crazy how quickly things have progressed between us, how deeply I've fallen for this man I've known for less than a week.

I stretch up on my toes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I know,” I whisper against his mouth. “And that scares me a little.”

Luke pulls back slightly, his brow furrowing. “Why does it scare you?”

I bite my lip, trying to find the right words. “It's just... everything's happening so fast. A week ago, I was running from a stalker, and now I'm here with you, and I feel things I've never felt before.”

Luke's hands slide down to my shoulders, his touch gentle but firm. “I know it's fast, baby. But sometimes, when you know, you just know. And I know that you're it for me. I've never been surer of anything in my life.”

“What about Derek?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if he finds me?”

Luke's expression darkens, and his grip on me tightens. “He won't,” he growls. “And if he does, he’ll wish he never stepped foot in North Carolina. You’re mine.” The possessive edge to his voice should probably scare me, but it doesn’t. It makes me feel safe because I know Luke will do whatever it takes to protect me.

Giving him my weight, I rest my head on his chest, and his arms wrap around me, holding me close.

“Now,” he says, reaching around me to snag a cookie from the cooling rack. “Let's see if these cookies taste as good as they smell.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “They're still hot,” I warn him.

Luke winks before taking a big bite of the cookie. “Fuck, Gracie,” he groans after swallowing. “These are amazing.”

“You think?” I bite my lip. “I was toying with the idea of maybe opening a bakery before…” I trail off, the reality of my situation crashing back down on me.

Luke sets the rest of his cookie down and pulls me back into his arms. “Hey,” he says softly, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. “We’re going to figure this out and then you’re going to open the best damn bakery this town has ever seen.”

“You—” I clear my throat. “Here?”

“Yeah, baby. Here. If you think, after having you in my bed, that I’ll just let you go, you’ve lost your mind,” Luke says firmly.

“I—” The words die in my throat when he leans down and captures my lips in a brutal kiss. When he pulls back, his eyes are dark with desire. “Now, how about we work off some of these calories?”

Before I can speak, Luke scoops me up in his arms, making me squeal. “Luke!” I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”

“Taking you to bed,” he growls, already striding towards the bedroom. “Apparently, I need to remind you who you belong to.”

My whole body flushes with heat at his words, and I bury my face in his neck to hide my blush. As he carries me through the cabin, I realize how glad I am that he wants me to stay.

Luke kicks the bedroom door shut behind us and sets me in the middle of his bed. “Stay.”

Ignoring his order, I prop myself up on my elbows, watching as he pulls his shirt over his head. “God, you're beautiful,” I breathe, unable to tear my eyes away from him.

Luke smirks, his hands moving to the button of his jeans. “I think that's my line, baby,” he says, his voice husky. “You're the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen.”

As Luke sheds the rest of his clothes, I reach for the hem of my dress, but he stops me with a shake of his head. “Let me,” he says, climbing onto the bed and hovering over me. His hands slide up my thighs, pushing the fabric of my dress higher. “I want to unwrap you.”

Luke takes his time pulling off my clothes until I'm completely bare beneath him. “Perfect,” he murmurs as his eyes roam over me. “Absolutely fucking perfect.”

“Luke,” I whimper and then his mouth is on mine, kissing me so deeply it steals my breath away. I melt into him as his lips trail down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin there. He's leaving marks, branding me as his, and the thought sends a thrill through me.

I arch into him, silently begging for more.

“Patience, baby,” he chuckles against my skin as he makes his way down the length of my body. “We've got all day.”

“Luke, please,” I pant, my hips lifting off the bed as he settles between my thighs.

He looks up at me, his blue eyes dark with lust. “Tell me what you want, Gracie,” he growls against my inner thigh.

I swallow hard, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I want your mouth on me,” I whisper, my voice shaky with need. “Please, Luke. Make me come.”

A wicked grin spreads across Luke's face. “Good girl.” Luke doesn't hold back; his tongue circles my clit before dipping inside, tasting every inch of me.

“Oh, God,” I cry out.

“That's it, baby,” Luke murmurs. “Give it to me.”

And then I’m there, rocketing into space as Luke works me through my orgasm. He kisses his way back up my body as I work to calm my breathing.

“You’re not done yet,” he chuckles, flipping me over onto my belly and lifting my hips so I’m up on her knees.

“Yes,” I breathe as he positions himself behind me, one hand gripping my hip possessively.

“You’re mine, baby,” Luke growls, his voice thick.

“Yours,” I repeat just before he buries himself inside me, making me cry out.

He sets a relentless pace, pounding into me from behind with deep, powerful strokes that have me seeing stars. “Fuck, Gracie,” he groans as his fingers dig into my skin. “You're so goddamn perfect.”

I moan, lost in the sensation of Luke's cock driving into me from behind.

“I’m so close,” I pant. God, he feels so good.

“Come for me, Gracie,” he demands, his voice rough with need.

I obey without hesitation, my orgasm crashing over me like a tidal wave, and I scream out his name.

“That's my good girl,” Luke praises, his hips still slapping against my ass. Then finally, with a loud grunt, he buries himself deep, filling me with his cum.

We stay connected for long moments, both of us trembling with the aftershocks of our release.

With a soft kiss to my temple, Luke pulls out and rolls us onto our sides so we’re facing each other. “I love you,” he murmurs, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.

My lips turn up as tears well up in my eyes. “I love you too,” I whisper back. “More than anything.”

“No tears, baby,” he growls, pulling me closer.

As I relax in his arms, I thank the Gods for giving me this perfect man.