11. Brett

11

brETT

M y phone dinged at exactly seven o’clock in the evening.

I assumed it was Claire, calling to not-so-subtly request another invite to my rented beach house. She absolutely loved rubbing it in my face that I only had a limited amount of time to stay here on the shores of Malibu, hob-knobbing with the rich and famous.

She acted as if I wanted to stay here.

I absolutely did not.

Being forced to be next to Luke had turned into torture.

Over the past couple of days, I had finally acknowledged to myself that I felt something more than unbridled hatred for Luke; I kind of liked him.

An innocent crush. A fleeting attraction. Nothing serious.

Right , I thought with a sigh as I reached for my phone, keep telling yourself that .

Much to my… surprise? Horror? Extreme joy? It was Luke.

As in, Luke Dalton, the man I had spent the past few days obsessing over.

Maybe I’d even snuck a look through my closed blinds the previous night. That was neither here nor there.

What mattered now was that he had just texted me.

Presumably, to chew me out for even daring to speak about him again on my podcast—even though I had given him glowing reviews.

I picked up my phone and unlocked it, bracing for the worst as I read his message.

Luke: Stop by for a drink?

Short and to the point. Not surprising for Luke.

For me, on the other hand, it was shocking.

Why on earth did he want me to stop by for a drink, as if we were two buds catching up over a boring weekend?

Part of me wanted to throw my phone into the ocean and run to the darkest corner of the mansion to hide. Somewhere no one could find me, where I could pretend I hadn’t just been invited to the home of the biggest crush of my lifetime.

Suddenly, the phone rang, shaking me from my thoughts.

Shit, he’s calling.

But it was Claire.

“What the hell do you want Claire?”

Her silence told me I had been too harsh.

“Sorry.”

Claire scoffed on the other line. “Um, attitude much? Who pissed in your breakfast cereal today?”

Vulgar as usual.

I frantically paced the floor. “Claire, I’m in trouble.”

“What did you do now?” she asked. “Did you forget to hit record on your podcast and talk to yourself for an hour again?”

I rolled my eyes, then remembered that Claire couldn’t see me. “I got a text from Luke.”

“Oh no, not a text! Did it bite you? Should we call an ambulance?”

“He invited me over, Claire.”

“So, what’s the problem? Did he ask you to bring your own food? Because that’s psychotic.”

“No! It’s… ugh. What if I screw it up? What do I wear? This is one of the greatest NFL stars of all time. I can’t just show up and talk about the weather.”

“You could,” she said. “It would be hilarious to watch him realize he fell for an overgrown man-child.”

“Not helpful!” I shouted before realizing someone might hear me.

Namely, Luke.

“It’s different now,” I added.

Claire chuckled. “By different, do you mean because he saved your life on that boat and now, you’re so whipped it’s adorable?”

“No!” I shouted again. “Okay… maybe. But what do I say? I can’t just waltz over there and say thanks for saving my life, by the way, nice pecs.”

“I mean, you could. His pecs are nice. Look, Luke isn’t going to eat you,” she said, trying to help me calm my nerves. “Unless you want him to, but that’s an entirely different story.”

I paused.

“What if I say something stupid?” I asked. “What if I trip and fall? What if I?—”

“Accidentally confess your undying love while trying to ask for a glass of wine? God, I hope so.”

“If this is a disaster, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

“I accept full and total accountability as long as you give me all the details later. Now, go! You’ve got this.”

Finally, some genuine encouragement from her. This was why I kept her around.

“Just remember,” she added, “if you can survive being roasted on Twitter, you can survive dinner with a football player.”

I stood in front of Luke’s front door, my heart racing faster than it had on my worst days under pressure from deadlines. Gripping my phone, I re-read Luke’s text for the millionth time, wondering if perhaps I had misunderstood.

For a moment, as I waited, I could picture him opening the door and seeing me standing there. Then telling me that he had accidentally sent the text to me when it was meant for someone else. And me feeling like a fool, all to be captured on his doorbell camera.

Yikes, I’m heading to a dark place.

Plus, I had gotten all dressed up for this. And by that I meant I had spent way too long obsessing over what to wear before deciding on jeans and a t-shirt just to make Luke think I hadn’t put any effort into my appearance.

My stomach twisted into knots as I raised a shaking hand to ring the doorbell. Before I could second-guess myself, the door swung open revealing Luke on the other side. He was casually barefoot in a fitted shirt and denim jeans that clung to his body in all the perfect places. His breezy smile made my mouth go dry.

Standing before Luke, I finally acknowledged and accepted that he had captivated me.

“Glad you could make it,” he said, stepping aside to allow me to enter.

His deep voice boomed and settled like warmth in my chest.

I entered cautiously, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the polished, perfect surroundings of Luke’s gorgeous house. My palms were clammy as I shoved my hands into my pockets.

“Thanks for having me. I… didn’t really know what to expect.”

Luke’s gaze was intent and focused on me, but soft and welcoming at the same time.

He closed the door. “I didn’t invite you over for an interview, Brett. Relax.”

I let out a laugh that ended up sounding more like a nervous bark. “Absolutely, relaxing is my specialty.”

Yikes. Smooth.

We walked into the living room, silence filling the space between us. But this time, it felt different. It was as if we were on the precipice of something big and the empty air was the only thing standing between us.

Luke stepped closer, closing the space between us in a way that made my pulse race.

“You’re tense,” Luke said gently, his eyes lingering on my lips.

I had never seen this look from him before.

He smiled. “We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my throat.

Luke pointed upstairs. “I had been meaning to show you the view from the second floor. Funny enough, you can see directly into Leonard’s house.”

He wants to show me his bedroom , I thought. And I’m pretty sure he’s able to see into my boss’s house as well. Which means he can see me.

But I already knew that. I had known that all along.

Somehow, it felt different now.

Seconds later, we were upstairs walking toward the primary bedroom.

The halls were adorned with beautiful works of art. For me, these kinds of houses were places I’d spend a few months as a favor to someone rich. For Luke, this was normal. Absolutely, positively, banal.

As we walked the dimly lit hallway, the differences between us only grew clearer.

Still, I couldn’t help but follow him like a lost little puppy being led to play.

What if he genuinely just wants to show me the view?

My mind raced with possibilities.

Inside the bedroom, the open window welcomed in the sounds of waves cascading onto the beach.

Luke paused by the open French doors, beckoning with his fingers for me to come near.

“What do you think?” he asked when I finally stood beside him.

But before I could respond, Luke’s hand brushed against my arm, sending a shiver up my spine. It was just a simple touch, but it ignited a spark in my chest. I sucked in a breath, my eyes flicking to Luke’s mouth just as he dipped his head slightly, our faces only inches apart.

“I’ve wanted this for months,” Luke murmured, his breath ghosting over my lips.

For a moment, I felt the world tilt on its axis as Luke’s fingertips traced a line up my neck, stopping just under my jaw where his finger rested. His movements were gentle yet commanding, as if he was in total control and I was just along for the ride.

I couldn’t resist anymore.

I leaned in, closing the space between us and letting our lips meet in a slow, sensual kiss.

Every bit of nervousness—every ounce of tension I had carried over the past few months—melted away as we kissed.

Our kiss deepened, slowly and insistently.

It was painfully evident that our relationship had changed forever and there was no going back.

My rational side wanted to kick in and remind me that there was no returning from this point. Luke and I were going to connect in a new way, and we couldn’t snap back to enemies afterwards.

A growl let loose from my throat, and I pulled him in to kiss me again.

I can be in charge too.

I reached down and unzipped his pants.

Luke towered over me. He always had. But now, it was much more pronounced. Our size difference was clear as he loomed inches above me. He could bend and move me to his whim. He could contort my body with minimal effort and toss me around like a ball on the field.

Next to him, I was like a plaything.

I could feel his massive cock pressing into my thigh.

“Want to taste it?” Luke asked.

I nodded eagerly.

“Take it out,” he encouraged. “Stroke it.”

I finished undoing his pants and unwrapped my present. I didn’t even need to look down at my own cock to know that I was harder than I’d ever been.

I had half expected myself to be shy, but truthfully, I knew myself better than that. I had been in lust with Luke Dalton for months—probably longer than that if I told the truth.

I was just getting ready to tell him what I’d like to do to him, when he interrupted my thoughts.

“On your knees,” he commanded.

I did as I was instructed. As soon as I was there, I needed no further orders. I brought my lips to Luke’s cock and pressed a kiss to it. He gripped the back of my head and guided me into the perfect position.

I took his bulging crown into my mouth and washed my tongue over his tip, feeling him shudder as I moved. For some reason, I felt as if I should hold back. Feign modesty of some kind. Months of criticizing this man and here I was, on my knees for him.

“Further,” he ordered.

I didn’t resist.

His fingers interlaced in my hair, caressing me.

With my free hand I stroked his balls, hearing him moan as the warmth of my mouth engulfed two thirds of him.

He pulled me up and gazed into my eyes. “You’re mine now. You’re in my territory and I’m about to have my cock in your ass. Ready?”

His words sent a shiver up my back, and I pressed a kiss to his lips.

Luke’s tongue invaded my mouth as he gasped through our kiss, wrapping his arms around me. His strength was clear which came as no surprise considering his chosen profession.

“Say it,” he said. “Tell me you want it.”

There was no hesitation on my end. “I want it.”

Luke pointed me to the bed. We walked over, he turned me around and pulled down my carefully chosen jeans, exposing all of me. He traced two fingers around my ass, grunting as if he was an animal in heat. His cock was thick and stiff, rubbing against my ass while I gripped the edge of the bed.

Luke seemed unstoppable. In a flash, he grabbed lube from the nightstand and put a little on his fingers.

He brought his fingers close to my hole, teasing me, but not going all the way inside. I gasped as the sensation of his touch rippled through my body.

He moved his finger inside me in small, steady circles. My muscles relaxed with each movement, my body communicating what my mind already knew.

My eyes closed in pleasure, and I fell to the bed, my chest hitting the mattress, and my face buried in the comforter.

Behind me, I heard the sounds of a condom package ripping open and the cap of a lube bottle pop.

Luke was about to have his way with me.

He gripped my thighs and looked down at me while running his hands up and down my back. I could feel my cock twitching into the mattress, eagerly anticipating what was about to happen.

A shudder of pleasure ran through my body as he pressed his crown to the rim of my hole.

“Fuck,” I said, struggling to speak.

Inch by inch, he worked himself inside, taking his time because my hole was so tight.

The sensation overwhelmed me, my toes expanded and contracted, and my eyes rolled back in my head.

The sound of Luke’s grunts behind me was enough to bring me close to the edge. But I knew that Luke wasn’t ready.

He rocked into me as I looked back to see the look of total ownership on Luke’s face.

It was as if I were his prey, and I was starting to get used to the idea.

He slid further into me, his cock swelling as he filled me up.

“Fuck me,” escaped my lips without my permission.

“Stroke yourself,” Luke commanded, his voice booming behind me.

He sounded different this time. Possessive. Assertive. Dominant.

I reached down and grabbed my own cock, pulling and stroking furiously as Luke rocked in and out of me.

His hands gripped my ass, and I squeezed myself around him, hearing his exasperated moans as I pulled pleasure from his body. Luke’s cock was stiff and desperate for release, and I was the key.

“Please,” I begged in a hot, frantic tone. “Please fill me up.”

It was time to finish us off, and I knew that Luke was going to be in control of that too, just like he was in control of everything else.

He reached under and stroked me as he thrust into me.

Our steady, growing moaning was music to my ears as we grew closer and closer with every thrust. I felt my balls tighten, and his cock give a twitch as I spilled over the edge. We came together at the same time; his sighs of pleasure almost drowned out by my groans of ecstasy.

It was the most intense thing I’d ever experienced in my life. I’d never been physical with someone where there was so much underlying tension that needed to be released.

We collapsed onto the bed together. I smiled as Luke kissed my neck, my hands moving to his cock to rub the last bit out of him.

“Wow,” he said, sounding exhausted. “That was unbelievable!”

“ Beyond unbelievable.”

I felt the sensation of the ocean breeze wafting across my skin, offering temporary bursts of relief from the sweltering heat surrounding our bodies. Glancing out the window, the stars twinkled in the sky, gazing down on us.