Breaking Through (Atlanta #3) (6 page)

"Very pretty! Thank you. I'm going to hang it on my refrigerator at home, ok?"

"Ok," she smiled back and reached for her daddy, sticky note in hand. "Here dada."

"Thanks, little girl," he answered warmly, then turned his smile to Jenna. "I'll call you tomorrow night."
 

He saw the sweetest smile on Jenna's face right before he turned toward the door. He smiled, too, when he read the lines on the little paper. Her full name, her phone number, and a smiley face. She even smiled in ink. He read the name again.
Jennalyn Roche
, what an appropriately beautiful name for her. Jennalyn.
 

Holy hell
, he loved her name almost as much as he loved her smile, and he would get to see her smile again only two days later. He couldn't wait to spend time with her, so close to her peaceful warmth for an entire evening. Maybe he would even spend time holding her delicate hands or kissing her beautiful lips. But no matter how gentle the image, his body reacted with pure power. He knew he would have to use his newly-practiced control to keep himself gentlemanly for their date.
 

Without controlled effort, he could easily throw her down and take her hard. Every previous one of his fuck-buddies had wanted it that way: no relationship, wild sex. Not Jenna. No way did the term "fuck-buddy" apply to her in any way. He barely knew her, but he already understood her sweet nature. As cheesy as the word sounded in his head, he knew Jenna should be
cherished.
He wasn't sure he would know how, but at least he understood the concept.
He'd do his best for her. She seemed worth his effort.

Jenna went from having gooeyness inside all the way to having molten gold swirling through her belly. That's the only way to describe the feeling of too-gorgeous-to-be-true Luke Baylor coming to the clinic for no other reason than to ask her out. Jenna laughed about his shamelessly using his daughter to start the conversation for him. Jenna didn't mind. She and Sophie had an easy connection, and that little girl
should
spend time with her dad, even as an excuse for a conversation. Jenna giggled at him for being just sly enough with his ploy to be adorable.
 

And God, his deep green eyes seemed to light-up from the inside when he asked her out. Those emerald irises stood out in such contrast to his deep tan and dark hair, and they darn-near smoldered brightly when he smiled. How did he manage that? She was fairly sure he was too dynamic for someone so simple as her. She didn't want to question his decision too much.
 

By Thursday afternoon, she was getting nervous. Her shift ended at four, which meant she had a few hours to obsess anxiously before his promised phone call. She had no idea what to say! Plus, she wasn't sure how to prepare herself for the date at all. She'd never been this nervous before over a guy. She was only twenty-two, but she'd been out on enough dates to know this one was special.

With a little over-the-phone help from Cassie, Jenna picked out a simple brown top to match her eyes, the jeans she found thrifting which fit her perfectly, and the perfect idea for where to go for dinner. That part of the equation took the longest to figure out, but Jenna ultimately decided to go for fun instead of fancy. The Varsity in downtown Atlanta would be perfect. Jenna loved those old-fashioned drive-in restaurants, and she figured Luke would, too.
 

Jenna nodded and worked on her confidence for Friday night. On the same phone call where Jenna got outfit advice, Cassie reminded her to stay confident even if she didn't feel it.
 

"Fake it 'til ya make it," Cassie advised. "Guys hate it when girls are all insecure. Just be your awesome self and you'll have a blast."
 

Jenna would try hard, and she had all sorts of plans to fortify herself. Another home-spa treatment in her big iron tub was in order, as well as plenty of positive thinking by way of daydreams involving Luke kissing her. She planned to leave her hair down. She caught him looking at her hair twice, so she figured she'd work her best feature to the hilt.
 

Feeling as though she had everything ready, she had nothing left to do but wait for his call. Jenna crashed in her cozy living room, still blown away by Luke's interest in her. None of this even seemed real. She got up to make herself some tea and sipped carefully while she watched out the front window from her favorite chair while she waited. She checked her cellphone's battery level several times to make sure she could talk with him as long as he wanted to.
 

She nearly jumped when the phone finally rang.

CHAPTER THREE

Luke took a deep breath Friday evening. Like they set up on their evening call the night before, he would pick up Jenna at 6:30. He showered in the tiny bathroom of his apartment and decided to leave his chin a little scruffy. He didn't like shaving more than once a day, and maybe his casual appearance would help her feel more at ease. Maybe she'd see his scruff as sexy. Did she even think in those terms? He shook his head at himself, pulled on his lucky boxers and his best pair of jeans. He pulled a solid black tee out of his closet and was ready to go.
 

Two main things he couldn't get out of his head: Jenna in something besides scrubs, and keeping himself restrained around her. He already imagined her hot body in a pair of jeans hanging low on her curvy hips, and maybe a top showing a little bit of her tummy. He couldn't decide if he wanted her to look that hot, because he'd have an easier time controlling himself if she didn't. Either way, he'd have to do his best to play it cool. Christ, how was he going to do that? He wanted her already.
 

Still trying to picture Jenna's soft body in a sexy outfit, Luke brushed his teeth and grabbed his bike helmet. His Harley was much more impressive than his car, and he loved riding on warm evenings like this. Hopefully she would like it, too, but if not he could always ride back and get his olive-green car. He didn't particularly like the car, but his new vehicle was solid, cheap, and gave him the chance to take Sophie out more often. He smiled as he pulled his helmet over his head, thinking of Sophie again sitting on Jenna's lap.
 

The memory alone touched Luke deep down. With Jenna, he saw how a child should be loved. Jenna listened to Sophie and treated her words as important. She appreciated his little girl's squiggles as genuine artwork. Jenna spent time and attention making Sophie feel valued and special. Her own mother didn't even treat her with such care and attention. Jenna's loving dedication came naturally from deep within.
How fucking beautiful
.

Spring heated up early this year, so even in March he could take them out on his bike for the evening without worry. As he kick started the engine, his mind remained focused on Jenna. Due to her sweet nature combined with her beautiful hair and deep brown eyes, he knew he was already lost to her. If she didn't want to see him again after tonight, he would be crushed. He experienced a connection with her which almost frightened him. She already owned a piece of him, even before their first date. How much would she own by the end of an evening together?

The entire ten minute trip to her apartment, Luke replayed in his mind the sweet phone call from the evening before. He was sure she smiled the entire hour they talked. He was shocked at how easy it was to stay on the phone with her. He'd never been much of a sit-and-talk guy. Less talk, more action: that was his style. Not that he wasn't desperate for a little action from Jenna, but talking with her had been more satisfying than he expected. The simple connection between them gave him confidence their date wouldn't be awkward at all.
 

On their relaxed phone call, they talked through the basics of family background, schools and jobs, and some opinions on movies and music. The conversation hadn't been deep at all, but so damn easy. They spent so much time getting to know each other he forgot to ask about dinner. He had no idea where she'd like to go, but he knew he'd take her anywhere. He'd figure out a way to get her to Paris if she asked.

Luke smiled behind his helmet, thinking about her still. His smile only widened when he made the final turn onto her street. He saw the big duplex she described and the exterior side staircase that led to her door. He dropped the kickstand and hung his helmet from the handlebar. With one quick rub of his hand through his high-and-tight haircut, Luke was ready to pick up Jenna for their date. He climbed the steps two at a time and took a deep breath before he knocked.

"Hi," she smiled when she answered the door. She smelled so good…fresh and almost woodsy. What was that scent? Certainly not a sharp, heavy perfume. No, this was something subtle and more natural, and absolutely intoxicating. And he caught a glimpse of Sophie's picture hanging on the fridge.
Fucking beautiful
.
 

One short second passed before he took in the rest of her. Her blond hair hung down in soft waves well past her shoulders, even resting along her breasts.
Lucky hair.
She had a brown shirt which matched the color of her eyes exactly, adding depth to the already fathomless windows to her soul. And like he hoped, her jeans hung down a little low on her hips, accenting her feminine curves sinfully. Her shirt was a little too long to see her tummy but he certainly didn't mind. She was beautiful.

"Hi," he finally managed to say. "You look great."

"Thanks," she answered with her shy smile. "You, too."

Luke smiled and asked his most nerve-wracking question of the night. "Do like motorcycles?"

"Um, I don't really know. I've never ridden on one. Why?"

"I drove my Harley here. If you'd rather not ride I can go get my car, but I'd love to take you out on it. What do you say to a first ride? This is a perfect night for it," he added with hope.

"Wow…uh," she said with more nervousness than he would have liked. Still, Luke knew she'd probably love the experience. The warm wind alone was worth the ride, but the thought of her sitting against him made him want her to say yes. Badly.

"Don't worry, I'll walk you through it," he offered with a warm smile. He watched her expression turn from unsure to cautiously accepting and he grinned. "Good. Come on."
 

He reached for her hand.
Hot damn
, she reached right back. Her hand was so soft, he wanted to pull her fingers up to his face and taste her knuckles. Time for self-restraint to kick in. Tonight would be very difficult if he was to keep treating her the way she deserved. Between her subtle scent, her core-deep beauty, and the soft touch of her hand, Luke wanted to strip her down and take her right there on the stairs. He had an insane need to get up in her and feel every secret, wet part of her. Maybe in time, but not tonight.
 

She interrupted his thoughts, thank goodness, with a "wow" when she saw his bike.
 

"You like it?"

"All I can say is…wow," she said staring wide-eyed at his motorcycle.
 

"Let me introduce you," he offered with a hot smile.
 

Nervous excitement coursed through Jenna's body from the first moment she heard the knock at her door. She had been waiting two days to see him there, and when he finally stood before her, she was blown away again by all his male perfection. Those green eyes alone were enough to open the butterfly flood-gates into her belly.
 

And now, staring at him by his motorcycle, she was almost consumed by his presence.
Masculine
got strongly redefined right in front of her. His muscles flexed subtly as he showed her the basics of Harley-riding and the different safety features of his bike. When he asked if she was ready for her first trip out, she answered an honest, soul-deep
yes
.
 

Her heart raced at the thought of sitting against him in such an intimate way. He instructed during her orientation that she should hold onto him around his ribs. Such a position would leave her pushed against him and clinging to his body tightly.
On the first date?
She thought with an internal giggle.
Yes, please
. What an ideal excuse to get cozy without worry. Holding him was required; that alone added to her confidence for the evening. She might not have to 'fake it' like Cassie suggested.

Luke gave her the only helmet like a true gentleman and made sure she was safely seated. He watched her tuck her hair up into the helmet like he suggested before he kicked the roaring engine to life. That sound, too, was masculine and exciting. He turned to look at her over his shoulder with an excited, boyish grin. "You ready?"

Jenna nodded. Her heart jumped to her throat when he eased the bike into the street. When he was sure she was comfortable, he gunned the engine and sped them away to some unknown destination. Apparently, he intended to make good on his promise to get her to enjoy her first Harley ride on the perfect evening for one.
Perfect
described the ride exactly.
 

She had no idea where they were going, but she guessed that was the point. This was a
journey
experience. Luke took her on straight roads, curvy roads, city roads, suburban roads, and even out on some country roads well past the city limits of Atlanta. They leaned into the curves together and Jenna squeezed him tighter every time he picked up speed. She loved riding with him. What a rush! Even the simple flex of his leg as he shifted gears was enough to send the butterflies in a frenzy.

When they were far out of the city, Luke pulled the motorcycle slowly to the side of the road and executed a gentle U-turn so he was resting on the opposite shoulder, now facing the city. He cut the engine but stayed on the bike with his feet resting flat on the ground in black lace-up riding boots. The quiet evening settled around them in the heavy warm air. Jenna, for several reasons, didn't let go.

"Take the helmet off," he said with a smile, "and look up there."

She freed her hair from the black helmet and followed his gaze toward the distant lights of the city glow in the early evening. "It's beautiful," she expressed in awe of the view and the person sharing the moment with her.