Endless Nights (8 page)

“How far to your place?” she asked once he steered his truck onto the freeway.

“Twenty, thirty minutes, give or take. Depends on traffic,” he answered. He lived in a high-rise condo in the city for now, not wanting to invest in a house for fear he might need to move again. His future with the Seahawks when he first started with them had been shaky at best. He’d believed he would be traded at one point, but that never came to be. He was thankful. He liked having one team, a group of guys he could count on. He’d made friends with many of them, had been envious of the relationships many of them had with their girlfriends and wives while he’d been alone. The single guy.

There were plenty of single guys within the team, but he was over it. He wanted stability. Damn it, he wanted love.

Andrea could take care of that in an instant, as long as she was on board with him.

“It’s beautiful here,” she said, breaking into his thoughts.

“A little gloomy at the moment,” he replied. “Sun might break through here later this afternoon. Then it’ll be gorgeous.”

“Do you have a nice view from your apartment?”

He flashed a grin at her, concentrating on the traffic. “It’s decent. No awesome Las Vegas view like I had back at the suite, but it’ll suffice.”

“Well, I don’t need a view as long as I have you.” She clamped her lips shut, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

It pleased the hell out of him that she said that. “Why not?”

“I’m supposed to be playing it cool with you.” She met his gaze briefly before she looked away. “That’s what Reagan and Natalie said I should do. Play it cool.”

“As in, act like being here with me this weekend isn’t a big deal?”

She didn’t say a word. Her nod was a good enough answer.

“Well, it’s a huge fucking deal for me, Andrea. I’m glad you’re here. I can’t wait to get you alone so I can touch you again. Kiss you. Take off your clothes…” His voice drifted, and that was all he said for a long time. But that was enough. She got the gist of what he was saying. And he was done playing games. He did enough of that on the field.

This weekend was all about honesty.

“So you’re happy I’m here because you can get me naked?” she asked casually. Too casually. “Is that what this is all about? Sex?”

Hell. This conversation was too serious to be having while he was driving. He wanted to be focused on her. Only her. Not the other cars on the road.

“Because if that’s what it’s all about, I get it. I really do. What happened in Las Vegas was amazing. But it was just sex. Right?”

Was she asking him? Or asking herself?

“Andrea, I don’t want to talk about this now, when I’m trying to drive.” He flashed her a quick smile, saw that she was watching him with those big brown eyes, her lower lip caught in her teeth as she clutched her hands together in her lap. “Let’s get back to my place first, okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded, and he resumed his gaze onto the road ahead of him. “But it’s just…I really like you, Luke. Probably too much. I know I’m going against my play-it-cool plan, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to lie to you or to myself.”

Everything within him seized up. She was going to say something else. He could feel it coming.

“I’m not the fling type. I don’t have affairs. I don’t do casual. It’s just not part of my DNA or whatever.”

He chuckled. “Aren’t nurses supposed to know what’s part of their DNA or whatever?”

“Hush.” She laughed too, and the sound eased something within him. She was trying to take this conversation down a serious path, but she was still able to find humor in it, and he could appreciate that. More than she’d ever know. “I guess…let’s see how these next few days go. Maybe…maybe it could turn into something more.”

Her voice squeaked on that last part and he reached across the console, resting his hand on her slender knee and giving it a squeeze. “I like the sound of that,” he admitted, offering her another reassuring smile. “I’m glad you’re here, Andrea. I have a feeling these next few days are going to be amazing.”

She placed her hand over his, interlacing their fingers. “I do too.”

His heart soared. Yes, his fucking heart. He was so gone over this girl it was ridiculous.
Too soon,
his brain warned him.
You’re moving way too fast.

But his heart? His body? Both were screaming more, more, more.

Mine, mine, mine.

Chapter Eight

“Breakfast in bed?” Andrea sat up straighter, smoothing the comforter around her waist before she sank into the fluffy pillows behind her back. Thank goodness she’d slipped on one of Luke’s giant T-shirts sometime during the night. She wouldn’t want to be served food while she was naked. That would be weird. “What did I do to deserve this?”

Luke approached the bed, clutching a tray in his hands. It was laden with good stuff—a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon and toast, accompanied by a glass of orange juice and a cup of steaming coffee. Her stomach growled and her entire body went warm as she drank in what Luke was wearing.

Black sweats and nothing else. They hung loosely from his hips, showcasing those delicious V muscles that led to the promised land. His hair was a bit of a mess, sticking up all over the place, and his face was covered with a healthy amount of scruff. She’d never seem him look yummier.

Making it hard for her to decide what she was hungrier for—the man or the food he brought her.

“You’re here. Isn’t that enough?” He set the tray stand on her lap, then leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. Sorry I slept in.” She smiled up at him, then let her gaze drop to the food in front of her. She was starved. The eggs were fluffy, the toast golden and the bacon cooked to crisp perfection. But she grabbed what she desperately needed first.

Coffee.

“So good,” she said after she took a big sip. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He walked around the bed and joined her on the other side, swiping a piece of bacon from her plate and shoving it into his mouth. “I make some damn good bacon,” he said after he finished swallowing.

She gave him a gentle shove on the shoulder, which was a joke because the man was solid as a rock. “Hey. That was mine.”

“There’s more out in the kitchen. Don’t worry.” He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Fantastic. Perfect. Incredible. They’d never left his apartment once they arrived. She hoped today they could get some sightseeing in since she’d never been to Seattle before, but yesterday? It had been all about being with Luke and the many ways they could give each other orgasms. Her body ached in the best way possible. “A little tired.”

His grin never wavered. “I wore you out.”

“You seem proud of that.”

“I am.” He cupped the side of her face and kissed her, his lips lingering. “I’d like to wear you out some more, but I’m afraid you’ll get mad that I kept you in bed the entire time you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily be mad…” She trailed off, grabbing a piece of bacon and munching on it. The man did make damn good bacon. “But I did want to see the Space Needle.”

“I think we can manage that.” He plucked a piece of toast from her plate and took a big bite, then held it in front of her mouth. She bit into the crunchy bread, telling herself she needed to savor this moment, soak it up and revel in it.

Waking up to Luke bringing her breakfast, looking so handsome, so freaking sexy and being so sweet despite eating her food. She didn’t mind, as long as she had him by her side. In his bed.

Tingles swept over her skin, and she looked away from him, taking another swig of coffee. She was still trying to play it cool, but it was so damn hard. She knew her friends had told her to do that so she would protect her heart, and she understood. Really she did. She’d let her heart get broken before a few times and she didn’t want to go through that again.

Luke had power over her and he probably didn’t even know it. If she were smart, she’d be nonchalant the entire time she was here. Keep a part of herself locked away so she wouldn’t make the ultimate mistake and show all her cards.

That she really liked him. A lot.

But forget cool. She wanted to tell Luke she was halfway in love with him and see how he reacted. She had the distinct feeling he would be happy. He might even reciprocate the sentiment. And wouldn’t that be something?

He grabbed her glass of orange juice and drained it, making her laugh. “Who did you make this breakfast for anyway?”

“Us.” His expression turned solemn and he kissed her again. Deeper this time. With a little bit of tongue and a low groan, his fingers on her neck. “I made this breakfast for us,” he murmured against her lips when he ended the kiss.

Oh. Dear. She could take that statement so many ways. His using the word “us”, she was probably putting too much into it. He was being casual and she was all about the serious.

But they’d talked a teeny bit last night, in between bouts of lovemaking. He mentioned her visiting again. Said he’d like to see her place. He’d said it all so matter-of-fact, like it was no big deal. Luke spoke of the future as if there really was an “us” for them.

Andrea liked that. A lot. Probably too much.

He pulled away from her, his gaze locked with hers. “How about this,” he started. “We take a shower. Together.” His smile turned wicked and she rolled her eyes, but she was down with that. “And then we’ll get dressed. I’ll take you to Pike Place Market and we’ll look around. Then we’ll go to the Space Needle and you can be dutifully awed by the amazing view. After that, we’ll grab something to eat and then come back here. What do you think?”

“I think that all sounds…amazing.” She let her smile grow. He wanted to show her around and she loved that. But she also wanted to spend more time with him. Alone. As much time as she could get. “Especially the shower part.”

“That’s what I thought.” He climbed out of bed and started to leave the bedroom. “I’ll go clean up while you finish your breakfast and then we’ll hop in the shower,” he called over his shoulder before disappearing.

“Okay,” she answered weakly. She took a couple of bites of the scrambled eggs, ate a piece of bacon, drank half of her coffee, then broke down and grabbed her cell phone from where it sat on the bedside table. She’d kept it on silent and wanted to check her messages, see if she had any. And of course she did, from her nosy friends.

One from Reagan.
I’m sure you’re having mind-blowing sex at this very moment and I’m incredibly jealous, but I wanted to check on you and make sure you’re okay.

And a message from Natalie.
Bitch. I know you’re naked with your man right now, so whatever. Let me know you’re alive.

Andrea smiled and typed out a group message to her friends.

I’m alive. And okay. He brought me breakfast in bed.

Natalie responded first.
Was breakfast in bed code for his penis in your vagina?

Andrea burst out laughing. What had happened to her friend? She’d become much bolder since she spent the weekend with the sexy, mysterious Noah Wilde.

No, he really brought me breakfast. An actual meal. With bacon and eggs and all the trimmings. Not just his penis. A girl needs to keep up her strength.

Reagan responded next.
Was his penis dessert then?

Shaking her head, Andrea smiled. Her friends were perverts.

She didn’t know what she’d do without them.

The Space Needle was crowded with tourists, but Luke didn’t mind. They weren’t paying him any attention—thank Christ—and all he could focus on was Andrea, so he was happy.

Andrea gripped the thick concrete ledge, gazing at the city of Seattle spread out before them. “Wish this fence thing wasn’t here,” she mumbled. “But I get it. They don’t need any jumpers.”

“Yeah.” He stepped up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “Great view, though, right?”

“Wonderful,” she agreed, leaning her cheek against his. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Thank you for coming to see me.” Best freaking time he’d ever had with a woman. Hell, best time he’d ever had, period. Having her in his arms made him feel content. Complete. All those corny words he had no business telling her because Andrea was a sensible person and she’d probably freak out. She
should
freak out. No,
he
should be freaking out.

But he wasn’t. He’d finally found what he wanted and he wasn’t about to let it go.

“This city is beautiful,” she said, turning her head to the side so she could look at him. “Do you like living here?”

“It’s all right. I’m from Northern California, so the weather here is a hard adjustment. All the rain can bring a person down sometimes.”

“That’s right, you grew up in California. What part exactly?”

“Near Sacramento. Should’ve become a 49er. Wanted to be one, because that would’ve made my dad’s life, his son playing for his favorite team, but that wasn’t in the cards.” He stood to his full height, never letting her go though. “I like playing for the Seahawks. They’re a good team, a great group of guys. I go and visit my folks whenever I can, which isn’t often, but they understand.” He was close to his family. His parents were still together and he had two younger sisters who were pains in his ass, but he loved them just the same.

“Were you homesick?” she asked softly.

“Kind of. But at least I’m still on the West Coast.” He didn’t want to admit he was lonely. Then he’d just sound pitiful, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. “Let’s do the full circle so you can check out the entire view.”

He led her around, through the crowds of people gathered, the wind whipping Andrea’s hair into her face and making her constantly push it out of the way irritably. She looked good windblown. She looked good anytime, anywhere. This realization meant he had it bad.

Luke already knew this, though, so no surprise.

He stood by as she took a bunch of photos and went to her when she waved him over. “Let’s take a selfie,” she said, and he moved to stand beside her, slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her in close, bending at the knee so their heads were level. She counted down, and he smiled at the moment she took the photo, both of them standing with their heads bowed over the screen as they checked it out.

“Turned out good,” she said, reaching out to dab at his face with her index finger. “We’re cute.”

“We make a good couple,” he said, his voice low, his mouth dry. He probably shouldn’t have said that, but fuck it. This was about being real, he promised himself that. So he wasn’t going to hold back. She should know how he felt.

“You think so?” She sounded breathless and she wouldn’t look at him, kept her gaze fixed on her phone. He touched her chin, forced her to glance up at him, and he smiled at her.

“I know so,” he murmured, dropping a quick kiss on her nose. “Want to take another photo? You need to text me these.”

“Yes. Let’s do it.” They started to pose, but a woman asked if they wanted her to take their photo and so she did, snapping a bunch of them before she handed the phone back.

“Do you think it’s cheesy that I want to save this photo as my background?” she asked, showing him the photo in particular.

“No.” He was happy she said it. Made him think she was just as into him as he was her. Hopefully she was as serious too. “I think I’ll do the same when you send me the photos.”

“I’ll send them right now,” she said, her fingers flying over her keyboard.

They left the Space Needle soon after, stopping to eat lunch at one of his favorite Thai restaurants before they headed back to his building. She was quiet on the drive home, her eyes at half-mast as she slouched in her seat. He let her doze, remaining quiet, the radio turned down low as he drove.

He worked it over in his mind how he could approach her about wanting to turn this into something real. A relationship. He just wanted to blurt it out and be done with it. Hinting around was for sissies, and he wasn’t in the mood to play games. Being open and honest would kick start their relationship in the right direction.

Exactly what he wanted.

It had been months since he and Raquel had split, but he hardly counted that as a real relationship. He didn’t feel a tenth for Raquel what he was experiencing with Andrea. She was starting to become…everything to him. And instead of scaring the crap out of him, he wanted to embrace it.

So he planned on telling her what he wanted tonight. Maybe even when they first got home. He wasn’t letting her leave without telling her. No way, no how.

Luke drove his truck into the parking lot and pulled into a slot, shutting off the engine. Andrea startled awake, glancing over at him with a sleepy smile as she stretched, thrusting her chest out. His gaze dropped to her breasts and his hands itched to touch her there.

“I fell asleep,” she said as she bent to grab her purse.

“We can take a nap if you want,” he suggested.

“Naked naptime? That sounds fun,” she teased.

His cock twitched in anticipation. “Hell yeah it does.”

He took her hand as they headed toward the entrance to his building, the sun breaking through the clouds, shining warm beams of light upon them. He tilted his head up, spotting the bright blue sky overhead, and he smiled. This day was just getting better and better.

“Luke fucking Nelson, you dog. Where the hell have you been?” screeched a pissed-off female voice.

A familiar female’s voice.

Dread slithered down Luke’s spine, and he stopped when he saw Raquel standing in front of the double doors of his condo building. He gripped Andrea’s hand hard and she stared up at him, a questioning look on her face.

Raquel. His ex-girlfriend. They saw each other for a few months, started up during the playoffs and a month or two after that, but then he got bored. She didn’t do it for him. Her jealous streak was wide as the Puget Sound and he didn’t want to deal.

“Raquel.” He cleared his throat, trying for friendly and easygoing when he was feeling anything but. He didn’t want to piss her off any more than she already was. She looked furious enough already. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you. I was feeling lonely. Thought I’d stop by.” She flicked her chin in Andrea’s direction. “Looks like someone beat me to you.”

Andrea tried to withdraw her hand from his, but he wouldn’t let her. Hell no. “You should’ve called first.” Yeah, especially since he hadn’t heard from her in months. So why would she stop by now, today of all days? Talk about shitty timing.