Josie Mills is a precocious and straitlaced young woman who is pursuing a career in architecture. The field is very difficult to get a foot into and Josie has been working nonstop to make her dream come true. She's so focused on her slowly growing c...
"Luke!" I gasp, the name escapes my lips before I even realize what I'm saying.
I close my eyes then open them, willing him to disappear. My heart thuds against my ribs, picking up steady rhythm until I can barely hear my own thoughts between the loud beating.
He stares down at me, his lips screwed to the side. He hesitates for just a second before bending down and starting to throw the Puma jerseys back into the box.
"Are you alright?" he asks, "I wasn't paying attention, I'm sorry."
I grab at his hand, my fingers tingling where I'm touching him. He goes instantly still, sucking in a sharp breath and staring down at the jerseys.
"No, Luke, it's me who should apologize. I'm really, really sorry."
"Are we still talking about who bumped into who?" he murmurs, half a playful smile tugging on his lips, though his eyes are downturned with unhappiness.
"Um...Not exactly."
He sighs, settling down next to me on the sidewalk outside the dry cleaners where I'd just dropped off Peter's underwear. Never once did I think I'd be in charge of my employer's undergarments. Oh, how far I'd fallen.
A few people step around us, shooting critical glances, but I ignore them. It's worth it just to be next to Luke for a minute longer, knowing this minute could be our last one together.
Then again, I'd thought that I'd never see him again as I was rushing from his hotel room this morning.
Had my life really changed so much in a single day? This time yesterday, I was sitting in my office, planning just how much work I'd be able to cram into my weekend. Now my head was full of thoughts of Luke's naked body and remorse for my brother.
"Don't apologize for that," he says firmly. Luke pushes aside the box, glancing at me from the corner of his eye as though he's afraid to look me full in the face. "Last night was... it was the best night I've had in a long time, and I'm not just saying that to make either of us feel less guilty."
His words settle in my core, warming my entire body like I was standing in front of a fireplace in the midst of a chilly winter.
"Me too," I hesitantly agree, twirling a lock of tangled hair around my finger before releasing it. "Ugh, and it's going to be my only night of fun for a very long time."
"What do you mean?"
"I was late to work today," I shrug, glossing over the entire story. No need to dig myself a deeper hole. "Now I'm basically the office's slave."
He gazed up at the clouds, watching one float by before turning back towards me.
"You know, Ben's always talking about how you're making it big in the architecture world and I know this firm you're working for is supposed to be amazing, but it doesn't sound to me like you're all that happy about it. "
"I knew it would be tough. I was expecting that. Peter Tullamore is known to be ruthless. But this... sometimes it feels like I don't exist outside of the office, like I'm just a shell of myself. Last night was just a reminder that I'm a human, that I'm a woman, that I can enjoy life."
It was so bizarre to be saying this aloud, things that I had barely ever let myself even think, much less speak about. I'd never even told my brother about this. There's something about Luke that just makes me want to bare my heart and soul to him.
Luke gazes at me quietly, his face serious. A woman tries to push a cart around us and we scoot backwards to let her by, our shoulders brushing.
His face is so close to mine that I can all but smell the intoxicating scent of his skin again. It makes my head dizzy.
"You should always enjoy life, Josie," he whispers, eyes laser focused on mine.
I exhale slowly, glad that I'd chewed a whole pack of gum while I was waiting in line at the dry cleaner. His eyes are so deep and so gorgeous, they're like black holes that suck me farther and farther in.
I can't say for sure who moved first, but both Ben and I slowly lean in towards one another, our mouths desperately seeking another taste.
His fingers twine in my hair, his other arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me against him. We collide roughly together, lips crashing, teeth knocking, but neither of us care. All we want is more.
His fingers slip under the hem of my shirt, grasping at my flesh to drag me closer against him.
"Get a room!" someone shouts in disgust, making us break apart into a laugh, though we remain close beside each other.
"Was that the last time?" he asks distractedly, eyes glassy.
I swallow hard, knowing I should agree with him, knowing that I should get up and walk away... but completely unable.
"No," I murmur, "come over. Tonight."
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