Breaking Through (Atlanta #3) (12 page)

"You have no idea what that does to me," he said as he pulled her crashing into him. "Christ, Jenna…"

He had to have her again. There seemed to be no other option. Her sweet, shy smile at the Harley shop, her worry about him spending money on her at the shoe place, and the motorcycle-foreplay all the way here. She did it to him again. She made him want her like nothing he'd ever felt. He pushed his lips aggressively over hers again, wishing he could be romantic and sweet like she deserved, but he couldn't. He wanted her too much.
 

"Say yes," he whispered against her lips while he groped and tugged at her body, keeping her tight against every surface of him he could manage. She didn't pull away. Instead, she spoke the sweetest damn words he'd ever heard.

"You don't have to ask, Luke. I already told you. I'm yours."

He pushed her straight over toward the picnic table and tugged at the zipper of her jacket. And
holy hell
, she tugged just as strongly at his shirt. She wanted him just as much based on the desperation in her touch. She couldn't get to him fast enough, either. Barely ever breaking the kiss, she was naked in no time. He only took enough time to drop his jeans to his knees.

"Are you on the pill now?" Luke rasped against her neck.

"Won't work yet," she breathed.

"Ah, hell," he grumbled, reaching for his wallet.
 

He rolled the condom over his cock and hoisted her up to the edge of the picnic table, just at the right height to take her standing up. He pulled her legs around his hips and gripped her long blond hair again.

She sat at the edge of the picnic table, and without hesitation he buried himself deep into her. She was so hot, so tight…and he could only imagine the velvet feel of her wetness when he didn't have to use a damn condom. She moaned loudly as he stroked in an out of her. He grunted along with her, feeling the most intense pleasure he'd ever known with a woman. Pure brightness surrounded them and forced his darkness to retreat. Her warmth encompassed him and saved him from his ugly soul, at least while he was inside of her.
 

And as he drove her body higher, he watched her face contort with beautiful, hot pleasure. He did that for her; he took her to that same place where she brought him, too. Together they moved in the light.

"Open your eyes," he commanded as he watched her face. Jenna complied as he held her stare. "Scream for me…I want to hear you get there."

Jenna looked him in the eye, obviously intimidated but not holding back. She kept his eyes for a long moment until her physical pleasure overwhelmed her. She dropped her head backward and Luke pulled her head farther with his tight grip and let himself have her neck. He could feel the vibration of her moans on his lips as he dragged them strongly over her throat. Louder still, her shouts of pleasure pushed desperately from her chest. Just like he told her, she didn't hold in any of her passion. Every beautiful noise confirmed her desire and satisfaction. He let go right along with her.
 

"Oh, Fuck!" he groaned, so close to climax. "Jenna…shit, you have me…"

Jenna moaned just as loudly, gripping his shoulders and calling out his name as she reached her orgasm. He swore again when he climaxed, still holding onto his beautiful angel. She kept her thighs locked solidly around his hips.

Still with their bodies connected, Luke rubbed his hand gently over her body. "Holy shit, Jenna. What you do to me…"

Jenna pulled herself tighter against him and squeezed the muscles of his shoulders. "No," she whispered, "it's what you do to me."

The two held onto each other for dear life, it seemed. Neither wanted to let go. Finally, Luke eased his way out of her body and tossed the condom randomly into the grass.
 

"I'll get that some other time," he said. "Right now I just need you in my arms."

He pulled Jenna carefully off the table and held her tightly for a long moment. When he finally eased her from his arms, he hitched up his boxers and jeans while he watched her pull her own jeans over her curvy hips. He wanted in her again already. But instead, he forced away his greedy thoughts and tried his best to be at least a little romantic. He pulled her to the grass at the edge of the lake to rest for a while in his arms. She sat down and he settled himself behind her, flanking his legs on either side of her. He reached around her still-bare torso and let his hands gently fondle her full breasts while they watched the last moments of sunset. He kissed and nuzzled her ear sweetly.

"This is so beautiful," she sighed. "What is this place?"

"Honestly? I have no idea."

"Huh?" she sounded genuinely confused.

"Really," he returned easily with a smile. "When I first got back from the Army, I spent a lot of time just riding. It helped get me away and gave me time to think. I found this spot by the lake. I've never seen anyone out here, but I suppose somebody owns it. Until they come back, I pretend it's mine. Sometimes I even sleep out here."

"Wow. I'm glad you have a place to go. That can make a big difference," she said, so easily understanding his attachment to the simple place. "I kind of have a place like this, too. But it belongs to my grandparents."

Luke let out a small chuckle. He had a hard time picturing such a pretty, feminine girl camping in the open air. "Really?"

"Yes…how about I show you sometime," she suggested hopefully.
 

She wanted to be with him again.
Fuck yes,
his angel still wanted him, even after rough, demanding table-sex and listening to his filthy mouth. He didn't think he'd ever get tired of her wanting him.

"I'd love to see where you go to relax. We'll have to do that soon, but it's getting late…do you need to get back, or can I keep you here a while longer?"

"Keep me here," she smiled sweetly as she closed her eyes and leaned back into his embrace. To keep the cool night air from chilling her, he wrapped her up tighter in his arms.
 

After a long quiet while by the lake, Jenna got him talking again so easily. Her warmth allowed his guard to be down while they were together. The peaceful feeling she offered was a full-on addiction at this point.
 

"So tell me more about Sophie," Jenna asked with a smile. "I could tell the first time your brought her in that you loved her so much, but that she was new for you. I'm assuming that's because of your Army time?"

Luke got a little quiet. He hated sharing any part of himself that could come across as negative. He wanted Jenna to see him as a good man, not an irresponsible player that knocked up a girl while home on leave. Still, he wanted her to know him, well most of him. At least Sophie was a positive part of his life, even if she came about without his intention.
 

"Yeah, I didn't know I had a daughter until I got back," he said with more bitterness leaking into his voice than he meant.

"Miranda didn't tell you?"

"Well, uh…" Luke hesitated. "To be honest, Miranda was a one-night thing. I didn't even like her that much, but…well, you can imagine I wasn't looking for long-term and she was an easy…. I certainly didn't expect to come home to a daughter."

Fireflies and bats performed graceful acrobatics while Jenna leaned even deeper into his chest, pulling her arms apart and resting her hands back on either side of his hips, allowing his hands easier access to her body. He kept his hand moving along her breasts, belly, and legs while they spoke.
 

"I can't believe she didn't tell you," Jenna shook her head. "I've seen how she is with Sophie. I don't understand that woman at all."

Luke smirked. "You and me both. Do you know how she told me?"

Jenna shook her head and twisted to look at him as he told the story.
 

"She called to remind me who she was, that I had a daughter, and that she needed someone to watch her for a few hours. She told me over the
fucking phone
. I didn't believe her until I went over there. The minute I saw Sophie, I knew," he said with a hint of a smile. "But then she left me alone with her so she could go out."

"You're kidding me."

"No," Luke replied, shaking his head. "She left her two year old daughter with some guy she barely knew. Father or not, I was a stranger to both of them.
I
knew Sophie would be safe with me, but there's no way
she
could know that. It made me sick. That's when I knew I had to get myself together…to protect her. I'm still trying."

Jenna rested even deeper into him as his hand continued to explore her body. He couldn't believe how easily she accepted him. Still at every turn he was expecting Jenna to be disgusted with him or walk away. Instead, she smiled and kept herself in his arms. He had no idea why, but he was glad she stayed.

He couldn't help continuing his decadent survey of her soft form, and she seemed content to allow him. The entire time, she sighed soft noises of pleasure. A few times he gripped between her legs tightly, just to hear the beautiful gasp she let escape when he touched her there. He loved getting to know her body. Before long he would know exactly how to bring her pleasure quickly, or how to draw the sensations out for as long as he wanted. He would know every inch of her. She responded to him so fully and he was learning to read her every sexy reaction. Without a doubt, she liked it strong.

When he felt her shiver a quick chill from the night air, he squeezed around her one last time before pulling her up from the grass. "Come on, baby. Let me get you back home."

She pulled the rest of her clothes back on and let Luke zip her into her leather-and-mesh jacket once again. He kissed her for a long while before finally giving the red helmet to her.
 

"I fucking love having you on my bike," he smiled as he straddled the seat of his Harley. She settled behind him once again and pushed herself against him for the ride home.
 

What a night
, Jenna kept thinking on the ride back to her duplex apartment. Luke had taken such good care of her. His first concern was her safety, followed by sharing his favorite place of escape, followed by his insane desire for her. This was an absolutely
unbelievable
night. She was still in shock that she could inspire such an evening. Jenna was fairly sure this wasn't typical for him. Certainly he couldn't afford to outfit all his dates with motorcycle gear, and she got the impression he'd kept that little campsite to himself until tonight, too.
 

Jenna also thought about that hot moment in the bike shop. How embarrassing to be kissed like that in public, but no one seemed to mind. Heck, she didn't even mind that much. Any attention from Luke's lips was welcome.
 

After another beautiful, intimate motorcycle ride, Luke walked Jenna to her door and kissed her deeply and with heavy emotion.
 

"I want you again already," he said in a far-away voice. "But I can't stay tonight. I want to, but I can't."

"Why not?" Jenna asked, trying not to sound disappointed.

"CB is letting me have Sophie in the morning. I have to go over there early if I want to see her. If I stay here, I'll never leave in time. Not with your naked hot body beside me."

"CB?"

Luke chuckled. "Sorry, yeah. Crazy Bitch.
CB.
It's not such a nice nickname for Miranda but it fits."

Jenna couldn't help but chuckle along with him. "Ok, have fun with Sophie," Jenna smiled softly, masking her sadness that he wasn't staying. She wasn't angry at all; she understood his need to leave. Disappointment slowed her heart, though. Waking up beside him last week had been pure bliss. She wanted that again. She sighed without meaning to.

"You ok?" he asked her, stroking her cheek and looking her in the eye.

Jenna smiled genuinely at his sweet concern. "I wish you were staying, but I understand why you're not. I'll miss you."

Luke looked like he had won a secret lottery. "You'll miss me?"

Jenna nearly laughed at the surprised look on his face. "Yes, but not unless you leave. Now go. I won't stand between you and the other blond in your life."
 

Jenna smiled and kissed him again. He returned her kiss with genuine, sweet emotion for a long moment before he released her lips and nuzzled her nose with his own.

"Good night, Jenna," he said with a sweet smile.

CHAPTER SIX

"Ok, spill it, Jennalyn. You've been acting weird," Cassie said Monday morning with her eyes narrowed in a scrutinizing stare. Jenna wouldn't make eye contact while they got the pediatric clinic ready to open on Monday.

"I can't tell you," Jenna responded almost solemnly while she printed the patient list to pull charts. And some things she would be too shy to tell anyway.

"Can't tell me or
won't
tell me?" Cassie interrupted as she brought Jenna back to the moment.

"Actually, both," Jenna muttered, trying not to clue Cassie in on her thoughts. She became frustrated at the look on Cassie's face.
 

"Explain that," Cassie said with her scrutinizing eyes, "because I'm going to explode. I have no idea why you can't or won't tell me what's up with you."

Jenna shook her head and walked to the front door with the keys. "Cassie, you're just going to have to accept it. Drop it, please?"
 

Cassie saw the determined expression on Jenna's face and sighed. "If that's what you need."

Two families were waiting by the door and entered before Cassie could protest any more. Jenna gave the pint-sized patients warm smiles and high-fives as they settled in. One little girl pointed to her bright shoes and neon green socks and smiled. Jenna and Cassie both loved working with children and the smiles on their faces when they playfully interacted with them, like little Sophie with the highlighters.

All morning, Jenna replayed Sunday afternoon's phone call in her head. The conversation started out so beautifully. They talked about his morning with Sophie, and even shyly spoke of their connection. Neither could believe the depth of what they had already.