Come Away With Me (33 page)

“I love you.”

He flashes a cocky grin at me. “I love you too. Get up. I’ll see you downstairs.”

He leaves the room and I sit in the bed for a minute and grin stupidly, gazing at my ring. I finally shake myself and grab my coffee, making a beeline for the shower.

***

“Okay, what can I do?” I ask as I stroll into the kitchen. Luke is at the stove, a white kitchen towel slung over his left shoulder. He’s wearing a white linen button down shirt with faded blue jeans and bare feet.

Yum.

“Here, cut up some fruit.” He pulls melons,

strawberries,

grapes

and

peaches out of the fridge and I grab a cutting board and sharp knife and get started with my task.

“So, Isaac mentioned last night that you took the guys out for lunch the other day.” I grab a cantaloupe and cut it in half, pull the seeds out and begin cutting it into wedges.

“He did?” Luke frowns slightly and mixes some pancake batter.

“Yeah, that’s all he would say, other than he likes you, as long as you mind your manners. I told him I prefer it when you don’t.” I smirk and begin pulling stems off the strawberries.

“I wanted to ask them all if it was okay if I asked you to marry me.”

I twirl at his words, my mouth gaping open. He shrugs and pours the batter on a griddle on the stove top.

“Why?”

“Because they’re your family. They love you and protect you and it’s tradition.” He takes a sip of coffee and eyes me speculatively.

Wow.

“What did they say?”

“I proposed, didn’t I?”

“What if they’d said no?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “I would have asked anyway.”

He flips the pancakes and I wander over to him with a strawberry, holding it up to this lips.

“Here.” He takes a bite and I slip the rest of it in my mouth. “Mmm, that’s good.”

I lick my thumb and he takes my wrist in his hand and licks my forefinger. “I love watching you eat.”

Desire flashes, fast and hot, through me.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I wander back to the fruit and pluck a grape from the stem. When I turn around, Luke has taken the pancakes off the griddle and turned it off.

I do like the way he thinks.

I rub the grape across my lips, then pop it in my mouth and chew slowly.

“Want some?” I hold a grape out for him. He slowly closes the space between us, and takes the grape out of my fingers with his lips.

“I like this game,” he whispers and I grin. He lifts me up onto the counter so my feet are dangling, steps between my legs, and puts another strawberry against my lips. I grip it in my teeth, and then lean down so he can take a bite from my lips and kiss him at the same time.

He tastes of strawberries and Luke and I moan against his mouth.

“God, you’re so sexy.”

I pull my green shirt over my head and throw it on the floor, then my bra follows it. Grabbing another strawberry, I look in his eyes, bite my lip, and swirl the red fruit around my nipples, making them pucker. Luke’s quick intake of breath and tightening of his fingers on my ass tell me he likes the sight before him.

I pull the strawberry up my chest, against my skin, over my chin and push it into my mouth, enjoying the sweet juiciness of the fruit.

He doesn’t move, he just watches me, his hands gripping my jean-clad bottom, me naked from the waist up, and I set about seducing my sexy fiancé.

I push a chunk of cantaloupe in Luke’s mouth, and lean down and kiss him, sucking the juice into my own mouth.

“You’re making me crazy,” he whispers against my mouth.

“That’s the point,” I whisper back.

He suddenly lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him as he twirls and rushes over to the dining table. He sets me down on it and pulls my jeans over my hips as I raise them and down my legs, taking my underwear with them.

He pulls his shirt over his head, not bothering with the buttons and pushes his soft blue jeans down around his thighs.

“I can’t get enough of you.” He covers me with his torso, his hands in my hair and face buried in my neck, kissing and suckling my sensitive skin.

“I don’t want you to get enough of me.” I wrap my legs around his hips and he slides inside me, all the way to root of his cock and I clench around him.

He grips my right hand in his left one and pulls it above my head and begins to move, in and out of me, at a steady pace.

“It makes me so hard to watch you eat. Your sweet mouth is the sexiest aphrodisiac I’ve ever seen.” His lips find mine and I’m lost in his words, in his body moving so gracefully and surely above mine.

I run my hand down his back to his tight ass and hold on tight as he increases the pace.

“Oh, God,” I moan.

“Look at me,” he growls and my eyes meet his. “I want to watch you come.”

Fuck.

And that’s all it takes to send me over the edge. He slams into me twice, then stills and bites his lip as he erupts inside me.

“God, Nat, you’re going to kill me.”

He kisses me gently, then pulls out of me, helping me up off the hard table.

“I can’t help it that you have a food fetish.” I slap his naked ass and collect my clothes on the way to the bathroom to clean up and get dressed.

When I join him in the kitchen, he’s fully dressed and has more pancakes cooking on the griddle.

I kiss his cheek and resume cutting up the fruit.

“I have to go to L.A. next week.”

Luke flips his pancakes and turns to me.

“Why?”

I

finish

stemming

the

strawberries and move on to the peaches.

“I have a meeting that I need to be there for in person. I should only be gone one night.”

“Oh, okay.” I frown. This will be the first night we’ve spent apart since our magical night at the vineyard.

“Come with me,” he suggests.

“I can’t. I’m still catching up with clients from our vacation. I’m booked solid next week.” I toss a pit in the garbage and grab another peach.

“It’s just one night.” He murmurs and I realize he’s standing behind me. I’m suddenly feeling vulnerable, and I don’t know why. It’s just one night! Surely I can get through one night without him.

I turn and smile brightly, not wanting him to see my insecurity. “It’ll be fine.

What day are you leaving?”

“Early morning Wednesday. I’ll be home Thursday around noon.”

“That’s a long meeting.” I raise my eyebrows.

“I’m going to pack a few meetings in there, since I’ll be there anyway. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Of course. I love you, but I think I can survive without you for one night.

Jules and I’ll have a girl’s night.”

“Okay.” He kisses my nose and returns to his pancakes and slips some bacon into the oven.

“What are we going to do about all the flowers outside?” I ask, changing the subject.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you want to eat out on the deck?”

“No, we’ll eat in here. We can bring them in if you like.”

I walk over to the glass door and gaze out at my beautiful flowers, trying to shake my melancholy mood now that I know Luke will be leaving overnight next week.

“They’re beautiful. I don’t know where we’ll put them all.”

“Leave them for now, and we’ll figure it out later.”

“Okay.” I set the large dining room table for six, pour orange juice and coffee into carafes and set them on the table as the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it.” Luke flashes me a smile and I relax a bit, excited to see his parents and give them their gifts.

“Hello, darling.” Lucy kisses Luke’s cheek and comes into the great room.

Neil and Mark follow with Samantha bringing up the rear.

They’ve obviously spent a lot of time in Luke’s home. They’re comfortable moving around the space, and I stand back for a moment, enjoying the view of Luke with his family.

My family now.

“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my beautiful fiancé, Natalie.” I laugh as Luke joins me and kisses my hand.

“Yes,” I say dryly, “We’ve met.”

“Oh, Natalie, I’m so excited that you’re going to be a part of our family.”

Lucy hugs me tight and I blink back the sudden tears that threaten.

“Thank you.”

“And here I thought you’d choose the right brother.” Mark shakes his head ruefully and pretends to pout.

“I did.” I laugh at his stricken face and give him a quick hug. “Don’t pout.

We’ll find you a good girl.”

Mark laughs and heads for the kitchen to steal a piece of bacon. “No need.

I’m good.”

“Stay away from that bacon!” Luke bellows.

Neil hugs me and cups my face in his hands, his kind eyes happy. “Are you happy, sweet girl?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good.”

Luke’s parents are both so generous and welcoming. Samantha, however, rolls her eyes and pours herself a cup of coffee.

“So,” her eyes gleam with malice and she glances at Luke, then back at me and I brace myself for what’s about to come out of her snarky mouth.

“Who was that delicious looking man you were with the other day in the coffee shop?”

I frown, then the blood leaves my face and I turn to Luke. His eyebrows are raised almost to his hairline. The room stills.

“I met with a client to give him some work he purchased.” My eyes don’t leave Luke’s but his face changes, and gone is my carefree, happy man. He knows exactly who I’m talking about and he’s pissed.

Fuck.

I forgot to tell him about meeting with Brad because it was the same day that we went to the cemetery.

“What’s his name?” Sam asks and takes a sip of coffee.

“Brad,” I murmur, watching Luke as he exhales and hangs his head. “I forgot to tell you because we went to the cemetery that day.” My voice is low and thin.

Samantha frowns for a moment and swallows and she almost looks guilty.

Luke stares at me, his eyes ice cold and I feel tears threaten. “Don’t be mad, I just gave him his photos, and he asked if he could make another appointment, but I told him you wouldn’t like it. He offered to call you himself and talk to you to let you know that he’s not interested in me like that. It was nothing.”

“Why didn’t you say something when you got home?”

“I really forgot. It was nothing.”

“It didn’t seem like nothing when you smiled at him and rubbed your hand all over his shoulder.”

Samantha shrugs smugly and I gasp.

“Sam,” Lucy’s voice is sharp and loud.

Luke’s eyes don’t leave my face and I shake my head.

I pin Sam with a glare and ball my hands into fists.
How dare she?

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

My voice is shaking in rage.

“What did I do?” She widens her eyes innocently.

“I met with a client. I patted his shoulder when he expressed nervousness about talking with my protective boyfriend about the possibility of having a chaperoned photo shoot with me. We were in a fucking public place having a conversation.

“Is this how it’s always going to be, Samantha? You questioning my motives with your brother for the next sixty years? Do you have any idea how much money I’m worth without Luke? I don’t need his money or his contacts. When my parents died I inherited over twenty million dollars.” Sam blanches and I hear Lucy gasp, but I keep going.

“Your brother is famous. Get over it.

I wouldn’t love him any less if he flipped burgers for a living, if that’s where his passion was. You seem to be the only one hung up on who he is.

“I am marrying him, Sam. I’m in it for the long haul. I’d prefer to have a friendly relationship with you. I think that if you gave me half a chance you’d like me.

“But I will not continue to be disrespected by you. I don’t deserve it.”

“I don’t trust you,” she spits out through clenched teeth.

“I don’t trust you either, so I guess we’re even.” I look at Luke to see what he’s thinking. His hands are in his pockets

and

he’s

gazing

at

me

thoughtfully. “Do you want me to go?”

“No, don’t go!” Lucy comes toward me, glaring at her daughter. “Samantha, you’re being ridiculous.”

I continue to look at Luke. He hasn’t answered me. Neil and Mark are both also glaring at Samantha.

“Well?” I raise my eyebrow at him.

“No, this is your home,” he says quietly and his eyes warm.
Oh, thank God.

“Sam,” he says quietly and walks around the table to her. She’s still glaring at me but he turns her chin so she’s looking in his eyes. Lucy grips my hand in hers and I smile thinly at her.

I’m shaking like crazy.

“Stop this. I am marrying Natalie.

I’m in love with her, Sam. She’s nothing like anyone from my past. You have got to knock the chip off your shoulder and move on. I have.”

He runs his hands through his hair and looks over at me, then turns his attention back to her. “If you don’t trust her, trust me. Give her a fighting chance. She hasn’t done anything to you.”

Sam shakes her head and closes her eyes, and she suddenly looks tired. “I can’t bear to see you hurt again.”

“
You
are hurting me, Sam.”

She gasps as though he’s hit her.

“What?”

“When you hurt her, you hurt me.

Stop. This is our home, and if you can’t respect her in it, you’re not welcome here.”

Holy shit.
He’s defending me to his sister and I just want to wrap myself around him and kiss him, but I stay where I am, riveted.

I look around the room, at Lucy, Neil and Mark, and decide this has gone on long enough.

“I’m hungry.” My voice is calm and light. “Let’s have brunch. I think Mark’s about to eat all the bacon by himself.”

Lucy smiles at me and squeezes my hand as we head to the kitchen to place the food on the table. Mark and Neil help us get everything settled, and I watch out of the corner of my eye as Luke murmurs something to Sam. He hugs her gently and joins me in the kitchen.

“I’m sorry.” I hug him around his middle and breathe in his scent.

“Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry for Sam.”