Kissing Her Crush (10 page)

“Hmm, you like that,” he whispered, his breath hot and intoxicating.

“I like…everything.”

Luke chuckled, then kissed the same spot, slowly, over and over. “Your neck,” he said, trailing his mouth down the side of her throat, stopping once or twice for a more thorough inspection. “It’s ludicrous, but I swear I taste chocolate coming out of your pores.”

“What did you expect?” she said, cradling the back of his head.

He pushed off the ground and gazed down at her, all his manly hotness right there, hers for the taking.Without a word, he took both her hands, and extended them over her head.

A gush of warmth swirled in her stomach as her core coiled, every other muscle going weak.

“Let me get a better taste.” With one strong hand pinning both of hers to the ground, his other swept the hair from her neck, exposing both sides.

She closed her eyes and took it in, took everything in. His spicy smell, his weight, his mouth on her skin, the sounds he made in response to her sounds, the sheer, unspeakable, chemical reaction that happens in the brain when a person is completely blissed out.

A sensation that could never be bottled or even wrapped in Hershey foil.

“Ow,” she said. “I think a pear is stabbing my spine.” She put her palms on his chest and rolled them so she was on top. “Better,” she said, sitting up so she could gaze down at him. “Any fruit digging into you?”

“I have no idea.” He reached out both hands and cupped her cheeks.

Another burst of chemistry made her lean down and kiss him, her hands on either side of his head, bracing her weight until they began to shake. With his hands sliding around her back, Luke eased her onto his hard, muscly chest, and she sank into him, their kisses growing deeper, their paces changing back and forth from hot frenzy, to slow and deep.

He rolled them again. Natalie loved his heavy weight pinning her down, their bodies almost as close as they could be. Almost. At the thought, she felt for the bottom of his shirt. She’d forgotten it was a button down, not easily pulled over his head. So she started in on the buttons, their mouths still connected in their latest frenzy.

Wordlessly, Luke rose off of her a few inches, giving her access to that forever long row of buttons. How many were there? Fifty? If she had any strength left, she’d fist the front of his shirt and rip it open like the rock star she used to dream he was.

After she managed to get it halfway open, she slid her hands inside, fingers gliding over his hard, ripped chest. She pushed the shirt back from his shoulders and reached her mouth to his collarbone. At the same time, his hands slid inside her shirt.

It was right then that Natalie caught fire.

L
uke smelled the smoke but ignored it. How could he be expected to think of anything besides Natalie’s curvy body beneath him? Or her soft skin under his hands as he glided them up and up and up.

Before he’d lost himself completely, the Boy Scout part of his brain kicked awake and glanced to where the kerosene lantern was on its side.

Driven by instinct, he rolled off Natalie, grabbed a corner of the blanket, and gave one hard yank until she and the remains of the picnic flew onto the grass. He heard her yelp, but there hadn’t been time to give a warning, he’d only acted, using the wool blanket to smother the fire.

It took a few seconds before the flames were extinguished. Another minute, and it could’ve been a real problem.

Heart pounding like a marching band, Luke sat back on his heels and exhaled, wiping his forehead with the back of his wrist. Once he was sure the kerosene had been soaked up, he turned to see Natalie lying on her side, probably in the same position as when she’d landed.

“Are you okay?”

Her tangled, sexy hair was in her face, her eyes peeking through the long, wild strands. “What happened?”

“We kicked over the lantern.”

She rose onto her knees. “We started a forest fire?”

“I smothered it before it got out of control.”
Before I got out of control
.

His hands, now covered in kerosene, still burned from where he’d been touching her. His mouth needed to be on hers again. Everything felt unfinished, interrupted. Like the rest of his life since seeing her that first night.

Natalie pushed her hair back and crawled to him like a cat. “You’re sure it’s out?”

“Positive.” He moved the blanket to show the area where the spilled oil had spread the flames.

“You didn’t get burned, did you? Are you hurt?” She grabbed the soiled blanket from him, pushed it aside, then took his hand and flipped it over, then the other one. He wanted to lace his fingers through hers and squeeze. Then kiss her soft little hand, kiss her mouth, finish this thing like he always had—physically satisfied with emotions untouched.

“I’m fine,” he said, knowing he couldn’t
finish
anything with Natalie. Luckily, all they’d done was kiss. Yes, again. This time though, he couldn’t blame red, wavy lights, or the rocking motion of the boat. He’d known exactly what he was doing when he’d put down his guitar.

What she’d said about Celeste, and how he’d stopped playing music because of her. He’d never thought of it that way, but she was right. For some reason, Natalie helping him see that made her more appealing than ever.

“We need to scrub our hands,” he said, moving away from her. “We’re covered in kerosene.”

“Ew, we stink. And look at the mess.”

Luke followed her eye line to the grass where their entire picnic was now scattered. “I’ll clean it up. There’s a faucet around the corner. No soap, but you can rinse your hands.”

She stood but took only a few steps. “I can’t see.”

“Take the other lantern.”

“Then how will
you
see?”

“Okay, we’ll stick together.” They gathered all their food and wrappers and dumped them in the trashcan. His scorched camping blankets were probably ruined, so he stuffed them in the trash, as well.

Natalie was carrying his guitar and holding the lantern. “I think that’s everything,” she said, already leading the way toward the faucet. “We’re going to need industrial soap to get this off. There’s some at the lab.”

“Some at the house, too.”

They both turned to look up the dark road. Knowing what they’d find up there was a huge house with too many empty bedrooms to count, they said in unison: “The lab.”

It made Luke laugh, and then he wanted to beat his skull against a tree for a while. But at least they were on the same page. Both staying here and going to the house was full of unspeakable temptation.

At least at the lab, nothing could happen. It was a sterile, scientific environment. Holy.

Back at the Jeep, Luke extinguished the lamp, and they were on the road to the med center. The safe zone. Seeing Natalie out of the corner of his eyes, thinking about their latest kiss, their
first
kiss, their fire, made him floor it to that safe zone.

Chapter Nine

“I
feel like I need a shower, after all.”

As Luke said this, Natalie gave him the eye. His shirt was untucked and still halfway open from her greedy fingers. Good golly, his chest, the lines and dents, the speckles of dark hair. She could stare at it all day. They’d both scrubbed their hands clean, which were probably the only parts of their bodies that didn’t reek of kerosene.

“They have a few here,” she said.

“I’m not about to strip down in the hallway to use one of those Hazmat showers, even if it is the middle of the night.”

It took Natalie a few seconds to blink that image out of her mind. Luke stripping in the hall? “Um, there’re private showers in some of the restrooms.”

“Cool.”

“I think I might join you.”

“Now
there’s
a plan.”

She rolled her eyes. “In a different shower than yours.”

“Can’t say I didn’t try.” He snapped his fingers. “My clothes deserve their own Hazmat bag.”

“Mine too. I always keep another outfit in my car for kerosene lamp oil spill emergencies.”

“So do I.” Luke slapped a hand on his chest like he was shocked. “Tonight’s been full of so many revelations.”

“Funny,” was all she could say.

Neither of them had mentioned the kiss. Natalie would be content if the subject was never broached. They both knew it was a mistake, so why bother talking about it?

She was a chemist, so she understood the very real chemistry that connects people. She and Luke had been caught in that reaction, and their chemistry was way too explosive when kept unchecked. Since science and plain old human logic were not her strengths when it came to him, they simply couldn’t be alone in the dark again. Like ever.

“Your shower is two hallways that way,” she said, feeling left over charges from their latest explosion.

“And yours?” He cocked an eyebrow. “In case killer geese attack and you need rescuing.”

“Barring any flesh-eating birds, I’ll meet you back here after we both—”

“Hose off?”

She snorted a laugh. Classic, reading-her-mind Luke. “Exactly.”

She raced out to her car, wanting to get in and out of the shower before Luke even started. The thought of them being naked at the same time only a few walls apart made her feel…uneasy.

No, uneasy is the wrong word. The word you’re looking for is sexy.

Please shut up, brain.

Here at the lab, of all places, she could not feel sexy, couldn’t think about sexy things or sexy times or how damn sexy she was sure Luke would look with wet hair.

She turned on the cold water full blast and stood under the showerhead for five solid minutes. Hosing off, indeed.

The hotel-type shampoo and conditioner would have to do, but at least she no longer smelled like the inside of a tractor. She pulled on clean jeans and a thin, frilly top she’d never wear to work, but it was the only shirt in her trunk. She usually had gym clothes, including a sports bra, but she didn’t even have that. She finished towel drying her hair, tossed her rank clothes in a plastic bag and returned to the lab.

Luke was already there, wearing jeans and a white, semi-frayed Penn Med T-shirt that fit him so perfectly it made her whimper.

“Holy hell.”

“What?” Natalie asked, self-consciously twisting her damp hair over one shoulder.

“Your shirt is see-through. You’re not wearing a…”

“Oh!” She grabbed a lab coat and quickly pulled it on, buttoning the two middle buttons. “It was the only one in the car…and my…everything else is too smelly to wear.”

His wide eyes were unmoving. “Damn, woman, you cannot…” He ran his hands through his damp—and yes, uber sexy—hair. “You can’t do that.”

“Do what?”

He waved a hand in front of her face and body. “Any of this, all of this. Wet hair, no makeup, transparent shirt, you looking all… And right after we… Just—don’t.” He spun on his heels and walked away, rubbing a hand along the base of his neck. His T-shirt strained tight over his arms and back. His butt in those jeans looked too good for words.

“Well, then you don’t do
that
.”

He wheeled around. “I’m not doing anything.”

She tipped her chin and
har-harred
at the ceiling.

“Unlike you,” he said dryly, “I’m dressed completely appropriate for where we are.”

“You might not appreciate a tight-fitting, thin cotton Hanes over a well-defined male chest, but
I
do.”
Too much talking, Nat
. “So just put on your own freaking lab coat.” She turned away until she heard him pull one off a hanger.

“Okay, look,” he said. “Things got out of control earlier—my fault. But it’s okay. I don’t want to kiss you again.”

Natalie spun around, her mouth gaping as she looked for something to throw at him. Ivy’s old microscope would do quite nicely.

“No— No,” he continued. “I mean I
do
want to kiss you again. But I don’t.”

“If you think that’s a clearer explanation…”

“Sorry, no.” He shook his head, looking more perplexed that she felt. “I mean, we both have reasons to not blow off our jobs. Mine happens to be a very important reason. I have a hell of a lot riding on being here.”

Natalie crossed her arms. Could Luke’s reason be any more important than the mental health of her brother? Or her best friend’s job? But she nodded anyway. She didn’t care about his reasons; whatever it took to keep his lips out of kissing range.

“Also,” Luke said, running another hand through his hair, “I’m not ready to date.”

“Date?” she repeated, sidestepping the potential hit to her ego. “Who said anything about dating?

He rubbed his three-am-shadowed jaw, the one that had brushed against her mouth, causing delicious stings. “We could sleep together, though, because that wouldn’t mean anything.”

Natalie’s mouth dropped open again.

“Pause whatever you’re about to yell at me,” Luke said, preempting the lava of outrage bubbling in her chest. “Dammit, why can’t I talk to you like a normal person? I’m usually very well-spoken.”

“So speak.”

She watched his shoulders lift as he took in a slow breath.

“I haven’t really dated since the divorce. There’ve been women, but nothing even remotely serious. I don’t know if it’s because I need more time, or if I’m so screwed up that I’ve got a mental hang-up about relationships now.”

Natalie no longer wanted to throw a microscope at his head. She hadn’t once considered that Luke’s ex had actually damaged him. She worked fast to keep her heart from going all melty and sympathetic.

“Luke, it’s fine. We were two consenting adults having a little fun.”

“A lot of fun,” he said, lifting one of those smoldering grins.

“We broke an amusement park ride.”

“Started a forest fire.”

She swallowed. “But I can’t have fun with you—and it’s not only about working together.” When Luke’s mouth opened, she held up a hand. “Let me finish. You said we could just sleep together because it wouldn’t mean anything. But when I have sex, it means everything, and I don’t want an
everything
right now, not with anyone.” She paused, wondering if she should tell him why. She thought about Jack the rat—the last guy to break her trust. Then she thought about Luke—the first guy to. “Your head can’t do a relationship and my heart can’t. See? I might be just as screwed up as you.” She laughed, trying to make light of the situation before it got heavy. “And even if somehow your head and my heart were miraculously ready, a relationship would be impossible.”

Luke shifted his stance. “Because?”

“Simple.” She took a beat. “Hershey.”

“What about it?”

“I’m never leaving.”

After a moment, Luke nodded, like it finally dawned on him. “And I’ll never live here.”

Even though she was expecting it, his answer was majorly deflating, the final nail in the coffin. “See?”

He nodded again. “Everything you said makes sense, but you’re wrong about one thing.”

She made herself laugh again and pulled out a pair of latex gloves. “I seriously doubt that. But I’m curious. Which one thing was I wrong about?”

“What we do together means something to me.” The way he looked at her made her heart beat fast. “I like you, Natalie.”

She could not let
that
mean anything to her. “That’s natural. I’m likable.”

He dropped his chin and exhaled. “Fine, never mind. You’re right about everything and let’s move on.”

“Good answer.”

It was a relief to be on the same page again, but when she glanced at Luke and caught him giving her body a lightning-fast scan, pausing briefly at where her bra should’ve been…

Whoa. If his eyes make me feel like this, what will his hands—

“Time to check the molds!” she blurted, turning away. She blew out a breath and ran a hand along the back of her neck. Was it damp from her hair or from Luke?

It hadn’t been the full three hours, but most of the molds were set. Maybe this all-nighter was a better idea than she’d hoped. Only a few of the pans were still on the gooey side, probably because they were close to a heater vent. She showed Luke how to carefully pop the squares from the plastic molds, then left him to check her cell.

“I very rarely eat the stuff.”

“What?” she asked when she finished reading emails.

“Chocolate.”

They started on blending the second batch of samples. He tossed her a box of cold butter.

“With that attitude, I’m surprised they let you cross into Hershey city limits.”

He laughed. “You sound like my parents. When they found out why I’m here—to
observe
your project—they had double heart attacks. They even staged an intervention, brought in my brothers and Roxy, and you know Dex is here.”

“Take this,” Natalie said, passing him a set of clean molds. “Once this is done blending, start filling.” She adjusted her safety glasses. “Why an intervention?”

“They think the same way you do, that my sole mission in life is to rid the planet of chocolate.”

“Isn’t it?” She couldn’t help grinning, even as Luke shot her a look through his goggles.

“It’s a family thing, too. They worry the Elliott name will be tarnished if one of us goes against Hershey. Roxy was plenty pissed about it. She said I don’t come home enough to understand the situation.” He moved the mixing bowl onto the counter. “Maybe she’s right. I don’t come home enough.”

“Why is that?” She lifted her glasses so she could really look at him. “Philly’s not that far away.”

It took a while for him to answer, and it couldn’t have been because he was concentrating on filling the molds. This batch was as messy as his first.

“My ex didn’t like Hershey,” he finally said, keeping his gaze fixed on his job. “She hated it.”

Sacrilege!
“She what?”

“We had our engagement party here, but after that, she never came back. She didn’t like me coming home, either.”

Natalie stopped everything she was doing to concentration on Luke, what he’d just said. And what it might say about him. “But your family’s here. Sorry, but wasn’t that kind of terrible of her?”

He shrugged, spilling more chocolate on the side of the pan. “I’m not making excuses for her, but I saw her point, and I agreed with her—she was my wife, I had to. I love the vibe and energy of big cities. Living in Philly’s a perfect fit for me. For now.” He rubbed his jaw with the back of his hand, like he had something more to say, but then didn’t. “I started seeing Hershey through Celeste’s eyes. It happened subtly. First, I didn’t come home for my mother’s birthday. Then I didn’t visit at Christmas. After a few years, I hardly came home at all.” He paused and lifted his chin, staring straight ahead. “It hurt my parents. It still does, I can tell. But I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Just come home more often,” Natalie said, even though Luke hadn’t asked for her opinion. “All they want is to have their son under their roof, sleeping in his old bed, hanging out in the kitchen.”

“You think it’s that simple?”

Probably not, but it was a start. Natalie knew firsthand how complicated family dynamics could be. Her own parents were struggling with their marriage, fighting to hold onto what normalcy they had. If she focused on Luke’s family issue, she wouldn’t have to think about her own.

“Maybe,” she said. “I saw your mother tonight. Totally over the moon that you’re here.”

“She’s made me breakfast in bed every morning.” He smiled sheepishly. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“Oh, let her spoil you. It won’t damage your reputation with the feds.”

He laughed. “Thank you, Natalie.”

“For what?” She reached for a roll of paper towels to wipe up Luke’s misses.

“I don’t know. For listening. Not judging me.”

Warm spots blossomed in her chest. Not lust this time, but…something like the makings of friendship. Since when did she want to be friends with Luke?

“Who says I’m not judging you? And what’s so wrong with settling in Hershey? I grew up in a town even tinier and turned out reasonably normal.”

Luke gave her a look. “Uh-huh.”

“Shut it.”

He snickered under his breath. “This pan’s done. Want me to do another?”

She pulled the mixing bowl away from him. “We can’t afford to waste any more product.”

“Hey, I’m a rookie.”

“You’re a suckie.”

He unleashed another of those deep, manly laughs. She’d never made a guy laugh so consistently before. It was like he understood her,
got
her unlike anyone else. Thinking that way caused an annoying flutter to erupt in her stomach, so she netted those butterflies.

“See the first squares we pulled?” She pointed to the other side of the counter. “Two of them should fit together like magnets. The little groove on the bottom is where the serum will go.”

“Ingenious.” He knocked his shoulder against hers. “For a townie.”

“You might mean that as an insult, but it’s not.”

“I wouldn’t dare insult you, not while you’re wielding a wooden spoon covered in Amazonian cocoa.”

Natalie sighed and pushed up her glasses. “Hershey, Pennsylvania is an amazing legacy. I know you studied the town’s history; it was a requirement for every student. So you know how the Milton Hershey private school started as an orphanage, and about its current scholarships and free student housing, the factories and jobs, how his legacy is over a hundred years old. And it’s not just about selling the best damn chocolate in this country.”