Page 15 of Reluctant Chemistry

“Sure, go for it.”

His head resting on his arms, Luka closed his eyes against the unease of separation. He longed to slip into the shower behind her, to run his hands over her breasts, caress her neck and back with his lips and tongue. But if she’d wanted him to join her, she would’ve said so. Still, that opportunity would come soon enough.

He stepped from the tub and ditched his boxers on the deck before strolling into the studio, naked and relaxed, jeans in hand. Through the wall behind his bed, he could hear CeCe singing Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ as she showered. It made him smile.

Just as he pulled up his jeans, she walked through the bathroom door. He turned as he zipped up his fly, her round eyes and the flush on her face telling him she’d seen his naked butt.

She looked away, picked up her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. “Thanks for the hot tub. It was fun.”

Luka moved toward her and cradled her face in his hands, the scent of bodywash enveloping them. “Don’t go yet—it’s still early.” He kissed her.

“But I have work tomorrow.”

“Me too,” he whispered, “but I really want you to stay.”

CeCe dropped her bag at her feet. His arms encircled her waist, and she draped hers around his neck as she kissed him. Luka hardened within seconds, so much so that all he could think about was being inside her.

But as he bent to pick her up and carry her to his bed, his beeper started jumping about on the nightstand. “Shit!”

“What’s that?”

He let her go and grabbed his phone and keys off the table and a T-shirt from the dresser. “I’m on call. I have to go. But please feel free to stay.”

* * *

Tingling from the waist down, CeCe stood at the window and watched Luka rush to his SUV and reverse down the driveway. She wanted to stay, to wait for him in his bed, but she’d always thought that a guy respected you more if you held back slightly. Who knew whether or not that was true?

CeCe grabbed a peach from the fruit bowl and took a bite. Juice dripping down her chin, she stood at the sink, smiling at the picture in her head. Luka sliding his jeans over the most perfect naked butt she’d ever seen, its color the same as the rest of his body—warm, golden brown.

Resisting the urge to undress and slip into his bed, she picked up her bag and walked out the door, ensuring it locked behind her.

As she drove out of town toward home, Train’s ‘Calling All Angels’ flowed from her stereo speakers. CeCe sang along, but she didn’t need a sign to know Anna was with her. All she needed to do was touch their butterfly.

When she parked in their driveway, the lights were still on in the house.CeCe had texted her mother before leaving town, a habit formed as soon as she’d got her driver’s license. Her parents wanted to know when to expect her, and she never took that concern for granted.

As CeCe strolled into the family room, her mother looked up from the paper. “Have you been for a swim?”

“No, I visited a friend who has a hot tub. We should get one. They’re so relaxing.”

“What friend?” her dad asked with sudden interest.

She shrugged. “Just a guy I met before Christmas.”

He sought her gaze. “Are you sleeping with him?”

“Frank,” her mother said, “that’s none of our business.”

CeCe laughed. “I only share my bed with Pixie. Besides, you do realize I’m almost nineteen? Mum was married and pregnant at nineteen.”

“That’s not the point. Andrea didn’t plan that life.”

Her mother glared at her father. “Frank!”

“What? It’s true, isn’t it?”

CeCe smiled to herself as she rummaged through the pantry.

“What are you looking for, sweetheart?” her mother asked. Her parents had called her sweetheart for as long as she could remember. Unless she was in trouble—then it was Sydney Eve Dobson.

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