Page 12 of Secret Seduction
“I’m seeing that.”
“Alright, leave her alone. She’ll tell us more later.” Winnie waves her hand around.
“I vote you take life by the balls and see what happens,” Maci says with a bluntness I didn’t know she had. We all laugh, the subject changes, and we don’t move from our places until Johnny calls for the kids and pregnant women to make their plate. The men in this group are definitely not like the ones I’ve been around before. I take that back. They’re a lot like my dad and Zane, a breath of fresh air when you’re used to a not-so-kind dating pool.
7
LUKE
“You taking her home, or are we?” Jagger asks. I spent the majority of my time with Shae today. The wall I’ve attempted to build crumbled down like a bomb went off. The more I get to know her, the more I want to be around her, and it was damn hard to pull myself away to hang with Briar and Seb.
“I’ll take her home.” I take a sip of the water I’ve been drinking. I’d have much preferred a beer, but since Gallo is out of town and I’m driving, I opted for something non-alcoholic.
“It’s like that, is it?” Tysen says with a smirk.
“Another one bites the dust,” Jude says, tossing a couple of gummy bears in his mouth.
“Falling like dominos, one after the other.” Johnny isn’t wrong. We’ve all lived the single life, became successful in our careers, which meant a good chunk of our personal lives was put on the back burner. Until one by one, we meet theone who has us rethinking a lot of shit. For instance, how money isn’t the end all be all and taking time away from work is a necessity.
“The only problem is she’s technically my patient until Gallo comes back,” I say with a wince. Dabbling in anything could lead to trouble.
“You’re both consenting adults. Fuck the rest,” Matthew answers without any hesitation. He’s normally the one telling us to be careful in circumstances like these.
“Well, if Matthew isn’t worried about it, I’d say go get your woman.” Crew pats me on the back and ambles off toward where the girls are congregating around the dessert table.
“Quit waging a war within yourself. Time is a fuckin’ thief,” Trent mutters.
“My only advice is if you want something, go after it. Gallo will be back this week. He can take over the rest, and if you don’t find someone else to help handle his patients, you’re gonna find yourself in an early grave. None of us are getting any younger, brother. I’m off to get my woman. She won’t listen and refuses to stay off her feet. You all enjoy yourselves. You know where everything is,” Asher advises. The get-together will go on is what he’s saying, but if you don’t see me, don’t look for me, either.
“I’m going to find Shae and take her home. She’s probably due for medicine,” I tell the remainder of the group. I didn’t see her take anything today, which could spell trouble later on. We all realize it’s time to wrap this party up, with most of the women being pregnant and all of us having worktomorrow. We’re lucky to all be together in one location with how hectic shit can get.
I move closer to where Shaelynn is, still hanging back, watching as she interacts with Briar, who seems to be doing her usual. The girl’s sweet tooth means Kenny and Trent have their hands full with keeping her out of the dentist’s office with cavities. I notice Shae is listening to Briar chatter on. She’s munching on chips, vegetables, and keeps the dip heavy with every swipe on her plate. It seems Shae may not have a sweet tooth like most of the women.
“So, not to be that nosy friend or anything, but I can totally claim that I did this, right, or at least had a hand in it?” Lennie comes up beside me.
“What?” I’m still stuck on watching Shae, the way she interacts with everyone. She meshes. There’s been not one single interaction that’s been awkward. The physical attraction I feel for her is another fucking thing entirely. It’s been a damn process to keep my dick in my pants and to control myself from not popping a boner around everyone.
“Well, I mean, I know Lyric suggested your office, but it was me in the room with her when you made your appearance. I saw the sparks fly immediately.” I can’t help but laugh a deep, guttural laugh, one that has Shae turning her head to look at me. “What? I don’t find this remotely funny.”
“Lennie, you’re lucky Asher hasn’t put your butt to bed or on the couch. He’s looking for you,” I warn her. She taps her foot on the floor. “Momma Catherine is rubbing off on you,” I say, talking about how her adoptive mom likes to consider herself the queen of matchmaking, and it seems the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
“Dang it, he’s a pain in my ass. I’m going to go hide in the bathroom. I’m pregnant, not an invalid. I swear I might threaten to castrate your best friend the next time he comes near me with his dick.” Lennie doesn’t stick around long. She spins on her heels, pumps her arms, and moves as fast as she can.
“Good luck,” I call out after her. She waves a hand up in the air in acknowledgement. She’s probably headed right where Asher wants her, in their bedroom, and that’s the last thing I want to stick around to hear.
“What was that all about?” Shae asks me. I notice the room has cleared out, leaving us alone.
“Asher’s making her get off her feet, which Lennie’s avoiding at all costs. You about ready to get out of here?” Most of the mess has been cleaned up; all that’s left are the desserts.
“Oh, well, we tried to do more around the house so she would rest. I already know for a fact she’ll be at LITHE this week as long as the babies don’t make their appearance. She comes in every week for the stretching class. I suppose I should find my ride.” Shae slides a piece of hair out of her face. The hat she wore outside is gone, and there’s a slight tint of red along her cheeks and nose.
“Jagger and Lyric already left. I’ll take you home.” Shae must not believe me. She looks around the house, noticing neither of them are in sight. They probably haven’t left the driveway yet. Lyric noticed I held Shae’s attention, and they went out the back door, around the patio, and through the side gate.
“Are you sure? I hate to put you out.” She plays with the end of her braid. My hand itches to wrap it around my fist while I’m taking her from behind, or better yet, when she’s down on her knees swallowing my cock. Jesus, fuck, I need to get control of myself and my dick. Shae only had surgery a few days ago. She’s off limits more than ever before. “Luke, I can always order a car.” Her lyrical voice, warm and light, almost melodic, has me breaking out of my thoughts of what I want to do with her.
“There’s no need for that. It’ll take you twice as long to get home, and besides sitting by the pool, you didn’t do much resting. The last thing you need to do is get in a car with a stranger who could drive like a lunatic.” I’m laying it on thick, attempting to get my way. The last thing I want is to lose her presence when I’m finally getting over the hurdles in my messed-up head.
“Aren’t you practically a stranger? How can I trust your driving?” she says in a teasing tone, doing nothing to stop my cock from trying to make its presence known.
