Reasons Why

Chapter Four

Wow! That was the only thing that Chloe could manage to think as her lips were teased by the firm, inquisitive lips of Luke. She was anything but inexperienced, but this was...amazing. Their bodies were barely touching, but she could feel the heat of every inch of him. She was not one to surrender, but she did, loving the pressure of his lips, the invasion of his tongue, the nip of his perfect teeth. Was there nothing that this man couldn't master?

His fingers wrapped themselves around her jaw, his thumb strummed her cheek bone, and it was the most erotic sensation she could ever imagine. He even smelled divine. Succumbing to this multisensory assault, the lips that massaged hers into submission, the smell, the taste, even the sound of his throaty growl, all encouraged her to reciprocate. It was so simple, so basic, yet so overwhelming that she couldn't help but groan at his magic. Luke took each moan as both encouragement and acceptance, and his hands dragged her closer to him.

Her hands settled on him, one his chest, the surprisingly firm, muscular body, the other at the base of his neck, in the silky soft short hair.  Gasping for air, Chloe pulled back and looked at Luke, all his bravado and  natural arrogance had gone, she could see his desire, could tell that he was struggling to maintain any semblance of control.

                "Chloe..." his voice was a rasp and a spear of warmth jolted through her at the knowledge that she'd done that to him. Now was not the time to think of ex's, but at that moment she knew that no one had ever made her feel this...desirable, but on the flip side, she'd never had anyone look at her like this, as though she was the best gift that a man could ask for. It was a hedonistic pleasure.

                "Luke," she breathed his name back, "I've had a great night..."

He raised an eyebrow in question, "you're brushing me off? Saying goodnight?"

She managed only half a nod before he thrust his lips back on hers, and it all stepped up a notch. His hand was firm, gripping her chin, securing her in his command, the other hand in the small of her back held her close to his hard powerful body. His lips were soft, but insistent, and she could resist for only moments before hers parted and her tongue lashed out to meet his. Chloe found herself grabbing at him, clinging to his shoulders, she wanted more of this, so badly, yet she didn't too. It was so confusing, and whilst she was befuddled by him overwhelming her, the sensory overload and the relaxation of so many beers earlier, desire was winning the battle over common sense. Desire and arousal, as his lips nibbled their way down to her throat, the curve of her shoulder. With closed eyes she absorbed every ounce of the sensation.

It was then that they heard a noise, and they pulled apart guiltily, as though they'd both been caught with their hand in the sweet jar. Luke chuckled, a deep relaxing sound as he pointed to one of the fishing boats that was heading out to sea. For Chloe it was a reality check.

Standing she smiled at him, this hot stranger who, for some reason liked her, “I have to go. I've got lots to do tomorrow..."

His fingers ensnared her wrist and tugged her back to face him, "meet me tomorrow? Evening? We can go out...talk?"

To Chloe this was a pleasant interlude, she couldn't imagine meeting him again, letting him get close, letting him hurt her. She shook her head slowly, "I'm only here a few weeks Luke, it was fun..." She cupped his cheek, "you are a beautiful and funny man...but," she shook her head again, "I can't do this."

With that she turned and ran off, escaping through the tree lined path that led to Phil and Didi's house.

Her heart was still racing as she let herself in through the front door. She'd feared...and maybe hoped, that he'd follow her, but he hadn't and she was relieved, and disappointed. Dropping her shoes in the closet near the door, she made for the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, then crept up the stairs. On the first floor landing she tiptoed towards the door to the loft, only pausing to listen to the erratic breathing of the two kids from the rooms to her right. As she opened the door that led to the bed she was desperate to sink into, she dropped the water and it clattered on the wooden floor.