Take Me 01 - Love Me

door.
    “Sorry this didn't work out.”
    Clearly furious, they stomped across the room and yanked their jackets from her.
    “Teasing bit-.”
    Before she even realized he'd moved, Luke had Nick's shirt in his fists.
    “Don't you ever talk to a woman like that again.” Each word held a world of menace. “Apologize to her, asshole.” He waited a beat and when nothing came, he said, “Right now.”
    Nick's face was beet red and Janica wasn't at all sure that he could breathe.
    “Sorry,” he squeaked out.
    She nodded her acceptance of his apology. The truth was she'd been called worse. Frankly, she'd barely even registered the insult.
    “It's okay, Luke,” she said softly. “You can let him go.” It was long past time for this train wreck to end.
    All she wanted was for Nick and Jarod to leave so that she could be alone with Luke again. Her lips were still tingling from his kiss.
    She wanted more.
    So much more.
    With what was obviously great reluctance, Luke dropped Nick's shirt and let him stumble backward into the hall.
    “Come on, man,” Jarod said. “There's still time to pick someone else up if we hurry.”
    Luke slammed her front door shut so hard she half expected the neighbors to come knocking to make sure she was okay.
    “What the hell were you doing with them?”
    He looked so angry, almost disgusted, that it kicked all of her defensive urges into gear.
    It was her life, thank you very much. And until tonight, he hadn't seemed to care one way or another what she did with it.
    Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared back at him. “Exactly what you think.”
    “Jesus.” The word was more of a curse than any of he'd said yet. “You were going to take two of them.”
    Before she could tell him that while that was her initial intention, she wasn't actually going to follow through on it, he had her shoulders gripped hard in his hands again.
    He didn't press her up against his body this time. Instead, she was totally immobilized by his strength. She'd known he was in great shape, that his muscles were cut and ripped, but now that she was getting to know the feel of his hands on her, the truth was he was so much stronger than she'd thought.
    “How many times have you done it?”
    Looking up at his beautiful face, she got snared in his green eyes, and any chance she had of speaking was lost.
    “Tell me, damn you. How many three-ways have you had?”
    Forcing her brain to process his gritty request, she finally got out, “None.”
    His eyes flashed with relief a split second before wariness—and disbelief—took over. His hands tightened on her shoulders again. “Don't lie to me.”
    Okay, now that just made her mad. How dare he accuse her of lying!
    Going on her tippy toes so that her face was barely an inch from his, she spoke each word distinctly. “I. Don't. Lie.”
    She always told the truth. Even when it hurt. Even when it would be so much better to spin out an easy lie.
    There was a heavy pause where his eyes held hers and she thought he was going to kiss her again. She held her breath waiting for it.
    Instead he said, “You were going to do it. Tonight.”
    She was surprised to see more than anger in his gaze. There was jealousy there, too. And concern. Had he actually been afraid for her safety?
    A part of her wanted to push out of his arms and defend herself and tell him that she'd gotten out of far stickier situations with no problems. But another part—the part that had needed Luke for too damn long—had her moving closer to him and saying, “I was just about to send them home, Luke. I thought I could do it. I thought I wanted to do it. But I didn't. I couldn't.”
    How could I enjoy having a three-way with a couple of strangers when the only person I really want is you?

Chapter Three

    Janica Ellis was one of the most vibrant, self-confident, overtly sexual women he’d ever met. Even though she was only five years younger than he was, she'd always struck him as too young. Too raw. Way too out in the open. He didn't date girls like her, didn't see the point when it was clear that there was no future in it.
    As he held her body close to his, Luke had to wonder how Janica and Lily could possibly be related. Because even though they looked nothing like each other—Lily was tall and curvy and soft with flowing red curls while Janica was small, all angles and lines with jet black hair—their differences stretched far beyond the physical.
    Lily, Luke’s best friend from