"emma, i'm sorry that i'm being that way with you. its just, the first time you came into the shop, you were such a breath of fresh air. you weren't looking at me like you were calculating how to get me in bed, or how much money i make."

i covered my eyes again. "you're wrong."

"what?" luke asked.

"you're wrong. i was looking at you like i wanted to get you in bed. i was embarrassing myself staring at you so much," i muttered.

he laughed. "i liked you looking at me. and when i had you in my chair, i wanted nothing more than to rip your clothes off and fuck you til you screamed for me."

whoa. "but why, luke?" i asked. "i'm not some gorgeous model type that just walks in a room and guys drool over her. that's never been me, its always been leah, and i just cant help but feel like this is something that will pass, and then you'll be done, over me and moved on to the next. beautiful women throw themselves at you, but look at me!"

"i am looking, emma! don't you ever look in a mirror? you're beautiful, sugar. you're curvy, you've got this long, thick, dark hair that makes me want to bury my hands in it, and gorgeous jade green eyes...you are beautiful," he whispered.

i closed my eyes, a lump forming in my throat, and tears threatened behind my lids.

"you're mine, emma. and i'm not letting you go."

chapter 10

i woke slowly in the morning, stretching and yawning loudly. i felt the bed shift behind me and froze for a second until i realized that i was at luke's house, in his bed. i smiled, rolling over to wrap my eyes around him and came face to face with...doug. the lab was panting, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, his doggie lips stretched into a doggie grin.

i smiled back at him, reaching out to pat his head, and luke walked into the room, holding steaming cups of coffee.

i sat up, holding the sheet tightly to my naked breasts, my muscles slightly sore from the activities of the night before. luke had staked his claim completely after uttering the words to me. he had picked me up and carried me (yes! carried me!) up the stairs to his bed before making love to me all throughout the night. the last time was just a couple of hours ago, when he'd stood me up in front of the window, curtains wide open, my palms to the glass, my leg hooked over his forearm as he pushed into me from behind as i leaned back into him, just as the sun slipped up over the horizon. i'll never look at sunrise the same again!

"morning, baby," luke said, handing me a cup of coffee and leaning down for a kiss. "i've got to get ready and head to the shop. i have a tattoo scheduled for this morning, but it shouldn't take too long. do you have any plans, or do you wanna come watch?" he asked.

i thought for a second. "umm... i don't think i have anything going, so, yeah. i'll go if you want me to. maybe i'll let you ink me again..." i grinned at him, but my smile faltered when his eyes darkened.

"luke?" i asked. i wasn't sure i liked the look he was giving me.

"oh yeah, sugar. i'll definitely do that again." his voice was low and sent shivers down my spine.

i sat my coffee down on the nightstand beside the bed and let the sheet fall to my waist. i leaned back on my elbows, cocking my head to the side before asking, "really? you'll do me again?"

luke's eyes darkened even more and he groaned in his throat. "emma, don't do this to me. we gotta go, sugar."

i shrugged my shoulder at him, making my breasts jiggle, and laid down on my back, stretching my arms up over my head and moaning softly. i heard luke's breath catch and watched him bite his lip, clearly torn. i decided to up the ante and slid my hand down my chest, cupping my breast in my hand and tweaking my nipple with my thumb.

luke groaned harshly before he was on the bed, doug flying out the door, as luke was coming over me and sliding as deep as he could. he fucked me furiously, slamming himself in and out, and i reveled in it. i couldn't contain my moans as my knees came up to bracket his sides, my hands sliding up and down his back, digging my nails into his skin. without warning, it hit me and i came, screaming my release, my body pulsating as he still pounded into me until he thrust deeply one last time, his body jerking with his release.

he leaned forward and kissed my lips quickly before pulling out and leaving the bed. i rolled over, squeezing my thighs together, enjoying the slight aftershocks still zinging through my loins, and i felt him slap my ass, yelling, "get up, woman! we're gonna be late now!"

i looked over my shoulder at him and he grinned at me before heading off to the shower. i thought about joining him, but decided we'd never leave the house if i did, so i let him finish, jumping in and showering quickly as soon as he emerged to get dressed.

we pulled up outside the shop just a few minutes late. brandon was already there, even though he didn't have anything scheduled until later that afternoon.

when i walked in the door with luke, his arm thrown around my shoulders holding me tightly to his side, brandon hooted loudly, yelling, "finally! maybe now i can go home and get some sleep!"

luke punched him playfully in the arm and went back to get his room ready for his client.

brandon looked at me, winked and said, "oh, luke! harder luke! yes...ohhhhh!" in a high-pitch falsetto.

i gasped, my cheeks flooding with heat, and punched him in his chest, glaring at him. "i didn't sound like that, asshole. i never said any of that, either," i muttered.

brandon just grinned at me, nodding his head vigorously up and down.

i spun on my heel and headed down the hall to luke's work room. my cell phone rang in my jeans pocket as i walked towards the back and i pulled it out to see who was calling me.

allie's name flashed across the screen, so i answered it. "hey!"

"hey! what are doing today?" allie asked.

"i'm down here at luke's shop. he's doing a tattoo this morning and said i could watch."

allie was silent for a minute. "with luke, huh? i take it you got your head outta your ass, jensen?"

i said quietly, "allie, i didn't mean to be such a bitch. but you know what happened with douche bag brad. like i told you, i just don't want to be hurt like that again."

"i know, em, but luke just...i don't know. i can just see that's he's not like that. you'll be good together, make pretty babies." i could tell she was smiling now.

i snorted. "yeah, well i don't think that's in the cards any time soon. we just started dating."

luke poked his head out of his doorway and looked over to where i had stopped to talk to allie.

"we just started dating?" he asked with a grin.

i rolled my eyes at him and turned my back. to allie i said, "listen, i'll call you later when i get home." i heard luke snort behind me and i turned back to see what he was doing. he shook his head at me and i raised my eyebrow at him.

he mouthed, "you aren't going home. unless i'm going with you..."

i gaped at him, allie repeating, "hello? emma? are you still there?" in my ear.

"yeah, allie, sorry. like i said, i'll call you later, okay?"