Page 9 of Love Me (Charlotte Monarchs Hockey #1)

Bree

W here in the world am I? is the first thing I wonder when I wake up. Then I recognize the strong, tatted-up arms holding me against a warm, muscular chest and remember that I went home with Luke last night. Certain parts of the day come back to me slowly.

I threw myself at him all day. Literally, threw myself onto his lap at that club with the wicked hand chairs.

The more I recall, the more my head pounds. I need to use the bathroom and wash the embarrassment way. I turn gently so as not to wake Luke, but when I glance at his face, his bright eyes are peering at me.

“Morning,” he says with a smile.

“Good morning.” I lift my head and brush his cheek with my lips.

“Any regrets?”

“Just one.”

Luke bolts up onto his elbow. “What?” He looks concerned like he messed up in some way.

I release a dramatic sigh and raise my eyes to the concrete ceiling. “I really wanted to see those dancing pandas.”

His tense shoulders slump with relief. I hope he realizes my words mean I remember everything. Especially the part where he shot me down when I was revved up and ready to go.

“I regret using that line,” Luke says before he’s overtaken by a yawn.

I pat his chest, then stretch my arms over my head. “Mind if I run to the bathroom?”

“Go for it. There’s a toothbrush on the counter for you.”

“Thank you.” I scramble off the bed. A sexy hockey player who puts a toothbrush out for a one-night stand? Now that’s Southern hospitality at its finest.

A short hallway with mirrored sliding doors leads me to the bathroom.

On the otherwise spotless bathroom counter sits a brand-new blue toothbrush still in the package.

The only other thing is liquid soap from a high-end bath-and-body store.

Luke is by far the tidiest guy I’ve ever met.

Which gives me a slight complex about my own habits.

I’m not a complete pig, but my living spaces are… um, lived in.

After using the bathroom, I wash my hands and face.

Though I don’t wear makeup, my skin feels gritty from going to bed without even rinsing it last night.

I pump soap into my hands and enjoy the relaxing scent of lavender and vanilla.

I pictured Luke as more of a lemon or sandalwood kind of guy, but it’s neat to learn little things about him by being in his domain.

As I pat my face dry with a soft, red hand towel, I scan the counter for the toothpaste. It’s not there, of course, because the sink is a mecca of clean. Without thinking, I open the top drawer of the vanity as if I were in my own house.

“Shit!” I slam it shut at the realization of what I’ve done. It was instinct. I don’t usually invade people’s privacy by going through their drawers.

“Hey, Luke!” I call through the closed door. “Where’s your toothpaste?”

“Top right-hand drawer.”

“Thanks.” My hands shake, fumbling to open the toothbrush package. I still feel guilty reentering the drawer I slammed shut seconds ago.

The toothpaste is not at the front, so I flick past a tube of hair gel and a package of mint-flavored dental floss, feeling like a creep sifting through his toiletries. He must not be embarrassed by anything in there, though, if he’s cool with letting me retrieve the toothpaste.

Bathroom drawers and cabinets are a big deal.

People keep all kinds of secrets in there.

You never know what you’re going to find tucked away—from foot-fungus powder to banana hammocks.

Thankfully, Luke doesn’t have either of those things in his drawer.

At least not in this one. I’m not about to poke around in the others.

The familiar red “C” of the Crest logo catches my eye, and I grab the tube. Next to that is a bottle of prescription pills.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to ignore it.

But I can’t.

If I notice medication, I’m going to look to see what it is. That’s the nurse instinct coming out. Luke seems healthy enough, so I’m curious.

I pick up the bottle slowly so as not to shake the contents, which would tip Luke off that I’m snooping through his shit.

Please don’t be Viagra. Please don’t be Viagra.

LORTAB

That’s weird. I glance at the door then back at the label. A flag goes off in my head. Lortab is a powerful—and highly addictive—painkiller.

Why would Luke have Lortab?

Instead of pondering the reason with the bottle in my hand, I gently set it back in the drawer and resume brushing my teeth.

I’ve seen how people act when they’re abusing pain meds, and Luke doesn’t exhibit any of the signs.

I’d be able to tell if he were on Lortab.

It would be obvious. It’s stupid of me to even think that about him.

Snooping is never a good idea. You jump to all these crazy conclusions but can’t ask about them because it proves you were snooping. Which is a dishonest invasion of privacy.

When I return to the bedroom area, I’m still lost in thoughts. Luke is sprawled out on the bed buck naked with his hands folded behind his head. “Ready for fireworks?” he asks.

“Hell yes!” I say, grabbing the hem of my green T-shirt and whipping it off. Evidently, he wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic answer from me in a full state of sobriety.

“You serious?” he asks sitting upright.

“I know what I want, Luke.” Slowly, without taking my eyes off his, I shimmy the boxer shorts I woke up in down my legs to let him know just how serious I am.

Luke watches the boxers hit the floor. “You’re a pretty kick-ass girl, Bree.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby,” I say, climbing onto the bed.

We’re on our knees, face to face, when Luke slides both hands up my thighs, his thumbs caressing the inside as his fingers brush the outer. “You’re so beautiful.”

His touch leaves a trail of fire in his wake. I’m helpless, lost in his smoldering gaze and strong hands. When he brings a hand to my face, he caresses my cheek before cupping it.

“I’ve been imagining what you’d look like naked underneath me moaning my name.” Luke brushes his lips against mine. He sucks in a breath, hissing for a moment before devouring me in a crushing kiss. Within a few seconds, his tongue flicks against my mouth, begging for more.

When I part my lips, he explores, igniting a passion in me. I brush my tongue against his, inciting a delicious battle. He kisses me like I’m the oxygen he needs to breathe. His hands slide down my body, gripping my thighs.

My chest heaves as air burns in my lungs. Luke drops his head, placing a trail of feathery kisses down my neck, along my collarbone, then into my cleavage.

I’m already so wet it’s embarrassing. Hell, as soon as I remembered where I was, the dam between my legs broke. But it’ll come in handy when he finally slips into me.

The thought alone reminds me that it’s been way too long since I slept with someone.

His calloused palms are rough but gentle as they slide over my bare skin. I love the anticipation, but if he doesn’t put something in me soon, I’m going to take matters into my own hands.

I lean closer, commanding his gaze as our bodies mash together. “I don’t want foreplay right now. I want you in me.”

I can’t take my eyes off him, watching his chest rise and fall faster and faster as the anticipation builds. I can tell he loves that I took charge. It’s evident in how hard he is pressing against my stomach.

“I’m going to give you everything you want,” he whispers. “In time.”

“I can’t wait,” I say through a ragged breath. If I rise onto my knees, I can probably slide his cock right in.

“You can.” He tugs down one side of my bra, cups my breast, and teases my nipple with his thumb. “I’ve been fantasizing about this moment since you walked into Valhalla yesterday.”

When I arch my back, he watches my body react to his touch. Lowering his head, he takes his time running his tongue around my nipple before his lips close on it.

My head falls back, and I close my eyes, reveling in the way his mouth feels on my breast. I want to watch him, but it feels too good. My body is under his spell.

The soft sucking sounds he makes as he licks and pulls on my nipple leave me helpless.

I didn’t think anything could feel better until he pulls down my bra on the other side and switches his focus to my other breast. After giving it the same stimulating attention, he holds both of them, moving his head from side to side, taking turns while bringing me closer to the brink.

“Don’t stop, Luke.” My back arches again when he flicks with his tongue expertly against me. The heat pools between my thighs, and my muscles clench.

After a long lick through the valley between my breasts, he pulls back and smiles at me. He wraps his arms around me and unclasps my bra hook. Then he slides the straps down my arms and tosses it to the floor.

He grabs the back of my knees and tugs quickly. I squeal as I land on my back. His hands slide along my legs until he gets to the waistband of my underwear. “Let’s get these off of you.”

As he pulls the fabric down, I lift my hips to help him.

“Fuck,” he hisses as he spreads my legs and maneuvers himself between them.

I feel exposed and completely bare for his view which is both exhilarating and nerve-racking.

The reverence on his face makes me feel beautiful and confident.

He leans down and presses his lips against my inner thigh, sending a wave of anticipation through me.

He continues kissing along my flesh until he gets close to my core.

“Luke, no.”

“Why not?” He raises his gaze to mine as I try to close my legs.

“Because that’s…I don’t like it.” I try to cover myself with my hands. “It’s weird.”

“Has no one ever eaten you out before?” He appears to be truly curious.

I shake my head. “No, definitely not.”

“Then how about we try it, and if you don’t like it, I’ll stop.” Luke strokes my calf as he speaks.