Page 209 of The Havenport Collection

Nora

I woke up with the mother of all hangovers and a chip on my shoulder. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and looked at the wreckage of my bedroom.

My red dress was thrown on the floor next to my heels and purse, and my phone was nowhere to be found. Next to me in bed was my favorite vibrator. Apparently I had passed out after a very angry self-love session last night.

I groaned as I got up and headed for the bathroom. Last night’s makeup was smeared over half my face, and my hair was matted on one side. Thank God the water had been turned back on this week. Imagine having to do the walk of shame over to Luke’s for a shower?

Oh, fuck. Luke.

I turned the water on scalding hot and stepped under the stream, trying to wash away all the alcohol and bad decisions. Last night had been…something.

It felt significant.

Like something passed between us. An understanding of our mutual attraction. I had fun. I enjoyed being with him.

And then he rejected me. The details were hazy because I had been extremely drunk. Miles the bartender had a strong pour, but I did know I asked him to come in with me. And the fucker said no. Asshole.

After three cups of coffee, I finally found my phone buried under a stack of papers I had pushed on the floor and wasn’t surprised to find dozens of texts.

I opened the Coven’s text chain.

Cece: What is this I hear about you getting hot and heavy with Lucas Kim at the senior V day dance?!?!?!?!

Emily: The fuck?

Astrid: I knew it. You totally boned didn’t you.

Maggie: Who wins the betting pool? I had next summer. Damn.

Cece: Not sure. I can open the google doc and check. I think it might be Burt, but there are so many bets it’s hard to keep track.

Violet: Hold up. My mom says she has photos. Apparently the old folks are texting some hot shots.

A few photos appeared on screen of Luke and me dancing. In one, my head was thrown back laughing, and in the other I was resting my head on his chest.

Maggie: HAWT.

Emily: I am fanning myself. Girl. That dress. You look incredible.

Astrid: Did you wear that to torture him? Look at his face. It worked. You are an evil genius, sister.

Cece: Nora where are you? Did you sleep over at his house?

Emily: Should we call her?

Maggie: No. What if they are cuddling and professing their love, we wouldn’t want to interrupt.

Astrid: You might not want to but I want DETAILS. NOW. GIMME.

Cece: Everyone calm down. It’s 7am for Christ’s sake. Let’s give her some time.

Violet: This is a huge development. Also Luke looks hot in a suit.

Cece: Agreed. The vest is killer.

Astrid: Declan wears vests. I like him to keep them on when…

Emily: STOP we are talking about Nora today.

Emily: And by talking I mean we are going to listen while she gives us the minute by minute play by play of her sexy night with Havenport’s most eligible bachelor.

I rubbed my eyes. I knew I’d have to chime in sooner or later or they would demand proof of life.

Nora: I’m here guys. We did not bone. I did not sleep over. It was a couple of dances.

Nora: That’s it.

I threw the phone down in a huff.

Astrid: I’ve seen the photos and now several video clips. That was not dancing, Nora. That was foreplay.

Emily: Hot foreplay.

Cece: And we need the details.

Astrid: Declan’s making me pancakes. Everyone just come over so we can get all the info. Violet send around some texts so we can collect as many camera angles as possible to analyze.

Violet: Roger that.

Maggie: I’ll be there in thirty min .

I came home that evening feeling like myself again.

After a delicious brunch, I had headed to the store to check in with Gina and get some much-needed work done.

And then Cece convinced me to hit a yoga class with her, and after an hour of miserably sweating out all the alcohol from the night before, I was finally back on my feet.

I was also feeling embarrassed and the tiniest bit enraged at Luke. Yes, I was drunk, and yes, I recalled yelling at him. Which I should probably apologize for.

But he also led me on. And I didn’t tolerate that shit. As much as he pretended it was about the fact that we were drunk, I knew a brush-off when I saw one. I might not be his type, and I might not be good enough for our hometown billionaire, but I was a person, dammit, and I deserved respect.

Because the desire was there. I saw the videos. I felt his erection when we slow danced. I saw him bite his bottom lip when I whispered in his ear.

After several hours of analysis at brunch and sending Declan out for more coffee, my friends had come to the same conclusion. He was a clit tease. Plain and simple. He acted like I was the most desirable woman in the world for a few hours and then left me high and dry.

The more I thought about it, the more wound up I got. After all these weeks of friendship. After being so generous and letting me come over when my water was turned off. I should have known he would disappoint me.

Pacing around my kitchen, I had a brainwave.

I wasn’t going to sit here and be upset about a man.

I wasn’t going to waste more of my precious time obsessing about the things he did and said.

I was going to go over there. Apologize for my drunk messiness and make sure he knows he missed his one and only shot with me.

Then I could move on with my fabulous life.

I shoved my feet in my winter boots and grabbed a coat.

Luke came to the door after several minutes of my angry knocking. He did not look hungover. Instead he looked all stubbly and muscular in his T-shirt and gray sweatpants.

That motherfucker. Gray sweats. Did he know I was coming over? Did he know that sweatpants were a personal weakness?

“Nora,” he said, opening the door. “How are you?”

After removing my boots and leaving them by the door, I pushed past him and into the kitchen, slinging my coat over one of the stools.

“What is your fucking problem?” I yelled.

He stood there looking at me. Totally nonplussed.

“You are hot and cold. You dislike me and then you eye fuck me across a dance floor in front of the town’s senior citizens.”

He walked toward me with his hands up in surrender. “It’s not like that.”

“What is it then?” I stood with my arms crossed. “Do you want to torture me? Or do you want to fuck me?”

A sexy grin spread across his stupidly handsome face. “Why can’t it be both?”

“Stop making fun of me. I’m sick of your games. All you’ve done is check me out and flirt with me for weeks.”

“Good. I was worried you hadn’t noticed.”

I waved a finger in his face. “I knew I was right about you. You are an evil billionaire who doesn’t care about people’s feelings. Did it feel fun to toy with me? To leave me hanging?”

He stood there, staring at me, his intense eye contact making my stomach do backflips.

“Did it make you feel powerful, Luke? Did your tiny dick grow a few inches?”

His eyes narrowed. “Stop. Just stop. We were drunk. I told you that. I wasn’t toying with you.”

His calm and cool tone was making me more enraged. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a toddler. I can’t believe I was starting to like you, to trust you. I thought you might be one of the very few good ones.”

We were almost nose to nose, and I could see his chest heaving. I wanted to slap him across the face and then kiss him. But I had to preserve what little dignity I had left.

“Fuck you, Luke Kim.”

I turned toward the door. I needed to get out of here. Being around him was making everything worse.

“Nora, wait.” He grabbed my arm.

“Get your hands off me,” I said in a low voice.

“Just stop and listen for one minute.”

I turned to face him, and he still held my arm. “Don’t make me hurt you, Luke. You’re too pretty.”

He didn’t respond but did let go of my arm.

I shook my hands at the heavens. “Haven’t I been humiliated enough? The fire? The constant corporate bullshit? But no, God had to send me a sexy neighbor to tempt me too?”

He pulled me close until our bodies were flush. “Walking away from you last night damn near killed me.”

I placed my hand on his rock-hard chest and could feel his racing heart. I looked up at his big gray-brown eyes and felt so many things at once—lust and confusion and affection and anger.

He shifted me back toward the door so I was caged between his strong arms. “I want you, Nora. I want you so badly I can’t think about anything else. You piss me off. You confuse me and you challenge me. But most of all, you turn me on in a way no woman ever has.”

I snarled at him.

He chuckled. “There’s my sexy Fireball.” He took a step farther, pushing me back against the door so I could feel every rock-hard inch of him in those sweatpants.

“Tell me,” he said, dropping down to gently kiss my neck. “Tell me you want me too.”

He dragged his teeth up toward my ear. My back arched involuntarily as I tried to get control over my raging hormones.

His hands possessively slid down my sides, making their way to my hips.

I let out a small gasp.

“What was that?” he asked, smiling and gripping my hips hard.

I pursed my lips, trying to force the moans back into my body. Trying to prevent myself from giving in and giving myself up to this man.

“I heard you,” he whispered in my ear.

I froze.

“Last night. I was in my office, and I heard you in your bed. Do you know what that did to me, Nora?” He was kissing my collarbone, and I had to lean against the wall for support.

I didn’t know whether to be turned on or humiliated.

He heard me getting myself off through the wall?

On the one hand, that was hot, but on the other, so embarrassing.

He looked me straight in the eyes and smirked. “And let me promise you something right now. I will make you come so hard you will throw that vibrator right in the trash. There will be no little gasps and moans. I intend to make you scream my name.”

I don’t know if it was the combination of his dark eyes and square jaw, or his strong hands on my body, or the filthy promises. But just like that, I lost all self-control.

“Shut the fuck up and kiss me.” I grabbed his face and kissed him. It was rough, it was messy, and it was sublime. Our lips danced, our hands roamed, and when I bit down on his bottom lip, he growled and thrust that gorgeous erection into my core.

Within seconds my T-shirt was on the floor as he nipped at my breasts through my bra. His mouth was even more glorious than his hands.

“I don’t want to want you,” I said, as he slipped my shirt over my head.

“But you do.”

“I do,” I moaned as my bra hit the floor. “I want you so fucking badly.”

Next thing I knew, Luke had picked me up and placed me on his kitchen island.

He eased my yoga pants down, kissing my thighs. I leaned back on my arms, desperate for his touch.

He was both rough and gentle at the same time, palming my breasts, nipping my thighs, and gently teasing my clit with his fingers. I threw my head back; the tension was too much. I was so wound up and angry, and his teasing was not helping.

He pulled his head up and smiled at me.

“This is my dream come true,” he said.

“You are fully clothed, and I’m totally naked.”

“I know. And it’s so hot.” He lowered his head and smiled at me. “Now be good and spread those gorgeous legs for me. Show me what I’ve been dreaming about for so long.”

I slowly eased my legs open as he bit his bottom lip in anticipation.

“Jesus,” he muttered when he saw me. “I knew you’d be wet for me, Nora. I knew you were craving me.”

His hands immediately found my knees, forcing them open as he dropped his face down and licked my seam.

“Tastes like heaven,” he said, peppering my inner thighs with kisses. His stubble stung the sensitive skin, making the sensations more intense. “Now admit it. This is why you came over here.” His fingers teased me, and I was dizzy with lust.

“No. This is the last thing I want,” I spat.

“Liar.” He gently slapped my pussy. It stung and lit up every single nerve ending in my body. I screamed. It felt so fucking good and so wrong. “What the fuck, Luke?”

I wanted to be mad. I wanted to storm out of there, but it felt so damn good. My core clenched with anticipation as he slapped me again.

“Be a good girl, and I’ll kiss it better.”

I couldn’t respond. I was immediately overcome with the intense pleasure of his tongue on my clit.

Luke was aggressive and commanding, using his fingers and hands as he built a steady rhythm with his mouth.

I loved getting oral, but most men approached it in a decidedly half-hearted way.

Not Luke—he was thorough and vigorous, making sure every part of me received attention. Devouring me like it was his last meal.

I arched my back, and his fingers slid inside me, lighting me up from the inside out.

I began to gasp and moan with abandon, loving every second of his attention.

His movements were deliberate and calculated, as if he had spent years studying my body and exactly what I needed.

When he crooked his fingers inside me I saw stars.

Gripping his hair, I cried out, tumbling over the edge and into an abyss where nothing would ever be the same again.

It was infuriating, how my body responded to him. That was easily the most powerful orgasm of my life, not that I would give him the pleasure of knowing that detail. Why couldn’t I meet some nice, normal guy who could make me black out with his tongue? Why did it have to be him?

As I slowly regained consciousness, I became aware of his face-splitting grin.