“Is JJ picking you up from here?” I ask as we step into my apartment.
“I was hoping to stay here tonight. Unless I’ve been taking up too much of your time, in which case I can call JJ and have him pick me up.” Luke rambles, taking his phone from his pocket.
“No, no. Of course, you aren’t. I’m happy for you to stay. But um, don’t you need a bodyguard?” I laugh. It just seems outrageous to have a bodyguard.
“Not always. I was safe at your mothers, and with you,” he jokes.
“Okay, what would you like for dinner?”
“You,” he grins slyly.
I smile. “Not right this minute, babe. I have to feed Benny and get him settled. Sally will be here in a couple of hours to take him for a walk.” Luke pouts. I roll my eyes, “Adorable but no,” I tap his nose.
“You’re just so irresistible” he folds me into his arms, his lips lightly touching mine instead of kissing me as I want, he hovers waiting for me to answer.
Fuck it! I lean up and kiss h
Hope you enjoy this chapter. xx
The peaceful sound of rain wakes me. I love the sound of rain. I glance at the soft glow of the alarm clock on my bedside. It’s 4:12 am. I roll onto my back and peek over at Luke. He’s sleeping soundly.I wish I could sleep as peacefully as he does. At least we’ve got through the baby thing. I can’t pinpoint why, but I still feel at odds.I try to go back to sleep, but the radio of voices inside my head is getting loud. I don’t think there’s any point in trying to go back to sleep when the voices are practically shouting.With a small sigh, I get up out of bed, throw on my fav jagger tee and lounge pants. I grab my phone and pick up my kindle and wireless earbuds on the way to my balcony.My building has no obstructed views of the ocean. It’s beautiful watching the sunrise from here, but it’s still a little early.It’s why I brought such a large outdoor day bed. It’s almost like a little c
As soon as I get out of my car, I put my earbuds in and blast my music. It’s been a day and I could use either silence or music to chill. I stop by the foyer and pick up the mail before heading up to my apartment. I flick through my mail as I walk in. So many damn bills this month. Benny bumps my leg; I pet him absentmindedly and head straight to my bedroom. I kick my shoes off and pad over to my study, fire up my laptop I might as well pay them now. I definitely need to have a chat with Abby. She’s overspending on the new flip. I always have to rein her in. The Divinyls blast in my ears–Touch myself. Oh, the memories this song brings. I sing to myself, shut my laptop down and feed Mr Benny. I look longingly at my bathtub, but I think I’d rather take a shower. I grab some fresh clothes; my shower’s busted so I have to use the guest bathroom. The plumber’s coming tomorrow, thank goodness. Fucking hell, Dax has let himself in today. He’s s
It’s been an interesting couple of days without Luke. After his meetings with his brothers, he had to leave and travel all over Australia to complete business transactions and check their other businesses while out there.Still, we talk every day and night, no matter what, and I love it.We were both hoping that he would be back tonight. But his brothers knocked out another deal in Brisbane, so Luke will stay another night.This evening has been really great. The band took advantage of Ren being here and invited him to be our “Secret special guest”. The turnout is incredible, and it’s been so much fun singing with Ren again.Our set’s done now we get to party. Usually, Justin will do a DJ set, but tonight Joe hired an up-and-coming DJ so we can celebrate Ren’s farewell. He is going back on the road with his band.“Here you go, Drink up.” Joe shouts over the music as he places dozens of s
Sunday couldn’t have come any sooner. After my therapy session with Eva on Friday, I feel loads better and haven’t had a hallucination since my brief episode.Luke’s been so busy with galas and such, all part of the Craven Inc. image. I haven’t been able to fill him in on what I thought happened. He makes me smile, though. He’s been going solo, which, of course, has created hype with the press. They’ve been having a field day speculating if the infamous Mr Craven is now an eternal bachelor or if he has found the future Mrs Craven.Of course, Luke hasn’t helped the matter one bit. He told the reporter at one gala. “I have a beautiful young woman waiting for me at home and I’m not ready to share her with the rest of the world just yet.” with a fucking wink!With just that one statement last night, JJ said, “The paps have been buzzing. We will have to send out a decoy if you are both se
Mum goes inside to check on the feast she’s cooking for us tonight. I lean against the gate and watch Benny do his crazy yard zoomies. This big pupper always makes me smile when I least feel like it. Especially while thinking about Dean fucking Bertrand.What can I do? JJ is helping me with Security, but should I call the police? Did I really see him that night at the bar? Did I really see him at home in my underground garage?Only moments ago, I felt sure, now I wonder if it was just all in my head. I mean why the hell would Dean hang around here for me. If I broke out of prison I would be long gone into the next state, not stalking my ex.I shake my head as if he is here for you Lillian Blackwood. Is your pussy made of gold? I snort.Benny continues his zoomies, only stopping to pick up an old tennis ball and race around the yard like a lunatic.“Hey Babe, what are you doing out here?” Luke calls as he jogs down th
We stayed a couple of more days. I’m just about to get Lucy for breakfast when Abby comes charging into the house like she’s on a warpath.“Hey, Sis. I was just about to get Luce for breakfast.” I tell her as she storms up the stairs.“Ah huh, is she up yet? I need to get her to school.”“She is, but she hasn’t had breakfast. She’s been working on her assignment all night. Ease up on the kid.” I don’t know what’s up her arse this morning, but she can’t lay into the poor girl just cause she’s in a bad mood.“When you have kids, you’ll understand.” Abby snaps. She stops in her tracks and turns around with her hand over her mouth. “Oh, my god. Lily, I’m so sorry.” She runs down the stairs and hugs me tightly.I laugh. “Abby, calm down. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you really need to relax.”“I wasn’t thinking when I said that. I’m so sorry.”I sigh inwardly. This happens a lot with Abby. “Listen, I’m okay with it. I’ve accepted that I won’t be able to have my own children.
Well, that was different. I turn to Luke, who’s staring into space.“You alright?” I ask, knowing it’s a stupid question to ask. But what else can I say? I mean to hear me speak so frankly about my past and being so indifferent to it….“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks, searching my eyes.“Talking about my past is a bit of a mood killer.” I smirk, his eyes harden. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry I haven’t told you everything? I still haven’t told my therapist everything, let alone anyone else.”“No, no… I-I just want to know” he puts his hands on his knees rubbing his legs in frustration.“It happened, Luke. There’s nothing I can do to change that. No matter how many times I wished for it, prayed for it.” I look up at the ceiling, willing the tears to go away. “I choose when and who I tell. There are two people in this world that know all of it and that’s Dean and me. Of course, my therapist knows more than anyone else, including my mother. Talking about this, reliving it
I smile at my reflection. Yes, you are a lucky bitch. I finish the last touches of my makeup and check my outfit to make sure it’s all in the right place. I’m wearing a white sleeveless fitted scoop neck top with a mini black leather corset, tight black jeans, a black leather jacket and black heels. “Oh!” I pick up my new platinum gold necklace with a key and heart charms on it. Luke said he commissioned the necklace from his brothers a week ago and here it is all the way from Dubai.“Yeah, you are one lucky bitch.” I murmur to myself as I knock on the door to my study again. This time I don’t hesitate. I walk right on in. Luke looks me up and down and whistles.“Wow, you look hot. Maybe I should put this aside for later.” He smiles playfully, “I can’t let you go out looking like that!”“What are you going to do? Tie me up?” I tease.“Maybe I will” He stalks towards me, his eyes glowing darkly. The look makes me shiver in an oh so good way. He wraps me in his arms and kisses me zealou