Too Late

That was the kicker. I figured that one out before he even came clean at the pool.

When Dalton said Carter…or Luke, rather…was telling the truth, I knew there was more to it. More to her. More to him blatantly making out with someone else when he’s in the same house as me. I told myself that if he came outside and denied ever being with her that I would know then that he’s a liar. That he’s just like Asa.

But if he came outside and told me the truth-that he was using her to throw Asa off-then I knew I was right. I had him pegged.

I just didn’t know which one I preferred to hear. That he was just like Asa…or that he’d been using me this whole time.

As soon as he realized I had figured it out, I was expecting that to be the end of us. I thought he would fear for his job and try to cut some kind of deal with me to keep me quiet. Because guys like him…guys with careers, who are good and successful and kind…they don’t fall for girls like me.

Or at least that’s what I was raised to believe.

But I was wrong, because he’s not worried about his job. When he says all he sees is me, I believe him. Because all I see is him.

All I feel is him.

And right now, the only thing I’m focused on is the way he’s moving his hand against me-touching me in just the right place that I’m afraid I might not only wake Asa up, but the entire neighborhood.

As if he can sense this, he covers my mouth with his, stifling my moans as I crush myself against him. My legs begin to shake, my arms, my whole body, as the greatest sensation I’ve ever felt slams through me.

“Luke,” I moan against his lips.

As weak as I am in this moment, I find the strength to move faster…harder…until I’m the one having to stifle his sounds.

His mouth is incredible. He tastes like fruit. He tastes sweet.

Nothing like the bitterness I swallow when I kiss Asa.

When neither of us is no longer shaking, and I’m still on top of him, he leans forward and feathers his lips across my shoulder.

“You should go back inside,” he says.

I know he’s right, but I wish he wasn’t. Inside is the last place I want to be after this. I run my fingers through his hair and can smell the fresh scent of shampoo. I bend forward and sniff his hair. “You showered? Before you came back to the house?”

He smiles, I can see it even in the dark.

“So you showered and you had condoms in your car? Were you expecting to get laid tonight?”

He drops his head against the headrest and a slow, satisfied grin stretches across his lips. “I showered because I like to look good for you. I have a condom in my car because I like to be prepared. And it’s been there for six months, in case you’re curious.”

I was, but I don’t have a right to be. He knows what still happens between me and Asa at night. If I could stop it I would, but it’s just not an option right now. Not until I’m no longer in this house.

But we don’t talk about that. About the fact that I’m still with Asa, and about how what just happened between me and Luke wasn’t right, no matter how right it felt. But I honestly don’t care that I just cheated on Asa. I should feel guilty, but I don’t.

Karma’s a bitch, Asa Jackson.

Luke runs his thumb over my arm and pushes down my bra strap. He dips his thumb under it, rubbing back and forth. “Sloan?”

I’m tracing his jaw. He has a great face. Masculine in all the right places but a hint of soft femininity to his lips. “Yeah?”

“How did you figure it out?”

I grin. “You’re all I see, Luke. And I’m really smart.”

He nods. “Yes, you are.” He presses his palms against my back and pulls me against him, but before his lips meet mine, my back hits the seat and he’s hovering over me, covering my mouth with his hand. “Be still,” he whispers, looking out the front window.

My heart feels like it climbs up my throat.

We’re dead. We’re dead.

We. Are. Dead.

I hear a heavy pounding against the window, but I’m not so sure it isn’t just my heart. “Open the fucking door!”

I close my eyes, but feel Luke’s mouth press against my ear. “It’s just Dalton,” he whispers. “Stay down.”

I nod and cover myself with my arms as Luke sits up and opens the door. Something comes flying into the backseat, and Luke catches it in his arms. “What the fuck!” Luke says, gathering whatever Dalton just threw at him.

Dalton leans in through the door and looks at me. “Next time you two decide to sneak off and fuck, make sure you take your clothes with you.”