Steal My Breath (Elixir 1)

I squeeze his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“I was told not to tell anyone close to me what was going on. Not even Tyler or my mother knew. Just after we slept together, I told the detective I was done. All I want to do is move on—file the divorce and move the fuck on. I ended up asking my mum for financial help, so I have a lawyer helping now. He hasn’t been able to give me much hope, though.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I finally managed to get some information out of Jolene on Saturday that the police wanted. We thought that would be enough for them, but I spoke with the lawyer aga

in today, and he now thinks they may want more.” He blows out a harsh breath. “I’m beginning to wonder if I’m better off sticking to my guns and letting the cards fall where they will. Seeing Jolene does my head in and I’m not sure how much more I can take.”

“But you’re worried about Sean, aren’t you?” I say softly. He’s just a father trying to do the right thing for his son and in the process he’s being screwed by people in authority. It’s a gross misuse of power.

His shoulders slump as he nods. “Yeah. He’s the only one I care about here, Callie.”

I think back to all the grief I’ve given Luke over the past year.

All the arguing I’ve done with him when he’s been trying to look out for me.

All the times I refused to take his help because I thought I knew better.

God, I’ve been so stupid. Taking care of people really is in his DNA, just like he told me.

I shift a little closer to him on the couch. Reaching out to touch his cheek, I say, “You are an amazing man, Luke. I won’t hound you over the divorce again. I know it will happen and until then I’ll be patient. I’m just glad to have you in my life now.”

His hand closes over mine against his cheek. “Fuck, Callie, you haven’t hounded me about the divorce. You can ask me about it anytime. I promise you there are no more secrets. You know everything now. And screw patient. I’m sick of being patient over this. I need it to happen now so I can get on with my life.” He moves his face so close to mine that a shiver of lust races across my skin. “I need you in every-fucking-way,” he growls.

“I need you, too.”

God, how I need him.

And it’s not just about sex. It’s the connection to him I know is missing—the connection that giving yourself over to someone completely brings. The emotional as well as physical. Allowing yourself to be so vulnerable with another person takes the relationship to a whole new level, and I crave that with Luke.

His lips meet mine. Scrunching my eyes closed, I try to block out the instant guilt I feel. Is it cheating if you’re giving your heart to someone even if you’re not giving them your body? Is it cheating if someone is married, but not in love with their spouse anymore?

My lips part as my body sinks into his.

My arms go around his neck as shame stains my heart.

My tongue finds his as turmoil ravages me.

This man might finally break down my walls and cause me to forget my morals. Because how can something that feels so right be so wrong?

Our kiss grows more insistent, more demanding. We both want more from it, and my restraint is near breaking point.

I move my hands to his chest and then down so I can reach under his T-shirt as memories of our night together fill my mind.

Luke groans as my fingers trail a pattern over the ridges of his abs. His hands slide down my back to grip my ass. When he pulls me into his lap, I moan. His erection presses against me, and I grind against it. Holy hell, I want him. More than I’ve ever wanted a man before.

I can’t help myself—I pull Luke’s shirt off. Dragging my mouth from his, I eye his bare chest and abs. The man is made for sin. I swear it. Chiselled muscles taunt me, as does the tattoo on his chest. I love ink on a man. Luke has a couple of tattoos that I want to dedicate time to studying.

My eyes find his and the need I see there causes my thighs to clench tighter against his legs. His hands reach for my face, and he pulls my mouth back to his.

Oh, God.

Please don’t send me to hell for this.

I promise I’ll be a good girl in my next life.

Clearly I’m destined for a life of sin in this one, because as much as my morals are screaming at me to stop, my body has taken over and is all in.