Steal My Breath (Elixir 1)

“Oh, my God, yes. At least two. And cats. And a house in the city and one by the beach.” My life dreams begin to fall out of my mouth, uncensored.

“You love the beach that much?”

I nod. “I just find it so peaceful and refreshing. When I first moved to Queensland, I spent days at the beach. If it wasn’t for uni being in Brisbane, I would have moved to the Coast.”

“Thank fuck for uni, then.” I know exactly what he means and smile in agreement.

“Fate would have found a way for us to meet if it hadn’t been for Avery and the bar.”

“You think this was predetermined?”

“I’m choosing to believe it was. I mean, I seriously need a man in my life who can cook roast and pizza, right? The universe sent me you. I’d say that was fate.”

His hand curls around my neck, and he pulls my face close, so our lips almost meet. “I’ve never met anyone like you before, Callie.”

My breathing speeds up. “How do you mean?”

“Someone who is different to me on so many levels, but in such a way that I appreciate those differences. You show me other ways to think about things, other facets to consider.”

“I know what you mean,” I whisper before closing the distance between our mouths.

Within five minutes, Luke has me on the blanket, my body tangled with his. I don’t want to move out of his hold, but I know I need to. This is leading into dangerous territory.

I finally disentangle myself ten minutes later and scramble to a sitting position as far from him on the blanket as possible. Pointing at him, I say in the sternest voice I can muster, “You need to stay on your side.”

He grins and sits up. Moving the basket in between us, he says, “That was your fault.”

I pull a face. “How do you figure that?”

“If you weren’t so damn hot I wouldn’t be so damn tempted. You need to tone the sexy down a notch, and we won’t have a problem,” he says as he opens the basket and pulls an assortment of cheeses and crackers out.

“I guess I could wear a face mask next time.”

He pauses and gives me a pointed look. “We all know face masks are not safe around me, but knock yourself out. I sure as fuck won’t be complaining.”

I pout. “You always win. It’s not fair.”

“Baby, I think we both know who wins around here. And it ain’t me, but I’m happy as hell to lose to you every time.”

“What do you lose to me? Ever. I’m pretty sure you win often.”

His eyes hold mine. So intense. When he answers me, his voice has a tinge of the sexy growl

I love to it. “I’m slowly losing a part of me to you, Callie. I swore I’d never lose it again, but it seems I’ve found someone I’ll happily give it to.”

My stomach does somersaults.

What do you say to that?

To a man practically telling you he’s giving you his heart.

Mrs Harper was right when she said time means nothing where love is concerned. Because I’m sure that Luke Hardy is getting my heart in return.

21

Callie

“Callie! Thank you so much for this,” Paris says when I knock on her front door Tuesday night.