Simply Complicated, page 21
“That was fun.”
“It was.”
“I’m happy you’re not mad at me for saying what I did.”
“If it was anyone else, I might be, but he’s someone who deserves to be called out and embarrassed.”
“What if your sister hadn’t been getting married?” I blurted as we stood in the middle of his bedroom, preparing to turn in for the night. I left out parts of my thought process without intending to, eager to hear his answer, even though he probably didn’t have a clue as to what I was talking about.
“What do you mean?”
“After the first time we had sex. What if you didn’t need a date to Heather’s wedding? Do you think we still would’ve continued hooking up?”
“Hooking up?” He clearly wasn’t a fan of the phrase, if his frown was any indication. He walked up behind me and moved my hair to the side, grabbing the zipper of my dress and parting the material. “After that first time, there was no way I was going to let you go. I would’ve thought of something. It just so happens my sister was the perfect excuse.”
“I’m sure she’d be thrilled to hear that.”
“Nah. I think we’ll keep that tidbit of information to ourselves.” He kissed the back of my neck, shoving the dress farther down my body until it pooled at my feet. I stepped out and turned to face him. “You’re so beautiful.”
“And you’re sweet.” When he reached to pull me closer, I retreated, just out of reach. Tapping my finger against my lips, hungry for his dominant side, I said, “But I don’t want sweet right now.”
“You don’t?” The slight arch of his eyebrow told me he was on board. “What do you want?”
“I want you to control me. Do whatever you want to me, however you want to do it.” I spun around, peering at him over my shoulder, my satin thong exposing his favorite asset of mine. “Start with reddening my ass.”
Expletives flew from his mouth as he adjusted his growing erection. In a single stride, he managed to seize my waist, but instead of tugging me closer, he pushed me against the wall.
“Don’t move.”
The rustle of his clothes echoed around the room as he stripped down. The heat of his naked body warmed mine when he pressed his chest to my back, gripping my throat from behind, his lips resting near my ear. But he didn’t say anything, instead tapping the outside of my thigh. I spread my legs. A tug on my earlobe with his teeth thanked me for my submission.
“I love you.” My words took flight on a whisper, but he heard me loud and clear.
He rubbed the tip of his cock through my silky wetness, hitting against my clit several times and stealing my breath.
“Say it again,” he demanded, twisting me back around. When our eyes connected, I fell into them, wanting a bit of sweet after all.
“I love you,” I repeated, sighing with relief Luke was finally all mine.
“I love you more, baby.” A glint of excitement permeated the tender look he cast my way, the steel set of his jaw bringing forth the side of him I’d asked for. “Do you want me to make you come?”
“Always.”
He took a step back and fisted his arousal. “On your knees.” The rasp in his voice sent a shiver of exhilaration through me. The soft plushness of the carpet cradled my knees as I got into position. With my hands on the deep- cut V of his abdomen, I moved to take him into my mouth, but he tipped my head upward, peering so deeply into my eyes I swore he saw my soul. “Promise me this won’t stop once we’re married.”
“I prom—wait—what?”
Instead of answering, he jerked his hips forward and licked his lips. “Open.” I didn’t, needing clarification on his out-of-the-blue statement. The only thing shaking my head did, though, was make the corners of his mouth kick up. “Now, Olivia, or I’ll bring you to the edge repeatedly and won’t allow you to come.” His seductive threat was enough to make me comply.
An hour later, after a mind-blowing orgasm, we lay tangled in each other’s arms, our limbs entwined as our chests rose and fell in unison. Sleep beckoned, but I wanted to discuss something he’d said earlier.
“Can we talk about what you said before?”
He cradled me closer. “Sure.”
“You’re not going to ask what I’m talking about?”
“No. I was fully aware that when I mentioned marriage you were going to get all weirded out. It’s the same response you had when I suggested we move in together, which by the way is now only one hundred and fifty-eight days away.”
I propped myself up on my elbow. “I said we could talk about moving in together in six months, not that we were going to do it then.”
He mirrored my position, throwing his leg over mine and yanking me forward. His arousal stabbed me in the belly. He was ready to go again, but we weren’t doing anything until we finished this conversation.
“No.” He shook his head vigorously. “Six months. I agreed to that timeframe. We’re not talking about it. We’re doing it.”
“But I don’t—”
“You overthink too much, Ollie.” His nickname for me irritated me less and less each time he uttered it, and I believed it was because now I knew he truly loved me, and he wasn’t solely trying to get under my skin to irritate me.
“I know, but still.” That’s my argument?
“You’re it for me. I don’t want anyone else. Ever. Do you feel the same, or are you unsure?” His breathing stalled as he waited for my reply.
“Yes.” The hesitant grin he wore fell and I hated he’d misunderstood me. “Yes, I feel the same way. And no, I’m not unsure about us. You’re it for me too.”
His cheeks puffed up right before he exhaled. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
“And because you did,” he said, rolling on top of me and spreading my legs with his knee so he could nestle in between, “you’re going to have to make it up to me.”
“What did you have in mind?” My head came up off the pillow to capture his mouth, but he pulled back.
“Agree to be mine forever.” The sexiest smile spread across his face, and it took a moment for his words to register.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want you to agree to be mine. For as long as we both shall live.”
“That sounds like a marriage vow. Or at least, a proposal.” I wanted to put some distance between us because him on top of me was too much of a distraction for me to think clearly. I wanted to shout “Yes” to everything he’d said, but I didn’t want to rush anything either.
“Stop freaking out. I’m not proposing. Yet.”
“You’re not?”
Why was I disappointed? Oh, no. This man had me so twisted up I couldn’t land safely on any side. Did I want to move in with him sooner than I said? Yes. No. Did I want to be engaged to him right now? No. Yes.
“No. But I’m giving you notice, I will be. So be prepared.”
After taking some of the longest seconds of my life to ponder the best response, one I wanted to give and one he’d want to hear, I parted my lips and gave life to five words.
“I look forward to it.”
Epilogue
LUKE
Eighteen Months Later
I had to remind myself not to focus on anything but the game. We were playing the Miami Mavericks, my old team, and while I was friends with most of the players, they were now my opponents. I wasn’t going to go easy on them. Not one bit, especially today.
I’d been playing professional soccer for the past ten years, signing at only twenty years old, but I’d been playing the game since I was four. And after much deliberation, talking to my parents, to Olivia, and to my coach, I decided six months ago to retire. Today was my last game.
Up until a month ago I’d had mixed feelings about my decision. Some days I was confident with my choice, and other days I’d thought I’d made a mistake. On those days Olivia would listen to me vent and remind me that it was time to move on and to do something else, which was coaching. I still wanted to be involved in soccer, I just didn’t want to play it professionally any longer.
I hated to admit this, but I wasn’t young anymore, not for the sport, at least. My body had taken a beating over the years. Between the constant training, the practices, the games, and the injuries, I’d had enough. I wanted to be able to run after our kids whenever we decided it was time to start a family.
Ben jogged up next to me, smiling big when he tapped his wrist. That was his indication the first half of the game was almost over.
“You sure about this, man?” he asked, coming to stand on my left.
“Absolutely.” My heart thrashed inside my chest, and I became nauseous, but excitement battled to the forefront.
When I glanced behind me, Tom and Andy grinned, knowing what was coming in the next few minutes.
It was the reason I made sure my and Olivia’s families were in attendance today, as well as Brooke, who was like Olivia’s sister. She’d also brought her girlfriend, Kate. I wasn’t going to be shy about one more person as a witness. I had twenty thousand in the stands and probably millions watching on television. It was widely publicized this was my final game. But I couldn’t think about the pressure to play my absolute best, which I would, or the countless pairs of eyes that would be watching what I had planned, because I knew they would be.
I took it one second at a time, and when the referee blew the whistle to indicate the first half was finished, the urge to throw up again hit me hard. But I kept myself together.
Tom came up behind me and slapped me on the back. “Deep breaths.”
Next it was Andy. He bumped my shoulder with his. “I don’t envy you.” He laughed as he walked toward the side of the field.
“Don’t listen to him,” Ben said. “You’re one lucky guy, Luke. I’m jealous.” Squeezing my shoulder, he jogged off to join the others.
Coach looked at me, and when I nodded, he produced a microphone. When I approached him about helping me out with my plan, he was only too happy to assist. All the players were off the field at this point, and the fans who’d gotten up from their seats sat back down once he started to speak.
“As all of you know, today is Luke Sorenson’s last game.” There was a collective groan, which I had to admit made me feel good. “And he wanted to do something special during his last halftime.” I walked up next to him right before he started speaking again. “Will Olivia Brighton please come down to the field?” Coach threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a quick half-hug embrace. “Good luck. And remember not to focus on anything but her.”
As soon as he walked away, my stomach flipped, and my pulse thrummed loudly in my ears. Both of our families were seated near the field, so I had Olivia in my sights.
It took her a few seconds to realize it was her name that Coach called, and when she did, she didn’t move, staring at everyone seated next to her before finally looking in my direction. I’d already chatted with Mark about what was going to happen. In fact, they all knew, and had thankfully not uttered a word to her. But it was Mark whom I wanted to bring her down in case she got embarrassed and didn’t want to walk to the field alone. Which was what happened. Her brother got her to her feet and grabbed her hand. He didn’t drag her to me, but his hurried steps urged her to follow.
Once they were near, he shook my hand, and kissed his sister’s cheek before heading back to the stands.
“What’s going on?” she asked, keeping her eyes on me. “Why did he call me down here?”
I reached for the hand that Mark had released, which happened to be her left, and slowly lowered to one knee.
OLIVIA
Sitting in the stands watching Luke play had my stomach in knots. This game was unlike any other because it was his last. I didn’t want him to have any regrets about how he played, and I also didn’t want him to get injured either. I didn’t think his poor knee could take much more, although he assured me this morning, he was fine.
The man had skills, never mind he looked amazing while on the field. All his fancy footwork and precision with the ball were just two of the things that made him worth every dollar they paid him. But unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who noticed. He had his own cheering section, and most of them were women, vying for a glimpse from him.
I’d been able to tamp down some of my jealousy where his female fans were concerned, knowing how much he loved me, but once in a while, the green-eyed monster would rear its ugly head. During those times, I’d remind myself I was the one he came home to every single day. Speaking of, Luke moved into my house a year ago. Compared to the place he rented, I didn’t think he’d be satisfied with the smaller size, even though my house was by no means tiny. But he preferred the homey feel over the cold bachelor pad he’d been living in. We did, however, have plans to add an addition. He told me it was for a home gym and extra guest bedroom, but I caught him looking up pictures of nurseries on his phone. I didn’t say a word to him about it, though. While I wasn’t ready to have kids yet, I loved that he was looking to our future, wanting to build a family with me.
“This is so exciting,” Brooke said, leaning into me. “I can’t believe it took me this long to come and see him play. He’s amazing.”
“He is,” I said proudly. “But nothing like waiting until the last minute. You’re lucky you caught his last game.”
All Luke knew was playing soccer, but I agreed when he said life was too short and he wanted to step back and do something else with the sport. He’d be a wonderful coach whenever he tackled that role.
I was in midchat with Brooke and Kate when the ref blew his whistle. The first half had ended, and when I happened to look toward the field, the only two people left out there were Luke and his coach, who happened to now be holding a microphone.
Was this a surprise tribute to him for his retirement? Or did Luke know about this? And if so, why didn’t he mention anything to me?
My best friend squeezed my arm, and I assumed it was because she was excited for whatever was going to happen for my man.
With my eyes glued to Luke, mesmerized with the mere sight of him, my name being spoken didn’t register at first. But when Mark stood and reached for my hand, I instinctually took it, even though I wasn’t sure what was going on.
When we were several yards away from the field, Luke shifted from one foot to the other several times, his eyes pinned to mine the entire time. When we were close enough, my brother dropped my hand, shook Luke’s, kissed my cheek, and walked back to where our families sat.
“What’s going on?” I asked once we were alone, or as alone as we could be with a stadium filled with people. “Why did he call me down here?”
Without a response, Luke placed my left palm in his and slowly lowered himself to one knee. The sight of him in that position made my heart speed up, warmth spreading over every part of my body. Hearing his voice brought me back to the moment, and it didn’t take long before my free hand covered my mouth and my eyes welled with unshed tears.
“Olivia, I’ve thought about how to do this since the day I mentioned wanting us to move in together, which seems like forever ago now. I was going to do it on our one-year anniversary, but we hadn’t been living together long and I knew you’d be hesitant to take this step. You’d say it was too fast and I didn’t want you to feel rushed. So, I waited, and waited. But I can’t wait any longer. I’m closing one chapter of my life and want to start another. With you. I love you so much. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be, and if you’ll let me, I’ll try to make you feel the same every day for the rest of our lives.” He opened the top of a ring box, took a deep breath through his nose, and released the air through his mouth. His nerves were on par with mine. “Will you marry me?”
When I stared into his eyes, the love I had for him was reflected back at me. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation when I removed my hand from my mouth and let my arm drop to my side, my lower lip quivering as a single tear trailed down my cheek.
“Yes.”
I wanted to say so much more, but I only produced enough sound to give life to one word.
Luke stood, placed the biggest princess-cut diamond I’d ever seen on my finger, and wrapped his arms around me. Our kiss was far from PG-13, but right now I didn’t care who saw.
Even though there were thousands of witnesses and probably millions watching from home, this moment between us seemed private. No one could hear what he’d said except me, and while I wanted to push him to the field and ravage him, give him a taste of what he was in for later tonight, I restrained myself, albeit barely.
As we walked hand in hand toward our families, hearing the cheers from the fans and knowing they shared in our excitement, I leaned into the man I’d loved since I was a teenager. And although he’d been gone for a decade, my feelings hadn’t changed. I pretended they had, disguising the love with anger, and hurt, but the moment I saw him sitting next to me at McConley’s, everything I’d shoved deep down had started to blossom again.
I fought it.
I tried to deny I felt anything for him.
But he was persistent, chipping away at the armor I’d built around my heart. He managed to make me fall even harder for him than before.
Accepting his offer to help me with my dilemma had been the best decision I ever made. And because of it, I was now the luckiest woman in the world because Luke was all mine.
Forever and always.
THE END
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