“Keep doing that,” Sean breathes,

pulling my bottom lip into his mouth before releasing it.

I scratch my nails up and down his

back, running my other hand through his golden brown hair. He’s got it cut

really short, and I like it. “This?”

He switches to my top lip. “Yeah,

it feels good,” he says, hungrily moving back and forth over my mouth. When he

rocks against me, our tongues collide. I softly moan, enjoying the friction it

brings. He squeezes my breast then glides down my quivering stomach, meeting

the edge of my shorts. The familiar confusion settles in.

“Are you wet for me?” His voice is

husky as his fingers slip inside of my panties. Desire pools in his eyes.

It’s

all in your head, Reese. You can do this.

Meeting his gaze, he asks, “Do you

want me?”

I feel conflicted, not wanting to

hurt him. He senses my hesitation and rolls off me, rubbing the space between

his brows.

 “It still feels like we’re rushing things. I’m

sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” he replies, clearly

frustrated. “Give me a minute to lose this semi, and I’ll be fine.”

“I didn’t mean to get your hopes

up.” I scoot back against the headboard and fasten my shorts. He lets out an

exaggerated breath. It’s been a few months since we’ve called our relationship

‘official.’ He’s never pressured me for sex, but it’s clear my hesitancy is

wearing on him.

 “It’s your first time. You’re nervous,” he

replies, looking straight ahead. I can tell he’s thinking into it. Ever since

Luke’s return, I’ve sensed his insecurity. We haven’t spoken since the night he

came back, but it doesn’t make Sean feel any better. He knows how much Luke

meant to me.

“You’re leaving?” I ask as he

climbs out of bed.

Grabbing his light blue polo, he

pulls it over his head, and makes a weak attempt to cover his erection. “It’s

late,” he says, tapping twice on the doorframe. “I should go.” He starts down

the hall.

 “Wait.” I jump out of bed, meeting him in the

middle. “I love you. You know that, right?” We’ve said it before, but I want

him to know that I mean it. “I’m just protecting my heart.”

His eyes soften. I hope that means

he believes me.

“What’s up guys?” Logan calls from

the other room.

We glance toward the couch, where

he and Gia are spooning, the volume on the television set low. I purse my lips,

unaware we had an audience, then my eyes move to the fresh bouquet of Calla

lilies displayed on our table. A shot of fear bolts through me, and I try to

speed things along, lightly pushing Sean forward. “Will I see you tomorrow, or

will you be working?”

 “Depends on what I get done tonight.”

 “Well, you better get going then.”

“I’m goin’.”

I move him to the door, and he

pauses and turns to Logan.

“Dude. You’re going to have to quit

that.” He tips his head toward the flowers with a half grin on his face.

“You’re making me look bad.”

I cringe, glancing at Logan. To say

he looks confused is an understatement.

“The flowers,” Sean confirms.

Logan lifts his head. His eyes

flick from me to the lilies before he relaxes against the pillow. He focuses

back on the television. “Wish I could take the credit, man, but those aren’t

from me.”

Gia silently apologizes with her

eyes. Logan doesn’t know any better. It isn’t her fault. I’m the one who chose

to lie to my boyfriend. Hurrying us out the door, I prepare for an argument.

 “You lied to me,” Sean says sharply, not

wasting any time. His hair glistens under the porch light.

 “It’s not what you think.”

“It’s not? Because I’m thinking

Luke sent you those flowers.”

 “You’re right. He did,” I pause, sighing. “But they don’t mean anything. I just

wasn’t sure how to tell you. I knew it would upset you.”

            He looks disgusted. “And that makes

it okay?”

I sit on the porch bench right

outside the door. “Of course it doesn’t. I should have been honest with you.

Lying was stupid.” Feeling defeated, I put my head in my hands.

             “Is there anything else I need to know, while

we’re being honest with each other? Just get it all out now. I don’t want any

more surprises.”

Uh

yeah, Luke has a wife. I

shake my head. “There’s nothing.” His jaw ticks like he doesn’t believe me.

“Stop reading into this like it’s more than it is. They’re just flowers, Sean.”

“Just flowers,” he murmurs lowly,

rubbing his hand against his forehead. “Is he the reason you won’t let me fuck

you?”

 “Excuse me?” My stomach drops.

“You heard me.”

             “Of course not!” I stand and look directly

into his eyes. I’ve always known this was in the back of his mind, but the way

he said it hurts. “I can’t believe you just said that!” Luke’s dog barks across

the way, and my gaze slides towards his place. “Keep your voice down! You’re

being loud.”

             “So what if he hears me,” he spits.

             “I told you. We haven’t spoken since the day

he moved back.”

            “How do I know that isn’t bullshit?”

            “Because it isn’t.” He only knows a

quarter of what happened that night. I left out the candlelit dinner and the

wife—a wife I’ve rarely seen around here. I assume they’re having problems

already. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

Two days after we’d met on the

rooftop, my heart shattered all over again, when I spotted a woman carrying

boxes into his house. I recognized her immediately and ran to the toilet to dry

heave, then silently bawled for an hour. I wasn’t prepared to have it shoved in

my face. A part of me had hoped that, if I let Luke explain like he’d asked,

we’d somehow be able to move on from this, but my logical side told me to let

him go. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes as my mother—constantly living

in denial. I refused to be that girl.

The next night I walked out my

front door and came face to face with a large German Shepard. Startled, I took

a cautious step back. He sat on his hind legs, lifting a paw like he wanted to

shake. Hesitantly, I leaned down to pet him, admiring his brindle fur coat. “Hey there, big boy. You scared me for a

minute.” I smiled, and he happily panted in return. “Good thing you’re friendly. Are you lost?”

“Chance,” called the voice of the woman from the day before, standing in

front of Luke’s place. I froze when she walked over, sizing me up with an

eyebrow raised. I’m not sure if she recognized me from the hospital. “I’m

Rachelle,” she said, reaching out her hand. It took me a second to take it. She

exuded confidence and was disgustingly fit. I wanted to throw up again.

“Reese,” I replied with a clear of

my throat, before we shook hands.

Flipping her hair over her

shoulder, her eyes fell on Chance. “Sorry. Blame it on his father. I told him

Chance had mastered opening doors.” She

tipped her head toward their house. “But Luke had other things on his mind,

if you know what I mean.” She laughed half-heartedly. “You know men. Maybe next

time he’ll put him away first, like I’d asked.” Reaching for his collar, she said, “C’mon boy. Let’s go,” dragging

him back to the house. “It was nice to meet you,” she said right as she shut the door.

That was the last time I saw her.

“For two damn months this has gone

on! You couldn’t tell him to stop?” Sean yells, snapping me out of the memory.

 “I didn’t want to face him. I … I thought if I

ignored it, he’d get the hint and stop sending the flowers.”

“You’ve got ‘em in the center of

your living room!”

“At first I threw them away, even

using his garbage can, so he’d see

them.”

“You’re giving him the wrong idea,

Reese!”

“Stop yelling! I can hear you!” I

shout, as loud as him.

 “Are you going to tell him, or am I?” His

fists clench at his sides.

 “You okay, Reese?” Luke calls, standing twenty

feet away. My breath catches as he strides over. Sean pulls me in for a

possessive kiss, making things more awkward than they already are. Forcing my

eyes shut, I give in, though I’m not done being pissed. What he’d said earlier

was disrespectful, but I need to show him there’s no reason for his insecurity.

Luke and I are truly over.

“You gonna let her answer, or are

we gonna stand here all night?”

My skin responds to the familiar

voice as if it were touching me. Oh God,

he’s so close.

Sean releases me, wiping his mouth. “Mind your own business. She’s not your

concern anymore.”

Ignoring Sean completely, Luke asks

me again, “You okay Reese?” His eyes search deep, like he’s invading my soul.

Chills shoot up the back of my neck. I don’t know how he does it. He’s

shirtless and freshly showered—wearing low-slung shorts that show off his

muscular physique, and the sexy V framing his pelvic area, one I’ve been known

to stare at.

I drag my eyes away from his body,

breathing in his intoxicating scent. He’s

married, Reese. He’s a liar! Remember?

 “She’ll be fine once you leave her alone. And

stop sending the flowers,” Sean growls. “She doesn’t want them.”

“You gonna buy them for her?” Luke

asks without casting him a glance. A conflict of emotions burns inside my

chest. How can he be so protective on one

hand, yet so hurtful on another?

“I said she doesn’t want you here,

man. Go back inside.”

The tension continues to thicken. I

place a hand over Sean’s chest, giving it a slight shove. “Let’s get you home.”

If he doesn’t shut up, he’s going to get

his butt kicked.

“Do you always let him speak for

you?”

Whipping around to face Luke, I

spit, “I think you know me better than that, and frankly, it’s none of your

business.”

He moves a little too close, dipping

down to meet my eyes. “You being honest with me?”

Then Sean’s up in Luke’s face. “She

can’t stand being near you, asshole! Take the fucking hint!”

Luke smirks, taunting him. “You

keep telling yourself that, buddy. Reese and I have a past. I can read her like

a book.” He straightens his shoulders. “Whether she’s hiding something, her

emotions, her truths, her lies … all of it.”

Oh

God … where is he going with this?

 “That’s special. Really, I’m touched. But

where were you when her father died, huh? ‘Cause I was drying her tears,

picking up the pieces you left behind. You dumb piece of shit!”

I watch Luke’s expression change to

lethal. When he turns to me, his jaw is clenched. “If you care about him at

all, you’ll convince him to walk away.” His voice is a low growl.

I take his threat seriously,

grabbing onto Sean’s arm. “It’s late. You have work to do. Remember?” I plead,

keeping my voice as calm as I can muster, but I’m not sure that it’s helping.

He still hasn’t budged.

“Tell him what you said about the

flowers. I’ll go home once you’re inside. I’d be crazy to leave him alone with

you.”

“Luke would never hurt me.”

He snorts, then Luke rams himself

hard into his chest. “Something funny, prick?” Before I can blink, he’s bumping

him again. There isn’t a contest on who would win, if things got ugly. Luke’s

an expert, and he towers over Sean.

I work my way between them, placing

a hand on both of their chests, giving Sean a look of warning. Then I turn my

attention to Luke. “I don’t think it’s appropriate that you send me flowers.” A

lump forms in my throat. “I need you to stop.” Why do I feel sorry for him?

His hands slip deep into his

pockets, and slowly he backs away, showing no flicker of emotion. “Done,” is

all he says.

I lift my chin. Glad I’ve made it easy. Now run along to your wife, wherever she is.

When he reaches his front door, I

give Sean a glare. He’s still on my shit list. “Told you—you have nothing to

worry about.”

He wraps his arms around me,

kissing the side of my neck, even though I slightly protest. “Something tells

me he’s not done yet.”

 “You’ll see.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

 “See you in the morning,” Luke calls from his

doorway. His arms stretched out wide, he grips the frame.

Sean tenses, and I stare at Luke,

confused.

 “The morning?”

Every ripple of his torso is on

display under the porch light. “Work,” he replies, with his gaze fixed on Sean,

no matter that I’m who asked the question. “I’m back at the gym.”

My mouth falls open, the beat of my

heart triples its pace, and I stand there, speechless.