Before Lucky (Forever Love #2.5)(23)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“We met at the restaurant I work at,” Lucky interjected into the conversation. I wanted to tell her to shut up. I didn’t want Braydon getting personal information about Lucky.

“You work at a restaurant?” Angelique stared at Lucky with a smirk, and I knew that she thought Lucky was beneath her.

“Come on, Angelique.” I pulled her away from the small group we were in. I gave Lucky one last stare before turning away. I didn’t want this conversation to go any further. I was scared that a fight would break out, or that I would say something that I would regret. I had to be very careful with what I said to Braydon right now, but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I thought that Lucky was being disrespected. Angelique and I walked to the door, and I didn’t turn back around to say goodbye, even though I felt Lucky’s eyes on me.

“Let’s go in the hot tub.” Angelique gave me a sexy look. “I knew you wanted me alone.”

“I’m going to have to take a pass, I’m afraid.” I walked away from her.

“What?”

“I’m sorry, Angelique, but not tonight.” I ran down the stairs quickly and disappeared into the crowds, wondering what to do. I’d screwed up by leaving Lucky with Leeza, and letting her take her up to the room. I should have stayed with Lucky, and told Leeza to leave us alone. But instead I had panicked and now everything was going wrong. I positioned myself near the stairs. I was going to have to watch Lucky and Braydon for the rest of the night to make sure she didn’t go home with him. I didn’t care about the case. If Braydon tried to take Lucky home, I would beat him up. No questions asked.

***

The rest of the night went by in a blur. Lucky and Braydon danced the night away and each time she smiled up at him, I felt a new wave of jealousy course through me. There were so many times we made eye contact, and I wanted to ask her to dance with me, but I knew I couldn’t draw Braydon’s attention to me. Not now. I had missed my chance with Lucky, but at least I could make sure she was protected. I hid behind a group of people as Lucky tried to leave, and Braydon kept asking her to stay. I was proud of Lucky for saying no, but felt like shooting someone when I saw her give him her number. In my mind, I was already trying to figure out what I was going to tell Special Agent Waldron, because there was no way I was going to go to Los Angeles if Braydon was trying to pursue Lucky. There was no way in hell.

I watched as Lucky got into her clunker of a car, and then gave the valet a $100 note so that he would get my car next. I felt a bit shady as I followed Lucky onto the interstate, but I wanted to make sure she got home safely. I didn’t trust Braydon, and I didn’t trust her car, and if anything happened, I wanted to be the one to take care of her. I didn’t want her calling anyone else.

I thought everything was going to be fine, until I saw a burst of smoke, and then saw Lucky’s car pull over to the side of the road.

“What the f**k,” I yelled as the car stopped abruptly. “Why the f**k would she drive knowing her car is a piece of junk.” I was pissed as I pulled up behind her. What would she have done if I hadn’t been here? I had thought Lucky was smart, but now I wasn’t so sure.

Chapter 8

I couldn’t quite believe that Lucky had agreed to come home with me. She hadn’t been happy about it, and had been a lot feistier that I had figured she would be, but both of us had been pretty emotional. And now she was here, in my home, in my spare bed, in my clothes, and all I could think about was having her here in my bed. She was so close, but yet so far. I groaned as I sat up in the bed. I couldn’t sleep, not now. Not knowing that she was in my home. I pulled on a pair of trunks and went downstairs. I needed to go in the hot tub. The hot water would make me sleepy. I’d rather have real dreams of Lucky in bed than daydreams.

Especially now that I knew she wanted me to kiss her. I’d been shocked when she had asked me why I didn’t kiss her. If only she knew how badly I wanted her. But I knew that she was a good girl. A better girl than I deserved. I had second thoughts about sleeping with her to get her out of my system. A guilty part of me thought that it was wrong. Another part of me thought that it wouldn’t work anyway. Kissing her would make me want her more, not less. I walked down the stairs quickly, and smiled to myself as I saw a figure behind the fridge. I guess Lucky hadn’t been able to sleep either. I touched her lightly on the shoulder and she screamed.

“Hey, sorry.” I tried not to laugh, as I looked over at her body. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I was just coming to get some water,” she muttered. “I was feeling sexy—I mean, thirsty,” she corrected herself, blushing furiously.

“I don’t see why you can’t have been feeling both ways.” I laughed and opened a cabinet. “I think I’ll join you in a glass.” I think you are looking very sexy and making me very thirsty.

“Did I wake you up?” I saw her gulp as she looked at my bare chest.

“No, I couldn’t sleep.”

“Oh.”

“I was about to go in the hot tub.” I rambled on, not wanting her to know she was the reason I was in the kitchen at 4 a.m.

“Oh.” She looked down at my swimming trunks.

“You’re welcome to join me if you’d like.” Though I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you.

“I don’t have a swimsuit.” You don’t need a swimsuit.

“We can skinny- dip.” I winked, and laughed at her mortified expression. “I’m joking, Lucky.” Not really.

“I knew that.” She finished her water and turned away. “I should just go to bed.” I felt disappointed at her words, but also happy. She really wasn’t like the other girls I knew. Other girls would be naked and in my arms by now.

“Or we can just talk?” I smiled at her, not wanting to lose her company just yet. “If that would help.”

“You don’t want to talk.” She gave me a knowing smile.

“How little you trust me, Lucky.” I cocked my head and smiled. How well she knew me already. “But actually, yes, I would love to talk.” If we can’t make love, then talking is good enough.

She bit her lip and giggled. “I didn’t mean that you wanted anything else or anything, just that maybe you wanted to relax and not feel the need to entertain me.”

“Thanks for clarifying that.” I grinned. If she only knew the dirty thoughts that were running through my mind. “Want some cookies?”