A Tender Touch: A Donnelley Brother's Novel (Logan Point Book 4) (18 page)

His words elicited a reaction I never could have predicted in my body. The reaction was chemical - and explosive. My belly clenched as an aching kind of thrill pulsed through my entity. My heart raced and my blood heated - and I knew, without a doubt, that tonight was the night everything would change. Tonight was the night I was letting myself take everything and more than I wanted from life. Screw the promises thirteen year old Ember made to never give herself to a man - Luke Donnelley wasn’t just a man - he was
the
man for me. He was the other half of my soul and I knew that a life without him would be no life at all.

A life without Luke wasn’t a life I wanted to live.

I was in love with him. Fear was still pulsing within my bloodstream, its toxin wasn’t one I could simply detox from my blood so quickly - but there was another chemical pulsing through my body - desire. It burned through my fear in its determination to thrive.

And suddenly my feet were no longer on solid ground. I’d taken my leap, and just like Kami had promised, I was flying. It was a lovely feeling that exploded with excitement and anticipation. I didn’t panic and dive for solid land. Instead, I spread my wings wider and concentrated on the fluttering in my belly and the hope in my heart.

For the first time, the uncertainty of something new didn’t accompany a debilitating sense of trepidation, but instead, a flourishing kind of exhilaration. I knew it was because my something new, was no other than Luke Donnelley.

***

“I think I need a glass of wine.” I announced after we’d danced through a few more songs. “My head is spinning - and not the nice ‘I’m feeling tipsy kind of spinning’.”

Luke chuckled. “Right on it, pretty girl.”

I stepped off the tops of his feet and felt solid ground meet with the flat of my feet. As I watched him walk to the bar, I couldn’t ignore the fluttering in my heart. Tonight would be different than any other night with Luke - because tonight, I was giving over my control. I was letting myself feel anything and everything he wanted me to feel, and probably some that he didn’t want me to feel, but I was ready. I was ready for the uncertainty. I was ready to push through the possibility of heartache that plagued me at the chance that I might lose Luke. I was ready to keep leaping forward with this man, because in spite of all the negative that swam through my mind - one positive outweighed them all. The positive of my love for him existed in my heart, and it fought every ounce of doubt that thought to push forward in its festering ways.

I was in love.

I was in love with Luke Donnelley.

A hand touched the small of my back and I felt my eyes tear from Luke’s form at the bar to glance to my left, and then up, into Logan Donnelley’s face.

“Hello.” I smiled.

“How are you holding up?” Logan asked. His deep voice was calm, but I sensed there was an undercurrent of feeling in the rumble.

“I’m holding up fine.” I smiled, wondering what the hell this man was trying to say. “It’s a beautiful wedding.”

“It is.” He nodded. “I honestly never thought I’d see the day.” He chuckled, rocking back on his heel. “I suppose us boys should stop underestimating our mother.”

I tipped my head back to squint up at him. “What?” And then it dawned on me and I shook my head. “Oh, you think Gracie is responsible for all this with her Cupid ways, don’t you?”

“I do.” He affirmed.

“Well, I can tell you right now that Gracie isn’t the one pushing me to admit my warm and fuzzy feelings.” I pinned him with my eyes. “It’s the other Donnelley women.”

Logan smiled a half-grin. “They’re her minions.”

“Ah haha!” I slapped my knee. “Your imagination, Logan,” I giggled. “It’s a damn good thing you have a child.”

“And more to come.” He winked. “Many more.”

I raised a brow. “How many more?”

He winked. “I’m still working on that.”

Silence settled over us and I wondered what Logan Donnelley was doing here, talking to me. The man was a growly man if I ever met one. He was blunt and honest and real - but he could be kind when he wanted to. Or, that was what I’d heard about the man. Logan had yet to grace me with conversation - until now.

Tipping my head back once again, I asked. “Is there something you wanted to talk about?”

His eyes settled on Luke walking over to us, before he turned to me. “Dance with me?”

I stuttered for a moment, peeking at Luke again. Then I threw my proverbial hands up and said, “Sure.”

I was in Logan’s arms before I knew it. “Be careful.” I warned as he moved me around the dance floor, away from Luke and his curious dark eyes. “I’m not wearing shoes.”

“None of you women wear shoes when you dance.” His reply was an affectionate sounding grumble. “I’ve learned from Reese to be wary of the toes, don’t worry.”

I grinned. “Awe, she’s teaching you well.”

“As you’re teaching Luke.” His reply was blunt - exactly what one would have expected from Logan, but I had to admit that he’d been taking precautions with me. I wondered if he thought I was too soft to accept his matter-of-fact ways.

“Are we getting to the point now?” I asked, making sure I was on the same wave length.

“We are.” He lifted his chin.

“Was this Reese’s idea?” I asked. “You coming over to talk to me?”

Discomfort pinched his face for a moment, and then he admitted. “Yeah, but I agree with her. So I’m here.”

“You have to agree with her.” I mumbled. “You’re bound by marriage and law to agree with the woman.”

He chuckled. “I sure am.” His laughter died and he looked down at me. “My little brother would do anything for you, you know?”

I didn’t say anything and Logan continued.

“Luke loves you the way I love Reese.” His admission was slow, but firm. “I know you don’t know the depth of that, but let me tell you right now, I’d lay down my life for that woman.” He chuckled. “I’d give any pain, a thousand times, to see her smile light her eyes just once.”

“Logan,” I sighed, but when I heard him open his mouth in an attempt to continue, I announced in a whispered breath. “I love him too.”

“I...” He stilled. “You do?”

I smiled. “More than anything.”

“So why?” He looked confused as his eyes moved back to Reese, who urged him to continue with a smile. He glanced back at me. “Reese doesn’t know?”

“I’m sure they all know I love him - but none of them know I’ve admitted it to myself yet.” I blushed. “That only just happened. Actually, I’ve only really just admitted it to Luke.”

Logan continued to dance with me. “Thank God. I love that woman, but damn, that was pushing boundaries.”

I laughed. “You can’t save face now, Logan.” I shook my head. “You’d do anything for her.”

“I would.” He admitted without an ounce of hesitation. “The same as Luke would do anything for you.” He lowered his voice with a small snicker. “Pretty girl.”

I raised a brow and punched back with whispered words. “Country boy.”

Logan’s eyes glittered as he appraised me. “Welcome to the family, Ember.”

Chapter 18

My back slammed against the cabin door as his mouth crushed mine. His hands gripped my waist tightly as his sharp breaths sounded with mine, mingling. My mind was fuzzy from the wine, but I hadn’t drunk enough to make me intoxicated. I knew what I was doing - and I was ready.

“Christ, Ember.” Luke breathed through my kisses. “You feeling alright?”

“Please don’t talk.” I begged, wrapping my arms around his neck, I used his body as leverage to lift my legs up around his waist. As I moved, the hem of my bridesmaid dress lifted to my hips and I felt the roughly calloused skin of his hands move against the smooth, delicate flesh of my thighs to cup my ass.

I linked my feet behind him, holding him tightly in place against me. With only the fabric of my panties and his slacks separating us, I could feel the swell of his cock pressing against my core - and it was enough to push me over the edge.

I announced on a breathy whisper between fierce kisses. “I want this.” Kiss. “You.” Kiss. “Tonight.”

“Pretty girl,” Luke pulled back to kiss his way down the line of my jaw. Tipping my head back, I breathed in the warm night air and closed my eyes - feeling him. I expended no amount of energy for anything else. The only thing I wanted in this moment was Luke Donnelley. The only thing I needed was Luke Donnelley.

His lips trailed a path of searing desire down the length of my neck, over my chest and between the swell of my breasts. My weight in his arms didn’t seem to affect him as he kissed every inch of flesh my dress exposed.

I wanted to tear the bodice of the dress in two - and I knew Luke possessed the strength to do it. I was a moment away from pleading with him for exactly that when he spoke. “Are you sure about this, Ember? We don’t have to do this until you’re ready.”

“I’m ready.” I looked into the dark of his eyes and nodded. “And I’m sure.”

He didn’t say another word as he lowered his head to mine. His kiss wasn’t the passion filled kiss like the one before, but instead, it was slow and almost - sensual. His lips moved in sucking, tasting, and teasing, motions against mine. And then I felt his tongue slide against the crease of my lips and I didn’t hesitate, for even a moment, to give him entrance.

The taste of him in my mouth was world-changing. He tasted of crisp wine - although I knew he’d only had a glass. I had a feeling he had remained sober to ensure he was the one who took me home. I definitely wasn’t complaining. However, I’d complained that we needed to stop at my cabin for a bag of clothing rather than going straight to his house. I didn’t want to have to wear the elaborate gown again tomorrow for any amount of time. Plus, I was through with the walk of shame I walked every morning - leaving Luke’s house in the clothes I came in. Nope, it was time for a new leaf to turn - and this was a new leaf I was determined to ride for all that it was worth.

The feel of his teeth nipping at my lower lip brought me back to the here and now, and the sound of a soft, heady moan filled the silence. I realized with only a small amount of shock, that the moan had been mine.

“I’m taking you inside now, pretty girl.” Luke announced as he pulled me from the wall, and I tightened my legs around his waist. As he moved forward, I felt him shift against me with every miniscule movement - and nearly every shift elicited a moan I fought to restrain.

Once we were inside, Luke wasted no time moving to the bedroom. Setting me down on solid ground, Luke peered down into my face with an expression I knew could satisfy the ache inside of me every day for the rest of my life.

With the gown now covering my legs and his hands no longer on my skin, I suddenly felt embarrassed. I know, odd, how covered and clothed I could possibly feel embarrassed, but I did. Pink painted my cheeks as I lowered my eyes to the floor.

Luke slid his finger beneath my chin. “Your blue eyes, Ember, they’re perfect.” His chest rose and fell with slow, even breaths. “And for reasons I’ll never know, you insist on hiding them from me.”

“I’m sorry.” I whispered. “I’m suddenly...”

“Unsure?” He asked, his voice deep and calm.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Then what is it?” He asked softly, bending at the knees slightly, he dipped his head to connect his eyes once again with mine. “Let me in, pretty girl.”

“I’m embarrassed.” I sighed, feeling a thousand shades of silly. “I’m just - embarrassed.”

Luke raised to his full height and I watched a muscle in his jaw tick as his mind worked to process the words I knew he didn’t understand. Then, instead of asking me why, he asked. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love me?”

“I do.”

His lip twitched with the formations of a smile. “I love you too, pretty girl. I think I’ve always loved you.” He looked down. “When you didn’t come to the Ranch last summer, I thought you were never going to come back.”

My breath hitched. “You knew who I was?”

I’d known Luke knew my name that day I’d awkwardly applied in the barn, but I had never been certain if Gracie had called ahead to warn Luke that I was coming.

“Of course I knew who you were.” He moved his fingers through my red hair. “How could I forget hair so red and eyes so fucking blue?” He breathed deeply. “Ember, I knew that as soon as I saw you this spring, I had to have you. I wasn’t willing to let my insecurities of you turning me down win over my want for you. When I found out you were staying for the entire summer, I made winning your heart my mission.”

I felt tears sting my eyes. “You succeeded, Luke. It’s all yours.”

“Don’t cry, pretty girl.” He shook his head before asking a second time. “Do you trust me?”

“With everything inside of me.”

Placing his hands on my shoulders, he turned my back to him. I felt his hands sweep my hair over to my left shoulder, before he pressed a slow hot kiss to my right. His hands tickled the skin of my back as he fluttered them across the exposed flesh to the zipper holding my dress in place - and then he tugged.

The sound of the zipper meshed with the quick sounds of my panting breaths as it travelled slowly down the length of my spine. And then the dress fell in a puddle of chiffon to the floor around my feet. I felt Luke lower himself and then I felt his lips press against the small of my back, kissing me tenderly there. Shivers pulsed like shockwaves across the expanse of my body as butterfly soft flutters swept through my entity.

His hands were on my waist as he urged me silently to turn to face him. My heart leapt in my chest at the thought of him seeing me in only the pink lace of my thong. I wasn’t wearing a bra - the dress had been enough to hold me up and it was strapless. Lifting my arms to cover my breasts, I spun.

Luke was kneeling on the floor in his mocha colored suit. The white dress shirt had been unbuttoned a few buttons and his pink tie was gone. His dark hair was messy and his eyes were shimmering as he looked up at me. The chisel of his jaw was firm as he angled his face up to mine. God, he was so handsome. Perfect.

“Do you trust me?” He asked for the third time tonight - or was it his third time?