“I agree.” He didn’t elaborate.
“Well,” Sierra choked back the emotion bubbling up, wanting this man to fight for her before she added, “have a nice life then.” When she turned this time, he didn’t stop her. She managed to get her door open completely and was just about to step inside when Luke got her attention once more.
“Don’t.” He sounded tormented, and Sierra knew exactly how he felt.
Instead of giving in to her traitorous body, Sierra forced herself into her car, turned the key in the ignition with shaking hands and managed to drive away without giving him another glance.
Too bad she only made it two streets over before she had to pull over while she broke down and cried.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Luke didn’t move from the driveway as he watched the tail lights of Sierra’s car disappear into the darkness. What the hell had just happened? How did he end up standing there, begging her to go home with him when the only thing he wanted to do was to watch her walk away. Actually, that was a bold faced lie. The last thing he wanted was for her to walk away. But, he had been honest when he said she deserved better.
Sierra deserved a man who could satisfy her in every way, one who would put her first, not his own needs. Luke wasn’t that man. He couldn’t understand, much less explain, what it was he needed from her. There was something there though. Something so strong Luke couldn’t just walk away again. He was starting to wonder how he managed the first time.
The memories flooded his mind, the night he finally let himself get lost in her exquisite body, buried to the hilt while she clamped down on his cock. He’d been delirious with pleasure, more so than he had ever known.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming his way. He turned, fully expecting to come face to face with Cole, but he wasn’t standing there. Instead, he found Sam standing only a few feet behind him, her arms crossed beneath her breasts, staring at him like he had grown a third eyeball.
“What did you do?” She asked, no longer the sweet, submissive woman he had been with in the past.
“It’s best this way.” He told her and started to walk off.
Sam put her hand on his arm, gripping firmly, and he halted, staring down at her small fingers where they latched onto his bicep.
“I may not be the best person to give advice, especially when it comes to running away, but Luke, damn it, you can’t keep doing this to yourself.”
“Doing what?” He tried to play ignorant.
“You can’t stand here and tell me you didn’t find something in Sierra that makes you feel more complete than you ever have before. It doesn’t matter how scared you are, you have to own up to what is happening between the two of you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam.” Luke stated firmly, noticing his brother now walking their way. Shit. This was the last thing he needed. An intervention.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She insisted, glancing behind her, then back at him. “I won’t pretend to know what happened between the two of you, or how Cole plays into all of this, but I know for a fact that something has changed in you.”
“This is none of your business.” Luke bit out, the hostility lurking just beneath the surface.
“I’m making it my business. You’re family, and I care about you, Luke. I also care about Sierra. She’s a good friend, and although she might not know you like I do, I can assure you, she doesn’t deserve for you to run from her.”
“Who’s running, Sam?” Luke’s irritation was growing. “I’m the one standing here. She’s the one who left.”
“This time. But that isn’t what happened in Vegas.”
Luke wondered how much Sierra shared with Sam. He didn’t blame her if she needed someone to talk this through with, but he didn’t want his sister-in-law involved in his love life. “Look, Sam –”
“No, you look.” Sam said defiantly. “I don’t know what happened, and I’m not asking for details. I just know that for the last few months, ever since that night at your house, you’ve been an ass. To everyone. You haven’t had time for your brother, and you’ve now blown off everyone else in your life while you run and hide from whatever demons are haunting you.”
Luke stared incredulously at Sam, listening to her rant.
“It’s your life, and I won’t interfere, but I will tell you that whatever happened that night between you and Cole should have been an eye opener for you. Now that something seems to have happened between you and Sierra, you’re an idiot if you continue to push these people out of your life. You can’t control it all, Luke. It’s just that…” Sam stopped talking, clearly frustrated with the entire situation, but Luke didn’t know what to say.