We are stretched out on the couch, lying side by side. Luke is tracing the letters up my ribs with his fingertip.

"It's for my parents," I whisper.

"Why this phrase?" he whispers in response.

"Because it's important to remember to be in the moment. It can be over so fast."

"And why on your left side?"

"Because it's close to my heart."

He kisses my forehead and runs his fingers up and down my back, soothing me.

"Can I ask a question about them?" God, when he whispers like that, he can ask me anything he wants!

"Of course."

"What happened to them?"

I sigh and kiss his chin. "They were killed in a plane crash about three years ago. My dad used to fly, and he had a small plane that they would use to take weekend trips in."

"That's an expensive hobby."

"Yeah, he could afford it." I take a deep breath and look up into Luke's relaxed eyes. "I think I mentioned the other day that he was a high profile lawyer."

"Yeah."

"Well, he was good at it. He did very well, and when they died together, I was the only beneficiary."

"Hey, I wasn't asking you about your financial situation." He grazes my cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"I know." I shrug. "Anyway, they were going down to Mexico for the weekend. I was supposed to go with them."

Luke's arms tighten around me and I run my fingers through his chest hair.

"I decided at the last minute to stay home because I had finals at school the following week."

"I'm so sorry." He's resting his lips on my forehead now, and I'm curled into him, absorbing his strength, his heat. "They must have been amazing people."

"Why do you say that?" I lean back and search his blue eyes.

"Because you're amazing, baby."

Geez, charming doesn't even begin to describe this man.

"They were amazing," I whisper. "I know that my dad always wanted me to be something grander than a photographer, like a doctor, or a lawyer, or go into finance; something that would make a lot of money. But you know what?"

"What?"

"Neither of them even batted an eye when I said I was going to take pictures for a living. They just loved me. They just wanted me to be happy.

"My dad's job was ruthless and demanding, and he could be a complete asshole in the courtroom. I went and watched him once, and I didn't even recognize him. He almost scared me.

"But when he was home, he was so gentle. He was a big man, tall, with big hands. And he always smelled like fabric softener and coffee. And even when I was grown, he would let me curl up in his lap and hold me."

Luke swallows hard.

"What?" I ask.

"You don't have anyone to take care of you anymore."

"I've been taking care of myself for a long time, honey. Even when my parents were still here."

He briefly closes his eyes and clenches his jaw, as if he's angry, or frustrated. What did I say?

He leans in and sweeps his lips across mine, slipping me beneath him, and gently, tenderly, makes love to me.

Chapter Thirteen.

I wake alone on the couch. A light blanket covers me, and I'm still naked from Luke's lovemaking. My skin feels sensitive and warm under the blanket. I could curl up and sleep here all night.

Wow. I've never had gentle, sweet, loving sex before, and I must admit, there's a lot to be said for it.

I sit up and stretch, looking around the great room. It's dark outside now, surprising me. How long was I asleep? Heavenly aromas are coming from the kitchen, but Luke's not in it. I stand and wrap the blanket around me and go to find him.

As I stroll toward the kitchen, I can hear Luke talking and look out on the deck. He's sitting on the loveseat, talking on the phone. I turn to go upstairs and have a shower to give him privacy, but then I hear my name and I can't help but stop to hear what he's saying.

"You'll like her."

Must be his family?

"No, Samantha, it's not like that. She's different. I wouldn't be bringing her to mom and dad's if that were the case. Look, I just wanted to give you a heads up that I'm bringing her with me tomorrow. I've already talked to mom and she's excited to meet her. Do not play the over protective big sister tomorrow. Please."

I can't help but smile.

"I'm serious, Sam. Be nice. I love you too. See you tomorrow."

He ends the call and runs his hands through his hair, standing to come inside and sees me inside the doorway. I give him a small smile, taking in his disheveled handsomeness in his faded jeans and white shirt.

"Overprotective sister, huh?"

"You have no idea."

"I can hold my own, Mr. Williams." He joins me inside and I open the blanket so he can slide his arms around my waist, and I wrap the blanket around his back.

"I know, but she can be ruthless. Sam and I have always been particularly close because we're less than two years apart in age. She has a history of thinking she needs to protect me, so just don't be surprised if she's a little cool toward you tomorrow."

"She's never liked your girlfriends in the past?"

"She's never met anyone from my past."

"What do you mean?"

"I've never introduced anyone to my family before."

"Why me?"

He leans down and kisses me in that gentle way he has and I sigh. "Because you didn't know who I am. And you have gotten under my skin. I don't think I'll ever have enough of you."

"I'd like to know you better," I whisper, intentionally missing his point.

"Ditto, baby."

"You know me better than anyone."

"There's still a lot to learn." He brushes my hair off my face and I grasp his wrist so I can kiss his palm.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Just about an hour."

"It smells good in here." He grins down at me.

"Stir fry okay for dinner?"

"Mmmm... sounds great. Do I have time to take a quick shower first?"

"Sure, baby. You go shower and I'll get dinner ready." He pulls out of the blanket and releases me.

"I could get used to being spoiled like this," I quip.

I turn from him and head for the stairway when I hear him mumble, "I'm counting on it."

The drive to Luke's parent's house is fairly short. It's a rainy Sunday afternoon, so we're in Luke's black Mercedes SUV. How many cars does he have? I look to my left and take a deep breath, trying to fight down the nerves. My stomach is in knots.

I'm flat out terrified of meeting his parents.

This weekend has been wonderful. After dinner last night we cuddled on the couch and watched old comedies from the 80's and laughed all night. Then he took me to bed and made sweet love to me like he did on the couch.

Wow, he can be so tender. I can't help but remember when he slapped my ass the first time we made love, and I wonder when he's going to do that again.

Variety is the spice of life, after all. Perhaps we'll play when we get back to his place later.

He looks so beautiful, sitting here in his black t-shirt and another pair of faded blue jeans. His strong hands are on the wheel, and I shiver as I think of how they feel on me.

"Are you cold?" He reaches for the climate controls on the dash, but I stop his hand.

"No, I'm not cold."

He glances at me, and then does a double take, raising an eyebrow.

"I love your hands," I say as I twine my fingers with his. He raises them to his lips and kisses my wrist.

"They're just hands." He gives me a wicked smile and my stomach clenches.

"They do crazy things to me," I whisper.

"Behave, or I'll pull this car over and fuck you." I gasp at his words. This is a completely different attitude from last night, and frankly, it's hot. Desire pools in my groin and I smile as I decide to play with him a little.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"Oh honey, trust me, that's a promise I can definitely keep."

I pick at an imaginary piece of lint on my red sundress. I'm wearing a soft blue denim jacket over it because of the weather and brown peep-toe sandals.

"Prove it."

He whips his head toward me and narrows his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I whisper and pull the hem of my dress up around the tops of my thighs, thrumming my fingers against my already sensitive flesh.

"You want to fuck in the car on the way to meet my parents?" His voice is incredulous, but his eyes are on fire and his breathing is shallow.

"Yes, please."

He takes the next exit off the freeway and parks behind a strip mall. It's heavily lined with dense trees, and there is no traffic behind the long building. He parks at the far end and shuts the car off, and pulls me over the console and into his lap; one hand dives into my hair and the other under my hemline and cups my ass.

"You are so fucking sexy. I want you all the time."

"I want you too."

I'm panting and needy, and I want him in me now.

"Straddle me, baby." Luke shifts the seat back with the automatic button, and I lean back against the steering wheel as he unzips his pants, freeing his erection. He cups my ass in both hands, pulls my thong panties to the side and lowers me onto him.

"Fuck yes, Luke."

"Argh!"