Last Chance: A Second Chances Novel Read online

  She smiled and said, “Maybe.”

  That was all I could take. Without so much as another word, I pulled her away from the garden, to the front of the house where my truck was parked.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” she snapped.

  Teeth clenched, I huffed. “I leave for one second and you disappear with Harris. That’s fucked up.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “He asked me to take a walk. It was harmless. What does it matter anyway? I’m nothing to you. Tomorrow you’ll forget about me and move on to someone else.”

  Sucking in a breath, I closed my eyes. “So that’s how you see me.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess after everything that happened with Kate, you changed. I loved being around you before, but now . . .”

  “Now what?”

  She stared at me for the longest time and I waited for her to speak, but then she gently grabbed the keys out of my hand. “It doesn’t matter. Right now, I need to drive you home. You’re drunk.” She walked around to the driver’s side and got in.

  I was too angry to argue about my level of sobriety, so I followed suit. The entire ride home, I had to clench my hands into tight fists. I was so fucking pissed. Why was Lara being so much of a bitch? And what did she mean, I changed?

  Once we arrived at my house, Lara got out of the truck. “The keys to my car are inside.”

  I nodded and pointed to the side gate. “We can go in through the back door.”

  She handed me the keys and followed me through the fence. I couldn’t just let her go without getting answers. Stopping quickly, she ran into my back.

  “What’s wrong?” she gasped.

  Jerking around, I glared down at her. “This whole night has been wrong. You’ve been nothing but be a complete bitch. You say I’m the one who’s changed, but what about you? What happened to the fun-loving Lara who liked to joke around? You used to always flirt with me. What’s changed?”

  She shook her head. “I told you, it doesn’t matter. Now let me get my keys and go. This night’s over.”

  I held my keys behind my back. “Not until you tell me.”

  She circled around me, but I was too quick for her. “Luke, stop playing around. I want to go home.”

  “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Wanna bet?” She reached behind my arms, trying to pry my hands apart. It was a futile attempt, but she tried anyway. “Dammit, Luke,” she growled, pushing me away. “I’ll just walk home then.” With her head held high, she charged past the pool, but she wasn’t going anywhere.

  I gripped her around the waist and she screamed as I lifted her off the ground. Taking her purse from her shoulder, I dropped it on the ground, along with my keys and phone. Two steps to the left, and we were in the pool. When we surfaced, she gasped and caught her breath, but I wasn’t letting her go.

  “Luke! What are you doing?” She wriggled in my arms and kicked her feet out, as I held on tight.

  “All I want is a simple explanation and I’ll let you go.” Once she got tired of kicking, she sighed; her blue eyes tired and defeated. “Tell me,” I murmured.

  “Not until you tell me why you chose me tonight. Out of all the girls you could have invited, you picked me. You never gave a damn about me before.”

  “That’s not true. Seeing you with Harris tonight fucked me up. It made me realize I had to have you, one way or another. I’m not going to let you go.”

  She sucked in a breath. “What if I don’t want you?”

  I moved closer and nipped her bottom lip before she could turn away. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t.” She closed her eyes and licked where I bit her. “Tell me,” I demanded. “And don’t lie. I need to hear this.”

  She opened her eyes and I could see the truth, but then she shook her head. “I don’t want my heart broken. Now let me go.”

  I did as she wished, and watched her hop out of the pool and grab my keys and her purse off the ground. She disappeared inside, but I couldn’t let her walk away, not when I needed her. Heart racing, I got out of the pool and marched inside, slamming the door behind me. Lara turned around and grabbed her chest.

  “Why are you doing this to me?”

  “Because you’re not like the other girls, Lara. That’s why I chose you. It’s true, I busy myself with sluts I don’t give a fuck about—I can’t get hurt that way. But you . . . there’s something about you I can’t ignore. I need this. I need you.”

  “Please,” she begged. “Don’t say things like that to me.”

  I stepped closer. “I can’t help it. I won’t be satisfied until I’ve tasted every inch of you.” Before she could say no, I cornered her against the wall and kissed her. It was hard and raw, just like my lust for her. Her body melted to mine and she moaned, moving her lips willingly. She tasted just like she smelled, apples and honey. She was going to drive me in-fucking-sane.

  “I want this,” she groaned, sucking on my lip. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do.”

  Picking her up in my arms, I carried her up to my bedroom, kissing her the entire time. She moaned into my mouth and it fueled my hunger more. My room was partway lit by the outside pool lights and when I set Lara down on her feet, it highlighted her face. Fuck, she was beautiful. I circled behind her, unzipping her dress. I ripped it down her body, until the wet material slapped on the floor. Squeezing her tits, I nipped at the tender flesh behind her ear.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” I growled.

  Rolling her nipples between my fingers, she rubbed her ass against my cock. I was so fucking hard, I thought I’d bust one in my pants. She turned around quickly and unbuttoned my jeans. I tore off my shirt and groaned as she slid her hand down my pants, her hand massaging me like a pro. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I moaned.

  She bit my chest. “I want you inside of me.”

  That was all it took. Growling low, I backed her onto the bed and stepped out of my jeans and boxers. I placed my knee between her legs and spread her wide as I crawled on top of her. I couldn’t get enough. Wrapping my mouth around her nipples, she cried out, arching her back so she could push them into my mouth. She was so wet, I could feel it on the tip of my cock.

  I reached over to the bedside table and pulled out a condom, slipping it on quickly. I couldn’t wait any longer. Getting into position, I pushed in gently at first, then slammed into her the rest of the way. She cried out and gasped, digging her nails into my back.

  “Oh fuck,” she moaned, wrapping her legs tightly around my waist.

  I pushed into her hard, loving the way her pussy tightened around my cock. Her lips closed over mine and I grabbed her face, keeping my eyes on hers the entire time I kissed her. Picking up the pace, her body trembled, eyes rolling into the back of her head as she came.

  A few more deep thrusts and I let go, holding her tight as I released inside of her. Resting my forehead to hers, I attempted to catch my breath. Still connected, I kissed her, long and hard. “That felt so fucking good.”

  She giggled. It’d been so long since I’d heard that sound escape her lips. “Yes, it did.”

  I gently pulled out and rested on my elbow so I could look down at her. So many emotions swarmed through my body; I didn’t know what to feel.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked curiously.

  I rubbed circles on her stomach with my fingers. “That if I knew I wouldn’t hurt you, I’d have pursued you a long time ago.”

  Sighing, she brushed the hair off my forehead with her soft hands. “It doesn’t have to be like that, Luke. You don’t need countless women to be happy. All you need is to find the right one.”

  I didn’t know where to start. There weren’t many women I’d been with more than twice. “I don’t know if that’s possible,” I murmured regretfully. “But maybe I could try.”

  Lara gave me a small smile and she glanced down at my cock. I still wanted her and she could see it. “What do you want to d
o now?”

  Biting my lip, I gazed up and down her body, then over to the bathroom. My dick had a mind of his own and he wanted more. “I think we need a shower. What do ya say we go for round two?”

  She nodded. “I can handle that.”

  By the time I got home the next morning, I could barely walk. I’d snuck out before Luke awoke because I didn’t want that awkward morning conversation. I would rather give him a couple of days and see what developed.

  “What in the world happened to you?” Summer asked as I came through the door.

  My hair was a knotted mess and Kate’s dress was still a little damp from when I fell in the pool. “Good morning to you, too. Let me guess, you got worried because I didn’t answer my phone last night?”

  Her lips pursed. “Start answering the phone, and I wouldn’t have to check up on you.” It is kind of hard to do that while having sex. “Kate is going to kill you if you messed up that dress. Why is it all wet?”

  I bit my lip. “Luke pushed me into the pool.”

  “Why?” she gasped.

  “He was pissed at me for being a bitch. It was a crazy night.”

  “I see that. Please tell me you didn’t sleep with him.”

  I was going to tell her no, but my hesitance gave me away.

  Sighing, she looked at me like I was an idiot. “Dammit, Lara, you know you shouldn’t have done that. What’s going to happen when he throws you away like he does the other girls?”

  “I don’t know, okay? We connected last night. I have to have faith in him at this point.”

  “I hope you’re right. The last thing I want is to see you get hurt.”

  I walked past her to my room and shut the door. After the night Luke and I had, I wasn’t so sure he could just throw me to the side.

  Any small inklings of happiness I felt the night I shared with Luke, soon disappeared when he didn’t contact me again. I’d checked my phone numerous times that first day, thinking for sure he’d send a text . . . but there was nothing. Was I wrong for believing he could change? I wasn’t like the other girls. He couldn’t just have sex with me and walk away like he did with everyone else. At least, that was what I wanted to believe.

  “Hey, Lara!” Summer called.

  “Yeah, what’s up?” I shut off the TV, my mood less than stellar. For two days, I’d waited around for Luke to make a move, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to. I was an idiot.

  “Want to go to the grocery store with me? I’m in the mood for some Ben & Jerry’s.”

  “Sure. I could use a pint, or twelve.”

  She circled around the couch. “He still hasn’t called?”

  “Nope, and it’s looking like he’s not going to. Go ahead and say it, I’m stupid. That’s what you’re thinking, right?” I held back the tears, but I felt so cheap, and I’d done it to myself; I’d known better.

  Summer kneeled down in front of me, her gaze sad. “You’re not stupid, Lara. You put faith in a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

  “No shit. I know not to do that again.” Getting up, I grabbed my purse and waited by the door.

  Summer slowly approached and put her arms around me. “I know you’re hurting, but the pain will pass.”

  I nodded. “I know. I just wish it was now.”

  Together, we walked out the door to the garage and hopped in her car. Ice cream could make anything better. When we got to the store, I picked out five different pints and so did Summer.

  “I think we’re good for a while,” she laughed. We were walking out to the car when all of a sudden, she froze.

  “Whoa, you okay?”

  Summer jerked around and stood in my way. “Yeah, I’m fine. I lost my balance there for a second.” She stayed in front of me, like she was shielding my view.

  “Okay,” I said, stretching out the word. “Why are you being weird? Let’s go.” Again, she tried to block my path and that was when I realized what she was doing. “I’m sorry, Lara. I didn’t want you to see.”

  My breath caught and I could feel the burn behind my eyes, lighting them up like fire. Across the parking lot was a restaurant, and standing right out front was Luke, flirting with another woman, with his hand on her waist as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “That son of a bitch.”

  His gaze caught mine and he froze, my name escaping his lips before he looked at the girl and then to me. I wanted to tell myself that it didn’t matter, that our night together was just a night that didn’t mean anything. However, my heart thought otherwise; it felt betrayed. Luke said something to the girl and then stepped out into the road, heading toward me. I stumbled back and held up my hand, my body trembling in rage.

  “Lara, wait!” he shouted.

  “Summer, let’s go.” Without another glance, I rushed into the car and we sped out of the parking lot. I was done with Luke Collins. I was stupid to think someone like him could change.

  Summer reached for my hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”

  Closing my eyes, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. No matter what happened, I was never going to let Luke Collins back into my life. Ever.

  One Week Later

  Luke: Please call me back.

  Luke: I need to talk to you.

  There were text messages after text messages, missed calls, and random drop-by’s at my house. I didn’t want to see, talk, or get anywhere near Luke Collins. If it had been all his fault, I could have broken down and let my anger out. But it wasn’t. It was half my fault. I’d walked into it with my eyes wide open, and still refused to see the truth.

  All of my emotions stayed bottled and if I didn’t let them out, I was going to explode. I was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

  It was well passed closing time, and there was still one couple left in the restaurant. It wasn’t like I had anyone to go home to, but I couldn’t bring myself to go to their table and tell them we closed over an hour ago. How could I when they looked so happy talking to each other?

  Sighing, I sat down at the bar and Grayson slid a shot of vodka my way. He was a great bartender, and always there to pick me up when I was down. “How did you know?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “You’ve been tense all night. Plus, I know you. I can see it on your face, something’s wrong.”

  Tossing the shot back, it burned the whole way down to my stomach. Or maybe, it was my chest hurting from a broken heart. I turned to him and he smiled, those soft green eyes of his regarding me with concern. His auburn hair was a little longer than usual, which he’d gelled into messy spikes on top of his head.

  I wanted to tell him what I did, but was embarrassed for sleeping with a man I knew couldn’t love me back. Usually, I could tell Grayson anything, but I didn’t want him to think I was a woman who’d just sleep with anyone.

  “Thanks, guys,” a voice called out behind us. Glancing over my shoulder, I waved at the couple who’d kept us working past hours.

  “No problem. Have a safe night,” I replied.

  Once they were out the door, I locked the entrance and breathed a sigh of relief. Grayson straightened up the glasses at the bar and then placed his hands on the counter, lips pursed. “Are you going to talk to me or do I need to beat it out of you?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just a little upset, but I’ll get over it. I’m a big girl.”

  “Summer didn’t piss you off, did she?” he questioned.

  I rolled my eyes. “No, now drop it. Let’s finish up in here so we can go home. I’m headed to the kitchen.”

  Josh, one of our waiters, had already started sweeping, while Victoria mopped. At the end of the night, I usually liked to work in the kitchen so I could nibble on the food that didn’t get served. Whatever leftovers we had, we gave them to the workers so they’d have some for their families.

  Grayson tried to stop me, but I kept going, ignoring him. If I stayed around him for much longer, I’d break down. When I got to the kitchen, one of our chefs was wiping down the counters. We had three of them,
all amazing cooks, but Arthur was my favorite. He was in his mid-fifties, with a head full of white hair.

  “What’s up, Artie?” I said.

  He smiled and gave me a little wink. “Nothin’ much, darlin. Just ready to get home to my wife. Tomorrow is our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

  Grinning from ear to ear, I squeezed his shoulders. “Congratulations. That’s amazing. Maybe one of these days that’ll be me.”

  He patted my hand. “I’m sure it will. You’re a beautiful, young woman.”

  If only a certain other person felt the same way. “Thanks, Artie. Why don’t you head out so you can get home? I’ll finish up here.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. I could tell he didn’t want to leave.

  I pushed him toward the door. “I’m sure. Now go.”

  He clocked out and grabbed his coat. “Thank you. I’ll see you in two days.” He waved and disappeared out the door. Once I had all the trash piled together, I grabbed two of the bags and dumped them outside in the trash bins. I only had one more bag left to throw away, but this time when I walked outside, I wasn’t alone.

  “Really?” I snapped, tossing the last garbage into the dumpster. “What the hell do you want?”

  Luke stalked toward me, his gaze heated. “You’ve ignored me all week. We need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t.” I marched to the door, but he grabbed my arm, hauling me around to face him.

  “Yes, we do. Why are you so angry with me?”

  I scoffed incredulously. “Seriously? You’re gonna ask that? I can recall, just over a week ago, finding you all over another girl, not two days after we’d slept together. Forgive me, if it didn’t settle well.”

  “Nothing happened with her, Lara. Besides, I never promised you anything. This is the one thing I wanted to avoid. But I—”

  Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I pushed him away. “Duly noted. I was just an idiot who thought you could change.”

  “Would you let me finish?” he snapped, pulling me into his arms. “Damn, you’re stubborn. How can I make this right?”