“I’m just saying I can pay for my own meal,” I grumble as we leave the restaurant.
“I know you can pay; I just don’t want you to pay.”
“You can’t always be calling the shots, Luke. That’s now how this works.” I glare over at him when we arrive at the truck.
Luke doesn’t walk to the driver’s side of the truck, but instead, he follows me to the passenger side. He steps in close, pinning me against the truck. His chest is in my direct line of vision and I have to tilt my head up to see him. There is something in his eyes that sends tingles to places I don’t want tingles. “So, we are a ‘this’?”
“That’s not what I meant.” My voice sounds breathy and my heart picks up. The winter air does nothing to stop the heat creeping up my neck.
“Amber?” The way he says my name causes my lungs to freeze.
“Y-yes,” I choke out as he dips his head toward mine and my eyes flutter shut.
“Can I get the door for you?” he whispers over my lips and my eyes pop open.
Luke steps back a little but not by much, and I can see the laughter in his smile. Reaching for the door handle, he beeps the locks and I shove him hard. “I hate you.”
“I think we just established that you don’t.”
11
- Luke -
“Hey, little humans,” I say, opening the door.
“Did you have fun?” Amber smiles brightly, hugging Matt then Emily as they enter.
Neither say a word, and the hair on the back of my neck prickles. Henry takes a step into the house, and I grip the door hard so I don’t slam it in his face.
“Tell your father thank you and say goodbye,” Amber instructs with no sign of animosity.
“Can I speak with you?” Henry asks, not interested in hugs goodbye from his kids. They don’t seem eager either, not moving from their mother’s side. “Alone.” He glances at me with disdain.
“Sure,” Amber says with uncertainty and a flash of anxiety washes over her beautiful face when she looks at me.
“Kids, why don’t you head upstairs? We’ll be up in a sec.” I nod for them to go with a reassuring smile.
Emily takes Matt’s hand, and he leads her to the stairs. There is fear in his eyes when he glances between his mom and Henry. I mentally note to talk to Amber more about the fear the kids have. It isn’t normal.
I was once in Matt’s shoes when I was a kid, living in fear of my father. He was a drunk, mean bastard. There was a time when I loved him, but then it turned into hate and resentment. I’d give anything for Matt and Emily not to have to go through that, but it’s not my place to step in. All I can do is support Amber and be there for the kids—the same way Burns was there for me and my brothers.
“You have no right to order my kids around,” Henry hisses before the kids are out of ear shot.
“Henry—”
“Now I need to speak to Amber, alone.” He curls his lip at me.
My resolve snaps and I move into Henry’s space, and for just a moment, he looks terrified. Good, maybe a taste of his own medicine will change his ways. “At no point will you ever be alone with Amber. Given that there is a pending hearing for custody, anything you need to say can be done in writing.”
“Do you think I’m going to allow you to stay here with my children?” He must have been questioning the kids during lunch about me if he knows our living situation already.
“I think it’s none of your business where Luke stays.” Amber steps in, her soft touch on my forearm relaxes some of the tension in my shoulders. I take a step back; Amber needs to fight this battle. As much as I want to intervene, she needs to let Henry know he can’t push her around.
“You want to fuck any man who gives you a little bit of attention, that’s your right. But I don’t want them in my kids’ life, got it?” Henry snaps, pointing his figure in Amber’s face. Never mind, I’m ending this now. No man should ever talk to a woman like that, especially the mother of their children.
I move to get in Henry’s face, but Amber blocks me. “You diddled with women who gave you a little bit of attention while we were married, and you moved in with DeeDee before we were divorced. You had no problem introducing her to the kids without running it by me. I’m just following your lead.” Amber is calm and looks bored, only angering Henry more. He fumes for a moment and looks ready to say something but Amber cuts him off, “I think it’s time for you to leave, Henry. You can email me whatever it is you wanted to say.”
Amber grabs the door and starts to shut it, forcing Henry to step back. “This isn’t over,” he snarls and Amber pauses.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Henry. You aren’t going to win custody, no matter how poorly you paint me in court. Those kids have no relationship with you, and they love living in Peak Valley. So, whatever game you’re trying to play, end it now because you’re going to lose.” Before Henry can say another word, Amber slams the door and I wish I could see his face.
Amber spins around to face me with a bright smile. “God, that felt good!”
I’m not sure what possessed me to push her up against the door, but my mouth devours hers, pinning her in place, and tasting the sweetness of her lips.
Were they always this soft? She sucks in a surprised breath and I dive in, taking ownership of her mouth, worshipping it. Amber’s hands fist my shirt then she shoves me. Hard.
“Lucas Michael Colson!” She shoves me again, her breath coming out in pants.
“Standing up to Henry was sexy.” I smile coyly at her, the flush in her cheeks and wildness in her emerald eyes makes my dick twitch. I almost go in for seconds.
“Don’t you dare,” she warns, reading my mind.
“I thought we were having a moment.” I wink, shoving my hands into my pockets and stepping back to give her space but damn, I love it when she gets worked up.
“We were until you ruined it by acting like a caveman,” she chastises. Amber steps away from the door and moves toward the stairs, unable to hide her smile.
I turn to face her. “Get used to it.”
“Never going to happen again.” She waves over her back as she ascends the stairs.
Oh, it’s going to happen again.
∞∞∞
“This is the one you want?” I ask, staring at the plain black leather sectional. It doesn’t remotely look like something she would want in the house—it’s more of a bachelor pad style.
“I didn’t say it’s what I wanted; I said it would work well in your space.” Amber rolls her eyes. I know what she’s trying to do and isn’t going to work. She can be stubborn all she wants, but I will fill that house with all the furniture she loves.
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs but her eyes drift toward a turquoise sectional set with dark-colored end tables and crystal lamps.
“Let’s check that out.” I nod to it and grab her hand. She tries to jerk it away, but I hold on tight.
“I want to hold Luke’s hand, too!” Emily says as she grabs my free hand.