Luke Read online

  Contents

  WELCOME TO ACI

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Epilogue

  ABOUT

  WELCOME TO ACI

  On the surface ACI looks like any other big corporation. What really goes on behind the scenes? Hot alpha guys taking care of business and finding true love, for a start!

  From the company website:

  We are Alpha Corps International

  Always Forward

  Committed to achieving mission-critical challenges for our enterprise and government customers. Specializing in areas of national security and cyber warfare, we innovate where others hesitate to lead. Our team of experienced professionals share our core values of ethics, integrity, and honor. We take pride in providing our customers with outstanding service and a job well done.

  What we do:

  Mission Support

  Business & IT Systems

  Engineering

  PFD & Service Automation

  Current Openings

  Field Mission Consultant (in country - West Coast base)

  Field Mission Technician (in country - East Coast base)

  Field Mission Consultant (in country - SE Asia base)

  Logistics Analyst (WA - Sala Bay)

  Intern (CA - San Diego)

  Sr. Logistics Analyst (VA - McLean)

  Auditor (Sala Bay)

  Korean Language Specialist (Washington, DC)

  More …

  Don’t fall asleep just yet… if he has to be a civilian Luke is glad he gets to work in research and development with drones. That’s partly why he’s so surprised when life gets even more exciting. So turn the page already…

  1

  ELLA

  Have you ever had an obsessive crush on someone? I don’t mean peering-in-windows obsessed but where you can’t even entertain being with someone else because they can’t possibly compare with your crush? Even if the object of your desire is in another country or state and may not even know your real name and certainly hasn’t seen you since you were an awkward, socially-inept teenager. I’m no longer a teenager but it’s quite possible I still haven’t outgrown awkward, just so you know.

  Anyway, that’s how I feel about my oldest brother’s best friend, Luke. I first met him when I was twelve and my brother brought him home on leave for Christmas. I’ve never been clear if Luke doesn’t have family or if they just aren’t close. All I know is any time Andy and Luke had leave at the same time they came to our house outside of Denver. That first Christmas I remember not being able to speak — he was just that beautiful, all tight bronze skin over muscles, eerie light blue eyes and hair cropped so close it was hard to tell what color it was. And dimples. When he laughed his whole face lit up.

  When I opened my mouth to say something nothing came out for the entire week he was there. It would have been more embarrassing but as the youngest of five kids, I was used to not being heard unless I shouted. And the others weren’t going to object to one less competitor for any attention.

  That first time I stayed on the periphery, groaning silently when I opened a Christmas present to find yet another doll, glad then that nobody was paying attention to me. My mom was having trouble acknowledging that her youngest child was now too old for toys. She still is, I got a Disney Princess movie collection this year… Luke was kind enough, he’d smile at me occasionally and not ignore me because I was a kid but mostly he and Andy ate a lot and then went out to meet Andy’s friends. When they were in the house the other kids pestered them for stories of adventure. And I sat there, mute, falling in love.

  And that’s pretty much how things went until the last time I saw him when I was sixteen. Don’t cringe, nothing really happened then either. Andy and Luke were only back for three days, a quick visit before deploying with the Navy to the Middle East for what was expected to be at least eighteen months. I might have been secretly hoping that he’d notice me now that I had curves but I suspect at twenty-three he saw me as still a kid. Plus my flirting skills were non-existent compared to my older sister Marcia. She didn’t have any luck with him either.

  After that, Andy went into recruitment, stationed in Florida and while they stayed friends they hung out there when they got together. My crush didn’t die though. I might be the youngest but I’m devious. In a family with five kids, I know not to make anything like that obvious unless you want to be teased to death and still walk away without any information. No, there’s always a better strategy. Every now and then when it was my turn to talk to Andy on the phone I would throw out something like “are you engaged yet? Mom says she wants grandkids and I want to be a young, hip aunt.” Andy would splutter in reply and I’d go in with the right hook, “aren’t all your friends married by now?” And that would get me a recital of what everyone was up to usually starting with, “Luke isn’t even dating anyone…”

  And I could breathe again for a bit. There was still hope. Even though Andy never caught on to this ploy my strategizing was well known in the Carson household. Which is why Andy had christened me Patton after the famous general when I was about six. And that’s what Luke thinks my name is. Or at least that’s all he’s ever heard me called and I’m not pretending he’s ever thought about it any harder than that. While I suppose in a way it’s a compliment, it’s not a nickname that conjures romance or sex or well anything I want Luke to think about me.

  I took enough psychology classes in college to know that I may be attaching my affection to an unobtainable goal in order to avoid the real-life people right in front of me. I don’t disagree but… knowing that hasn’t made anyone else more attractive to me. And then right at the start of my senior year of college, I heard from Mom who’d heard from Andy that Luke had been seriously injured by a roadside bomb and was in a hospital in Germany. I used every trick I had but couldn’t find out more than that he was alive and wasn’t going to be able to escape a medical discharge from the Navy. I knew that before I could stand a chance of moving on and letting go I needed to see him and know that he was okay. I could deal with injuries or missing limbs or whatever as long as he was still Luke. Yeah, there might have been one or two fantasies about soothing his fevered brow but deep down I wanted him to be happy, to laugh with his whole body the way he had when he was nineteen.

  That’s when I hatched my biggest, riskiest plan ever.

  LUKE

  I fucking love my new job. After a year of being in a hospital and rehab center, just living independently again for the last six months has been a relief. But being a drone test pilot? Fucking fantastic. I can sit or stand, work outside or in the fully equipped test hangar and play with electronic war toys all day long. I seriously didn’t think there were civilian jobs this cool. I guess in a way there aren’t because no way could I have gotten it without veteran status in good standing and a NATO secret clearance. And that’s why I can’t discuss what I do but damn it’s fun.

  Before too long I’ll be able to be at least satisfied with my new house too. For the first time, I’m not looking at being deployed or transferred in the next few months. And my leg isn’t so great with stairs which all the condos and apartments around here have so I gulped hard and bought a house three months ago. It’s a little craftsman bungalow that needs some work but it’s solidly built and all the rooms are on one level. I can manage the three steps up to the front porch and when I can get the backyard securely fenced it might just be time to visit the animal shelter and think about a dog. I always had dogs growing up in Wyoming and I miss the companionship. Particularly now that I’m not surrounded by five hundred other guys all the time. I don’t actually miss that aspect of th
e military.

  I’ve settled into Alpha Corps R&D department pretty well and I’m starting to get to know some of the guys but I’m not close to anyone yet. And I haven’t had a date since long before my injury. Time to start thinking about moving on in that part of my life too. My buddy Andy wants me to come out to Florida again and troll for beach babes but… I’m almost thirty. I’m feeling over the casual hookup thing and my leg, well I’m grateful to still have it but unless it’s a sympathy fuck seeing me in shorts isn’t going to bring women flocking.

  Which is why I’m more than a little surprised when the doorbell rings. When I finally make it to the door from the back room where I was working out I’m even more surprised to see there’s still someone there. And she’s drop-dead gorgeous.

  The woman standing on my porch is all luscious curves in a bright pink dress that’s hinting at her cleavage and showing off her calves. Her hair is reddish blonde, in a cluster of curls around her face. Her eyes are a sparkling dark brown, kind of match the chocolate chips in the plate of cookies she’s holding. I’m clearly hallucinating which is why I don’t think it matters when I say, “Whatever you’re selling, I’m buying.”

  She looks startled and then tries to peer around me into the room beyond. “Um, is your wife or girlfriend here?”

  “Don’t have either of those so no. Please don’t tell me that means I can’t have your cookies?”

  She blushes and then squares her shoulders, bringing her eyes up to meet mine. “Tell you what. I’ll leave you with the entire plate for one kiss.” She pauses like she’s used up all her courage and then gasps, “on the lips.” And then she closes her eyes like she’s afraid of what she’s going to see.

  I notice her lips aren’t puckered up so she’s not assuming my answer will be yes. I’m confused, but certainly not unwilling.

  “Is this a dare? Or are you experimenting with a new kind of welcome wagon?” Maybe this is a West Coast thing. I heard they’re more casual out here.

  Her eyes open again and she smirks a little. “Market research. What do you say? I baked them myself this morning.” She waves the plate under my nose and I catch that all-American whiff of home. I can’t cook to save my life. I think the last time I had home-made cookies was when I went back with Andy to Denver, what about eight years ago. I’d do just about anything for that plate right now. “Hmmm. I think I need to sample one, make sure you’re not trying to swindle me with store-bought.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Fine.” She grins while unwrapping the plastic wrap along one side and pulling out a single cookie. She passes it to me and I see her watching my lips.

  I take a bite. It’s damn good. “You married?” I ask with my mouth full.

  “No.”

  I nod and finish my sample. She’s going to be before long if I have anything to say about it. “If I’m going to kiss you properly, the way those cookies deserve, you’re going to need to put them down.” I gesture to the card table that’s currently the only furniture in the living room but she moves past me towards the kitchen. I swivel, not quite wanting her to see my limp which is worse at the end of a long day. She doesn’t seem to notice and comes back to where I’m standing clasping her hands together at her waist. “Just one kiss?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “What if I want more?”

  “Maybe we can talk about that after?”

  She seems a bit nervous. I pull her towards me gently and move her hands apart.

  2

  ELLA

  Oh my God! This is finally happening. Luke is even more gorgeous than the last time I saw him. There are new lines on his face but they only enhance his appearance, adding a rugged character and drawing attention to his pale eyes.

  His strong arms draw me close. I know he doesn’t recognize me and a part of my brain is trying to figure out when to tell him. The rest of my attention has gone straight to where he’s touching me. His hands are sending heat through the fabric of my dress. I can feel my panties starting to dampen with anticipation. I want more. I don’t think I’ve ever stood this close to Luke before. I never realized how tall he is. He leans his head down and his firm lips find mine.

  The kiss goes on and on. He groans against my mouth and brings my hips closer to his swelling erection while his tongue demands entry into my mouth. I don’t resist. Even though I’m not sure how to best show my enthusiastic participation. I bring my arms up to his neck and hang on tight.

  Out of nowhere, Luke pulls back with a sudden intake of breath. “Fuck.” His left hand drops from my waist to rub his thigh. “Sorry sweetheart, I’ve got to sit down. Any chance you’ll tell me your name?”

  I blink and follow him as he limps into the kitchen where the nearest chairs are. “I’m Ella.” I wait to see if that registers with him at all. It doesn’t.

  “Luke Morgan.”

  “I know.”

  His gaze sharpens at that but he doesn’t say anything. He pulls a kitchen chair back from the small table and sits down his left leg extended straight. Luke’s face is pinched.

  “Can I get you anything? Do you have pain meds you need?”

  “There’s some ibuprofen in the cabinet over the sink. If you could bring the bottle and a glass of water I’d be grateful.”

  I fetch the pills and the water and bring them over being careful not to bump his bad leg.

  “Any chance of a do-over, Ella?”

  “What, now?”

  “No, much as I’d like to I’m not good for anything tonight. I was thinking more like a real date, dinner maybe. Where you can tell me all about what brought you to my doorstep this evening.”

  I frown at that, my teeth nibbling my full lower lip. I’m going to have to tell him but I’m fresh out of courage for today. I was not expecting such a good opportunity to prove that my crush is real adult attraction. It definitely is. I’m not going to walk away from this chance with Luke, even if it doesn’t work out long term, I’ll know I tried.

  “How about I bring dinner tomorrow? Do you have someplace where we can sit where your leg will be comfortable?”

  He blushes a little around the collar. “I’m renovating and don’t really know anyone in town. I pretty much live out of my bedroom. That’s where the TV is.”

  I shrug nonchalantly as if I often entertain in men’s bedrooms. “That works. Are you okay here by yourself? Can I get you anything else?”

  “I’ll be fine. Just overdid it a bit today.”

  “Okay. I’ll see myself out. Six okay tomorrow?”

  He nods and I lean down and give him a quick peck on the forehead and a smile. I turn and leave before he can throw any questions at me that I’m not quite ready to answer. I may have amazing plotting skills but I fold under interrogation faster than anyone you’ve ever seen. I’m also extremely ticklish which doesn’t help.

  LUKE

  I’m in a daze and its not just from the pain in my leg which picked the worst time ever to throw a spasm. And I’m not convinced that the bad luck in my life has run its course. Having to leave the military, the only career I’d ever known threw me into a bit of funk that I’ve only just come out of. Hard to believe that an angel would drop out of the sky onto my front porch. I resisted pressing her on a last name or a phone number because I didn’t want to come on too strong. Although after that kiss, I’m not sure why we aren’t in the bedroom, fucking like bunnies already. Well, apart from the leg that’s telling me it’s not planning on cooperating anytime soon.

  And how did she know my name? Maybe she saw some mail? She doesn’t welcome all new residents to the neighborhood like that, does she? I know better, she was all bravado from five feet away but when she got close her nerves were showing.

  Only one thing to do when I’m stuck sitting here with these weighty questions and no chance of any answers for twenty-four hours. Time to call my buddy Andy and give him shit.

  He answers on the first ring. “Yo, Luke. How’s life in the rain? Growing moss yet?”

>   “It beats the things growing in your apartment, duffus. Did you ever figure out what that thing in the corner was?”

  “Does that mean you’re not coming to visit soon? I’ve been holding off hitting the beach so you could be my wingman. Girls love to fuss over an injured vet.”

  “That’s crass even for you, Andy. And no, I don’t think I need your help getting a girl. One showed up on my doorstep just now. That’s why I called. Pretty sure she’s the one.”

  I can hear Andy start paying attention, he’s no longer moving around while he talks. “Do tell.”

  Prettiest thing you’ve ever seen, all reddish-blonde curls and curves that fit me to a t. She brought home-made cookies and asked for a kiss.”

  “Dude, did you just wake up from a nap? You aren’t self-medicating for the leg, are you? That doesn’t sound normal.”

  I shrug. “Didn’t say I could explain it. But that’s what happened. Said her name was Ella.”

  “Are you sure she’s not a stalker?”

  “Why the hell would anyone stalk me? And I’ve never seen her around. I would remember if we’d crossed paths.”

  “Some guys get all the luck. You fuck her yet?”

  “She’s not a fuck buddy, Andy. I’m going to marry her.”

  “Well, shit. In that case, see if she has a sister.”

  “I’ll ask but only because you need all the help you can get.”

  “Fuck off.” He’s smiling while he says it and we hang up. Leaving me to drag myself into the bedroom after retrieving a sandwich from the refrigerator. I grab a handful of cookies from the plate on my way and can’t help wondering if Ella’s regular cooking is as good as her baking?

  3

  ELLA

  I’m buzzing with anticipation and the aftermath of kissing Luke when I get up this morning. My pussy is on high alert and no amount of rubbing my clit in the shower relaxes it. It wants one thing and one thing only. Maybe I should be totally honest. It wants one specific cock and it won’t settle for less. Unfortunately, I have to go into work. When I finally figured out Luke was in Sala Bay working at Alpha Corps I checked into their job listings. There was an absolutely perfect position for an entry-level logistics coordinator.