Jacked - The Complete Series Box Set (A Lumberjack Neighbor Romance) Read online

  “You good?” Ryan asked.

  “No.” I said and walked past them.

  “Luke?” Emerson said and reached for my arm.

  I looked down at her tiny hand touching my skin. “What?”

  “I didn't know you guys were friends.” She said never taking her hand from my arm.

  “Friends is a heavy stretch.” I said, looking out over the crowd to find him watching us. I wanted to make sure he knew that no matter what he said that she was mine. “And he seems to think he is your boyfriend.”

  “What?”

  “Your boyfriend,” I repeated.

  “He isn't my boyfriend. He works with my grandfather. I’ve known him since we went to school together, but it isn't like that.”

  “So, it isn't like that? Is it with him kinda like it isn't like that with me?”

  Her hands flew to her hips, and she cocked her head to the side. I could tell that I was probably ticking her off, but I didn't care.

  “No, it isn't at all like that.” She looked up at me. “Why are you acting like this?”

  “Cause the thought of another man touching you makes we want to punch something, preferably him, especially after what he just said to me.”

  “Okay, that's enough.” Ryan stepped into the conversation. “You need to go take a walk.” He pointed at me and then to the parking lot.

  “I'm not finished here.” I shoved at Ryan’s arm.

  “Yes, you are. Go.” He shoved me back.

  I turned and walked away. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Chris smirk and then thrust his hips in Emerson’s direction.

  I whipped my body around and started to walk back toward him, but Ryan got in my way.

  “Go.” He pointed again. I saw Emerson look over her shoulder and see Chris wave and smile.

  I walked toward my truck, punching the tailgate as I walked past it. My hand screamed, but I didn't care. I didn't care about anything but Emerson and the accusations that had just been made. Maybe I had read it all wrong, maybe she was with him or had been or something. I wanted to kick myself for everything I had just said and done.

  Chapter 20

  Emerson

  “What the hell just happened?” I looked to Ryan for answers.

  “I don't know. Do you have anything you want to tell me?” He looked at me. For the first time, I saw anger in his eyes.

  “No!” I said and looked over the parking lot trying to find Luke.

  “He’s upset at what was just said to him,” Ryan said pulling my eyes back to his.

  “What did Chris say to him?” I asked.

  “That you were his girlfriend, and that he couldn't wait to get in your panties again tonight.”

  “First of all, I am not his girlfriend, nor have I ever slept with him.” I was angered that this was even an issue. “I wouldn't even go there.”

  “Well, he seemed to think you had and were willing to go for round two.” Ryan sneered at me.

  “I can't even believe that you would think that.”

  “I don't want to see Luke hurt.” He looked over his shoulder.

  Rage flew through me. “That's the last thing I want to do, Ryan! I just don't know how we could ever... you know what? It doesn't matter. I am pissed that either of you would even believe something like that. I care about Luke. I want Luke!” I said it before I even realized that I actually did want Luke. I wanted all of it. Maybe I had been fighting a primal pull that I hadn't realized was even there, but when the words left my mouth, I knew they were true. Ryan’s gaze softened.

  “I know you do. I’ve always known.” He shrugged and then walked toward me and pulled me into a hug. I was so angry that the tears fell. They came from nowhere, and maybe it was me finally letting go, maybe it was just that I didn't like people talking or assuming things about me.

  “You're fine. I think maybe you and Luke need to have a chat, though.” He pushed me away from him. Brushing the tears from my eyes with his thumbs, he smiled and kissed the top of my head in that brotherly way he always did.

  I walked around him and made my way toward the parking lot. I knew he was out here somewhere, but I wasn't sure where, so I just walked around until I spotted his truck. When I spotted him, he had his arms outstretched, his head lowered between them. He was mumbling when I got to him.

  “Just go,” he said without looking up.

  “I think we need to talk,” I said softly, taking another step toward him.

  He looked up between his arms, and the look in his eyes said more than his words ever would. He was hurting, and it was my fault.

  “I haven't done the things he said,” I assured him, looking down at the ground.

  “He seemed pretty sure of himself.”

  “I wouldn't do that to you, Luke.”

  “You haven't done anything thing to me.”

  “Then why are you so upset?” I asked taking a step closer. I could feel the anger radiating from him.

  He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I knew I had to be very clear in my next statement, but I also knew I was standing on shaky ground.

  “I don't want a boyfriend, or... I didn't want one.” I reached out and placed my hand on his bicep. Hard muscle moved under his skin, and he readjusted and stood.

  “So, now you do? And you chose that douche canoe?” He looked down at me, eyes blazing.

  I don't know why, I did what I did, but I stepped into his arms and wrapped him tightly in mine.

  “I don't want him,” I said against his chest. I could hear his heart hammering away, even before I laid my head against it. He didn't move or touch me. He just stood there, letting me hold him.

  “I can't do this, Emerson.” He said, and I pulled back, looking into his eyes.

  “What if I told you I was stupid and that I realized something a few minutes ago.”

  “And what was that?” He looked down at me.

  “That you’re what I want and that I just hadn't realized it until I saw you hurting and knew there was a chance I was the cause. I never want to see you hurt, and I certainly don’t want to be the cause.” I looked tenderly up at him.

  He looked down at me, and the fierceness in his gaze lost some of its intensity. His arms lifted and landed on my shoulders, and he pushed me away slightly. My heart cracked a little at his movement.

  “Luke, I've waited a long time to say that to someone and actually mean it.”

  He looked down at me. I wanted to see a smile, one that he had shared with me more times than I deserved, but at this moment, I needed to see it. He didn't smile, though. He didn't move. He just stood there.

  “I don't know what else to say other than I'm sorry I waited. I shouldn't have acted the way I did, and I'm sorry.” Tears welled in my eyes and began to sting my throat. I didn't want him to see me cry, so I turned and started to walk away from him. He caught my arm and jerked me back to face him. He had never been rough with me, but when his lips landed on mine, there was a force behind them. I melted into his arms. His grip was a vice of strength, his way of telling me I was his. When his grip loosened slightly, I tried to pull away, but his hand found my hair, and he pushed my head until our mouths were joined in a dance older than time itself.

  The earth shifted, and my mind became clear. Clear as to what I wanted in life, and it was Luke. I wanted all of him. We stood there locked together for merely minutes, when what I wanted was an eternity. I wanted him to never stop kissing me. The high was like bungee jumping, knowing that you could die but still stepping off that platform. I was floating through space, Luke my only tether.

  He slowly pulled back, his lips still brushing lightly against mine. “I have waited forever for that,” he whispered against my mouth. He kissed my nose and my cheeks and then found his way back to my mouth. I ran a finger over his cheek and then to his lips. He kissed me again, this time it was soft, pulling me back down to earth. My heart was pounding in rhythm with his, threatening to pop out of my chest. My breathing was ragged, and a
s each breath escaped my lips, his mouth was there to catch the exhale. As reality of where we were started to sink in, I flushed with embarrassment and moved to step back.

  “Don't do that.” He pulled me closer to him, tucking my head into the crook of his neck. With our bodies so close, I could feel his hardness against my belly, my insides clenched in excitement that I could have that effect on him.

  “There is nothing in the world I want more than you, but not here, not now.” He ran a hand over my head and guided my head back. When my eyes met his, they were glowing with need.

  I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him again, reminding him that I was here and in this. “We have plenty of time.” I smiled then lowered myself. I didn't want to step out of his embrace, but at the same time, I needed to catch my breath and as long as I was standing that close to him, he was stealing every single one.

  “We can talk later, okay?” He asked, a hand running around my waist. I nodded, not sure the words would come out the way I wanted them to. He kissed me on the forehead and then we walked back toward where Ryan was waiting.

  Chapter 21

  Luke

  I worked the ax as fast as I ever had. I was on a high that I couldn't quite explain, but there it was, flowing through my body, moving me with a quickness that I’d forgotten existed. The feeling of contentment was freeing. I dropped my ax, and as the time stopped, I watched as my name climbed to the top of the leader board.

  “Damn dude, where did that come from?” Ryan asked as I walked over to my chair and sat down.

  I shook my head and tipped my water bottle back, drinking it dry.

  I saw Emerson walking toward us, the smile on her face blinding.

  “That was impressive,” she said as she stopped just short of the tent.

  “I try.” I grinned and patted my leg. She walked over and sat on it, laying her body against mine. I placed a kiss on her forehead then the top of her head, but not in the way Ryan did.

  “You two are making me a little hard,” Ryan said as he turned back to watch the next competitor. I wanted to stand up and watch as well, but honestly, I didn't want her to move. I was drenched in sweat, and she didn't seem to care. This was happening so fast, like an out of control freight train. My mind went to the night when she had stomped into my shop in only those tight little shorts, and I felt myself twitch.

  “You were pretty amazing,” she said, breaking through my thoughts.

  “It's what I do.” I kissed the top of her head.

  Ryan turned, looking back at us, and smiled. “You're still on top.”

  I heard them call out Chris’ name and again thought about standing up but chose to instead wrap my arms around the girl perched in my lap. I listened to the announcer as they gave Chris’ time, and I had beat him but only by less than a second.

  “Second place is the first loser!” Ryan chimed.

  “You won?” Emerson sat up, looking over at the scoreboard.

  “Seems I did.” I pulled her to me and kissed her again. I didn't want to stop kissing her. I noticed Chris walking by and ran a hand over her ass, pulling her closer, covering my mouth with hers. He narrowed his eyes, then flipped me off and stomped in the other direction. I chuckled, and Emerson pulled away from me confused.

  “Ryan.” I pointed over toward him as he was waving a few birds of his own. She laughed, unaware that Ryan was flipping Chris off, and then she adjusted in my lap hitting my dick in just the right way. I felt him come to attention and pulled back just a little. She either didn't notice, or she was pretending not to but I stood, lifting her as I did, and placed her on the ground in front of me.

  “We should get dinner,” I suggested.

  “I am supposed to meet my mom, you want to go with me?” She smiled, but I couldn't tell if she actually wanted me to go or if she was just being polite. “And you too.” She pointed at Ryan.

  “Hell yeah, meet the parent, sounds good to me,” Ryan declared. “Get to see the ground zero gene,” he joked and walked toward the truck and RV we were staying in, I assumed to shower.

  “If you don't want us to go, it's fine.” I looked down at her.

  “Oh, I want you there, it's just that my mom and I don't get along all that great. She hates my dad and can't understand why I don't hate him too.”

  “We can grab a burger around here if it will be easier for you.” I smiled.

  “No. I think I want you to go. Maybe it will be better if other people are there. My grandparents are usually with us, and I rarely go out alone with her.” She said chewing at her bottom lip.

  “It'll be fine.” I brushed my lips against hers. “Let me get showered, and we can head out.”

  Chapter 22

  Emerson

  It was just after seven when we pulled out of the parking lot. Ryan had his face buried in his phone, and Luke had his hand on my thigh. I sat between them in Luke’s truck.

  “Who are you talking to?” I peeked over at Ryan’s phone. I jerked my vision back to the road when I saw a few naked pictures on his screen.

  “I wasn't talking to anyone. I was looking at someone.”

  “I see that. I wish I could unsee it but no such luck. I hope you don't share those,” I said, looking at his face. He dropped his phone into his lap and looked over at me.

  “You really think I’m that guy?” Ryan asked.

  “I would hope not.” I smiled at him.

  “These are for personal use only, and why not? If they are willing to send them, then I should be able to do whatever I want with them.” He grinned and then picked his phone up and started looking at it again.

  “Is that someone from home?” Luke asked.

  “Oh, no. I just met her today.” He was typing on his phone as he spoke.

  “She just met you and sent you those?” I was shocked. Okay, maybe I wasn't shocked, but I was mortified.

  “What can I say? They like me.” He shrugged.

  “So, you guys can have the RV all to yourselves tonight.” He said matter-of-factly.

  Luke’s arm left my thigh and proceeded to move over my shoulder and hit Ryan in the back of the head.

  “Shit.” Ryan barked as his phone fell from his hands and down between the seat and the door. I laughed as he tried to reach it, but his hand was too big, so he sat and pouted.

  “That was totally uncalled for.” Ryan looked over at Luke. “Dick move, dude.” He turned his head and looked out the window. I couldn't help the chuckle that bubbled up out of my throat.

  “Oh, you think this shit is funny?”

  I nodded and scooted closer to Luke. “Yep. Kinda do.”

  Ryan’s hand grabbed at my side, and I burst out in laughter.

  “Oh my God, stop.” I wiggled away from him. It wasn't far since I was in the middle of a bench seat surrounded by two rather large guys.

  “Ryan, stop it!” I shouted again. I bumped Luke’s arm, and he swerved a little.

  “Okay, you two are going to make me wreck.” Ryan sat back in his seat, and I leaned over him, reaching between the door and the seat and grabbed his phone.

  “Here.” I handed it to him.

  “Thank you.” He opened it up and started his text again.

  “Sorry.” I looked up at Luke who had a smile across his face. I ran my fingers over his beard and pulled his face just enough that I could place a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

  “Eww.” I heard from Ryan.

  “The peanut gallery can shut up at any time,” Luke said. We pulled up to a stop light, and Luke looked at me and then to Ryan. He reached for my head and pulled me to him, kissing me hard. Ryan groaned loudly.

  “Seriously, if I had known that y’all would be like this, I wouldn't have gotten in this damn truck.” he looked out the window.

  “Jealous?” Luke smirked.

  “Hell yeah, I'm jealous. You are kissing her, and I'm not.”

  “You want to kiss me, too?” I leaned over toward him. He smiled like the devil and reached for my
head. He put a hand over my mouth and then went after me. I laughed as he pretended to make out with me. Luke laughed and didn't seem upset at Ryan.

  “Best kiss ever.” He smiled and then took my hand and ran it down his chest. He was pushing his luck, and he knew it. I went along with it and even got in on the fun.

  “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. I count eight abs. Hard tight abs,” I giggled. He started to lower my hand, and I realized what his intentions were when his other hand covered his crotch and he wiggled his hips.

  “If her hand goes any lower, I will stop this truck and beat the shit out of you, friend or not.” Luke said without looking over at us. I started laughing and turned back to Luke. He side-eyed me and then put his hand back on my thigh, giving it a squeeze.

  They had been distracting me from the upcoming dinner. Maybe I hadn't realized it then, but I was glad for it. Usually, I was knotted up before I even made it the restaurant. Luke parked the truck and then slid out, reaching out a hand to me. He helped me out of the truck and took my hand before closing the door behind me. My nerves were getting the best of me, but somehow, he kept me anchored. Ryan pulled the door open to the restaurant, and we walked inside. I saw my mother sitting on a bench beside the podium and walked over to her.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said. She looked up from her phone and smiled at me, standing and wrapping her arms around me. When she released me, she smiled and looked over my shoulder at the two large men standing behind me.

  “Mom, this is Luke and Ryan.” I turned so they could step closer.

  “Hi boys, it's nice to meet you.”

  I smiled at her calling them boys. It was very obvious they weren't boys.

  “Ryan is my landlord, I suppose. And Luke is my neighbor and...” I paused, looking at Luke not sure how to continue.

  Ryan butted in and finished for me.

  “Her boyfriend.” Ryan took my mom’s outstretched hand and shook it before winking at me.