Pursuit: A Bad Boy Romance Read online

  “I just want to talk to you.”

  I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “What? Have you come to gloat? To tell me that this is exactly what I deserve for trying to hurt you?”

  Amanda shook her head. “No, it’s not like that. Please. I just want to talk.” Her voice was soft and sincere. I searched her eyes for a sense of malice, but she genuinely seemed concerned about me.

  “Fine.”

  The guard nodded, opening the cell door. He then fastened a set of cuffs around my wrists before escorting me to a visiting room. As we walked alone, quite a few inmates made lewd comments at Amanda. I could feel my rage bubbling inside of me, but I didn’t think it was wise to act up right in front of an officer, so I walked in silence.

  Once we were in the visiting room, we were given some privacy. “So what do you want anyway? If you’re here to tell me what a horrible person I am, you can just go home. I already know I’m a douchebag.”

  She frowned. “That’s not why I’m here.”

  I raised my eyebrow in question. “Then, why are you here?”

  “I just posted your bail.”

  “What?” I spat, my eyes widening to the size of the moon. “Why the hell would you do that? I nearly killed your ex-husband… aren’t you scared?”

  She was quiet for a moment and I could tell that she was thinking it over. “I know it’s crazy. My brain keeps telling me to run away from you because you’re nothing but bad news, but deep down, I don’t know what it is…” She trailed off. “Look, no man has ever fought for my honor before.”

  “Well, no man has ever realized how precious you are. You’re worth fighting for.” I said, itching to reach out and take her hands in mine, but I held back the urge, still unsure if she had forgiven me or not. “I know what I did to you was wrong, and that you’ll never forgive me for it, but what that guy said to you, I just couldn’t let him get away with it. He deserved to get his head bashed in. I can’t believe you were married to such an idiot.”

  Amanda sighed. “I know… I have a bad habit of letting people walk all over me.”

  “Well. Don’t. A beautiful, smart woman like yourself needs to be strong. There’s a lot of jerks like me out there, just waiting for the chance to hurt you.”

  “Why do you do it?” Her words were quick and urgent as she leaned forward, getting closer to me. “Why did you try to hurt me? If you needed the money for something… you could’ve asked.”

  I laughed. “Don’t kid yourself, darling. Would you really just hand out money to a guy you didn’t know that well?” I leaned back. “But, in all honesty, I didn’t particularly need the cash… I did it… well as revenge.”

  “Revenge?”

  “You aren’t the only one with a broken heart…”

  “So, you go around scamming girls because someone broke your heart?” She asked, sounding a little skeptical.

  “Call me bitter, but it is what it is.” I shrugged. “And I have a habit of taking things too far. But, after what she did to me, it felt good to be able to do it to someone else.”

  Her expression softened as she reached over and grabbed my hands, squeezing them slightly. “I think I understand.”

  “You do?”

  She nodded. “When David cheated on me… I went into a deep depression. I didn’t want to do anything… but, I can understand how that depression could’ve manifested itself in anger, in which case, I probably would’ve turned out just like you. But, I’m willing to forget all that and start fresh if you are.” She looked deep into my eyes.

  I was touched by her kindness. No one had been this forgiving toward me before. “You mean that?”

  “Yes… and to be honest… I’ve missed you terribly.”

  A wild grin appeared on my face. “I knew it.” I chuckled. “No one can resist my charm.”

  She rolled her eyes. “There’s no need to be such an egomaniac.”

  “Sorry, babe, it’s just who I am.” I flashed another smile. “So, did you really post bail…? It was set at five thousand dollars. That’s an awful lot of money.”

  She shook her head. “I couldn’t let you rot in here, could I? But… I do have one condition.”

  “Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, looking at her with suspicion. I should have known that there would be some sort of a catch. “If you want me to be your personal butler or something… I’m not wearing those ridiculous suits.”

  She giggled. “Oh, don’t worry… I much prefer you in a tuxedo.”

  “So, what’s the condition then?”

  “I want you to make me some of that risotto you made on our first night together…”

  “You got yourself a deal.”

  ***

  “So, you’re such a big fan of my risotto that you would spend $5000 just to have it again?” I teased her, unpacking the ingredients we had bought at the grocery store. It felt good to be in her kitchen again. I glanced over at the table where her claw marks were still engraved in the wood. I smirked to myself, remembering that night. Amanda had been amazing.

  No. Amazing didn’t even come close to describing it.

  “Do you need any help?” She asked, coming up behind me. As she did, I could smell her intoxicating scent. It was a combination of vanilla and jasmine which suited her perfectly.

  “No, no. You just sit back and relax. Let me take care of dinner. It’s the least I can do.” I bowed graciously in her direction and she giggled slightly.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. Go watch TV or something.”

  She looked hesitant to leave my side, but eventually, she disappeared.

  Once she was gone, I started chopping up all the ingredients while the rice was simmering. I hummed to myself before I spotted an under-cabinet media system. I tinkered with it until the radio came on. Searching through the available stations, I finally settled on one I liked. The upbeat pop song added a new pep to my step as I walked over to the stove.

  The rice was just about done. I added the chicken, spices, and butter, wanting the dish to be as flavorful as possible. Doing so, I suddenly realized that I was trying really hard to impress her. It wasn’t like me to try this hard, or well, at least not when I had already gotten what I wanted. I had slept with Amanda, I had stolen a small part of her fortune. Theoretically, I should be done with her and moving onto the next girl and yet, I didn’t want to.

  It was as if she had melted away a part of the ice-shield I had around my heart and honestly, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It made me vulnerable in a way. If I let her in now, it just meant she could hurt me later. But, at the same time, it felt nice to truly care about someone.

  Luckily, the cooking occupied most of my focus so I couldn’t fret about such things for very long. Usually, if I did, I ended up making all the wrong decisions.

  After a while, I was dishing the meal onto some of her best plates. During my previous visit, I had surveyed her cabinets for anything of value, but now, all I could think about was handling her things with care so I wouldn’t break them. She truly had gotten to me…

  “Dinner’s ready!” I called out.

  A few minutes later, Amanda arrived, a bright smile on her face. “Ooh, it smells delicious. Even better than the last time, I’d say.”

  “Oh, come on now, are you trying to make me blush or something?” I chuckled at her, resting my hand on her ass as I guided her toward the table. Maybe, I was starting on the road to becoming a new man, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have fun.

  She gasped at my touch, especially when I squeezed her cheek. “L-Luke…”

  I leaned in close, my lips pressed against the side of her neck. “What is it, baby girl? Do you like that?” I murmured, my hands moving to her hips. “I know you said you missed me… but I missed that sexy little body of yours a whole lot more.”

  My words made her cheeks redden. I had almost forgotten how cute and sexy her blush really was.

  “You’re still the same old sweet talker, aren’t you?
”

  “Did you think a few days in jail would change that?” I asked, my hands sneaking under her shirt and running along her bare skin. I could feel her shiver against me and it made me grin. Despite everything that had happened between us, she still wanted me. Excellent.

  “N-No… but…”

  “But what?” I asked, turning her around and pushing her against the table until our bodies were locked together. “You can tell me.” I held her face in my hands as if I was about to kiss her. I leaned in closer.

  She closed her eyes and I chuckled. Her cheeks turned even brighter.

  “Well, we should eat or the food will get cold. I didn’t slave over a hot stove for nothing, you know!”

  With her cheeks looking like they were on fire, she sat down.

  Chapter 17

  Amanda

  I took a bite of the risotto, trying to distract myself from the surge of hormones that flooded my body. Despite everything that had happened, this man still turned me on like crazy. I knew I should probably keep my guard up around him, but I just couldn’t help myself. There was just something about him.

  Maybe it was the fact that he was the perfect example of a bad boy, someone who could hurt me at any minute, and that made him so enticing. Whatever it was, I couldn’t keep my eyes off him.

  He ate his food as if he had no idea the effect he was having on me and my body.

  “So, if things are going to work out between us, you got to be completely honest with me,” I said. “Starting with the recipe for this risotto.” I started with light chatter, hoping that would make things a little smoother between us. We weren’t awkward, per se, but there was definitely a bit of tension in the air.

  “A cook never reveals his secrets!” He said with an air of pride.

  “I think you’re mixing up cooks and magicians.”

  “No, no. I think I have it perfectly right. People take their recipes to the grave and I expect to do the same with mine.” He said with a playful grin on his face.

  “Even if I ask really nicely?”

  “Depends… how nice are we talking?” He looked at me with intrigue. “I might be willing to make an exception…”

  “Hmm, I think I can come up with something…” I batted my eyelashes, hoping it looked as sexy as I thought it was.

  “Mmm, well, I’ll be waiting.” He winked and the conversation died down. Usually, Luke was always bubbling with energy, always had something to say, but he seemed quieter than normal like something was holding him back. Well, I guess it was to be expected. I had just sprung him out of jail… it wasn’t like things were just going to get back to normal with a snap of my fingers.

  We sat in silence for a while. The only sound running through the kitchen was our forks scraping against the plates. “So, is your father really Italian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Well, you certainly spin a good tale, but if there’s one thing I know about smooth talkers, it’s that they like to make up intricate little stories to draw people in.”

  He looked at me for a moment before nodding. “You’re right, I haven’t been entirely truthful. No, my father isn’t Italian. In fact, I have no idea who my father is. He abandoned me and my mother when I was just seven months old. She hasn’t heard from him since.” I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. “My mom raised me all by herself on a cashier’s paycheck, so we didn’t exactly live in the lap of luxury, but we got by.”

  “So… you don’t have a sister.”

  He laughed. “No, I was just trying to make you uncomfortable that time.”

  I groaned. “You’re the worst, you know that?”

  “I can’t be that bad because if I was, I’d still be rotting in jail instead of enjoying a nice dinner with you.”

  I bit my lip at his comment. He had a point. Despite my best judgment, I had posted his bail. I wasn’t even fully convinced that he wouldn’t fall back on his old ways. Still, I had hope that maybe he would change and maybe there was a chance of this all working out. Or, was I just so lonely and desperate that I needed him…

  Yeah, let’s go with the former.

  “But, let’s not worry about all that right now. How’s the food?”

  “Good. It’s even better than last time. Are you sure you don’t want to give me your recipe?”

  “Ask nicely and I’ll think about it.”

  I grinned at him. He was tempting me.

  “You know you want to…” His voice dropped an octave, which just edged me on further. This man was so sexy. Too sexy... It was almost as if he could just flip a switch and turn me on. I kind of liked it.

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe, huh?” He chuckled. “In that case… let me up the charm for you.” He ran his fingers through his hair, getting it nice and messy. Then, in one fluid motion, he started to unbutton his shirt. “Oh wait, would you rather have me put on a tux for you? Could give you a nice little dance. Magic Mike won’t have anything on me.”

  The mere thought of him in a skimpy outfit, giving me a sexy lap dance was enough to drive me wild. “Oh, is that so?”

  “I’m a man of my word. If you don’t believe me, I’ll just have to prove it to you…” He got up and approached me, pulling my chair until I was sitting in the middle of the kitchen. “I don’t have my tux with me… so you’ll just have to use your imagination.”

  “Oh… I don’t think that’ll be a problem…” I murmured as I looked up at him. He had his hands on my thighs, his fingers digging into my flesh, his face just inches away from mine. My heart skipped a beat at his proximity.

  “Well then, just sit back and enjoy the show.” He said seductively as he started unbuttoning his shirt, all while straddling my lap. His erection was obvious through his jeans. Grinning, I reached out and rubbed him through the material. He wasn’t the only one who was capable of teasing. “Oh, a hands-on client. I like that.” Slowly, he shrugged off his shirt, his chiseled midsection now on full display.

  I ran my fingertips along his well-defined abs, feeling them ripple as Luke moved his stomach, imitating the moves of a belly dancer. “I knew you were good at dancing… I didn’t think you were this good?”

  “Oh, do you like it? You haven’t seen anything yet.” He turned around, his ass backing up toward me.

  My heart thumped loudly in my chest. I had never done anything like this before – I had never even dreamed of something like this.

  His ass rubbed against my lap, my pussy coming to life at the contact. I spread my legs, my body already taking control. This man was too much for me to resist. His every move was driving me insane. My eyes wandered along his muscular back, from his well-sculpted shoulder blades to the dimples right above his butt. “Damn…”

  “Do you like that?” He turned around and moved his hands onto my shoulders. “Or do you want even more?” He leaned down, kissing the side of my neck ever so slowly. His lips sent electricity running through my body, electrifying every fiber of my being. I tilted my head back, exposing my neck even further.

  Luke’s lips trailed downward until he was nibbling on my collarbone, leaving behind an array of love bites. Meanwhile, his hands were running along my body, sneaking under my shirt. Suddenly, he had my breasts in his hands, squeezing them gently. I shivered in pleasure, my skin covered in goosebumps. “L-Luke…”

  “Moaning my name already? The night hasn’t even started yet.” He whispered, his voice husky. It only added to my excitement.

  With my eyes following his every move, he unbuttoned his pants. Once they were off, he threw them aside. I watched them fly through the kitchen, landing in the sink.

  “Eyes over here.” Luke grabbed me by the chin until our eyes locked. I was trapped in his gaze, my heart beating so loud that I thought it was going to explode. This was the most exciting thing I’d done in a long time.

  The movements of his hips caught my attention. I looked down to see a massive bulge in his tight-fitting underwear. “Mmm…�
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  “I thought you might like that.” He grinned, moving a little closer, starting up his dance once more. I blushed crimson, feeling naughty for doing this, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to stop. I was enjoying it too much.

  Luke moved like a professional. “Where did you learn to dance like this?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close, hoping he would kiss me, but instead, he leaned down and kissed my cleavage ever so gently.