When Riley woke up again, the room was still dark, but the air felt different—calmer, quieter. Luke's body was solid and warm, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that matched the calm that she felt for the first time in forever. Her head rested on his shoulder, arm draped across his hard chest as his arm curled around her waist possessively. He looked impossibly handsome even in sleep—strong jawline, tousled hair, and those maddeningly perfect lips slightly parted. She should've felt awkward, but instead, she felt safe, like nothing in the world could touch her while he held her. She slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake him, and padded barefoot toward the door. The night had given way to early morning, the first light of dawn casting a pale glow over the lake.

She stepped outside, the air crisp and cool against her skin. The cabin sat on a small rise, overlooking the lake that stretched out like a mirror reflecting the sky. The sight was so peaceful, so opposite of everything she'd been living for the last few months. She sat down on the porch steps, wrapping her arms around her knees as she stared out at the water.

Everything was crashing down. Her brothers, Sinclair, the lie she'd been living. It was all tangled up in a mess she couldn't see her way out of.

Suddenly, the cabin door banged open behind her, and she turned to see Luke charging out, shirtless, gun drawn, eyes wild.

"Riley!" he shouted, his voice frantic as he scanned the area. When he spotted her sitting on the porch, relief washed over his face, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded, storming over to her.

Riley blinked, taken aback by the intensity of his reaction as she stood up to face him. "Luke, I was just—"

"I woke up and you were gone," he interrupted, his voice tight, his chest heaving. "You can't just disappear like that, Riley. Not after everything that's happened. I thought—" His words faltered, and he ran a hand through his hair, clearly still on edge.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, stepping closer to him. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Luke's breath came in ragged gasps, his heart racing. She reached up, her fingers brushing against his shoulder, feeling the tension there, the barely contained panic. "Luke, I'm fine," she said gently. "I'm right here."

But he wasn't calming down. His eyes were wild, darting over her face as if searching for something—proof that she really was okay, that she wasn't going to slip away from him again.

Without thinking, Riley grabbed his face between her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Luke," she whispered, her voice steady, even though her own heart was pounding. "I'm right here. I'm okay."

He stared at her for a long moment, his breathing slowing, the panic in his eyes gradually easing. But there was something else there now, something raw and unspoken that lingered between them.

Before she could think twice about it, she leaned in and kissed him, softly at first—just enough to calm him down, to let him know she was there. She slowly felt the tension seep from his shoulders, felt his breathing slow down. But when Luke kissed her back, something in her unraveled. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her against his bare chest. The kiss deepened, both of them pouring everything they couldn't say into that single moment.

Luke groaned into her mouth, fisting the hair at the base of her skull as if she would disappear if he let go. She whimpered with need, nails digging into his shoulders.

He trailed kisses across her jaw and down to the sweet spot between her neck and shoulder as she tipped her head back with a breathy moan.

He lifted his head and met her eyes, not releasing her hair.

His voice was low and rough with sleep, each word carrying a rumble that sent a shiver down Riley's spine. "I need you. Now."

His lips crashed against hers once again, frantic this time as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back with everything she had.

He dropped his gun to the wooden porch with a loud thud, roughly grabbing her ass as he hoisted her up with ease. She wrapped her legs around his waist, moaning as she felt his hardness against her core, separated only by his boxers and her panties.

As she whimpered into his mouth, she was vaguely aware of him carrying her inside. She felt her back hit the wooden wall of the cabin as he pressed her into it, lips travelling down her neck once again to give her collarbone a playful bite.

Riley gasped as his hips pressed into hers, letting out a small cry as he gave her the delicious friction right where she needed it. He pulled back and cupped her face, meeting her eyes. His gaze held such intensity, such desire, that Riley swore she nearly orgasmed on the spot. He stared into her eyes as he rolled his hips again, lips parted as he let out a deep groan in pleasure.

"Luke," Riley gasped, threading her hands through the hair at the back of his head as she tipped her head back, resting it against the wall and closing her eyes.

His hand threaded through the hair at the base of her skull as he pulled her face back to meet his eyes.

"Eyes on me, baby," he murmured as he peppered her neck with kisses, slowly reaching his hand in between them. He pulled back and met her eyes with a piercing gaze as he pushed her panties aside and ran a finger through her folds. He smirked as he felt how wet she was, how ready she was for him. He leaned in, nipping at her earlobe. "Good girl," he murmured, lips brushing her ear. Then he pulled back, meeting her gaze, and licked his fingers clean.

Riley's thoughts were an incoherent jumble of need as he pulled her back in and kissed her passionately, letting out a tortured growl. Seemingly unable to wait any longer, he reached down once again and pushed his boxers down. Riley gasped as she felt the tip of him at her entrance, her gaze snapping to Luke's eyes. Her eyes nearly rolled back in her head as he ran the tip of himself through her folds once, twice.

His eyes were dark, breathing erratically with barely restrained desire. Riley trailed her hands over his chest, his torso, his jaw, trying to memorize every inch of him. She pulled him closer, kissing and sucking on his neck. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she felt the tip of him enter her slightly, causing her to let out a whimper.

She pulled back and looked at him again. "Luke", she begged. "I need you. Please."

At her words, all concepts of restraint between them snapped. They stared into each other's eyes, lips parted, as he slowly, finally, sank into her. Riley moaned at the feeling of fullness, goosebumps erupting over her whole body. He kissed her again as he pulled out, and slowly thrust back in.

Riley's head tipped back against the wall as he began to pick up the pace, breathing ragged as he rested his forehead against her collarbone.

"God," he ground out, gripping her thighs tightly in his large hands. "You feel so good."

Riley cupped his face and kissed him again, frantically this time, like she needed more, needed him closer, deeper. He obliged, entering her with long, deep strokes that filled her in the perfect way.

"You. Are. Mine," he ground out, in between strokes. It was all Riley could do to nod, her mind blank as he reached between them and stroked her most sensitive spot, causing her to cry out his name. He buried his face in her neck, sucking and biting the sensitive skin there.

"Say it," he growled, still stroking her and bringing her closer and closer to the edge.

"Yours," she gasped, nails digging into his back as he continued to drive into her, causing the ball of heat in her stomach to expand. "I'm yours."

He kissed her again, hard, digging his teeth into her lower lip with a deep groan.

"Come on my cock, Riley," he growled.

And that was all it took for Riley to unravel around him, shuddering, with his name on her lips. He followed shortly after as he kissed her deeply, groaning as his thrusts became sloppy. She clung to him as he came apart, his breath fanning over her face as he let out deep, guttural moans.

For a minute, they stayed still, breathing hard and clinging to each other, before he finally set her down on shaky legs. She nearly toppled over before he grabbed her waist again, smirking.

She smacked his chest. "Shut up," she muttered, but smiled up at him. He shook his head, smiling as well, before his head dipped and he kissed her again. He chuckled as he heard her stomach growl.

Releasing her, he adjusted his boxers and walked over to the duffle bag on the floor, grabbing a box from it. He grinned. "Would my lady like a protein bar, or a protein bar?"

********************

Author Note:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YALL

I absolutely LOVED writing this chapter.

I'm BEGGING u for feedback on the spice!!! Please! What did you think?

This is a chapter of love and spice before shit hits the fan again ;)

Vote and comment!!