Emily popped the caps off two beers, the familiar hiss and sharp scent filling her small kitchen. She handed one to Lucas with a coy smile, then hoisted herself onto the countertop.
"Cheers," she said, clinking her bottle against his.
As Emily sipped the cold beer, she began unlacing her boots, hyper-aware of Lucas' eyes on her. The hem of her dress inched higher, revealing more of her thighs.
As she bent to pull off her second boot, she felt Lucas move closer. When she looked up, he was standing between her parted knees, his piercing blue eyes locked on hers.
Her heart raced. Fuck it, she thought. I deserve this.
Without hesitation, Emily reached up and pulled Lucas into a searing kiss. He tasted of beer, his stubble was rough against her skin. As his strong hands gripped her waist, drawing her to the edge of the counter, a small voice in Emily's mind whispered a warning. But the heat of Lucas' body and the intoxicating rush of desire drowned it out completely.
Lucas' lips crashed into Emily's, his intensity catching her off guard. His tongue sought dominance, and she surrendered willingly, her body melting into his embrace. As his mouth devoured hers, Emily's mind raced.
'Fuck, he can kiss,' she thought, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
A moan escaped her throat, muffled by his relentless assault on her senses. Lucas' hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer to the edge of the counter. His stubble scraped deliciously against her skin as he trailed scorching kisses along her jaw.
"You look amazing, you feel amazing," he growled, his breath hot on her neck.
Emily gasped as his teeth grazed her pulse point. Her head fell back, giving him better access. "Don't stop," she breathed.
Lucas' fingers skimmed up her sides, brushing the undersides of her breasts. The feather-light touch sent shockwaves through her body. Emily arched into him, craving more contact.
'This is insane,' a small voice in her head protested. 'You barely know him.'
But as Lucas' hands continued their maddening exploration, Emily told that voice to shut the fuck up. She deserved this - needed this - after the week she'd had.
"You like that, sweetheart?" Lucas murmured against her collarbone.
"Yes," Emily hissed, her nails raking down his back. "More."
She could feel his smirk against her skin. "Patience, darlin'. We're just getting started."
Emily arched her back, her long chestnut hair cascading down as she tugged her dress over her head. The cool kitchen air kissed her newly exposed skin.
Lucas' eyes darkened as they raked over her body.
A thrill ran through her at his hungry gaze. Part of her brain screamed that this was crazy - she barely knew this man. But after the week she'd had, Emily was done overthinking things.
"Less talking, more touching," she breathed.
He didn't need to be told twice. His calloused hands glided over her curves, igniting sparks everywhere they touched. Emily gasped as his lips trailed along her collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
"Your skin is so soft," Lucas murmured against her neck.
Emily's head fell back, giving him better access. Her fingers threaded through his hair, holding him close. Every brush of his stubble sent shivers down her spine.
As his mouth moved lower, Emily's breath caught. She should feel more self-conscious, sitting here in just a scrap of lace. But something about Lucas made her feel good and wanted in a way she hadn't in a long time.
"You okay?" Lucas asked, pulling back slightly to meet her eyes.
Emily nodded, surprised by the tenderness in his gaze. "More than okay," she assured him, pulling him in for another searing kiss.
Emily's fingers trembled as she fumbled with the buttons on Lucas' shirt. His lips were hot on her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She finally managed to push the shirt off his broad shoulders, revealing tanned skin and rippling muscles.
"Fuck, you're hot," she breathed, running her hands over his chest.
Lucas chuckled, a deep rumble that vibrated through her. "You're not so bad yourself, darlin'."
His calloused hands slid down her sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Emily arched into his touch, craving more. Her fingers danced lower, toying with his belt buckle.
"Are you sure about this?" Lucas asked, his voice husky.
Emily paused, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. Was she ready to be this vulnerable again so soon? But as she gazed into Lucas' smoldering eyes, something primal took over.
"Absolutely," she growled, yanking his belt open with newfound determination.
Their lips crashed together once more as Emily worked on his zipper. Lucas groaned into her mouth, his fingers digging into her hips.
'This is crazy,' Emily thought hazily. But after the week she'd had, she deserved a little crazy.
"Less thinking, more kissing," Lucas murmured against her lips, as if sensing her internal debate.
Emily laughed breathlessly. "Yes sir," she quipped, giving his pants a firm tug.
Lucas' breath was hot against Emily's ear, his stubble scraping her neck as he growled, "If you're gonna call me anything but my name, it better be 'daddy,' baby girl."
A shiver ran through Emily's body. Part of her wanted to roll her eyes at the cheesy line, but there was something about his gravelly voice that made her pulse quicken. She bit her lip, considering how to respond.
"And what if I don't want to call you anything at all?" she challenged, arching an eyebrow.
Lucas' grip on her hips tightened. "Then I guess I'll have to find something else for you to scream."
Emily's head was spinning, the alcohol and lust coursing through her veins. This was so unlike her usual carefully controlled life. But after everything with Ryan, maybe she needed a little recklessness.
"You seem pretty confident in your abilities there," Emily teased, trailing her fingers down his chest.
Lucas chuckled darkly. "Trust me, baby girl. I know exactly how to make a woman beg."
Emily's breath caught. She should be offended by his arrogance, but instead she felt a rush of heat between her thighs.
"Prove it," she whispered, pulling him closer.
Emily's heart raced as his fingers traced the lace edge of her thong. Every touch sent shivers down her spine.
"Are you particularly attached to this little scrap of fabric?" he asked, voice low and gravelly.
She swallowed hard, pulse pounding in her ears. What was she doing? This wasn't like her at all. But god, the way he looked at her...
"No, daddy," she breathed, barely recognizing her own voice. "I'm not attached to it."
His eyes darkened at her words. Emily felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of fear. She'd never called anyone that before. It should have felt weird, wrong even. But something about the hungry look in his eyes made her want to say it again and again.
He hooked a finger under the band of her thong, the rough calluses on his hands scraping deliciously against her sensitive skin. "Good girl," he growled.
Emily's breath caught in her throat. She gripped the edge of the counter, knuckles turning white. What the hell had gotten into her tonight? This wasn't the real her. Was it?