Midnight Daffodil (Poisonous Petals #1)

Chapter 4Olivia

four

OLIVIA

M y whole body shook uncontrollably.

Like a knight with a gun, flutters erupted in my belly when I looked at him. The adrenaline was crashing, no longer keeping my body going as Luke’s powerful grip tightened on his weapon.

The two men turned slowly.

“So, the pigs are out tonight,” the one with the throat flap muttered. Putting their hands up slowly, they cursed under their breath.

Luke Ryder stood there lethally gorgeous in his bulletproof vest. The police uniform hugged his toned body deliciously. Even though his partner accompanied him, a spotlight shone on Luke. Heat rushed through my system. I saw firsthand how powerful that man was. Somehow, in the last year, he managed to get even hotter. His sharp jawline, dark hair, and gorgeous eyes sent a pool of heat between my legs despite my situation.

He reminded me of Henry Cavill. He was so gorgeous; how was he even real? Luke Ryder was one fine piece of man.

Was he even bigger than last time?

I sat on the ground holding Vera’s head in my lap, my mouth ajar like an idiot’s. No, not bigger, closer ; he was standing right before me.

“Hey,” he said, his voice gentle. “Can you stand?” His blue eyes filled with concern as his frown deepened.

“Aidan, I think she’s in shock, and her friend’s injured,” he said, motioning to his partner, who’d called for another cruiser to come pick up the handcuffed men.

Words lodged in my throat. Luke rendered me speechless. It dawned on me how I must have looked: frizzy hair in messy waves, terrible makeup, torn stockings, and half of my ass hanging out.

Great.

“I–” stuttering was the only thing I could do. “I’m not in–” God, Olivia, could you be more pathetic? “I’m okay.” The words fell out of my mouth senselessly.

Resting his forearms on his knees, he studied me. Reaching out with his hand to gently tilt my face from side to side using his fingers to guide me, tingles of electricity cascaded across my skin at his touch. I flinched away the moment he pulled his hand back.

Disappointment and something akin to understanding swam in his ocean eyes.

“I’m sorry this happened to you.” Luke’s voice was only for me. I wasn’t sure if he was referring to tonight or everything.

He held out his hand, helping me to my feet. His touch brought comfort, not fear—a stark contrast to how Matt's affection felt.

Aidan bent to look at Vera, whose eyes had just flickered open. Hastily, I adjusted my skirt, hoping to retain some decency, though I essentially flashed the entire city.

“Vera?” I asked, reassurance of her safety flooding through me.

“Can you stand?” Aidan asked Vera, his dark eyes full of concern. A lock of his long hair fell into his face. His fingers traced the small of her back as he gently held her. Rather than respond verbally, Vera did what we drunk girls do best. She turned and threw up on the street.

From beside me, I heard a stifled chuckle from Luke. “So much for your good looks charming the ladies.”

Aidan rolled his eyes and held her hair back. I felt my lips turn at the corners with a slight smile when Vera looked up at me and mouthed, “Oh my God” the moment Aidan turned away.

A n hour later, we were barefoot in the back of the cruiser, going to the station to complete reports and go home. Joining us was the biggest dog I’d ever seen. Rev.

Rev happily laid his head in my lap as the night flashed out the window. The gentle weight of his body eased the anxiety that soaked my bloodstream.

Neither of us could find our phones, but that was the least of my worries.

Matt isn’t going to like how this night turned out.

The atmosphere grew calm, but for me, it was the quiet before the storm. I mentally braced myself to call Matt. Lost in my reverie, the salty taste of my tears brought me back to reality.

“You guys go ahead. We need a minute.” Luke’s voice was hushed as he spoke to Aidan.

Aidan came around and helped Vera out of the car. Rev hopped out, following them inside. A blush crept over Vera’s features as Aidan held out his hand to help her. She took it slowly, glancing at me with her mouth ‘O’ shaped.

Frantically, my hands fingered through my hair, trying to be half put together. Not that it would matter. Luke was the most attractive man I’d ever seen; there was no way he didn’t have a beautiful woman at home.

He got out and came around to open the door for me. I was sure he’d escort me into the building, ready to rid himself of this problematic girl he kept running into.

At least this time, I didn’t land him in court.

His figure stood outside the vehicle, shielding me from the wind and drizzle. His scent flooded my nostrils, washing me in calmness. A mix of cooling cedarwood, leather, and jasmine, a floral but masculine scent that reminded me of warmth and safety.

He was intoxicating.

And that was more dangerous for me than he knew.

“Olivia.” My senses stirred as I heard my name on his lips. I’d never liked it before, but when it dripped from him, I did. My skin pricked up in gooseflesh; my nipples tightened under the tattered outfit.

“You remember my name?” I asked quietly, hoping to God my breath didn’t stink like ass and girls’ night out.

His forearm rested on the cruiser’s roof as he leaned in, focusing on me. Cerulean eyes searched my face, and a slow smile spread across his full lips. Even his teeth were the perfect shade of white. The kind that people spent thousands to achieve.

My eyes fell to his mouth. His lips. The way his tongue wet the flesh. Did he taste as good as he looked?

I barely knew him, yet I was squeezing my thighs together, trying to stave off the intense attraction that was weaving itself through me.

“Of course.” The smile he wore met his stunning eyes.

“Right, I guess I was the reason you almost got fired,” I blurted out.

What the hell was wrong with me?

The smile faltered, and he shook his head, sending another wave of that hypnotic scent towards me. I memorized it. My eyes instinctively shut, locking the memory away to replay forever.

“You didn’t do anything wrong that night, Olivia. You didn’t cost me anything. It was my actions and choices,” his smooth timbre was barely above a whisper. “And I don’t regret it.”

That confession had me snapping my eyes open and looking at him. Meeting my gaze, I peered up at him.

Luke looked at me as if he were looking into my soul. There was something sweet and tender at that moment; my heart fluttered in my chest like a thousand caged birds.

“I never got to thank you,” I said. “So, thank you.” My eyes flicked to his rank badge. “Sergeant Ryder.” Notes of flirtation laced my voice.

“You can call me Luke.” His hand twitched as if to touch me but stopped disappointingly short. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s all part of the job.” The same hand moved, pointing to the badge in the shape of a five point star on the breast of his uniform.

Right, part of the job.

“Would you like to go in now? Or do you need some more time?” I heard his voice, but I wanted to linger in the comfort of his presence longer. I loved being this close to him. My sole focus was on him, shielding me from the world and guarding me from every threat.

As badly as I wanted to stay in the car and drink him in for the rest of the night, for the rest of my life, the band-aid needed to be ripped. I would always belong to Matt in the worst way until I withered away.

“I’m ready,” I whispered.

My bare feet met the cold, damp concrete as I stepped out. Leaning over to close the door, Luke was an entire foot taller than me; his gaze locked with mine as he motioned for me to proceed. Craning my neck up at him, I nodded and moved forward.

The sharp ground was hell on my shoeless feet. Gravel and pointy rocks stopped me in my tracks. “Shit.” I cursed, rubbing the debris off my foot.

I’d need a six hour pedicure to get these heels back in order. Midstep, two strong arms enveloped me, halting my movement.

“Here.” Luke dipped down, caressing my bare skin with his touch. He picked me up bridal style, swaddling me in warmth. “It gets rockier the further we get through the parking lot.”

I could’ve combusted and died.

Every graceful step he took anchored me closer to his hard body. The way he held me left me dumbstruck.

I fit perfectly against him.

Part of the job, the persnickety voice floated through my mind.

The emotions boiling between us should’ve terrified me. Matt lingered in the crevices of my mind, but I felt safe with Luke. Safer than I’d felt in years.

I stole glances at him as he moved nimbly through the lot. The muscular cords in his neck were begging for me to touch them with my hands, with my tongue. He looked down at me with an expression so smoldering I could’ve melted.

“Are you okay to walk from here?”

I nodded. “Yeah, thank you, I’m sorry,” I babbled as he set me back down.

Losing the heat of him left me shivering. The brightly lit room greeted us. Little murmurs and giggles spilled from Aidan and Vera, who were practically nose to nose as they spoke.

The stars that twinkled in their eyes felt out place given our circumstance. I would actually lose it if she told me they were flirting.

Doesn’t seem like she’s just part of the job.

Ugh.

“You can use the phone, dial nine first, and then the area code,” Luke said, guiding me with a hand on the small of my back towards the desk. “You can sit here. Take as much time as you need.” His gentle tone heated my pebbled skin. “Oh, and the lady’s room is just down the corridor to the left.”

All I could do was nod. Calling Matt was going to be the easy part. Once we got home, the warmth Luke gave me would slip away. Nearing three in the morning, I wasn't in any mood for a fight. But that never mattered.

Luke eyed me, his gaze briefly flicking to the shake in my hand as I strangled the receiver in my death grip. Our eyes locked in a gaze so intense that I felt I might burst before he finally broke it, looking down at the desk. Tension hung over us thick like fog.

I sucked in a breath and dialed Matt’s cell.

It rang several times. I questioned if he was going to answer.

“Duquesne,” he answered in his lawyer voice.

“Hey,” my voice quivered. “It’s me.” Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Luke fix his gaze on me.

“Am I on speaker?”

I swallowed. “No.”

“Where the fuck are you? Where the fuck is your phone?” He gritted out.

“I’m at the police station. I don’t know where it is.”

“Stupid. This is why I don’t let you do shit; you take my kindness and fuck it up.” He snarled. My hands shook uncontrollably. “For fuck’s sake, I should chain you to the bed where you fucking belong.”

My eyes burned with tears, threatening their escape.

A few powerful ones slipped past, trailing down my cheeks. “Can you please come get me?”

“I’m in the car. Say thank you, nothing else. And stop crying. I haven’t fucking touched you yet.” I could hear his Mercedes start up and shift into gear.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be there soon.” The dial tone thundered in my ear. I turned swiftly, wanting to avoid everyone.

I was pathetic.

You allowed this for years. The voice taunted me, amplifying the guilt and blame that weighed heavily on me.

Vera’s voice catapulted through the thought as I rounded the corner to the restroom.

“Hey, I’m getting a ride with Aidan. Is Matt coming?” I swiped my hand across my face, clearing the tears before answering.

Luke tensed but still hadn’t looked up from whatever he was scribbling.

“Yeah, he’s on his way. You get home safe! Love you, girl!” I hurried to the bathroom before she could respond.

Slamming the stall door, I fell to the floor and released the tears that were suffocating me.

How much longer could I do this? What would it be like to be truly loved? To surrender my heart and body to someone who wanted to cherish it, not scar it?

Ugly crying had become a painful skill I’d mastered. I shook on the bathroom flooring, mourning the love that seemed so out of reach. Luke’s soft caresses were the closest thing I’d known to tenderness, a fragile substitute for a feeling that eluded me.

Matt’s shadow loomed large, claiming a part of me I could never escape.

I indulged in another brief moment of vulnerability before mustering the strength to drag myself to the sink. I splashed cool water on my face, washing away the unsightly tracks of my tears. Erasing any visible evidence of my breakdown.

Matt would arrive soon to take me back.

To remind me what happens when I fuck up.