Chapter 69

~~Julie~~ It takes me a couple of seconds to process Luke’s words. And when I do, I freeze. My breath catches and my mind feels like it’s short-circuiting. Did he just say…? No, I must have misheard. My ears are still ringing. The blood rushing through me is loud enough to drown out reality. But no, he said it. He said ‘I love you’. I climb off his body, still trembling from everything we’ve just done. My knees are weak, and I’m not sure if it’s from the sex or from the emotional bomb he just dropped on me. I’m standing there, staring down at him, completely lost for words. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. Luke doesn’t move right away. He lies on his back, watching me with those piercing eyes and then a small, lopsided smile. “You don’t have to say anything,” he says. “I just wanted you to know.” He pushes himself up with a groan, rubbing his lower back. “Damn, my back is killing me. Next time you want to get kinky and toss me onto the floor, maybe give me a heads-up.” I laugh. “