Luke & Bella

By Pandora Spocks

Strong-willed ginger Bella Grant is a take-charge television journalist with an appetite for adventure. Handsome and sexy Luke McGillicutty is a world-weary photographer coaxed out of premature retirement with the promise of traveling the world with a smart, spunky redhead. They've been paired up to create a new brand of television travel program.

Traveling to romantic destinations, staying in first-class hotels, finding adventure at every turn, it's not surprising that the two fall in love. Luke is stunned to realize that Bella is the woman he's looked for his whole life. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and courageous.

The only thing is, Luke hasn't been completely up front with her. He hasn't told her that he's into BDSM. He could play it safe, keep the relationship going exactly the way it is. But Luke wants more. As a Dominant, he craves the intimacy that a Dom/sub relationship provides. And he knows without a doubt that Bella is the perfect submissive. How will she react if he approaches her about submitting to him as a Dominant? Maybe she'd be intrigued by the idea. On the other hand, he could lose her forever.

Life on the road working with Bella is great. Nights spent in Bella's arms are amazing. Should Luke just be satisfied with the way things are? Or should he risk everything on the chance that they could have it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pandora Spocks
• Release date: Nov 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311285751

Pandora Spocks

Pandora Spocks is a bratty ginger and hopeless romantic who lives her happily ever after in South Florida. Pandora has entertained herself with the stories pinballing around in her head for years. Recently she decided to try her hand at sharing those stories with others. The author of Luke & Bella: Two Streets Over and the Rannigan's Redemption series, she enjoys reading and writing literary erotic fiction. Pandora is currently busy writing her next spicy romance.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bella Grant checked her trunk again.  Three months was a long time.  What have I forgotten?  She frowned. Don’t be stupid.  You can get anything you need.  You aren’t going to the Amazon rain forest.

After calling down to the front desk for bell service, she made one last tour of the suite to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything.  Hearing the knock, she opened the door to find the bellman waiting in the hallway.  She stepped back and admitted him to the suite.  It’s just these, waving her hand to indicate her trunk, cosmetic case, and camera bag.

The bellman hesitated when he saw the trunk.  Inwardly, Bella smiled.  It was huge, a vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk that had once belonged to her grandfather.  She jokingly referred to it as her ‘big-ass Louis’.  Fortunately, the bellman was too well-trained to complain and he managed to get her things on the cart.

Bella didn’t wait, but went ahead and took the elevator to the lobby.  Stopping at the desk, she returned her key and checked out.  The bill was covered, of course, by the network.  Her new employer.

She’d been in television for the last fifteen years, always in local news as a reporter in several places, but most recently as a morning show anchor in Akron.  She’d hated Ohio, but had taken the job in order to add ‘Anchor’ to her resume.  But this was different.

When she’d seen the posting in the trade magazine, she knew this was the opportunity she’d been waiting for.  She’d be hosting a new travel show for TLC.  According to the executive producer, Charlie, who’d hired her, she would have carte blanche to do what she wanted.  He’d tell her where to go and the rest would be up to her.  Fill the time.  Make it interesting.  Make it unique.  Which was just what she intended to do.

The bellman loaded her things into the cab.  She thanked him and gave him a generous tip before stepping into the back of the taxi.  Her thoughts raced as they made their way through thick Manhattan traffic toward the airport.  She didn’t even know where her first assignment would take her.  They would find out at the ticket counter.

They.  She’d meet her photog at the airport.  Her mind wandered there.  She didn’t even know his name.  What would he be like?  Young?  Old?  Experienced?  She was sure Charlie wouldn’t hire someone with no experience.

A small smile played across her face.  It wouldn’t suck too badly if he was attractive.  Her social life was virtually nonexistent.  Who had the time?  Still…

Her thoughts came back to the present as the taxi pulled into the Departures lane of the airport.  Which airline, miss? the driver asked.  Virgin Atlantic, she replied.  He stopped at the appropriate curb.  Skycaps jumped into motion unloading her bags.  I’d like them stored please.  I need to go to the ticket counter, she told them.  They handed Bella the luggage receipts and she walked into the terminal.

Chapter 2

Bella walked up to the Virgin Atlantic First Class ticket counter.  You should have a reservation for Bella Grant? she asked.

Ms. Grant.  Yes, your tickets are not available at this time.  I’ve been instructed to ask you to wait in the First Class lounge.  Your party is already there, replied the clerk.

Thank you, she said.  Approaching the door to the lounge, to herself, Here we go…

She walked in and glanced around.  There were several men waiting alone.  None was immediately apparent as a television photographer.  Crap… whispered to herself.  Then she heard a deep voice behind her.

Bella?  She turned to see a man with deep brown eyes looking her way, his closely cropped salt and pepper hair matching his mustache and goatee.   He was tanned as though he spent a great deal of time outdoors. 

She smiled her best TV anchor smile and moved toward him with her right hand outstretched.  Hello!  Bella.  Isabella. Um, just Bella. Grant.  And you are? What the hell was that? You sound like an idiot!  She felt herself blush slightly.

He stood to greet her and smiled, amusement sparkling in his eyes.  Luke McGillicutty. Pleased to meet you.  Can I order you a drink while we wait? he asked.  He was tall, about six and a half feet.  His voice was deep and sexy, his gaze intense, his handshake warm and strong.

Careful girlfriend. Take a breath.  Nice to meet you. She grinned. Yes, a drink.  I’ll take a glass of sauvignon blanc.  Thanks!  Luke ordered her wine as she took a seat at the table he’d chosen.

So, she laughed lightly.  Should we share our resumes?  Our curriculum vitae?  You still sound like Minnie Mouse on speed.  Chill the hell out!

If you like, he laughed as well.  I’ve been covering wars, murder, and mayhem ever since 9/11.  I figured it was time to look on the lighter side of life.

Wow.  Ok.  Well, I’m most recently from Akron.  I was an anchor on the wake up show there.  You know, Akron.  The Bundt cake capital of the world, she laughed.  I started out as a reporter in Austin, then Anaheim, then Asheville, then Akron.  And until now, I was completely unaware that every city I’ve ever worked in began with A.

Their drinks arrived, her wine and, she noticed, his Scotch.  She wondered if she should be worried.  After all it was two o’clock in the afternoon.  Instead, she asked, Do you have any idea where we’re going?

Nope.  Charlie was perfectly vague about that.  The people at the ticket counter didn’t tell me anything.  Apparently, he’s going to call us, Luke answered.  He sipped his Scotch.  How did you get this job anyhow?

I applied after seeing an ad in a trade. You? she wondered.

Same, he replied, swirling his glass absently.

Where is your luggage? Bella asked.  I had the Skycaps put mine in storage.  It’s kind of a pain, not knowing when our flight is.

This is my luggage, he answered, indicating a couple of beat up duffels.

No, seriously, the rest of your stuff, she laughed.

This is it, Luke said.  This is all of it.  I travel light.  Something I learned from a buddy of mine, Bear Grylls.  He sipped again.

You know Bear Grylls?  That sounds like a story.   But really, this is all you have?  For three months? she asked, incredulously.  How can you possibly have everything you need?  He’s going to die when he sees my luggage!

Luke went on to tell her about getting to know Bear Grylls back in their military days.  She tried to listen to his story but found her thoughts being pulled in different directions.

For one thing, she couldn’t help noticing that he was handsome in a rugged way, not typically her cup of tea, whatever that meant.  Not like she was out on a date every night.

And for the next three months they would be partners.   It would be up to them to find the story in the places they were assigned to cover.  They needed to formulate a concept that would be the essence of the show.  She had some ideas, of course.  But now she had to collaborate with Luke.  What were his thoughts as to the direction of the show?

She shook her head slightly and tried to bring her focus back to what he was saying.

Chapter 3

(One month earlier)

Luke awoke, a sharp pain pulsing over his left eye.  I should have had more water, he thought reproachfully.  He tossed off the covers, glancing back at the sleeping form on the other side of his bed.  The brunette shifted in her sleep, the sheet falling away to reveal an ample left tit with a dark erect nipple.  And no tan line, he noticed.  What was her name again?  Martita?  Marina?  He vaguely remembered chatting her up at the bar last night.  God, I do stupid things when I drink Scotch.

He pulled on some shorts and went up on the deck of the boat to smoke and think.  Lighting his cigar, he reflected on his life.  Six months ago, he’d retired from being a news photog, moved back to Tampa and was living on a boat he rented from a buddy.  He’d finally had enough.

Charlie had said it would happen, that he’d get sick of all the war and blood and tragedy.  At the time, he’d considered the old man jaded, just plain tired.  After all, Luke was a veteran of Navy Special Ops.  He’d been a photog then, too, slipping undercover into situations disguised as a journalist, getting closer than any military personnel would have been allowed.  Going into news after the Navy had seemed a natural progression, as he’d told Charlie, way back on September 11.  That was his first day as a civilian news photojournalist.  It was horrific, of course.  But in some ways it was exciting as well.  Historical events need to be documented.   That was the day Charlie walked away from news.  But they’d remained close.  They had history together.

Still, it was a surprise when Luke’s phone rang and he looked down to see Charlie’s number on the screen.  Hello? he answered.

Hello, yourself, you son of a bitch!  What the hell is your lazy ass doing, all retired like some fucking geezer?! Charlie shouted into the phone.

Nice to hear from you, old man! Luke grinned at the slightly inebriated voice of his old friend.  Good old Charlie, sounding drunk already at, what time was it?  Shit, it was already 2:00 in the afternoon.

Hey, Charlie began, I may have a job for you.

You just said it yourself, Luke responded.  I’m retired.  From behind him, Luke heard the sound of stirring, a female voice calling his name.  He’d forgotten all about… Margarita?  Maria?  He needed to pay better attention.  She stepped out onto the deck fully dressed, if that’s what you called the scrap of fabric she was wearing.  Holding a glass of juice in her hand, she crossed over to where he was sitting, put her arms around him, and kissed him on the mouth.

You’re not alone, are you? Charlie ventured.  I’ll call you back. 

Charlie started to hang up but heard Luke reply, No, don’t worry, Marisa was just leaving.  He gazed up at the girl, who now had a pissed-off look on her face.

My name is Valerie.

Oops, sorry about that.  Here’s some money for the cab, he said, pulling some cash from his pocket.

So it’s just like that?  We fuck and then you send me off, like some whore? she asked shrilly.

Um, sorry, darlin’, he grinned.  Did we get married or make some other commitment of which I am unaware?  It was fun, but I’m not looking for a ball and chain, here.  I didn’t mean to make you think anything else.  See you around, kiddo.

Turning his attention back to Charlie, he heard the glass shatter on the deck of the boat.  Yeah, well, fuck you! she shouted before storming off down the dock.

Damn. Luke swore softly.  I loved that glass.

Chapter 4

Good to know you still have a way with the ladies, Charlie quipped.

Yeah, fuck you! Luke laughed.  Why are you calling?

I’m executive producing a new show, said Charlie.  I need a first-rate photog.

If I come across one, I’ll let you know.

I’m talking to one right now.

No, no, no, Luke replied.  I am loving life right now.  No responsibilities.  No commitments.  I’m living on a rented boat.  Fish all day, drink all night, plenty of beautiful women.  I’m quite ok, thanks.

You sound bored, you ask me.

Notice I didn’t ask you.

You don’t even know the concept.  It’s not news, no blood and guts and shit.  I’m working for TLC—the This is Living Channel.  It’s a travel show…

Ooohhh, not no, then.   It’s oh, HELL NO!

Just wait.  I want this to be different from anything else out there.  You’d co-produce.  I’m going to tell you where to go, my office will make the travel arrangements, then you find the stories, make it what you think people want to see, what they want to know about.  The budget is virtually unlimited, Charlie waited for a response.

So, theoretically, IF I said yes, you’d tell me where to go, and then it’s completely up to me to ferret out interesting stories to tell about the location.

Well, not completely up to you.  Like I said, you’d co-produce.  You and your partner would need to agree on a concept, Charlie hedged.

Partner? Luke chuckled humorlessly.  Have we met?  I don’t tend to work well with others.

Well, that’s a shame.  I hired this cute dame to be the host of the show.  A redhead.  She’s smart and spunky, with a lot of great ideas.  Nice gams, too, if you know what I mean.

Luke rolled his eyes.  Nobody under the age of 90 knows what you mean.  Charlie was all of 67 years old, but he talked like he was in a Bogart movie.

I have a shitload of resume tapes from a bunch of young-buck photogs, but I’ve always thought you had a great eye.  Well…sorry I bothered you and your lady friend, Charlie apologized.  So long, sport.

Wait, wait, wait, Luke said.  Give me a little time to think it over.  When does the job start?

Charlie laughed.  In a month.  Tell me you’re in.

Luke sighed.  I’ll let you know.

After they disconnected, Luke sat thinking for a moment.  A new job.  He didn’t need the money, he lived simply enough and could afford to be retired.  Truth was, he was bored, but he’d never tell Charlie that.  Routine was never something he subscribed to, but his life had settled into one over the last few months in spite of his disapproval.  Days melted together, puttering around on the boat, fishing on his own or occasionally taking out fishing or shelling charters for his buddy and splitting the profits.  Happy hour found him hanging out in the local bars, drinking and swapping stories with others as aimless as himself, flirting with pretty bubble-heads.  Nights could be bad, though, nightmares of the devastation and destruction he’d documented over the years tormenting him in his sleep.  Which was why he drank too much, why he brought home strange women too often…

He sighed again.  Charlie’s offer.  Traveling on someone else’s dime.  This time not covering catastrophe or the depravity of man, but seeing the world with the eyes of a tourist.  It might be a good opportunity to replace the nightmares with better memories.  A dame with red hair and nice gams.  Luke snorted.  Charlie was a piece of work.

Chapter 5

(An hour ago)

Luke arrived at the airport slightly hung over.  Should have known better than to go out drinking with Charlie, he thought.  The two men had barhopped for a while, finally landing at Luke’s favorite Manhattan pub, Paddy Reilly’s on the lower east side.  They’d been in luck and caught the Prodigals’ set at eleven.

Charlie had been in chat mode all evening.  So tell me about the dame you were with when I called you that day, he probed.

Luke rolled his eyes.  Just some chick from a bar.  I don’t know.  What do you want me to say?

What you need is to find a nice girl, settle down, Charlie slurred.  Bella is a nice girl.

Bella? Luke asked.

Aw, dammit, I didn’t mean for you to know her name before you met her, Charlie shook his head.  Bourbon loosens my lips.  He blew a raspberry for emphasis.

Luke had felt a flash of irritation at the notion of settling down.  "I’ve been married, and you saw how that turned out."

You married a girl named Tiffany.  That’s a stripper’s name.  You shoulda known that would go down in flames, Charlie reasoned with boozy confidence.

"How about this?  How about you find a nice girl and settle down.  Elizabeth’s been gone for, what, five years?"  Luke regretted the words as soon as they left his lips.  Charlie’s wife Elizabeth had been the nicest person, bar none, Luke had ever met.  He still donated to breast cancer charities in her memory.

Nope, Charlie shook his head.  Elizabeth was the love of my life.  There will never be anyone else for me.  That’s what you need, my boy, Charlie stabbed a bony finger into Luke’s chest.  You need to find the love of your life.

Some night, last night.  As soon as Luke entered the airport lounge, he ordered a Scotch.  Hair of the dog and all that.

Now he was sitting here waiting for some travel show host chick.  To go, he knew not where.  They were supposed to meet in the First Class Lounge and await Charlie’s call.  What the fuck?!  Why all the bullshit cloak and dagger business?  Luke checked his watch.  It wasn’t too late to hop a plane back to Tampa.  He could be wasted away and looking for his lost shaker of salt by happy hour.

Women are always late, he fumed.  Why did I agree to this?  Dragging some whiny-ass princess around the world for three months?  He imagined a prissy female voice complaining, I broke a nail!  Where can I plug in my blow dryer?  I’m not eating that!  I must have lost my mind…

The door to the lounge opened and in walked a stunning redhead.  The sunlight streaming into the room from the high windows across the way just caught her from behind, lighting up her auburn curls as if they were on fire.  He watched her glance around the room, soft brown eyes searching for someone.  She walked past without looking his way, then stopped, unsure.

Bella? he asked, before he could stop himself.  She turned, surprised, then she smiled, reaching to shake his hand.

Hello!  Bella.  Isabella. Um, just Bella. Grant.  And you are?

Chapter 6

(Now)

Luke motioned to the bartender, ordering another round for both of them.   To Bella he joked, So Bundt cakes, huh?  I like Bundt cakes.

Hmm, what? Oh!  Bundt cakes.  Well, you know how morning shows go.  Recipes, fashion, pets, don’t hold fireworks in your hands…True story—we once had two guests nearly come to blows arguing over whether potato salad should be hot or cold, she laughed. No, seriously, you can’t make that up!

Luke shook his head laughing.  Wow!  And I thought my job was dangerous.

Bella raised her wine glass to his Scotch.  To dangerous jobs!  They toasted, chuckling as they did so.  Just to fill the silence, So you’ve been in news since 9/11?  What did you do before that?

He smiled slightly.  He’d noticed her eyes glaze over as he was talking earlier, figured she wasn’t listening.  Well, like I said, slowly, as if speaking to a child, I was in the Navy.  Special Ops.  I was a photog, and a lot of times they’d send me in posing as a journalist.  I’d get intel in places uniformed military couldn’t get into.  We did a few joint operations with British Special Forces, which is where I met Bear.

Bella blushed, embarrassed.  She took another sip of wine before speaking.  I am so sorry!  I guess I zoned out when you were telling me.  God, you must think I’m a ditz.  I just have a lot on my mind.  I mean, I’ve traveled a lot, but just for pleasure.  And I’ve done news, but this is something completely different.  She looked up at him earnestly.  I really want to make this great.

God she’s pretty when she blushes, he thought to himself.  Almost makes up for putting me on ignore.  Yeah, this is a different animal, Luke agreed.

He’d noticed that with each sip of wine she had slightly more of a Southern accent.  Do I hear a little bit of a drawl? he asked, smiling.

You do, sir, accent more exaggerated, and then she giggled.  I try to cover it up but sometimes it sneaks out a little.  I’m from Alabama originally.  Birmingham.  Ever hear of Grant Steel?  That’s my family.

Holy shit!  You’re a gen-u-wine Southern debutante! he mocked playfully.

No, I am, for real!  I was presented to proper Birmingham society when I was 18.  She rolled her eyes.  I had the white dress, wrist corsage, the whole nine yards.  Can you believe that?! Bella shook her head.  Yep, I was supposed to marry some investment banker and pop out little trust fund babies.  She took a bigger swig of wine.  No thank you.  Not for me.

She looked at Luke.  After that summer, I left home, went to school at Columbia.  My major was English with a minor in journalism.  After graduation, I got a job as a reporter at a station in Austin.  Let me tell you, my father was pissed!  She laughed humorlessly.

Wow.  You never married, then? he ventured.

Oh, yes, I did.  I’m pretty sure I did it mostly to further piss off my father.  There was this musician in a bar in Austin.  He had a band.  Go figure, she rolled her eyes again.  I was young and stupid.  He had a fondness for tequila, and then for hitting me.  Luke looked at her, shocked.  Bella shrugged.  I stuck with him way longer than I should have, but I couldn’t let my father be right.  I left him when I’d finally had enough.  Got a reporter job in Anaheim, about as far away from Austin as I could get, then divorced his ass.  She waved for another glass of wine.

Luke sat quietly, taking in this revelation.

So is there a Mrs. McGillicutty around somewhere? she asked casually, taking a sip.

No! Luke replied emphatically.  No, no, no, shaking his head with each word.

So…no, then? she said, mockingly, resting her chin in her palm and regarding him levelly.

Luke laughed.  I mean, there was once.  But that was years ago.  I was never really in one place long enough.  As you can see, I travel light.  Most women have a lot more baggage, he smirked, playfully.

What?! she laughed.  Ok, I may have to concede that point.  You haven’t seen my big-ass Louis!  It could house a small family.

Luke’s phone rang and he checked the screen.  Finally!  It’s Charlie.  Hey, old man!

As he spoke with Charlie, Bella watched him carefully.  He was really quite nice looking; she didn’t know how she hadn’t noticed before.  And she was very much enjoying their conversation.  He was attentive and funny and…  Just stop it right now, she chided herself.  This is a professional relationship.  Keep your head in the game.

I can’t believe you’re doing this! he was saying into the phone.  Bella frowned, wondering what was wrong.  He hung up with Charlie and looked at her with a grim smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.  How do you feel about Edinburgh?

Edinburgh, she repeated, blinking, as she dug her tablet out of her bag and fired it up, beginning a search for Edinburgh.   She made a mental note to ask Luke later what that was all about.  When is our flight?

Chapter 7

She leaned her head back and bit down on her lower lip, attempting to stifle the moan that threatened to burst out.  He was down there, pressing his lips to the mound between her thighs.  Oh, God! she moaned.

Her hands moved to her breasts, at first simply trying to hold herself together, then squeezing, pulling hard on her erect nipples.  She was so wet for him.  His tongue began to flick in and out of her and she felt like she would burst out of her skin.   Oh, Luke, oh God!

He moved up her body, kissing and licking as he went.  When he reached her face, he covered her mouth with his.  She could taste herself on him and that made her even wetter.

I want you, she growled, reaching down to take him in her hand and guiding him into her.  At first he started moving in and out, excruciatingly slowly, then building to pound harder and faster…

Bella woke up with a gasp.  She was reclined in her First Class seat on her way to Edinburgh.  When she looked anxiously over at Luke he was watching her intently.  Bad dream? he asked.

Um, yeah… she replied, flustered, but recovering quickly.  I dreamed I was falling.  Which sucks on a plane.  How much longer, do you think?

Dunno, coupla hours I’m guessing.  Are you ok? he asked.

She felt as though he could see into her thoughts, and the idea caused her to blush.  Um, I’m fine, just a little…disoriented.  Why?  Was I talking in my sleep?  Please, God, no!

You kind of mumbled a little.  Falling dreams are a bitch, he said, but he continued watching her curiously.

I’m going to go to the… she motioned toward the lavatory.  Luke put up his tray and allowed her to squeeze past him and out into the aisle.  Be right back.

He watched her move up the aisle, noticing her ass appreciatively.  God bless a skirt that hangs in just the right way.  He wasn’t sure what she’d been dreaming, but he’d be willing to bet it wasn’t falling.  The blush was a dead giveaway.  He was almost certain he’d heard his name, too.  How ‘bout that, Cowboy? he muttered to himself.  Very interesting…

In the lavatory, Bella looked at herself in the mirror.  Pull it together, girlfriend, she whispered to herself.  She splashed water on her face then dried off with a paper towel.  Making her way back to their seats, she saw that he’d ordered for them, wine for her and Scotch for himself.

I thought you might like a drink, he said.

Good idea, she replied, and she sipped gratefully.   Maybe we should talk about the show, how you see this going.  Did Charlie tell you we still have to come up with a name for the show?  Right now, the working title is ‘Travel Show.’  She rolled her eyes.   I know I have some ideas to put in the first episode.  Like, for instance, when we get to the airport I’d like for you to get some establishing shots, you know, shots that people will recognize as Edinburgh.

Luke looked at her incredulously.  Was she kidding?  She was going to tell him the kinds of shots to get?  What was next, maybe she’d tell him how to turn on the camera.

Establishing shots.  Now why didn’t I think of that? he quipped sardonically.

Bella looked at him.  Was that offensive?  I didn’t mean…I just…well, I want what I want.  Just wait until we edit, she laughed.  "I’ve been told I’m a little controlling.  I prefer to call it particular."

Well, as it happens, Luke began, I have spent some time in Edinburgh.  I have a buddy who owns a pub there.  And his family runs the Three Labels Scotch distillery.

Really?  That sounds cool! she replied.  She jotted something in her reporter’s notebook.  We don’t really want to cover hotels and tourist places, right?  I mean, everyone does that.  We need a unique angle.  I like the idea of meeting a local business owner, really getting a feel for the place from the perspective of someone who lives and works there.

Sounds like a good place to start, Luke answered, his momentary irritation forgotten.  Bella was smart, like Charlie had said.  Probably a bit of a control freak, too, which she admitted.   He sipped his Scotch thoughtfully.  Whatever else, this was definitely going to be an adventure.

Chapter 8

It was 8:00 am local time when they landed in Edinburgh.  They moved quickly through customs and headed down to Baggage Claim.  A short man in a driver’s uniform held a sign lettered McGillicutty.  Luke strode up to him, right hand out.  I’m Luke McGillicutty.

Yes, sir, my name is Stewart.  I’m here to take you to the Balmoral, the driver replied.  Shall we collect your bags?

Luke lifted his battered duffels.  These are my bags, but I believe the lady has a cargo container or something.

Bella smirked at him.  Ha-ha!  Maybe you could make yourself useful and get some footage.  She wandered in the direction of the baggage carousel and Stewart followed, cart in tow.

Good idea, Luke thought to himself.  Since the moment he’d first seen her in the airport lounge, he’d been itching to see her through his lens.  Life itself was all too often neither contained nor controlled.  Things in his camera lens were precisely contained and exactly controlled, separated into manageable segments.    It was how he preferred to see the entire world, really, although he didn’t want to analyze that too deeply.   He felt that images in his camera lens appeared in their true form.  And he wanted to see Bella.

As she stood near the carousel chatting with the driver, Luke zoomed in on her.  A good photog always zooms completely in on his subject, focuses, and then slowly backs off.  Only he didn’t back off.  He started at her feet, clad in jeweled leather thong sandals.  And fuchsia nail polish.  He moved up to her ankle peeking out from under the long grey (or was it silver?) lace skirt she was wearing.  Since when was an ankle so sexy?

Traveling up he paused as she leaned over to retrieve a cosmetic case.  The skirt hung from her curved form in just the right way.  The bottom of a white tank top covered the top of the skirt before disappearing under the short denim jacket she was wearing over it.  Again, all curves.  Now Bella had turned toward him, her attention on the driver who was still waiting for her luggage.  From this angle he trailed up her body, watching her take off the jacket and fold it over her arm.  Full, perfect breasts filled out the tank top and for the first time he noticed a sprinkling of light freckles that trailed off into her cleavage.

Unconsciously, Bella reached up to tuck some stray red curls behind her ear.  That face.  And that amazing hair.  God, she was beautiful.  Careful, Cowboy, he whispered to himself.

He hurried to get some video they could actually use and tried not to dwell on what Bella might think if she saw what he’d just shot.

She flashed him a triumphant smile as she and Stewart returned to him, her things loaded onto the cart, including what could only be the fabled big-ass Louis.

Geez, is that all? Luke quipped.  Aren’t you afraid you might not have everything you need?

McGillicutty, you and your ghetto bags are just jealous! Bella returned, and she led them all out into the Edinburgh morning.

Chapter 9

As the cab drove from the airport and through town, Bella felt giddy, not at all like the sleek sophisticate she hoped to show to the world.  It wasn’t as if she hadn’t traveled before.  God knew, Nathan Epperson Grant,

Reviews for Luke & Bella

[CATHY KUNTZ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the character development. The story is long enough to bring beautiful texture to both Bella and Luke. I love the tender care and safety in the D/s relationship.