Burden Of Blood by Wenona Hulsey

a big one, I can feel it.” He beamed at her before pulling her into a quick hug.  “Love you, baby, wish me luck.” He said as he moved toward the door.
     
    “Love you too, Dad, good luck.” She called out to him as he grabbed his tackle box and fishing pole.  Man he really loves a good night of fishing with the guys .  She watched him close the door behind him after he called out a good bye to Luke.
     
    An awkward silence filled the room when Nicole turned to face Luke.  He stood casually leaning against the door frame that led into the living room and, as promised, he was holding a pizza box in one hand and a movie in the other.  A snug fitting black t-shirt was stretched across his rippling muscles.  A burning urge drove her to put a hand on his chest, aching to feel the hardness she knew would be underneath the thin material, but she reached for the pizza instead.
     
    “Um…I’ll get us some plates if you want to put the movie in.” she said attempting to break the lengthening silence.  Nicole pointed him in the direction of the DVD player, then went into the kitchen.  She returned with two plates and a couple bottles of Bud Light.  Luke sat with the remote in his hand patiently waiting for her to take a seat before he started the movie.  His dark blond hair looked freshly cut and the dim light from a small lamp deepened the contours of his face making his already perfect features look like the work of Michelangelo.  He appeared completely at ease while her mind was a mixed-up jumble of emotions.  She knew she had to put an end to this craziness before it got the best of her.  She marched over to the wall and flicked the light switch on, illuminating the room and chasing away the sexy image of Luke that tormented her seconds before.
     
    Luke didn’t let on if he had noticed or was offended by the sudden change in lighting.  He leaned forward and opened the pizza box she had placed on the coffee table in front of him.
     
    “Hope you like pepperoni.” He began placing slices on the plates while he talked.  “I got a comedy for us to watch.  I thought you might need a pick-me-up movie after the past few weeks.” He looked up from the pizza, smiling gently at her then patted the spot next to him on the couch.
     
    “Luke you don’t have to do this.  I mean, I appreciate you doing this for my dad’s sake but I’m sure I will be fine on my own.  There’s plenty of night left for you to enjoy and Dad will never know.  I’m sure he’s on the lake by now anyway.” She rambled on, still standing near the end of the couch.
     
    “Not a chance in hell you’re getting rid of me tonight, so you should give up now, alright?  I promised your dad I would look out for you and I’m a man of my word.  Plus he warned me you would try to blow me off tonight.  The man knows you like the back of his hand.” he laughed as he leaned back into the couch, lacing his fingers behind his head.
     
    His defined biceps drew her eyes to his arms, then down to his broad shoulders.  A slight tingling started low in her body, making her shift uncomfortably as if she was afraid Luke would pick up on the direction her thoughts were taking.  She chuckled nervously at the thought of Luke reading her mind, I’m the only one who can read minds here and my mind is sending out enough naughty thoughts for the two of us.
     
    With a huff, she sat down on the opposite end of the couch, folding her arms across her chest and putting her sock clad feet up on the table.  After a few minutes, she relaxed a bit, thinking maybe she was overreacting to the whole babysitting thing.  She should be grateful she wasn’t spending her night bored and alone.  Reaching forward, she picked up her pizza as she settled back into the cushion, crossing her feet at the ankles.
     
    “So what’s the latest on the guy who gave me this battle scar?” she asked gesturing to her arm as she took a bite of her pizza.  She was