“We walked here earlier since it was such a lovely night?—”
“Please, for the love of it all, tell me you’re offering to bring us back to the B&B, preferably in a vehicle, so I don’t have to walk? I did not expect to be dancing so much.” Viv’s head drops back, shoulders drooping.
“That settles it then. We’re parked out back.” Josh hooks a thumb over his shoulder.
Josh insists I ride up front with Luke, wiggling his eyebrows like he’s in on some secret we share. I wish I knew the secret too.
The drive back is short. Viv and Josh talk quietly in the back seat about things we should try to do this week, but I’m too busy studying the man next to me to listen.
I never really paid much attention to a man’s hands, but Luke’s are big and strong-looking, as though he works with themoften. I imagine them, calloused and rough, exploring all my most sensitive places. Eyes closing, I drift off, lost in thought for the briefest of seconds before they open again.
I clock every detail. His forearms are muscular, with a few veins, vascular and thick, weaving along them.Sexy hands, sexy forearms—does the sexiness ever end?
With a soft sigh, I trace the line of his shoulders and along his neck. His beard, trimmed close to the skin enough to expose a chiseled jaw, accentuates his soft, pillowy lips. He has a nose with a slight bump at the top and, much like his one crooked tooth, I like that it’s not perfectly straight. Luke’s eyebrows furrow as if he’s deep in thought, and a lock of brownish-blond hair slips down over his forehead. My hand twitches, and my teeth graze my bottom lip. I’m tempted to brush it out of his face.
I imagine for a moment climbing onto his lap, the steering wheel pressing against my back, running my fingers through his hair. Rough hands gripping my waist, pulling me into him. Involuntarily, a soft moan escapes me, surprising me out of my fantasy.What am I doing?
Luke clears his throat, his eyes flicking in my direction before returning to the road.
Once upon a time, I was a composed, entirely-in-control, put-together-in-a-variety-of-circumstances kind of woman. My face and my emotions were mastered. Stick me in front of Luke Huffman though, and suddenly I’m a horny, sex-deprived woman who seems to have no control over having a full-blown fantasy about this man while he’s sittingright next to me!
The need to escape this moment right here and now is overwhelming. How much would it hurt if I threw myself out of the truck? I glance out the window at the sidewalk.Okay, nope. Not doing that.
We arrive at the house minutes later. Josh hops out of the truck, opening Viv’s door and then mine.
“Thanks, Boo.” Viv playfully strokes her hand down Josh’s arm and makes her way to the door.
“Anything for you, my love,” he replies, his tone just as light.
“Okay, so… goodnight. Thanks for the ride,” I call out to Luke, who’s staring out the front window.
He clears his throat and nods, sending a quick look my way.What happened? What’s changed?I clear my throat and turn from the truck.
Josh dips into a low bow and, draping his arm out in front of him, says, “I bid you adieu, beautiful lady.”
A laugh burst from me. “G’nite, Josh.”
I’m nearly at the door when I hear the truck door slam.
“Trip, hang on a second.” Luke rushes up and gently grabs my hand. His touch is whisper-soft and ignites a spark of desire within me. He doesn’t let go once he has my attention. Instead, he holds me there, fingers wrapped around my hand, while his other hand brushes through his hair, pushing it away from his face.
I glance down at our hands before looking back up. The look he’s giving me makes my stomach flip. Heat rises to my cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to walk you to the door. I just… needed a minute.” He releases my hand.
I miss the contact immediately.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow then? Around… here. I’ll see you around here.” Luke’s gesturing to the bed-and-breakfast. He seems rattled by something.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” My voice is excessively chipper. It pains me to hear how ridiculous I sound.
“Okay. I’ll see you then.” Neither of us makes a move to leave. The seconds tick by as we stand there. It’s really awkward if I’m being honest with myself. Still, the air is alive with something I can’t quite put my finger on. Naturally, this is when the balls of my feet—still jammed into wedges—pulse with an aching throb.
That’s my cue.
“Okay… goodnight, Luke.” I’m grateful to hear my voice has returned to its natural state. Thank goodness for small miracles. I lift my hand and wiggle my fingers, retreating toward the house.
“Goodnight,” he murmurs.
