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He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t talk right now.”
“You’re still working?”
“No,” he said, bracing himself.
“Oh,” his mom said. Then, “Ohhhhh! You’re on a date!” The last sentence came out as a loud screech, and Tessa smothered a laugh.
Luke fought the urge to turn on the radio so she couldn’t eavesdrop. Instead, he hurried his mom off the phone. “Have a good night, Mom. Bye.”
Tessa grinned at him. “You’re adorable.”
“Why? Because I talk to my mom?”
“No, just because you’re cute. Detective.”
He stared straight ahead, afraid he’d blush or grin or blurt out, “Aw, shucks,” if he looked at her.
“Where are we going?” she finally asked.
“You don’t know?” There was only one restaurant at the end of this road that wound up the mountains, but Tessa shook her head. “You’ve never been to Flagstaff House?”
Her squea
l startled him so much that he nearly hit the soft shoulder of the road. He came even closer when she leaned in to press kisses to his jaw. “Jeez. Maybe I should’ve saved this for a bigger apology.”
Flagstaff House was the grand dame of expensive dining in Boulder, maybe even in the whole Denver area. It was also a clear sign he was trying too hard, but when her lips parted against his neck, Luke was glad he’d chosen it.
“I can’t wait,” she whispered against him, and the searing heat of her mouth turned ice cold under her breath. Luke bit back a shiver. A pleasant heaviness in his cock threatened to become something more substantial.
Jesus, he was glad he’d called her.
They rounded a hairpin turn and there it was, a glass-and-wood triangle plunked down on the rugged mountainside. The sun had sunk behind the mountains and deep twilight had settled over the parking lot. After Luke parked and opened her door, Tessa pulled him up the stairs to the deck that overlooked the city.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I asked, but there’s no outdoor dining yet.”
“No,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
The whole town was spread out below them, and Denver rose in faint peaks of buildings beyond that. As they watched, streetlights and houses blinked to life like fireflies.
Her fingers slid between his.
He squeezed her hand. “Do you want dinner, or should we stay here and watch the stars come out?”
When she turned to him, Luke felt an ache wind through his heart. It touched every chamber like a cruel hand. His chest felt too small.
Tessa rose on tiptoes to kiss him, and he drew her close. They kissed for long seconds, and he couldn’t help but run his hands along her back. The black dress was made of some soft, slinky material, and he felt nothing but her body beneath the fabric.
Alone in the dark, standing above the sky, Luke touched her in slow motion. He smoothed each fingertip down her spine, shaped her hips, cradled her ass in both hands. He smoothed one hand up to her ribs, then gently cupped one breast. Her nipple pushed against his palm. Nothing but this paper-thin fabric separated him from her skin.
Tessa sighed into his mouth. “I missed you,” she said, the words barely a whisper.
The lurch of his heart scared the shit out of him. “You’re just using me for my body,” he joked in defense.
“I know.” She sighed. “It’s so great.”
His huff of laughter strangled on a groan when she snuck her hand down to press against his cock.
“You’d better button your coat, Detective.”
