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“Why, thank you for the nice invitation, Annabelle.”
Leaning in, he grabbed her hand and brought it across the table to his mouth, biting down on the fleshy part of her thumb. “Say the word and we can get our dinner to go.”
Her gaze was on his, her amazing blues glittering like amethyst.
“Word.”
Chapter Six
“Quit being shy. I’ve seen it all before,” Luke called, treading water in the center of the lake.
“I’m not shy. It’s just fricking cold,” Annie hollered back from the shore. It was the middle of October, and the last couple months with Luke had been incredible. And so hot that she hardly noticed the weather getting colder.
“Come on, tough girl. Afraid of a little chilly water?”
Damn the man. He knew she gave in to peer pressure. With the sun setting over the hills, Annie didn’t bother looking for bystanders. One of the perks of skinny-dipping on Luke’s property. There were no other people around.
She peeled her sweater off, then her jeans. Luke whistled and hooted, so she gave a teasing shimmy.
“Damn it, you’re sexy, baby!” He whistled again.
She just grinned like a fool, loving how he made her feel—like a woman. She loved how he looked at her—like she was the only woman. And she loved … him.
The truth hit her so hard it almost knocked her off her feet. For months he’d been sweet and supportive. In harvest season, his work hours matched hers, so they shared early morning coffee and always finished the day by four to have dinner and snuggle time.
For Christ’s sake, she’d turned into a woman who actually liked snuggle time.
“Hey,” he called. “Now you’re just being mean. Giving a man a glimpse of the goods only to stay away isn’t nice, you know.”
She snapped back to the present, realizing she was standing in her bra and panties, staring off into space on the edge of a lake.
Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra, then tugged down her panties. The breeze brushed her bare skin, pricking it like tiny daggers and hardening her nipples. Luke went quiet. She stepped in, the cool water lapping at her calves, then her knees. Another few steps and it encased her thighs, then finally her waist.
Right as the lake hit her rib cage, Luke popped up in front of her, drops of water sliding down his chest and stomach. He wrapped those strong damp arms of his around her.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you,” he said before kissing her. “You’re perfect.”
Something behind her eyes hurt. It was the same feeling gnawing at her chest. Before she could think at all, her mouth churned out words she wasn’t prepared for.
“I love you.”
He pulled back and looked at her. She didn’t know how to interpret the expression he made. Was he happy? Mad? Not feeling the same? Oh God, what had she done? She couldn’t bear to hear his response, so right when he opened his mouth to speak, she kissed him.
He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t. She couldn’t risk what he might say, or not say. So she just clung to him harder and wrapped her legs around his waist.
When he groaned and she felt his erection prod her, she knew she had safely snuck by any conversation. There in the water, she sheathed herself on Luke, and prayed he would forget what she had just said. Even though she’d never been more sure of anything in her life.
After their dip in the lake, Annabelle made it her priority to keep Luke distracted. Even after he brought her back to his place, Luke knew she was purposefully keeping his mouth busy—not that he was complaining. His mind was churning, and he had no idea what to say or even think to say. Which was why it was four in the morning and he still hadn’t slept. So he hopped on the computer.
&n
bsp; Luke stared at his screen, hardly believing what he was seeing. An e-mail from Global Distribution. They were reaching out, offering to partner with the Jacobs name and take their brand worldwide. Their corporate office was in New York, and they wanted Luke to work there. They’d be faxing over the contract and terms later in the week for consideration.
Holy shit. It was a huge opportunity. Something that could take his career and the family business to the next level. Security for himself and for his grandfather’s legacy. Something he’d had to work twice as hard for since his father wasn’t around to help.
Luke looked over his shoulder to see Annabelle sleeping in his bed. The soft blue light from his screen glowed just enough that he could make out the fire of her hair and the creamy skin of her shoulders.
Just the thought of leaving her again made his stomach ache. Annie was here. Her café that she worked her ass off to open was here. He’d never ask her to leave and give that up. But his grandfather counted on him to keep the business going.
