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Addy had flip-flopped a dozen times on what to wear for her date with Lucas. Jeans and a t-shirt? A flirty dress? Or just meet him at the door in a bustier and garter belt?
Considering she didn’t have the third option, she went with the second.
Flirty dress she’d bought last year, pulled from the back of the closet with the tags still on. A pretty green striped cotton maxi dress with butterfly sleeves and a graceful neckline, the dress had been one she’d eyed for months before buying on a whim. The skin it showed and the brightness of the pattern made her feel too conspicuous. But today she wanted attention on her.
Lucas’s attention. Along with his hands and any other parts he wanted to use.
It was still too chilly for sandals so she tugged on the pair of gold ballet slippers and a pair of dangling gold loops borrowed from her hip aunt. Since she didn’t have the sexy bustier and garters, she skipped the underwear. Thankfully, her thirtysomething breasts were still somewhat perky. A dot of perfume at her neck, wrists, and behind the knees and she was ready.
And he was late.
She peeked out the office window to see a silver Toyota crossover parked in the drive.
Who was intruding on her Lucas time?
Her heart skipped a beat when she thought about Tara and the other women Chris had mentioned who’d clamored after the big Texas man stomping around in boots and delicious Wranglers. Had Tara come with another casserole… and her own offer?
Or was it some other lonely lady?
She moved to close the blinds when a flash of silver caught her eye.
A nun?
The diminutive woman stomped to the car and climbed inside. Seconds later Lucas appeared in the Finlay driveway carrying flowers and a bottle of wine.
Addy squealed and flew toward the kitchen. She didn’t want to seem too eager or get caught spying on him. Eyeing the Caesar salad she’d thrown together with crunchy Creole fried chicken breast, she pulled out two crystal goblets and slipped off her ballet flats, kicking them to the side. She was warm with nervous energy.
The doorbell rang.
Hmm… he hadn’t come to the back door.
Totally official on the date thing.
“Coming,” she called, putting the lid on the salad. “Or at least I hope I am soon.”
Padding to the front of the house, she stifled a nervous giggle and opened the door to find no one there.
“Lucas?” she called sticking her head out. A white truck pulled away from the curb, and Addy looked down to find a small box. Her name had been typed on the label, but there was no return.
“Hey,” Lucas said, his head showing over the spindly azaleas clustered around the front porch. He’d worn a gray cowboy hat that made his cheeks look even more chiseled. Sweet buttercups, he looked like what she needed—big, hard, hot cowboy. “I went around back.”
“Of course,” she said, picking up the box. “Come on in.”
He took the stairs two at a time, ducking his head to give her a firm kiss. Pulling back, he offered her the clutch of flowers. “I know they’re not as nice as the ones you create. Shit, now I feel lame giving them to you. They’re substandard. I should have thought out of the box, looked for something unique.”
“At the grocery store?” she asked, taking the spring bouquet and eyeing the wilting lilies. “These are sweet, Lucas. I haven’t had anyone give me flowers in, well, a very long time.”
She refused to count Robbie Guidry.
She shoved the small box she held in one hand onto the foyer table. Didn’t know who it was from, but today, she gave herself a pass. No worries. No thinking about parole hearings, invoices that needed paying, or the dry-cleaning she’d forgotten to pick up. Today was about wilted flowers, good wine, and a hot man in her bed.
Well, eventually.
Maybe.
Didn’t have to be about sex. Could be just a date. Innocent, sweet-
Lucas closed the door, twisted the lock and lifted her into his arms. Addy squeaked but wrapped her arms around his shoulders… and her legs around his waist. Well, as good as she could in the long, confining dress she wore. Thank God for stretchy cotton.
