AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Another lower chuckle rumbles from his chest, the sound soothing, like waves breaking against the shore. “I thought as much.”
“What do they need me for?” I jerk my chin toward the kitchen doors to indicate who I mean.
“Oh, nothing. You just looked like you really needed a reprieve,” he says, flashing me a smile as he pushes open the door and gestures for me to enter first.
The room is astonishingly quiet, and my heart flutters at Luke’s rather chivalrous statement. He could see me in distress, and he knew right where to take me to help me calm down.
The kitchen has always felt like home to me because I love to bake. It’s one of the few areas my father and I have spent hours of quality time together—decorating Christmas cookies before he hired his own chef to do that for him.
Warmth floods me at the sweet gesture, quickly followed by the realization that we’re alone in the kitchen. And Luke is standing dangerously close.
6
LUKE
I’ve watched Mia for years now, and I know what an intelligent and independent young woman she is, so seeing her get so flustered tonight triggered a protective instinct in me. The crowd Mike and I mingle with can be vultures. When they smell fresh meat, they can’t just leave it be.
And though poor Mia has grown up mingling with them, I’m sure most haven’t looked at her as an adult until today. I’ve always thought of himself as something of an uncle to Mia, but after Halloween, I know we’ve blurred a line that can’t be unblurred.
She might have given me plenty of signs to tell me that she doesn’t belong to me—nor has any intention to—but that doesn’t stop the Southern gentleman in me from needing to keep her safe, to see her happy.
“Thanks,” Mia breathes, her shoulders relaxing in her striking deep-blue velvet dress.
She looks positively regal in it, showing off just enough of her legs to make my mouth water while the cut is nothing short of elegant. The only hint of flirtation in its shape is the low-V back that draws a sharp point at the base of her spine, showing off her muscular back without revealing much more.
“Is everything alright, Mia?” I ask, keeping my voice low, though the concern still carries through it.
She’s been stressed since she arrived, and I can’t help but feel it might be more than the unexpected pressure of having to host her father’s parties. And the last thing in the world I want is to be the cause of her anxiety.
But I can’t help but notice the way Cilian and Zach have been watching her tonight. And I’m perfectly aware that I’m guilty of the offense myself.
“Alright? Why wouldn’t I be?” Her blue eyes are wide and innocent, but something’s off in her tone.
“You’re just not acting quite like yourself, and I wondered whether… Cilian and Zach have been coming on too strong?” I know I should include myself in that category, but I am trying my best to be a gentleman.
But she doesn’t say anything, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound comes out.
Pressing forward, I broach the topic I know I really need to speak with her about. “Of course, I could be completely off. But I only thought it right that we talk about what happened on Halloween. I don’t know if you’ve spoken to them, but I want you to know I would never want to pressure you or take advantage… All I’m saying is that I want to make sure you’re okay… with… everything.”
Wow, I’m not usually so bad with my words. But my concern leaves me fumbling, stumbling through my thoughts like an untried teenager.
And to my horror, Mia starts to cry.
In an instant, I’m completely out of my element. I don’t normally do emotions. I’m a cut-throat business tycoon, skilled at negotiations and getting down to the bottom line. But watching her fall apart right in front of me—and knowing I’m likely the cause of it to some degree—rips me apart.
“Hey, hey,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms and tucking her head beneath my chin. Her cheek is soft and warm against my chest as she shakes in my embrace. “Talk to me, Mia. Please,” I beg, out of my depth but desperate to help.
“I r-really did enjoy what we did on Halloween,” she insists, tilting her head to peer up at me.
But she doesn’t try to step back, so I hold her close, enjoying the feel of her body pressed to mine a little too much. Still, I want to comfort her in whatever way she’ll let me. Mia sniffles, wiping the tears roughly from her cheeks and pulling herself together before her makeup starts to run.
“I had such a good time and never imagined I could be so attracted to all three of you…”
The words carry a subtle sting, knowing she’s as attracted to Zach and Cilian as I hoped she would be to me. But shedoesfeel something for me, which was more than I dared hope for until right now.
“But, Luke… that night led to… unexpected consequences, and now I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
For a fraction of a second, my stomach sinks at the foreboding in her words. But what she says next stops my heart completely.
