Chapter 14 #4
Eliza smiled and glanced over at Luke, who was still engaged in what appeared to be a serious conversation.
His brow was slightly furrowed, and he looked tense, so whatever they were discussing, it wasn’t light-hearted safari supper chatter.
Eliza thought the best thing she could do was to go home.
She suddenly didn’t have the energy for an interrogation, and she didn’t want to say anything she was going to regret.
The night had been so much fun, the new job with Jean Pierre and Vivi had already sent her mind into overdrive, and she felt their conversation could wait.
‘Actually, Dan, that would be wonderful, thank you. I’m exhausted and totally danced out!’
Dan offered Eliza his arm with a gallant flourish. ‘Excellent. Nothing I enjoy more than escorting a beautiful woman home under the stars.’
As they made their way toward the exit, Eliza caught Luke’s eye across the room.
He frowned, clearly noticing her departure, but made no move to intercept them.
If anything, his conversation with his father seemed to intensify.
Then he simply nodded at her, a gesture that could have meant anything from goodnight to we’ll talk later to where the fuck are you going?
The cool night air was refreshing after all the dancing and Eliza found herself so grateful for Dan and his easy companionship.
‘Well, that was quite an evening,’ Dan observed, matching his pace to hers. ‘Bill certainly knows how to throw a party. Every year we end up there, and it’s always a total blast! Though I have to say, you and Luke made quite the picture on that dance floor.’
Eliza felt her cheeks warm despite the cool air. ‘He’s full of surprises.’ She stopped suddenly. ‘Dan, can I ask you something?’
‘Fire away.’
‘Do you think Luke is . . .’ She paused, searching for the right words. ‘Do you think he’s trustworthy? I mean, really trustworthy?’
‘That’s quite a loaded question,’ he said after considering for a minute.
Eliza sighed. ‘I know, but I value your opinion. It’s just, there’s something about him I can’t quite figure out.
One minute he’s the straightforward farmer, the next he’s fluent in Greek and dancing like he belongs in a ballroom.
And then there’s all this tension with Bella and Phil that nobody seems willing to explain. ’
‘Luke Stanley is many things, Eliza. Complicated, yes. Private, absolutely. But dishonest? No. I’ve known that boy since he was running around in short trousers, and I’ve never known him to lie.’
‘That’s somewhat reassuring,’ Eliza said, as they approached Willow Tree Cottage. ‘Though I suppose there’s a difference between not lying and not telling the whole truth.’
Dan chuckled. ‘Ah, now you’re getting philosophical on me. But you’re not wrong. Luke’s had his share of complications. Things that have made him wary of opening up too quickly.’
They paused at her garden gate, the cottage looking particularly charming in the moonlight with its climbing roses and weathered brick facade.
‘What kind of complications?’ Eliza asked, though she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.
‘Not my story to tell, I’m afraid,’ Dan said gently. ‘But I will say this – whatever’s made him cautious, it wasn’t his fault. Sometimes good people get caught up in other people’s mess.’
Eliza fumbled for her keys, her mind whirring with Dan’s cryptic response. ‘That sounds ominously vague. And really unhelpful!’
‘Look, Eliza, I know you came here to heal from your own heartbreak, and you weren’t expecting to dive into more complications. But sometimes the most unexpected connections are worth exploring, even if they’re not simple.’
‘When did you get so wise?’ Eliza asked with a small smile.
‘Around the same time I got these distinguished grey temples,’ Dan replied, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. ‘Comes with the territory.’
He straightened up, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder as they reached the end of her drive. ‘Get some rest. And maybe give Luke the benefit of the doubt. He might surprise you.’
‘He already has,’ Eliza murmured, as she opened the door.
After bidding Dan goodnight, she climbed up the stairs, totally exhausted, too tired to think. It had been an amazing and wonderful night, but now she just wanted to sleep.
A thunderous knock jolted Eliza from the edge of sleep. She fumbled for her phone to look at the time – it was just past midnight. Had she really only been lying there for five minutes? Either way, she had no energy left to entertain anyone.
‘Not interested!’ she called out, totally exhausted and burying her face in her pillow.
‘Okay! If you’re absolutely sure.’ The voice carried. ‘If you’re completely, utterly certain. I just thought I’d check . . .’
She recognised his voice immediately. Luke. She should have known. In Farmington, midnight visitors were hardly commonplace, and who else did she think was going to be at her door? It was unlikely the old boys were going to be making late-night booty calls.
‘One minute!’ she shouted down, suddenly feeling a surge of reckless energy course through her veins.
If Luke had come calling at this hour, she assumed it was only for one thing, so she might as well make it worthwhile.
Without a second thought, she quickly tore off her PJs, and pranced downstairs wearing only the red lace underwear she kept for special occasions.
It was high time the sexy drawer saw some action.
‘Who’s there?’ she called seductively through the door, enjoying playing out her Hollywood fantasies. ‘Is it safe to let you in?’
‘Well, that depends entirely on your late-night visitor policy,’ came Luke’s amused reply.
As she slowly opened the door, she saw him just standing there, framed in the moonlight. His hair tousled, shirt half-unbuttoned, eyes gleaming with unmistakable intent.
‘Are you planning to loiter on my doorstep all night, young man, or are you coming in?’ she asked with one eyebrow raised.
He stepped inside, moving towards her, and let the door slowly shut behind him.
His mouth grazed her lips as he stood in front of her, his hand reaching round to stroke her bottom.
‘We have some unfinished business, I believe,’ he said, as his gaze travelled appreciatively over her scantily clad body. ‘It would seem you agree.’
He grabbed her by the hand and led her through to the kitchen, leaning her against the door.
The now familiar heat rushed through her body as his mouth found hers, urgent and demanding.
His hands roamed her naked stomach, then traced the lace edges of her bra with a deliberate slowness that made her gasp against his lips.
‘You’re playing a dangerous game, Eliza Fox,’ he murmured, his voice rough with desire, as he pulled back to look at her. His eyes were dark in the dim kitchen light, pupils dilated with desire.