Chapter Twelve
Aurelia
“Wonderful day, wasn’t it?”
I smile at my father as he takes the seat next to me.
It’s the evening of Marcus and Wren’s wedding, and we’re on the lawn behind my parents’ house in Takapuna, overlooking the ocean.
It’s been a gorgeous summer day, warm and dry, and I’ve made sure to keep in the shade, because I’d fry to a crisp in this hot sun.
It’s cooling down now, though, and they’ve brought out citronella candles in stands around the marquee to keep the insects away. The lawn and the trees are the color of marmalade in the setting sun.
“It was amazing,” I reply, sipping my champagne. “Wren looked so beautiful. And Marcus is so happy. He really loves her, I think.”
Dad nods, looking at where Marcus is sitting with a few friends, his gaze fixed on his new wife. “It’ll be interesting to see how it goes with them. I hope he doesn’t get hurt.”
I look at Wren, dancing in the middle of the lawn like a whirling dervish.
I think she’s told herself her marriage pact with Marcus is purely a business transaction, but he has other ideas.
“Hopefully he can convince her he’s in it for the long term.
Either way, he should produce you an heir within a few months.
” I can’t stop my tone taking on a touch of sarcasm as I recall what he demanded of us.
“I know I seemed harsh at the time,” Dad says gently. “It wasn’t really directed at you. I know you’re only twenty-six. I was talking more to Caesar, to be honest, but I didn’t want to single him out.”
“I think I can speak for the others when I say it’s not that we don’t want to settle down,” I insist. “I want to meet someone and have children eventually.”
“I know. And I’m sorry for putting that pressure on you.”
I scratch at a mark on the glass. “I understand why you had to do it.”
“I’m kind of surprised you didn’t bring a plus one. Mum said you haven’t been out with anyone since you broke up with Dominic?”
“I went on a date with Ivan Harrison,” I protest.
“But he’s not here?”
I pick at my fingernails. “No. It didn’t work out.”
He’s quiet for a moment. Then he says, “I’m sorry about Dominic. I thought I was going to hear wedding bells there.”
I swallow hard. I can’t explain how it makes it harder that Dad liked him. If only he knew what Dom was really like…
He sighs, puts his arm around me, and squeezes my shoulders. “Why aren’t you up dancing? There are plenty of young men here who’d love to get their hands on you.”
“Dad!”
“I’m just saying.”
“It’s difficult when I have the KGB on my tail.”
Dad glances over at where Luke is strolling around the perimeter of the lawn, and chuckles. “He’s here to stop unwanted visitors, not to police your dance partners.”
“Maybe you could tell him that.” I’m half-serious. He wouldn’t stop me from dancing with anyone—probably. But all day I’ve felt his gaze on me, watching me. “He’s taking his job way too seriously.”
“Good.”
I sigh and frown at my father. “Don’t you think this is all a tad overkill? Your house has a wall around it and security on the gate, and cameras covering every inch of the grounds. I really don’t need a sharpshooter trained on me every second of the day.”
Dad leans forward and kisses my forehead. “I just want to keep you safe.”
“I get that. Luke explained that if someone kidnapped me, they might demand an extortionate ransom. And I know you’d pay it.”
“Probably.” He laughs as I nudge him. “Of course I would. You’re the most precious thing in the world to me.” His expression turns firm. “And that’s why I’m very happy that he’s stuck to you like Super Glue.”
“Yeah, but couldn’t you have picked someone a little less…”
“Less what?”
“Tall?” I say lamely.
“Tall?” He glances at Luke. Then he looks back at me. Slowly, his lips curve up. “Have you got a crush on him?”
“No! God no. He’s a major pain in the ass.”
“He’s rock solid, is what he is. He’s been on duty all day and he hasn’t touched a drop of drink. I like him.”
“You’re welcome to ask him to dance, Dad.”
He chuckles and gets to his feet. “Don’t sit here all evening, love. You’re too young to be on your own for long.” He smiles and walks away.
I grumble under my breath and nod as a waiter comes up to offer me more champagne. “Thank you.” I have a mouthful, too miserable to limit myself.
I shouldn’t be miserable. Dad’s right. I’m too young to be depressed because one relationship broke up and my date didn’t work out. I should be playing the field! Going out with dozens of guys!
Somewhat gloomily, I swirl the champagne around in my glass.
I’ve felt oddly flat since my conversation with Luke on Monday.
It’s nothing to do with him; he’s been his normal, reserved, polite self, although I’ve detected a touch of softness behind his usual steely gaze.
But I think it’s his horror at my confession that really got to me.
His shock at Dominic’s behavior was supportive, but oddly it also made me feel embarrassed and stupid to have put up with it for so long.
I don’t like that Luke thinks I’m a pushover. I don’t like being a pushover.
It’s kind of put me off dating a bit. I’m only twenty-six, I reassure myself.
I don’t need to provide an heir—I can leave that to Marcus and Caesar, if they pull their fingers out.
I don’t need a man at all. I have a vibrator for the physical side of things, and friends to make me laugh, and a therapist if I need to confess anything. I don’t need a man to make me complete.
“Evening, ma’am.”
My head snaps up and my heart leaps at the sight of Luke in front of me. As usual, he’s standing with his hands behind his back like a soldier, but he’s also wearing a tux. It’s a delicious combination.
What was I thinking about not needing a man?
“Finished patrolling?” I ask. “My little drummer boy?”
He gives me a wry look. Glances over his shoulder at the area of the lawn they’ve reserved for dancing. Then looks back at me. “Would you like to dance?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “What?” I blink at him. “Seriously?”
“It’s okay, I’ve been given permission.” He’s teasing me.
“By whom?” Even as I say it, I know what’s happened. “Jesus, did my father talk to you?”
He just holds his hand out, though. “Come on, take a spin around the floor with me.”
“I’m not dancing with you just because my father told you to ask me.”
“He didn’t tell me to ask you. I asked him if he’d mind if I asked you. Totally different thing.”
“You have to ask my father’s permission to dance with me? This isn’t the nineteenth century.”
“I was being polite because I’m on duty and technically he’s my boss. I wasn’t asking him because… Jesus, will you just dance with me?”
Glaring at him, I slide my hand into his and let him pull me up. Holding it, his fingers warm around mine, he leads me to the dance area, turns, and slides his right hand onto my waist. I rest my left on his shoulder, and we start to move the music.
It’s an old Elton John song, Blue Eyes. Luke’s lips curve up as he sings, “Green eyes… baby’s got… green eyes…”
“Ma’am,” I add.
“Ma’am,” he says, and we both laugh.
I’m wearing heels today, but he’s still a lot taller than me. I try to focus on his bow tie, but it’s impossible not to look at his throat, chin, and jaw.
“Growing a beard?” I comment. Usually, he’s clean shaven, but he’s had stubble the past few days.
“Yeah.” He tilts his head back. “What do you think?”
“I think your girlfriend is going to complain when you give her a bristle rash on her thighs.”
He meets my eyes, amused, but he doesn’t say anything. Gosh, I shouldn’t tease him. Now I’m stuck with the thought of him going down on me.
“Don’t scowl,” he says. “I thought you’d like to dance, that’s all.”
“Yeah, can’t let the maiden aunts sit on their own all evening.”
He laughs. “What a terrible description.”
“Fitting though.”
“Not at all.”
“I’m a lonely spinster. I’m going to die alone in my apartment, and they’re going to discover me covered in cat hairs.”
“I didn’t see any cats?”
“I don’t have any, but old women always seem to be covered in cat hair.”
He chuckles and pulls me a little closer. “You are not destined to be alone, Aurelia, believe me.”
I just sigh and rest my cheek on his shoulder. “I feel blue.”
He tightens his arms around me. “It’s the champagne talking.”
“I’ve drunk too much.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve been watching you.”
“Through binoculars?”
“What? No. Just… professionally.”
I close my eyes and inhale the scent of his cologne. “You smell nice.”
“God… please don’t sniff me.”
“Why?”
“It makes me…” He doesn’t finish.
I inhale again. “You smell like a pirate.”
“Of seaweed and tar?”
“No, like, rum, and sugar…”
“Aarrrrr…”
I giggle, and he gives a short laugh. His hand is warm in the middle of my back.
“I envy Marcus,” I mumble.
He sighs. “Me too.”
That makes me move back and look up at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, of course. He’s happy. Marrying the girl of his dreams.”
“Does it make you think of Penny?”
His gaze drops to my mouth. “No.”
I moisten my lips with the tip of my tongue, and watch him watch me do it.
“Do you miss her?” I ask.
He looks away then, across the lawn to the sea. The sun has nearly set, and the ocean is the color of blueberries.
“Sometimes,” he admits.
It makes my stomach flip to think of him being with someone, and envy and wistfulness twist inside me.
“She was a lucky woman,” I mumble.
His gaze comes back to me. “I don’t think she thought so,” he says dryly.
“Why? What happened?”
He sighs again. “I had a difficult time when I came out of the army. I wasn’t an easy person to live with.”
It’s the most he’s opened to me, and suddenly I wished I hadn’t drunk so much. I’d like to have a proper conversation with him about it, but I’m a bit hazy.
“Is that why you broke up?” I ask.
“Partly.” He doesn’t elaborate.
I blow out a frustrated breath. “Honestly, it’s like trying to get blood out of a… you know… trying to get information out of you.”
His lips curve up. “I’m not big on confessions.”
“You don’t trust me?”