Chapter Twelve #2
“It’s not that. I’m uncomfortable talking about myself.”
“Why?”
He shrugs.
“Do you come from a big family?” I ask.
“I have two brothers.”
“Are they in New Zealand?”
“One is. The other is in Australia, with my dad.”
“Your mum’s here?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re divorced?”
“Yeah.”
“How long ago did that happen?”
“I was fourteen.”
That means his home life must have been difficult when he was a teen. If his parents were caught up in their own unhappy relationship, they might not have paid him much attention when he needed it most.
“Are you the oldest son?”
“Yeah.” He looks amused at my questions.
“Are your brothers like you?”
“Yeah, kinda.”
“Do you all get together very much?”
He sighs. “No. They don’t talk.”
“Aw… that’s hard for you. Why not?”
“Pete had an affair with Ewan’s wife.”
“Holy fuck. Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah. It was pretty bad for a while. Easier now they’re in different countries.” He’s trying to lighten the mood, but I can see how it must have screwed with him.
“Will you tell me what happened in the army?” I ask softly.
Immediately, he stiffens, and the shutters come down. “I’d better get back to work.”
“Aw, Luke, I’m sorry…”
“It’s all right.” He releases me. “Thank you for the dance.”
“Thank you for asking.”
I watch him walk away, disappointment making me sigh. I shouldn’t have asked, but we were confessing, and I couldn’t help myself.
I grab another glass of champagne and head back to my seat. Another half an hour, and I reckon I’ll be able to slink away without anyone noticing.
*
Despite my forecast of being a lonely wallflower, Wren and some of the other girls encourage me to dance with them, and in the end it’s close to midnight before I decide I want to go home.
Luke’s waiting by the door when I head out, and I follow him over to his Skoda, because he picked me up in that earlier.
“I could have caught an Uber,” I protest, sliding in as he opens the door.
“We’ve been over that.” He closes the door once I’ve removed my long skirt from where it’s hanging over the edge.
I grumble and plug in my seat belt, then sit back with a sigh.
I’m wearing a long dark-pink dress today, the kind that both clashes with my hair and emphasizes its redness at the same time.
I watch him open the door and toss his jacket in the back, then slide into the seat and shut the door.
As he buckles himself in, his biceps stretch the cotton of his shirt tightly.
“Stop it,” he scolds, starting the engine.
“I’m just looking.”
“Well, don’t. You give me goose bumps.”
“Do I?”
“You know you do. And I know you do it on purpose.”
“I really don’t,” I mumble. “You’re handsome, and I was just admiring the view.”
He huffs, but his lips curve up, just a little. He liked the compliment.
“It’s kind of you to drive me home,” I say, resting my head on the headrest as he pulls away and heads for the main road.
“It’s my job,” he reminds me.
“Yeah… but it’s still nice of you. You make me feel safe.” I’m very sleepy now.
He glances at me. Then he returns his gaze to the road.
We don’t speak for a while. I close my eyes and let the movement of the car lull me into a light doze.
I open my eyes some time later and discover he’s pulling into the car park below my apartment.
I sit up, a little embarrassed. “Wow, I slept all the way?”
“Yeah. Auckland Zoo rang and said they’d heard there was an escaped elephant. I told them it was just you snoring.”
I push his arm. “I don’t snore.”
“And there was drool.”
“There was not! Stop teasing me.”
He just chuckles, parks the car, and turns off the engine. “Come on, sleepy,” he says.
We get out and go into the elevator. I look at my reflection in the mirror as the carriage rises, and groan. “Jesus. I look awful.”
“You really don’t. You’re just tired.”
“I’ve smudged my mascara.”
“Mmm.”
I look up at him. He doesn’t say anything, but his eyes have a little heat in them.
We study each other as the elevator continues to rise. Jesus, he’s so handsome, and so… stern. I know he likes me. I wish I could ask him back to my apartment, but I know he’ll say no, and then I’ll feel embarrassed and humiliated.
The elevator pings, and the doors slide open.
Without saying anything, I turn and walk out, and he follows, his footsteps soundless on the carpet.
When we get to my door, he touches his key card to the pad. “Wait here.”
“Yes, sir.”
He glances at me, but doesn’t reply and goes inside.
I’m used to the practice now, and I lean against the frame and wait as he pads through the apartment, turning on lights and making sure everything’s where it should be. What he’s expecting to find, I have no idea. Eventually, he reappears and crosses the living room toward me.
“All clear,” he says, and I know he’s talking to Rick or Kai back at the office. He walks over to me. “Thanks for waiting, ma’am.” He always uses ma’am when he wants to remind us both that this is strictly a professional relationship.
I turn so my back is to the door frame, leaving only a small gap for him to pass.
He moves close and goes to sidle past me, but I put out my arm. He stops and gives me an exasperated glance that softens as he looks into my eyes.
“Are you off duty now?” I murmur.
He nods.
I hesitate. I mustn’t say anything. He’ll only refuse. But his eyes are warm, and suddenly, I don’t want to be alone.
“Would… would you like to come in for a drink?”
His eyebrows rise a little, and he inhales deeply, then lets out a long sigh. I wait for him to move past, but he doesn’t. Instead, he leans a forearm on the door frame above me.
I look up at him, my heart racing. He’s weakening. I can feel it. His gaze rests on mine, then slides down to my mouth. He’s thinking about kissing me. Holy fuck.
We both stand there for what feels like hours, but must only be about thirty seconds. My skin prickles, though, as if static electricity is jumping between us.
I like this guy so much. I love how he makes me feel safe.
And how he’s so competent at what he does.
I love his stubble and his dark eyes and his grumpy attitude and the fact that he checked with my father first before asking me if I’d like to dance.
He’s kind of old fashioned and young and sexy and hot at the same time. It’s an irresistible combination.
He’s been looking at my mouth for an eternity, and I know he’s fighting with himself. I want to reach up and kiss him… but I mustn’t. He has to take this final step himself, or he’ll blame me for leading him astray.
Eventually, his gaze comes back to mine, and I know his principles have beaten his desires.
Dammit.
“Good night,” he says. His voice is low, husky.
“’Night.” Oddly, I respect him for his restraint, even though I’d have been overjoyed if he’d given in.
“See you tomorrow.” He lowers his arm, moves through the doorway, and heads off down the corridor.
I watch him go. Then I walk inside and let the door close behind me. Lonely and aching with need. Again.
Seems to be my destiny to go home alone nowadays.