“No time like the present.”
“Apparently not.”
“I noticed some of your favorites on the menu at the hotel.”
She bit her lip. “I know. Every time I’m in town, I gorge.” She laughed. “It’s too hard to resist.” He had remembered!
He offered her his arm. “Then shall we?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious! You want to go to the hotel—where Rhys is. You must be crazy.”
“Rhys shouldn’t have a problem with it,” he said confidently.
She snorted. “Now I see how little you know my brother.”
“I’m serious. Even if he doesn’t like it, he’ll have to be fine with it. He told me to stay away from you unless you chose otherwise.”
She lost her smile. “When did you talk to him?”
“Almost the minute I stepped into the hotel that first day.”
She groaned. “I knew it would be bad, but I didn’t expect him to threaten you.”
“He’s your brother. I expected it. If you were my sister, I would’ve beaten me.”
That brought a small smile to her face. “Still. He’s not going to like it.”
“Does it matter if he likes it or not?”
She chewed her lip as she thought it over. “No, but I’d rather not upset him. He’ll worry.”
Lucas wanted to take her to the hotel and buy her a meal she’d love, but if it was uncomfortable for her, they could do something else. “Is there anywhere else you would like to go? I saw a café. Is it any good?”
“It is. Sally’s an excellent cook, but…”
“But?”
She shuffled her feet. “As much as I worry over Rhys’ reaction, I do want to go to the hotel. Plus, if we are going to be friends,” she said the word strangely, like it was a foreign word she couldn’t quite grasp, “he’ll have to get used to seeing us together. Or at least, spending time together,” she corrected.
“True.” He offered her his arm again, and this time she slowly slipped her hand through it. The way it felt, the rightness of it, was almost too much. It was such a small gesture, but it sent waves of pleasure through him.
Whatever he had to do, whatever he had to face, it was worth it for this. He just hoped she felt the same.
Chapter 10
I’m insane. I’ve gone mad. Those thoughts continually ran through Abby’s mind as they neared the hotel.
It was possible to slip by Rhys, to go into the dining area and eat a meal without him ever knowing they were there. Possible, but not likely.
She softly groaned, hoping Lucas wouldn’t hear. She was her own person, and Rhys supported that, but he wouldn’t accept this easily. He wouldn’t condone her spending time with the man who’d broken her heart, who’d changed the direction of her entire life. And she didn’t blame him.
What am I doing?
Her hand instinctively clenched his forearm, and he flexed the muscle under her hand. The feeling sent tingles throughout her body, and she viscerally remembered their embraces and kisses from the past.
It’d been like that back then too. Like every time they touched, they’d ignite an explosion too massive to contain.
As they stepped up to the hotel’s entrance, he placed his hand over hers a moment before releasing her. She stepped inside, a guilty flush rising up her neck as she looked around, expecting Rhys to spot her at any moment.
She knew she should allow Lucas to escort her to the dining room, but she couldn’t stand the slow pace any longer. She was jittery. So instead of waiting for him, she quickly made her way to the dining room.
Lucas followed closely, and once the maître d’ spotted them together, he whisked them to a secluded table off to the side, with plants discreetly placed to block the other diners’ view.
Abby was seated quickly, and she looked up at the man. “Thank you, Hodgkins. This is exactly what we needed.”
The man smiled, pleased. “Of course, miss. Anything for you.”
Lucas nodded his thanks before taking his own seat. “Do you sit at this table often?”
She chuckled. “No. I’ve never needed to. I have a table saved across the dining room. No one sits there but me. Well, sometimes Willow.”
“The privileges of being the owner’s sister.”
She draped her napkin over her lap. “Something like that.”
“I would’ve thought your suitors brought you to the hotel for dinner.”
Color rose to her cheeks, and she didn’t quite meet his eyes. “They have.”
It was his own fault for asking, but jealousy quickly whipped through him. He knew she hadn’t kept herself hidden at home all these years. It was good she’d moved on, had gotten to know other men. He just wondered how she felt now—if there was anyone special. He had a feeling that if he asked, the meal would end immediately. And he wasn’t willing to risk that. “I see,” he said.
She didn’t elaborate, and he didn’t ask for more details.
“I know this might be awkward at first, but I refuse to feel guilty about what I’ve done,” she said.
He shook his head vehemently. “You have nothing to feel sorry about.”
“I know.” She let out another breath and then laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. “Are we fooling ourselves, thinking this can work?”
His fingers itched to reach out and take her hand. But instead, he curled them into a ball in his lap. “No. We’re not fooling ourselves. We were once friends. Good friends. We can get back there.”
She shook her head, uncertain. “I don’t know. That was so long ago. We were both different people.” She eyed him. “You don’t even look the same. Your hair is longer, more stylish. Your clothes are expensive, impeccable, and I know the cost of those cuff links.” She smiled ruefully. “The Lucas from long ago didn’t look like this.”
Irritation tickled him. But it wasn’t because of her, it was because of him. “The Lucas you knew was dirt poor. He was unworthy of you. He was bright,” he said, “but he had little else.”
“He had my love,” she said, defiantly. “Was that not enough?”
His nostrils flared. “I wasn’t good enough for you. Did you think I wanted to take advantage of your love? Take you away from everything you’d always known and force you into a life of poverty?”
Her face turned mutinous. “I could’ve done it. I would’ve been fine.”
“I don’t know. And I will never know. But have you ever gone hungry, Abby? Have you ever eaten flour infested with mealworms? Have you ever eaten scraps other workers threw away because you’re so hungry it’s either that or starve?”
“That would’ve never happened to us.” Her voice was firm.
He shrugged. “I hope not. I hope that even if we didn’t have the best place to live, or nice clothes, I’d still be able to provide food and a clean home. Those small things are luxuries to most people.”
She remained silent for a moment, before nodding thoughtfully. “I know what you’re saying, and I know you feel you did the right thing. I can’t fault you for that, and honestly it was so long ago it doesn’t really matter. I’ve never been hungry or dirty or any of the other things you imagine might have happened. I’ve seen those things. I know people who live like that. I do my best to help, but I truly believe we would’ve never ended up that way.” She held up her hands and let them fall slowly. “It’s in the past.”
She was right. It was in the past. He needed to let it go, but for some reason every time he was with her, it was all he could think of. What if. What if he’d made a different choice? “I’m sorry.”
She gave him a small smile. “I imagine interacting with each other like this is going to take some getting used to.”
“You’re right.”
Sensing a lull in their conversation, the waiter came over and took their orders. Lucas snorted after the man left. “I could’ve ordered your lunch from memory.”
“Some things haven’t changed.”
/>
He certainly hoped not. He took a sip of the water the waiter had brought them, the cold beverage was refreshing, bracing even. “So, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Hmm?”
He set down his glass and met her gaze. “Why did you run away? You told me some of it, but I want to know everything.”
She shifted in her chair and laughed uneasily. “It’s still a long story.”
He held up his hands and gestured around the dining room. “We have all afternoon.”
“True.” She sighed. “All right. I’ll tell you, but I’m not exactly proud of how it happened. To be honest, I’m a little embarrassed.”
That surprised him. “Why?”
“Well… I was a little naïve.”
It was a good thing he hadn’t taken a drink right then. It might have come up his nose. “You were?” He knew he shouldn’t have said it like that, but looking at her, all clean and elegant, looking fresh like a rose, she still looked innocent. And while he didn’t doubt she’d seen some of the world, that innocence remained.
She narrowed her eyes at him, and he had the distinct feeling that if they’d been served bread, she would have torn off a piece and thrown it at his head. Laughing, he held up his hands as a gesture of peace. “Forgive me.”
She scoffed. “You’re not sorry.” But she rolled her eyes playfully.
“So, why did you leave?”
After a moment’s pause, she said, “Rhys and my mother told me it was time to marry.”
Her statement was like a punch to the gut. “They were trying to force you into a marriage?”
She shrugged like it didn’t matter, but he knew it must have. “It wasn’t all that bad. I had my choice of who to marry. At least, if the person would have me.”
Now it was Lucas’ turn to scoff. “I can’t imagine any man rejecting you.”
She arched a brow at him. “Can’t you?”
When he’d left her, he thought he’d been making the right choice for both of them. He thought over what he could say, how he could explain, but instead he remained quiet.
As the silence became awkward, she winced. “I’m sorry.”
“If you need to lash out, you can. It’s all right.”
“No. It’s not all right.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I think, more than anything, I’m upset with myself. I’m fine. Truly. I have been for years. Did it hurt when you left me? Of course. I was devastated, and it took a long time to get over it. But I’m fine now. There’s no reason I should snap at you.”
“All the same, you’re allowed.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I forgot how persistent you could be.”
“I’m probably even worse now, to be honest.”
“Heaven help me.” She took a sip of water. “I can safely say, I never thought I’d be in this situation. Here, talking with you. It’s a little strange.”
“I agree.”
“Perhaps a little more than strange.”
He leaned back in his chair. They were finally getting to a point where they weren’t bashing up against each other. “Even more strange than the party you went to at the Oscar Mansion?”
Amusement twinkled in her eyes. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“How does one forget that? A zebra ran across the yard right as she started her solo performance.”
“I thought that old hen was going to convulse into connip—” Her hand shot out, gripping his as all amusement drained from her face.
He stilled. “What’s wrong?”
He started to look over his shoulder, but she squeezed his hand. “Don’t look.”
Instinctively, he loosened his body, readying himself for anything. “What is it?” His voice was calm.
Her head jerked sideways so she could look over his shoulder. She sucked in a breath. “It’s Rhys,” she hissed.
That’s what this was about? “All right. Is there a problem?”
She looked at him as if he lost his mind. “A problem? I’m having a meal with you! If he sees us, he’ll be furious.”
Lucas shook his head slowly. “I don’t think so. When I spoke with him before—”
“He’s coming this way!” She stood from her chair, yanking him up with her.
“What are we doing?” He tried to keep the amusement from his voice.
Again, she looked at him as if he were daft. “We have to hide.”
“From Rhys?” He looked around at the sparse fronds, wondering where she would have them hide. “Would you like me to pretend to be a tree?”
“No! Just hide!”
He gestured around. “I don’t know if you realized this, but there’s nowhere to go.”
Rhys moved in their direction, and Abby sprang into action. She dove behind the half wall with ferns above it, dragging him with. “There’s a closet over there. We have to get there before he sees us.”
“A closet?” He couldn’t hold the amusement from his voice any longer.
“Yes!”
Although he didn’t think Rhys would react that poorly to them dining together, he followed her. He was amused, and he wanted to see how far she would take this.
She opened the door and started pushing him in, all while keeping track of Rhys. She quickly jumped in after him, pressing herself against him, and closed the door quietly.
The closet was cramped, full of buckets and mops, with little empty space. He placed his hands against opposite walls, keeping his balance, but also keeping himself from reaching out and holding her.
Her breaths were short and shallow, and he felt every single one like a lash against him. He pushed his fingers against the walls, but it didn’t help his desire to touch her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, to pull her even tighter into him.
His breath stirred the wisps at her neck, and the scent of apples and vanilla filled his senses. His eyes rolled back into his head.
She kept shifting around, but all she succeeded in doing was brushing up against him. He groaned softly.
“Are you all right?” She asked him softly, throwing him a quick glance over her shoulder.
“Just fine.” His voice sounded gravelly.
Taking him at his word, she looked back at the door, like she expected Rhys to come through at any moment. “We’ll be out of here in a minute.” She shifted again.
Cursing softly, he grabbed her, clamping his hands on her hips, holding her still.
She froze.
Even knowing he shouldn’t, he leaned forward and inhaled deeply. Her scent was as potent as any drug. “If you don’t stop moving around, I’m going to embarrass myself.”
It was dim in the closet, but there was enough light coming in through the cracks to see a slight flush color her neck. In a trance, he brushed his lips over her feather-soft skin.
She sucked in a breath, but when he did it again, she moaned.
He knew he should stop, should pull away and let her go, but it was like a spell had been cast over him. He was powerless against the feelings coursing through him, and unless she told him to release her, he couldn’t.
He skimmed his lips up to her ear, nibbling slightly just the way she liked. A tremor moved through her, but she still didn’t tell him to stop. So he shifted to the other side, giving it equal attention.
“Lucas…” She said his name in a whispered moan.
Wanting to hear her say it again, he focused on where she liked it the most until he could hardly see straight. He whipped her around, pulling her flush against him. The contact sent electricity through their bodies, and her mouth formed an “o” as she closed her eyes.
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea,” she whispered.
He moved one of his hands up to her neck, cradling the back of her head and forcing her gaze to meet his. “It’s not. But I have to know.” He had to know how she felt, how she tasted, if it felt the same—or even better than before. But he wouldn’t force a kiss from her. He wouldn’t take that choice awa
y from her.
He saw a moment’s indecision before her passion took over and she leaned forward. “I want to know too.”
Her words lit a fuse in him, and he wrapped his arm tight around her waist, securing her, as his head swooped low, capturing her. The first taste of her soft lips, and the gasp she gave, was like coming home.
It was bliss.
White-hot light burst behind his eyes and his reason turned off. All he could do was feel. As if needing the same, she opened to him, taking as she gave, tasting as he devoured her.
They moved in sync, instinctively knowing and remembering how they fit together. And they still did. They fit perfectly after all the years they’d been apart, and the time fell away.
Her hands moved up his chest to his neck, finally settling in his hair, and shivers raced through him. His hair had been a lot shorter when they were together, but he’d never cut it short again after this. He wanted her to hold on as he brought them both pleasure.
Her chest rose and fell in quick succession, brushing tantalizingly against him, and all he could think about was how it would feel to have nothing between them.
The thought jarred him, and he pulled back from her, momentarily confusing the past and present. She was even more beautiful now than she’d been back then. Her girlhood had matured into womanhood, and the effect was stunning.
All he wanted to do was lean forward, take her lips again, and forget everything else. The past, the present, the future. Just enjoy the moment, enjoy her and that glazed, passion-filled look she’d had a moment ago before realizing where they were and, more importantly, what they were doing.
Her eyes cleared, and a notch formed between her brows. He ran his hands up and down her back, hoping to calm her, to reassure her.
If she could, he knew she would have stepped away from him, but in the closet, it wasn’t possible. When she attempted it regardless of the cramped space, he held on. “Easy. If you step wrong, the buckets will alert everyone to where we are.”
The thought of discovery held her still. “What are we doing, Lucas?”
He wished he had a good answer, wished he could tell her something that would make her feel better. But all that came to mind was being together. And he realized that’s exactly what he wanted. He wanted to be with her. More than just friends, more than just acquaintances.
Western Bride Page 7