by Gerri Hill
Oh, God. An artist and a vegetarian? Cassie swallowed with difŹficulty, washing down the bread with tea.
“You paint? Just a hobby?” Cassie choked out.
“Oh, God, yes,” Luke said. “They’re for my eyes only. Stress relief.”
“I’d love to see some of your work,” Cassie said.
Luke shook her head. “I’m what your art classes would have called naive art.”
Cassie raised an eyebrow. “There’s a fine line between naive art and impressionism.”
“Monet was the impressionist. And trust me, mine’s naive,” she said, but she smiled at Cassie. “I don’t mind really. My talent is architecture. That’s where the pressure is. My attempt at art is solely pleasurable.”
“You mean if I snooped around your house, I wouldn’t find anyŹthing you’ve done?” Cassie asked.
Luke grinned wickedly at her. “Not unless you’re nosing around my bedroom.”
Cassie felt herself blush even though she tried her best not to. She shoved a fork loaded with pasta into her mouth to avoid speakŹing.
Luke laughed. “I’ve embarrassed you. Sorry,” she said.
Cassie shook her head. “No. I just embarrass easily. Must be my upbringing,” she said lightly.
“And did I embarrass you when I asked you to dance last night?”
Cassie looked up quickly, catching amusement in Luke’s eyes. “No, you didn’t. Well… maybe a little,” she admitted.
“And your friends? Did they tease you?”
Cassie laughed. “Actually, I think Kim was quite startled by the whole thing.”
“Do they know you’re here today?” Luke asked.
Cassie shook her head. “I didn’t say anything, no. They did tell me to invite you to a party next Saturday. That is, if I saw you.”
“Really?”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested,” she continued, wishing she had not brought it up at all. “It’s a wine and cheese party and all.”
“Ahh. I remember those,” she said. She stared at Cassie for a second longer. “So, are you inviting me or what?”
Cassie hesitated, her eyes being held captive by Luke’s. “Would you want to go?”
“Would it make you uncomfortable if I was there?”
Cassie shook her head. “No, of course not,” she lied.
Luke flashed her a smile, making Cassie hate herself for wishŹing she had not mentioned the palrty. “Then I accept. It’ll be nice to meet some people here. And I’ll sneak in a bottle of apple cider.”
“It’s at … her name is Deborah … a friend of Lisa’s. It’s in town, I’m not really sure of the address,” she stammered.
“Well, I’ll get it from you sometime this week. Or I could pick you up, and we could ride together.” Luke motioned to Cassie’s plate with her fork. “How’s the pasta?”
“Delicious,” Cassie said around a mouthful. Ride together?
Cassie found that they had lingered over lunch when she glanced at her watch and saw that it was past three. The entire loaf of bread was gone as well as most of the salad. The conversation had alternated between Luke’s work and Cassie’s carvings. Luke seemed genuinely interested in Cassie’s art and asked intelligent questions. Cassie found she enjoyed telling Luke about her creŹations. Luke had her elbows propped on the table, resting her chin in one hand, watching her as she talked.
Cassie was suddenly all too aware of the eyes upon her. She fidŹgeted with her napkin nervously.
“I didn’t realize the time,” Cassie finally said. “Let me help you clean up before I go.”
“I enjoy your company,” Luke said unexpectedly. “I wasn’t sure that I would.”
Cassie looked up, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“You seemed so reserved when I first met you. Quiet. Nervous, almost.” She stood and began gathering their plates.
“I’m sorry,” Cassie said. “I’m not real good with strangers, I guess.”
“You’re not afraid of me anymore, are you?”
Cassie avoided her eyes as she picked up the salad bowl. “No. I’m not afraid of you,” she said. “Should I be?”
“Of course not. I’m harmless,” Luke said. “Besides, I really hope we can be friends. Like I said, I don’t really know anyone out here. Jack and Craig are the only ones I’d really call friends. Others that I know in the area are just acquaintances.”
“Well, they’re really all friends of Kim and Lisa. I just always seem to get invited.”
“Women?”
“What do you mean?”
“The party. It’ll be women? Lesbians?”
“Oh. Well, yes, mostly.”
“But they’re really only friends of Kim and Lisa?” Luke asked with only a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Cassie cleared her throat nervously before answering. “They’re my friends, too, I guess,” she allowed. Then she smiled. “They don’t really know what to make of me, I suppose.”
“Because you’re straight and all?”
“Something like that,” Cassie murmured.
She helped with the dishes despite Luke’s protests and left quickly thereafter with a promise to call about the party. Luke had written her phone number on the back of one of her business cards, and Cassie shoved it in the pocket of her jeans.
As she drove home, she had the strangest feeling that her life was no longer hers to control. She was acutely aware of Luke’s card in her pocket, and if she had any sense whatsoever, she would tear it to pieces and not see her again.
Chapter Thirteen
Cassie filled her wineglass for the third time, consciously aware that her eyes were searching for Luke but powerless to stop them. She rode to the party with Luke, despite her protests to herself and to Luke. Kim would jump to conclusions, she knew. Kim was already curious as to when Cassie had seen Luke to invite her. Cassie had been evasive, simply saying she had run into her and mentioned the party, but Kim’s eyebrows shot to the ceiling when they walked in together. Luke apparently noticed Cassie’s discomŹfort and politely kept her distance. Cassie spotted her several times talking with different people, seemingly carrying on conversations as if they were old friends.
Now, Cassie found Luke talking to Trish, the only person to always arrive alone at parties. She never left alone, however. Cassie couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. Trish was cute enough, she supposed, with thick blond hair flowing well past her shoulders. But she wore too much makeup for Cassie’s liking. Not that she
had a preference when it came to women, she added firmly. Now Luke was laughing at something Trish had said and Cassie felt a jolt of jealousy as she watched Trish lightly grasp Luke’s arm and gaze adoringly at her.
Cassie looked away, embarrassed for having been staring and totally dismayed for what she was feeling. Jealous? She gulped down her glass of wine without tasting it and reached again for the bottle. Why should I be jealous? She was drinking too much, she knew, but it beat being completely sober and totally aware of what she was feeling.
“I see Luke’s met Trish. Shall we take bets on Trish’s next conŹquest?” Kim walked up beside Cassie and took the bottle from her hands, her eyebrows raised.
“I haven’t been the only one drinking out of it,” Cassie lied.
Kim drained the last of it and set it aside. “It was nice of you to invite Luke, Cass. But I’m kinda surprised that you rode together.”
“Yeah, well, I’m kinda surprised myself,” Cassie said dryly.
“You may have to find your own way home though,” Kim said, motioning with her head to where Luke and Trish stood talking. “Or maybe Luke will just let you take her car. I don’t think anyone’s ever turned Trish down before.”
Cassie shrugged, as if uninterested. Trish’s list of conquests was as long as her arm and if she wanted to add Luke Winston to it, it certainly was none of Cassie’s business. But then, when Luke looked up and caught her eye, Cassie was unprepared for the warmth in Luke’s smile
. Her body went warm instantly, and she took in a deep breath, trying to still her racing pulse. Damn the woman.
“Then again, this may be a first,” Kim murmured as she witŹnessed the look that passed between Luke and Cassie.
Cassie opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She didn’t want to get into it with Kim. Not here, anyway. Instead, she swirled the wine around in her glass before taking a sip.
“I think I’ll find another bottle,” she said to Kim. “Excuse me.”
She felt Kim’s eyes on her as she walked away, but she was much more aware of the dark eyes that followed her across the room.
She found solitude in the kitchen and rested her hands on the counter for a moment. She shouldn’t have come. She had no busiŹness being here, really. Just because she was Kim’s friend, she was automatically invited, and she had long ago stopped feeling self-conscious about being the honorary lesbian at these gatherings. But still, she shouldn’t have come. And least of all with Luke Winston.
She pushed away from the counter, and reached for the corkscrew and a bottle of merlot at the same time. This was a wine party, after all. Why not try a new bottle?
“Need some help?”
Cassie very nearly dropped the bottle, but she refused to turn around.
“No. Thanks,” she said, again trying to manage the corkscrew. Warm hands closed over hers and gently took the bottle and corkscrew from her.
“Are you all right?” Luke asked as she expertly pulled the cork from the bottle.
“Of course. I’m fine,” Cassie said, ignoring the way her body trembled from Luke’s touch.
Luke slid the bottle along the counter to Cassie, then stood with her arms folded until Cassie dared to look up and meet her eyes. She saw concern and … puzzlement in Luke’s eyes. Cassie forced a smile.
“I’m fine, really. I just felt like …”
“Drinking tonight?” Luke finished for her.
“Yes, actually.” Cassie turned away and filled her glass. “You don’t mind, do you?”
She knew Luke was watching her, but she wouldn’t turn around.
“I don’t mind. You’re not driving, and I won’t be the one with the headache tomorrow.”
Cassie turned around quickly, her eyes flashing. “Look, it’s none of your business.” Cassie motioned to the door. “Why don’t you just go back out and … and finish whatever you’ve started with Trish. Don’t leave her alone for too long or she’ll move on to her next victim.”
Luke’s eyebrows shot up and she cocked her head to the side, watching Cassie for a second before taking a step toward her. Cassie stepped back until she was pressed against the counter, her heart beating painfully in her chest at Luke’s nearness. Luke stopped, but not until their thighs were nearly brushing.
Luke spoke very quietly, her eyes never leaving Cassie’s. “There’s not really anything to finish with Trish. She’s not at all my type.” Cassie’s breath stopped entirely as Luke lowered her eyes to Cassie’s lips. “Besides, somebody has to take you home.”
Cassie’s lips felt burned from Luke’s stare, and her tongue came out to wet them as she waited for Luke’s eyes to capture hers again.
“Don’t feel obligated to me,” Cassie said. “I can manage.”
“I’m sure you can,” Luke said and finally stepped away, giving Cassie room to breathe again. “Well, I’ll go out and mingle and leave you to your drinking.”
She turned to go, but Cassie called her back.
“Luke? Are you having … a good time?”
“Yeah. I’m having a great time,” she said. “Thanks for inviting me.
When she left, Cassie pressed her fingers to her lips, feeling as if Luke had touched them with more than just her eyes. Oh, you are such a fool!
Why had she brought up Trish? It wasn’t any of her business who Luke chose to talk to and … flirt with. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to think she was actually jealous of Trish. Cassie forced a laugh. As if she would be jealous!
She was thankful, actually. Maybe Luke and Trish would hit it off, maybe they would start dating. Then maybe Cassie could be satisfied with just a friendship with Luke. Maybe that would be enough.
She cursed herself when her hand trembled as she filled the wineglass again. She couldn’t very well hide in the kitchen the rest of the night. She took the bottle with her and went back into the living room. She avoided Kim and Lisa, instead squeezing in next to Shelly on the sofa. She tapped her foot to the music and drank her wine, listening to the conversations around her but contributŹing little. She wondered where Luke was. For that matter, she wondered where Trish was, too. Perhaps they had gone someŹwhere quiet, where they could talk… or whatever.
When her bottle was empty, she accepted a glass of chardonnay from Shelly with only a nod, her head already beginning to pound. She was well past her limit and knew she must stop. She had no idea what time it was, but she was ready to gd home and get into bed.
Luke materialized just as her eyes were sliding closed. She squatted down in front of her, took her nearly full glass, and Cassie let out a weary sigh.
“Had enough?” Luke asked quietly, with only a hint of teasing.
Cassie nodded. “More than enough,” she whispered painfully. “And I’ve got to pee.”
Luke grinned and stood, holding out her hand, offering it to Cassie. Cassie stared at it, wondering again how it could look so strong and soft at the same time. She finally took the offered hand and let Luke pull her to her feet. She was dizzy from her touch and the wine and would have fallen if Luke had not grabbed her with both hands. They rested lightly at Cassie’s waist and Cassie gripped Luke’s strong forearms hard.
“I’m not used to drinking this much,” she murmured.
“It’s okay,” Luke assured her. “I’ve got you.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Cassie whispered.
Luke laughed softly, the laugh that Cassie was growing to love, and then lifted up one corner of her mouth. “Now, don’t tell me you’re afraid of me.” She pulled Cassie closer, the hands at her waist tightening. Her breath whispered in Cassie’s ear and Cassie felt faint all over again. “I told you, I’m harmless.”
Cassie realized she was breathing hard … but at least she was breathing. She stepped back from Luke and managed a smile. “You’re making me crazy, you know that?”
“I’m sorry. You’re just so damn adorable,” Luke whispered.
“Adorable, huh? I don’t feel very adorable right now. I’ve had too much wine and I really, really have to pee.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here.”
Luke gave her a push down the hall.
Cassie was afraid to walk, afraid she would fall. She still felt dizzy, although she wasn’t sure if it was from the wine or Luke’s presence. She wanted to think it was only the wine. “Maybe you could just… walk with me?”
Luke chuckled slightly and nodded, leading her slowly toward the hall and the bathroom.
But Kim intercepted her progress with a worried look on her face.
“Hey, Cass. Are you okay?” Kim looked first to Cassie then Luke, who had a light grip on her arm.
“I’m perfectly fine,” Cassie said sharply. “Just a little dizzy.”
Kim looked at Luke. “Wine?”
Luke nodded. “A lot, from what I can tell.”
“I’m fine,” Cassie said again. “I may have had one glass too many, but I’m just going to pee and then we’re going home.”
“Do you want us to take you home?” Kim asked.
“I’m fine, Kim,” Cassie insisted. Then she glanced at Luke. “Unless Luke would rather stay.”
“No. I’m ready to go myself. I’ll take you home.”
“Are you sure?” Kim asked Luke. “Because I can do it.”
“Kim, go find Lisa. It’s okay.”
“Are you sure you don’t need some help?” Kim asked as Cassie fumbled with the doorknob.
“Of course not. I c
an manage perfectly.” She escaped inside the bathroom, now totally embarrassed. She heard Luke and Kim talkŹing quietly outside, and strained to hear what they were saying. For some reason, Kim didn’t want her going with Luke. This sur-
prised her. She would have thought Kim would be pushing them together.
When she stepped out, Luke was alone, leaning against the far wall, waiting. Cassie closed the door and leaned against it, allowŹing herself to stare. There was no one watching. And God, Luke was attractive. Her hair was nicely layered against her face, thick and dark, and Cassie’s fingers itched to touch it. She clenched her hands at her side, afraid of what they might do. They stood there watching each other for what seemed like an eternity, then Luke pushed off the wall and moved just in front of Cassie, a lazy smile and warm eyes relaxing Cassie more than wine ever could.
“Better?”
“Yes, thanks.” With Luke so close, she lost all her inhibitions as a traitorous hand reached out to brush at Luke’s hair just over her ear. “I’m sorry. If you’d rather, I can get Kim to run me home.”
“I think I can manage. I’ve had lots of experience with drinking too much wine.”
“And who took care of you?”
Luke smiled but didn’t answer.
“Come on. Let’s get you home.”
They managed a quick exit through the kitchen door. Once outside, Luke’s arm came around her shoulders, and Cassie leaned her head against Luke, if only for a moment. She closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to snuggle against Luke’s soft breasts, and this realization made her feel all the dizzier. She finally stopped walking, breathing deeply instead, trying to clear her head but unable to stop her body from trembling
“You’re shivering. Are you cold?” Luke asked.
Cold? Could Luke not feel how hot her body was?
“I’m okay.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.” Cassie held both her hands against her flushed cheeks and shut her eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry about it.” Luke took her arm and guided her slowly to the Lexus. “Let’s get you to bed.”