by Rivi Jacks
“I’ll be back in a minute with more coffee.” As I turn to leave, my eyes search out Lucas. He’s sitting with several men at the head of two tables they’ve pushed together. Andy Pearson looks up and waves to me.
I take a deep breath, tucking a stray strand of hair that’s escaped my ponytail behind my ear. Lucas’ eyes hold mine as I step up to their table, cussing myself for wearing too-tight jeans and my one Murphy’s T-shirt that fits just a little too snug across my chest. I put off doing my laundry, and I had to dig to find these clothes. I didn’t worry too much about it at the time because I mostly stay in the kitchen.
“Hey, Sofie,” Andy says.
“Hi, Andy, can I get y’all something?”
“Sofie.” Lucas’ voice feels like velvet. “These are some of my men.” He gestures toward each man as he introduces him. The men nod politely, and a couple of them address me as “Miss.” They all look at me with speculation. I look back at Lucas.
“Could you bring us a pot of coffee, please?” he asks. I nod and turn to leave. “Sofie.” I close my eyes for a moment before turning back to him. “We drink our coffee very… strong.” His eyes move boldly over me.
I am so self-conscious. I desperately want to get out of there. I feel their eyes as I leave the room. I hear Lucas say, “Gentlemen” as I turn the corner. I head to the coffee maker to brew a fresh, strong pot. Hah! I’ll make it strong for him. I add enough coffee for three pots. That ought to make his hair curl. I smirk as I place cups on a tray. I take the regular pot of coffee to the dining area and top off everyone’s cup. I glance at Lucas’ table; he’s watching me. I hurry back to the kitchen.
“Emma Rae.” I hold up the tray of cups. “Do you want to take these out to Andy’s table?”
Her head pops up. “He’s here?”
“You passed right by him when you served Terry Joe his breakfast.”
“What!” Her dismay is obvious as she tries to dish up another breakfast.
I set the tray down and take her spatula. “I’ll do this. The fresh pot goes to their table.”
“Thanks, Sofie.”
No, thank you. I smile smugly, pleased with myself. She’s soon back, and I return to my kitchen to finish the lunch special. Murphy comes in right after, and he helps Emma Rae finish the breakfast rush, allowing me to stay hidden in the kitchen.
Lunch comes and goes, and I head home right after two. I pick up the house, clean the bathrooms, and do my laundry. Sawyer calls, wanting to know if I’m going to the meeting.
“Do I really need to?” I ask, with a bit of a whine.
“Yes. You should have been there last night.” I make a humph sound. “Sofie, you’re missing out on some important stuff.”
“Can’t you just fill me in?”
“Sofe…” His voice holds censure.
“Okay, okay.” I sigh in resignation.
“You want me to pick you up?”
“Please.”
“See ya at four thirty.”
I barely have time to shower and dry my hair. I dress in old, faded jeans and a long-sleeved, pink, V-neck T-shirt. I put on the necklace Taylor gave me and step into my boots, wishing I could wear my Converse. I’ll have to buy some new ones with my next paycheck. Dang it!
We drive up to the closed gates, and a guard in black acknowledges Sawyer before hitting a switch to open the gates. The driveway meanders up the hill through the trees. The pavement widens into a parking area in front of the Craftsman-style home. I’m pleased to see the yard is still full of oak trees, and I know in the summer months this parking area and house will sit in a cave of shade. Sawyer parks his Jeep, and as we get out, I see a large building on the small rise beyond the house.
When I look back, Lucas is standing on the front porch. He’s wearing another one of those thermal Henley-type shirts. This one’s white and outlines his muscular arms and chest, intensifying his dark handsomeness. He stands with his hands in his front pockets, and I have a sudden yearning to touch him. I want to slide my hands into his pockets.
What the hell’s wrong with me?
I realize I shouldn’t be here with a lurch in my stomach. I turn toward the Jeep, exhaling sharply.
“What’s wrong?” Sawyer asks. “You look panicked.” I take a couple of deep breaths. I’m an idiot, acting this way in front of him. “Sofe?”
“I’m okay,” I whisper. We continue toward the house.
“Is there a problem?” Lucas lifts a brow.
“No,” I respond quickly.
“Good.” His voice causes things to flutter in my stomach. “I hope you didn’t have trouble coming through the gate.” He gives me a pointed look. I ignore him. “Please, come in.” He holds an arm out for us to enter his home.
As I ascend the front steps, I’m aware of the warmth of his slow, sexy smile. I feel like the fly as she gets too close to the spider’s web.
He reaches ahead of me and opens his front door. As I step through into the entryway, he murmurs, “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” I reply softly.
Before Sawyer steps through the door, Lucas tells him the men are finishing their practice session if he wants to join them. “I want to show Sofie the house.” He closes the door before I have a chance to follow Sawyer. “May I take your jacket?”
I hesitate, not knowing what I should do. I do know I don’t want to be alone with him.
“Max and Taylor are here. They’re in the kitchen.” He allays my fear as if he’s read my mind. He ambles down the hallway leading away from the entryway.
The entryway is beautiful, just as I remember, with oak paneling and a polished wood floor. There’s a set of closed pocket doors, and I know a large room is beyond them. The stairway has the same polished banister Mr. Mitchell told me his children slid down as kids. I move slowly down the hallway looking at the pictures on the wall. They’re all candid shots. Lucas is in several of them, sometimes with beautiful women. The hallway opens into the living room where he’s waiting for me.
A large couch faces the fireplace with comfortable chairs scattered about. It’s a beautiful room done in different shades of green and white with bay windows on each side of the fireplace. “Through this doorway is part of the new addition I added.” He motions for me to precede him. “Down this hall is a guest bath, on your left.”
He leans in close. I notice his smile as he opens the door and leans even closer to flip on the light. I instinctively press against the doorframe, and he laughs softly before moving. It’s a beautiful, large bathroom, very upscale. I turn to exit the room, and he hangs back so I walk in front of him again. I certainly don’t like him at my back.
“Straight ahead. Open the door, the light’s already on,” he instructs.
My breath catches. It’s a bedroom. His bedroom—he doesn’t have to tell me. The room is something out of a magazine. The complete outer wall consists of glass. A large fireplace, with a couch and coffee table before it, takes up most of another wall. I ignore the bed. I’m already nervous enough. My peripheral vision notes a large four-poster in a beautiful golden oak. I’m conscious of him watching me. “Nice,” I respond, glancing at him.
His lips twitch with a smile. “There’s a bath through the door there. Would you care to see it?”
“No, thank you... If you’ve seen one bathroom, you’ve seen them all,” I answer, inescapably nervous.
He grins, not bothering to hide his amusement at my discomfort. I feel my cheeks grow warm, and I want to get out of there, badder than bad.
“Let’s go check out the kitchen—Max and Taylor will be wondering where we’ve gotten to,” he says.
On our way, we pass through the original dining room, beautifully decorated with an old oak dining set that fits the style and age of the house to perfection. His kitchen is a dream. He had it gutted and enlarged, and there are new oak cabinets and countertops with top-of-the-line appliances. A large counter functions as an island. Taylor and Max are sitting at a round oak table in
its own area of the kitchen. They both stand as we enter the room.
“Sofie, it’s good to see you,” Taylor says.
My smile is warm as he moves toward me, and of course, I remember his kiss under the mistletoe. He chuckles, giving me a quick hug. When I glance at Lucas, he is watching us with an intensity I find unsettling. I know he’s noticed my heightened color. I give Max a smile.
“Miss Reece, you’re looking lovely as usual,” he remarks, giving me a slight bow. It’s so old school but charming.
“Please, call me Sofie,” I request. He tilts his head politely.
Taylor steers me toward a stool at the counter since he and Max have papers strewn all over the table. I take off my jacket and hang it on the back of the high-backed barstool before sitting.
“Sofie?” My gaze shifts to Lucas. “What can I get you to drink? A beer?”
“An ice water would be good, thank you.” I rub my arm in nervousness. I wonder where everyone else is. I’ve suspected all along that the meeting is a ploy to get me here. But why?
As he sets my glass down, I look up and his eyes meet mine. I can’t help it—my gaze drops to his neck. The top two buttons on his shirt are left undone and expose a nice-looking expanse of his neck. I swallow visibly, my eyes lifting to his again. I think I’ll see amusement in them, but his smoldering gaze has my lips parting with a small gasp. With effort, I pull my gaze from his. He’s put a lime slice in my glass of water, and I concentrate on squeezing the juice from it.
What’s wrong with me? This man scares the bejeezus out of me, and what—I’m lusting after him? I don’t even like him. My best bet is to stay clear of him as much as possible. “So, where is everyone else?” I ask.
Taylor glances at the clock above the refrigerator. “They should be here soon.” He smiles at me.
I look at Lucas leaning against the counter opposite us. His arms are crossed over his chest and he’s looking down. One corner of his mouth lifts in a sensual smile as he raises his eyes, his gaze locking on mine. I frown slightly. What if no one else comes? Are Taylor and Max in on the deception?
Lucas gives me a wide, wicked smile as if he’s taunting me. “Sofie thinks I’ve lured her here.”
I narrow my eyes. “I imagine anything’s possible where you’re concerned.” I’m immediately shocked that I say out loud what I’m thinking. All three men laugh.
“Well, she’s certainly got your number, Lucas,” Taylor chuckles. He pats my shoulder as he stands. “I’ll get the men in here.”
I slide off my stool. “I’ll go with you.”
Lucas moves in front of me with a suddenness that causes me to step back. “I need to take you the first time,” he announces, grinning down at me.
“I-I think I’m... capable of walking with Taylor.” His abrupt movements are unnerving.
“He’s right, Sofie.”
I glare at Taylor. Well, thanks a lot! I look back at Lucas, and it’s not a friendly look.
He holds his arm out toward the door. “After you.”
As I walk across the kitchen, I see to my left, where the cabinets end, a wide doorway to a family room. I glance at Max before I step through the kitchen’s back door. He’s looking at the papers on the table, and he’s smiling.
I step out into a glass sunroom. A crystal chandelier, suspended from the glass ceiling, illuminates the room with jewels of light. It’s breathtaking. The domed glass ceiling and tiled floor remind me of pictures of old conservatories I’ve seen. There’s even a fountain at one end with green plants, giving the area a garden feel. It’s beautiful and appealing.
Through a short, glassed-in breezeway, we step out onto a large concrete porch with a wide set of steps going down to a graveled pathway. Electric tiki-type torches and footlights along the pathway provide illumination. The path branches off and Lucas steps around me heading to the right. He moves slowly since I’m checking out the place the best I can in the advancing dark.
“Where does the other path lead?” I ask.
“The stables.”
“You have horses?” I don’t know why this surprises me. “You ride?”
He turns and flashes a grin. “A little. Why does that surprise you?” He arches a brow at me.
I shrug. He’s gone to a good deal of trouble to settle in a place that’s a temporary stop for him. We continue toward the building Sawyer headed for earlier. As we get closer, I notice it’s quite large. There’s also a parking lot with a road leading from it into the wooded area beyond.
Lucas opens the door, and my breath catches as we step into a large arena with activity happening all around us. In one area, I watch as archers aim at moving targets. The sharp metallic clang of metal meeting metal pulls my attention to the broadsword fighting at the far end of the building. I look up to see ropes hanging from the ceiling, with a rope-type bridge strung from one end of the arena to the other. The bridge creates a hanging jungle gym with a platform in the middle, giving the appearance of a tree house. Movement catches my eye, and I watch as a couple of guys climb from one rope to another high above us. As I continue to look around, I notice the far outside wall supports a massive tree trunk with branches and more ropes interspersed. While we’re standing there, with me taking it all in, Taylor yells to Lucas from across the arena.
“Wait right here. I’ll be back in a moment,” Lucas orders, leaving me before I can respond.
I look around for Sawyer, finally seeing him by the archery area. I decide to head that way. I’m about halfway across the arena when I hear Lucas and Taylor yell. I notice all activity has stopped; it’s as if every eye is on me. I have a moment to wonder what the— before a Mack truck hits me.
Then—nothing.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I feel a warm hand smooth across my forehead. Faint voices come from somewhere in the distance as the ground moves. Huh? I try to open my eyes.
“Sofie,” a deep voice says softly.
Mmmm, the voice gives me goose bumps. The warm hand moves over my forehead again, and fingers thread through my hair. It’s so soothing, I turn my face into the hand.
“Sofie, open your eyes.”
I open them and look into a pair of beautiful, silvery-green ones framed by sooty black lashes and full of concern. “Hi,” I breathe.
“Hello,” he replies with a smile. “Would you care for a sip of water?”
“Yes, please,” I whisper. “What... happened?”
“One of my men… plowed into you.” He slides his arm under my shoulders, raising me slightly, and holds a glass to my lips. I take a small sip, licking my lips as he eases me back down. “How do you feel?”
“Like... I’ve been plowed into.”
Lucas laughs softly and stands, making the soft ground move again. I must be lying on a bed. Wait! What? I look around, and yes, I’m in Lucas’ bedroom. Lying—on—his—bed!
I struggle to sit up, and Lucas is immediately beside me. “Easy,” he says, helping me ease my legs over the side. My coat and boots are off.
“Why—where are my things?” I look about as Lucas sets my boots near my feet. “Why did you bring me in here?” I ask grumpily.
“I considered it better in here than out there” —he angles his head toward the door—“where everyone could gawk at you.”
The anger leaves me. “Oh... sorry. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I hear the amusement in his voice.
There’s a soft knock at the door, and Sawyer sticks his head in. “Sofe, you doin’ okay?”
“I am.” I glance at Lucas, standing at a small cabinet pouring amber-colored liquid into a glass. “I heard I was plowed into.” I bend over to pick up a boot, but Sawyer beats me to it, handing me one and then the other as I pull them on.
“Yeah, Cal feels real bad. He was up in the ropes and didn’t even know you were below,” Sawyer explains.
I stand, rake my hair off my forehead, and pull it back. I comb my fingers through it, trying to form some semblance
of order.
When I look up, I meet Lucas’ hooded gaze. He steps close and holds his glass out to me. “Have a sip. It will help.” When I hand the glass back, he purposely places his lips where mine were. His eyes sparkle. “Sawyer, if you wouldn’t mind telling the others we’ll be out in a moment?” Lucas watches me. “Sofie, if you feel you’re able to stay for the meeting, we’ll keep it short.”
I glance at Sawyer. I know he wants to stay. “Okay,” I say.
“Good. I’ll show you where you can freshen up.” Lucas has a bathroom fit for a high-end spa, not that I’ve ever been to a spa, much less a high-end one. I’ve only seen them on television on one of those home channels. Down the hall from the bathroom is a sauna and, beyond that, a beautifully etched glass door leading outside. Lucas shows me where to find washcloths. He even hands me a new toothbrush. I use the hairbrush he provides, wondering if it’s his, and come out of the bathroom feeling almost new.
“Ready?” He looks at me appreciatively.
At his bedroom door, I stop and look back over my shoulder at him. “Um... thank you... for everything.”
“It was my pleasure,” he responds. “I’m just glad you weren’t seriously hurt.” He’s close behind me, and his warm breath flows over my ear, down my neck, making me shiver. He inhales deeply. “So sweet.”
I hurry from the room with his soft laughter behind me.
The meeting is informative and interesting. Taylor and Max are in charge as Lucas leans against the kitchen counter. Every time I glance at him, he’s watching me. It’s… unnerving. I try to ignore him, but my gaze keeps returning.
I tune out and glance around the room. The man who plowed into me, Cal Thomas, is a large guy, explaining why my body feels as if a truck hit me. He notices me looking at him and smiles sheepishly, ducking his head as if embarrassed. When I first came into the kitchen, the rest of the men teased him hard with comments such as, “Cal certainly knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.” They further embarrassed him—and me—by stating, “If you can’t get a girl to notice you, drop in on her, like Cal.” The joking continued until Lucas ended their tomfoolery.