Jac was really confused now. “What picture?”
“It was of a barn with vines marching away into the horizon. I noticed it when I dropped some papers off for him earlier week. He said you’d made it together.”
When had he purchased it? Jac had thought about buying it herself but held off after Jules had told her it was going on display at the gallery in town to raise money for charity. Luke had scooped it up to hang it where he’d see it every day and be reminded of how they’d met. If she wasn’t already in love with him, she’d have fallen hard and fast right then and there.
“So, Luke’s gone. Roberta, the Director of Nursing, is leaving at the end of the month. But the one person who really needs to be gone will stay here.” Bella’s brows drew together fiercely. “Damn Brian Evert. I don’t know why the board doesn’t fire him.”
Before Jac could respond, the intercom buzzed. Hopping to her feet, she raced across the room. She expected Luke. It had to be him. She pressed the Talk button. “Yes?”
“It’s me.” Luke’s voice sounded garbled through the speaker.
“Come on up.” Jac slid the release mechanism over for a few seconds, then opened the door so Luke could let himself in once he got off the elevator.
Turning, she discovered Bella had also risen to her feet and swilled the last of her wine. Depositing the cup back on the table, Bella grabbed a cube of cheese to pop into her mouth. As she chewed, she retrieved her handbag from the table by the door.
“I’m outta here. You don’t need me around right now. For what it’s worth, I’m sure Luke has a valid reason for not telling you yesterday.” Bella swept her arms around Jac and kissed her cheek.
With a cheery salute, she sauntered out the door and down the hall to wait. The bell pinged and the elevator doors swept open, revealing Luke with a huge grin on his face.
The grin dimmed a little when he spied Bella waiting to jump on. His voice was wary. “Hi. I hope I’m not interrupting. I can come back.”
Bella waved him off. “I was just leaving.” She cast a glance over her shoulder and winked at Jac.
Luke stepped off the elevator and held the door for Bella. “I guess you’ve heard.”
Bella slipped past him in the small space. When she turned, her face was somber, but her eyes snapped and sparkled. “About what a waste of skin Brian Evert is? Old news, my friend. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before the board, in their finite wisdom, kicked you to the curb. For what it’s worth, they’ve made a huge mistake. They let the wrong guy go.” She reached forward and pressed a button. “I believe you’ll land on your feet. Let me know if you need a reference.”
Eyebrows raised, Luke glanced from Bella to Jac. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’m good. I’d be happy to provide a reference should you ever find yourself on the wrong side of the board.”
Bella laughed. “Thanks. Good luck, Luke. Bye, Jac.” The doors slid shut.
Luke headed down the hall toward her door. Raising her arms, Jac wrapped them around his shoulders, holding on as he swung her around in the narrow corridor. Her dizziness wasn’t just a result of the motion, but also caused by the brush of his chest, hips, and thighs to hers.
A jagged bolt of electricity shot down her spine, lodging low in her center. She should be hurt that he hadn’t shared his news with her yesterday. But she couldn’t summon much more than token ire.
“Put me down, you big dope. I think I’m angry with you.” She thumped her fist on his shoulder blade.
In response, he twisted until her back was to the wall, sandwiched between the exposed brink and his solid body. “Don’t know why you’d be mad.” He nipped at her lips, then eased the tiny sting with his tongue.
She returned the questing kiss, her mouth molding to his for endless moments before her lips tore from his. She leaned her head against the wall and gazed into his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me about being let go?”
His breath caressed her cheek as he exhaled. “Probably for the same reason you didn’t tell me about the tax bill. I didn’t want you to worry on my behalf.”
“I’m sorry you lost your job. Bella told me the staff isn’t very happy with the board at this point. She said the nursing director is leaving too. Is her departure related to yours?”
“About that . . .” He scooped her up and lifted, tucking his arm under her thighs. Carrying her, he walked into her condo. The door banged as he kicked it shut. He didn’t stop walking until he reached the couch.
He sat on the cushions and settled her in his lap. Contemplating her, a Cheshire cat grin broke over his lips. “Actually, Roberta is going to work for the University in Eugene as nursing director for their student health service. I went up there this morning for an interview. Spent most of the afternoon apartment shopping. See, I’ve just accepted an offer from them as their new CFO.”
Elation, buoyed by hope, rose in her chest. She grasped his cheeks between her hands, framing his huge smile. “You’re going to be working in Eugene? Really?”
He nodded and started to speak, only to stop abruptly when she captured his mouth under hers. Arms wrapped tightly around his neck, she put every speck of happiness she felt into her caress.
His hands roved the length of her spine, then came back to her shoulders as he eased away from her.
“I’m glad you’re okay with me following you there.” His tone was hesitant, his brows raised. “I didn’t want to take it for granted that you’d welcome me there. I found a place on the same side of town as your land. I think it’s about ten miles away from you.”
“Oh my God. Luke, of course I’m overjoyed we’ll be in the same town. I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m relieved. The job is great and pays well. Plus they’ve requested my help in developing a new curriculum in health care administration. I’ll even get to teach a couple of classes.” His eyes shone, his white teeth flashing between his smiling lips.
“I was wrong. I am happier. This is your dream, Luke, to teach. I’m so thrilled for you.”
They were two peas in a pod. Pursuing the goals and aspirations, which only a week ago were nothing more than ideas. She’d move to Eugene, and Luke was going with her.
He traced the track of tears leaking from her eyes, his fingertip soft and gentle on her skin. “I’m thrilled for us, Jac,” he said, his voice as soft as his caress. “We haven’t known each other very long, but you’re already a permanent fixture in my life. We’re meant to be together. Knowing we’ll be living in the same town means we can see where this road takes us. I love you, Jac.”
He sealed his words with a tender kiss.
Jac pulled away and frowned. “Not good enough.”
His mouth went slack, and he sucked in a harsh breath. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Jac fought to keep her face stern. “Living in the same town with you isn’t good enough for me. I want to live in the same house with you. I want your face to be the last thing I see each night. And nothing would make me happier than to greet each day by looking into your eyes. I love you, too, Luke, and I want you to move in with me.”
She covered her mouth with her hand, shocked that she’d asked him to live with her. “I can’t believe I just asked you that. Don’t answer. I’m sorry to have put you on—”
He laid his fingers over hers, pressing both their hands to her lips. “I know you’ll be working hard, getting the business off the ground. I’ll help where I can. If you want, I’d even keep the books for you. I do have some accounting skills. I’d love to live with you, Jac. Because now that I have you on my team, I want to spend every available minute with you.”
She slipped her hand from under his and laid it on his chest. As she stared into his eyes, she let the love she saw reflected there shine back to him.
He was right . . . t
hey were a team.
Be sure to watch for Hidden In The Vines in Fall 2016!
Author Bio
Much to her mother’s dismay, Gemma Brocato was born with a book in her hands, and learned to read shortly after. She’s able to read in a moving car without succumbing motion sickness, a fact she’s proud to share. After spending too many years making financial products and advisors sound sexy, she quit her full-time job to focus her efforts on contemporary romance novels. As a hybrid author, she has several indie titles as well as traditionally published work. She writes contemporary and paranormal romance.
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Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) Page 24