‘Oh. All right, then, I guess.’ She plucked the hem of her shorts. ‘Will you kiss her?’
But was Allie ready to hear that yet? She was used to seeing him and Terri holding hands but was more going to be difficult for her to handle yet?
A split second later, she said, ‘I think you should. Otherwise she won’t know that you like her.’
He swallowed. ‘Okay, then I’ll make sure that I do. Are you ready to go over to Nana and Granddad’s?’
‘Yep.’ A small resigned sigh escaped as she stood and picked up her backpack.
‘Got your pyjamas? Toothbrush?’ He reeled off the items as they walked through to his parents’ wing.
‘Yes, Dad.’
‘Inhalers? Drawing book?’
‘Yes, Dad,’ she said with a roll of her eyes.
‘Pencils, Rubbers? A kiss goodnight for your father?’
She giggled. ‘Probably.’
After he’d dropped Allie off with his mother, Luke jogged down the steps to his car.
It was his birthday.
He knew what he’d like from Terri as a present. Perhaps she’d let him put his order in.
He grinned. Or perhaps not.
Whatever happened, he was looking forward to having a great time. Slow and sensible might be agonising for him on one level but it was worth it. Terri was letting down her defences, relaxing with him. That was worth every bit of physical suffering.
Terri’s heart lurched when she heard the knock at her door.
Fortifying herself with a deep breath, she smoothed her hands down the heavy silk of her cheongsam and walked through the hall.
She’d shared wonderful family outings with Luke and Allie recently but this was different. This was their first real date.
The man waiting for her at the front door was starting to mean more to her than was sensible.
She turned the handle and opened the door, her pulse tripping crazily. He looked formal and so handsome dressed in a charcoal-grey suit.
‘Hi.’ Her grin felt wobbly.
‘Hi, yourself.’ His voice was husky. The broad smile on his face faltered as he ran his gaze down her length and slowly back up. ‘You look fabulous.’
His eyes were dark and intense when they focussed on hers again, his mouth moving in a small enigmatic smile that had her catching her breath.
‘Thank you,’ she managed. ‘You, too.’
He stared at her a moment longer. ‘Ready to go?’
‘Yes. I just need to get my purse from the kitchen.’ She should have brought it with her to the door, she thought as he followed her down the hall.
She grabbed it off the table and turned to find him right in front her. Her eyes were level with his mouth.
He leaned forward, still not touching her. Her fingers tightened on her purse. The tiny beads pressing into her skin as her breath caught in her chest.
All she had to do was step back.
She didn’t move.
His head tilted, moved closer, lips hovering over hers.
Closing her eyes, she waited. Sensations bombarded her, the musky scent of his aftershave, his breath feathering across her cheek.
And finally the delicious touch of his mouth on hers. Light and sweet and lingering with a hint of leashed passion. Her system quaked as she recognised a deep feminine desire to surrender.
He pulled back and she opened her eyes slowly.
‘Mmm…nice.’ His blue eyes were slumberous and inviting. ‘I have it on good authority that’s how I can let you know I like you.’
Laughter gurgled up her throat, catching her unawares, relieving the heavy sensual tension. ‘Allie’s been giving you dating advice again?’
‘She has.’ He grinned. ‘Miss ten-going-on-twenty.’
His hooded gaze slid down to her lips. ‘Though I think she’s onto something with this idea. I should tell you…I like yo.’ He waited a beat before adding, ‘A lot.’
She laughed again as he waggled his eyebrows at her. ‘I’ll consider myself duly warned.’
‘I was afraid you’d say that.’ He smiled wryly and held out his elbow. ‘Shall we go? Your chariot awaits, my lady.’
She braced her jelly-filled knees and took his arm, feeling the strength there, allowing herself to be swept along by his old-fashioned chivalry.
Terri followed the waiter through to their secluded table by the large window. Luke’s hand was spread over her spine, just below the small of her back. The contact felt intimate, made her acutely aware of her body, her movements. The sway of her hips, the tiny brush of her stocking-clad thighs against each other, the way her buttocks moved with each step she took in her high heels. Did he realise how astonishingly seductive it felt? She wanted to wiggle, just a little, to see if he would slide his hand even lower.
Heat raced across her skin, radiating out from his hand and spreading deep into her abdomen. She took a quick gulp of air and huffed it out. She didn’t have to worry about Luke behaving tonight-she was doing a fine job of seducing herself.
Regret and relief vied for the upper hand when the wicked, tempting hand was removed so Luke could pull out her chair.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured. She looked around as Luke took his seat. The restaurant was in an old converted warehouse adjacent to the wharf. The seafaring theme was tastefully done with gleaming brass fixtures and dark wood panels. Strategically placed fishing nets had been draped across the upper walls with glass floats dotted here and there.
Candles in thick glass bowls graced each table and cast a romantic light.
‘I’d heard this place had been done up,’ she said, meeting Luke’s gaze across the table. ‘I’ve been meaning to come here for a meal.’
‘I brought Sue-Ellen-’ He stopped, his mouth twisting in a grimace. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean…It’s not a good way to impress my date for the evening, is it?’
‘Don’t apologise. Why wouldn’t you mention her? She was a big part of your life. Yours and Allie’s. It’s good for Allie that you talk about her mother.’
‘Thank you.’ His voice was gravelly. ‘You’re a very special woman, Terri.’
She grinned, making light of the comment. ‘I’m glad you think so.’
The waiter returned with the menus and wine list.
‘Any preferences for wine?’ Luke asked.
‘White as we’re having seafood but other than that I’m leaving it entirely up to you.’ She looked over the delicious selection of dishes on her menu.
The waiter took their orders and returned a few minutes later with the bottle of wine. He filled their glasses and snuggled the bottle into the ice bucket. When the man had gone, Luke lifted his glass.
‘To us. To slow and sensible.’
She met his eyes across the table. ‘Allie’s spending tonight with Vivienne and Will?’
