across the double bed.
‘I heard it’s your birthday.’
‘Yes,’ he murmured.
‘I-I wondered if you like the wrapping on your present.’ She took his hand and laid it on the line of toggles along her collarbone.
‘I love it.’ He swallowed. ‘Am I allowed to unwrap it now?’
‘Yes, please.’
His eyes on hers, he released the first fastener. Moved to the second.
Terri ran her hands up the smooth thin fabric of his shirt, feeling the heat of his body on her palms. She released the buttons, impatient now to feel his skin on hers.
This man made her feel so special, so cherished. At this moment she wanted him more than she’d have ever believed possible. She wanted it all. Something to remember, something to hold dear in the future. He treated her with such care and affection that she wanted to weep.
They seemed to fit as though made for each other. No fumbling, no clumsiness. She revelled in his touch, her skin coming alive beneath his clever hands. It was special, satisfying, overwhelming. Enriching. She felt exotic and wicked and daring and courageous. He gave her all of that and more.
Much later, Luke propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at her.
‘My head’s spinning,’ he said, as he leaned forward to kiss her lips.
She looped her arms around his back and smiled, not caring if her heart was in her eyes. ‘Mine, too.’
He spread her hair over the pillow, slowly, as though he was enjoying running his fingers through the strands. ‘I’ve been having fantasies about doing this.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh, yeah.’ He smiled broadly. ‘Remember that day at the nursery? Allie had to yell to get my attention.’
She laughed softly. ‘She did have to call you a couple of times. You looked so guilty when you finally answered.’
His smile slowly faded. ‘You know it’s too soon for me to spend all night here with you.’
‘I know.’
‘I’d like to.’
‘You’ve got a daughter who needs to be your first priority and that’s the way it should be.’
‘As long as you know I want to stay. Maybe, soon-’
‘Hush, let’s not try to make any time lines, Luke.’ She put her fingers to his lips to stop the words. It was too soon and she wanted to revel in this moment. Bask in what they’d created here, together in the cocoon of her room, her bed. She didn’t want to think about the outside world, the things she still needed to tell him. ‘Let’s enjoy what we have. Right now.’
He growled deep in his throat and gathered her close. ‘I don’t have to leave quite yet.’
‘Mmm. Good.’ She ran her hands up his back, loving the feel of his hard muscles tensing as he moved over her.
Later, she rolled on her side as he slipped out of bed. With her hand splayed over the sheet still warm from his body, she watched him dress.
‘I’m not going because I want to,’ he repeated as he shrugged into his shirt. ‘Promise me you’re not going to read anything into me leaving you like this, darling.’
‘I promise,’ she said obediently.
He fastened his trousers. ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re just saying that?’
She laughed at him. ‘Now who’s reading too much into things?’
‘As long as I’m the only one,’ he said with a sigh. ‘I’ll give you a ring tomorrow. We’ll do something, a barbecue.’
‘Okay.’
‘Okay.’ He stood juggling his keys in one hand, obviously still reluctant to go. ‘Well…goodnight.’
‘Goodnight, Luke.’
At the door, he turned. ‘Promise me-’
‘I do. Now, go home, darling.’ She laughed.
‘You called me darling.’ He came back to the bed and leaned over to press another lingering kiss to her mouth. ‘God, I wish I didn’t have to go.’
‘But you do. Now shoo.’
He sighed. ‘Okay. I’ll lock the door after me.’
After he’d gone, she flopped back on the pillow and stretched luxuriously. Luke was amazing, he made her feel like the most beautiful woman alive.
She laughed out loud at the happiness that fizzed along her veins.
Love. She was in love. How could she not love the man who made her feel so whole and normal?
A tiny doubt tried to creep in but she refused to let it, refused to listen to the malevolent voice that wanted to remind her about the things she hadn’t told him about herself.
She’d faced so much in the last few years…surely she wasn’t so bad for wanting to clasp
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘NO REST for the wicked, you two.’
Terri looked around to see Dianne grinning at them from the doorway of the staff lounge.
‘What’s up?’ Luke said.
‘Three victims of a minor MVA on the way in. Details are sketchy but nothing serious by the sound of it. They’ve been scooped up by a Good Samaritan. ETA about five minutes.’
‘Thanks, Dianne.’ Luke picked up his mug and took a quick swallow as he rose to his feet. ‘I’m on my way.’
‘No worries.’ The nurse gave them a quick indulgent smile and disappeared.
Terri’s heart squeezed as Luke winked at her. He leaned down, his breath whispering over her ear as he murmured, ‘I wonder how she knows we’ve been wicked, darling.’
She inhaled sharply then sputtered when her mouthful of coffee went down the wrong way. As she coughed, Luke helpfully patted her a couple of times between the shoulder blades.
‘It might have something to do with being seen all over Port Cavill for the last two weeks holding hands,’ she gasped between small coughs.
‘Good point. Still, nice to have something true circulating on a hospital grapevine for a change.’
He looked so pleased with himself that she couldn’t help laughing. Her own insouciance surprised her. The magic of her relationship with Luke had infected her with a carefree spirit that she hadn’t felt for years.
Her gaze followed him to the sink, enjoying a quick feast on the lean length of him. She loved the way he moved, confident and full of masculine grace.
He turned, catching her eye, and his smile filled with mischievous intimacy. ‘Relax and finish your coffee.’
‘Thanks.’ Her cheeks flooded with warmth as she grinned. ‘I won’t be long.’
A tiny shadow marred her happiness as she watched him leave the room. She still hadn’t told him everything. Surely it wasn’t so bad if she left it a little longer. Everyday was bringing her a greater sense of belonging, an easiness which meant the words, the courage would come soon.
She sighed as she got up and crossed to the sink. The little pact she was making with herself had disaster written all over it. This weekend. She would talk to Luke this weekend. That gave her just over three days to find the right way to broach the subject.
As she walked down the corridor, she saw Luke and Dianne heading towards the front door. The MVA victims must have arrived. She picked up her pace.
She turned into the main emergency foyer and the scene in front of her exploded into her senses.
