* * * *
Mardi’s was a fairly new, upscale casual restaurant that Claire raved about all the time.
“Great steaks and great drinks,” she’d enthused. “And as many people in jeans as anything else.”
The restaurant, on the far north side of the city, was filled on Friday night. Thick carpet muted footfalls and dark paneling halfway up the walls absorbed sound, softening the buzz of conversation. Waiters and waitresses moved deftly among the tables balancing large trays, and glasses clinked as people kept the bartender busy.
Eyes scanning the room for Luke, Julia gave her name to the hostess and tried to still her nervousness.
The woman smiled at her. “Right this way, please.”
She led Julia to a table in the far corner, almost tucked out of sight from the rest of the room. Luke rose to meet her as she approached. He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently, then held her chair for her.
“How much did it cost you to get this much privacy in a public room?” she teased.
“I’d have paid any price to make you comfortable.” He smiled. “Crowds seem to make you nervous, so I figured this was a good compromise.” He looked across the table at her. “Or is it me you’re afraid of, Julia?”
She was saved from an immediate answer by the arrival of their waiter with her drink.
“Been watching for you,” he told her. “The gentleman ordered and said to bring it as soon as you got here.”
The aroma and color told her it was her favorite amaretto. She smiled her thanks, picked up the glass, and sipped, hoping the liqueur would settle her nerves.
“Okay, then.” The waiter placed menus in front of them. “I’ll give you some time to decide on your choices.” He melted away into the crowd.
“I hope it was okay for me to order for you?” Luke was studying her with eyes that saw far too much.
“Absolutely. Thank you.” She sipped again, then carefully placed the glass on the table.
She drank him in with her eyes. She hadn’t seen him for a week but it seemed more like a year. He wore a long-sleeved sports shirt, but the sleeves were rolled back to reveal the soft dark hair on his arms. Heat surged through her and she squeezed her legs at the throbbing in her cunt that just his presence seemed to ignite. His slow, sexy smile did nothing to calm her racing pulse or ease the sudden need that gripped her. The other night was proof in fourteen years her overwhelming desire apparently hadn’t cooled one bit.
Luke reached across the table and took the fingers of one hand. “I see such heavy thoughts weighing down your mind. How about if we just have drinks, dinner, and a nice evening and take it from there?”
The touch of his hand sent familiar sparks shooting through her. “That’s exactly what I’d like.”
“And it will be. No protests, no arguments. Okay? Sound good to you?”
She couldn’t help smiling at him. It seemed even the most insurmountable problems didn’t quench her desire for him.
The conversation got easier after that. Luke talked about his life during the intervening years, his continued uneven relationship with his sons, his progress through the industry to reach his position at Connell Wilson. The food was as good as Claire had promised, the atmosphere relaxing. Little by little, Julia felt her nerves and muscles relaxing and the tension easing from her neck.
Luke pushed his plate away at last and leaned forward on his elbows. “I have to admit, the fact you live here was a factor in my taking the job.”
“Luke,” she began.
“Don’t say it, okay.” He picked up the fresh drink the waiter brought and took a healthy swallow. “I don’t know what happened all those years ago that you broke it off so suddenly. Not even a phone call. I tried running away from it and that didn’t work so I’m not going to stop until I find out. Until I get answers. Until I can push aside whatever obstacles you think will keep us apart now.” He set his glass down and leaned forward. “I love you. That hasn’t changed. You told me you love me. So what we have to do next is find a solution to whatever problem has got you stuck.”
“I know, I know.” She fiddled with her dessert fork. “It’s just… There’s so much I don’t know how to tell you.”
His voiced wrapped around her like a warm blanket. “How about if we take it one thing at a time? For right now, let’s just take tonight.” His gaze caressed her face. “How late can you stay out?”
She could lie to him and tell him she needed to be home, but Julia wanted this night as much as he did. If she finally blurted out the truth, this might be the last time they were together.
“I’m good until noon tomorrow.”
He visibly relaxed. “Good. Then how about coming home with me? If you promise not to change your mind, you can follow me in your car and park in one of the guest spots.”
Julia took a last sip of her drink and looked across at him. “All right. And I won’t change my mind.”
Although on the drive across town, she was tempted to several times. But the need to be with him overrode everything else. She followed Luke into the underground parking and into the parking place he indicated. Taking a deep breath, she got out of her car and let him lead her to the elevator.
Chapter 20
“Nothing for me, thanks.” She shook her head when he offered her a drink. She’d had wine with dinner and her senses were already on high alert, her brain a little fuzzy, except for registering the man standing in front of her in his big bedroom. They faced each other, inches apart, the heat crackling between them filling the room.
Luke took a step closer, placed his palms on her cheeks, and proceeded to
