He cleared his throat and tore his eyes away. “Dinner is usually at six. We eat on the deck when it's warm like this. You can’t miss it. I mean, it’s just off the dining room.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll unpack and take a shower,” I said.
He blinked.
Ugh… too much info, I scolded myself.
Then he looked me over, one more time.
I couldn’t seem to help it as I pushed my chest out a little.
He seemed to have a hard time leaving.
It was mutual. I wanted him to stay a little longer. I wanted to feel his admiring glance on my body. His hungry gaze made me feel hot and sexy.
He shook his head slightly and walked away.
The door shut and with that, I made myself unpack my clothes and went to take a shower. I needed it.
Ella
A cooling breeze blew, as I stepped out onto the deck.
Luke and Molly sat side by side like strangers.
My heart-strings pulled. I still couldn’t wrap around my head the fact that Molly’s mom had left her. Who in their right mind would leave such a sweet girl? Her mother must have been a fool. I looked at the child. She had her father’s brown hair and his wonderful blue eyes. I wanted to wrap her in my arms.
Luke pushed his chair back and stood when he saw me. “There you are, we were about to send a search party, weren’t we, Molly?”
Molly did not respond. She merely glanced at me with an expressionless face.
Her staring made me wonder what she was thinking. “I got lost,” I said, desperate to coax a smile out of Molly. “I found myself in a maze.”
“There’s no maze in the house,” Molly said.
“The hallway then,” I said as I sat down in the chair Luke had pulled out for me. “This house is perfect for playing hide and seek. Would you like to do that tomorrow, Molly?”
“I don’t know how to play hide and seek,” she said.
My heart squeezed. How could a child of five not know how to play hide and seek? I smiled at her. “It’s not hard at all. I’ll show you.”
She nodded.
Molly had already stolen my heart. And one way or another, I would bring joy into her life. Also, she and her father were going to be dad and daughter again.
Seconds after I sat down, a uniformed chef brought steaming plates of food. My eyes almost popped out at the sight. I felt like I was in a five-star hotel. He proceeded to serve us daintily curved baked potatoes, with salmon, and a variety of buttered vegetables.
“Yum, yum, this is delicious. Thank you,” I said as I tucked into my food. I’d always had a healthy appetite and hence, all the extra curves. Stan used to say I was fat, but fuck him. I refuse to stop eating for any man.
“You’re welcome, Miss Cooper,” the chef replied with a polite smile.
“A person could get used to such luxurious treatment,” I said, returning the smile.
His eyes twinkled with pleasure as he left us to eat in peace.
Molly’s meal was different. Chicken nuggets, veggies, and some sauce. She seemed to enjoy her food too, and ate without a fuss. I wished she would talk though. I decided to let her be. Pushing her too hard too soon would be counterproductive. She would come out of her shell when she was ready.
Luke and I made light conversation at the table. I couldn’t concentrate and found myself watching the movement of his mouth as he ate. His mouth was made for kissing and something told me he would be good at it.
After dinner, Luke excused himself and went to the library.
Molly and I went to her playroom. I got her into the bath, then afterwards, sat with her and read her a storybook. Less than an hour later, her eyes were drooping. So, I took her to the library to say goodnight to Luke.
She kissed his cheek without showing any emotion then hand in hand, we left for her bedroom.
“Do you want me to carry you up the stairs?” I asked her.
Molly tucked her thumb into her mouth and nodded.
I scooped her warm body up and she buried her face into my neck. I held her little body tight and felt my chest tighten with emotion. I really didn’t get how a person could leave such a sweet child. As I climbed the stairs, I heard footsteps behind us.
“Do you want me to carry her?” Luke asked.
“No, I’m fine. She’s not heavy.”
Luke leaned on the doorway and watched as I tucked Molly into the bed.
I kissed her forehead and whispered goodnight.
She smiled sleepily.
Luke moved closer and did the same.
We both reached for the doorknob at the same time. Our hands touched. Electric current sizzled through me and went straight to my pussy. I really wanted this man. I ached for a touch. A lick. Anything.
“Would you like a drink downstairs?” Luke offered. “We ought to get to know each other a little bit."
“Yes, that would be nice.” I noticed he kept his distance. Clearly, he was one of those men who kept their emotions and behavior under control. The kind of man who thought everything over carefully before acting. You did not get to be as rich as he obviously was by acting impulsively.
We went down the stairs together and into a cozy living room, with comfortable couches and a fireplace.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked, over his shoulder.
“A glass of wine would be fine,” I said, while perching at the edge of the couch. I couldn’t even relax. My body was just too affected by Luke to enjoy the marvelous surroundings or the prospect of a relaxing drink.
Luke
I handed Ella her glass of wine while being careful that our hands wouldn’t touch. Then
