She took his pain away.
“Mind if we walk for a few before heading back?” he asked once they’d stepped back onto Main Street.
“Sure.” She zipped her jacket and flipped up the collar behind her neck.
He stared at the small patch of skin visible under her chin and wondered how she’d respond if he let his lips glide over her pulse point. Would it race the way his did every time he thought about touching her?
“Luke?” Her concerned tone knocked some sense back into him.
Yes, she seemed to enjoy whatever the hell was bouncing back and forth between them, but it didn’t matter. She was Shane’s little sister and hadn’t he promised his best friend he’d keep his hands off? Not to mention his mother had made it plain how she felt about the topic.
“Sorry.” He shook off her allure and started walking.
The town hadn’t changed much in five years. The stone and brick buildings were distinct and friendly. Shop lights and tall lampposts illuminated their stroll. Planter boxes overflowed with greenery. Restaurants bustled with activity, the smell of the sea never too far off. If he listened closely enough, he could hear the tide.
“You’ve probably been to some incredible towns,” Sela said. “Do you have a favorite one?”
“Aside from Cascade, I’d have to say Wengen, Switzerland. The village hosts the Ski World Cup every year and is breathtaking. Panoramic views everywhere and there’s one spot where the sun sets over crags and waterfalls that is breathtaking.”
She let out a deep sigh. “Sounds beautiful.”
“Have you done any traveling?”
“Not out of the country, but I really want to.” She gave him the back of her head, her observations on the store windows. “One day.”
“If you could pick anywhere to go, where would it be?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think you do.”
Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she looked away. “Ireland.”
He nodded and smiled to a passerby. “It’s a great place. I’ve got a friend in Dublin. He can drink anyone under the table—and I mean that literally.”
“I had a pen pal from there when I was younger. She sent me postcards and I always told her I’d visit someday.”
“You will, then.” They turned down Clifden Street. “Walk on the pier?”
“Okay, but then I do need to get back.” She pulled her jacket tighter. “I don’t walk down here as much as I should. It’s so pretty at night even though it’s chilly.”
Low in the black sky, the moon grinned. Stars twinkled. Luke fought the urge to put his arm around her to help keep her warm. Not that she was complaining. He’d never heard a complaint from her. At the end of the pier, the red-and-white awning of the ice-cream shop blew in the ocean breeze.
“Remember the time you and Shane were skateboarding down here and your wheel got caught on something and you fell face first and needed stitches under your eye?”
“That’s right.” He absently rubbed his cheek. “I—”
“Lied like a jock-ass and told everyone you’d been hit by a pitch because you were embarrassed you’d fallen off a skateboard.”
“Hey, I had a reputation to uphold.”
The wind blew strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail into her face. She brushed them away. “A reputation that mattered more than anyone else’s.”
Was that a dig? Did she remember the ass he’d been to her at the Kissing Booth? He was about to ask, about to offer the apology he should have given a long time ago, when she squealed.
“Oh! Did you see that? A shooting star. I haven’t seen one in forever.” With Sela’s head titled back, eyes on the sky, Luke wished he had his camera.
One word described what he saw:
unforgettable
.
She dropped her chin, stopped walking, and shut her eyes. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“Making a wish. Shh.”
Right now. Right now he could step forward and kiss her. Apologize without words. Would her kiss be the same one that had rocked his teenage world? Or would it be better now?
He forced himself to step back. She was driving him goddamn crazy and for the sake of everyone involved, he had to put a stop to it.
“You done?” he asked with impatience.
Her eyes flew open. “Yes, I’m done.” Her clipped tone almost matched his.
“Great. Let’s get out of here.”
She stayed quiet and kept up with his brisk pace on the walk back to the car. Once inside the Audi, she said, “Did I do something to upset you?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
His hands gripped the steering wheel. Just like that, she trusted him. Trusted his answer without argument. No other woman had treated him with that kind of faith.
She fished in her purse for something as he pulled onto the driveway. “I think I left my keys in the kitchen. I’ll just come in really quick to grab them.”
Quiet filled the house. He flipped on the light switch in the kitchen. A big note sat atop a covered platter on the counter.
Make us look good, bro
, it said. Followed by a:
P.S. Bacon is my new boyfriend.
“I forgot about these,” Sela said, pulling the foil off the plate. “God, they still smell good.” She looked up at him and gave a mischievous smile. “I think we need to do one last taste test.”
And just like that she wiped out his ill mood. But with the house apparently empty, he needed to tread lightly or he’d put her over his shoulder and carry her back to the guest bedroom. Damn the consequences.
He nodded and opened a drawer to retrieve a knife. She took it and cut one of the bars in half. He noticed she gave him the bigger one.
“To winning the Chocolate Games.” She held up her hand, they bumped cookies, and ate. “Oh, is that good.” She licked her fingers.
And almost caused a landslide on the ledge he stood on. He started to do multiplication problems in his head. That should cure his lust. He hated math. “It’s the bacon.”
“Okay, fine. The bacon was a good decision. Go grab your camera, and I’ll get these ready.” She tweaked the tower of bars. “What are you waiting for?”
His feet to move. “I’ll be right back.”
She had no idea that she made him forget himself. The wedding was less than two weeks away. How the hell was he going to survive Sela for thirteen more days? Only one way—by having her. He’d witnessed the desire in her eyes. Would it really be so bad if they acted on their mutual attraction? If they could handle it, Vanessa, Shane, and the rest of his family should be able to also.
Or better yet, maybe no one needed to know…
“Here,” she said when he got back. “I had to eat one more.” She handed him another bar half.
“You are going to kill me with a sugar high.” Their fingers touched when he took it, and she pulled her hand back like she’d been shocked.
The electricity didn’t only flow one way. Damn, it got harder and harder to keep things platonic.
“There are worse ways to go,” she said, stepping away from her handiwork and giving him a reprieve. “Does that look photo worthy?”
“It’s a cookie bar.”
“So? If it looks good enough to eat, then it usually is.”
That was the last straw. He put the camera down and strode toward her. Even in her scrubs with her hair wavier than normal from the damp air on the pier, she looked a thousand times good enough.
Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?” She put a hand on his chest but didn’t protest too much, considering he moved her back with ease until her butt hit the wall.
“Something I’ve wanted to do since you walked into brunch my first morning home and I took one look at your pink lips.”
“Luke.” A breathless pant slipped between the objects of his desire.
Even through his shirt, her palm flooded his body with heat. He put one hand on the wall above her head. “Yeah?”
“We can’t do this.”
“Why not?” If she gave him a good answer, he’d back off.
“Because…” She blinked repeatedly. Conflict. Desire. Risk. He saw it all and imagined she saw the same. “Because you—”
“Hello?” his mother shouted. “Anyone home?” The front door shut with a
thud
.
Luke ran a hand under his chin and backed away. Sela quickly moved around him and grabbed her keys.
Nice of his mom to give them some warning. Unless she was clueless, which she wasn’t, she saw his rental car in the driveway and Sela’s car on the street.
“In the kitchen,” Luke called back. Funny, his mom never would have given him this courtesy when he was younger.
“What smells so good?” his mom asked, his dad right behind her.
“Smells like bacon,” his dad said.
Sela rolled her eyes. “Hi, Paula. Hi, Reed. These are the chocolate-chocolate chip bacon bars Erin’s entering in the Chocolate Games. Luke was just about to take some pictures, and I was on my way out.”
Luke picked up his camera so he’d have something to do besides watch Sela leave.
“Don’t rush on our account,” Luke’s dad said.
She’s not
, Luke thought.
She’s rushing out on mine
.
Chapter Nine
“What are you staring at?”
Sela flinched and almost fell off the edge of the bleacher seat. “Nothing.”
“You are such a liar,” Kayla Ellis said. “You’re staring at Luke’s butt. I would be, too, if I wasn’t already married. He is one fine specimen of a man.”
“He is, right? I shouldn’t feel guilty for thinking—”
“About seeing him naked? No, not at all.”
“Kayla!” Sela bumped her pregnant friend’s shoulder, careful to be gentle. “That is not what I’m thinking.”
“Wow, you are the queen of liars tonight. You must really like him.”
“I don’t like him. He is a thorn in my side that won’t go away, that’s all.” Sela moved her gaze to the outfield and away from home plate where Luke currently stood. She wanted him to strike out
and
hit a homerun. She was seriously messed up.
More so since he’d almost kissed her last night. He’d thought she kissed like a corpse the last time they tried. Why would he want a repeat performance?
“A sexy thorn,” Kayla said.
He was. “I’m doomed.” Sela deflated, her elbows landing on her knees, her shoulders sagging.
“I don’t think so. Danny wanted to fix him up with this gorgeous teacher—she was Miss Oregon or something—last weekend and Luke said he wasn’t interested.”
Sela sat up. “Really?”
Kayla put a hand on Sela’s leg. “As usual, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. Did you see that?” Kayla nodded to the side.
“See what?”
“Luke just peeked over his shoulder, and he was not looking at me.”
Luke swung the bat and hit it over the center fielder’s head. He ran around the bases, stopping at second. Other wives, girlfriends, and fans sitting a few rows down the bleachers whistled and cheered.
“The thing is, he’s only in town until after the wedding. I’m not that kind of girl, Kay. I can’t do some quickie thing and then watch him leave.” She sighed. “But the bigger issue is Shane and Luke’s family. I’m worried about what my brother will say. And even if our intention is just to have some fun, what would Luke’s parents think of me if they knew we’d hooked up? Paula is like a second mom to me; I don’t want to disappoint her. And don’t even get me started on Vanessa.”
“Okay, I get it. But life is short. Sometimes you have to live for today and not worry about tomorrow.”
Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. Didn’t she know that. Today at work she’d found out Liam’s staph infection wasn’t responding to the antibiotics and the infection had spread.
“Hey! What’s got you two looking so serious?” Erin said. “This is baseball. There is nothing serious about baseball. Here.” She handed Kayla a seat cushion and sat down in front of them. “I stole that from Candy Brewer when she wasn’t looking.”
“One, thank you,” Kayla said. “And two, do not let my husband hear you say baseball is not serious. He’ll give an hour-long speech about why it is.”
“I can handle Danny. We’ve got a bigger issue to deal with.”
“We do?” Sela said, a sinking feeling in her stomach that it concerned her and/or the wedding.
“Don’t freak out, okay?” Erin looked right at Sela.
Crap. “O-kay.” She stared down at the field. Luke crossed home plate. He grinned and high-fived the next batter before glancing her way. Her stomach fluttered.
“There’s a poll up on the Cascade blog.” Erin snapped her fingers, then moved her hand in a circle in front of her face. “Hello?”
Sela tore her gaze from the field and gave Erin her undivided attention.
“It’s about you and Luke. Seems you and my brother are as exciting to talk about as my sister and her wedding.”
“How can that be?” she asked, mortified. She did not want to take any of the limelight away from Vanessa.
“Dancing in bars. Moonlit strolls. The town is placing bets on whether or not the two of you will be in love by wedding day.”
“Oh my God.” Sela covered her face with her hands. “It’s all been completely innocent. This is crazy. Who put up the poll? I’m going to have him or her take it down.”
She would not let Luke ruin her reputation again. Did the townspeople really think she was gallivanting around with him instead of fulfilling her maid of honor duties and working her tail off at the hospital?
“We’ve only agreed to get along because of the wedding,” she continued. “I’m putting up with him because of Vanessa and believe me, that’s no easy task.”
Erin squeezed Sela’s arm. “Slow down, sister. I can fix this. And, uh, remember it is my brother we’re talking about, so maybe ease up on how painful this is for you. He’s not
that
bad.”
He wasn’t bad at all. That was the problem. But better for Erin to think Sela still didn’t like him much. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I just feel bad about drawing attention away from Ness’s big day. She might deny it, but she’s enjoying all the fuss.”
“She rarely reads the blog, so chances are she doesn’t even know.”
“What’s the poll ask?” Kayla said.
Erin cleared her throat. “‘Will Luke Watters and Sela Sullivan be hit by the Love Bug or will attraction fizzle for the maid of honor and best man?’ Last I checked, the Love Bug was leading with sixty-one percent of the votes.”
“Oh, the baby just kicked.” Kayla rubbed a hand across her belly. “I wonder if that means he agrees?”
“Doesn’t this town have anything better to do than gossip?” Sela asked.
“Apparently not,” Erin said. “Which is how I can help. I’ll cause a distraction.”
Sela watched Luke run out to third, his team taking the field. Shane stood at first and Danny stretched at the pitcher’s mound. “How?”
“Oh, you know me. I’ll think of something gossip-worthy.”
A sliver of relief cut through her. She hated to put Erin in this position but knew her friend didn’t mind stirring things up.
“I submitted our recipe, by the way, so make sure to spread the word to visit the blog and vote for us.”
Sela squeezed her temples. “Great. Now everyone who goes to vote for the Chocolate Games can vote on my love life, too.” Her day could not get any worse.
“Ooh!” several spectators said from the bleachers.
“What happened?” Sela jumped to her feet. Someone was lying on the ground at home plate. Two other players hovered over him. She searched the field for Luke but couldn’t find him. Without thinking, she took off down the concrete stairs.
“He got hit pretty hard,” the catcher said, his mask in hand.
“Luke? Dude, you okay?” Shane asked.
Sela’s breath got caught in her throat. Her heart skidded to a stop. “Let me see him,” she said, pushing the guys aside and kneeling down.
He groaned, thank God, so Sela knew he was conscious. Dirt covered one side of him and his arms were wrapped around his middle.
She immediately worried about his lungs, his ribs, his everything. A new injury could compromise his recovery from the rapids accident.
“Luke?” Aware that she had an audience, she fought the urge to brush the hair out of his face and cup his cheek. “Are you okay? Can you sit up?”
His eyes fluttered open and landed on her before moving to the players looming above them. Faster than she would have recommended, he got to his feet.
“I’m okay,” he said, brushing his hands down his sweat pants and across his chest. “That was one hell of a hit, Pierce.”
“Sorry about that,” Pierce said.
“No worries, man.” He glanced at Sela. “Who called for a nurse? This isn’t Little League. I can handle a collision.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of his cold tone and disposition. He was
not
okay. She could see it in his eyes, in the tiny glower he tried to hide. But if he didn’t want her help, she wouldn’t give it. She turned and walked away.
He caught up to her a few seconds later. “Hey, can I talk to you?”
The wince of pain was there in full force when she twisted to face him. She crossed her arms over her chest.
Luke placed his hand on her back and led her around the dugout to a secluded area of the baseball field. “Sorry about that.”
“That?”
“For talking like a jerk back there. I was embarrassed and handled it poorly.”
She chewed her bottom lip, not sure how to respond. It bothered her that he had spoken that way, but she understood why he had done it.
“I think I might need medical attention.” Luke took her hand, for comfort or support, she wasn’t sure.
“No shit.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
“That’s stupid. Come on, I’ll drive you.” She stepped around him. Her heart beat with the same sick thuds that always drummed when someone she cared about was hurt.
Dammit. She cared about Luke.
“How about you drive me home and tend to me yourself?” he asked, his voice back to the warm, friendly Luke she’d tried to stop thinking so much about.
“I’m not a doctor, Luke. You need a doctor.”
“I need you, Sela. Not a goddamn MD who will want to run tests and keep me overnight for observation and other shit I’ve had enough of. If you don’t want to help, fine. I’ll drive myself home.”
She stopped.
I need you
. Sela the woman or Sela the RN? She didn’t much care at the moment. If she didn’t help him, she’d regret it later. “You’re sure it’s not life threatening?”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay. Let me just tell someone we’re leaving.”
Luke stayed quiet on the ride to his house. He adjusted the seat belt so the piece across his chest sat under his arm and low on his abdomen. His breathing faltered a time or two when he took a deep breath. Tiny beads of sweat dotted his forehead. She pushed the button so his window rolled down.
When they got to his house, he moved a little slower than usual up the walkway. She didn’t say anything but never took her eyes off him
“Let’s keep this to ourselves,” he said, leading her through the brightly lit kitchen and down the hallway to the guest bedroom.
“You know, moms aren’t the enemy. They generally like to help when one of their children is hurt.” The kitchen smelled delicious—Paula had something cooking in the oven—so she couldn’t be too far away.
“Not this time.”
“Or last time. Maybe you should tell her?”
He shot a glare over his shoulder and didn’t answer. With a controlled hand, he quietly opened the guest bedroom door.
Not a thing looked out of place in the room. No clothes lying around, no unmade bed, no suitcase with photography equipment spilling out.
“Jeez, are you neat,” she said.
Luke flipped on the bedside lamp, lending an additional glow to the canned lighting in the ceiling. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Yeah, and you’re not. At least where you sleep.”
That’s right. He’d been in her bedroom. She felt herself blush and was glad his head was down, eyes on the floor.
“Hey,” she said, reaching his side a split second later. “Tell me what happened. I didn’t see it.”
“I was covering home on a crazy play for the second out when Pierce ran me down to score. He collided with my side and knocked the wind out of me more than anything.” He looked up. “But his cleat caught me right under the ribs.”
“Let’s take a look.” She was glad she wore her scrubs; it helped make her feel like she was still on the job. She had to look at Luke like a patient and not a warm-blooded, sexy man with a gaze that crushed her.
She lifted his T-shirt over his head. His sweats sat low on his hips, giving her a perfect view of smooth, rock-solid skin and muscle—except in the places he wasn’t. Her breath caught. One, two, three…scars bisected his abs, two his chest, and gave him a hard, real-man edge. The fresh clip, rendered by Pierce’s cleat, was wide but not too deep. Blood pooled around the edges. Bruising would probably show up tomorrow.
“Don’t move,” she said. She went into the bathroom, ran a washcloth under warm water, and grabbed a large Band-Aid and antibiotic ointment.
Luke flinched when she pressed the cloth to his skin. “You don’t need stitches, but you might want to skip any physical activity tomorrow so this starts to heal properly.”
He watched her work, his silent regard igniting a flurry of restlessness deep in her belly. She thought about laundry and bananas and other things she didn’t like, trying to keep her mind occupied. With gentle hands she cleaned him up and dressed the wound. Then without her permission her fingers smoothed over the largest scar, the one on his chest. The muscle underneath the raised, pink skin tensed beneath her hand.
“This is from your accident,” she said.
“Yes.”
“The others, too.”
“Yes.”
“Can you please take a deep breath for me. I need to be sure you can do that.”
His chest rose and fell without any hint of difficulty, relieving the knot of worry in the back of her throat. But when the breath he exhaled fanned out against her neck, tingles spread over the backs of her arms.
She took a step back. “Feel any sharp pain when you did that?”
“No.”
“Good. And you never blacked out when you fell, right? Your head didn’t hit the ground?”
“Uh…I don’t think so.” The corners of his eyes crinkled and lines creased his forehead.
“You don’t
think
so? Luke, if you have another concussion, that’s very serious. That’s why you needed me, isn’t it? You were smart enough not to drive right after bumping your head again.”
“I’m smart enough to know that when a beautiful RN is around, I should take advantage.”
“You think I’m…” She hesitated. He’d spoken brusquely in front of a crowd, reminding her she shouldn’t trust him. “You think because you know how to sweet talk that it excuses your behavior? This isn’t something to take lightly.”
“I’ll be fine.” He pushed back to lean against the headboard.
She crossed her arms. “Are you dizzy at all?”
He shook his head.
“Nauseous?”
“No, Nurse Sullivan.” That damn slow, lazy smile of his appeared.
“Don’t get cute with me.”
“You think I’m cute?”
“
Errgghh.
No. I think you’re stubborn and annoying and you’ve ruined my night. Thank you very much.” She paced around the room. “Where’s your cell phone?”