Perfect Stranger (Serendipity's Finest 2.50)
“At least someone finds them amusing,” he muttered to his mother and sister’s retreating backs.
“You have no idea how lucky you are,” she said, staring after his family, a wistful expression on her face.
Luke didn’t know what she was doing here, but he had to assume it boded well for him that she’d come. He hooked his arm in hers and led her away from the yard and around the side of the house to his mother’s special place. When Luke was born, she’d insisted she needed a place of her own and his father had put up a gazebo in the most private corner of the yard, right off the side door to the house.
They settled in the swing chair. “I take it getting away wasn’t easy?” he asked.
“That would be an understatement.”
Her pretty green eyes told the painful story. He wouldn’t push her for an explanation, sure it would come when she was ready. “Yet you’re here.”
“I hoped the invitation was still open,” she said hesitantly.
There it was, that vulnerability he’d been thinking about before she materialized in front of his eyes. In her blue jeans and white lace tank, with a light denim blouse tied around her waist, she looked like she belonged here on the ranch. Yet everything about her screamed her uncertainty, something he never wanted her to feel around him.
“Invitation’s always open, darlin’.”
She released a long-held breath. “Well, that’s good, since when I took a leave of absence from work, my boss informed me he wouldn’t be holding my position open.” Her jaw set tight at the admission.
That bastard. “Your father said that?”
“It seems he didn’t appreciate the idea of me finding my own path.”
He wasn’t sure what surprised him more, the smile she gave him or the fact that she’d listened to his advice and was taking time to figure out what she wanted, despite the consequences.
“I think that’s great,” he said, grasping her hands, thrilled down to his bones that she’d come to him. “So you’re here for a while?”
Alexa shrugged, wondering that herself. “I’m here. How long? I thought we’d figure that out together. See if we still like each other and all.” God, she sounded like an unsure idiot, Alexa thought. It was a wonder she’d survived the plane ride, not knowing what awaited her here.
She’d gotten Luke’s address from Sawyer Rhodes, who swore his friend would be happy to see her and encouraged her to surprise him with the visit. Since she wasn’t in any hurry to have Luke turn her down if he’d changed his mind, she’d agreed and hopped on a pla
ne.
“See if we still like each other?” Luke chuckled. “I don’t know about you, but what I feel for you is a lot more than like, darlin’.” Luke brushed his finger down her cheek, his golden eyes sparkling with reassurance as he dipped his head in close.
His heat reached out to her, his familiar scent settling the butterflies deep in her stomach.
“I started falling hard for you the second we met,” he continued. “Having you come down here, unsure of your welcome but taking that chance on me? That just cemented the deal. I can’t see us going anywhere but forward from here.”
“Me neither.” She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest, everything inside her screaming this was right. “I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
“Same. And I sure never thought I’d want a woman with me, by my side, not talking about leaving any time soon, but that’s how I feel about you. So let’s take this time to get to know each other better, and help you figure out what you want to do with your career.” His eyes held hers. “And while you’re thinking on what you want, maybe you’ll reconsider where you do it. Assuming things keep on…keeping on.”
He grinned, and Alexa knew everything would be all right.
“Would you like that?” he asked.
“A lot,” she whispered.
“Good. Did I say I’m glad you’re here?” Before she could answer, he said, “I’m glad you’re here. Good play, darlin’.”
She grinned. Not a good play, she thought, as he closed his lips over hers. A perfect one.
Read on for a preview of the Serendipity’s Finest novel
PERFECT TOGETHER
Available February 2014 from Berkley!