Hearts in Motion (Boggy Creek Valley 5)

Luke held out his hand for mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brighton.”

Oh God, even his voice is sexy.

“The pleasure is all mine,” I replied with a smile. Impressive, Bree. You spoke words that made sense. With a tilt of my head, I added, “Has anyone ever told you that you look like a young Gene Kelly?”

He smiled brilliantly. “As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Can you dance like him?” I asked, then immediately wished I could take it back.

He laughed, and holy fucking shit, it sounded sexy. Damn. Why were all the good-looking ones batting for the other team?

“Luke, take this beautiful woman out for a spin on the dance floor, won’t you?” Lucy said as she pushed me—yes, pushed me—toward her son.

I wondered if Lucy knew my mother. She seemed to have all the same moves as her.

Luke smiled and held his arm out for me to take.

The moment I touched him, I felt a strange sensation race through my body. I swore he felt it as well, because those eyes of his almost seemed to flare before they turned darker.

Right. Stop being wishful, Brighton.

“I’m sorry?” Luke asked as we headed to the dance floor.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Did I say that out loud?

“Um…ahh…um…” Words, Bree. Find your words. You have a law degree. You know how to use words. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything. Not a word. No words came from this mouth.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth, and he smiled again. Except this time a freaking dimple appeared on his right cheek.

It’s official. The entire world hates me.

The band was playing a Christmas tune. Luke drew me closer, and we started to waltz across the dance floor.

He glanced down, and his eyes flashed with amusement. “Tell me, Brighton, how did my father talk you into this whole blind-date thing?” He gave me a smile that made my lower stomach pull with a wave of desire I wasn’t sure I had ever felt before. Weird.

Forbidden fruit. That’s what this is. Damn it.

I looked at him and grinned. “He bribed me.”

Luke’s brows shot up, and he sputtered, “Wh-what?”

Laughing, I said, “He used some of his pull at Lakewood Country Club for me. My best friend got married not too long ago, and Mr. Morrison arranged for her husband and his friends to spend a day at the club.”

“Guy stuff?” he asked with a chuckle.

I nodded. “Yeah, stuff guys do, but you probably aren’t into that kind of thing.”

Okay, could I sound any more stereotypical right now?

He looked confused but shook it off. “So, he arranged it, but only if you agreed to be my date for tonight?”

“That’s right.”

Luke shook his head. “I didn’t ask for a date, just so you know. My mother has been bugging me to come home for a few years now, and my relationship with my father is rather…strained.”

“He told me.”

That surprised him. “He did?”

I nodded. “Why do you have a strained relationship? Is it because of your sexuality?” I asked before I could stop myself. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.”

Now he really looked confused…and stunned. I didn’t blame him. Christ, Brighton, scream out that the boss’s son is gay, why don’t you?

“I don’t mind answering, but I’m a bit confused about what my sexuality has to do with it.”

I chewed on my bottom lip and looked around. Then I stretched up some and whispered, “You know, because you’re gay?”

His eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“It’s okay,” I said, “I honestly could not care less. I don’t think your mom knows, though. Your dad said he wasn’t happy with your lifestyle and career. I’m sorry he isn’t more supportive of you.”

Luke stared down at me and blinked a few times before he let out a laugh.

I frowned. “I get it, believe me. My folks have been hounding me for years to settle down and stop working so much. I’m just glad they don’t live closer to Boston, or I’m positive my mother would have a different guy lined up each weekend for me to go out with. If I have to hear about my eggs growing old one more time, I swear I’m going to scream.”

Luke nodded, and I really couldn’t read the expression on his face. He still seemed confused.

I sighed and looked up at him. “Anyway, since you’re giving me permission to snoop—and when I’m nervous I tend to talk on and on—tell me why your dad doesn’t like your career choice? Are you in the entertainment industry or something?”

A look of amusement crossed his face. “Something like that. My father stopped talking to me when I quit my job as a lawyer and moved to California. I was pretty into the whole drama club thing in high school and college, and acting was sort of my passion.”

I raised my brows. “Acting, huh? I could see why that would make him blow a gasket.” Laughing, I added, “Then add in Hank.”