Page 43 of The Mechanics of Lust

“It could’ve been worse,” Jules continued. “But I got Dad out of the way pretty quick, and Luke was nothing but professional.”

Relief coursed through me. “Thanks. I owe you.”

Julian huffed. “You owe me nothing. And you might not want to hear it, but I know Dad misses you, even if he won’t admit he’s screwed up.”

I snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”

A long sigh made its way down the line. “Yeah, I don’t blame you, but for the record, I overheard him give your number to a Lake Dunstan farmer asking for help with his new dog. He even told the guy you were the best.”

My heart jumped in my throat, not sure what to make of that. But the spark of hope was quickly quenched by a rising tide of grief at the thought he could say that to a stranger and yet not find it in himself to talk to me. There was nothing I could do to force change on my father. The ball was in his court.

Jules dropped his voice and I wondered if Paddy was somewhere close by. “Hang in there, Zee. That’s all I’m saying.”

“I won’t back down on my end, Jules. You have to know that.”

“I don’t expect you to.” He paused and took a breath. “Anyway, I just wanted to check in and say I like this guy who seems to like you.”

I groaned, “Just stop, please.”

There was a long silence before Jules finally spoke again. “You’ve got a whole life to live now, Zee. Not the partial, closeted one you suffocated in for too long. You gave up a lot for that freedom, and it’s a big world out there. How about living it a little?”

“Iamliving it.”

“Are you?”

The question caught me unawares, and I said nothing, too scared the truth might squirm its way out.

“I’m sorry, Zee. I didn’t mean to go all serious on you. Enjoy the cookout. I miss you. We all miss you.”

I’d just put my phone back in my pocket when a warm body pressed against me from behind and a voice whispered in my ear, “You’re looking particularly gorgeous tonight.”

Hands slid under my shirt and around my waist, sending goosebumps cascading down my spine. Luke Nichols was in the house, and my balls did a little happy dance in my jeans.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since the minute I saw you sitting there.” He sucked the lobe of my ear into his mouth and hot breath fanned across my neck and cheek. I was about to lean back into his hold when common sense kicked in and my gaze shot to the mudroom door.

“Are you crazy?” I delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs and he immediately stepped back, grunting in pain. “Someone might see.”

“You know, a simplestopwould’ve sufficed,” he said, groaning as he slowly straightened. “Besides, I can’t be held responsible. You are too fucking tempting for words, standing there covered in my handiwork from last night.”

I rounded on him. “Keep your voice down.”

“It is,” he hissed, and I realised he was right. We were both still whispering.

“Someone could come in at any moment,” I pointed out, glancing wildly toward the mudroom door.

“Calm down.” He raised a hand and tucked a wave of hair behind my ears. “Gil sent me to help. He’s busy with the barbecue, and they’re all listening to Alek’s list of the latest bullshit immigration is putting him through regarding getting his little brother here. I figure we’re safe for a bit.”

“Safe?” I raised a brow. “Damn right we are, becausenothingis going to happen, understand?”

“Absolutely.” He added a cute-as-fuck salute and it was all I could do not to laugh.

I studied his smirk and then asked the one question that I knew that I shouldn’t. “We, um, broke your couch?”

He nodded, and two seconds later, we both burst into muffled laughter.

“Oh my god.” I covered my mouth and shook my head. “I thought I felt something give.”

Luke cupped my cheek and drew me close, staring down at me with those beautiful bright blue eyes. “It was worth every second.”

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