Page 45 of The Mechanics of Lust

“I know, I know.” I made a beeline for the kitchen island, hoping Gil would follow. “Making an effort to raise the bar is all. Bad idea?”

Gil glanced into the open pantry, his frown deepening. With a sinking heart, I thought for sure that he’d heard something. That he’d go inside to check. But instead, he walked away and joined me at the island. “Whatever floats your boat. Did Luke come through here? I sent him to help you.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Why? Are you meddling again?”

“Of course not.” But his sly smile gave him away. “Okay, maybe.”

“Yeah, well, stop it.” I had his attention now. “And yes, he passed through about five minutes ago. Didn’t mention anything about helping though.” I added a dramatic eye roll to the lie. “Typical, if you ask me.”

Gil frowned. “Not rea—”

“Gil,” Holden called from outside. “Bring some more beer when you come back, yeah?”

Gil glanced at the mudroom.

“Do you want me to get that?” I offered, knowing full well what his answer would be.

“No, I’ll do it. And by the way—” He caught my gaze and smiled. “—I don’t think I said thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making the effort with Luke last night in the bar. I appreciate it.”

It was all I could do not to look directly at the pantry, pretty sure my cheeks were blowing scarlet as I remembered exactly how much effort I’d expended on Luke last night and in ways that would blow Gil’s brain clear out of the water. “No problem,” I said somewhat huskily. “I guess he’s not so bad.”

Gil’s eyes grew soft. “Glad you think so. Now, we’re about five minutes away from serving, so if you can get those plates on the table, with or without a tablecloth, I’d appreciate it. And if you see Luke, light a fire under his arse, courtesy of me, will you?”

I bit back a smile, imagining Luke standing in the pantry with his ears flapping. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

The minute Gil was gone, Luke appeared from the pantry with a wicked gleam in his eye. He crowded me against the island and put his lips next to my ear. “You can light a fire under my arse anytime, baby. In it too, for that matter.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I shoved him away. “And quit trying to kiss me.”

“Didn’t hear you complaining a minute ago. And also—” He arched a brow. “—typical?”

My cheeks bloomed. “I’m not supposed to like you, remember?”

Something flashed in his eyes that looked a lot like surprise. “Does that mean youdolike me?”

“You’re fishing. And no, I don’t like you.” I tried not to smile. Epic fail. “Okay, maybe a little. When you’re not being a dick.”

Instead of the smart comeback I’d expected, Luke’s response was a thoughtful frown. “Gil asked you to be nice to me, didn’t he?”

I huffed. “Yes, although he didn’t quite put it that way. He wanted me to give you a chance. But in case you’re wondering, I don’t make a habit of fucking men I’m asked to be nice to. That regrettable decision was entirely my own.”

His frown smoothed and he stepped in close once again, the fresh scent of him muddling my brain. “Regrettable, huh?”

I swallowed hard and stared up at him, every thought in my head fading into those blue, blue eyes, my stomach swooping. This close, Luke was so fucking potent. He filled the room and everything else paled beside him. “Maybe notentirelyregrettable.” My tongue dragged over my dry lips and Luke followed the movement, his pupils flaring. “I suppose there were one or two redeeming moments.”

“Just one or two?” His voice dropped to a husky baritone and he ran his nose up the side of my face, turning my legs to jelly. “Do tell—”

“Zach, we need those plates,” Gil called from outside.

Dammit.I shoved Luke away and glared at his smirking face. “Stop messing with me. Here.” I reached for the stack of plates. “Make yourself useful and take these outside.”

He accepted them with the sexiest fucking smile that curled my toes. “You’re adorable when you’re all prickly.”

“I am not prick—”

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