Page 4 of Luke

She sighs and gives me a tired smile. “I’m better now that you’re here and he’s gone. But no, he didn’t hurt me—as much as I think he probably wanted to.”

The thought of that jackass putting his hands on her threatened to make me angry all over again. A guy like that doesn’t deserve a good woman like Sophia. Thank God she seems to feel the same way, regardless of whatever happened between them in the past.

“Is he… an ex?” I didn’t really mean to ask the question out loud, but my curiosity got the best of me. “Not that it’s any of my business,” I rush to follow up. “I would just hate to imagine that guy taking up any of your time. You’re way out of his league.”

“Thank you,” she says, dashing at her cheeks as she turns away from me. “I just…” Her voice trails off as whatever else she was going to say is lost to a sudden flood of tears.

4

SOPHIA

God, I can’t believe I’m crying in front of Luke. I can’t believe any of this is happening right now.

But then again, yeah. I actually can believe it. Because why wouldn’t the literal man of my dreams stop by to see me right at the exact moment I’m fighting with my ex-boyfriend? That’s just how things go for me. The universe seems to have a warped sense of humor when it comes to my love life—or lack thereof, if I’m being honest.

Or maybe it doesn’t have anything to do with the universe. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m doing something to attract all the wrong guys for all the wrong reasons. Except that doesn’t explain how or why Luke keeps coming around, does it? Unless he’s secretly a bank robber or a serial killer or something, which really wouldn’t shock me all that much, given my track record with men.

And now I’m crying in front of him.

“I’m sorry,” he says, taking a step closer to me. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of my business, anyway. I’m just glad you’re okay. That’s really all I care about.”

“I appreciate it,” I sniffle, trying and failing to get myself together. “I don’t even know why I’m getting so worked up about it—I don’t have feelings for him anymore at all. Well, unless you count anger and annoyance. I’m embarrassed that you saw all of that, but still grateful that you came along when you did. I think I might have pushed his temper a little too far this time.”

Luke’s expression turns stormy again. “Has he been violent before? With you, I mean.”

“No.” I shake my head. “Not exactly. He’s been rough with me a few times, sort of pushing me around or backing me into a corner, stuff like that. But he never actually hit me.”

“Luckily for him. Pushing a woman around is bad enough, though. Anyone who does that is probably capable of doing worse.”

I nod as a fresh wave of tears wells up in my eyes. God, I hate crying, especially in front of other people. Denny always knows how to bring out the worst emotions in me. Just one more reason why I don’t want him around.

“I don’t know what he’s capable of anymore. I hope he doesn’t come back.” I can’t stop the tears from falling, but it’s suddenly okay because Luke isn’t judging me. Instead, he reaches out with open arms and wraps them around me, pulling me in close and letting me lean my head against his shoulder. Lord, it feels good. Too good. “Why are you so nice?” I ask, mostly to make sure I’m not dreaming. “Even when you don’t have to be? Even when nobody else is around?”

“It doesn’t matter who else is around,” he answers, his voice rumbling from somewhere deep inside his chest as he gently rubs his strong hands up and down my back. “I’m going to be here no matter what. I’ll be right here when you need me, and I’ll make sure that asshole doesn’t bother you anymore. I promise I will.”

For my entire adult life, I’ve tried to get by on my own as much as possible. I’ve said a hundred times over the years that I don’t need anyone to look out for me or take care of me. But now? Here in Luke’s arms? I still might notneedthose things, but maybe I’m starting to want them in spite of myself. Maybe having someone around who cares about me and who wants to shoulder some of the responsibility in life isn’t such a bad thing after all.

I haven’t known him very long at all, but I know this feels good and nice andrightin a way I’ve never experienced before. In a way I thought for a long time I might never experience at all.

“I don’t know what to say except thank you,” I tell him, my voice partially muffled by his shirt. “I feel like I owe you something more than that, though. Something to repay your kindness.”

“Well…” He pauses, grinning. “There is something you could do. But only if you feel up to it. I don’t want to pressure you.”

“Sure, of course.” I’m trying to read his expression for any clues as to what he might have in mind, but he isn’t giving me anything aside from that sexy, mischievous grin. “Whatever it is, I’ll absolutely do it if I can.”

“I’d like to take you out sometime. Sometime soon, hopefully. And maybe cook dinner for you? I have this big, newly renovated kitchen that I never get a chance to use. I’d love it if you’d help me christen it.”

I answer without hesitating. “That sounds amazing. I can bring over some fresh veggies from the garden! Just let me know a day and time, and I’ll be there.”

It feels like a hundred butterflies are fluttering around my stomach. Did he really just invite me over for dinner? As in… a date? I wouldn’t normally agree to something like that without thinking—and re-thinking and over-thinking—about it for at least a day or two, but here we are. Again, though, there’s something about him that makes everything feel right.

“Does tomorrow work for you?” he asks. “Maybe around seven?”

“That’ll be great.” I let him pull me in for one more hug before he steps back again and gives me a sheepish look.

“I guess that means I won’t have to come up with another excuse to see you tomorrow.”

I laugh for the first time all day and God, it feels good. “No, you won’t have to come up with any excuses. Not tomorrow or any other time. You can come see me whenever you’d like.”

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