Page 26 of Gwen's Delta
Why would that embarrass him? Must be more crap that he’d gotten from his friends.
“I’d love some mint. I have some in my kitchen, too. It’s so easy, I don’t know why everyone doesn’t grow it,” she said with a smile, hoping to soothe his embarrassment. “Should I follow you, or are we allowed to drink in here?”
“As long as you’re careful. Otherwise, there will be a price to pay,” Luke said as he headed toward the hall. “You can stay and look around. I won’t be long.”
Luke’s ass was impressive in those slacks, but so was the rest of him. The dark-blue pants and tan polo shirt did nothing to hide his muscular frame, even though the outfit was better suited to a trust-fund baby than a soldier.
Being born into a wealthy family, she’d known plenty of those. That life didn’t interest her or her grandparents. But when her parents were home, they enjoyed playing golf and tennis. Sometimes, she wondered how she was their child.
The book collection was as impressive as Luke said. Gwen recognized several books that her grandparents had searched for over the years. She wondered if he’d inherited some of the books from his grandfather. It would have taken years to amass the collection otherwise.
As Gwen concentrated on the books, her desire cooled, and her brain cleared. Hopefully, by the time he returned, she’d be thinking clearly. Then she spotted a copy of theIliad of Homer. She hesitated for just a moment, then gently pulled the first volume off the shelf and wandered over to the leather sofa. The book looked like a first edition. She should probably be wearing gloves. There was no way he wouldn’t have them with a collection like this, but there weren’t any on the coffee table.
A massive, mahogany desk stood in front of a wide window, and she went over to look for some gloves. Outside, tall oaks edged the yard and kept it secluded. It was a beautiful view. His library was everything she’d expected and more. It made her more than a little jealous.
There were no gloves on top of the desk, just theLife of Merlin. She returned to the sofa and sat, staring at theIliad. As much as she wanted to be extra careful with the book, she couldn’t resist it even without the gloves. She opened the cover.
Luke returned carrying two glasses of iced tea as she started her examination of the title page.
“Ahh, you found theIliad. I have all eleven volumes. TheIliadand theOdysseystarted my collection.”
“And it’s the first edition, too. I tried to find gloves before I opened it. I know how valuable it is; I’ve had customers trying to get their hands on a set for years. Where on Earth did you find them?” Gwen asked as she gently placed the book on the coffee table and took the glass of tea.
Luke strode over to his desk and returned with a pair of cotton gloves. “My grandfather gave it to me on my eighteenth birthday.”
“That’s quite a present.” Gwen sipped the minty tea and tried not to gaze at his lips.
“Yes, it was. He was an amazing man, and I still miss him.” Luke sat next to her on the couch.
“A part of him will always be with you.” Gwen squeezed his hand, empathy for his loss drawing her to him. It only lasted a heartbeat, but just that touch filled her with warmth.
“Yes, he will.” After a sip of the tea, he placed the glass on a coaster and turned to her, all traces of sadness gone. “So, what do you think?”
“I’m impressed—as you knew I would be. Nothing like teasing a book nerd with the promise of seeing a rare collection. But there’s no way you found this all by yourself.” It wasn’t a question, but she was curious.
“I’m glad you are, and yeah, maybe I hoped to impress you at least a little. And you’re right, a lot of these came from my grandfather’s library. But I’ve gotten fairly good at tracking down what I want.”
The heated look he gave her sent fresh heat to her core. If she weren’t careful, she’d end up climbing into his lap and kissing him until they were both senseless. Just the thought sent heat to her cheeks.
“LikeLife of Merlin? Have you started it yet?”
“I did but didn’t get far. It was a long day yesterday, and I get up early for PT.”
“Physical therapy?”
“No, physical training. I usually go for a ten-mile run, then do some weight training. It makes sure I’m ready for whatever comes up.”
“Even on Sundays?” Gwen didn’t think she’d get through even a one-mile run.
“Unless it’s not safe where we are. But yeah, every day. I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s second nature.”
“I’m lucky I can make it down the block to Beans. I’d probably keel over if I tried to do more. I do yoga pretty much every day, and I have an elliptical, but I don’t use it much at all.”
“Why? You’re perfect already.” Luke replied, his caramel eyes showing the truth of his words.
“I look like a librarian, and if I listen to Grams, I’m an old maid, too.”
Luke chuckled, and the sound sent more tingles of desire down her spine. It was surprising how much his sharp cheekbones and chiseled jaw softened when he smiled or laughed.
