Page 48 of Gwen's Delta
“It’s cool that you wanted to learn, and she took the time to show you. I sort of figured your family might be well off. Not that it matters at all. My family isn’t exactly poor. But I understand why you’d want to hide it from people,” Gwen said with a grin. “Seeing your house was a dead giveaway. And…I might have looked you up on the internet. Forest Department Stores, huh?”
“Beautiful and sneaky.”
She tilted her head as she tried not to blush. “I figured you’d tell me when you were ready. It really doesn’t change anything, except that now I know you’re not trying to date me for my money.”
“That’s very true. My team knows some of my background, but I doubt they bothered to investigate like you did.”
“I love research. When you mentioned your book collection, I couldn’t resist looking. I hope you don’t mind?” Gwen took another bite of the omelet. If he kept feeding her like this, she would have to do a lot more yoga.
“Not at all. It was smart. We’d just met, and you would be alone with me when we met for lunch. Did you find anything interesting?” Luke waggled his eyebrows.
Every time he did that, it cracked her up. It seemed out of character, but then he was hard to pin down. Around his friends, he’d been so serious, intense, but he had a playful side, too. Then there was the sexy side…
“Maybe,” she teased and batted her eyelashes.
In a flash, he rounded the island and pulled her into his arms. His wicked smile sent heat racing along her nerve endings. “Should I kiss it out of you?”
Her mind screamed “Yes” even though her nether region was sore, unused to the attention it had received.
“You could try,” she taunted. She was officially out of her mind.
She’d expected he’d kiss her until she was breathless, but when he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead and turned back to the stove, disappointment washed over her.
“Giving up so easily?” Gwen was just asking for trouble now.
“Nope, but after last night, we’ll need more time than we have before you have to go to work.”
The thoughts of what he would have done to her in that time made her shudder with longing.
As she tried to get her libido under control, she ate. Would he hang out with her at the bookstore all day? Or did he have to go back to Killeen? Torn between wanting him to stay and needing time to process all the feelings churning inside her, she didn’t know what to hope would happen.
If he was around, she couldn’t call Belle and tell her what an amazing time they’d had. She also knew without a doubt that Grams would figure out that something had changed. The woman had eagle eyes and a keen bullshit meter.
Gwen wondered if she looked different. She felt like she was walking on air, but it scared her a little. What if she was falling in love with Luke? It was too fast, but being around him made her breathless, and she craved his touch. And when he wasn’t with her, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
After refilling her coffee, he grabbed his plate and sat next to her at the kitchen island. His omelet looked more like a calzone, thick with fillings and twice the size of hers.
Unable to resist, she teased, “Ohhh, someone must have worked up an appetite last night.”
“Princess, you don’t understand. That was just dessert. Imagine when we have time for the whole meal.”
The smoldering look he gave her sent heat straight to her core and made her squirm on her chair, leaving her wet and needy. She’d definitely have to change her panties before she went to work.
After breakfast, she tried to help Luke clean up the kitchen, but he gave her a kiss and told her not to worry about it. When he said no, there was nothing she could do to change his mind. The man had a stubborn streak a mile wide, and she already knew they’d be butting heads in the future.
The morning passed quickly as they chatted in the kitchen and played with Sir Galahad. Luke told her stories about growing up with his sisters. Some of them were so funny she’d laughed until she had tears in her eyes.
When she quieted, Luke asked, “When will I get to meet your parents? After meeting your grandparents, I’m looking forward to it. Plus, since we’re dating, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Are we dating? I mean, we’ve only seen each other a few times…”
In two steps, he stood in front of her and tipped up her chin so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “Yes, princess, we’re dating. Do you have an issue with that? Because if you do, I will do what it takes to change your mind.”
Of course, she didn’t have a problem dating him. Not only no, but hell, no. But knowing he felt the same way lightened her heart.
“Nope, no problem.”
“Good, because I will be more than happy to make you late for work while I prove it to you.”
