He’s standing with his back to me so he doesn’t see me enter the room. “That way there’s less mess on the stove top.”
“I don’t care how it’s cooked.” I wrap my arms around his middle and press my nose between his shoulder blades, breathing him in. He smells of clean fabric softener and body wash, and his shirt is soft against my face. “As long as it ends up in my mouth,” I mumble against him and I hear him chuckle.
He turns around to look at me and grins wide.
“You are gorgeous in green. It matches your eyes.” He runs his fingers down my face and I sigh.
“Thank you. Is this better than what I had on earlier?”
“Much. Do you have any more sessions today?”
“I have one tonight around eight.”
He frowns. “Why so late?”
“A lot of people work during the day, so I have to schedule evening sessions sometimes. It doesn’t happen often because I prefer using the natural daylight rather
than
my
lighting
equipment,
but
sometimes
it’s
necessary.”
“Who is it?” He eyes me speculatively and I sigh.
“Just a girl who wants some pretty photos for her husband for their anniversary.”
“Oh, okay.”
I run my hand through his hair. “Don’t worry, babe. There are no single men on my books right now.”
“Can you let me know when there are?” Jules pipes in quickly. “All this mushy stuff is reminding me how long it’s been since I got laid. Go to lunch.
Or get a room.”
We say our goodbyes and he holds the Mercedes SUV door open for me so I can climb in. When he’s behind the wheel he leans over the console and kisses me lightly.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he starts the car.
“How does seafood sound?”
“We live in Seattle. I think it’s a prerequisite to love seafood to live here.”
“Seafood it is, then.” He grips my hand in his and smiles over at me. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I feel my face flush and I look down at our joined hands. “You always look beautiful.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s just genetics.”
“What did you do this morning?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I went to the gym and worked out with my trainer.”
“You have a trainer?” Of course he does.
“Yeah, he kicks my ass.” He grins at me, and I can’t help but grin back.
“How was yoga?”
“It was great. I love it. Have you ever tried it?”
“Um, no.”
“Not manly enough for you?” I roll my eyes.
“It’s not that, I just like a rigorous workout.”
“Go with me Wednesday morning.”
He frowns and eyes me speculatively.
“I’ll make you a deal.”
Uh oh, where is this going?
“What kind of deal?”
“I’ll go with you to yoga on Wednesday if you go to the gym with me tomorrow.”
I bite my lip and look out my window. I’m afraid of looking like a fool. I don’t have the tight, little body that most of the other women have in gyms. Yoga keeps me toned and flexible.
“You don’t have to go with me,” I whisper.
“Natalie, what did I say?”
“Nothing,” I can’t look him in the eye.
I hate feeling self-conscious, and I’m just now to the point of not feeling that way naked in front of Luke.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” He pulls into the parking lot of the restaurant and cuts the engine, turning toward me in his seat.
“Nothing, I…”
“Look at me.” His voice is stern and when my eyes meet his they’re ice blue.
“Talk to me.”
“No, you get mad at me when I talk about my body. Just leave it alone.
We’ll work out separately. It’s okay.”
“Why are you so hard on yourself?”
He’s bewildered.
“I’m not. Well, not until now,” I whisper.
“Stop this. You have nothing to be ashamed of, baby.”
“I’m not ashamed. I know you find me attractive, and I love that.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to make an ass of myself.”
“But you want me to go to yoga and try to twist into a pretzel and make an ass of myself?”
Oh. Good point.
I giggle and put my fingers over my mouth.
“Are you laughing at me?” He’s smiling again and the tension in my stomach relaxes.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“So, are you going with me to the gym or not?”
“I so wish you’d let me take your picture.”
His eyes widen and he goes very still, and I mentally kick myself. “Why?”
“Because I’d love to take your picture at yoga. This is going to be hilarious!”
He relaxes and laughs as he gets out of the car, coming around to open my door.
“Come on, I want to watch you eat.”
Chapter Sixteen
Salty’s sits on a pier on Puget Sound.
They offer great views and great food.
The hostess seats us near the windows looking out on the water and we are busy reading the menu. I glance up at Luke and can’t help but sigh just a little. He’s just so disarmingly handsome. He’s biting that thumbnail as he peruses the menu.
“Can I have your hand, please?” I hold my hand out.
“You can hold my hand any time, baby.” He shoots me a sexy smile but gives me the wrong hand.
“No, the one you’re biting, please.”
He extends his hand to me with a frown and I lean over the table and kiss the thumbnail. “You’re going to make this bleed.” I look up into his sea-blue eyes, and am pleased to see that his breathing has changed and that my touch is turning him on.
“Don’t start this here, please.” His voice is low and sexy and my stomach clenches.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I widen my eyes innocently. “I’m just making sure you’ll have an appetite for your lunch.”
“I’ll tell you what I have an appetite for.” He grins wolfishly, but before I can respond the waitress is at the tableside.
“What can I get you two today?