Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)

chapter Twelve





Molly slowed her car down to a crawl as she passed the house on Maple Street. To get to Luke’s, she had to drive by it. And seeing it again made her wonder if she was doing the right thing, asking for Luke to put his offer back on the table. It was hers after all. He’d chosen to walk away.

She groaned aloud and then pressed down on the gas and sped off toward Luke’s home. He was located only a few houses down. If he ended up getting it, it would make moving expenses very minimal. She had to move across town if she got it.

She parked her car in his driveway. The home he was currently living in wasn’t as big as the Maple Street property. It was a ranch-style home, long and narrow. She imagined the inside was very spacious. As she walked to the front door, she knew she was about to find out if she was right.

After knocking, she stepped back and waited. It didn’t take long until she heard the clicking noise from the locks. The door opened to reveal Luke in a light blue button-down shirt, untucked over a pair of dark jeans. When her gaze finally made it back to his face, she encountered a warm, welcoming smile. And yes, he had noticed she’d checked him out. She could see that in his eyes.

“Come on in.”

She stepped inside, meeting a fragrance of spice as well as sweet. “It smells really good in here.”

“I just pulled dessert out. It’s a new recipe combining two of my favorite desserts. I hope you like cheesecake and red velvet. Meat’s on the grill too. Come on, follow me out back. After we eat, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“Good. It smells great—I can’t wait to eat.”

“I’m starving too.”

Molly followed him through the foyer into a huge living room that held sliding glass doors. He opened the screen door, standing back so she could walk through first. On the porch, she saw a small table with two chairs. He had a candle burning on the table, illuminating two glasses of wine. She raised an eyebrow toward him.

“I thought a glass of wine might lighten the evening a bit.”

“It might. But don’t forget, no funny business.”

“And don’t forget I said I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want me to. You don’t have to drink the wine.”

“What kind is it?”

“Zinfandel.”

“God, I hate you. That’s my favorite.”

“Really, it’s mine as well. I always have a bottle in the house.”

She picked up her glass. “I thought you’d be more a beer man.”

“I am, but that’s for when a game’s on. I enjoy wine in the evenings.”

She nodded. As much as she hated to admit it, she liked getting to know him better. He was a fun and interesting man. “College or professional football?”

“College all the way. I like professional, but I can’t miss a college game.”

She laughed. “What if I told you I hated football?”

“Then I’d tell you to take those afternoons off and treat yourself to the spa.”

“Damn. I’m a college football fan as well. But the spa trip sounds nice—would it be on your dime?”

With tongs in his hand from flipping the meat, he looked at her and smiled. “Of course.”

Taking a sip of the wine, she knew she needed to pace herself. She was starving and hadn’t eaten since before the baseball game. “What else did you prepare besides those steaks that are making my mouth water?”

“My famous potato salad and corn on the cob.”

“Famous…why is it so special?”

“Just wait until you take your first bite. Anytime someone puts on an event, cookout, or whatever, my potato salad is always requested. Oh yes, it’s the bomb.”

Molly laughed. “Anyone ever not liked it?”

“Not yet.”

“That’s saying something then.”

He turned back to the grill. Molly took the opportunity to ogle him again without him seeing. God, this man was hot. Each time he looked at her, he sent waves of desire through her. As she took another sip of wine, she hoped she could hold up her end of the bargain: no funny stuff. The more she stared at his amazing ass, the more she wanted to grab it. She was certain it was firm.

“See something you like?”

Her gaze immediately left his backside to see he was looking at her over his shoulder.

“I was lost in a daydream, I guess.”

“If you keep looking at me like that, I might get the wrong impression.”

She smirked. “I wouldn’t want that.” Or would she?



* * *





As Luke finished up the cooking, he did everything possible to shield his raging hard-on. Molly kept looking at him like she wanted to eat him. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to restrain himself much longer. He wanted to kiss her again, and he wanted to see where the kissing could lead to. Being with her would be the best. The amount of chemistry between them was thick, and, once they connected, sparks would be flying everywhere. And she was close—very close—to giving into what she wanted as well.

“Would you like to eat out here or inside?”

“It’s a nice evening.” She looked out at the yard. “Out here would be great.”

“Sit tight then, and I’ll bring it out to you.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Nope, I got it. You just sit here and enjoy the cool breeze.” He took one last look at her and then headed inside.

She’d changed since he’d seen her at the game. She was now wearing a white sundress, with a short-sleeved black cardigan she left hanging open. Molly was beautiful. Her hair was still up, but there were stray pieces falling along her slender face.

He made up both their plates, hoping she wouldn’t mind. It took a balancing act to carry both plates and the condiment tray.

“Let me help you.” She leaped to her feet as he entered the porch, taking a plate from his hand.

“I had it under control.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Such a man.”

“Hey, I resent that comment.”

She giggled and then took her seat again. “It looks good.”

“Need a refill?” He motioned to her almost empty wine glass.

She bit her bottom lip. She must have been trying to decide if she should or not. Finally she nodded, and he headed back inside to get the wine. He refilled her glass and then set the bottle on the table and took his seat.

“I have one condition to this dinner.” He dropped his napkin into his lap.

“You and your conditions. What is it?”

“We’re not talking about the house. I want us to pretend for the evening that the place doesn’t exist.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Luke held a finger up.

“Fine. Deal.”

“Good. Now taste that potato salad and try to tell me it isn’t the best you’ve ever had.”

She scooped some up with her fork, and he watched intensely as she took her first bite. Her lips closed around the fork and then she murmured in delight. Yes! She liked it. As she pulled the fork from her mouth, she smiled at him. “It’s good. And there’s an aftertaste. What is it?”

“Not telling. It’s a secret.”

“Really? You’re not telling?”

“Nope, taking it to my grave with me. Or at least until Sammy is old enough and I can teach him. My dad passed it on to me.”

“Did he ever tell your mom?”

Luke shrugged. “Not that I know of.”

“Hmmm, interesting. So do all the Logan men cook?”

“Yes, as long as anyone can remember. I hope Sammy does as well one day.”

“No siblings?”

“Only child. You?” He took a bite of his steak.

“I have a sister. But she and I haven’t been close since my divorce.”

Ah-ha! Finally, he had an idea about her past. It wasn’t easy getting much information out of her, but now he had a little insight into her. “Divorce?”

“Yes, I was married for seven years.”

“No kids?”

She set her fork down and an expression washed over her that he wasn’t expecting. It was as though he’d flipped a switch and completely lost her.

“Are you OK?”

She stared off into space and he wondered what was going through her mind. He reached out and took her hand. She tensed a moment before she relaxed. She looked down at her plate before speaking. “I can’t have kids.”