Sunset Seduction

Six



“That dress is made for you,” Kat Grady said. The platinum blonde strode from behind the boutique counter to give Audrey a smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Same here, Kat.”

Audrey didn’t know what else to do but to give the dress she’d pulled from the rack a studious glance. She’d been flummoxed when she entered the shop to find Kat working here. Apparently, Sophia was just as surprised. Silver Springs was a small town twenty miles west of the ranch, and Sophia had driven her here this afternoon to find a dress appropriate for the engagement party. The boutique was smack in the center of town and from what Audrey gathered, had stylish clothes that she could barely afford. “I promise to stay on my feet this time.”

Kat’s eyes softened. “Well, I hope you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you. It was just a little bug,” she explained. “I’m fine now.” Although lately, she’d been experiencing occasional bouts of fatigue and melancholy.

“I’m glad to hear that. What do you think about the dress?”

Audrey held the sapphire-blue dress an arm’s length away from her to admire the Empire waist and silvery jewels that formed a four-inch band underneath the bodice. “It’s nice.”

“I think it’s perfect for you,” Sophia said, coming to stand beside her. “The color will draw out your soft complexion. It’s a good complement to your skin and blond hair.”

“Would you like to try it on?” Kat asked.

“I… Uh, sure.”

“Right this way.”

“If you don’t like the fit, there’s a few others I think would be stunning. But let’s see how this one looks on you first.”

Audrey followed Kat to a good-size dressing room with a three-way mirror. The other woman gently took the dress from her hand to place it on a satin hook. “I hope you like it. Let me know—”

A child’s whimpering cry stopped her from finishing the sentence. “Oh, excuse me. That’s my son.” Kat rushed to the back room that was only steps away from the dressing area.

Audrey watched her go, noting how the woman’s entire demeanor changed from cool professional to a woman with worry lines around her mouth.

Audrey slipped out of her clothes and tried on the dress, peering at the fit from all angles in the mirror. Soft material crisscrossed her breasts and draped in pretty folds from the bodice down to her toes. The Empire style suited her body, and seeing herself in such a pretty gown gave her ego the boost it needed. Sophia had been right—the striking sapphire color did bring out the honey-blond of her hair. “Sold,” she said to the mirror.

When she redressed in her own clothes and walked back to the sales floor, Kat stood by the counter with a dark-haired baby in her arms. “Shush now, baby. It’s okay.” She rocked him and the little boy was comforted. “I’m sorry. My son got a little fussy. He woke up from his nap early. Usually he sleeps for two hours in the afternoon.”

The little boy, wrapped tight around his mother like a life preserver, and bobbing up and down in her arms, focused his eyes on Audrey. Jet-black hair curled at his nape and chubby cheeks, ruddy now from crying, pressed into his mother’s shoulder.

“He’s beautiful,” Audrey said. “How old?”

Kat continued cradling his head and rocking him. “Connor is nine months. I apologize about this. I’m only filling in for the owner who’s having minor surgery today. I promised to keep the shop open, unless Connor prevented it. He’s been good for most of the day.”

“That’s very nice of you.” Sophia smiled at the boy. “Do you work here often?”

“Not really. I’d love to, but Connor needs me at home with him.”

Audrey’s heart warmed. Kat wasn’t the blonde bombshell type she’d originally thought her to be. The woman had certainly looked the part though. With highfalutin hair, deep rose-colored lips and stunning clothes, she left an impression. But looks deceived. Seeing her with her child convinced Audrey that she’d been wrong about her. The bond between mother and baby was strong. She beamed when she looked at him. Her voice held motherly pride when she spoke his name. She was a single mother raising a young son all alone.

Audrey understood Luke’s reluctance to get involved with Kat now. That adorable baby had to be considered in the mix. Audrey respected Luke for his decision. The man had honor. He wouldn’t deliberately hurt anyone for his own selfish needs. Though she wasn’t thrilled with Luke lately, she had to give credit where it was due.

Luke had done the right thing with Kat.

With her, he’d been wrong.

“Well, we won’t keep you another minute. I love the dress. I’ll take it.” And you can close up shop and take your sweet baby home.

On the way back to the ranch, Audrey stared out of the windshield of Sophia’s car. “I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

“You’re talking about Kat?”

Audrey nodded. “Yes, I misjudged her.”

“Maybe I did, too.”

Audrey tilted her head toward Sophia. “All I saw was a beautiful woman, dressed to the hilt, hanging on Luke’s arm, and I assumed I knew the kind of woman she was.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You let your emotions rule your head. It happens when you’re in love,” Sophia said softly.

Audrey stiffened in the seat. “I’m not in love.” Even to her own ears, her emphatic tone sounded unbelievable. Her shoulders slumped and she lost all of her fight. “Oh…am I that obvious?”

“No, you’re not. Except to me. I recognize the signs. It wasn’t that long ago that I felt those same love/hate feelings for Logan. There were times I really despised him.”

“Luke’s such a good guy. Sometimes, I feel guilty for giving him a hard time. But damn it, all of my life, decisions have been taken out of my hands. Luke’s still treating me like a kid, telling me what’s best for me. Pushing me away for my own good.”

“Does he know how you feel about him?”

She shook her head. “No. I mean, I haven’t told him. But we’ve…we’ve had a night…or two.”

Sophia took her eyes off the road to give her a long look. “A night or two? Are you saying…?”

Audrey nodded. She was tired of holding everything inside. Sophia was her friend and she trusted her. She spent the rest of the drive home confessing to Sophia what had happened between her and Luke these past few weeks. Most of it rushed out of her mouth, unpracticed and brutally honest. Sophia asked a few questions here and there but by the time they’d driven through the gates of Sunset Ranch, her friend had gotten the whole picture.

“Wow. That’s an amazing story,” Sophia said. “Now it’s all beginning to make sense.”

“I know. I should have told Luke the second I saw him that it was me in the cabin.”

“Luke does like honesty.”

“He wasn’t thrilled with me. We had an argument about it. So do you think I should tell him how I feel?”

Sophia wrinkled her nose and thought about it a second. “Yes, but only when you know the time is right.”

“How am I supposed to know that?”

“Well, if he tells you first, that would be a good time.” She grinned.

Audrey rolled her eyes. “Like that’ll ever happen.”

“Don’t be so certain it won’t. Luke might surprise you.”

“I’ve loved him for so long and now that I’m here living under his roof, I’m no closer to getting what I want than when I was a kid, except I’ve got a few great memories to take to my grave.”

Sophia’s eyes warmed with sympathy. She set her hand on her arm. “I’m going to stop by the cottage. I have something you might need, Audrey. I hope you don’t think I’m meddling.”

“I’d never think that. You’ve been so good to me since I’ve been here and I really value your friendship. So what is it? A magic love potion? The key to Luke’s heart?”

Sophia’s shook her head and didn’t laugh at her attempt at levity. “Nothing like that. Luke’s my good friend, too, and we’re family now. And well, just remember I want what’s best for both of you. And again, I hope I’m not out of line here.”

“Okay. I’ll remember that.” Sophia’s serious tone made her clamp her mouth shut and wait.

Sophia parked the car in front of the cottage, which was now under renovation to add on several rooms to enlarge the house. “Logan’s not home. I’ll only be a moment.”

When Sophia returned with a small white bag in her hand, she sat in the driver’s seat and handed it over to her. “I hope this is…whatever you want it to be.” There was joy in her eyes and caution, too. “Open it in the privacy of your bedroom, Audrey.”

A shiver rode up and down her spine.

Audrey looked down at the drugstore bag in her lap and knew what it was. The shape of the rectangular box inside removed any doubt she’d had. “I take it this isn’t lubricating jelly.”

Sophia cracked a smile. “No.”

Denial had been her constant companion and now Sophia was making her face the music. Audrey didn’t want to think about the possibilities, but the signs—or should she say, symptoms—were all there and Audrey, coward that she was, had done a good job of ignoring them.

“I keep a few on hand. Logan and I have been trying. No one knows that but you now.”

Audrey lifted her eyes to Sophia. “Thanks for trusting me with that. I hope it happens.”

“It will,” Sophia said, a confident glow in her eyes.

She nodded. “You’re right, of course. I should find out.” She grasped the edges of the bag, rolling them up tight and taking a swallow. “Luke deserves to know the truth.”

Sophia leaned over and wrapped her arms around her. She spoke with sincerity. “My concern is for you, Audrey. You need to know the truth. But only when you’re ready.”

Tears burned behind her eyes. Emotions overwhelmed her. With a lump in her throat and her belly churning, she couldn’t get the words out she wanted to say. Finally, she managed, “You’re…a…good friend, Sophia.”

* * *

That night, Audrey tossed and turned in her bed. The home pregnancy test sat on the bathroom counter, still unopened, still in the bag. She wasn’t ready. She didn’t know when she’d ever be ready. Her life was one screwed-up mess right now.

Her restless movements annoyed Jewel so much that the cat gave her a sour look, jumped down from the bed and curled up on the captain’s chair by the window. “Sorry, Jewel,” she said. “You can have the bed back. I’m leaving for a while.”

Audrey slipped out of her bed and dressed, tucking her T-shirt into her jeans, putting her boots on and striding out the bedroom door. It was well past midnight and she’d pay for her twitchy sleeplessness in the morning, but right now, she needed to walk and clear her head.

She tiptoed past Luke’s room and out of the house, heading for the stables. Where else would she go when she needed comfort? She stopped at the barn that held the prized animals that made up the bulk of Sunset Ranch. Some horses were awake, shuffling around in their stalls. She whispered hellos to them and smiled at the others that were asleep in the prone position, lying on the soft hay and looking so peaceful.

That peace eluded her tonight.

“How’s it going, Rusty?” She peered at a reddish-brown gelding making his approach. “You can’t sleep, either?” When he hung his head over the stall’s door, she gave his silky coat a pat and threaded her fingers through his coarse mane. The textures, smooth against rough, brought a smile to her face. The scent of straw and dung, of earth and dust, comforted her in ways that warmed her heart. “Yeah, we both had a long day, didn’t we?” She rubbed her face along his and was awarded with an affectionate nuzzle.

As she passed by the stalls and other horses approached, she gave each one of them attention, but her restlessness didn’t fully subside. She was still antsy. Still unsettled. Her feet moved and she kept on walking. Out of that barn, into the dark and even farther, until she came upon the special building—the barn where she’d been unconsciously heading all along.

You’re tempting fate, Audrey.

Yet she kept taking the strides, kept digging her boot heels in and moving forward until she reached her final destination and stared into the coal-black, dangerous eyes of the stallion.

“Hello, Trib.”

* * *

Beams of sunlight brightened the darkness behind her eyes and she lifted her lids. Morning dawned and a groan from deep in her belly emerged to greet the day. She’d only gotten a few hours of sleep. But as tired as she was, her nerves tingled with excitement when her first thoughts to emerge were of the stallion she’d visited last night. Trib hadn’t been such a hard case after all. In the solitude of the night, with darkness surrounding them, Audrey had made headway with the stallion. It was only slight, but it was headway she could bank on. The horse had been at loose ends. She could relate. She’d felt the same way. And in a weird sort of way, she’d bonded with Trib. He’d come halfway. They’d talked. Well, she’d talked and the horse had patiently listened. They were two lost souls, more lonely than anything else. Trib had been isolated from the animals. He didn’t like that, and although he didn’t play well with others among the horse population, how else would he learn to get along? Audrey had to work with him, privately and at night, when it was just the two of them.

She would build his trust.

Jewel scratched at the door. The cat was eager to start her day. She liked the ranch, had free rein to wander the grounds, annoy the penned-up animals and catch creepy-crawly bugs.

“Okay. I’ll let you out.”

Audrey tossed her covers off and sat up. Her head spun. Waves of dizziness hit her. Oh, no. Fainting again wasn’t an option. When it didn’t happen, she thanked her lucky stars. She’d open that drugstore bag soon, but right now, the room and her head merged onto one axis and she was grateful. She brought deep breaths into her lungs and rose. Steady on her feet now, she took cautious steps to the door to let Jewel out. “Don’t get into trouble.”

Audrey moved slowly about the room. Just in case. When she was sure she’d remain upright, she showered and dressed. She had a full day of work ahead of her. Weekends knew no free time on a working ranch. Chores still needed doing.

She plopped a hat on her head and hurried down the hallway. Her tummy tender, she opted to bypass the kitchen and skip breakfast this morning. She strode out the front door and headed straight for the barn. She had horses to exercise and groom and she’d promised Ward to look over the feed order, to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

She waved at Boyd and Jimmy, two of the hands working in the corral, and bounded inside the barn. She stopped short when she saw Luke in the middle of the barn. He held a besotted Jewel in his arms and was spoiling the cat by scratching her under the chin. Jewel purred loudly. Audrey could swear the cat’s mouth curved up into a smile.

“Mornin’,” Luke said, walking over.

Heavens. She’d hoped to avoid him today.

“Morning, Luke.”

“You missed breakfast. Ellie made bacon, eggs and biscuits.”

Her empty stomach jerked at the mention of food. The Slade housekeeper was back. She’d heard she was a great cook. And now her stomach rumbled. “I wasn’t hungry.” She’d been queasy.

Luke glanced at her old jeans, sloppy blouse and straw hat. She’d been wearing clothes from Sunset Lodge’s gift shop but today she’d opted for ultimate comfort rather than style.

“You don’t have to work 24/7, Audrey. You already put in your five days.”

“I don’t consider it work. I enjoy caring for the animals.” She shrugged. “Besides, what else would I do?”

Luke stared at her. His throat worked as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. A moment passed between them. Then he sighed. “Whatever it is women do with their spare time.”

“I’m not like most women.”

Luke bent to put Jewel down and when he came up, he was inches from her face. His voice dropped an octave. “I know, Audrey.”

She held her breath. Being near Luke did things to her equilibrium and she’d already had one bout of dizziness today. “Then you know I’d rather be with them than anything else.”

“Okay,” he said, nodding. “But I’m giving the weekend staff time off in honor of Logan and Sophia’s engagement party. Most of the hands are invited and they could use the time.”

Darn. She’d almost forgotten about the party. She wished it was any day but today, though. She hadn’t started the day off on a chipper note.

“I haven’t gotten daily reports from you about Trib,” he said.

“That’s because you’ve been right there, watching me.”

“I can’t see a darn thing from where I’m standing and you know it, Audrey Faith. And if I’m in the area and see you over there, there’s no harm in me being nearby. The horse doesn’t know I’m there.”

Audrey wouldn’t argue the point. “He’s coming around. I see some progress. He’s lonely in there, Luke. I think he needs company.”

“Female company?”

Audrey blushed down to her toes. She wasn’t usually prone to turning five shades of red at the mention of sex, but with Luke’s expression of surprise as if he should’ve been the one to think of it, Audrey couldn’t keep the color from her cheeks. “It’s not his time, Luke. I meant that he’s isolated in there. We need to give him some freedom. He needs to be around other horses.”

“He’ll try to lord over them. The horses here are all high-strung. They’re pretty good one-on-one and they manage to get along, but I don’t know if Trib’s ego could take it. I’m afraid of what he’d do.”

“We have to trust him sometime.”

Luke spoke through thinned lips. “You’re big on trust, aren’t you?”

Jewel rubbed against her legs and Audrey bent to pick her up. She rocked her like a baby and the cat purred quietly this time. “Yes. I’m big on trust.”

Unfortunately, Luke wasn’t. Not when it came to Trib and not when it came to her. He didn’t have much trust in himself, either. He always did the honorable thing; that was Luke. But he didn’t trust enough to free up his feelings. He wasn’t a man who would let down his guard when it mattered most. He didn’t trust his own instincts.

“I’ll give it some thought.”

She nodded and there wasn’t anything more to say at the moment.

They stood facing each other in awkward silence. Audrey kept her eyes focused on him. If he wanted to turn away, he could do so, but she held firm.

Luke’s eyes narrowed until they were only slivers of blue. His lips tightened and he huffed out on a breath, “I guess I’ll see you later on tonight. About five o’clock?”

His enthusiasm wasn’t ego-boosting. He sounded like he was going to his own hanging. Her chin went up and she couldn’t hold her irritation back. “I’ll be ready…I guess.”

Luke raised his brows at her retort and then walked away.

It was clear Luke wasn’t looking forward to being her escort for the evening. Pain cut through her gut at the notion. Pangs of pride withered away as she thought about how he’d tried to get out of it, to think up another solution. But in the end, Luke had done the honorable thing. He wouldn’t let Sophia or Logan down. He would see her to the party, be polite all night and then make sure she arrived home safely.

She could fake an excuse and not go. But then, Sophia would be disappointed that she wasn’t there. And she valued their budding friendship too much to do that.

Audrey was stuck. She had to admit she wasn’t too keen on being with Luke, either, tonight. It hurt too much to be his date in name only, to know they shared earth-shattering memories in bed, and Luke wanted to forget it had ever happened. The grave comment wore on her nerves. He had regrets.

Well, so did she. And they burned through her. She feared she’d lost something precious with Luke, something that could never be restored. The friendship she’d always relied on was ripping away, the wound growing into a scar that would never heal. From the depths of her soul she faced a brutal and hard fact.

She couldn’t be Luke’s good buddy anymore.

They couldn’t go back to being casual friends.

Their friendship was over.

How sad was that?

* * *

Well, at least it wasn’t a monkey suit, Luke mused as he put his black jacket on over a brocade vest. He adjusted his Resistol hat on his head, straightened out his bolo tie and took a glance in the mirror.

A deep breath steadied his wrought nerves as he stared at his reflection.

He was happy for his brother. He’d found Sophia, and they would probably live out the rest of their lives blissful and content. Luke wanted to enjoy the celebration of their love and upcoming marriage. But he’d rather do that celebrating without Audrey Faith Thomas on his arm tonight.

Lord in heaven, the woman got under his skin.

For years, he’d thought of her as the kid sister he’d never had. He’d intervened when Casey went off on her, demanding that she obey overly strict, hard-to-abide-by rules. While Casey had assumed the role of father, Luke had befriended her in a brotherly way. It was odd that all of his life, women had been his good friends. First Sophia and then Audrey.

There’d never been any sparks with Sophia, so his friendship with her wasn’t difficult to maintain.

But Audrey?

Now that had come out of the blue.

It was hell for him to think of her as a woman, capable of making him act like a hormonal teenager again. Capable of making him forget who the hell she was and why he shouldn’t be kissing her, touching her, making love to her.

A wince pulled his mouth down.

Enough already, Luke.

He had to stop beating himself up over it. He reminded himself that she hadn’t been completely innocent. She’d brought a lot of this on herself. She’d seduced him and then turned tail and run out on him. For weeks now, she’d been living on the ranch and deceiving him.

He couldn’t forget that.

With that notion firm in his mind, he headed out of his room and walked down the hallway. He braced himself and knocked on her door.

She took her sweet time opening it.

But when she finally did, his staunch resolve caved a little.

She wore sapphire blue like nobody’s business.

“Hello, Luke.”

He swallowed. The night was looking grim. “Wow. You look gorgeous, Audrey.” He had to say it. It was the truth. Her eyes were prettier than he’d ever seen them. Blond hair framed her face in wisps of softness and then flowed down her back in long luxurious waves. The dress was made for Grecian goddesses.

She smiled and ushered him inside. “You look nice, too.” She turned away to pick up a small beaded purse from the dresser. “I’m ready. We can go now.”

Luke gestured for her to lead the way. He followed behind and was grateful once they were out of the empty house and on their way. At least behind the wheel, he could concentrate on the drive and not on her. Except that she wore some sexy erotic perfume that appealed to his base instincts. Images of Audrey’s wet body in the pool popped in and out of his head. He didn’t want to think about the Sweet and Wicked shine on her lips, either.

He wasn’t planning to get close enough to pick up that scent.

He focused his attention on the road, driving toward Tahoe and then along the scenic road up the mountain. Luke hadn’t been to The Hideaway too many times. Logan had recently purchased the restaurant and if romantic and dramatic were on the agenda, then the château overlooking the hills with a view of Lake Tahoe was the place.

When they arrived, the car doors were opened by uniformed valets. One of them helped Audrey out of the car, giving her a second look. Luke couldn’t blame the guy for admiring a pretty woman. Once the car was driven away, Luke escorted Audrey up the steps of the quaint château, with one hand to the small of her back. That was all the touching he’d planned on doing with her during the entire night.

She stopped and whirled around when they reached the veranda by the front doors. The sun was setting over the tips of the sugar pines and off in the distance, beams of burnished light gleamed on the lake. The Hideaway had a magnificent view of all that was glorious about Nevada.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, totally captivated by the surroundings.

“I won’t be disagreeing.” It was about all they hadn’t disagreed upon lately. But Luke kept his tone light. He wanted Audrey to have fun tonight. She’d worked hard on Sunset Ranch and he still considered her his friend, even if she was sorely angry at him lately.

Both of them could use a break from the tension at the ranch.

He watched her view the scenery until she’d had her fill and then escorted her into the restaurant. A gasp of pure awe escaped her throat. The place was lit with a hundred candles that gave the restaurant a warm, appealing touch. White lilies, greenery and pinecones adorned tabletops. Tall pillar candles and a gardenia centerpiece decked out the carved fireplace mantel. A three-piece band was set up off to the side. Barkeeps at a carved wood bar were serving drinks, and waiters were offering appetizers to the guests.

“Amazing,” Audrey said.

Two of the younger ranch hands huddled in the corner, noticed her and gave her a wave. She returned their greeting with a genuine smile.

“The party is in full swing,” he said, then spotted Logan and Sophia finishing a discussion with the caterer. “Let’s say hello.”

Audrey walked beside him as they made their way over to offer them congratulations.

“We should have a private toast,” Luke said. He grabbed a tray of champagne flutes, giving the waitress a smile, then returned to his brother’s side. “Here you go,” he said, offering everyone a glass. He raised his flute high in the air. “To my brother, for finally waking up and realizing how great Sophia is for him. Something I’d known all along.” He gave Sophia a wink.

“I should have realized you’d be an ass about this,” Logan said, his tone light and good-natured. “But when you’re right, you’re right.”

Everyone laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a better speech for when the time comes. This is only my warm-up,” Luke joked.

“I can hardly wait.”

They touched glasses with a clink and Sophia and Logan shared a special look as they sipped their drinks.

It was those special looks, those shared moments that Luke had never experienced before with a woman. He’d been burned ages ago. Yet lately he’d come to realize that those memories had faded into the woodwork of his mind. They no longer hurt. But he had begun to think he was immune to love. There was something missing in his life. Or was he being too careful, overthinking things that should come naturally?

Audrey held the flute to her mouth, ready to take a sip, when she was bumped from behind. “Oh!” Teetering on high heels, the glass dropped from her hand as she flung out her arms. Glass crashed on the floor, champagne spilling all over as she was propelled forward.

On instinct, Luke reached out, catching her fall. It was like some fancy dance move he’d seen on television with Audrey falling into his arms. Except Luke wasn’t skilled with the grace of a dancer. He’d simply become her human safety net.

He brought her up tight. Her face inches from his, she looked astonished. The scent of Sweet and Wicked filled his senses, but he didn’t care about that now. “Are you okay?”

She gave him a brave nod then winced in pain. “I…I think so.”

Luke’s teeth ground together. He balled his fists and glanced over Audrey’s shoulder at the two men from the catering staff who were responsible for nearly knocking her to the ground. They were clearly oblivious and had no clue what they’d done. Luke gave her a quick kiss behind her ear and whispered, “Hang on a sec.” Then he set Audrey aside gently before he approached the men.

“You boys just knocked into my date.” His blood pressure pulsed when they gave him blank stares. They’d been moving tables and speaking loudly, ignorant of the guests, and as Luke got closer, he smelled alcohol on their breath. “You don’t even know you hurt her. Now, before I ask you to leave, you owe her an apology.”

He led the men to Audrey, who appeared pale at the moment. They hung their heads and mumbled an apology. “Okay, now move out. Do your job and be mindful of the guests.”

When he turned around, Sophia was beside Audrey, holding her hand. Logan approached. “I’ll go talk to them.”

“They’ve been drinking,” he said.

Logan glanced at Sophia and she nodded her approval. “They’re off this job, then.”

Luke was satisfied with that. He didn’t have the authority to fire them, but Logan would. They had no call being drunk on the job.

“Are you hurt?” he asked Audrey. She’d really taken a hard rap to the back.

“Not really.”

He wasn’t sure if he believed her.

“I’ve been bumped by the best of them, Luke. Horses nudge me to the ground all the time.”

Sophia said, “That’s because they love you so much.”

“And because you let them,” Luke added. A smile strained his tight lips as he remembered the silly games she’d play with the horses. They would often whinny and show their affection by nuzzling her neck until she dropped to the ground in giggles. “I’ll get you another drink,” Luke said.

“No!” She glanced at Sophia and then at him. “I mean, not right now. I think I need some fresh air.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll take you outside.”

“That’s not necessary,” she told him. “Thank you for catching me. But I think…I think I want to be alone right now.”

A crew rushed over to clean up the mess while Sophia dabbed champagne from Audrey’s neck and shoulders. “You’re lucky. It didn’t get on your dress. You look too stunning to have it ruined. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes, just a little shaken up.”

Luke’s mouth twisted. “Then let me help you—”

“Luke,” she said, “please don’t feel responsible for me tonight. Go, have fun. I plan to do the same in a few minutes. The band is starting up. Three couples have already beat you to the dance floor. Ask Sophia to dance while Logan is busy.”

“Yes,” Sophia said, angling a knowing smile at Audrey. “I feel like dancing.”

Bamboozled, Luke got the message. He let Audrey go, watching her make her way to the outside deck.

“She’ll be fine. You’ve got to stop babying her.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” Luke asked as they walked into the middle of the room. He took his friend into his arms and they began to move as the band played a rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” “I’m not babying her.”

“No? Then why do you look so concerned?”

“She got hurt.”

“Not that much. Not enough for good-natured Luke to want to rip the heads off those guys who shoved her.”

Luke narrowed his gaze and stared at Sophia. “What are you saying, exactly? And remember we’re friends, so no bull.”

“No bull? All right, then, but you may not want to hear this.”

Luke was sorry he asked. Sophia was a straight shooter. She told it like it was. And this time, Luke wasn’t sure he was ready for her honesty.

“You’re attracted to Audrey. You’re just realizing she’s not a kid anymore and it’s sort of blowing your mind a little bit. She loves the same things you love. She’s pretty. Especially tonight. But because of your friendship with Casey and a code of honor you keep hidden in your back pocket somewhere, you’re wired to keep your distance from her. But it’s harder than you ever thought it would be.”

“You’re right.”

Surprise lifted Sophia’s brows. “I am?”

“I didn’t want to hear that.”

“I thought so. So, how close am I?”

“Audrey is a grown woman. Any man can see that. Casey would tear me a new one if—”

But Luke couldn’t finish his thought. He’d already done things with Audrey that would give Casey a stroke—after he beat the stuffing out of him.

“If what? I know you’re really not afraid of Casey.”

Damn Sophia for being so astute. For knowing him so well. He sighed and twirled Sophia around, and when she came face-to-face with him again, he shrugged. “Do you blame me for not wanting to hurt her?”

Because Luke knew that he would. He’d already let things go too far between them. At one point or another, he’d be the one to walk away from her, when he found that something was missing between them. It had happened too often with too many women in his past. He didn’t want to do that to Audrey. Getting further involved with her would just lead to heartache.

“No, I don’t blame you, Luke. I’m your friend. I can see this is troubling you.”

Sophia let him off the hook and changed the conversation to her upcoming wedding, a subject that had her bending his ear. He was grateful when Logan cut in to retrieve his fiancée.

He headed straight for the bar and ordered bourbon straight up. He spent his time chewing the fat with Hunter, Ward and a few friends from Sunset Lodge. He spoke with little Edward and his grandmother Constance shook hands with a few longtime employees, all the while keeping a vigilant eye on Audrey. She’d pretty much ignored him the whole evening, kicking it up on the dance floor with seven different partners. When she wasn’t dancing, she was the center of male attention, like she was the football quarterback in a huddle. The boys seemed to hang on her every word.

When dinner was served, she sashayed her way over to the table and they made small talk throughout the meal.

“Having fun?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s a nice party. I’m glad I was invited.”

He glanced at her plate. She’d taken two measly bites of her prime rib and picked at her carrot soufflé and potatoes. “You didn’t eat much.”

“I, uh, no, I’m not too hungry tonight.”

“You’d think with all the dancing you were doing, you’d have worked up an appetite.”

Her gaze lowered to her plate. She picked up her fork. “I’d be a wallflower if I had to rely on you for a dance.” Dainty as could be, she took a bite of food.

Luke studied her. “You’re saying you want to dance with me?”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “No.”

But her eyes flashed something different. The band had taken a break. Lucky thing. He didn’t want to hold her in his arms tonight. Sophia had been right. He was attracted to her. More than he would admit to another living soul.

After dinner, Audrey excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. Ten minutes later, when she didn’t return for dessert, Luke went searching. He found her on the outside terrace, standing alone.

He sidled up next to her and braced his arms on the railing. He sipped bourbon from a highball glass. She didn’t look at him, but remained quietly peering at the stars.

After a minute of silence, she spoke quietly. “I’m ready to leave. Dusty offered to take me home.”

“Dusty can go to hell.”

Audrey whipped her head around to stare at him with accusation in her eyes. “That was uncalled for. He was polite to offer.”

Dusty had been eyeing Audrey all night. They’d danced together a few times. He worked for Sophia at the lodge and from what Luke had gathered, the guy was all right. Which bugged him ten ways to Sunday. He should let her go home and be done with it, but something inside wasn’t ready to allow that to happen. “I brought you here. I’m taking you home.”

“Your brother’s party isn’t over. I don’t want to drag you away before it ends. This is an important evening for Sophia and Logan.”

“So why do you want to leave so soon? Do you want to be alone with Dusty?”

Audrey’s face flamed. Her eyeballs were ready to pop out of her skull. She hissed, deep and low from her throat. “How could you ask me that?”

Luke stated a fact. “He’s been flirting with you all night.”

“How would you know? You haven’t… Oh, never mind.” Audrey turned to brush past him and right on cue, the band started up again. This time it was a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”

Hell, yeah, he was.

Luke grabbed Audrey’s arm before she could get away. “Dance with me.”

“I don’t need a pity dance, Luke.”

His brows rose. He’d always admired her spunk. They stood frozen as the lyrics of loneliness and missing your sweetheart filtered through the speakers. “Then take pity on me. I want to dance with you.”

Luke didn’t wait for a rejection. He took her small waist in his hands and tugged her closer, then looped her arms around his neck. She gazed at him, her body a little less rigid, her eyes softening. “Luke.”

His brain told him this was dangerous and stupid, but he didn’t heed the warning. He’d been itching to touch her all night, despite his mental claims otherwise.

They were alone, but for a starry sky and the sound of music and muted laughter coming from inside the château. The air was crisp. The leaves of sugar pines whispered in the breeze. And Luke whispered above them into Audrey’s ear, “One dance and I’ll take you home.”

She trembled as he brought her closer, brushing his lips over her earlobes, breathing in the scent of her hair. She was delicate now in his arms, and he took care with that. She wasn’t a wallflower but a woman who had bloomed right before his eyes.

They moved then, back and forth, the soft harmony filling their senses. Audrey laid her head on his shoulder and they danced on. There was something sweet and poignant in the moment, something that Luke didn’t want to end. So when the music stopped, they kept dancing, tight in an embrace, clinging to each other until sometime later their feet stopped moving and their eyes locked. Luke lifted her chin with his thumb and used it to outline the shape of her lips. Then he dipped his head and kissed her long and deep and passionately. When the kiss ended, Audrey whimpered in protest. The sound seared into his soul. He felt the same gut-wrenching sense of loss and wanted to go on kissing her. But not here, where curious onlookers might see, where any second now, his brother or Sophia might wander outside to find them together, lip-locked.

“Let’s go home,” he whispered with quiet urgency.

Reflecting the soft moonlight, Audrey’s eyes shined with desire. “I’m ready.”

Luke took her hand. He was heading for trouble, but at the moment, he didn’t give a damn.