Dangerous Secrets (Tall, Dark & Deadly #2)(13)

“I should have done more,” she fretted. “I should have–”

“Don’t do that to yourself,” he insisted, his hand settling on her leg. “You didn’t have anything to go on but her threat.”

She turned to him. “Yes, but–”

He leaned in and kissed her, determined to give her something else to think about. Her lips were soft, delicate, perfect and what was meant to be a brush of his mouth to hers became a lingering caress. “No buts,” he whispered, brushing her hair from her face. “You aren’t to blame for her death.”

Her teeth scraped her lip. “I can’t turn a blind eye to this, Luke. It’s not who I am.”

“I’ll find out what happened. You have my word.” He leaned back to study her. “Trust me to do that. I won’t let you down.”

The boarding call sounded again, but still they didn’t move. He held his breath, waiting for her reply, knowing trust wasn’t something Julie gave easily, and not to anyone he knew of but Lauren.

“Yes,” she finally said. “Yes. Okay. Thank you, Luke.”

“Good,” he said, and while this wasn’t how he wanted to take a step forward with Julie, it was still a step. He drew her hand in his and they stood up. “Let’s go home.”

She nodded. “Yes. Home sounds good and safe.”

Luke just hoped she was right about that. He wasn’t so sure.

***

Julie could still taste Luke’s kiss on her lips as she settled into a window seat and adjusted her seat belt. He slid in beside her, his knee brushing hers, making her heart flutter in her chest. She was confused about Luke and tormented about Elizabeth. She replayed the meeting in her office, tried to think of what else she should have, or could have, done. She should have done something.

“Julie,” he said, trying to get her attention, and she realized she was staring blindly out of the window.

Her head whipped around. “I have to go to the funeral.”

He drew her hand in his. “Honey, relax.”

“I’m trying and failing,” she said, and she didn’t have it in her to pull her hand away, to fight this thing with Luke, to protect herself from heartache. “This is so not normal for me.”

He reached up and brushed his knuckles gently across her cheek. “I know that. You know the wedding rehearsal and dinner is tomorrow night.”

“Yes, but I took off of work tomorrow so I should have time for both.”

“I’ll go with you to the funeral.”

She shifted in her seat to face him. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to come with you.”

She wanted him to. Oh God, she so wanted him to. Warning bells went off in her head. This was headed to heartache. She was vulnerable right now, raw and open, and– “I’ll be fine by myself.”

“I’m going with you.”

“No. I need to go by myself.” She didn’t want to start depending on Luke and lose her ability to stand on her own.

“You need me there with you,” he said softly. “And if you aren’t willing to admit that, I’m fine with that. But I need to be there with you. I’m in this with you and I’m staying in.”

“You don’t have to do this, Luke. You have no obligation–”

“Who said anything about obligation?”

“I’m Lauren’s best friend, and–”

He kissed her again, his fingers curling around her neck, his tongue flickering into her mouth for one brief taste. “I’m not going to let you deal with this alone.”

She didn’t know how to reply. Alone was all she knew. Alone was where she’d end up after they were over and she didn’t want to forget how to be that way and still be happy. Her stomach suddenly churned and she knew it was stress and lack of sleep.

She sank down in her chair. “I’m not feeling so good all of the sudden.” She glanced at him.

“Do you want me to get you a Sprite?”

“No. Thank you.” She let her lashes lower. “I need to rest my eyes.”

Luke ran his hand over her hand. “Rest, sweetheart,” he said. “Sleep will do you good.”

Yes. Sleep. When was the last time she’d slept well? Not since before Elizabeth Moore visited her office. She inhaled, drawing in Luke’s comforting scent, and drifted off.

***

Julie felt a tickle against her ear, but she tried to ignore it. She was wrapped in a warm cocoon of sleep and comfort.

“Julie, wake up.”

“Hmm, I don’t want to,” she replied and snuggled further against… Her eyes popped open. Her senses were instantly alert, her nose filling with the spicy male scent of Luke. She blinked and slowly looked up, her lids still heavy from sleep.

Luke stared down at her with his gorgeous, chocolate brown eyes.

Suddenly she realized she lay in the crook of his arm, her hand on his chest, and her head on his shoulder. Her memory slowly returned as she glanced around and realized she was on a plane. She wasn’t sure how she had ended up sleeping in his arms but her subconscious mind seemed to know exactly where she wanted to be.

Slowly, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. Once, twice, and then a third time in short, soft caresses.