Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)(16)

“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.”





Chapter Thirteen





Luke thought his heart was going to break. From the look on Molly’s face and the pain he now understood she’d been having, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold her.

She picked up her glass of wine and took a long drink from it. He wanted to say something, but he wasn’t sure what. What did you say to someone who couldn’t have kids? She obviously loved children in her line of work. God, it must hurt her every day to be in the job she was.

“I’m really sorry.” He kept his tone low.

“It’s not your fault.”

“I know. Is that why your marriage didn’t work out?” He needed to know more.

She shrugged. “I’d like to say yes, but there were always problems there. The fact that I couldn’t be the woman he needed me to be—the woman who could bear his children—was all the confirmation he needed to step away from our marriage. He has since moved on to a younger woman, and through the grapevine I’ve heard they’re expecting their first child.”

“I—”

She placed a hand up. “I don’t want to hear you’re sorry. That’s all I’ve heard from everyone for the past year. Frankly, I’m tired of everyone feeling pity for me. I can’t have kids. I’ll never be the wife a man needs. And if you no longer want to pursue this, knowing I can’t have children, then I understand.”

Luke had wanted more kids one day. He didn’t want Sammy to be an only child as he had been. Luke had always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling.

“Why doesn’t your sister talk to you anymore?”

“Carrie blames me for my marriage falling apart. She was willing to be a surrogate, but I wasn’t willing to do that. I wanted to carry my own child, not someone else. I also wasn’t willing to try in vitro. Carrie says that my unwillingness to try either of those options was the same as giving up on my marriage. Deep down, I wonder: if I’d been with the right person would I have tried one of those options? Maybe something was telling me that things weren’t going to work with Steven. I don’t know. But I wanted to do it myself. Does that make sense?”

“Complete. And it’s not your fault. You’re not any less of a woman. In fact, you’re amazing. I want you to know that.”

She smiled, melting his heart. “Why am I amazing?”

“You just are.” Luke stood up and pulled her with him. “I really want to kiss you. Please tell me I can.”