A Country Affair(55)

“All right,” he whispered, “we’ll talk about it later.”

They continued dancing and Luke rubbed his face against her hair, mussing it slightly, but Kate didn’t mind.

Like a contented cat, she purred softly, the low sound coming from deep in her throat. The music ended all too quickly and with heavy reluctance, she dropped her arms and backed up one small step. Silently they stood an inch or so apart until the music resumed, when they reached for each other once again.

But this time Kate decided to figure out what was happening between them. Knowing how much she loved Clay, Luke was trying to help her through the evening. Yes, that was it. And doing a fine job, too. She felt...marvelous. It didn’t make sense to her that she should experience this strong, unexpectedly sensual attraction to Luke, but at the moment she didn’t care. He was concerned and gentle and she needed him.

They remained as they were, not speaking, savoring these warm sensations, until Kate lost count of the number of times they’d danced.

When the band took a ten-minute break, Luke released her with an unwillingness that made her heart soar. As though he couldn’t bear to be separated from her, he took her hand, lacing her fingers with his.

He was leading her back to their table when they were interrupted by Beth Hammond, a pert blonde, who’d hurried toward them. “Hello, Luke,” she said, ignoring Kate.

“Beth.” He bowed his head politely, but it was evident that he didn’t appreciate the intrusion.

The other woman placed a proprietary hand on his arm. “You promised me a dance, remember?”

Kate’s eyes swivelled from Beth, who was pouting prettily, to Luke, who looked testy and impatient.

“If you’ll excuse me a minute, I’m going to get a drink,” Kate said. Her throat was parched and she didn’t want to be left standing alone when the music started and Beth walked off with Luke.

The fruit punch was cold and refreshing, but she still felt warm. Kate decided to walk outside and let the cool night air clear her mind. Try though she might, she didn’t really understand what was happening between her and Luke. It probably had to do with the confused state of her emotions, she decided. She’d think about it later.

The stars glittered like frost diamonds against a velvety black sky. Kate stood in the crisp evening air with her arms around her waist, gazing up at the heavens. She didn’t hear Luke until he stepped behind her and lightly rested his hands on her shoulders. “I couldn’t find you,” he said in a voice that was softly accusing.

Kate didn’t want to discuss Beth Hammond. For as long as she could remember, the other woman had been going out of her way to attract him.

“It’s beautiful out, isn’t it?” she asked instead. Instinctively she nestled closer to Luke, reclining against the lean strength of his body, seeking his warmth.

“Beautiful,” he repeated, running his hands down her arms.

How content she felt with Luke, how comfortable—the way she imagined people felt when they’d been married for twenty years. But along with this familiar sense of ease, she experienced a prickle of anticipation. Her feelings were contradicting themselves. Secure and steady, and at the same time this growing sense of giddy excitement. It must be that glass of champagne.

The band started playing again and the music wafted outside. Gently Luke turned her to face him, slipping his hands around her as if to dance. Her arms reached for his neck, resuming their earlier position.

“We should talk,” he whispered close to her ear.

“No,” she murmured with a sigh. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to stand on the tips of her toes and brush her moist lips over his. Then she realized what she’d done. Her eyes widened and she abruptly stepped back, her heart hammering inside her chest.

Neither spoke. In the light that spilled from the hall, they stared at each other. Kate didn’t know what her eyes told Luke, but his own were clouded with uncertainty. Kate half expected him to chastise her, or to tease her for behaving like such a flirt. Instead he reached for her once more, his eyes challenging her to stop him.

She couldn’t.

The warmth of his mouth on hers produced a small sigh of welcome as her eyes slid languidly shut; she felt transported into a dreamworld, one she’d never visited before. This couldn’t actually be happening, she told herself, and yet it felt so real. So right.

Luke’s kiss was surprisingly tender, unlike anything she’d expected. “My darling Kate,” he breathed against her hair, “I’ve dreamed of this so often.”

“You have?” To her own ears, her voice sounded far, far away. Her head was swimming. If this was a dream, then she didn’t want it to end. Sighing, she smiled beguilingly up at him.

“You little tease,” he said, and laughed softly. He rained light kisses on her forehead, the corners of her eyes and her cheek, until she interrupted his meandering lips, seeking his mouth with her own.

He seemed to want the kiss as much as she did, but apparently saw no need to rush the experience, as if he feared hurrying would spoil it. Kate’s mouth parted, inviting a deeper union. His willing compliance was so effective it buckled her knees.

“Kate?” Still holding her, he drew back, tilting his head to study her. Boldly she met his look, her eyes dancing with mischief. If he’d been kissing her out of pity, she was past caring.