The tenderness in Luke’s expression as he kisses the top of her head about does me in at this point. I snap a few shots to capture the moment, grateful the camera acts as camouflage, hiding most of my raging blush.
Kinsley’s grin is epic, making her eyes squint. Pure delight covers her face. The bond between these two is something to behold, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of bittersweet that their mother isn’t here to see it. I know family can come in all shapes and sizes—having Marty and Clara in my life is proof of that. But knowing what Luke and Kinsley have gone through and seeing their closeness now sends an ache through me. My mom died when I was so little, and my dad never remarried, so no siblings for me.
He lifts his head and does a full body scan of me. “Wearing my jersey, I see.”
My breath catches at the flair of heat riding his gaze. He likes that I’m wearing his name,
When Kinsley insisted we match, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. I get what it can mean to these guys to see their girlfriends and wives in their jerseys. But I’m neither to Luke.
Yet there’s no mistaking his reaction to me wearing it. Witha nervous laugh, I shift my camera to one hand and pull out the bottom of the jersey with my other. “Kinsley’s idea. She wanted to make sure you were well represented.”
“Doesn’t it suit her?” Kinsley’s upturned face turns into pure mischief, and there’s a subtle coo to her voice, telling me this girl is definitely up to something.
Luke grunts yet says nothing. But one side of his mouth lifts in a partial grin as his eyes rove over me again, sending a shiver through me. Reminds me of that warm feeling you experience when you leave the chill of air conditioning and walk outside on a hot summer day.
Kinsley lets go of Luke and reaches for my camera. “Stand by my brother so I can take a picture of the two of you together.”
Together… Why does that bring something in my heart to life in a big way?
“Sure.” I set my bag down and show Kinsley how to operate my camera.
I attempt to gauge Luke’s reaction to his sister’s request as I stand next to him, but his stoic expression tells me nothing.
Kinsley lowers the camera and frowns at us. “Try to look more natural.”
Luke glances at me, then lands his gaze on his sister. “What do you mean by more natural?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. You both look so stiff. Maybe put your arm across her shoulders.”
I suspect Kinsley has the wrong idea about Luke and me, but before I can say anything, Luke’s hand slides onto my hip and tugs me against him, causing me to squeak like a timid mouse.
He must still be overheated from the game because the heat radiating from him envelopes me like a warm blanket on a chilly day. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it before—an intense attraction intermingled with a sense of peace as if returning home after along trip.
Kinsley totally gets into the role of photographer and snaps a stream of pictures, giving us instructions on how to pose. At one point, she instructs Luke to hug me, which he does. A kind of sideways hug that presses me against him. The deep rumble of his chuckle ripples through me in waves, making me hyper-aware of his spicy clean scent and the firmness of his chest. He’s like a wall of muscle.
“How about you two turn and look into each other’s eyes?” Kinsley bounces expectant eyes between us.
I step away from Luke and take the camera from her. As much as I’d like to think Luke is enjoying our close proximity, I know he’d do anything to make his sister happy. “I think we have enough pictures now.”
While I’m crouched down, finishing packing my camera, Luke reaches down and takes the handles of the bag.
“Let me help you with that.” He’s leaning over me, his face close as I stare up at him.
The man seems to make helping people his mission in life—something I’m finding as attractive as those sculpted lips, which are a mere breath away from mine, by the way.
“Okay. Thanks.” My voice comes out breathy.
As I rise, he leans in closer. His lips brush my ear as he speaks, sending a wave of heightened anticipation through me.
“I wouldn’t have minded another picture or two with you.”
His words snatch every bit of oxygen out of my lungs. Before I react, let alone say anything, he stands next to Kinsley, whose smug expression compliments Luke’s cocky grin.
His gaze challenges me as if he’s asking what I’m waiting for. I resist the urge to close my eyes and relive that brief brush of his lips on my ear so I can brand it into my memory because I know my track record, and I don’t want Kinsley to suffer more disappointment than she already has.
I inflate my lungs as full as possible so I don’t faint or wobble as we leave the arena. Once outside, I take my bag from Luke. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
