He leans toward me, sending a rush of excitement through me at his nearness. “I’m driving back to Sarabella tonight. I can drive you back.”
The wise thing to do here would be to go back with the team, but I’m not feeling much wisdom at the moment. I can’t shake the sensation of Luke’s mouth brushing my ear, which has me wondering what those chiseled lips of his would feel like on mine.
Going out to dinner with him could be asking for trouble. Not in a dangerous way. I feel safe with Luke. My heart, on the other hand, is cautious, of course. I know me. I’m not good at romance. So maybe I can figure out a way to keep this to friendship.
That’s doable, right? “Sure, why not? I’ll text Coach and let him know I’m heading back with you.”
“Great.” He takes my bag from my shoulder. “I’m parked over there.”
When we reach his SUV, he puts his hand on the small of my back as he opens the door for me. I lift the hem of the jersey, intending to take it off so I don’t look quite so casual next to Luke in his suit.
He pushes my hands down. “Maybe you should leave it on. It’s getting cooler in the evenings.”
The heart in his eyes reveals the real reason he wants me to leave it on. I remember full well how the hockey players in college loved seeing the puck bunnies wearing their names. But I only wore Luke’s jersey to make Kinsley happy. Mostly.
I confess I did think of how Ethan reacted to Mia wearing his jersey. You’d have thought the guy had won the Stanley Cup. “But I’m underdressed next to that swaggy suit of yours.”
“Not a problem.” He slips his jacket off and tosses it onto the backseat without a care, then rolls up his sleeves despite the coolness of the evening air. “There.”
I think Luke’s sexy factor just doubled. “Nowyoumight get cold.”
“I live on the ice. I’ll be fine.” He stows my bag behind my seat as I get in, then closes my door and jogs around the car to the driver’s side.
After he starts the engine, he twists to face me. “What kind of food are you in the mood for?”
I try not to stare at him like he’s the sustenance for this hunger ripping through me that has nothing to do with my stomach. He’s a beautiful man—sexy as all get out, strong…caring…always helpful. And I’m getting the feeling this dinner celebration is turning into something…more.
I blurt out the first thing that comes to me. “Pizza?”
His grin is slow…easy, making me feel all wobbly inside again. “Perfect.”
He settles into his seat, shifting the car into drive.
Remembering a remark Kinsley made earlier makes me giggle.
He glances over at me. “What’s so funny?”
“Lukinator?”
He grunts. “Long story.”
“You still haven’t explained your sister’s nickname. Should I be worried for my safety?” I take a large bite of my pizza, savoring the gooey cheese and mushroom combination. Luke said this new place was almost as good as the one in Jacksonville, and I’m inclined to agree. Plus, I’m digging the sports bar vibe. Takes me back to my college days.
Luke indulged in four slices of pepperoni pizza—his way of celebrating his hat trick—before moving on to his large salad with chicken. He wipes his mouth. “When Kinsley hit herteens, she was hell on wheels. Mom needed some help with her.” He sighs. “That’s when the nickname started.”
“She’s quite the dynamo.”
“You have no idea. And thank you, by the way.”
I sit up straighter in my chair. “For what?”
“Helping her see she’s a good writer.” He stares at me while he chews, and I’m fascinated again with how his lips move.
I have to drag my eyes away because my thoughts are hopping down a bunny trail that’s getting harder to resist exploring. “She wasn’t going to quit. She just needed a little encouragement.”
He grunts as he shifts in his seat. “Sounds familiar.”
I jerk my head up at the vulnerability in his voice and lock eyes with him, wanting to ask him to expand on his comment. But I recognize this as a tenuous moment—one where silence is the better invitation for him to continue.
