Luc’s hearty male laugh resonated in a warm echo in her belly. She liked him right away. He was good people, down to earth, despite his success. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Kimber Edgington.” She held out her hand. “You’re really Deke’s cousin?”
“Whether I like it or not.” Luc took it, caressing her hand more than shaking it. “I don’t mean to keep you out on the porch. Do you want to come in and wait for him?
I’d love your beautiful company while I finish tonight’s roast.” The man was full of southern charm. Kimber felt immediately at ease. “Thanks.
Do you expect him soon?”
“Yes. He called a little bit ago to say he was on the road.” Luc stepped back and opened the door to admit her. Kimber wandered into the house, eyes wide open.
Everywhere she looked classical and Italian influences reigned…but with an interesting mix of rustic cabin and modern technology. Distressed hardwood floors with warm-shaded plaster walls. Cognac leather chairs with wrought iron tables—
and a fiftyinch plasma TV. Tasteful and plush…but still very masculine.
“I suspect he’ll be here in ten minutes or so.” Luc sent her a sly grin. “Just enough time to bribe you with raspberry iced tea and fresh peach scones, so you’ll tell me what on earth that ass**le has done to earn a surprise visit from a beauty like you.”
Her smile fell. The mission. How quickly a pair of magnetic dark eyes and a few suave words nearly made her forget… A part of her could hardly believe her reason for coming here. It was wild. Crazy. Gutsy. Imperative to her future. And Luc wasn’t worming the truth out of her, no matter how delicious his scones were.
Deke would probably tell Luc the minute he laughed her out the door, anyway.
“I’m just teasing. No need to be grim. You don’t have to tell me a thing,” he assured, his voice smoky and intimate. The teasing expression had been replaced by the comfort of his dark, solemn eyes.
“Sorry.” Kimber did her best to smile. “I’m a little…”
“Nervous?” he prompted, leading her into a bright kitchen.
“The house is gorgeous, especially the kitchen,” she breathed, happy for a reason to change the subject.
Rich cherry cabinets with furniture detailing, a European feel, and stainless hardware, backsplashes, and appliances. A gorgeous mix of the old and new. The six-burner gas stove, granite countertops, and double ovens made this a chef’s dream. Luc looked perfectly at home here.
“Thanks. Deke didn’t help me decorate, in case you were wondering.” He winked.
Deke decorating? The very idea made her laugh. Deke would hang gun racks and litter the floor with shell casings. In his eyes, infrared binoculars would be the perfect coffee table conversation piece. TV trays, any old couch, and a bank of security cameras, period. He’d never need anything else for entertainment.
“That, I’d believe. You did this?”
“With a little help from a friend who’s an interior decorator.”
“It’s really lovely.”
He sent her a considering smile. “Glad you like it. Raspberry tea?” What the heck was that expression about? “Sure. Thanks.” Luc placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her to a wrought iron chair with plush, mossy-shaded cushions. His touch warmed her. Kimber had no doubt that plenty of women found the well-known chef sexy. He was. But something about him also set her at ease. He cooked and decorated and made her feel immediately comfortable. Maybe he was g*y. Another glance at him, and she revised that thought. Doubtful. He was just naturally polite and easygoing. Totally unlike his cousin. Deke had always set her on edge, even before hello.
“So you know Deke?” Luc asked, handing her a tall glass.
“Oh, yeah.” She gave him a tight smile. “He and my father are in the same line of work. In fact, he used to work for my dad.”
Kimber took a sip of the tea and moaned. “Wow. This is great!” Luc frowned, then recognition dawned. “Ah, you’re Colonel Edgington’s daughter?”
She nodded. “Deke’s mentioned me?”
“Not by name. Mostly he’s talked about your father. I’ll have to kick his ass for that oversight. You’re a doll.” He sat in the chair beside hers and smiled, dripping charm. “If he was hoarding you all to himself, I’m going to be very unhappy with him.”
A heated feeling crept up her neck, to her cheeks. A blush? She never blushed.
Ever! But Luc and his smooth tongue weren’t something she’d ever encountered in her years of dealing with nothing but military men.
“I’ll bet you flatter a lot of ladies right out of their panties.” A ghost of a smile hovered around his lush mouth. But he didn’t answer. “Did Deke know you were coming today?”