It Was Only a Kiss - By Joss Wood Page 0,38

that...to say he wanted no part of St Sylve. But despite thinking that, feeling that, he’d never managed to take that final step to walk away from his responsibility, his heritage, his name. He couldn’t allow the hard work of all his grandfathers and their grandfathers to be wasted, couldn’t pass the land they’d loved into someone else’s hands.

Jess remained quiet for a while after he’d explained that to her. Eventually she tucked her hand under his arm and rested her cheek against it. ‘So, basically, you’re telling me that a part of you loves it?’

‘Sometimes,’ Luke acknowledged with a faint smile.

‘Well, I do. Love it,’ Jess said fervently.

Luke whistled for the dogs. ‘It’s getting late. We should head back.’

Jess turned around with him. ‘Ally is talking about getting some dinner, going to a pub later. Do you want to come with us?’

Luke thought a moment. ‘Is Owen included in the invitation?’

‘They’ll have to come up for air and food some time.’ Jess smiled. ‘So I presume so. If you don’t come I’ll just stay here, catch up on my own work. I don’t feel like being a third wheel.’

Luke rubbed his jaw. ‘Maybe we both need a break. We’ll take my car. What if we leave at about half-seven?’

‘That sounds good.’

‘So, tell me about your trip...’ Luke said as they headed back home.

SEVEN

‘Ghosts do exist!’ Jess insisted, her glass of red wine wobbling dangerously.

Luke took the glass from her hand and put it back onto the small round table they were all sitting around in Rosie’s Pub and Grill. It was his—and his friends’—favourite pub to hang out in: a relaxed atmosphere, pool tables and, on the weekends, a surprisingly good band that played all their favourites.

‘You know, for a shockingly smart woman, your ability to believe in nonsense amazes me,’ Ally said, picking up a chip from the basket between them.

Luke agreed with her, but was old enough and wise enough not to say so with quite so much emphasis.

‘Just because you can’t see it or measure it doesn’t mean it’s nonsense,’ Jess replied.

‘It just means that you have a vivid imagination and no respect for science,’ Ally retorted, draping her arm around Owen’s neck.

His friend had that goofy look on his face that suggested that he’d been expertly and thoroughly used...and he certainly wasn’t complaining.

God willing, he’d have that same look on his face before long.

When the conversation drifted to the campaign, Luke thought that he’d moved from actively loathing the process of making the advertisements to tolerating the process. He enjoyed the physical stuff—riding the Ducati, surfing, even the mountain biking today had been fun. What wasn’t fun about hurtling down a forest trail at speed?

It was the attention he loathed. The cameras and the people constantly watching him sent him straight back to his childhood. He couldn’t shake the feeling that instead of having just his father waiting for him to mess up, now he had a posse of strangers waiting for him to fail. Jess helped him get through; she had a way of calming his churning thoughts with a quick smile. Hell, just her presence and constant chatter relaxed him...although he’d never admit that to her.

Luke sipped his beer and looked at Jess. He liked her, and it had been a long time since he’d just liked a woman. Along with the liking he also respected her; it took hard work and guts to build what she had, and he admired her dedication and work ethic. Jess, he realised, was not after a free ride from any man.

Luke looked across the room towards the pool tables. ‘A table is finally empty. Who wants a game?’

Owen and Ally nodded and Jess shrugged. Luke pulled her to her feet. ‘You and me against Owen and Ally. That’ll make it a little more interesting.’

Jess frowned. ‘Why?’

‘Two strong and two weak players,’ Luke explained.

Jess stopped in her tracks and looked at Ally, who grinned. ‘And we’re the weak players?’

Luke exchanged a look with Owen. They played most Friday nights and were pretty good at pool. Actually, they were excellent. ‘Uh...yes.’

Jess sent him a look that made his hair curl. ‘Well, let’s make this really interesting. Ally and me against you and Owen.’

Luke shrugged and smiled at Owen across Jess’s head. How could they lose? ‘Sure. What are the stakes?’

‘Dinner at the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the country—the one down the road. Losers pay.’

Again, how could he lose?

* * *

When Jess sank the winning shot, she rested her