Sunset Seduction - By Charlene Sands Page 0,41
of his head. He didn’t want to think about the Sweet and Wicked shine on her lips, either.
He wasn’t planning to get close enough to pick up that scent.
He focused his attention on the road, driving toward Tahoe and then along the scenic road up the mountain. Luke hadn’t been to The Hideaway too many times. Logan had recently purchased the restaurant and if romantic and dramatic were on the agenda, then the château overlooking the hills with a view of Lake Tahoe was the place.
When they arrived, the car doors were opened by uniformed valets. One of them helped Audrey out of the car, giving her a second look. Luke couldn’t blame the guy for admiring a pretty woman. Once the car was driven away, Luke escorted Audrey up the steps of the quaint château, with one hand to the small of her back. That was all the touching he’d planned on doing with her during the entire night.
She stopped and whirled around when they reached the veranda by the front doors. The sun was setting over the tips of the sugar pines and off in the distance, beams of burnished light gleamed on the lake. The Hideaway had a magnificent view of all that was glorious about Nevada.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, totally captivated by the surroundings.
“I won’t be disagreeing.” It was about all they hadn’t disagreed upon lately. But Luke kept his tone light. He wanted Audrey to have fun tonight. She’d worked hard on Sunset Ranch and he still considered her his friend, even if she was sorely angry at him lately.
Both of them could use a break from the tension at the ranch.
He watched her view the scenery until she’d had her fill and then escorted her into the restaurant. A gasp of pure awe escaped her throat. The place was lit with a hundred candles that gave the restaurant a warm, appealing touch. White lilies, greenery and pinecones adorned tabletops. Tall pillar candles and a gardenia centerpiece decked out the carved fireplace mantel. A three-piece band was set up off to the side. Barkeeps at a carved wood bar were serving drinks, and waiters were offering appetizers to the guests.
“Amazing,” Audrey said.
Two of the younger ranch hands huddled in the corner, noticed her and gave her a wave. She returned their greeting with a genuine smile.
“The party is in full swing,” he said, then spotted Logan and Sophia finishing a discussion with the caterer. “Let’s say hello.”
Audrey walked beside him as they made their way over to offer them congratulations.
“We should have a private toast,” Luke said. He grabbed a tray of champagne flutes, giving the waitress a smile, then returned to his brother’s side. “Here you go,” he said, offering everyone a glass. He raised his flute high in the air. “To my brother, for finally waking up and realizing how great Sophia is for him. Something I’d known all along.” He gave Sophia a wink.
“I should have realized you’d be an ass about this,” Logan said, his tone light and good-natured. “But when you’re right, you’re right.”
Everyone laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a better speech for when the time comes. This is only my warm-up,” Luke joked.
“I can hardly wait.”
They touched glasses with a clink and Sophia and Logan shared a special look as they sipped their drinks.
It was those special looks, those shared moments that Luke had never experienced before with a woman. He’d been burned ages ago. Yet lately he’d come to realize that those memories had faded into the woodwork of his mind. They no longer hurt. But he had begun to think he was immune to love. There was something missing in his life. Or was he being too careful, overthinking things that should come naturally?
Audrey held the flute to her mouth, ready to take a sip, when she was bumped from behind. “Oh!” Teetering on high heels, the glass dropped from her hand as she flung out her arms. Glass crashed on the floor, champagne spilling all over as she was propelled forward.
On instinct, Luke reached out, catching her fall. It was like some fancy dance move he’d seen on television with Audrey falling into his arms. Except Luke wasn’t skilled with the grace of a dancer. He’d simply become her human safety net.
He brought her up tight. Her face inches from his, she looked astonished. The scent of Sweet and Wicked filled his senses, but he didn’t care about that now. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a