Sunset Seduction - By Charlene Sands Page 0,42
brave nod then winced in pain. “I…I think so.”
Luke’s teeth ground together. He balled his fists and glanced over Audrey’s shoulder at the two men from the catering staff who were responsible for nearly knocking her to the ground. They were clearly oblivious and had no clue what they’d done. Luke gave her a quick kiss behind her ear and whispered, “Hang on a sec.” Then he set Audrey aside gently before he approached the men.
“You boys just knocked into my date.” His blood pressure pulsed when they gave him blank stares. They’d been moving tables and speaking loudly, ignorant of the guests, and as Luke got closer, he smelled alcohol on their breath. “You don’t even know you hurt her. Now, before I ask you to leave, you owe her an apology.”
He led the men to Audrey, who appeared pale at the moment. They hung their heads and mumbled an apology. “Okay, now move out. Do your job and be mindful of the guests.”
When he turned around, Sophia was beside Audrey, holding her hand. Logan approached. “I’ll go talk to them.”
“They’ve been drinking,” he said.
Logan glanced at Sophia and she nodded her approval. “They’re off this job, then.”
Luke was satisfied with that. He didn’t have the authority to fire them, but Logan would. They had no call being drunk on the job.
“Are you hurt?” he asked Audrey. She’d really taken a hard rap to the back.
“Not really.”
He wasn’t sure if he believed her.
“I’ve been bumped by the best of them, Luke. Horses nudge me to the ground all the time.”
Sophia said, “That’s because they love you so much.”
“And because you let them,” Luke added. A smile strained his tight lips as he remembered the silly games she’d play with the horses. They would often whinny and show their affection by nuzzling her neck until she dropped to the ground in giggles. “I’ll get you another drink,” Luke said.
“No!” She glanced at Sophia and then at him. “I mean, not right now. I think I need some fresh air.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll take you outside.”
“That’s not necessary,” she told him. “Thank you for catching me. But I think…I think I want to be alone right now.”
A crew rushed over to clean up the mess while Sophia dabbed champagne from Audrey’s neck and shoulders. “You’re lucky. It didn’t get on your dress. You look too stunning to have it ruined. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes, just a little shaken up.”
Luke’s mouth twisted. “Then let me help you—”
“Luke,” she said, “please don’t feel responsible for me tonight. Go, have fun. I plan to do the same in a few minutes. The band is starting up. Three couples have already beat you to the dance floor. Ask Sophia to dance while Logan is busy.”
“Yes,” Sophia said, angling a knowing smile at Audrey. “I feel like dancing.”
Bamboozled, Luke got the message. He let Audrey go, watching her make her way to the outside deck.
“She’ll be fine. You’ve got to stop babying her.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?” Luke asked as they walked into the middle of the room. He took his friend into his arms and they began to move as the band played a rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” “I’m not babying her.”
“No? Then why do you look so concerned?”
“She got hurt.”
“Not that much. Not enough for good-natured Luke to want to rip the heads off those guys who shoved her.”
Luke narrowed his gaze and stared at Sophia. “What are you saying, exactly? And remember we’re friends, so no bull.”
“No bull? All right, then, but you may not want to hear this.”
Luke was sorry he asked. Sophia was a straight shooter. She told it like it was. And this time, Luke wasn’t sure he was ready for her honesty.
“You’re attracted to Audrey. You’re just realizing she’s not a kid anymore and it’s sort of blowing your mind a little bit. She loves the same things you love. She’s pretty. Especially tonight. But because of your friendship with Casey and a code of honor you keep hidden in your back pocket somewhere, you’re wired to keep your distance from her. But it’s harder than you ever thought it would be.”
“You’re right.”
Surprise lifted Sophia’s brows. “I am?”
“I didn’t want to hear that.”
“I thought so. So, how close am I?”
“Audrey is a grown woman. Any man can see that. Casey would tear me a new one if—”
But Luke couldn’t finish his thought. He’d already done things with Audrey that would give Casey