Sunset Seduction - By Charlene Sands Page 0,43
a stroke—after he beat the stuffing out of him.
“If what? I know you’re really not afraid of Casey.”
Damn Sophia for being so astute. For knowing him so well. He sighed and twirled Sophia around, and when she came face-to-face with him again, he shrugged. “Do you blame me for not wanting to hurt her?”
Because Luke knew that he would. He’d already let things go too far between them. At one point or another, he’d be the one to walk away from her, when he found that something was missing between them. It had happened too often with too many women in his past. He didn’t want to do that to Audrey. Getting further involved with her would just lead to heartache.
“No, I don’t blame you, Luke. I’m your friend. I can see this is troubling you.”
Sophia let him off the hook and changed the conversation to her upcoming wedding, a subject that had her bending his ear. He was grateful when Logan cut in to retrieve his fiancée.
He headed straight for the bar and ordered bourbon straight up. He spent his time chewing the fat with Hunter, Ward and a few friends from Sunset Lodge. He spoke with little Edward and his grandmother Constance shook hands with a few longtime employees, all the while keeping a vigilant eye on Audrey. She’d pretty much ignored him the whole evening, kicking it up on the dance floor with seven different partners. When she wasn’t dancing, she was the center of male attention, like she was the football quarterback in a huddle. The boys seemed to hang on her every word.
When dinner was served, she sashayed her way over to the table and they made small talk throughout the meal.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s a nice party. I’m glad I was invited.”
He glanced at her plate. She’d taken two measly bites of her prime rib and picked at her carrot soufflé and potatoes. “You didn’t eat much.”
“I, uh, no, I’m not too hungry tonight.”
“You’d think with all the dancing you were doing, you’d have worked up an appetite.”
Her gaze lowered to her plate. She picked up her fork. “I’d be a wallflower if I had to rely on you for a dance.” Dainty as could be, she took a bite of food.
Luke studied her. “You’re saying you want to dance with me?”
She lifted her chin defiantly. “No.”
But her eyes flashed something different. The band had taken a break. Lucky thing. He didn’t want to hold her in his arms tonight. Sophia had been right. He was attracted to her. More than he would admit to another living soul.
After dinner, Audrey excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. Ten minutes later, when she didn’t return for dessert, Luke went searching. He found her on the outside terrace, standing alone.
He sidled up next to her and braced his arms on the railing. He sipped bourbon from a highball glass. She didn’t look at him, but remained quietly peering at the stars.
After a minute of silence, she spoke quietly. “I’m ready to leave. Dusty offered to take me home.”
“Dusty can go to hell.”
Audrey whipped her head around to stare at him with accusation in her eyes. “That was uncalled for. He was polite to offer.”
Dusty had been eyeing Audrey all night. They’d danced together a few times. He worked for Sophia at the lodge and from what Luke had gathered, the guy was all right. Which bugged him ten ways to Sunday. He should let her go home and be done with it, but something inside wasn’t ready to allow that to happen. “I brought you here. I’m taking you home.”
“Your brother’s party isn’t over. I don’t want to drag you away before it ends. This is an important evening for Sophia and Logan.”
“So why do you want to leave so soon? Do you want to be alone with Dusty?”
Audrey’s face flamed. Her eyeballs were ready to pop out of her skull. She hissed, deep and low from her throat. “How could you ask me that?”
Luke stated a fact. “He’s been flirting with you all night.”
“How would you know? You haven’t… Oh, never mind.” Audrey turned to brush past him and right on cue, the band started up again. This time it was a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”
Hell, yeah, he was.
Luke grabbed Audrey’s arm before she could get away. “Dance with me.”
“I don’t need a pity dance, Luke.”
His brows rose. He’d always admired her spunk. They stood frozen as the lyrics