CHAPTER 044: For The Audience
Before I even realize what I’m doing, my thumb presses End call.
I stare at my phone screen, the name lingering there like a stain, and then I hit Do Not Disturb.
I’m having one of the best evenings in a long time, and I’ll be damned if I let a spawn of the devil ruin it for
- me.
I look at myself in the mirror, taking in my flushed cheeks, rosy lips, and visible cleavage. I can feel a ripple of adrenaline, a little spark of excitement. Luke’s waiting for me downstairs, and from the way he looked at me earlier, I can tell it’s going to be… memorable. With one last sweep of my hair, I smooth down my dress, letting it hug my curves just right, and head out the door.
The scent of Luke’s cooking fills the hall as I make my way down the stairs, warm and savory. I catch a glimpse of him and Javier already waiting at the table, and the second our eyes meet, Luke’s entire face lights up. There’s something in his gaze, an intensity, like I’m the only person in the room. My breath catches for just a second, and I know exactly where this night will end–in complete, blissful surrender.
Javier, seated by the table, throws up his hands. “See? She’s alive, Lucas. I kept telling him he’d have a heart attack if he kept pacing like that. Told him to get used to these things. Women are always late.”
I roll my eyes, grinning. “No, we’re not.”
“Says a late woman.”
I can’t help but laugh. I settle in beside Luke, close enough that I can feel the heat of him. Leaning in, I gently hold his chin, drawing him toward me. “Tell your grandfather I’m not a latecomer,” I murmur, my lips just a breath away from his.
Luke’s eyes darken, his smile slow and wicked. “Julie’s never late,” he says, his voice low, with just a touch of that edge that makes my pulse race. “The most it’s ever been was a minute.”
Javier groans, realizing what we mean. “I hate you both. This is sexual harassment.”
Luke chuckles, glancing over at him. “Pretty sure that wouldn’t fly in court, Grandpa.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re harassing my ears,” Javier shoots back. “Let’s eat, for god’s sake. I’m salivating here.”
The smell from the dishes in front of us is downright heavenly, and my stomach growls in agreement. Luke serves me a generous helping of what looks like a perfectly seasoned dish of rice and chicken with a rich, fragrant sauce that has my mouth watering before I even taste it. I take a bite and nearly melt on the spot.
“This is amazing,” I say, savoring each flavor as it bursts in my mouth. “What is this?”
Luke leans back, looking smug. “It’s arroz con pollo. I thought I’d go with something traditional.”
“It’s wonderful,” I say between bites, “but maybe not as wonderful as hearing you pronounce it.”
Javier perks up, grinning as he takes a long sip of his drink. “Did I tell you Lucas won a cooking competition once?”
My eyes widen, and I give Luke a look. “Oh, really?”
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CHAPTER 044 For The Audienc
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Luke waves a hand, looking almost sheepish. “Let’s… maybe not bring that up.”
But Javier ignores Luke’s protests. “His little sister signed up for this big cooking competition when she was a kid, but the poor thing caught the flu the morning of. Being the good big brother he is, Lucas here went in her place.”
Luke groans, rubbing his face.
