Page 15 of Lucas & Melissa Falling in Love
He smirked, but kept focused on dragging me through the thickening crowd. It was starting to feel more like we were on the floor of Madison Square Garden at an Imagine Dragon concert rather than Margo and George’s chic and spacious penthouse.
“Let’s get some food and then get some air.” It was a good time to appreciate the city’s skyline from the patio.Lucas would keep me warm.
“I see rich food and healthy food,” he said as we stopped in front of an enormous buffet. He pulled me close and I watched the mischief in his eyes as he played at studying me. I didn’t speak, no quips, no sarcasm, nothing as I waited, anticipating what he might say next.
“I think you want rich food today,” he said.
“Very funny. Maybe I’m more interested in health than money,” I said. Best I could do while he held me captive in mind as well as body. I was getting hot and glanced at the French doors to the balcony not far from where we stood in the crowd at the buffet.
“I have no doubt you normally eat healthy food. I also have no doubt you normally are most interested in money. But—”
“Tonight I’m not myself.” I finished his sentence and was rewarded and thrilled by a slow curve of that sensual mouth, the dizzying indent forming a dimple at one corner.
While I was busy not being myself, I went with my impulse and said, “You’re not really hungry. Let’s go outside.”
He took my hand before I could blink and, abandoning the buffet, we went for the door.
We were heading out, but hadn’t made it over the threshold when I heard my name called. It was Willie.
Half horrified and half resigned, maybe even a smidge glad to see him, I turned.
Lucas stepped back inside, looking no more than curious when I figured he should be jealous. That miffed me, but not enough to misbehave. After all, Willie was a good, decent young man. Several years younger than his cousin George, but only a year younger than me, I still thought of him as a relative kid. It must have been his carefree vibe.
“Willie.” I hugged him when he got to me with his arms outstretched as if he weremycousin instead of George’s. I was expecting at least a throat-clearing noise from Lucas. But he knew a nice guy from a jerk and he had nothing like the overly macho reaction he’d had to Burton.
I finally let go, aware that Willie was looking over my shoulder at Lucas and more than ready enough to end the hug. Willie wasn’t the confrontational type.
“You’re here with a date.”
With a wry smile, I took Lucas by the arm and introduced him. They shook hands and there was no posturing. I noticed they were both about the same size, but comparing them was like comparing a Volkswagen Bug with a Ferrari, similar in size, but not one single item of similarity after that. Lucas being the Ferrari.
“You look familiar,” Lucas said.
“I’m George’s cousin. There’s a family resemblance, or so I’m told.”
“Ah. That must be it.”
“So, you two been dating long?” Willie asked me.
“No,” we both said at once, making Willie smile.
“We just met tonight.” I always seemed to be able to confess anything to Willie.
“We’re embarking on a whirlwind romance,” Lucas added and slid his arm behind my back, placing it on my hip, scorching me there.
I hoped I wasn’t blushing. It was a new thing for me. Willie would know and then what would he think? Whatshouldhe think?
“You’re a lucky man,” he said. “I never seem to catch Melissa when she’s in between . . . romances.”
“I am lucky.”
Willie cleared his throat.
“I could use a drink,” I said. Both Willie and Lucas laughed.
“I’ll leave you both to get a drink. I need to find Margo and George and say hello.” Willie leaned in, in a daring move, and kissed my cheek before moving off in the other direction through the crowd. We stood there as I processed my swirling emotions.
“I like him,” Lucas said.
