The Wells Brothers: Luke Read online

  When the silence grew too long, he said quietly, “Mikki?”

  She turned her head enough to glance at him over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  The uncertainty was clear to hear, the blush in her cheeks and the way her eyelashes lowered to hide her eyes enough to let him know that she was ueasy.

  Well, hell, that wasn’t what he wanted after making love. He preferred to snuggle, but then this wasn’t his usual conquest. Mikki wasn’t a conquest at all, she was special. “Red, come here.”

  This time she did turn around, coming onto her knees, sitting back on her heels to look him full in the eyes. She looked delightfully rumpled, from her t-shirt that was a little crumpled, to her hair which flowed over her shoulders and down her back in wild red curls.

  Uncertainty was written all over her face. “What was this, Luke?”

  Observing her carefully, he kept his features calm, reassuring. “This was us.”

  Hands unconsciously flexing on her thighs, she glanced away, glanced back. “There’s never been an ‘us’.”

  “There is now.”

  Mikki slid a sideways look to the open manhole and for a split second he thought she’d jump to her feet and run. Fully prepared to follow, he relaxed again when she instead returned to regarding him out of those fathomless green eyes.

  When she started to nibble her bottom lip, still swollen and red from his kisses, his gut tightened a fraction, a little spurt of heat shooting through him, but he ignored it, concentrating on her emotions and not his own over-sexed libido.

  Reaching out with one hand, he said encouragingly, “Come here.”

  She shook her head.

  “Red, you look like you think I’m going to pounce on you. I’m not.” Yet. Definitely later, though.

  “I just…” She pushed a thick swathe of hair back from her face. “I’m not sure what happened.” At his raised eyebrows, she amended, “I mean, I do know what happened, but not why.”

  He curled the fingers on his extended hand in a ‘come here’ gesture.

  Mikki sighed.

  He simply repeated the gesture.

  With another sigh, she dropped to her hands and knees and crawled across the small distance separating them.

  Jesus, if she knew what that sexy crawl did to him, seeing those sweet curves dip and slide so smoothly, her eyes on him, those wild curls spilling over her shoulders. There was something almost primitive in the way she came towards him, a little wary, a little resigned, all woman.

  It made the dominant side of him want to reach out and simply take her, drag her to him and protect her from everything, replace that wariness with contentedness.

  Banishing that urge, he waited until she was near enough before taking her hand. “Turn around and sit down.”

  She stared up at him for several seconds before obeying, turning to sit in front of him.

  “Shuffle back.”

  “Luke-”

  “Shuffle, Red.”

  It was a telling moment when she obeyed, her bottom fitting up against his hips and lower abdomen, her back to his chest, his knee on the floor bending more so that his thigh ran along the outside of hers as she straightened her legs.

  He placed his mouth at her ear. “Lean back.”

  Immediately she baulked. “I’m too heav-”

  “No. You’re not.” Sliding his arm around her waist, he eased her back against him, her warmth seeping into him.

  She held stiffly upright, but when he ran his hand up and down her arm soothingly she relaxed a little. Shifting his hand to the base of her neck, he pressed and massaged, working the tight muscles.

  Their position meant he could see her profile clearly, their closeness hopefully reassuring her.

  “Luke,” she finally murmured, “I don’t want you to think I normally do this.”

  “Do what?” He watched the sun tint the gold among the red hair sliding across the back of his hand.

  “What we did.”

  “Have sex?” He was amused at her wording. “You can say it. I swear you won’t be hit by a bolt of lightening from Heaven for saying the word.”

  “Very funny.”

  He grinned.

  “Fine. Sex. I don’t have sex with a man I’ve only just…”

  “Just met? You’ve known me for several years.”

  “We’ve never been a couple.”

  Satisfaction oozed through him. “We are now.”

  That had her head snapping around quickly. “Are we?”

  Growing serious, he regarded her soberly, ceasing the kneading motion to rest his hand between her shoulder blades just below her nape.

  Her gaze was searching, intent, seeking an answer.

  He’d seen her happy, mad, annoyed, amused, and now in the throes of passion, but her seriousness was another emotion he realised he’d never noticed. With the freckles sprinkled across her nose and upper cheeks, a question in her eyes, he realised that he quite liked this side of her as well. So many facets to people’s moods and emotions, but experiencing Mikki’s pleased him, pulled at something deep inside him as she looked to him for an answer.

  Absent-mindedly, he stroked his fingers through her hair while regarding her steadily, speaking honestly. “I want us to be a couple, Red.”

  “Why?”

  The straightforward question wasn’t a surprise, it was Mikki all over.

  “Why?” He slid a thick swathe of hair around his finger gently. “To be honest, I never thought of you like this, as a woman I’d want to be with, but something happened. I don’t know what.” He gave her hair a tender tug. “I’m not good with words, Mikki. God knows I annoy the living hell out of you sometimes, and yeah, I admit I enjoy that.”

  She didn’t say anything, kept watching him unfalteringly.

  “I think this is the first time we’ve actually spent time together, forced to, really, and it’s made me see you in a whole new light,” he stated sincerely. “I can’t spruce this up with fancy words and articulate expressions of devotion, it’s not me. But I do know I feel something for you, I want to see where it goes.” Another tender tug of her hair. “What about you?”

  Luke honestly had no idea what she was thinking, her expression closed, so he could only sit there with her warmth against him, her soft curves pressed to his hardness a perfect fit, waiting as she studied him, his heart beating a little too fast, the first inkling of uneasiness trickling through him.

  The first time he felt a little fearful because what if she didn’t feel the same? He could swear she did, she’d responded to him so beautifully, but maybe that was his own wistful imagination? Maybe she didn’t feel as much for him, maybe she’d think this was a huge mistake. Maybe she didn’t want a bar of him.

  Maybe he was heading for hospital, because if she told him to take a hike, she wasn’t interested, he was sure he’d stroke out.

  “Luke,” she said softly.

  “Yes?” His voice was a teeny bit hoarse, making him clear his throat.

  “Are you really serious?”

  “Dead serious.”

  Reaching up, she slid her hand to his nape, drew her head down so she could kiss him with the lightest brush of her lips before drawing back enough to meet his gaze. “I’m putting myself out on a line here.”

  His heart actually stuttered. “If you fall off, I’ll catch you.”

  “No, Luke,” she murmured. “If I fall off, I’ll knee you in the nuts again.”

  What? He blinked.

  Her fingertips brushed across his nape, eliciting little tingles. Their breaths mingled, warm and intimate, they were so close.

  “I agree, something has happened between us,” she said softly. “I’ve never reacted to a man the way I have to you. Since being here, I’ve found you to still be the annoying idiot I’ve always known and loved to needle, but you’ve shown me a few other sides as well. I want to see where this is going, too.”

  His heart swelled with relief and tenderness as she pressed another soft k
iss to his mouth, and he was more than ready to take this kiss a little further, a little hotter and deeper, when she drew back to smile up at him. “Luke?”

  “Yeah,” he breathed, already drawing her closer.

  “I’m not one of the usual women you date. You break my heart, I won’t just cry, I’ll break your nuts. Just remember that.”

  “You’re nothing like my usual women. You’re all the woman I want.” Amusement sparkled through the rising desire and happiness. “Even with your violent streak.”

  And then he kissed her.

  ~*~

  Coming down the staircase from the tower, her hand clasped securely in Luke’s as he strode ahead of her, Mikki wondered just how it had come to this. Two days ago she’d never thought to harbour any feelings towards Luke, much less have sex with him. But there she’d been, with him deep inside her and loving every minute of it.

  As she watched his broad shoulders descend ahead of her, she couldn’t help but grin a little. He was unexpectedly sweet, thoughtful and even more surprising, he really didn’t mind that she was curvier than the women he’d dated previously.

  But a tiny part of her still had reservations. This heat between them had been so quick, what if it was just here? What if once back in the city with work and every day happenings coming between them, his attraction to her faded? If the next willowy woman to catch his eye took him away from her?

  Only time would tell.

  But even as she stuffed her reservations back into the deep recesses of her mind, she knew that for her this was a defining time. This man with his roguishly good looks and sense of humour had wedged himself into her heart.

  Maybe he had a long time ago, she’d just never realised it, never spent the time in his presence to recognise it.

  Before she had time for more troubling thoughts, Luke stopped just before the door that led out of the little alcove into the main room near the back of the sweeping staircase, picked up the pencil from the little stone shelf and shoved it behind one ear before gathering up the loose roll of papers and continuing through the open door.

  Voices came from the staircase above them and Mikki looked up to see her aunt standing on the landing talking to, of all people, Wally DeOvert.

  “What’s Lanky doing here?” Luke queried.

  “Talking to Aunt.”

  “Smart arse.” He peered up at the dour-looking man. “Geez, he’s got some life in him at the moment. Get a gander at him.”

  Studying Wally, she had to admit Luke was right. Wally’s grim features were almost animated, the smile curving his thin lips almost wince-inducing. He had his hands folded over each other, his shaggy eyebrows going up and down with - holy crap, was that glee?

  Leaning closer to Luke, she whispered, “I’m expecting him to start rubbing his hands together and cackle.”

  “Yeah, I hear you.”

  Elspeth was full of enthusiasm, her arms waving about as she chattered brightly, arms flinging first in one direction then the other. She almost got Wally right in the chops with one hand, but he ducked it with surprising litheness and carried on listening without blinking an eye.

  “What’s got him so enamoured?” Mikki wondered.

  “Probably got dollar signs in his eyes,” Luke replied.

  “What is it with you and dollar signs? Is it your business or something?”

  “No, it’s the fact your aunt is loaded and suddenly men are sniffing around you and her.”

  Mikki shot him an incredulous look. “Maybe I should say the same about you!”

  He didn’t take his eyes from the couple on the landing. “Red, I know you’re as broke as all get-out. You’re a shop assistant. Yet I still have the hots for you.” Bright blue eyes dropped to skim her face with a definitely wicked look. “And I’m sniffing-”

  “Don’t go any further.” She held up one hand. “It might sound okay in your head, but trust me, that sentence can only end badly.”

  “You have no idea where I’m thinking of sni-”

  “Will you stop it?” She cut him a severe look. “If you’ve got a thing for sniffing, don’t do it around me. Maybe you’ve been around Dog too long.”

  That had him straightening indignantly. “I don’t sniff arses.”

  “So what were you going - never mind.” Mikki squinted up at Elspeth and Wally. “Besides, you chased Mark off.”

  “Yeah, I did,” Luke agreed smugly.

  “You going to chase Wally off too?”

  “He’s sniffing around Elspeth, the dirty gold-digger. Watch me in action.” With that, Luke strode the remainder of the length of the staircase and started up it. “Hey, Wally, fancy seeing you here.”

  There was no doubting Wally wasn’t keen on Luke. His thin shoulders drew back, his face resumed its haughty expression, and he eyed the younger man like he was the proverbial shit on the soles of his shoes. “Mr Wells.”

  “Please, call me Luke.” Luke smiled at Elspeth. “You’re looking happy.”

  Mikki half expected him to ask Elspeth straight out if she was thinking of dating, almost choking on a laugh at the reply she knew Elspeth would slap him with, but instead Luke managed not to spoil his poise by saying anything dumb.

  “Wally is going to be my new butler!” Elspeth announced excitedly.

  That had Luke stumble on a step. Mikki raced up the stairs, half expecting him to bounce down it arse over tit, but he grabbed onto the banister to steady himself while staring up at the thin man. “What?”

  “My butler,” Elspeth repeated. “Isn’t it a great idea?” Turning, she swung her arms to each side in a grand sweep, narrowly missing Wally who simply leaned back so her hand could swing past his face.

  Give the man credit, he didn’t even flinch. Coming up behind Luke, placing one hand in the small of his back in an unconsciously supportive gesture, Mikki had to marvel at Wally’s composure.

  “An old mansion brought back to life, full of paying guests, recreating the glory of by-gone years, the elegance, the era, and I’m going to have an honest-to-goodness butler!”

  Astonished, Luke pointed at Wally. “Him?”

  Wally looked down his nose at Luke. “I’m a descendant of the butler who used to serve here. I have the mansion in my genes.”

  “Impressive, I only have a pecker in mine-” Luke caught himself, coughed and continued, “What do you know of butlering?”

  “Young man, I have managed the motel in town for years. Before that I managed the Grand Hotel in the city. I am not without experience.”

  “Are you seriously going to wear a butler’s uniform?”

  “Luke,” Elspeth said reproachfully. “Wally is an excellent choice. We’ve talked about his experiences, he’s going to give me his resume, we’re both quite keen. I’ll need to discuss with him the role of a butler, I’m not even sure I really know myself, but it will be a good idea.” She said it with a smile, but there was no doubting the steel underlying her tone.

  Mikki grinned at Luke’s astonished expression. Everyone thought Aunt Elspeth was a push-over, but beneath that sometimes airy-fair, eccentric air she liked to cultivate, there beat a heart of solid good business sense. Depending on Elspeth’s plan, she could call a spade a teaspoon with cute little roses on the handle, or call it a bloody shovel and be done with it.

  “Now then.” Elspeth gave them all a beaming smile. “Let’s go to the kitchen and have a nice cuppa and chat.”

  Wally politely waited for Elspeth to precede him, giving Luke a slight smirk behind her back.

  As she passed Luke, Elspeth stopped, kissed him on the cheek fondly, said, “Dear boy, stop worrying about me,” and continued down the staircase with Wally bringing up the rear, his back plank straight, his face completely expressionless except for a bright gleam in his eyes.

  Turning to watch them, Luke whispered, “That woman has hidden depths.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “She’s a little scary at times.”

  “Diddums.” Amused
, she took his hand and started down the staircase. “I’ll protect you.”

  They were almost to the doorway of the side hall leading to the servants’ hall, Elspeth and Wally already disappearing down it, only to hear Elspeth screech out seconds later, “Duchess!”

  Before Mikki and Luke could even think, a little mottled ball of black and ginger fluff tore around the corner of the doorway, skirted around their ankles and took off through the big room. Dog appeared excitedly, looking around eagerly.

  “Dog! Sit!” Luke ordered swiftly.

  Dog obeyed immediately, his bum hitting the floor, ears pricked, watching Luke.

  “The kitten’s loose!” Mikki started after it.

  “Wait.” Luke grabbed her arm. “Don’t chase her, she’ll only get jittery and-” but he didn’t get any further before Wally appeared, long legs eating up the distance as he went full-bore after Duchess, who immediately scampered up the stairs. “Oh shit. Well, there goes that.”

  “Wally!” Mikki yelled. “Stop! Duchess is scared of you!”

  Wally did as bidden, but only because he had to regain breathe. Running halfway up a grand staircase was obviously a little too much for him.

  The next half hour was spent hunting for Duchess. The tiny scrap was easily lost in a mansion of this size. Luke made Wally stand guard at the top of the staircase while he, Mikki and Elspeth split up to search through the rooms.

  Worriedly, Mikki searched through the boxes left behind to pack the last of the furniture the next day, as well as the trinkets and china left behind. In the other rooms she could hear Elspeth and Luke cooing and calling softly to Duchess.

  “Come on, baby,” she said a little desperately. “You can’t stay up here alone.”

  No kitten.

  Anxiously nibbling on a fingernail, she stood in the last room contemplating the surroundings. It was one of the bedrooms, the old, tattered, four-poster bed grim and shabby with its mouldering quilt cover.

  Luke came in behind her. “Any luck?”

  “No.” Her voice wobbled.

  He gave her back a comforting rub. “We’ll find her, Red.”

  “She’s so little, and we haven’t found her yet.”

  “So we’ll search again. Elspeth is re-starting the rooms she’s searched already.” He gave Mikki a quick hug. “I promise we’ll find her.”