“Luke isn’t like that.”
“He’s not? By your own admission he’s closed off and carries his fuck you attitude with pride. And you sought him out to train. Now you’re sleeping with him.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Maybe you’re seeking somehow to get closer to the father you never knew by sleeping with him.”
Shaking my head, I pulled a face. “No, Nisha. That’s not it. Let’s drop it, please?”
“Fine but be careful is all I’m going to tell you, Syd.”
“I heard you the first time, Tanisha.”
Chapter 19
San Diego
Syd
“If you wanted to take me on vacation, all you had to do was say so,” Luke said, grinning down at me, as he got out of his car, in the parking lot of the bed and breakfast.
“Ha, ha,” I replied with a deadpan expression.
“Why the hell did we take separate cars down here anyway?”
Glancing over at my car, in space next to his, I shrugged. “We needed space. Plus, you’ll be here for six weeks, but there’ll be times when I have to go back to LA for work.”
He frowned. “Whatever,” he grumbled as we started for the front entrance of the McReynold’s Bed & Breakfast. “You sure you’re not still trying to stick it to me for the Morelli fight?”
Glaring at him over my shoulder as I stepped through the door that he held open for me, I replied, “Oh no, I’m still pissed about that. But trust me, if I wanted to get payback, I’d be a lot more creative than having us take separate cars for a two hour drive.” I patted his cheek.
He grunted and caught my hand in his. When I thought he would release it, he held on as we walked to the counter. My stomach tied in knots and my skin warmed. Guilt warred with desire. I still wondered if our personal relationship was a hindrance to Luke’s training. Yet, I couldn’t put my feelings for him on the back burner.
I had to pull my hand free as we approached the counter. It took less than five minutes for us to check-in, and the B&B’s staff offered to take out bags up to our rooms.
I started for the staircase that led up to the second floor. “Great. We can head over to the dojo so I can introduce you to Aeryn and everyone, and then have dinner here so you can get to sleep early.”
“What the fuck is this?”
I stopped short and turned, looking up at Luke. He held up the card I’d given him, giving me a curious look.
“It’s a key card.”
He frowned. “Don’t play dumb. Why do you have a different room than I do?”
Glancing over my shoulder as someone passed, I stepped closer to Luke. “Because we need separate rooms.” I turned and continued up the stairs to the second floor.
“Why?” He asked right on my heels.
“Why what?” I asked, staring down as I looked in my purse for my cell phone, once I reached the top of the stairs.
“Syd,” he called, stopping me by grabbing my arm, spinning me to face him. “If you’re still pissed about Morelli, you need to get over it.”
Rolling my eyes, I place my hands on my hips. “I told you I am still pissed about that fight but nothing I’m doing here is out of anger.”
“So, you’re not making us sleep in separate rooms because you’re upset?”
I shook my head and grinned. “Funny, I didn’t think you’d mind having your own space for the next six weeks.”
