“Davis,” she said in return, shifting to kiss him on the cheek as he sat next to her. “You got out late,” she observed as the car began to move.
“Don’t get me started. How was your day?” He couldn’t stop touching her; his fingertips swept over her cheekbone, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and ran down her arm to link their hands.
“It was interesting.” She dropped her forehead to his shoulder and sighed before straightening. “Luther was cold.”
“Cold?”
“There’s no other word for it. I said hello when I spotted him in the hall and he ignored me. I had bus duty with him this afternoon, so I asked him about it. He claimed he didn’t hear me this morning.” She rolled her eyes. “If that’s all he’s going to do, then I got lucky, but I suspect there’s more to come.”
“I hope he’s smart enough not to rock the boat.”
The car pulled smoothly to the curb and Davis waited for the driver to come around and open the door. After he climbed out, Davis held his hand out for Luna. She accepted the help out of the car but dropped his hand as they headed inside. He frowned down at her.
“Reservation for Healy,” he told the host.
The man ushered them straight to a table in the back, whisking a reserved sign away as he left them alone.
“Did you pack a bag?” Davis asked.
Luna spent too much time smoothing the napkin in her lap. “Yes.”
“Fantastic.” Davis grinned, but she still stared at the tablecloth. “What do you want to do this weekend? Sky’s the limit.”
“Can we just stay in?” she asked with a glance at his face before focusing on her menu.
“Luna, honey, talk to me.” He reached for her hand, but she slid it into her lap.
“I do want to talk about it, but not here.”
He leaned in with a low voice. “Would you look me in the eyes and tell me what’s the matter?”
Luna met his unwavering gaze. “I want to keep this between us.”
He blinked. The waitress came by with introductions and water, asking after their drink orders. Davis merely gaped at Luna.
“Sir?”
He glanced at the woman. “Scotch neat.”
“Dammit,” Luna muttered.
He only drank scotch when he needed to calm his nerves, or if he was pissed off. The waitress retreated.
Davis modulated the irritation out of his voice. “What, exactly, are we keeping between us, love?”
Luna inhaled and exhaled deeply. “This relationship. I want it to be special, without the intrusion of the paparazzi.”
Davis took a visual tour of the quiet restaurant. “My, theyareswarming us, aren’t they?” He focused back on Luna. “Is there a photographer hiding behind the ficus?”
“You appear in the society pages all the time,” she bit out. “Without going to a fancy gala and having red carpet pictures splashed everywhere, you’re still in the papers often enough. I don’t want to be in them with you.”
Fuck, but that stung. “You don’t want to be seen with me? Precisely how are we in a committed relationship now but unable to be seen in public together?”
“Do you realize that your Georgetown Prep accent comes out when you’re angry with me?” Luna murmured.
Davis sat back, deflated. “What are you asking of me, Luna?”
She picked up his closest hand. “I want to be with you, I promise, I just want to be discreet, that’s all. I want to make sure we work together as a couple and that we can be ourselves without any outside pressure.”
