His eyes dropped to her mouth. Just for a second. Then back up.
"Grace." Her name, low and careful. Almost a question.
She swallowed. "Luke?—"
He lifted his hand, and she felt it stop just short of her face. Hovering. Waiting.
She could have stopped him. The words were right there—Just go—simple and clean and safe.
She didn't speak.
His hand curved against her jaw, thumb brushing her cheekbone, and he leaned in slowly enough that she could have turned away at any point.
The kiss was soft at first. Slow. Testing—like they were learning each other again.
Then her fingers curled into the front of his shirt and the feel of him—solid and familiar andGod, she'd missed this?—
His other hand found her waist. Pulled her closer. She went willingly, eagerly, rising onto her toes to press herself against him.
The door met her back. His body met her front.
His hands slid under her shirt, warm palms against bare skin, and she gasped into his mouth. His lips moved to her neck, hot and open, and her head fell back against the door.
This. This was what she knew. This made sense.
Her fingers tangled in his hair. His thigh pressed between her legs. A sound escaped her throat—half gasp, half plea—and she felt him respond, his grip tightening, his breathing ragged against her collarbone.
She felt his fingers slide beneath her waistband.
Felt herself arch into him, chasing the touch, a sound escaping her throat that was all need, all want, allyes.
And then?—
Three sharp knocks on the door.
They froze.
Breathless.
Luke's hand still at her hip. Her shirt rucked up. Her heart hammering so loud she was sure he could hear it.
Luke pressed his forehead to hers, eyes closed, breathing hard.
But Grace was already pushing him back, giving herself room to tug her shirt down.
Grace was still breathlesswhen she pulled open the door.
“Eli!”
He stood on her porch, shoulders hunched. His split lip was already swelling. One eye was bruising dark beneath the skin, and he favored his left side. He shifted his weight, his hand pressed to his ribs.
“Oh my God,” she breathed.
“Hey, Gracie.” He smiled, but his voice was rough.
Luke moved. He stepped past her without hesitation, one hand steadying Eli’s elbow.
“Come on,” Luke said, calm and low. “Inside.”
