“It was a first date.” She tilted her head and used the flirty tone she’d practiced with some effect on other boys. “What’s with the inquisition, hotshot?”
Tell me now, Luke. Tell me you don’t want me going out with other boys. Tell me you want to—
“Just taking care of you, kiddo.” A smile suffused his tone. “Someone’s got to look out for you.”
Disappointment washed over her like a tsunami.Stupid, stupid girl. He’s not interested in you. Never was.Luke would never see her as anything but his surrogate kid sister. How many times did he have to call her kiddo for her to figure that out?
Her face flared with heat. “I’m not a kid anymore, Luke. And you’re not my big brother.” She’d never spoken so harshly to him. She suddenly needed to escape before the stinging sensation behind her eyes turned into tears.
She started to jump from the glider.
“Wait.” His hand caught hers.
She paused on the edge of the seat, heart beating so hard he could surely hear it. If he warned her off Derek or gave her some big-brother lecture, she was going to scream. Or burst into tears. She wasn’t sure which would be worse.
“Don’t go,” he whispered. He tugged her hand until she settled back in her seat.
Their shoulders touched once again, and she felt the warmth of him through her jacket.
She stared at him in the darkness, wishing she could read his face. But it was shrouded in shadows. His hand felt big and warm around hers—he hadn’t let go.
Don’t be stupid. Don’t start hoping again.But her heart missed the memo. Her lungs struggled to keep pace. The warmth of his breath brushed her lips, making them tingle with want.
“I know I’m not your brother,” he said softly. “I used to think of you as a kid, but... I don’t anymore.”
What did that mean? Hope swelled, despite her best efforts to tamp it down. They were only two years apart, but the three grades between them had made it seem like more sometimes.
“Allie.” He shifted toward her. “When I saw you at Thanksgiving...”
Her breath ceased, her heart halted, waiting. He sounded nervous and flustered, and she’d simply die if he didn’t finish that last sentence.
“What?” She didn’t dare move for fear the moment would evaporate.
“You looked... different. All grown up. I went away to college, and you grew up and now...”
His thumb stroked hers, stirring every cell to life, making her dizzy with need. “Now...?”
“I—I see you differently,” he finished softly.
Moonlight glimmered in his eyes, and though she couldn’t read his expression, she felt the intensity of his gaze. Something hummed between them like a live wire, making her buzz.
Allie wasn’t sure which one of them leaned in. But then their lips were touching, and his were moving over hers so softly. Reverently. Like maybe Luke wanted this kiss as badly as she did.
He pushed back her hair, cradled her face. The arm she’d slugged so many times was warm and hard under her palm.The kiss was long and slow and growing more passionate by the second.
This was no boyish, fumbling kiss. It was a sensual exploration, a masterful onslaught against any reservations she might’ve had. A mewling sound escaped her lips just before he broke off the kiss.
He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes opening lazily. Their breaths mingled between them.
He could probably feel her heart pounding against his, but she didn’t care—because his was beating just as hard and fast. She could feel it under her palm. The wonder of that thought made her breath catch.
It was finally happening. Finally, after all this time.
“Allie...” Luke’s exhale was loud in the stillness. “It was driving me crazy... being away at college, thinking of you. Knowing you were dating other guys.”
He was jealous of those immature, ridiculous boys? Silly him. “I was just having fun.”
He took her chin and gave her a look she felt to the tips of her toes. “Have fun with me.”
