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Do Date Your Handsome Rival (Jewel Family Romance Book 3) Page 6


  Chapter Seven

  Luke was being lured in more and more by the vivacious Marietta. He felt bad that he’d scared her and then tried not to laugh about her fear of predators in the mountains. He and his siblings had romped through those mountains so many times that he didn’t think a thing of being out there. He’d encountered many different animals on his adventures with his brothers and sisters, but the animals had never bothered them. Yet even though she was scared and had crashed on the mountain bike, Mar had been so cute about it.

  As he and Mar ate a premade chicken stir fry and talked, he couldn’t think of any reasons he shouldn’t kiss her until the sun rose tomorrow. Unless she had objections.

  After dinner, they put on swimsuits and walked down to the pool. Luke tried not to stare at how good she looked in her one-piece floral suit, but he loved her shape. She was fit but had curves in all the right places.

  He caught her giving him a sidelong glance as they walked down the steps into the warm water. He flexed one arm, grinning at her. “It’s okay to gawk. I know I look good.”

  She laughed and pushed at his shoulder. “Oh my. There might not be enough room in this pool for me and your ego.” But she was staring openly at his chest. “You look really good … don’t let it go to your head.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve heard it before.”

  She rolled her eyes and started to swim away from him.

  Luke grabbed her around the waist and flipped her around to face him. She stared up at him with those dark brown eyes and those long lashes, and he found himself leaning closer. He wanted to tell her how unreal she looked, how impressed he was with her, and then kiss her in this warm water.

  Instead of leaning in to meet him, she leaned back and asked, “How many times have you heard it before?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Mar raised her eyebrows, all impertinent. “I know you’re a player, Luke. I’m sure you’ve heard lots of compliments from different women.”

  Luke released his grip on her. “I’ve dated a lot of women.” He wouldn’t call himself a player, because he could think of only a handful of instances that he’d gone on more than one date with the same woman.

  Mar looked as if this statement convicted him. Of what?

  He gestured to her. “You’re gorgeous, successful, and fun to be around. Are you trying to claim you haven’t dated a lot of men?”

  Mar had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “No, it’s just …”

  “Just what?” he challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. The conversation frustrated him, and not just because his likelihood of kissing her was tanking by the second. If a man dated a lot of different women, he was labeled a player, no matter how careful he was about who he kissed. He’d never promised a woman anything beyond dinner.

  Mar’s eyes flickered over his chest and she spit out, “Look at yourself. You’re this perfect Zeus-type guy, ultra-successful, handsome, fun to be around. Women chase you, and you love every second of it.”

  “And you’re saying you don’t have the same problem? I’m sure men fight over you and can’t leave you alone.”

  “It’s different,” she muttered.

  He arched his eyebrows. “How is it different?”

  “Because …” She swirled some water through her hands and then shook her head. “I can’t explain. I’m going to go shower.”

  Luke’s eyes widened. He wanted to protest, grab her around the waist again, demand that she explain what she was implying, and then share his dating history and promise that he wasn’t going to “play” with her. He realized as she climbed out of the pool, wrapped up in a towel, and left without looking back, that he was serious about the petite yet full-of-life Mar. She was definitely more than someone fun for him to be around, and her kiss in that garden last night had shaken him to the core. Could he express that to her without getting frustrated if she kept claiming that he was a player and it was “different” than her dating track record?

  There was something worrisome about the fact that she’d climbed in and then out of the pool in record time, and about the sad look in her eyes and her inability to explain what she was thinking. Did she have deep-seated issues that he didn’t understand? Maybe some man had hurt her like Tracey had hurt him. Maybe something had happened with her family. He realized that with all the talking they’d done about business and his family, she hadn’t shared one thing about hers.

  He started swimming some laps, letting his mind wander to all things Mar. For some crazy reason, he thought he’d found his match, but what if she didn’t feel the same? He’d never let himself become invested in any woman since Tracey, no matter how hard they pursued him or how appealing they were. He might be setting himself up for a massive failure.

  Mar took her time showering, then went out onto her patio and embraced the cool night air. It was warmer here in the summer than San Francisco, but Jackson Hole at night was still chilly with its high elevation. She couldn’t see much past the line of trees, and she shivered, thinking of that coyote’s howl. Luke had promised he’d watch over her on their hike in the morning, but had she just messed everything up by being too fiery, just like other men had claimed? Would Luke even want to go hike with her in the morning, or would he be done with her?

  Mar had been unfair to him in the pool, letting her insecurities rule. As he’d stood there looking like every dream she’d ever had with his bright blue eyes and his muscular body, irrational fear had filled her. She was afraid that he was going to kiss her again, fill her mind with all kinds of irrational dreams of forever, and then walk away. He obviously didn’t mind being—what had he called himself the night of Cosette and Isaac’s wedding?—“an American playboy.” She’d tried relationships and failed. From what she’d seen of Luke’s past, he’d never tried one. With all the fake confidence she portrayed, she didn’t have enough real confidence to believe she was anything special to the incredible Luke Jewel.

  She pushed out a frustrated breath and heard a throat clear. Whipping to the side, she saw Luke standing on his balcony. His hair was wet, he was wearing a T-shirt and joggers, and he had an enticing smile on his face, but his eyes looked concerned. “Everything okay over there?” he asked.

  Mar put a hand to her throat and shook her head. “How did you come out without me hearing you?”

  “You were pretty lost in thought,” he said quietly.

  Mar stared at him. She was terrified to tell him the truth. Yet what if he didn’t want to leave her, if he truly did care for her like she cared for him? If there was any chance of that, she had to give him the chance to understand where she was coming from, no matter the risk to her battered heart. Then again, if she shared her fears, it might make him feel obligated not to leave her. She didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on him. They didn’t have a relationship, except in her head. How could she tread carefully?

  “I need to apologize,” she said in a rush.

  Luke tilted his head but didn’t say anything, obviously agreeing that she did need to apologize.

  Mar wished she could just hide from this, but she tried to think of how to phrase it. “That was completely unfair of me to claim you’re a player because you’ve dated a lot and somehow I’m exempt from that.”

  “Thank you,” was all he said.

  Mar took a gulp of fresh, clean mountain air and licked her lips. “I’d like to … date you.” His eyes widened, but he didn’t look averse to the idea, so she continued. “Really date you, not just one date and you move on, like you’re kind of known for—not that I’m accusing you of being a player again, but just … what I observed from online.”

  He inclined his head, showing he was listening but not interjecting anything yet.

  “The truth is, I’m scared that you don’t feel the same.” She needed to clarify. “That you don’t feel the same about, you know, us dating.” It wasn’t the complete truth, but she thought it was enough. She couldn’t tell him what a lonely loser she was
, and how she’d failed at every relationship she’d tried.

  He stared at her for a beat and then said, “So you claimed I was a player because you were scared, but the truth is I’m irresistible to you and you want to date me?”

  She nodded, knowing she should laugh and tease with him, but this was pretty serious to her. “I would love to date you. Do you think you and I could not be a one-and-done?”

  “I think we could.” He gripped the railing and studied her; his gaze was so warm that if there hadn’t been a twenty-foot drop, she would’ve launched herself to his balcony and kissed him then and there. “What does this dating include?”

  “Well …” Her stomach swirled with heat and anticipation, ready to tease a little bit now that they’d gotten past the hurdle that she’d feared so much. “Doing fun things together like bike rides, hikes, visiting sites, going to dinner, maybe a concert or a movie.” She bit at her lip and gave him an opening.

  “I like all those things. Are you interested in …” His eyes trailed over her face, lingering on her lips, and the heat in her stomach radiated outward to suffuse her entire body. “Water sports?”

  Mar felt a dart of disappointment, but maybe he was teasing. “I do like water sports,” she said. “Like surfing and boogie boarding?”

  “Those are fun. I also appreciate wakeboarding and surfing behind a boat.”

  “I could take a stab at those. Is there anything else you might like this dating to include?”

  He tilted his head, and his gaze made her heart race. Those blue eyes were dangerous. If he induced a heart attack, she hoped he knew CPR. That had her thinking about kissing even more.

  “How about …” He paused, and she gave him what she hoped was an alluring smile. “Winter sports? How do you feel about those?”

  Mar felt another shot of disappointment that he hadn’t gone to kissing, even though she suspected he was simply teasing her. Yet something about snow made her irrationally happy. If he wanted to still be dating her when the snow flew in … When did snow come to the Rockies or Tetons or wherever they were? Thanksgiving? Christmas? Earlier? If he wanted to date her through the next two seasons that was wonderful news. Definitely not a one-and-done kind of date. “I’ve never tried many winter sports, but I do like ice skating.”

  “How about skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding?”

  “Can you teach me?”

  “I can.”

  She smiled. “I like adventures. As long as no coyotes attack.”

  “I’ll protect you from the coyotes, and we’ll go on lots of adventures.”

  “Perfect.” She studied him and asked, “Is there anything else our dating might include?”

  “I can’t think of anything. Can you?”

  Mar rolled her eyes and pushed out a huffy breath. “You aren’t even going to kiss me?” she flung at him in exasperation.

  Luke laughed, low and throaty. He pursed his lips. “I hadn’t even thought of that.”

  Mar narrowed her eyes and shook her head. She was playing right into his hands. “Goodness. Never mind, then. See you in the morning.” She started to head back into her room, letting him know he’d missed out on the opportunity for another fabulous kiss.

  “Wait.”

  She turned back, lifting an eyebrow. “For what?”

  Luke stilled his laughter but was giving her a secretive smile. “I have an idea. Can you … meet me in the hallway?”

  All that heat she’d been feeling earlier rushed back and then some. She didn’t answer, just pushed through her balcony door.

  “Mar!” she heard Luke call. “Is that a yes or a no?”

  Mar slammed the door, rushed through her room, and almost went out into the hallway, but then she remembered she should play hard to get. Standing next to the bedroom door, she waited.

  She was rewarded with the sound of Luke’s door opening and shutting, followed by a tap on her door. “Mar?”

  “Yes,” she answered in a saccharin sweet voice.

  “Please come out so I can show you what else our dating will entail.”

  Mar’s pulse sped up and she could hardly stand to just wait here, but he’d teased her enough on the deck. He was past due for some grief back. She leaned against the door and said through it, “I think I’d better get some rest for our hike in the morning.”

  Luke must’ve also been close to the door, because she heard him groan and then say in a low voice, “Please, Mar.”

  Mar couldn’t resist anymore. She flung the door open.

  Luke looked so incredible, standing there with a beseeching look in his blue eyes. He extended a hand. “You have to come out here. My mom would beat me if I kissed you in your bedroom.”

  She smiled, but that heat was just getting stronger. Yes, there could definitely be no kissing in bedrooms, considering how incredible their last kiss had been. Would this one match it or surpass it?

  She placed her hand in his. He tugged her out into the hall and against his chest. Then he didn’t waste any more time on words. He lifted her off her feet, pressed her against the wall, bowed his head, and captured her mouth.

  His warm, firm lips took command of her world. She’d thought their first kiss had blown her away, but this one exceeded it. Maybe it was because she knew him better. Maybe it was because they were “dating.” This commitment made her feel cherished and even more loved than his last kiss had made her feel. She tried to push the love feelings away. They were only dating. Yet as his hands cradled her close and his mouth shared passion and happiness with her, she knew that she was going to fall hard for this guy. If only she could be assured that this relationship wouldn’t crash like her others had, that her lifelong dreams would come true and Luke would stick with her no matter what.

  Chapter Eight

  Luke whistled as he dressed in a suit for the business meeting the next afternoon. Thoughts of the kisses he’d shared with Mar last night had him grinning from ear to ear. He’d never felt a kiss like what they experienced together. It far surpassed the out-of-control physical desire he’d felt for Tracey. Yet it wasn’t just the physical with Mar. They could banter playfully, they could talk seriously about business and life, she made him laugh and smile, and she was willing to do anything with him.

  Their hike this morning had been a lot of fun, and he wanted to spend every spare minute with her. He was glad she was going to this meeting with him. Afterward, he’d take her to a fancy dinner and then a walk around downtown. He’d find a great spot to kiss her. Everybody needed a kiss under the elk arch, right? He chuckled as he remembered how she’d laughed about the arch. Okay, maybe a more romantic spot than that.

  He knotted his tie, checked his reflection in the mirror, and then strode out into the hallway. Mar’s bedroom door was open and there was no movement inside, so he strode across the balcony and down the stairs. Halfway down, he spotted her waiting in the foyer for him. She was wearing a fitted pale blue dress that set off her dark coloring. Her legs looked incredible showcased by those high heels she liked to wear.

  She turned his way with a welcoming smile on her full lips, and he missed a step. He righted himself quickly with the help of the railing and let out an embarrassed laugh.

  Mar started toward him, her expression scrunching with concern. “Are you okay?”

  He reached the foyer and nodded. “Yes. I was just so stunned by your beautiful smile I tripped on my own feet.”

  Mar’s smile returned. “You’re such a tease.”

  He shook his head and moved in closer, wrapping his hands around her waist. “I’m not teasing. You take my breath away, Mar.”

  Sliding her hands up his chest, she murmured, “Do you want me to really take your breath away?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” A quiver of anticipation ran through him.

  She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled his head down to meet hers. Mar might have been small in stature, but she was huge in personality, accomplishments, and kissing ability. She truly di
d take his breath away, for several wonderful minutes.

  Pulling back, she pumped her eyebrows. “How was that?”

  “Amazing.” He lifted her off her feet and held her tightly against him. “I wish you could just take my breath away the rest of the day, but we’d better go to this meeting.”

  “That is a bummer.”

  He set her on her feet and took her hand. They walked through the foyer and the great room area, out the mudroom, and into the garage. He loaded her into the Audi and followed the directions that Siri chirped. All the while, he held Mar’s hand with his free hand and listened to her ooh and ahh over the beautiful scenery as they drove. This was amazing. Why had he waited so long to let himself date someone seriously?

  Luke glanced askance at Mar and realized that he’d been waiting for her. He was content to simply hold her hand and smile at her exuberance over the scenery, and he wouldn’t have felt that with any other woman.

  “What?” She caught him looking at her and tucked her long hair behind her ear.

  “You’re perfect,” he said.

  “That’s really sweet of you to say.” She smiled at him, but it was tremulous, and he saw her eyes brighten.

  “Your destination is on the right,” Siri chirped, rattling off the address.

  Luke pulled the car up to the gate, and a guard strode out to meet him. Once Luke showed him his driver’s license, he was cleared to drive through. The lengthy drive was lined with pine trees. When the large cabin-style mansion came into view, Luke finally stopped the car and turned to Mar.

  She stared at him and blinked quickly.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” She shook her head and reaffirmed, “Nothing. I just … really like being with you.”

  “I feel the same. Let’s get this meeting done quickly. I want to take you to dinner, kiss under the elk arch, take you back home and swim, kiss in our swimming suits, cuddle up on the couch, kiss instead of watch a movie …”

  She laughed. “That elk arch seems like a really romantic spot to kiss.”