telling her the truth, but that would mean telling her everything and he wasnât ready to see the inevitable look of pity in her eyes. He settled for a half-truth. âIâve got a science degree,â he said and screwed up his face. âBoring, nerdy stuff. You donât want to know.â
Jenna smiled. âI wouldnât understand anyway. Iâm a total idiot when it comes to science. I majored in English.â
âAh, the enemy,â Luke said in mock horror.
Jenna threw back her head and laughed again. Her auburn curls fell away to reveal her alabaster throat, which Luke had the sudden urge to lay his lips on.
There was a break in the pounding music for a moment, while the band made an announcement regarding the following dayâs events. The night was drawing to a close. His time with Jenna would soon be over. When the band struck up its final number â a slow one, thank goodness â Luke couldnât resist the opportunity to take her in his arms. âShall we dance?â
âI thought youâd never ask.â
Luke took her small, perfectly manicured hand in his and led her out onto the floor. He drew her close and began to move in time with the music. She smelled like honey, sweet and delicious. He closed his eyes just for a second and thought about what might have been.
If only he had met Jenna in Melbourne, beforeâ¦before he screwed up his life and the lives of everyone he had ever loved.
Chapter 5
Jenna hoped Luke couldnât feel her heart pounding against his chest. The proximity of his lean, muscular body as he expertly danced her around the floor had sent her head into a spin. Luke was not what she expected. Far from a slow-witted farmer, he was intelligent, articulate and funny.
And he could dance .
Maybe he wouldnât be so out of place at a black-tie event after all. She indulged herself for a moment and imagined what it would be like to have Luke on her arm as she walked down the red carpet to another shallow A-list event. It would be wonderful to have someone to joke and laugh with, someone who didnât take the whole thing seriously.
With Simon it had all been about image. When she complained about not seeing him at all at the Gloss Christmas party, he had used work as an excuse. âNetworking, my love, networking. Thatâs what these things are all about.â
It seemed Simon had networked himself into a new relationship.
Luke was different. He exuded honesty and integrity and right this minute he was making her feel like she was the only woman alive. Jenna pressed her body closer to his, wishing that the song would never end. She looked up to find Luke gazing down at her with dreamy eyes. He bent his head down towards her, his intent obvious. Oh God, he was going to kiss her!
Jennaâs heart thudded. She held her breath as Luke came closer, his breath mingling with her own. She closed her eyes in anticipation but as she did the music stopped.
The moment was broken.
Luke stepped back from her as the hall lights came back to full strength. He cleared his throat awkwardly. âI have a few jobs to take care of for Maggie before we leave. I hope you donât mind waiting a minute or two.â
Jenna shook her head. âI probably should find Jason and bid him goodnight.â
Luke nodded slightly. âIâll be back soon.â
Jenna was left to contemplate what had almost happened. Was he really intending to kiss her or was it just wishful thinking on her part? It was crazy. She knew that they had no future together, that their worlds were just too far apart. But, damn it, she wanted to be kissed by him. Maybe Brooke had been right after all. Maybe what she needed was a fling, some harmless adult fun. Perhaps a weekend with Luke was just what she needed to rid herself of Simon forever.
She looked around the hall at all the other couples, many entwined in passionate embraces. The dreamy atmosphere had produced
Jaide Fox
Poul Anderson
Ella Quinn
Casey Ireland
Kiki Sullivan
Charles Baxter
Michael Kogge
Veronica Sattler
Wendy Suzuki
Janet Mock