Sunset Seduction

by Charlene Sands

  Audrey was stuck. She had to admit she wasn’t too keen on being with Luke, either, tonight. It hurt too much to be his date in name only, to know they shared earth-shattering memories in bed, and Luke wanted to forget it had ever happened. The grave comment wore on her nerves. He had regrets.

  Well, so did she. And they burned through her. She feared she’d lost something precious with Luke, something that could never be restored. The friendship she’d always relied on was ripping away, the wound growing into a scar that would never heal. From the depths of her soul she faced a brutal and hard fact.

  She couldn’t be Luke’s good buddy anymore.

  They couldn’t go back to being casual friends.

  Their friendship was over.

  How sad was that?

  * * *

  Well, at least it wasn’t a monkey suit, Luke mused as he put his black jacket on over a brocade vest. He adjusted his Resistol hat on his head, straightened out his bolo tie and took a glance in the mirror.

  A deep breath steadied his wrought nerves as he stared at his reflection.

  He was happy for his brother. He’d found Sophia, and they would probably live out the rest of their lives blissful and content. Luke wanted to enjoy the celebration of their love and upcoming marriage. But he’d rather do that celebrating without Audrey Faith Thomas on his arm tonight.

  Lord in heaven, the woman got under his skin.

  For years, he’d thought of her as the kid sister he’d never had. He’d intervened when Casey went off on her, demanding that she obey overly strict, hard-to-abide-by rules. While Casey had assumed the role of father, Luke had befriended her in a brotherly way. It was odd that all of his life, women had been his good friends. First Sophia and then Audrey.

  There’d never been any sparks with Sophia, so his friendship with her wasn’t difficult to maintain.

  But Audrey?

  Now that had come out of the blue.

  It was hell for him to think of her as a woman, capable of making him act like a hormonal teenager again. Capable of making him forget who the hell she was and why he shouldn’t be kissing her, touching her, making love to her.

  A wince pulled his mouth down.

  Enough already, Luke.

  He had to stop beating himself up over it. He reminded himself that she hadn’t been completely innocent. She’d brought a lot of this on herself. She’d seduced him and then turned tail and run out on him. For weeks now, she’d been living on the ranch and deceiving him.

  He couldn’t forget that.

  With that notion firm in his mind, he headed out of his room and walked down the hallway. He braced himself and knocked on her door.

  She took her sweet time opening it.

  But when she finally did, his staunch resolve caved a little.

  She wore sapphire blue like nobody’s business.

  “Hello, Luke.”

  He swallowed. The night was looking grim. “Wow. You look gorgeous, Audrey.” He had to say it. It was the truth. Her eyes were prettier than he’d ever seen them. Blond hair framed her face in wisps of softness and then flowed down her back in long luxurious waves. The dress was made for Grecian goddesses.

  She smiled and ushered him inside. “You look nice, too.” She turned away to pick up a small beaded purse from the dresser. “I’m ready. We can go now.”

  Luke gestured for her to lead the way. He followed behind and was grateful once they were out of the empty house and on their way. At least behind the wheel, he could concentrate on the drive and not on her. Except that she wore some sexy erotic perfume that appealed to his base instincts. Images of Audrey’s wet body in the pool popped in and out of his head. He didn’t want to think about the Sweet and Wicked shine on her lips, either.

  He wasn’t planning to get close enough to pick up that scent.

  He focused his attention on the road, driving toward Tahoe and then along the scenic road up the mountain. Luke hadn’t been to The Hideaway too many times. Logan had recently purchased the restaurant and if romantic and dramatic were on the agenda, then the château overlooking the hills with a view of Lake Tahoe was the place.

  When they arrived, the car doors were opened by uniformed valets. One of them helped Audrey out of the car, giving her a second look. Luke couldn’t blame the guy for admiring a pretty woman. Once the car was driven away, Luke escorted Audrey up the steps of the quaint château, with one hand to the small of her back. That was all the touching he’d planned on doing with her during the entire night.

  She stopped and whirled around when they reached the veranda by the front doors. The sun was setting over the tips of the sugar pines and off in the distance, beams of burnished light gleamed on the lake. The Hideaway had a magnificent view of all that was glorious about Nevada.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, totally captivated by the surroundings.

  “I won’t be disagreeing.” It was about all they hadn’t disagreed upon lately. But Luke kept his tone light. He wanted Audrey to have fun tonight. She’d worked hard on Sunset Ranch and he still considered her his friend, even if she was sorely angry at him lately.

  Both of them could use a break from the tension at the ranch.

  He watched her view the scenery until she’d had her fill and then escorted her into the restaurant. A gasp of pure awe escaped her throat. The place was lit with a hundred candles that gave the restaurant a warm, appealing touch. White lilies, greenery and pinecones adorned tabletops. Tall pillar candles and a gardenia centerpiece decked out the carved fireplace mantel. A three-piece band was set up off to the side. Barkeeps at a carved wood bar were serving drinks, and waiters were offering appetizers to the guests.

  “Amazing,” Audrey said.

  Two of the younger ranch hands huddled in the corner, noticed her and gave her a wave. She returned their greeting with a genuine smile.

  “The party is in full swing,” he said, then spotted Logan and Sophia finishing a discussion with the caterer. “Let’s say hello.”

  Audrey walked beside him as they made their way over to offer them congratulations.

  “We should have a private toast,” Luke said. He grabbed a tray of champagne flutes, giving the waitress a smile, then returned to his brother’s side. “Here you go,” he said, offering everyone a glass. He raised his flute high in the air. “To my brother, for finally waking up and realizing how great Sophia is for him. Something I’d known all along.” He gave Sophia a wink.

  “I should have realized you’d be an ass about this,” Logan said, his tone light and good-natured. “But when you’re right, you’re right.”

  Everyone laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a better speech for when the time comes. This is only my warm-up,” Luke joked.

  “I can hardly wait.”

  They touched glasses with a clink and Sophia and Logan shared a special look as they sipped their drinks.

  It was those special looks, those shared moments that Luke had never experienced before with a woman. He’d been burned ages ago. Yet lately he’d come to realize that those memories had faded into the woodwork of his mind. They no longer hurt. But he had begun to think he was immune to love. There was something missing in his life. Or was he being too careful, overthinking things that should come naturally?

  Audrey held the flute to her mouth, ready to take a sip, when she was bumped from behind. “Oh!” Teetering on high heels, the glass dropped from her hand as she flung out her arms. Glass crashed on the floor, champagne spilling all over as she was propelled forward.

  On instinct, Luke reached out, catching her fall. It was like some fancy dance move he’d seen on television with Audrey falling into his arms. Except Luke wasn’t skilled with the grace of a dancer. He’d simply become her human safety net.

  He brought her up tight. Her face inches from his, she looked astonished. The scent of Sweet and Wicked filled his senses, but he didn’t care about that now. “Are you okay?”

  She gave him a brave nod then winced in
pain. “I…I think so.”

  Luke’s teeth ground together. He balled his fists and glanced over Audrey’s shoulder at the two men from the catering staff who were responsible for nearly knocking her to the ground. They were clearly oblivious and had no clue what they’d done. Luke gave her a quick kiss behind her ear and whispered, “Hang on a sec.” Then he set Audrey aside gently before he approached the men.

  “You boys just knocked into my date.” His blood pressure pulsed when they gave him blank stares. They’d been moving tables and speaking loudly, ignorant of the guests, and as Luke got closer, he smelled alcohol on their breath. “You don’t even know you hurt her. Now, before I ask you to leave, you owe her an apology.”

  He led the men to Audrey, who appeared pale at the moment. They hung their heads and mumbled an apology. “Okay, now move out. Do your job and be mindful of the guests.”

  When he turned around, Sophia was beside Audrey, holding her hand. Logan approached. “I’ll go talk to them.”

  “They’ve been drinking,” he said.

  Logan glanced at Sophia and she nodded her approval. “They’re off this job, then.”

  Luke was satisfied with that. He didn’t have the authority to fire them, but Logan would. They had no call being drunk on the job.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked Audrey. She’d really taken a hard rap to the back.

  “Not really.”

  He wasn’t sure if he believed her.

  “I’ve been bumped by the best of them, Luke. Horses nudge me to the ground all the time.”

  Sophia said, “That’s because they love you so much.”

  “And because you let them,” Luke added. A smile strained his tight lips as he remembered the silly games she’d play with the horses. They would often whinny and show their affection by nuzzling her neck until she dropped to the ground in giggles. “I’ll get you another drink,” Luke said.

  “No!” She glanced at Sophia and then at him. “I mean, not right now. I think I need some fresh air.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll take you outside.”

  “That’s not necessary,” she told him. “Thank you for catching me. But I think…I think I want to be alone right now.”

  A crew rushed over to clean up the mess while Sophia dabbed champagne from Audrey’s neck and shoulders. “You’re lucky. It didn’t get on your dress. You look too stunning to have it ruined. Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes, just a little shaken up.”

  Luke’s mouth twisted. “Then let me help you—”

  “Luke,” she said, “please don’t feel responsible for me tonight. Go, have fun. I plan to do the same in a few minutes. The band is starting up. Three couples have already beat you to the dance floor. Ask Sophia to dance while Logan is busy.”

  “Yes,” Sophia said, angling a knowing smile at Audrey. “I feel like dancing.”

  Bamboozled, Luke got the message. He let Audrey go, watching her make her way to the outside deck.

  “She’ll be fine. You’ve got to stop babying her.”

  “Is that what you think I’m doing?” Luke asked as they walked into the middle of the room. He took his friend into his arms and they began to move as the band played a rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” “I’m not babying her.”

  “No? Then why do you look so concerned?”

  “She got hurt.”

  “Not that much. Not enough for good-natured Luke to want to rip the heads off those guys who shoved her.”

  Luke narrowed his gaze and stared at Sophia. “What are you saying, exactly? And remember we’re friends, so no bull.”

  “No bull? All right, then, but you may not want to hear this.”

  Luke was sorry he asked. Sophia was a straight shooter. She told it like it was. And this time, Luke wasn’t sure he was ready for her honesty.

  “You’re attracted to Audrey. You’re just realizing she’s not a kid anymore and it’s sort of blowing your mind a little bit. She loves the same things you love. She’s pretty. Especially tonight. But because of your friendship with Casey and a code of honor you keep hidden in your back pocket somewhere, you’re wired to keep your distance from her. But it’s harder than you ever thought it would be.”

  “You’re right.”

  Surprise lifted Sophia’s brows. “I am?”

  “I didn’t want to hear that.”

  “I thought so. So, how close am I?”

  “Audrey is a grown woman. Any man can see that. Casey would tear me a new one if—”

  But Luke couldn’t finish his thought. He’d already done things with Audrey that would give Casey a stroke—after he beat the stuffing out of him.

  “If what? I know you’re really not afraid of Casey.”

  Damn Sophia for being so astute. For knowing him so well. He sighed and twirled Sophia around, and when she came face-to-face with him again, he shrugged. “Do you blame me for not wanting to hurt her?”

  Because Luke knew that he would. He’d already let things go too far between them. At one point or another, he’d be the one to walk away from her, when he found that something was missing between them. It had happened too often with too many women in his past. He didn’t want to do that to Audrey. Getting further involved with her would just lead to heartache.

  “No, I don’t blame you, Luke. I’m your friend. I can see this is troubling you.”

  Sophia let him off the hook and changed the conversation to her upcoming wedding, a subject that had her bending his ear. He was grateful when Logan cut in to retrieve his fiancée.

  He headed straight for the bar and ordered bourbon straight up. He spent his time chewing the fat with Hunter, Ward and a few friends from Sunset Lodge. He spoke with little Edward and his grandmother Constance shook hands with a few longtime employees, all the while keeping a vigilant eye on Audrey. She’d pretty much ignored him the whole evening, kicking it up on the dance floor with seven different partners. When she wasn’t dancing, she was the center of male attention, like she was the football quarterback in a huddle. The boys seemed to hang on her every word.

  When dinner was served, she sashayed her way over to the table and they made small talk throughout the meal.

  “Having fun?” he asked.

  “Yes, it’s a nice party. I’m glad I was invited.”

  He glanced at her plate. She’d taken two measly bites of her prime rib and picked at her carrot soufflé and potatoes. “You didn’t eat much.”

  “I, uh, no, I’m not too hungry tonight.”

  “You’d think with all the dancing you were doing, you’d have worked up an appetite.”

  Her gaze lowered to her plate. She picked up her fork. “I’d be a wallflower if I had to rely on you for a dance.” Dainty as could be, she took a bite of food.

  Luke studied her. “You’re saying you want to dance with me?”

  She lifted her chin defiantly. “No.”

  But her eyes flashed something different. The band had taken a break. Lucky thing. He didn’t want to hold her in his arms tonight. Sophia had been right. He was attracted to her. More than he would admit to another living soul.

  After dinner, Audrey excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. Ten minutes later, when she didn’t return for dessert, Luke went searching. He found her on the outside terrace, standing alone.

  He sidled up next to her and braced his arms on the railing. He sipped bourbon from a highball glass. She didn’t look at him, but remained quietly peering at the stars.

  After a minute of silence, she spoke quietly. “I’m ready to leave. Dusty offered to take me home.”

  “Dusty can go to hell.”

  Audrey whipped her head around to stare at him with accusation in her eyes. “That was uncalled for. He was polite to offer.”

  Dusty had been eyeing Audrey all night. They’d danced together a few times. He worked for Sophia at the lodge and from what Luke had gathered, the guy was all right. Which bugged him ten ways to Sunday. He should let her go
home and be done with it, but something inside wasn’t ready to allow that to happen. “I brought you here. I’m taking you home.”

  “Your brother’s party isn’t over. I don’t want to drag you away before it ends. This is an important evening for Sophia and Logan.”

  “So why do you want to leave so soon? Do you want to be alone with Dusty?”

  Audrey’s face flamed. Her eyeballs were ready to pop out of her skull. She hissed, deep and low from her throat. “How could you ask me that?”

  Luke stated a fact. “He’s been flirting with you all night.”

  “How would you know? You haven’t… Oh, never mind.” Audrey turned to brush past him and right on cue, the band started up again. This time it was a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”

  Hell, yeah, he was.

  Luke grabbed Audrey’s arm before she could get away. “Dance with me.”

  “I don’t need a pity dance, Luke.”

  His brows rose. He’d always admired her spunk. They stood frozen as the lyrics of loneliness and missing your sweetheart filtered through the speakers. “Then take pity on me. I want to dance with you.”

  Luke didn’t wait for a rejection. He took her small waist in his hands and tugged her closer, then looped her arms around his neck. She gazed at him, her body a little less rigid, her eyes softening. “Luke.”

  His brain told him this was dangerous and stupid, but he didn’t heed the warning. He’d been itching to touch her all night, despite his mental claims otherwise.

  They were alone, but for a starry sky and the sound of music and muted laughter coming from inside the château. The air was crisp. The leaves of sugar pines whispered in the breeze. And Luke whispered above them into Audrey’s ear, “One dance and I’ll take you home.”

  She trembled as he brought her closer, brushing his lips over her earlobes, breathing in the scent of her hair. She was delicate now in his arms, and he took care with that. She wasn’t a wallflower but a woman who had bloomed right before his eyes.

  They moved then, back and forth, the soft harmony filling their senses. Audrey laid her head on his shoulder and they danced on. There was something sweet and poignant in the moment, something that Luke didn’t want to end. So when the music stopped, they kept dancing, tight in an embrace, clinging to each other until sometime later their feet stopped moving and their eyes locked. Luke lifted her chin with his thumb and used it to outline the shape of her lips. Then he dipped his head and kissed her long and deep and passionately. When the kiss ended, Audrey whimpered in protest. The sound seared into his soul. He felt the same gut-wrenching sense of loss and wanted to go on kissing her. But not here, where curious onlookers might see, where any second now, his brother or Sophia might wander outside to find them together, lip-locked.