Maryanne posed within the narrow space. “The bicycles and horses have to go on the wide road.”
“Which leadeth to destruction.” He laughed and snapped a picture.
Okay… whatever that meant. She took a few pictures of him before stepping onto the trail. They walked under a canopy of trees. Moss hung in strings off spiny branches, and ferns waved from the spaces between tree roots. Partially rotted tree trunks lay on the ground, and vines crawled along the sides of the trail.
“Sure that isn’t poison ivy?” Maryanne tiptoed with her flip-flops through a narrow passage between oat grass and green jagged leaves.
Lucas trailed her. “Those are berries. See the spoor?”
“Spoor?”
He pointed to globules of dark purplish-black droppings. Maryanne stepped back, right into his arms. “Ugh. I didn’t step on that, did I?”
He let her go immediately. “Ready for a seven mile loop or you want to come back on the same trail?”
“I’ll take the entire loop.” Maryanne shrugged. Most men would have hugged her a moment longer or even copped a feel. She’d showered and shampooed, and he had looked at her appreciatively, unless it was all a big act.
“That’s because we’re going downhill.” Lucas’ gleeful voice cut into the foreground. “See those switchbacks down there? I sprint up and walk back down. Interval training.”
“I’m game, but not for sprinting.” She wiggled a flip-flop at him.
After they negotiated the switchbacks, the trail widened and leveled off. Maryanne and Lucas hiked under majestic trees with rugged trunks pointing like spires toward the sky. Redwoods. Lucas helped Maryanne across a long log, and surprisingly, he didn’t let go of her hand. A warm feeling calmed the jitters in her heart. Vera said she only craved the chemical high of being in love, but not the man behind it. Maryanne gripped Lucas’ hand tighter. He didn’t respond. Instead, he seemed shy and stopped chattering.
The sound of woodpeckers periodically peppered the tall trees, and was soon joined by that of trickling water. Ferns sprawled along the creek bank. Even though it was midday, the canopy of trees hid the sunlight, and the air was refreshingly cool.
“Ready for lunch?” Lucas stopped near a flat stone and swung his backpack off his shoulder.
“Sure, I’m famished.” Maryanne dipped her feet in the soothing water. “It’s surprising how cool and damp it is in this forest.”
“Even in May. That’s what I like about the Bay Area. Ham or turkey?” Lucas pointed to the spread—two wrapped submarine sandwiches and Hershey’s chocolate milk on ice packs.
“How do you know I’m not a vegetarian?”
“Oh, I’m sor—”
“Don’t you dare apologize.” Maryanne put her hands on his waist. If she were taller, she’d lay her lips on his to stop further discussion. “I was just teasing. I’ll eat anything.”
A slow smile stretched across his face. “Okay, I’ll hold you to it, man-eater.”
Maryanne refrained from rolling her eyes. She unwrapped a sandwich. “I haven’t seen many hikers. We have this place all to ourselves.”
“We do.”
She took a bite of the sandwich and leaned closer. Couldn’t he at least put his arm around her? His eyes, green as light emeralds, held her gaze. As clear as the sea, not even a speck of brown.
The pupils pin-pointed. He stared over her shoulder and jumped to his feet. “A mountain lion!”
Maryanne gasped and coughed up a piece of bread. She grabbed onto Lucas. “Where? Where?”
Nothing but green branches and fluttering leaves. Was the cat stalking behind the ferns? Her heartbeat flailed, and she hid behind him.
He swung his arms, jumped up and down, hooting and chuckling? What was wrong with him? Maryanne’s head snapped back and forth. There was no movement in the vicinity, no giant cat ready to pounce.
Lucas slapped his thighs and doubled over with laughter. “Gotcha!”
~~~
The hike back was almost all uphill. Thankfully, the trees blocked the sun most of the way. Maryanne’s car was still the only one in the parking lot. She threw the empty water bottle in the recycle bin. “I thought I was going to die.”
Lucas wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. “We climbed 1400 feet from the creek. You did great, even with flip-flops.”
“Ugh… I’m going to have blisters between my toes.”
He removed his wraparounds. “About that mountain lion, I’m—”
“Don’t!” Maryanne unlocked her car. “I forgave you about five miles back, but you owe me for the torture march.”
“How do you want me to pay?” He extracted a towel and a brightly checkered madras shirt from his backpack. “I have to change shirts. Try not to stare.”
“Pffuh, I don’t want to get sick.” Maryanne slid into the driver’s seat. He wouldn’t be able to see her ogling from this vantage point. He stood with the passenger door open, his ridged abdominals in full view. A trickle of sweat rolled down the center line but was quickly dabbed away. He turned his back and put on deodorant—Old Spice original scent. Hmmm… a traditional man. After rolling up his towel and tank top, he stuffed it in his bag and climbed into the passenger seat, his shirt still partially unbuttoned.
“I’ll get the buttons.” She reached for his shirt, and her breath quickened. What was wrong with her? She’d been throwing herself at him all day. This man-drought made her irritable and snappy. It’d been, what? Four months since John walked out? Why hadn’t Vera fallen off the wagon? She swallowed and licked her lips. Lucas’ warm breath was sweet on her face.
“Thanks,” he whispered, so close to her ear.
Her hand flattened on his chest. Sitting in the car, they were almost the same height. It was doable. She trailed her fingertips to his collarbone. His body stiffened, and he cleared his throat. “Uh… We have to be somewhere in twenty minutes. I reserved a class for us.”
“A class?” Why did her voice have to squeak like that?
“Yes, I think you’ll like it.”
“Oookay…” She checked her teeth in the vanity mirror. All clear. Eye makeup was a little smeared, but nothing seriously wrong. “Go back the way we came?”
Lucas pointed out the window. “Yes, but make a left on 92 and turn into a winery. I’ll enter the address into the GPS.”
“Thanks,” Maryanne mumbled. Despite all the suggestive talk, he seemed uncomfortable touching her. But then, why did he pursue her so avidly? She stepped on the accelerator. At least the wine tasting class would cheer her up.
They drove past a Christmas tree farm, quite charming and cute. Traffic piled behind a slow moving truck before clearing near a stretch of nurseries and businesses. An arrow pointed to the winery on the left. Maryanne parked in front of a small wooden building with a Wine Tasting sign. She got out and locked her car.
“You like red or white?” she asked Lucas.
“Ah, good, he’s there.” Lucas pointed to a tin building on the other side of the parking lot.
“What’s over there?”
“You’ll see.” He took her hand, sending a warm thrill skittering through her heart. They walked to the front of a rollaway door that opened into an art studio. Glass pumpkins, translucent hearts, and paperweights sat on the shelves, and colorful lamps hung from metal rods.
A man with weathered skin and grey hair greeted them. “Hi, I’m Dan. You Lucas?”
“Yep, and this is Maryanne. We’re here to take the glassmaking class.”
Dan showed them sample hearts, paperweights, and pumpkins. “Before you leave, you’ll be making one of these.”
“Seriously?” Maryanne said. “How do you get the ridges on the pumpkin?”
“Trade secret.” Dan grinned as he took the money from Lucas. “So what are we making today?”
“This is so cool!” Maryanne held up a small sea-green speckled pumpkin with a curly gold stem. “I want to make a pumpkin like this one.”
“
That color is a favorite,” Dan said. “How about you?”
“A red and purple heart,” Lucas answered.
Strange choice for a man, but hey, he was definitely different. Hot, cute, and inhibited.
“You want to go first?” Lucas asked.
“No, you go ahead. It looks dangerous.”
“Nothing to it,” Dan said. “Put on these gloves.”
Maryanne took pictures of Lucas dipping the iron rod into the crucible and holding it in a furnace. He created several layers of color by rolling the molten glass in colored powder. When it was time to shape the heart, Dan gave him a knife and asked him to cut the cleavage.
“I’ll let her cut it.” Lucas waved Maryanne over and smiled sweetly.
“Watch out or she’ll cut your heart.” Dan laughed.
After a brief instruction, she held the blade and cut upwards, separating the two lobes. Lucas used large tweezers to draw the tip, and it was finished. Dan placed the hot glass into the annealer to cool.
Maryanne worked her glass blob under Dan’s instruction. It was hard work to make layer after thin layer and rotate the rod to keep the glass from flopping downward. When it was time to shape the pumpkin, Dan helped her push the heated glass into a jagged round mold and pull it out. He dipped a smaller rod into a crucible of golden glass and attached it to her pumpkin, curling it several times.
He put her pumpkin into the annealer before she had a chance to admire it. “You can pick it up tomorrow or I can mail it.”
“I’ll pick up,” Lucas said.
“That’s it?” Maryanne peeled off the protective sleeves and gloves.
Lucas guided her to the front of the studio. “If you want one of those lamps, I’ll buy you one.”
“No, I couldn’t.” She stared at a pink and blue jellyfish wall lamp with long, curly tendrils. It was probably a couple hundred dollars, perfect for a nursery. A hot, thudding pulse hammered behind her ears. Flustered, she turned for the parking lot to catch her breath. Her hormones were definitely out of control.
~~~
Lucas looked after Maryanne. She had been laughing and giggling during the glass work, and now she stood in front of the winery with her arms crossed.
He walked to her side. “You okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Thanks, that was fun.”
“You seem upset. Anything I did?”
“Oh, no. Some thoughts crossed my mind and made me sad, nothing about you.” Her voice was strained, but she forced a tiny smile.
He took her hand. It was so small and delicate. “Stick with me and I won’t let sad thoughts near you.”
“Promise?” She pulled him toward the tasting room. “Let’s try some wine.”
“Aren’t you driving?” Lucas stopped at the entrance.
“A little wine isn’t going to do any harm.”
“The road’s narrow and winds around. There’s lots of traffic.”
Her frown pushed her eyebrows together, and she pulled out of his grasp. “Are you saying I can’t drink when you’re around?”
“At least let me drive.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’ll stay out here.”
She stepped through the door without answering. A cold wave swept his chest. He could never figure out women. Hot, cold. Flirty, indifferent. Giddy one moment, then moody and spitting like a hellcat.
Twenty minutes later, Maryanne emerged from the tasting room carrying a bottle of wine. She popped a chocolate into her mouth and smiled as if pleased with herself.
“I would invite you back to my place,” she said in a teasing voice. “But I think I’m going to have to drink this alone.”
“I’m sorry I said anything.” Lucas held the car door for her, but she walked to the passenger side.
“Go ahead. I knew you wanted to drive it.”
He hesitated. A no-win situation. Take the wheel and admit he thought her a drunk. Back off and risk an accident. His friends back home had always appreciated him for being the designated driver.
She beeped the horn. “What are you waiting for?”
He slid into the driver’s seat. “Talk to me. What are you thinking?”
Her breath had a fruity bouquet, sweet. Perhaps she really had only a taste. She tickled his shoulder. “That you owe me a kiss.”
“You’re not mad? Because I was way over the line. It’s not you. My mother’s an alcoholic and I’m used to fighting her for the keys. I’m usually not—”
Her lips, soft like rose petals, pressed briefly over his mouth. His heart skipped with an electric sizzle. He’d expected her to be greedy and sloppy, but she kept her mouth closed, inhaling through her nose. He caressed her cheek, her complexion like porcelain, so perfect, with a sprinkling of pinpoint freckles. And when she opened her eyes and gazed into his, he felt light, as if he’d been levitated, hypnotized, enchanted. He traced her cheekbone to the back of her jaw, letting his finger linger on the soft skin of her neck around her pulse point.
He opened his mouth to give her a real kiss, felt her gasp and tremble at his approach. Lightly gliding over and around her tongue, he explored the silky parting between her lips and teeth, teasing the tip of her tongue, encouraging her to fully draw him in.
She moaned, and her fingers slid underneath his shirt, kindling a flame in his groin. Their lips still locked passionately, he struggled for breath. He couldn’t allow this to continue, couldn’t break her chastity vow. And he definitely couldn’t fall in love, not yet. Not until he’d won Olympic gold.
Abruptly, he pulled away and latched onto the steering wheel as if it were a life preserver.
Chapter 4
“Hey, slow down, will you?” Maryanne gasped for breath and ran with Vera through the par course exercise trail.
Vera jogged to the first station. “I have to stretch before the log hop.”
Maryanne slowed to a walk and held her side. “I have a stitch. You hop and I’ll watch.”
“No way. You gotta get in shape, especially if you want to date Lucas Knight. Has he called?”
Maryanne stood with her hands on her knees while Vera jumped back and forth over a slanted log. “No. Maybe I did something to piss him off.”
“Why would you think that?” Vera dragged Maryanne up. “Come on, next station.”
“We were making out in the car and he stopped suddenly and drove me home.”
They jogged to a multilevel chin-up bar.
“That’s crazy. What did you do?” Vera swung from a high bar, and Maryanne settled for the medium one where she could keep her heels on the ground.
“I just sat there. I couldn’t figure him out.”
Vera’s mouth turned into a circle. “Is he gay?”
“No, definitely not.” Maryanne pulled herself up halfway ten times. “He kisses so hot, not rude like most guys shoving their tongues down your throat.”
Vera jumped down without doing a chin-up. “What do you think he’ll be like in bed?”
A shiver sparked fireworks over Maryanne’s shoulders. “I imagine he’d take his time. He’s so considerate. Anyway, I should be glad he’s not making a move. Maybe I’ll win the bet.”
“No, you won’t.” Vera wagged her shoulders. “I’m dating a church guy, captain of the church basketball team.”
“Church basketball team? How old are they?”
They moved to the balance beam.
“Mid to late twenties.” Vera walked across a low beam. “All professionals and tall. Some of them are executives at Silicon Valley companies. Nice cars too.”
Maryanne followed Vera and missed a step. “How come I never heard of this?”
“You need to hang with me more. Remember Frank Duffy, the lab tech? He’s the team captain. Come to the game Saturday night. I’ll set you up with someone.”
Vera headed to the sit-up bench, and Maryanne lay down with her feet elevated and her hair hanging. Lucas had his hang-ups, but he was sincere. Taking it slow was probably the best, given her history of disas
trous relationships.
A low whistle emanated from behind the bushes. Lucas pulled off his wraparounds. “Working off the chocolate?”
Vera cupped her hand and whispered in Maryanne’s ear, “I’ll call you later. Remember, Saturday night. Basketball players. Play hard to get. Bye.”
“Whatever.” Maryanne glanced sideways at Lucas. He looked mighty fine in his muscle shirt and shorts. Her fingers tingled, and a collection of dazed butterflies quivered in her stomach. How could she still be crushing on him when he ignored her for over a week?
Lucas waved. “Keep going, don’t stop cuz I’m bothering you. I want to see how many sit-ups you can do.”
“I’m actually finished.” She looked after Vera, but she’d already jogged across the parking lot.
“Great, let’s have dinner.” Lucas stood at her side. “I’m going beach camping this weekend. We can hike, have a picnic and sleep in a tent.”
Maryanne shivered and hugged her arms. “I might be busy. How about another time?”
“I checked the tides, and it’s fine this weekend.” Lucas took her hand and kissed it. “I found a private place, tucked under a cove. It’ll be fun, I promise.”
Hating the warm flutters he elicited without even trying, she withdrew her hand. “Wait. You don’t call or say ‘hi’ and you expect me to go on a trip with you?”
“You never gave me your number, and I can’t call your work.”
“You could have dropped by.” Did she just whine? Ugh. Better stop acting so needy. He’s dropping by right now.
“I was busy preparing my students. They competed in the Special Olympics last night. I wish you could have been there. Tommy took the gold in freestyle and Debby the silver in breaststroke.” His face brightened with a proud smile.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain.” She climbed off the sit-up bench.
“Are we still friends?” He clapped a hand around her shoulders in a brotherly fashion.
That explained it. He was only interested in her companionship. Safe and slightly disappointing, but having a male friend might not be a bad idea.
She shaded her eyes from the setting sun. “Sure, friends, sounds good.”
Hidden Under Her Heart Page 3
