Page 59 of Light My Fire

“Oh, sorry!” I say when I push the laundry room open and find Luke in there, bent over.

His butt in those jeans has my mouth turning dry.

He stands up, a scoop of dry dog food in a measuring cup from the kitchen. “Just getting Henley more food. I read online we need to up her calories while she’s nursing. Is that okay? I should have asked you first, Dr. Wilder.”

I think he means the title to be respectful but it makes me uncomfortable. I’m never sure if he’s mocking me or if he likes me just fine. He’s really hard to read.

“If she’s hungry, Henley should definitely eat.” I should step back to let him out but I hesitate. “Luke, I just want to apologize. I know this was supposed to be your guys’ weekend and I’m here throwing off the whole vibe.”

And having sex with your friend.

He shrugs. “No one planned on a blizzard.”

“I know, but…

“Brooke, please. Don’t worry about it. I see these two guys all the time. My weekend has not been ruined.”

“You seem frustrated.” I should let it go but my mouth keeps moving. “I feel like you don’t like me.”

Luke rubs his jaw. He sets the measuring cup with dog food down on the closed lid of the washing machine. “That’s not what this is. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.”

“Then what is it?” I’m genuinely bewildered.

Luke sighs. “It’s a self-preservation thing, okay? I like you too much. Way too damn much. I think you’re intelligent and sweet and sexy as hell.”

My jaw drops and my nipples grow tight. “Oh. But then why…”

“Because I’m all wrong for you. I’m dominating and grumpy and way too selfish for a woman like you.”

My whole body suddenly feels warm.

Luke wants me.

There’s lust in his eyes, and his shoulders are tense.

I instantly feel relieved and very, very turned on. “Maybe you should let me decide what a woman like me wants.”

But he shakes his head firmly. “No. Absolutely not. I was married once, and it ended badly. She cheated on me and lied to me so carelessly that she fucking let me think the baby she was carrying was mine. Never a hint that it might not be.” His fists clench and unclench and his voice cracks a little. “She let me watch the baby being born—a little girl who was fucking perfect—and I thought she wasmine, Brooke. I fell in love with that baby, only to have her ripped away from me.”

I’m shocked and absolutely heartbroken for him. I drop the laundry basket, and without thinking, just open my arms andpull him into an embrace. I rub his back gently. “Luke, I am so sorry. That’s just horrible. I can’t believe you went through that.”

My assumption is the baby—who can’t even be a baby anymore—is not in his life at all, so I don’t pry. I’m grateful he opened up to me and my heart breaks for his pain.

Luke rests against me for a moment, breathing in deeply on the side of my neck. Then he says gruffly, “Thanks. But I can’t and I don’t trust relationships anymore. There’s a wall up and it’s not coming down. Not even for you, angel.”

Angel.

He’s called me that twice now.

I feel incredible relief knowing he isn’t being rude because he finds something about me objectionable. He is building a barrier between us.

“I understand,” I tell him, even though it makes me sad. “But if you think I would ever hurt you, you’re wrong.”

Luke releases me and pins me with a hard stare. “No. I would hurtyou. That’s what I’m afraid of. That would kill me if I did that to you, Brooke. It would break my heart all over again if I destroyed you. I don’t want you toeverfeel this bitterness that I live with.”

I nod. I press my lips together. If he feels that way, I’m not going to try to talk him out of it. Given my inexperience, he’s probably way more than I can handle, anyway.

I do want to reassure him in some way. “I won’t flirt with you, I promise.”

---