Page 253 of The Black Trilogy

“Th-th-thanks.”

He gathered her into his arms and hugged her. All thoughts of a good time floated away on her river of tears, but he didn’t know what else to do. She tensed at first, but after a few seconds, she relaxed and dropped her head against his shoulder. Like she was made for him, she fitted perfectly into his arms, and one arm wrapped around his chest and clutched at his shirt. She quivered against him as she choked back fresh sobs.

“I’m s-s-sorry,” she wept. “I don’t even know you, and I’m breaking down on you.”

“It’s okay,” Luke reassured her, keeping his fingers crossed the tears didn’t get worse. “I’ll take care of you.”

He was surprised to find he meant it. Unable to resist, he dipped his head and kissed her hair. What was it about the sweet scent of vanilla that made him lose his senses?

She gripped him more tightly, and Luke felt her heart beating against his chest like the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings. He had an urge to kiss her properly, but he held off. That wasn’t what she needed right now.

The snarled-up traffic cleared as they got further from the river, and soon they were moving faster. It wasn’t long until the driver interrupted through the intercom.

“We’re here, love. Albany House.”

Luke peered out onto the dimly lit street. They were on millionaire’s row. Maybe even billionaire’s row. These homes made his look like a Lego house. Who was this lady?

She extricated herself from his arms, biting her lip again. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never broken down on a complete stranger before.”

“Luke,” he said.

“What?”

“Luke. That’s my name. I’m not a complete stranger now.”

“Oh. I’m Mackenzie.”

An awkward silence ensued as they waited in the car outside Mackenzie’s house, Luke’s arms still around her. Much to his embarrassment, he couldn’t help stifling a yawn, which seemed to spur her into action.

“I guess I should go inside,” she said, reaching for the door handle.

“If you need someone to talk to, I can lend an ear.”

“You’re tired. I’m sorry for keeping you up.”

“It’s been a long week. I’ll get some coffee on the way home, no problem.”

She stilled a moment, as if turning over her thoughts before coming to a decision. “Uh, do you want to come in? I have coffee here. I could make you a cup as thanks for the lift?”

Something about the woman piqued his interest, and it was more than just her figure. A collision certainly wasn’t how he’d usually meet a girl, and on any other day he’d have run a mile at the sight of tears, but he was drawn to her.

“I’d like that.”

Mackenzie gathered her belongings and Luke picked up his briefcase, letting her climb out of the car first. It wasn’t entirely altruistic—he enjoyed the view as she stooped to get through the door. After seeing her upset, he knew he shouldn’t be thinking the thoughts he was, but something more primal had taken over his mind. Mackenzie’s hips swayed in front of him as he followed her past the colourful winter pansies that edged the path, and he wished the lighting was a little better.

She unlocked the huge wooden door using a numbered keypad, a fingerprint scanner, and finally a key. A pang of jealousy hit him. He’d been toying with the idea of installing a similar system at his own house, but the forms were still sitting on his desk, shoved aside in favour of cat doodles as he’d wallowed in self-pity.

Why did she need such a complicated set of locks? Seriously, who was she? He’d barely had time to contemplate the question when she swung the door open and sashayed into the stark white entrance hall.

The first thing Luke saw was an ornate chandelier made from multi-coloured sculpted glass. By Chihuly, if he remembered correctly.

There weren’t enough four letter words in the dictionary to convey how Luke felt.

Because he recognised this house.

CHAPTER 38

A CURSE SLIPPED out of Luke’s mouth, and Mackenzie turned to stare at him.

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