Page 275 of The Black Trilogy

“It’s only too much if you pass out.”

She laughed again, and he felt the sweet sound all the way through as he slid into the seat beside her.

“You’re right. Maybe we should go back and get another bottle.”

“That’s not a good idea, sweetheart.”

Two Macks already floated fuzzily in front of him, although that was no hardship.

The driver lingered before closing the door behind them. Luke’s regular chauffeur was on holiday, and the car service had sent a replacement. The way the man eyed up Mack’s assets didn’t escape Luke’s notice.

“We’re ready to go,” he snapped.

“Of course, sir.”

The car pulled away from the kerb, and Luke settled back in the seat. Mack didn’t. She scooted closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for helping, and thank you for taking me out tonight. I had a great time.”

She looked up at him with those big green eyes, and her lips parted just a little. Something passed between them as the resistance Luke had been clutching onto for the last few days crumbled. He glanced forward. Was the privacy screen up? Good, it was. He had a feeling they might need it tonight.

Mack’s breath caressed his cheek, and an invisible thread pulled him towards her. He was unable to contain his elation when she kissed him back.

Everything about Mack was perfect—her stunning flame-red hair, the way she cared for her friends, the little gasp she gave when he tightened his arm around her waist. But most of all, her mind. Luke loved her inner geek even more than her outer beauty.

Yes, they’d definitely be needing that privacy screen…

Luke barely remembered the trip through London’s streets, only the journey he went on with Mack as they let all those simmering feelings boil over into heated passion. By the end, he could barely remember his own name.

Then the speaker crackled, stirring him out of his lust-induced stupor, and Mack sat bolt upright.

“We’re here, sir.”

Luke hit the intercom button on the door console. “Just give us a few minutes.”

Good grief. Had he lost his mind? It seemed so, but he didn’t want to find it again.

“Are you okay?” he asked Mack.

“I think so. I mean, I’ve never…”

“Me neither.”

Thank goodness for tinted windows.

“We should get dressed. What if someone notices us? What if the driver—”

Luke pressed a finger to her lips. “He won’t.”

“My shirt’s torn.”

“I’ll give you my jacket.”

Mack tucked the remains of her blouse into her skirt while Luke fixed his shirt, stealing glances at Mack as he fumbled with the buttons. Her hair was all tousled, her mascara smeared, and most of her lipstick was on him. She’d never looked more gorgeous.

“Okay?” he asked, and this time she nodded.

Luke opened the door himself and half lifted her out. At least the chauffeur had enough sense to avert his eyes this time. Mack wobbled as Luke helped her up the path, and he wasn’t too steady either. Not just from alcohol, but because he’d just had his mind blown.

Mack stayed quiet as Luke took three attempts to get past the retina scanner. Flipping security. At times like this, there was a lot to be said for simply having a key. Eventually, they got inside, and she collapsed back on the sofa in the hallway. In a strange way, it reminded him of the night they first met.

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