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A moment later, she heard a car door slam Tyler was back in record time She breezed past Luc, headed for the restaurant’s front door

He grabbed her by the ar?"

She jerked free and lunged for the door Luc didn’t want herbut he didn’t want anyone else to have her Alyssa refused to play that ga back some of his own medicine would put sohtly, she quipped, "Maybe it is time I let someone else scratchto a y afternoon had given way to a cooler evening, and Alyssa had thrown open the doors to the patio, bringing the outside in The food had been impeccable, the help she’d hired perfect Not a hint of an undercooked steak or overcooked vegetables The waitstaff had been deferential and efficient Patrons all around smiled--and Bonheur had secured lots of future reservations

Professionally, Luc couldn’t be happier

Personally, sing nails would be less painful than forcing down the fury inside hi in the hall, looking for a certain gorgeous blondeThere She drifted froant black dress tastefully draping her gorgeous body She’d swept up her hair in so classic and feminine Understated diamonds winked at her ears and her wrist Sophisticated, refined A perfect ave hiraciously, Alyssa paused at the next table, visited with guests, accepted a hug fro sway of Alyssa’s hair, and she sht of her affectionate gesture jolted Luc He sed down a sensation he could ter God, what an impossible wish Just because Alyssa liked that child didn’t mean she wanted any of her own Or would be the sort of dedicateda huge maternal streak, she wasn’t what he needed, and the road to parenthood with hi her itch now And Luc was alone--trying not to feel the confusion and pain crushing his guts

A hting, pausing to greet an older couple Not five feet froly

What had they spent the afternoon doing? If it hat Luc feared, that was his fault Had he pushed her aith his accusations and behavior? Why the hell hadn’t they just enjoyed their tiether and had a week of unco between the

That scared the shit out of hiht his attention, and he looked up to see Ki with a hesitant snant

Resent the life Luc wanted with a wonderful ould never refuse him her body or tell him that she had so-ups and been patient until he learned to overcome them AlyssaWhat would she think if she knew he could not father children? Would she shrug--or think hih, Luc made his way over to Kimber and his cousin

Deke stood and held out a hand "Good work Food was incredible You always cooked fine meals when you lived with me, but you outdid yourself on this"

"Super delicious," Kimber added with a dimpled smile

Luc shook Deke’s hand, then slipped an arratulations"

He forced himself to look at Kimber and mean the words He was happy for her For Deke Somehow, someway, he’d find this ideal future for hi envy

"Thanks," she murmured "We’re thrilled"

"As you should be"

Deke beamed with joy

"I’ll do my best to be a very committed uncle and spoil the tyke like ed Luc close "You’re such a wonderful person, I have no doubt you’ll succeed"

"Are you done cooking?" Deke asked

Luc nodded "The last ticket went out about ten ot hardware to discuss"

"On that note, I’ll run to the ladies’ roo at the equipment on the trip over Nice stuff I hope Alyssa will be okay"

Without thought, Luc’s gaze sought the wo her way across the patio, the night breeze stirring the pale tendrils at her neck Making hiet his mind back on the present

As if their sex life wasn’t fucked-up enough, Alyssa had solad Tyler was doing his job so diligently, even if he didn’t like that the other man watched her as if she were dinner and dessert all in one

Deke looked at hiaze back "What’s up with you two?"

Luc started to evade the question But he stopped Avoiding thisthing between hio away And it needed to; he knew that Why couldn’t he work it out?

"I don’t know She’s" He rubbed his forehead, searching for the right words "Under uard?" Deke nodded at Tyler

"Of sorts, yes"

Deke raised his brows "He looks like he’d like to do uard it"

"I’m pretty sure Tyler already does" Why else would she allow him to kiss her? Have a house key? See her naked? Touch her in public?

Leaning in, Deke stared at Luc long and hard He sed, certain his cousin could see right through hiuess, you’ve had an encore performance with Alyssa recently"

That obvious? "So?"

"So you don’t care if she fucks him, too?"

Luc fisted his hands in the tablecloth He kneas telling, but hell, Deke saw through him anyway "It infuriates the hell out of me I’ve had moments lately where I wanted to break every bone in his miserable body"

"She’s more than a fuck to you?" Deke sounded surprised

Asthe question, he couldn’t In fact, he’d been asking hi

"I don’t understand it She’s everything I don’t need Shady profession, total lack of modesty, so damn independent Probablyhappy with a rock on her hand, kids in tow, living in suburbia"

"But you don’t know that for a fact?"