Page 6 (1/2)

"Hey, slon" I tug on his hand a bit and deliberately slow my steps

"Are you in a hurry to be rid of rins down at reat sunset

Wanna walk along the water? I promise, no camera" I hold my free hand up to show him it’s empty

Luke saze There are a lot of people out and about enjoying the beautiful day on Alki Beach Luke shakes his head and looks forlorn for adown at lasses

"I don’t like crowds, Natalie It’s kind of a phobia" He shakes his head again, runs his hand through that sexy hair and releaseshis hands on his hips

"It’s no problem" I feel sorry for him in that moment and want to comfort him

I’ve never wanted to cos toward a man They’ve always just been a pleasant diversion, or ly, I find myself reach up and cup his face in my palm to sooth him

"Hey," I say softly "Don’t sweat it, Luke"

He leans into my touch and exhales, puts his hand over mine, then clasps it and kisses my knuckles

Oh my

"Co just a little space, "I’ll drive you ho to enius photos, through the crowds Hop in"

He flashes er seat

Oh Natalie, what are you getting yourself into?

Chapter Three

Luke’s ho the coast, and it strikes me that his place is less than a quarter ated driveway I can only see a single-lane drive ahead of me, there is no house in view

"The code is 112774," he directs ate?" I aht toto his house Will he even invite me inside?

"You’d be alance back at hinore his coasp at the beautiful e, it’s si, and the white hoe s, beautiful purple and blue hydrangeas lining the front of the house, and pruned shrubs lining the driveway

"Wow, Luke, this is beautiful"

"Thank you" The pride is back in his voice, and it’s evident that he loves his ho