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Julie eased through the crowd again to come face to face with a cri with, and who had never seeiving her a lingering inspection

"Looking aestive voice, his dark suit fitted to perfection He was a good looking guy, in an All-American kind of way that seemed to appeal to women, just not to her Not after he’d beco, which was kind of ironic, since the same qualities in Luke actually turned her on

"Thank you, Jake," she said "You do as well I always have liked your taste in clothes"

He gave her a boyish grin and straightened the blue silk tie at his throat "You know, I do try to ed even before he asked, "How about dinner Saturday night? We can go to that little Italian place you like so hts are otherwise spoken for," a deep voice responded behind her, as a fa hand settled on her back, followed by the jolt his touch always delivered to her senses

Luke stepped to her side, looking sexier than sin in all black – jacket, shirt, and tie Alive Safe Here with her And he had a black eye

Julie reached up to touch it, but Luke flinched and grabbed her hand "Introduce me to your friend" He put his ar her to his side

Julie felt a strange surge of comfort from the action Luke wanted Jake and everyone else to know she ith him If any other man had wanted the same she would have quickly put them in their place Instead, she just wanted to keep her place by Luke’s side

"Luke, this is Jake," she said, noting how uncomfortable Jake looked and she suddenly felt sorry for him "He’s a master criave Luke’s eye a glare "Looks like youby your date’s side, rather than running into people’s fists"

Luke ignored his coh on my list, but certainly necessary at times"

"Appears it was painful as well," Jake added dryly

Luke shrugged "You should have seen the other guy" He glanced at Julie "I think I need a drink" His attention slid briefly back to Jake and he added, "Enjoy your evening," before uarded expression, she whispered to Luke, "Your eye Are you in pain?" she asked and then added, "And what happened?"

"I’m fine," he assured her, "but it see a look at Moore’s assets, so to speak"

Julie stopped walking and stared up at hi, babe Everything is fine" She let hiain as he added, "If you keep worrying like this Ihim "I do care, Luke," she said in a voice that trembled She ht?"

"Yes," he said, softly "I just wanted to hear you ad fro without an ounce of hesitation, "Freely I ad between theht, you know? When we’re alone"