“Nothing, I…”
“Look at me.” His voice is stern and when my eyes meet his they’re ice blue.
“Talk to me.”
“No, you get mad at me when I talk about my body. Just leave it alone.
We’ll work out separately. It’s okay.”
“Why are you so hard on yourself?”
He’s bewildered.
“I’m not. Well, not until now,” I whisper.
“Stop this. You have nothing to be ashamed of, baby.”
“I’m not ashamed. I know you find me attractive, and I love that.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to make an ass of myself.”
“But you want me to go to yoga and try to twist into a pretzel and make an ass of myself?”
Oh. Good point.
I giggle and put my fingers over my mouth.
“Are you laughing at me?” He’s smiling again and the tension in my stomach relaxes.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“So, are you going with me to the gym or not?”
“I so wish you’d let me take your picture.”
His eyes widen and he goes very still, and I mentally kick myself. “Why?”
“Because I’d love to take your picture at yoga. This is going to be hilarious!”
He relaxes and laughs as he gets out of the car, coming around to open my door.
“Come on, I want to watch you eat.”
Chapter Sixteen
Salty’s sits on a pier on Puget Sound.
They offer great views and great food.
The hostess seats us near the windows looking out on the water and we are busy reading the menu. I glance up at Luke and can’t help but sigh just a little. He’s just so disarmingly handsome. He’s biting that thumbnail as he peruses the menu.
“Can I have your hand, please?” I hold my hand out.
“You can hold my hand any time, baby.” He shoots me a sexy smile but gives me the wrong hand.
“No, the one you’re biting, please.”
He extends his hand to me with a frown and I lean over the table and kiss the thumbnail. “You’re going to make this bleed.” I look up into his sea-blue eyes, and am pleased to see that his breathing has changed and that my touch is turning him on.
“Don’t start this here, please.” His voice is low and sexy and my stomach clenches.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I widen my eyes innocently. “I’m just making sure you’ll have an appetite for your lunch.”
“I’ll tell you what I have an appetite for.” He grins wolfishly, but before I can respond the waitress is at the tableside.
“What can I get you two today?
Would you like to start with an appetizer?” She glances up at both of us with a smile, but she freezes when she sees Luke, and all the blood drains from her face.
“Luke Williams! Oh wow! I’m such a big fan, Luke… er… sir. I’ve seen all of the Nightwalker movies like forty times. Oh my god, they are so good. I can’t believe you’re here! Can I get an autograph? Can I get a picture?” The words all come out in a rush and I can’t help but sit back and drop my jaw.
Luke glances at me, but seems to find his balance quickly and pastes on a dazzling drop-your-panties smile, just for Miss Gushy, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and I know that this is the smile he uses for fans.
It’s fascinating.
“I’m sorry, I don’t give photographs, but I’m happy to sign something for you.”
“Oh great! Here.” She shoves her notepad and pen at him.
“What’s your name, sugar?” Oh, he is really laying it on thick.
“Hilary. Oh my gosh, wait until my friends find out I met you! They will be so jealous.” She’s practically jumping up and down and Luke’s smile never falters.
“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed the movies. Here you go.” He passes the pad back to her and she clutches it to her chest, her face all gooey and swoony and I have to look down to keep from laughing and rolling my eyes at her.
After a few lengthy seconds of her just standing there, staring at him, I decide to rescue him.
“So, um, we’d like to order now, if that’s okay with you, Hilary.”
She shakes herself out of her trance and blushes, but doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Oh, of course. What can I get you?”
She stares expectantly at Luke and he smirks.
“What would you like, baby?” And my man is back.
“I’ll just have the salmon Caesar salad, please, with extra lemon on the side. What kind of white wines do you have?” I am still staring into Luke’s eyes and am relieved to see that his eyes are dancing with humor.
“Oh, um…” She rattles off the white wine list and I order a sweet Riesling to go with my salad.
“And what can I get you, Mr.
Williams… er… sir?” Her face is on fire.
“I’ll actually have the same as my girlfriend. Sounds delicious.”
Girlfriend!
“Okay, let me know if I can get you anything else. Thanks again for the autograph!” And off she goes.
“Are you okay?” I ask when we’re alone.
“Yeah, that wasn’t so bad. How are you?”
“Amused. I didn’t know whether to laugh at her or feel sorry for her.”
“Hey, are you saying that I’m not a heart-throb? I’m hurt.” He sits back and clutches his chest, right over his heart.
“Oh no, you definitely make my heart throb, along with a few other areas, Mr.
Williams… er… sir.”
“You have a sassy mouth, Natalie.”
“I’m glad you noticed.”
We settle in to enjoy our lunch, but other waitresses and kitchen staff keep stopping by the table to get autographs or gush about how much they loved his movies, and ask him why he’s not acting anymore. Thankfully the restaurant isn’t terribly busy, so there aren’t many customers bothering us.
Finally when I’ve lost count of how many employees have come to interrupt our lunch, I excuse myself.
“You okay?” Luke asks me.
“I’m fine, I’ll be right back.” I give him a bright, reassuring smile, and leave the table.
I find Hilary near the bar. “I need to speak with the manager, please.”
“Oh, sure. I’ll grab her.” She disappears into what I assume is the kitchen and reappears with a tall redhead, about my age, who hasn’t managed to make it to our table yet.