Bidding Wars (Love Strikes) Read online

  “I can take him and then bring him back to you in an hour if you have something you need to do.”

  Leslie squinted her eyes. “Don’t you have something you need to do?”

  Molly wasn’t positive, but she felt that comment was referring to her, sexually. Part of her wanted to step in and let Leslie know she wasn’t invading her territory, but she didn’t know where things hung with her and Luke.

  “My afternoon is free. I’m not sure what Nurse Molly’s plans are.” Luke looked at Molly.

  Molly did her best to suppress the giggle that was begging to escape.

  “I really want some ice cream.” Sammy pouted. “If you two are going to fight about it, then maybe Nurse Molly will take me.”

  “I’m sorry, Sammy. We didn’t mean to make you think we were fighting.” Luke put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This is your mom’s weekend, so it’s up to her. We have to respect whatever she decides.”

  Leslie tossed her arms up in the air. “You’re so condescending—it’s just like you to put it all on me.”

  “I didn’t mean anything by that.” Luke spoke in a quiet tone.

  This was getting awkward fast. “I think I’ll let you guys figure this out. I should head home.” She turned to Sammy. “Great game, bud. You did awesome out there.” She turned and started to make her way across the ever-growing field toward the parking lot.

  “Wait, Molly.” Luke was calling for her.

  She stopped and looked over her shoulder. He said something to Leslie and Sammy and then jogged toward her.

  “Don’t leave.”

  “Luke, I can’t get in the middle of whatever is going on between the two of you. It’s fine.”

  “No, it’s not fine. I was hoping to spend more time with you.”

  Taking a deep breath, she wondered if she was about to say the right thing. “I’ll be at my car. When you’re finished, come find me.”

  “Thank you.” He turned and went back to his son and ex.

  Seeing the strain between Luke and Leslie almost made her happy she and Steven had never had kids. Her marriage with Steven had not been perfect. She often liked to think it had been, but it wasn’t. They’d swept a pile of problems under the rug during those last months together; a baby would’ve only made matters worse.

  She leaned against her car and waited. Maybe it was good she was waiting on him. After all, she needed to make sure they were on the same level when it came to the home on Maple Street and the offers. Luke had to know she wouldn’t take kindly to him lowballing it. Or else she was walking away.

  After a few more minutes, Luke came walking up, alone. He had a look of defeat on his face. Part of her wanted to reach out and comfort him. Tell him it was all right.

  “Thanks for waiting. I’m really sorry about that. I never know how Leslie is going to react to things. But Sammy is getting his ice cream and he was fine with it coming from a drive-thru instead of the ice cream parlor.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “Ice cream is ice cream, right?”

  “I guess so. But parlor ice cream is always better than the fast-food places.”

  “He did ask if you’d come to his next game.” Luke’s face brightened.

  “How did Leslie take that?”

  “Fine. She said she’d just like a heads up next time before I bring a girl along.” He rolled his eyes.

  “This is new for her. If, like you said, I’m the first woman you’ve dated.”

  Luke smiled and stepped toward her, closing the space. “Are we dating?”

  “Uh…”

  “Do you know how hard it is for me not to kiss you right now? You look so adorable when you panic.”

  Kiss. Oh yes, a kiss would be really good right about now. But she had to resist. Placing a hand on his chest, she pushed him back a little. As close as he was, his aftershave was attacking her senses and causing her not to think clearly. If he didn’t move back, she surely would kiss him.

  “I talked to Diane.”

  He stepped back. She’d killed the mood, just as planned.

  “Did she think you were batty?” Irritation was in his voice.

  “Ha ha.” Molly crossed her arms. “And to answer your question, she did.”

  Luke laughed.

  “Anyway, she brought up a good point and I thought I should discuss it with you.”

  “Wait, she agreed?”

  “She’s going to discuss it with the seller’s agent, and in a few days I should know something.”

  Luke looked genuinely surprised. “OK, go on.”

  “If you get to submit your offer, you have to promise not to lowball it.”

  “To be honest, it never crossed my mind. I didn’t expect your agent to agree to this.” He crossed his arms and leaned against her car.

  “She did, and I need you to promise you’ll play fair.” Molly cleared her throat. “There is a slight problem, though. Others can put in offers as well.”

  “What? You don’t seriously want to continue down this path, do you?”

  “I’ve taken it this far. Anyway, back to your promise.”

  “I’ll promise under one condition.”

  Was he serious? “Luke…”

  “What, we can’t only play by your rules. What fun is that?”

  “I don’t know that I’d call any of this fun, but I’m game. What’s your condition?”

  “Dinner at my place, tonight.”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

  “Be honest with yourself. You’re attracted to me and I’m very attracted to you. Come to my house and have dinner.”

  “No funny stuff.”

  He shifted close to her again. “I won’t make a move on you, unless you want me to.”

  She gazed into his eyes. That seemed easy enough. All she had to do was get through dinner and then he wouldn’t lowball his offer. It seemed easy enough, but were things ever as easy as they appeared?

  Chapter Twelve

  Molly slowed her car down to a crawl as she passed the house on Maple Street. To get to Luke’s, she had to drive by it. And seeing it again made her wonder if she was doing the right thing, asking for Luke to put his offer back on the table. It was hers after all. He’d chosen to walk away.

  She groaned aloud and then pressed down on the gas and sped off toward Luke’s home. He was located only a few houses down. If he ended up getting it, it would make moving expenses very minimal. She had to move across town if she got it.

  She parked her car in his driveway. The home he was currently living in wasn’t as big as the Maple Street property. It was a ranch-style home, long and narrow. She imagined the inside was very spacious. As she walked to the front door, she knew she was about to find out if she was right.

  After knocking, she stepped back and waited. It didn’t take long until she heard the clicking noise from the locks. The door opened to reveal Luke in a light blue button-down shirt, untucked over a pair of dark jeans. When her gaze finally made it back to his face, she encountered a warm, welcoming smile. And yes, he had noticed she’d checked him out. She could see that in his eyes.

  “Come on in.”

  She stepped inside, meeting a fragrance of spice as well as sweet. “It smells really good in here.”

  “I just pulled dessert out. It’s a new recipe combining two of my favorite desserts. I hope you like cheesecake and red velvet. Meat’s on the grill too. Come on, follow me out back. After we eat, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

  “Good. It smells great—I can’t wait to eat.”

  “I’m starving too.”

  Molly followed him through the foyer into a huge living room that held sliding glass doors. He opened the screen door, standing back so she could walk through first. On the porch, she saw a small table with two chairs. He had a candle burning on the table, illuminating two glasses of wine. She raised an eyebrow toward him.

  “I thought a glass of wine might lighte
n the evening a bit.”

  “It might. But don’t forget, no funny business.”

  “And don’t forget I said I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want me to. You don’t have to drink the wine.”

  “What kind is it?”

  “Zinfandel.”

  “God, I hate you. That’s my favorite.”

  “Really, it’s mine as well. I always have a bottle in the house.”

  She picked up her glass. “I thought you’d be more a beer man.”

  “I am, but that’s for when a game’s on. I enjoy wine in the evenings.”

  She nodded. As much as she hated to admit it, she liked getting to know him better. He was a fun and interesting man. “College or professional football?”

  “College all the way. I like professional, but I can’t miss a college game.”

  She laughed. “What if I told you I hated football?”

  “Then I’d tell you to take those afternoons off and treat yourself to the spa.”

  “Damn. I’m a college football fan as well. But the spa trip sounds nice—would it be on your dime?”

  With tongs in his hand from flipping the meat, he looked at her and smiled. “Of course.”

  Taking a sip of the wine, she knew she needed to pace herself. She was starving and hadn’t eaten since before the baseball game. “What else did you prepare besides those steaks that are making my mouth water?”

  “My famous potato salad and corn on the cob.”

  “Famous…why is it so special?”

  “Just wait until you take your first bite. Anytime someone puts on an event, cookout, or whatever, my potato salad is always requested. Oh yes, it’s the bomb.”

  Molly laughed. “Anyone ever not liked it?”

  “Not yet.”

  “That’s saying something then.”

  He turned back to the grill. Molly took the opportunity to ogle him again without him seeing. God, this man was hot. Each time he looked at her, he sent waves of desire through her. As she took another sip of wine, she hoped she could hold up her end of the bargain: no funny stuff. The more she stared at his amazing ass, the more she wanted to grab it. She was certain it was firm.

  “See something you like?”

  Her gaze immediately left his backside to see he was looking at her over his shoulder.

  “I was lost in a daydream, I guess.”

  “If you keep looking at me like that, I might get the wrong impression.”

  She smirked. “I wouldn’t want that.” Or would she?

  * * *

  As Luke finished up the cooking, he did everything possible to shield his raging hard-on. Molly kept looking at him like she wanted to eat him. He wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to restrain himself much longer. He wanted to kiss her again, and he wanted to see where the kissing could lead to. Being with her would be the best. The amount of chemistry between them was thick, and, once they connected, sparks would be flying everywhere. And she was close—very close—to giving into what she wanted as well.

  “Would you like to eat out here or inside?”

  “It’s a nice evening.” She looked out at the yard. “Out here would be great.”

  “Sit tight then, and I’ll bring it out to you.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “Nope, I got it. You just sit here and enjoy the cool breeze.” He took one last look at her and then headed inside.

  She’d changed since he’d seen her at the game. She was now wearing a white sundress, with a short-sleeved black cardigan she left hanging open. Molly was beautiful. Her hair was still up, but there were stray pieces falling along her slender face.

  He made up both their plates, hoping she wouldn’t mind. It took a balancing act to carry both plates and the condiment tray.

  “Let me help you.” She leaped to her feet as he entered the porch, taking a plate from his hand.

  “I had it under control.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Such a man.”

  “Hey, I resent that comment.”

  She giggled and then took her seat again. “It looks good.”

  “Need a refill?” He motioned to her almost empty wine glass.

  She bit her bottom lip. She must have been trying to decide if she should or not. Finally she nodded, and he headed back inside to get the wine. He refilled her glass and then set the bottle on the table and took his seat.

  “I have one condition to this dinner.” He dropped his napkin into his lap.

  “You and your conditions. What is it?”

  “We’re not talking about the house. I want us to pretend for the evening that the place doesn’t exist.”

  “But—”

  “No buts.” Luke held a finger up.

  “Fine. Deal.”

  “Good. Now taste that potato salad and try to tell me it isn’t the best you’ve ever had.”

  She scooped some up with her fork, and he watched intensely as she took her first bite. Her lips closed around the fork and then she murmured in delight. Yes! She liked it. As she pulled the fork from her mouth, she smiled at him. “It’s good. And there’s an aftertaste. What is it?”

  “Not telling. It’s a secret.”

  “Really? You’re not telling?”

  “Nope, taking it to my grave with me. Or at least until Sammy is old enough and I can teach him. My dad passed it on to me.”

  “Did he ever tell your mom?”

  Luke shrugged. “Not that I know of.”

  “Hmmm, interesting. So do all the Logan men cook?”

  “Yes, as long as anyone can remember. I hope Sammy does as well one day.”

  “No siblings?”

  “Only child. You?” He took a bite of his steak.

  “I have a sister. But she and I haven’t been close since my divorce.”

  Ah-ha! Finally, he had an idea about her past. It wasn’t easy getting much information out of her, but now he had a little insight into her. “Divorce?”

  “Yes, I was married for seven years.”

  “No kids?”

  She set her fork down and an expression washed over her that he wasn’t expecting. It was as though he’d flipped a switch and completely lost her.

  “Are you OK?”

  She stared off into space and he wondered what was going through her mind. He reached out and took her hand. She tensed a moment before she relaxed. She looked down at her plate before speaking. “I can’t have kids.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Luke thought his heart was going to break. From the look on Molly’s face and the pain he now understood she’d been having, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold her.

  She picked up her glass of wine and took a long drink from it. He wanted to say something, but he wasn’t sure what. What did you say to someone who couldn’t have kids? She obviously loved children in her line of work. God, it must hurt her every day to be in the job she was.

  “I’m really sorry.” He kept his tone low.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I know. Is that why your marriage didn’t work out?” He needed to know more.

  She shrugged. “I’d like to say yes, but there were always problems there. The fact that I couldn’t be the woman he needed me to be—the woman who could bear his children—was all the confirmation he needed to step away from our marriage. He has since moved on to a younger woman, and through the grapevine I’ve heard they’re expecting their first child.”

  “I—”

  She placed a hand up. “I don’t want to hear you’re sorry. That’s all I’ve heard from everyone for the past year. Frankly, I’m tired of everyone feeling pity for me. I can’t have kids. I’ll never be the wife a man needs. And if you no longer want to pursue this, knowing I can’t have children, then I understand.”

  Luke had wanted more kids one day. He didn’t want Sammy to be an only child as he had been. Luke had always wondered what it would be like to have a si
bling.

  “Why doesn’t your sister talk to you anymore?”

  “Carrie blames me for my marriage falling apart. She was willing to be a surrogate, but I wasn’t willing to do that. I wanted to carry my own child, not someone else. I also wasn’t willing to try in vitro. Carrie says that my unwillingness to try either of those options was the same as giving up on my marriage. Deep down, I wonder: if I’d been with the right person would I have tried one of those options? Maybe something was telling me that things weren’t going to work with Steven. I don’t know. But I wanted to do it myself. Does that make sense?”

  “Complete. And it’s not your fault. You’re not any less of a woman. In fact, you’re amazing. I want you to know that.”

  She smiled, melting his heart. “Why am I amazing?”

  “You just are.” Luke stood up and pulled her with him. “I really want to kiss you. Please tell me I can.”

  She didn’t speak, but her head did move slightly up and down, and it was all the confirmation he needed before he claimed her lips. Wrapping his hand around her neck, he tilted her head back and deepened the kiss. Her tongue met his in the middle, and he groaned in delight. She tasted sweet from the wine.

  She rubbed her hand along his chest. He could feel the hesitation in her, but finally her fingers tightened and she gripped his shirt, pulling herself closer to him. Her hips pressed into his hard bulge. She moaned, and he wasn’t sure if it was from his kiss or the fact that she could feel how excited she made him.

  He didn’t want to stop kissing her. What he really wanted was to let his lips explore her body. Each and every spot until he knew her entirely. He traced his fingers down her neck, to her shoulder, and under her cardigan. Her shoulders were soft. Gently, he pushed the light material down her arms as his fingertips tickled her skin. He did the same on the other side, until he knew it was left up to her to remove the sweater or not.

  Molly pulled away from the kiss and gazed up into his eyes. “I don’t know about this.”

  “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I would never pressure you into anything.”

  She took a deep breath. “I want to make sure we are doing it for the right reasons, not to fill a void.”