Chapter Fifteen
Lucas flipped thesteaks and glanced at Miranda stretched out on the chaise lounge, face turned to the sun. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell in an even motion. Asleep. She looked so peaceful, face smooth with no creases between her eyes, no worries for this one moment. He hated to have to wake her, even for dinner. The door slid open and he turned, holding a finger to his lips.
His mother took in the scene at a glance and nodded. She laid the dishes on the table and came over to him, peering at the steaks. “Make sure they’re medium rare. What’s going on with you and Miss Callahan? Don’t take me for a fool, boy. I saw that kiss and the looks you’ve been giving her. And I see her giving them right back.”
He tested the temperature of the steak. “A few more minutes.”
“Lucas.”
“Mom, I don’t know. It’s complicated.”
“Because you work together? Because you hold the future of her team in your hands? Because people wonder if you want to take the team back? Yes, I read the papers and I know what you do. It’s much easier when it’s for a team you have no emotional attachment to, but this is the Knights. You’re damned right; it’s complicated. So what are you doing, Lucas?”
He flushed at the rebuke. “I’m just doing my job. This, whatever it is with Miranda, is separate.”
His mother hesitated, glancing at Miranda then back to him. “Be careful. Matters of the heart are not easily explained or dealt with. I worry about you, my son. Though I’m glad to see you with that young woman over there. Too long have you stood alone, kept yourself apart from family and friends, diving into work and who knows what else.” She stepped closer and laid a hand on his forearm. “Lucas, I love you and I want you to be happy. I’m glad to see you with Miranda, but is she really the best choice, given our past history?”
He looked at her and kept his voice low and even. “Our past history?”
“I know you blame Seamus Callahan for your father selling the team. Are you sure you’re not after revenge?”
Lucas flinched. Her words were nothing more than anyone else had accused him of since taking the position with the Knights. Still, they stung, especially coming from his mother. “I’m doing my job, Mom. Nothing more. Anything with Miranda is our own business.”
His mother stepped back and began setting the table. “I think those steaks are done. Do you want to wake her or shall I?”
*
Dinner passed quicklyand peacefully, with innocuous conversation and laughter. Lucas eventually relaxed when his mother didn’t stray into personal topics, although the vodka from the lemonade definitely assisted in calming his soul. The sun set, leaving the sound of waves in the darkness, under the moonlight and stars. Conversation gradually tapered off, whether from the soothing sounds of the night or the natural end of the evening.
“I can see why you chose to live here, Mom. It’s peaceful.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet. This is a private beach. You should take a walk. It’s a gorgeous night. I’m sure Miranda might like a moonlit stroll.”
Lucas shot his mother a glare. Matchmaking despite her earlier fears about his motives and their past. “Maybe Miranda is too tired. It’s been a long day.”
Miranda smiled, a trifle tipsy. “I’d love it. I miss the beach.” She stood and extended her hand. “Will you join me?”
Trudy smiled and waved her hand. “Go, I’ve got this. There aren’t many dishes anyway.”
Lucas stood and took Miranda’s hand. They walked down the steps to the ground, through the beach grasses and onto the soft sand. Miranda stopped and lifted her feet, one at a time, taking off her shoes and leaving them by the path. “I love feeling the sand between my toes. It’s been so long since I’ve been barefoot on a beach.”
He grinned, her excitement infectious, and slipped off his own shoes and socks. “You’re right. The sand does feel good. Now, about that walk.”
She led him to the water and kicked at the ripple coming in off the Gulf. He stood a few steps behind her, watching. She looked so young, so carefree, so happy. Not at all the beauty queen he thought he would see when he first got to the stadium. She continued to surprise him in every way, and it had only been a few weeks. What would the next few months bring?
She stretched an arm out and wiggled her fingers. “Come on, Lucas. You have to feel the ocean on your toes.”
“Sorry, I already felt the sand. Besides, do you know how many people pee in the ocean? I’m fine right here.”
She lunged out of the surf and grabbed his hand, dragging him off balance to the water. He righted himself, feeling the cold water lapping his toes.
“The ocean dilutes the pee. Trust me.” Her eyes shone in the moonlight as she dared him to walk with her.
He smiled and tugged her to his chest. He draped an arm around her and they strolled through the water down the beach. She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist, a sigh of pleasure melding with the gentle lapping of the ocean. For once, he was with a girl who didn’t try to fill the silence, who didn’t chatter on and on about nonsense. Miranda was content with the situation.
It only seemed natural to lean down and kiss her. She met him halfway, her lips already softening in readiness for his. Her tongue darted out to meet his and she was the aggressor in this time. He slid his hand up her arm to cup her face, tilting her head for a better connection. She shivered and pressed closer to him, running her hands up his back, one to tangle in his hair and the other to clench his shoulder.
He deepened the kiss, swallowing her moans in his mouth. He slid his other hand down over the small of her back to grasp her ass and pull her against his erection, which had remained semi-hard throughout dinner and now roared back to life, demanding satisfaction.