She smiled up at him. “Yes?”
“I have no experience in kissing and making up. As you pointed out, I’ve never navigated a lasting relationship. Do you think you can teach me how it’s done?”
Her smile grew. She was special to him. He was in uncharted territory, as he’d never dated anyone seriously. She’d failed at a multitude of relationships, but she had high hopes that Luke might be the one she could succeed at. He certainly was good at dealing with and defusing her fire.
Arching up toward him, she pulled his head down and said, “I hope you’ll forgive me for calling you stupid earlier. I know you’re brilliant, and I think you’re smart enough to figure out kissing and making up, or making out—whatever you prefer.”
Luke grinned and winked. “I’ll give it my best.”
She started to laugh but was cut off by his lips capturing hers. The kiss sang with purity and desire. Luke was highly invested in her and had been willing to not only give up a deal for her but apologize.
When the kiss ended, she studied his handsome face. “I’m sorry I react so intensely. Every single time I flare up.” She shook her head.
He trailed his fingertips down her cheek. “I love your fire.” He smirked. “Well, I love it more when you’re not ticked at me, but I love that you feel things passionately. It’s what makes you so special.”
Mar flushed with happiness. She didn’t know quite how to respond, so she said, “I feel like this was a novel thing.”
“Me apologizing?” he guessed.
She nodded.
He looked very serious as he said, “My siblings would agree with you. I don’t try to be a know-it-all, but when you’re as smart as I am …” He pumped his eyebrows and looked so charmingly cocky that she couldn’t resist giving him a quick kiss.
She pulled back and said, “Yet you weren’t smart enough to clue in to why I was so upset.”
“Rachel would be shocked at my fail on that one. I hope I can make it up to you.”
“Not yet.” She smirked. “But if you keep kissing me, we’ll see.”
He chuckled and happily kissed her again.
* * *
The sun was setting outside, and Luke was still doing his level best to kiss and make up. Not that it was difficult.
Mar pulled back and studied him. Her dark eyes glittered happily, and her mouth looked like she’d had lip injections from all the kissing they’d been doing. “Didn’t you promise me dinner somewhere fabulous?” she asked.
“I did. Are you hungry now?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Yes, I am.”
“Okay, okay. If we have to interrupt that fabulous kiss-and-make-up session for food, I guess we can.” He grinned and lifted her to her feet.
Mar teetered unsteadily on her heels, brushing her hair back over her shoulder. “It was pretty fabulous.”
Luke stood next to her and pretended to glower. “Pretty fabulous? How about insanely fabulous? Absolutely fabulous?” He lowered his voice. “Intimatelyfabulous?”
“Oh my.” She pushed at his chest and laughed. “Fabulously fabulous. Better?”
“Much.” He took her hand and started walking toward the garage entry.
Mar didn’t come with him. “Wait.”
Luke turned. “Yes?”
“I have to … freshen up. You can’t expect me to participate in kissing like that then go to dinner somewherefabulousand not redo my lipstick.”
Luke swept his eyes over her, loving her mussed hair, her lipstick-free but plump lips, and the smudged eyeliner under her eyes. He stepped back close to her. “You look fabulous,” he said.