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Swinging the door wide, she froze in the doorway, not sure if she was seeing an apparition or the Lord had finally granted her wishes. Luke Jewel stood there, looking absolutely incredible in a white button-down shirt open at the collar and dark gray slacks. His golden-brown hair was slightly disheveled, his beard was the perfect length, his intriguing mouth hung slightly open in surprise, and his bright blue eyes swept over her and obviously failed to see what they’d expected.

“Holy crap!” Mar slammed the door in his face, spun, and pressed her back against it. What was he doing here? Why today, of all days, when she not only was dressed down but probably had ice cream smudged on her chin? She glanced down at her loose T-shirt, which indeed had a splotch of chocolate on it, and her yoga pants, which had a hole in the knee. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. At least she still had makeup on from work.

“Mar?” Luke’s voice came questioning through the door. “Did Isaac and Cosette not tell you I was coming?

“Uh, no.”

“Please forgive me for surprising you.”

“No. You’re great. It’s great. Can you just give me one second?”

“Well … sure.”

“Okay, thanks. Be right back.” She pushed off and sprinted up the stairs. One flight up was the main living area. She grabbed the ice cream and shoved the entire container into the garbage, not bothering to remove the spoon. Looking around, she figured the rest of it would pass. There were some dishes in the sink, but it didn’t reek or anything. She hoped so, anyway. Smelling her armpits, she prayed that she didn’t stink either.

Mar ran up three more levels, past the office and another sitting area, past the extra bedrooms, and finally to her master suite. Ripping off her clothes, she yanked on a long, off-white dress and Levi jacket, pulled her hand through her hair, brushed her teeth, and put on some cinnamon lip gloss. She raced back down the stairs, then took some gulps of oxygen and called through the door. “Okay, go ahead and knock now.”

She heard his deep chuckle, and he rapped on the door.

Mar smiled and flung the door back open, staring up at him.

Luke’s face had looked concerned and confused when she opened the door earlier; now it looked amused, and she could bet she was about to get teased. His eyes swept over her, and those beautiful blue orbs twinkled. “You’re a lot … smaller than I remember.”

Mar reared like a cat with its hackles up. She’d forgotten to put her heels on. Even her casual and workout shoes had some kind of lift. She glanced down at her small, bare feet, grateful that at least her toenails were painted pink. “I don’t know why you’d remember me at all.”

Luke’s gaze deepened. He eased in a bit closer. “I don’t know how I could’ve forgotten you.”

Mar’s eyes widened, and she found herself swaying and forgiving him for his reference to her height. She had to lean against the doorjamb for support, keenly aware of the distinctive scent of Cosette’s Businessman line on this appealing man. She could quote the advertising pitch: “For the powerful and tantalizing businessman. Base note is the tang of pineapple with top notes of bergamot and blackcurrant.” It fit him. Just as the pitch said, he was … “Powerful and tantalizing,” she whispered.

“Excuse me?” Luke’s words were blasé, but the look in his eyes was not. Those blue eyes had it all. “Who’s powerful and tantalizing?”

“You,” she admitted, but she hurried to add, “The way you smell. You’re wearing our business cologne. The ad describes it as powerful and tantalizing.”

He gave her a knowing smile and leaned in. “So amIpowerful and tantalizing, or is the cologne?”

Mar felt faint and hot all over. His incredible smell increased his appeal, but he was powerful and tantalizing all on his own. “I … um …” This was unfamiliar territory. She was never at a loss for words, and she never felt out of control. She wanted to throw caution and decorum to the wind, bury her face in Luke’s neck, and see if he felt as good as he smelled. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.” His voice was deep and awe-inspiring.

Why would he come to see her? And after three months of not so much as texting her. Not that she’d given him her number or asked him to text, but they’d had an amazing connection the evening of Cosette and Isaac’s wedding, and then she’d never heard from him again. It wasn’t as if it would be hard for him to get her number.

“Surprise!”

Mar looked past Luke on the step and saw Cosette and Isaac walking up the short sidewalk to her house. She edged around Luke, trying but failing not to notice that his body did feel as good as he smelled when she brushed by it. It was solid and warm, as if he could protect and inspire her. Gah! She pushed all those thoughts away and hurried to her lifelong friend.

“Cosette!” She hugged her tight and laughed. “You came to see me!”

“I’ve been missing you, so … surprise. Are you surprised? Are you happy about it? Is everything okay?” Cosette asked, staring intently at her. Cosette had picked up on Mar’s confusion about Luke but wrongly assumed it was because of the surprise. Her friend sometimes second-guessed herself in social situations, and Mar used to constantly help her navigate them and reassure her that she was doing great.

Mar released her friend and glanced back at Luke. He was giving her an appraising look as if he knew exactly how he affected her. “It’s fabulous. I’m surprised and very happy.” Mar gave Isaac a quick hug and then stepped back. “So … what’s the plan?”

Cosette grinned up at her husband. “We give these brothers a tour of our beautiful city.”

Mar liked the sound of that. “How long do we have?”

“We have to fly back Sunday afternoon,” Isaac said.

“But it’s already Friday evening,” Mar protested. “And I know you’ll insist on church and Sunday brunch, so we really only have tomorrow. I have to make sure the tour is complete.” But it had little to do with the tour. She wanted more time with Luke. A lot more.

Luke smiled. “We’ll be happy with anything. We’re low-maintenance brothers.”

Mar put her hands on her hips and tossed her hair. “Oh, please,” she said. They’d been raised with more money than she’d ever see in thirty lifetimes. Then it hit her why he wasn’t too worried about taking in all of her city’s fabulous sites. “Wait. You’ve been here before?”

Luke nodded.

“Okay.” Disappointing, but she could still make it an impressive weekend. If only she could impress Luke enough that he’d want to see her again before three more months had passed. “That actually makes it easier. I’ll show you the insider’s tour, and you’ll be super impressed.”

Isaac and Cosette shared a look as Luke grinned and said, “I already am.”

Mar smiled and rubbed her small palms together. He was impressed? Hmm. Impressed enough to kiss her before he flew back out of her life? Time would tell. This was going to be fun.


Tags: Cami Checketts Jewel Family Billionaire Romance