Page 45 of Elevate With Me

He wet his lips and nodded. “Right now.”

Okaaay, that was a hot thought, but it wasn’t going to happen.

“We’re in the lift,” I gasped.

“So what?”

“There’s not enough space.”

Luke chuckled. “You could dance really close.”

We stared at each other for a heartbeat, possibly longer while my head swam. His gaze was all-consuming, mine was baffled. Eventually, he nodded and backed away, his hands ending in the pockets of his dark jeans, and his eyes roamed the ceiling.

“I’m full of foolish ideas, in case you were wondering,” Luke said.

That’s when the lift announced the end of our descent. I was running late, but I didn’t want to go anymore. I wanted to stay in this strange bubble with Luke and hear all about his ideas.

I dragged my feet out of the lift anyway. “Like texting my dad ‘Good morning?’”

He shifted awkwardly. “Ah, that’s who it was. I didn’t expect it to be anyone other than you, to be honest. The number was on Drixie’s collar.”

“You’re lucky it wasn’t my mum.”

“I would’ve told her all about my honorable intentions.”

“And she would’ve given you a restraining order.”

“I’m sure it wouldn’t have been that bad. I can be pretty charming.”

Oh, I knew he could. I’d fallen for his charm already. “You could be Prince Charming himself and not make an impression on my mother.”

“I’m not trying to impress your mother, but if it comes to that, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her that her daughter is safe with me.”

I was starting to believe that.

When we stepped outside a car was already waiting for Luke. The same one I’d seen before.

“A colleague,” he shrugged. “Can we give you a ride somewhere?”

I chewed my lip and checked the time again. “That would be great, actually.”

The way Luke grinned was as if he’d won the lottery, or something. It was just a lift and a short one at that, but the shine never left his face.