Page 12 of Tempting Me (The Asher Family #3)

“You’re going on a date in town that’s two hours away, and you’ve never met the guy before?”

His head tilts as his eyes bore into mine. He crosses his arms as he waits for my answer.

I nonchalantly let out a breath at his possessive stance.

It’s not hot.

It’s not.

It’s NOT!

“It's … not a first date,” I say slowly, and I'm not even convinced by my own words.

We stand there, glaring at each other, a clear battle of who is going to cave first. As soon as Luca opens his mouth, I smile in victory.

Until I hear what comes out next.

“I’ll drive you. ”

“What? No way.”

“Yes, way.”

“No,” I say, this time with a small stomp of my foot.

“You’re not going to win this one. You might hate me—hell, your whole family does—but that doesn't change the fact that letting you go meet a guy you’ve never met before does not sit well with me. You won’t even know I'm there.”

“Doubtful.”

I take a deep breath. I want to keep arguing, but I can see in his eyes that this is something he isn’t going to budge on

It’s sweet in a way.

In its own possessive way.

Kind of … hot, too.

Oh hell, listen to me.

Too many emotions are running through me right now, because not only do I agree with his thought process on going alone to a date that doesn't exist, but his comment about my family hits home.

We’ve let one bad choice dictate our opinion of him since, and here he is, being considerate of them.

Clearly, the Luca from back then and the Luca now are not the same person. Well, they’re a little the same but still different.

“What time is your date?” he asks, ready to move on with the subject.

Against my better judgment, I say, “It’s at 5.”

“In three hours. Jesus, Shay. I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up.”

I give him a nod that says I can’t wait and then I tack on a thumb’s-up .

As soon as he’s out the door, I pull my phone from my back pocket and dial Grace’s number.

“Hey, babe, what’s up?”

“Can you meet me at my house?”

“Oh, wow, now?”

“Yes, it’s urgent.”

“How urgent?”

“Like I just told Luca that I had a date with a stranger in Wind Valley tonight and then he demanded that he drive me to make sure I stay safe urgent.”

“Well, that doesn't sound too bad. It's sort of sweet, really.”

“Yes, it’s wonderful. He's a true gentleman. Blah, blah, blah. But there is one problem.”

“Okay?”

“I made the date up, and he’s picking me up in an hour.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. Can you meet me?”

“I’m walking out the door now.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

We end the call, and I check in with my small staff to let them know I’m leaving early tonight. Then I rush home to get ready for the date I don’t have.

“You’re sure you tried everyone you know in Wind Valley?”

I’m just adding matching gold earrings to my statement necklace as I speed walk through my kitchen to look out the front window.

“I swear, I tried them all. ”

“Ugh. Okay This is on me. This is what I get for lying.”

“It could be fun if you let it. I mean, tell him you're going somewhere near that shop with the glass bookshelves. You like the coffee there, and you could sit in one of those big fluffy chairs and read for an hour, then say the date ended early and meet back up with Luca.”

I pause and look at my best friend. My genius best friend.

“I’m definitely doing that,” I tell her and then look out the window again.

“Why do you keep looking outside?”

“Because if any of my neighbors see Luca pick me up, I’ll never hear the end of it. I’m just making sure no one is outside.”

“Okay,” Grace laughs. “By the way, I have to say, for a not real date, you look hot tonight.”

“Thank you.”

I glance in the hallway mirror and run my fingers through my loose curls.

Then I take in my burgundy V-neck top that has flowy sleeves and cinches at the waist. It’s a short dressy top that stops just above the waist of my dark high-waisted jeans.

There are holes in them, but not too many, and the strappy nude heels I added give me the perfect cute casual look. Or in Grace’s terms, hot look.

“Luca is going to flip when he sees you.”

“What does that mean? I didn’t dress up for him.”

“No, but I haven't seen you this dressed up in a while, and my guess is that neither has he. In fact, this very well may be the first time he sees the real grown-up Shay Parker.”

“He knows I'm grown up.”

“Yeah, in cutoff shorts and a tank top all day every day. ”

“That's not—shit, he’s here. Look at him all dreamy or something so that he knows I’m talking him up.”

“I’m not doing that.” Grace laughs. “I won’t lead him on.”

Ugh. She’s right. Why does my brain short circuit and take me back a year whenever Luca is involved?

Why can’t I just be normal around him?

I rush back to my bedroom to get my purse, then dip into the bathroom once more to add one last spritz of perfume. When I come out to the living room, Grace is opening the door to reveal Luca.

Like me, he’s showered and changed since earlier.

His hair is styled, and I’m pretty sure there is a little bit of gel in it.

His shirt is clean, a simple dark green with sleeves that hug his biceps, and his jeans, held up by a dark tan belt, hang just perfectly off his hips.

His shoes match the belt, and before I can even think of what to say, the smell of sandalwood fills the room.

Luca cleans up nicely.

Grace clears her throat. My gaze flashes to hers, and she presses her lips together.

“So, you two have fun tonight.”

Luca is staring at me, but when we make eye contact, it must break whatever trance he was in, because he, too, clears his throat.

“It’s not a date. Not for us. Not for me. But I’m open to dating. In general. Not Shay. But tonight isn’t a date. I mean, she has one. I’m just … driving.”

Luca sighs in defeat, and I hate to admit it, but rambling Luca is a tiny bit adorable.

“Noted.” Grace grins and pats his shoulder before waving goodbye .

Since we have a deal where my part is to set him up with Grace, I expect to watch him take in her every move as she walks away or fawn over her for a moment, but he doesn’t. Instead, he looks back at me.

“Um…” He clears his throat again. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

“Yes.” I put a hand on my hip, ready for him to pull some macho move and tell me to change. “Why?”

My tone must wake him up, because he glares at me.

“This guy better not be a douche, Shay.”

“He’s not.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I,” I say walking toward him then pushing him out the door so we can get this over with. I glance around to be sure there isn’t an audience. When I think it’s good, I speed walk to his truck.

“I’m not kidding, Shay. I don't want to get into a fight tonight.”

That stops me.

“Why would you get in a fight tonight?”

“Don’t play dumb,” he says and opens the passenger door for me.

“I’m not.” I climb in and watch him walk around the hood. As soon as he opens his door, I ask, “Why would you get in a fight tonight?”

He shakes his head and starts the car.

“Because I’m not an idiot or blind. If I were the guy meeting you for this date and you walked in looking the way you do right now, let’s just say I wouldn’t be about to let another man even set his eyes on you. You’d be mine and mine only. So yeah, this guy better not be a douche. ”

“Oh” is all I say before we are suddenly turning onto Main Street.

I duck down so fast that Luca flinches.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“I don't want anyone to see me with you,” I say quickly and then look away from his face.

Hell, I have to.

What Luca just said … wow.

Possessive Luca. I like it.