Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

fathom what she had gotten herself into.
    “Where are we?” Joanne questioned, her eyes dancing over the landscape. She hoped he couldn’t see that she already knew the answer even before she’d asked it.
    Luke smiled, his eyes shifting in her direction. “This is my home. I thought we’d be able to sit back and relax, enjoy a good meal and just get to know each other better.”
    She nodded. “Well, this should be interesting.”
    Luke chuckled. “Very.”
    Minutes later, after a quick tour of the massive estate, Luke led her into the glass atrium that adorned the rear of the home. Joanne was immediately taken by the sheer beauty of the large Victorian conservatory. Drenched with light, the glass chamber looked out over the landscape outside, showcasing the wealth of flora that bloomed beautifully around them. The woman could feel herself falling into the moment, mesmerized by the magnitude of it all.
    Luke was clearly amused by the expression that washed over her face, and he said so. “You are extraordinarily beautiful, Ms. Lake.” He grazed his thumb lightly across the line of her profile.
    Joanne could feel herself blush. “Thank you, Mr. Stallion,” she answered softly.
    Luke smiled, the brilliance of it hollowing deep dimples in his cheeks. “I hope you like peanut butter and jelly,” he said, his expression serious as he changed the subject.
    Laughter danced between them. “You’re serious? Peanut butter and jelly?”
    Luke nodded. “It’s my best dish. I make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
    Joanne returned the smile as she shrugged her shoulders. “Then peanut butter and jelly it will be,” she said, dropping to the picnic blanket and floor cushions that rested at their feet. Luke held up an index finger, motioning for her to give him a quick minute.
    Moving to the table on the other side of the room, Luke switched on the sound system, flooding the space with soft jazz. Returning to her side, he dropped down beside her, plates of sliced cheese and fruit in hand. A plastic container held wedges of finger sandwiches, rich homemade peanut butter and luscious strawberry jelly oozing from thick, freshly baked bread. A bottle of chilled champagne completed the meal.
    As they savored the sweetness of fresh pineapple and polished off chunks of sweet mango, Joanne had lost all thought of the frustrations that had riddled their morning and afternoon. Pure joy had replaced the earlier anxiety that had consumed her. Every ounce of tension that had pulled across her shoulders had withered beneath the wealth of laughter the two had later shared. Joanne couldn’t believe the good time she was having.
    Luke nodded, as if reading her mind a second time. “This has been a lot of fun,” he said, his gaze dancing with hers. “I’m glad we did this.” The timbre of his voice was soft and warm, flooding her spirit. He reached for her hand, pulling the length of her fingers to his lips as he licked the fruit juices from their length. Joanne’s eyes widened in surprise, a shudder of rising fervor heating her feminine spirit.
    “I forgot the napkins,” he said nonchalantly as if sliding his lips over her fingers were something he did every day.
    Reaching for the last chocolate-covered strawberry, Luke had tilted it to her lips. Clasping her palm around his hand, she bit into the decadent fruit, savoring the sweetness of the dessert. Her tongue lightly grazed the tips of his fingers, and he smiled, temptation rising like a new day between them.
    “Sweet,” Luke muttered softly as he savored the last bite of strawberry. His gaze met Joanne’s. She could feel her breath catch deep in her chest, and she held the oxygen for a second longer than necessary, afraid that if she breathed she might wake up and find that it had all just been a dream.
    Her eyes skated across his face as she struggled not to stare back into the deep gaze he was giving her. She cleared her throat and lifted her body from where she