Mr. Unforgettable by Karina Bliss Page A

Suddenly Liz did feel old.
    â€œLuke said you cut dogs’ toenails,” Dillon said and her mood lightened. That man would pay. Because the boys were obviously impressed, she invented a few stories that made their eyes widen, then told John Jason his rat had the best cuticles she’d ever seen.
    â€œI didn’t know rats had cuticles,” Luke said. He’d taken off his jacket and tie and undone a couple of buttons on his shirt under the silver-gray waistcoat, which moved with his body like a second skin.
    Dillon turned around eagerly. “Luke, did you remember to bring your medals?”
    â€œYeah, they’re in the car.” He threw the boy the keys. “Don’t bite them this time, John Jason.”
    The boys raced off, whooping at the top of their lungs. Dillon stopped, yelling, “I like your girlfriend!”
    Luke turned back to Liz. “So do I…when she’s not slandering my reputation as a lover.”
    She refused to blush. “You can talk, cutting dogs’ toenails, Irish dancing…I sound like a complete flake. Thank you, I haven’t had so much fun in years.”
    â€œGood.” He sat down and began rolling up his sleeves, revealing builder’s forearms. He had a cut across one knuckle on his left hand. “You look gorgeous by the way.” He said it casually, as though it was true, and this time she did color up.
    â€œSo do you.” Realizing she was staring, Liz glanced down at the bridal party. “I gave the game away earlier, didn’t I? Jumping when you touched me?”
    â€œBlowing me a kiss was a nice counter. With a little work I think we can swing the balance in our favor.”
    He rested his arm along the bench behind her, and tipped his champagne glass to hers with a slow sexy smile that made her blink.
    Distracted, Liz sipped her champagne, the fizz on her tongue matching the one in her blood. “Be careful with those molten glances,” she warned. “Fred might be able to handle them but Elizabeth is prone to palpitations.”
    His laugh rang out across the garden.
    â€œHey, you two.” Jordan strode up the hill. “We need you both down here for a group shot.”
    â€œNo!” Liz reacted instinctively. “Besides, it wouldn’t be right.” She realized she wasn’t playing her part and added hastily, “I mean, I take terrible pictures. Ruin every shot I’m in. Moonfaced.” She looked to Luke for support.
    â€œOh, I don’t know, pumpkin.” He lifted her hand and kissed it, deliberately teasing her. “Those Polaroids I took of you on the sheepskin came out okay. Different moon of course.” When she frowned at him he turned to Jordan and said easily, “We’re staying under the radar as long as we can.”
    His friend looked at Liz. “Jealous ex?”
    A shadow passed over her eyes, and Luke answered for her. “Something like that.”
    â€œWe still need you, buddy.”
    â€œI’ll be right down.” He waited until Jordan was out of earshot. “Sorry.”
    â€œIt’s fine,” she said in her mayor’s voice.
    He hesitated. “When I saw you accept a hankie from Kezia, I did wonder whether seeing all this happy-couple stuff was difficult for you. It wasn’t something I considered when I asked you to come.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it, I always cry at weddings. And frankly, my own isn’t something I get nostalgic over. Harry insisted we do it loud and proud, but I had to cough wherever I went to save people the embarrassment of being caught talking about how long our marriage would last.” She laughed. “My throat was raw by the end of the day.”
    She was expecting him to smile, so Luke did, but he thought it a pity that she’d had no family to take her side. Knowing her background explained so much about her, including why she’d been attracted to an older man.