Remembrance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 4) by Rebecca Lynn Page A

heart as if wounded.
    “Yeah, you’re ego really needs to be built up more.  You’re sorely lacking in that department, poor thing,” she said with a mini eye roll.
    The limo slowed outside her loft.  When it came to a complete stop, Luke opened the door.  “I got this, Kenneth,” he called out, stopping his driver from coming around.  Luke stepped out and helped her from the car.  He walked her up to the front door of the building.  “Key?”
    “I know how to unlock a door, Luke,” she breathed, taking her key out of her small wrist clutch she’d brought for her necessities that night.  She couldn’t help it, but when he walked her to the door, it made her nervous.
    He took the key from her hand and opened the door, muttering, “Or complains when I’m being a gentleman and making sure she’s home safely,” he said obviously continuing his list of reasons why she was different from the women he dated.
    “Sorry,” she murmured, feeling guilty.  He walked her up the short flight of stairs to her loft door, used her key again and slid open her door, stepping back for her to enter.  “Thank you,” she said as she walked in and turned back to him.  God, all of the sudden she was terrified with him standing outside her front door.
    “You’re welcome.”  He handed her back her key, then without warning, he cupped her face and leaned down. 
    Shitshitshitshitshitshit…
    He kissed her cheek softly and murmured in her ear, “Thanks for letting me instruct you.  I enjoyed it immensely.”
    She held her breath until he leaned back with a heated look and a smile, pulled a curl of hair.  He tweaked her nose.  “Have a good sleep, baby girl.”  His eyes moved to her lips, then back to her eyes, and he left.
    Once she’d closed the door, she enjoyed her third round that day of an enjoyable ten minutes.
     

Chapter 5
     
    The following Friday after the salsa lessons with Luke, she waited for the girls to arrive at her place for the little gathering they’d planned.  She smiled while reminiscing over the funny texts she’d had with her dream man that week. 
    During one of her adolescent moments over a year ago, she’d signed up to receive alerts every time one of the entertainment newsfeeds in the City pictured or mentioned Luke.  Not one of her proudest moments, but there it was.  Who knew that she would be pictured with him a year later?
    The photographer who had taken the picture of them leaving lunch the week before had posted the photo of her getting into Luke’s limo with the caption that read, So many redheads, so little time.   It mentioned that the handsome CEO Luke Daniels was apparently stepping out on his model girlfriend, Vanessa Monroe, proving again that he was indeed still a ladies’ man. 
    After seeing it, Janie had started the first round of texts from the week.
    JC:  Did u know we were dating?  How am I dating u and not gettin’ any?
    She chuckled and waited for his response, which came moments later.
    LD:  U most assuredly would be gettin’ it if u were dating me.  So, what am I missing here?
    She’d smiled, her body heating with arousal, and sent him the link to the photo and caption.  He’d responded a couple of minutes later.
    LD:  That’s a good picture of u.  Those boots look great.  As I knew they would.
    JC:  Maybe we can use this to our advantage.  Pull some men in with it for ur research w/ the list. I’m sure I’d be seen as much more appealing if men knew I snagged u.
    LD:   U don’t need to add a thing to be more appealing.  I told u. You’ve got the sparkle thing down pat.
    JC:   Sparkle, shmarkle.  Use it if it will find me a man, Daniels.
    LD:   What’s the emoticon for an eye roll?
    JC:   Now ur just being mean. 
    LD:  I need to call my mom before she sees this or she’ll start planning the wedding. I’m assuming you’d like to have a say in the color scheme before she goes crazy.
    JC:  I would like a say, yes, but I trust