Notorious: The Seaclusion Series Book Two

Chapter 2-2

By the time the reception wound down, it was nearly one o’clock. Tim had been sent home with John’s parents, and the bride and groom left for their hotel room. Mostly the younger crowd remained to party and dance. Kelly stayed only because she was paying back a favor. To Luke. He just didn’t realize it.

After their dance earlier, Luke avoided her. So, did everyone else. She kept tabs on Luke. He started to get drunk. It was probably the only way Luke could get through this night. Now, he was finally good and drunk. Slurry and blurry-eyed, he didn’t even care when she came over and gathered him up to go home.

Home for Luke was a four-bedroom house in a quiet neighborhood that had commanding views of the Pacific Ocean. It was the house that Luke bought with his wife, from her parents, to start his own family in. It was a three-story, rambling house of which the location alone should have made it untouchable to Luke on a teacher’s salary. But since Shelly’s parents had built it, they were glad to practically give it to their only daughter.

Luke sold the house to his brother. Cassie and John bought the house, and Luke was moving to a condo a few miles down the beach. It was good that Luke had sold her sister the house because that meant Tim got to have the home he needed. But she ached thinking about what it must have been like for Luke, having his brother give his house a wife and child. Was it any wonder Luke got drunk tonight?

Luke nearly passed out on the drive home. When they arrived at the house, she had to push and prod to get him inside. Finally, she got him to his room where he fell onto his bed. Only while easing off his shoes and tuxedo vest, and tossing them aside, did he register she was there.

“I think I got a little drunker than I meant to.”

“No kidding.”

“It was kind of a stressful night for me.” Luke flung back onto his bedspread, fully clothed, his arms spread over his head.

“I know.”

She turned to leave when he suddenly grabbed her wrist. She flinched. She hated to be grabbed.

“Kelly?” His eyes stayed closed.

“What?”

“Stay here tonight.”

Kelly froze, then she shook off Luke’s hand from her wrist. His hand dropped like a dumbbell to the mattress. “I am staying here. I’m in the guest room upstairs.”

“No,” he mumbled, his blue eyes suddenly opening, staring at her. “I meant stay in here. With me.”