Luke shoved off his desk and nabbed his jacket. Knowing Sam, he’d take things slow, which allowed Luke plenty of time to get a jump start. He still didn’t have a handle on his feelings or a clue as to how to approach the future, but he damn well wanted a chance to get to know the mother of his child before some other man swept her off her feet.
NINE
Rae had never been a fan of unwanted attention. Unfortunately, it came with the territory when you were the daughter of Olivia Deveraux. It didn’t matter that Olivia hadn’t landed a decent acting gig in two decades. She’d enjoyed a spurt of fame in her early twenties and had been riding that wave ever since, somehow managing to appear in the tabloids time and again.
So naturally the citizens of Sugar Creek were curious about the famous sex kitten’s daughter. Naturally they stared and whispered as Rae went about her business, navigating town in order to meet with a few local businessmen. What made matters more intense was the fact that Rae knew most of the locals, only she’d known them as shy, mousy Rachel Lacey. No one asked, but she knew they all wondered. Why had she pretended to be someone she wasn’t? Why had she come back? How long did she plan to stay? Embellished with the usual curiosity attached to her infamous mother …
What was it like growing up as the daughter of Olivia Deveraux? Did Rae also hobnob with celebrities? Had she ever been on the red carpet? Did she know George Clooney or Ryan Gosling or Leonardo DiCaprio? Had she ever dated a Hollywood hunk? And on the subject of her inheritance …
Just how much was she really worth?
Honestly, Rae was surprised no one had questioned her outright. Then again maybe they were too shell-shocked by her return. Or maybe they felt bitter like Luke, too angry about her deception to broach the subject.
By the time Rae got back to the Pine and Periwinkle, all she wanted was a relaxing bath and a fortifying meal. Unfortunately, she only had time to freshen up. After leaving Luke at the Shack, she’d visited the real estate agent connected with the building that housed, or used to house, Sugar Tots. She’d visited the bank that held the mortgage and had spoken to her high-powered lawyer based in L.A. She had one last but very important appointment. A six p.m. meeting with the president of the Cupcake Lovers, Luke’s only sister, Rocky Monroe. The prospect was daunting. Although Rae had never been close friends with Rocky, they’d most certainly been friendly acquaintances.
And Rae had deceived her, along with everyone else in town.
Most especially Rae dreaded facing those she’d spent the most time with—the Cupcake Lovers. Although she supposed since she’d survived the confrontation with Luke, she could survive anything.
After splashing her face and reapplying her makeup, Rae finger-combed her choppy hair and changed into a sparkly cashmere sweater combo and knee-high boots with a heel. A little flashy, but she wanted to impress upon Rocky that she could look the part of a celebrity. An angle Rae hoped would work to the advantage of the Cupcake Lovers. It didn’t matter that she didn’t feel comfortable in the skin of a socialite. She was doing this for the friends she’d wronged. She’d just have to dig deep, drawing on years of watching Olivia in action. Although hopefully Rae would be able to flaunt her wealthy status with grace.
She grabbed her coat and purse and left her room, rehearsing her pitch to Rocky as she rode the elevator down to the lobby. She was deep in thought as she made her way to the elegant pine carriage doors, gasping when someone stepped into her path.
Luke.
“Can I speak with you?” He noted the crowd of seasonal guests drinking hot beverages around the stone hearth. “In private?”
Rae blinked, stunned and unsettled by his presence. She honestly thought it would take him a day or two to seek her out. Not a measly few hours. “I have an appointment,” she blurted, trying desperately not to admire his handsome face or to fantasize about the amazing physique beneath his coat. Talk about shallow.
“I only need a minute.”
She glanced at her watch. “I can’t. I need to catch a cab and—”
“I’ll drive you. We can talk in the car.”
He took her coat and held it open, pushing his agenda. She didn’t have the energy to argue and besides she was curious. Had he already made his decision? Did he want her to stay in Sugar Creek? Leave Sugar Creek? Did he intend to fight her for custody? Could he? She hadn’t thought of that.
Mind racing, Rae slid her arms through the puffy sleeves. Luke even helped with the zipper. Unnecessary and unnerving. His touch was gentle and deliberate, so unlike his impassioned grappling during their wham-bam coupling. Yet Rae’s heart pounded just as fiercely and her stomach flipped with the same intense lust. She tempered her breathing and cursed the orgasmic sensations firing throughout her body while Luke cupped her elbow and guided her outside. How could she be so turned on by a guy who was so miserably her mismatch? A guy who’d treated her with contempt since learning her true identity? She cursed herself a thousand times over as Luke escorted her to his car, although it wasn’t one she recognized.
“New?” she asked.
“Women shop for clothes when they’re bored,” Luke said. “With men, it’s vehicles or sports equipment. I also have a new set of snow skis.”
Rae almost smiled at that. Was Luke trying to strike a truce by sharing something personal? He’d been bored. That seemed unusual for a man who had dozens of friends and maintained close contact with his family. From all she’d seen and heard, Luke was always on the go, always involved with one or another social event. Always juggling multiple girlfriends. He also put in more than forty hours a week at the Sugar Shack. His life was full. How could he be bored?
Filing away the notion, Rae acknowledged another surge of heat as Luke helped her up into the dark blue Honda SUV. She was surprised by the brand. Most locals bought American. She was also surprised to see an iPod connected to an USB audio interface. Luke wasn’t much of a gadget guy. “Stocked with your playlist?”
“Audiobooks. Prefer listening to reading.” Stone-faced he closed the door and rounded the hood.
Rae’s chest tightened. They’d yet to address his reading disorder. She knew he was touchy about it. Most anyone afflicted was. She also knew he suspected she knew but she was determined to allow him to be the one to broach the subject. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel self-conscious or judged.
“Here’s the thing,” Luke said after climbing in and buckling up.
Rae waited. And waited. After what seemed like a lifetime she lifted a brow. “What? What’s the thing, Luke?”
“I don’t know.”
She blinked at him.
“I don’t know, dammit.” He keyed the ignition and adjusted the heat. “You blindsided me with this baby news. I need to wrap my mind around it.”
“No surprise there. No problem. Take your time and get back to me when you have a handle on your … thoughts.” The mention of the baby rattled her. She’d been in business mode all day, and she had this pending meeting with Rocky. She wanted to get it over with, wanted to know where she stood with the club. She did not want to be focused on the fact that she was pregnant with Rocky’s niece or nephew. Things were awkward enough. “My appointment?” Rae prompted.
“Right.” He shifted into reverse. “Where am I taking you?”
“Daisy’s house. I mean your sister’s house. I want to talk to her about the Cupcake Lovers.”
“Care to fill me in on how you think you can help them with their book deal?”
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“You look shocked. It’s not a secret.”