The Wells Brothers: Luke (25 page)

“I don’t think even a nuclear bomb
going off in his backyard would do more than produce a ‘huh’ from him.”

“Did he ever get surprised as a
kid?”

Luke grinned.  “His expression did
change when he found that snake I’d placed in his wardrobe.  He wasn’t very
calm for several seconds.”

“Then what happened?’

“He picked up the snake, took it
outside, came in and stuck my head under the shower.”

“Wow, strong measures.”

“He never said a word, just
dragged me there by my ear.”  Luke rubbed his ear in memory.  “The water was bloody
cold, too.”

“Poor baby,” she mocked.

“He was way older than me.  You’d
think he’d have some mercy.”

Mikki cast him a wry look.

Luke eyed her.  “You’re taking his
side, aren’t you?”

“He’s scarier.”

“Yeah?”  Luke sprang at her.

With a shriek Mikki took off, Luke
in pursuit.  He caught her in the servants’ hallway and kissed the ever-loving
crap out of her, pinning her back against the wall as he devoured her mouth.

Torn between rising desire and
hilarity, Mikki could only laugh in-between getting her breath and being kissed
again.

Finally, still keeping her pinned
against the wall by simply holding her wrists each side of her head, Luke
grinned down at her.  “So, you set the camcorders up, huh?”

“I certainly did,” she managed to
reply with breathless dignity.  “So?”

Carnal delight glittered in his
eyes.  “That means you’ll be free tonight.”

“Do you think of anything else but
sex?”

“Sure.  Iced coffee, Dog, that
silly little kitten, car magazines, landscaping of course, my business, and
now…”  Leaning down, he nuzzled her neck, making her duck her head at the warm
tickle.  “You.”

That made her go all mushy inside,
producing a purred, “Mmmm.  You’re so romantic at times.”

“And sex.”  He nipped her ear. 
“Lots of sex.”

“Sex maniac.”

“With you.”

“That changes things a little.”

“Yeah, I thought it would.” 
Laughter sparkled in his eyes.  “Later, Red.”  With that he gave her a smacking
kiss on the side of her neck that made her shiver, pushed up and winked at her
before walking away, pulling his sunglasses out of his pocket.

At the doorway leading into the
kitchen he slipped the sunglasses on, adjusting them as he did a last, slow
perusal of her leaning back against the wall, his mouth quirking in wicked
amusement, then he was gone, stepping out to leave the doorway empty.

With a blissful sigh, Mikki just
stayed where she was, basking in the warm afterglow of a truly sumptuous
kissing.

Really, she’d had no idea Luke
could be such a hot, romantic, funny bloke.  Okay, well maybe she kind of knew,
but experiencing it personally?  Totally blew her mind.

~*~

Man, Mikki could kiss.  Every time
her mouth was on his, her taste filling him, her scent seeping into him, his
toes almost curled in his sneakers.  Not to mention he sported half a stiffy
just from that fun little romp with her in the hallway.  The woman had the
power to bring him to his knees.  Sure as hell brought his jolly roger to
attention every time she walked past with a sway of those curvy hips.

Feeling completely content, his
mind partially on the night to come which he fully intended to enjoy with her,
Luke strolled into the kitchen on his way outside to investigate the potential
of an orangerie at the back of the mansion as Elspeth wanted.  Planning the
gardens around that without detracting from an historical-looking building was
something he looked forward to investigating further.

In the kitchen, Dog was lying on
his back looking from an upside-down viewpoint through the cage at Duchess
sleeping.  As soon as he heard Luke enter, he rolled to his feet, sitting up to
look inquiringly at him.

Luke peeked in at the kitten.  She
was fast asleep on the fleecy cushion lining her basket, a small bowl of water
and another half full of kitten biscuits to one side, a litter tray with clean
litter on the other side of the cage.  Several small toys lay scattered around.

He had to admit it wasn’t only Dog
who had a soft spot for her.  How anyone could throw a defenceless little
animal on the side of the road, he’d never know.

“Bastard deserves to be strung up,
then drawn and quartered,” he informed Dog.

Dog cocked his head to one side.

“Take my word for it.”  He gave
Dog a pat.  “Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

The afternoon sun shone down,
insects hummed and chirped in the bushes, and several birds wheeled through the
sky.  It really was a tranquil setting, he looked forward to seeing the mansion
and grounds when it was completed.  He’d already taken photos of the old garden
areas and surroundings.  Once back home he’d pin up these photos and the plans
he and Elspeth had discussed on his work wall board for inspiration and
reference. Once home he’d have his work cut-out because it didn’t stop with
ideas, he had to get the subbies sorted, priced, the building equipment,
plants, gardeners, earth moving equipment, tanks, soil, plans of the water
pipes and electricity lines - so much to do, and he loved every minute of it,
watching an idea come to fruitation, creating beauty out of ruins, or creating
gardens and landscapes in areas where nothing had previously grown, bringing
order to wilderness.  He’d even created wilderness in areas of order when
clients had requested it.

But this mansion and the extensive
grounds to be restored, this was the high-light of his career so far.  He’d
have to be sure to pack his camera and take before, during and after shots of
the landscaping as he progressed to add to his portfolio.

Going around to the back of the
mansion, he immersed himself in the dimensions of an orangerie, checking the
area against the photocopies he’d taken at the library.  Time passed as he
added items to the growing list in the pad he carried in his back pocket. 
Hasty notes which he could elaborate on later in the evening, sitting at the kitchen
table after dinner while Mikki and Elspeth chatted, and Dog and Duchess played
on the floor.

Yep, he did enjoy those times.

He really enjoyed having Mikki to
himself.

Focus, Luke.  You’ve still got
a job to do.

Dog wandered around, sniffing at
things, having a leak against several bushes that would now cark it having been
peed on, and generally doing his doggie thing while keeping Luke in view at all
times.

Suddenly he lifted his head, looking
towards the bushes on the other side of the gravel road.  Alertly, he tracked
something that Luke couldn’t see.

Peering at the bushes through his
sunglasses, Luke tucked the pad into his back pocket, sticking the pen behind
his ear as he observed the man striding out of the bushes from the direction of
the old chapel and graveyards.

Ryan.

Man, his brother did hire some
dubious-looking blokes.  Ryan looked like he could run a man over and keep on
going without even cracking a sweat.  He moved silently, seeming to blend in easily
with the surroundings, his eyes hidden behind the aviator shades.

Now why was he over at the
graveyards?  Not like that place needed security, was it?

Luke waited, watching as Ryan
approached, the man’s stride anything but easy.  He rolled on the balls of his
feet, almost prowling.  That wasn’t subtle at all.  Where did Aaron find this
bloke?  Wait, better not to know. Aaron could be freaky, this bloke was of the
same kind only a little deadlier.  Kind of like a snake.

Not sure how he felt about the man
yet, Luke nodded as Ryan came to a halt several feet from him.  “G’day again.”

“G’day.”  Ryan’s gaze dropped to
Dog as the animal approached.  Slowly he held his palm out for Dog to sniff, patiently
waiting as Dog had a good snuffle then started wagging his tail.  Only then did
Ryan stroke his head.  “Nice dog.”

“That he is.”

Ryan studied him, those aviator glasses
throwing Luke’s reflection back at him.  “Your girlfriend saw lights.”

Hooking his thumbs in his back
pockets, Luke nodded.

Ryan stood still, only the faint
breeze ruffling his dark hair.

“You’ve been to the graveyard,”
Luke stated.

“And the chapel.”

“Did you find what you were
looking for?”

“Your girlfriend’s set up camcorders
with night vision.”

“She thinks she can catch ghostly apparitions.” 
Shit, had he really said ‘apparitions’?  Maybe subconsciously he had been
taking in the girls’ conversations in the kitchen after dinner.

“Do you believe she’s seen these
lights?”

“I believe she believes it.”

“But you don’t believe in ghosts.”

“Haven’t seen one yet.  When and
if I do, I’ll consider changing my mind.”

Ryan looked around slowly, his
gaze drifting over the landscape before he returned his attention to Luke. 
“You’re going to let her go to the  graveyards alone tonight?”

“Hell no.”  Seriously, the man
thought Luke would let his Red go into the bushes alone?  Not happening.  “I’m
going with her.”

“Why don’t you just stop her from
going if you think it’s dangerous?”

“I never said I thought it was
dangerous.”  Shifting his hips, Luke rested his weight on one leg.  “I know
bugger all about ghosts or anything supernatural, the sheilas are full-bottle
on it.  I’m just going with her because I don’t like the idea of her wandering
the bushes at night on her own.  It’s why I went out with them the other night.”

Ryan’s expression didn’t change,
but Luke felt his approval nevertheless.  “Nice to know that you’ll protect
them even if you don’t share the same beliefs.”

“It’s what you do, right?”  Luke
shrugged.  “Besides, everyone has a right to believe what they want.”

“Yes.”  Ryan looked down at Dog,
whose head he was still stroking.

Still uncertain what to make of
him, Luke regarded him steadily.  “Is Aaron going to put security cameras in
the chapel as well?”

Ryan stopped patting Dog, slipping
his hands into his pockets.  Seeing as the pats had stopped, Dog walked back to
sit beside Luke, leaning his head against Luke’s leg.

“Guests come with their own
issues,” Ryan replied.  “Also, once the mansion starts to gain notice all kinds
of people might be incited to check out the graveyards and chapel.”

“Elspeth has ideas of encouraging
ghost hunts and sightings, she thinks it’ll be good business.”

“And that brings its own set of
issues.  It can attract vandals, satanic worshippers, witches, thrill seekers-”
At Luke’s startled expression, Ryan seemed amused.

Man didn’t crack a smile nor a
twitch of his lips, but the amusement was somehow evident.

“Satanic worshippers?” Luke shook
his head.  “Are you serious? 
Witches
?”

“Never said they would come, I
just said it can attract people with those kinds of interests.  Aaron will
discuss the needs and possibilities with Elspeth, decide with her what is
needed.”  Ryan started walking.  “Catch you later, Luke.”

As Ryan headed back to the
mansion, Luke looked at Dog, who whined.

“Witches, Dog.  Can you believe
it?  Vandals maybe, but really?  Satanic worshippers?  You have
got
to
be shitting me.”

Dog ducked his head, pawed the
side of his nose and then panted happily up at Luke, his tongue lolling out of
his mouth.

Luke scowled over his shoulder
towards the mansion.  “If Mikki ever comes out here for a holiday or to visit,
no way in hell is she coming alone.  I am on her arse like a burr to a
blanket.”

Dog barked.

“Yeah, you can come, too.”

Dog barked again.

“No, Duchess stays home.  Dad or
one of Mikki’s rellies will feed her while we’re away.”

It struck Luke immediately what
he’d just said.  Cripes, he’d just insinuated that he and Mikki would be
together
together.  He, her, Dog and Duchess.  Like a little family.  In one house.

Ooohhhh.
  He sucked in a
breath, stared out towards the bushes.  Jesus, had he really just presumed
that?  He rubbed his jaw.  Well, yeah.  He shook his head.  Seriously, it was
early days, way too early to be thinking of sharing a house.

Though they were sharing a bed at
times.  Well, not a bed yet, but they’d shared a sleeping bag.  But moving in
together?  That was a whole other ball game.

And there was another game
changer.  Luke had never moved in with a woman, never been prepared to make
that final leap because for him moving in together
was
a final leap. 
Moving in meant a ring and a wedding.  Together forever and ever, for better or
worse, sickness and health, and all that shit that he did believe in.

“Oohh boy.”  He sucked in a deep
breath, ripped his pad out from his back pocket, yanked the pen from behind his
ear, flipped to the page on which he’d last been writing.  “Okay, gardenia
bushes, gonna need about twenty to go down that boundary.”

Chapter 9

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“Sitting out here late at night.”

“It’s nice.”

Luke gave Mikki an incredulous
look.  “We’re sitting on the front porch of a broken-down chapel watching
graveyards, which, I might add, we can’t see in the dark anyway.”

“We’ve got a lantern.”

“And whose dumb idea was it to use
this low glow when we could have the bright, white one?”

“Whining is not attractive, Luke.”

“Fine.”  He grinned at her. 
“Let’s go back to the mansion and fool around.”

After taking a sip of chicken soup
from the mug they were sharing, Mikki handed it to him.  “I am not fooling
around with you while Aaron and Ryan are staying with us overnight.”

Being what he thought was
reasonable, he cradled the mug in his hands while pointing out, “It’s a big
mansion.  We’ll go up to the tower and I’ll gag you so you can’t scream.”

She eyeballed him.

“You are a bit of a screamer,” he
explained kindly.  “Not that I’m complaining, ‘cause it’s me making you
scream.”  Made him feel all manly and shit, too.  Not that he’d ever admit it.

“We are
not
going to the
tower to fool around.”

“Why not?”

“Who knows where and when Aaron
and Ryan will pop up?”

“They won’t go to the tower.  Why
would they go to the tower?”

“I’m not risking it.”

Sighing, he took a mouthful of the
delicious soup Elspeth had made for dinner earlier that evening and passed the
mug back to Mikki.

The night closed in around them,
the stars blazed overhead, all quiet except for the rustle of bushes where the
nightlife went about their business.  Dog was lying nearby, his head on his
front paws.  Mikki was certain he’d be a great alarm system should a spirit
decide to grace them with its presence.

It was really private.  Which gave
him an idea.  “We could fool around inside the chapel.”

Mikki shifted away from him.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t want to be hit by
lightening.”

“Huh?”

“In a chapel, Luke?  Really?  You
want to have sex in a
chapel
?”

“Well, when you put it like that…
But it’s not a working chapel, right?”

“It’s still sacred ground!”

“Geez.”  He pointed to the spot beside
him.  “Get your pretty little arse back here, Red.”

“You said ‘arse’ on the steps of a
chapel.”  She looked up at the sky.

After several seconds, he said,
“You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”

“I really thought your last
suggestion would test the good Lord’s patience and he’d make an example of
you.”

Luke rolled his eyes.

“But seeing as you’re not charred
and smoking, I guess it’s safe to come back.”  She shuffled back to sit beside
him again.

Yeah, that was good.  He slid his
arm around her, liking the way she fit so snugly against his side.  “We could
just fool around out here?”  That earned him an elbow in the ribs.  “Or not.” 
He rubbed his side.  “Cripes, lady, you are a bit of a kill joy.”

“No I’m not, I’m loads of fun. 
It’s just it doesn’t all revolve around sex like it does for you.”  Taking a
mouthful of chicken soup, she handed the mug back to Luke.

“It doesn’t all revolve around
sex.”  He smirked.  “Much.”

“You are here with me, and this is
fun, right?”

“Sure.”  He looked around at the
dark.  “I’m having the time of my life.”

“Because you’re with me?”

He smiled at her.  “You make it
worthwhile.”

“So sweet.”  She leaned her head
against his shoulder.

“This is all I’m going to get
tonight, isn’t it?”

“Luke!”

“Fine.”  Enjoying the sparring
between them, he swirled the chicken soup in the mug to cool it off a bit,
steam curling from it to fill the air with the delicious scent.  “So,
graveyards, huh?”

“Don’t you like graveyards?” She
was surprised.

A little astonished, he looked
down at the bright red hair resting against his shoulder.  “What’s to like?”

“They’re peaceful.”

“Red, they’re full of dead
people.”

“Worried they’ll rise up and come
for you, wanting your brains?”  She paused. “They’d be on a bit of a diet,
wouldn’t they?”

“If you’re insinuating that I
don’t have enough brains to satisfy a zombie-”

Delighted, she pulled back a bit
to look up at him.  “Zombies!”

Oh boy.  He eyed her warily. 
Something was coming.

“You like zombies?”

“You mean rotting corpses lurching
around graveyards?  No.”

“Oh come on, you must have enjoyed
watching The Walking Dead.”

“Never seen it.”

The look of horror on her face was
priceless.  “You’ve never seen
one
episode of The Walking Dead?”

“Nope.”

“What about Dawn of the Dead?”

“Nah.”

“Resident Evil?”

He shook his head.

“Night of the Living Dead?”

“My tastes run more to The Fast
and the Furious.”

One corner of her upper lip curled
up.

“Some wrestling.”

“Oh no.”

“Westerns.”

She shook her head sadly.  “I
don’t think we can be a couple, Luke.”

“Because our viewing tastes don’t match?”

“That could be a big decider.”

“We could agree to turn off the TV
and just fool around.”

“Is that your answer to
everything?”

“Possibly.”  Luke took a
thoughtful mouthful of chicken soup, passed the mug back to her.  “Then again,
I’m out here with you, aren’t I?”  He gave a put-upon sigh.  “Not fooling
around, just sitting watching nothing and getting cramp in my arse.”

Laughing, she leaned forward to
snag the flask off the ground, refilling the mug.  Screwing the cap back on,
she settled again into the circle of his arm with the freshly steaming mug of
soup.  “Maybe I’ll keep you after all.”

“I am a keeper,” he agreed smugly.

A short time passed with them
sharing the soup before she said, “We’ll just have to organise our TV and movie
schedules, it’s the only way to save this relationship.”

“I knew you’d come up with a plan.”

“I’m the brains in this
relationship, you’re the brawn.”

“That’s why the zombies will be
after you first.”

Laughing softly, they sat in
contented silence, enjoying each other’s company, letting the peace of the
night surround them.

Truthfully, Luke liked sitting
quietly with his girl in his arm.  He loved sex, wasn’t going to lie about that,
but he wasn’t so shallow that’s all he wanted from her.  He liked talking to
her, and not just the fun sparring and teasing.  Over the last few days he’d
had time during meals and after dinner to chat to her, discussing everything
from politics to food to their jobs and plans for the future.

He was surprised to find that she
owned her duplex, or was at least paying it off.  Her wage wasn’t big but
apparently she was thrifty.  She made her own cleaning ingredients from
vinegar, bicarb soda, lemon and a few other ingredients, she budgeted, and as
for fashion she bought only what she needed and what she liked.  She got fun
out of the simple things in life and didn’t need much to make her happy.  Books,
movies and her computer were her main forms of entertainment, along with the
ghost hunts on which she accompanied Elspeth.

In that they were surprisingly
similar in a lot of areas.  He had Dog, a small three by one house he was
paying off, a growing business, and apart from dating he actually liked staying
in and watching movies and reading the latest car or gardening magazine.  When
he went out on dates, though, he didn’t scrimp, taking them to
nicer-than-average restaurants.

On reflection, he realised he’d
never thought to take a date to a horror movie, but Mikki would be ecstatic. 
Big difference.

He had to ask.  “Would you ever
watch an action movie with me?”

“Sure.”

“Really?”  He was pleased.

“I know how to share.  Will you
watch a horror movie with me?”

“No.”

“No sex.”

“I am so into horror movies.”

Laughing, she nudged him. 
Grinning, he nuzzled her cheek.

“We’ll share,” she said, right
before she turned her head and kissed him.

There went his toes, curling in
his sneakers.  Damn, he just wanted to eat her up.  Luke kissed her deeper,
more than happy to take this further.  Then he remembered what she said and
pulled back enough to say huskily, “No. 
No
sex for you.”

“Really?”

“
No
fooling around.”

She pouted prettily.  “What if
I’ve changed my mind?”

His interest perked up, his shaft
in total agreement.  “Have you?”

“No.”

“God, woman, you are a tease.”

She smiled sweetly up at him.  “If
you’re good, I promise to shag your brains right out as soon as we get home.”

“What?  I have to wait
that
long?”

“Here.”  She filled the mug again
and handed it to him.  “I won’t have you passing out on me.”

“That’s your own fault,” he
grumbled.  “Springing shocks like that on me when I’m vulnerable.”

She snorted.

Something rustled not far off, a
crack of a stick breaking.  Dog shot to his feet, ears pricked, while Luke pushed
upright, shoving Mikki partly behind him with one hand on her hip holding her
in place as she tried to get past him.

“It’s from the direction of the
family graveyard,” she said.  “I need to check the camcorders.”

“Stay right here.”  He listened,
trying to see into the dark.

“Luke-”

“Someone is out there.”

“Or it could just be an animal,”
she countered.

True.  “You’re not going to the
graveyard alone.”

“So come with me.”

“Red, there was never any question
about that.”  Placing the mug on the step, he picked up the lantern, turned the
switch to light the area brightly, and grabbed her hand.  “Come on, Dog.”

Dog looked up at him and back
towards the bushes, falling into step ahead of them, looking back to check they
were following.  Nose down, he angled into the bushes and Luke let him go,
keeping his gaze on the graveyards.  Dark headstones and big statues loomed in
the family graveyard, and he lifted the lantern to cast light on them.

Mikki disengaged her hand from
his, stopping beside the first camcorder to check it was still functioning
before doing the same with the other.  He snagged her hand again to walk beside
her to the servants’ graveyard, shooting her a look when she opened her mouth
to argue.  Wisely she closed her mouth, and he released her only long enough to
allow her to check the camcoder before taking her hand once more, holding the
lantern aloft to gaze around.  “Anything else we need to do?”

“Relax?” she suggested.

Lowering the lantern, he looked
down at her.  “You might be used to ghost hunts, I’m not.  I’m a firm believer
that something that can break a branch can hit you over the head with it.”

“That’s possibly more a
poltergeist thing.”

“Or a human thing.”

“Luke, who would possibly be out
here at night in a graveyard?”

He just stared at her.

“Okay, point taken,” she
conceded.  “But why would anyone be out at this particular graveyard?”

He just continued to look at her.

“Okay, another point taken.  How
about - why now?”

“No idea.”

“Besides, it probably isn’t anyone,
anyway.”

“True again.  The branch might
have just fallen, it might have been an animal knocking it out of a bush.  But
I prefer to be cautious.”

Mikki smiled up at him, a little
gleam in her eyes that didn’t bode well.  “You know, you could be handy on
future ghost hunts-”

“Oh, do not go there.”  He led her
back towards the chapel.

“You’d be the voice of reason,
ensuring the intrepid hunters didn’t let their imaginations run away with them,
making sure everything stayed true-”

“I am
not
going ghost
hunting with you and Elspeth.”  He looked sternly down at her as they came to a
halt next to the porch.  “And you know why?”

“Because you’ll be at home all
alone playing with yourself?” she answered brightly.

That choked a guffaw out of him,
but he sobered enough to say, “No, you little witch, it’ll be because…”  He
went blank.

Wait.  Mikki and her aunt going
off on ghost hunts?  Without him? 
Alone?

“Don’t worry.”  She patted his
chest.  “We go in groups with professionals in attendance.”

That was a bit of a relief.

“It’s only the odd time we head
out together.”

“I think I feel heartburn
starting.”

“Just a couple of times a year.”

He rubbed his arm.  “It could be a
heart attack.”

“But then, if we’re alone you’ll
come with us.  Right?”  She beamed up at him.

“Only if you come to the car races
with me every time I have to go with you and your aunt as your protector-”

“Voice of reason.”

“We both have different
interpretations of my presence being there.  Now do you agree to
my
terms?”  Huh, like she’d go to the car races.

“Is that your one condition?”

No ghost hunts for him, and she
and Elspeth wouldn’t go alone.  Win-win.  “Yep.”

She shrugged.  “Sure.”

Damn
.  “Are you serious?”

“Aren’t you?”  She looked up earnestly
at him.

Double damn
.  Trapped.  And
going by the smile that curved those lush lips, she knew it.

“Shit,” he said with feeling.

~*~

Staggering out to the kitchen the
next morning, he came upon Aaron sitting at the table with a hot cup of coffee
and his seemingly ever-present laptop, while Ryan sat in the other chair with
Duchess playing around his boots, tugging his laces loose.  Elspeth was
buttering toast, Mikki downloading the camcorder films onto her laptop.